"Ryou invited me over as a guest, so I came," Tabibito said, glancing at Keqing.
"If I'm in the way, I can leave."
"Then leave," Keqing replied flatly. To her, this woman's intentions were obvious.
Dinner, my ass. She's here to take a bite out of my husband.
"Keqing," Ryou said, clearing his throat, "go have the steward start on dinner."
"Fine," Keqing said, dropping the subject—for now.
Ryou sat down and poured tea for Tabibito and Ganyu. "Did you find anything from yesterday's investigation?"
"Mm… nothing major," Tabibito said. "I only ran into the Fatui once. It looked like they left something behind in Guyun Stone Forest."
Her expression tightened. "I couldn't get close enough to confirm. I saw a team from the Adventurers' Guild go in… and they came out as corpses."
She swallowed, a shiver running through her. "There's a presence in there. The whole place feels saturated with power. Just being near it scared me."
"It's probably those old gods straining against their seals," Ganyu said, staring toward Guyun Stone Forest. "But with Rex Lapis here, they won't dare act recklessly."
Her voice turned grave. "Still… it feels like they're only waiting for an opening. Sooner or later, they'll make a move."
"It'll be fine," Ryou said, taking a sip of tea before setting the cup down. He looked at Ganyu calmly.
"If anything happens, Zhongli and the adepti will hold the line. We just need to keep Liyue Harbor steady."
"Then… do you want me to keep watching Guyun Stone Forest?" Tabibito asked.
"Not for now," Ryou said. "Yesterday's mess probably put a spotlight on you. Focus on the Fatui instead."
He didn't say the rest out loud, but the thought was there: Tabibito had already nabbed plenty of Yelan's people at Guyun Stone Forest. Sending her back again would be asking for trouble.
Childe and Signora weren't idiots. There was no way they wouldn't notice.
Ryou found himself wondering if Signora's deal with Zhongli could even continue at this point. Zhongli wasn't "handling affairs" anymore—he was happily working at the Ministry of Civil Affairs, and he barely even went out.
If she wanted to see him now, she might not even get the chance.
The thought amused him.
"What are you smiling about?" Ganyu asked.
"I just think Zhongli's enjoying his job at the Ministry of Civil Affairs," Ryou said. "It's like he's forgotten half the stuff he used to care about."
Ganyu rolled her eyes. "You're probably the only person in Liyue who dares say that."
Then she hesitated, as if the memory still felt strange. "Speaking of… I saw Rex Lapis today. He seemed… unusually cheerful."
Ganyu's brows knit together. "I asked why, and he told me you gave him some top-grade tea leaves. And he said tomorrow he'll be getting a lot of Mora as a reward, so he wants to treat me to a meal…"
The more she spoke, the weirder it sounded. Zhongli had blended into Liyue life completely, sure, but when she'd seen him like that, it had felt oddly off.
Ryou just laughed. "Isn't that a good thing?"
He leaned back, thinking aloud. "People used to describe Zhongli as learned and composed—always proper, always measured."
His gaze drifted as he searched for the right word. "But now… he feels more natural. Like he's not forcing it anymore. Before, he always had this slight distance from ordinary people, like he didn't quite fit."
"Like it was… deliberate?" Tabibito offered.
"Exactly," Ryou said with a grin. "Now he's relaxed. He fits in at the Ministry of Civil Affairs."
He shrugged. "That's life. Free and easy, earn some Mora—what's not to like?"
Then he sighed dramatically. "But really, I've tried setting people up with Zhongli, and not a single one succeeds. What's wrong with them?"
"Don't you dare," Ganyu snapped, glaring at him.
Ryou flicked his eyes toward her, and without a word, his hand slid onto her thigh—light at first, then teasingly firm.
"Mm—" A sound slipped out of Ganyu before she could stop it. The sensation was so shameless it made her whole body go stiff.
This man really had no shame.
And Tabibito was right there.
If she made another sound, she was finished.
He wasn't even trying to hide it. He was doing it openly.
Ganyu remembered how guarded Keqing had been toward Tabibito earlier. If Keqing was already on edge, how could she ever possibly agree to anything?
And now Ryou was being this reckless—what if Keqing noticed?
Ganyu's pulse spiked.
Worse, his hand crept higher.
Her face heated instantly.
She shot him a warning look and grabbed his arm, trying to stop him.
In the next breath, Ryou caught her hand instead, folding her fingers into his palm as if it belonged there.
He squeezed, pinched, toyed with her hand like it was something he'd claimed.
The strange, tingling discomfort spread through her whole body. She couldn't sit still.
It reminded her of a few days ago, when Keqing had come to her office and asked to borrow clothes.
Now Ganyu felt like she'd become that Keqing—flustered, helpless, and shamefully thrilled all at once.
She couldn't look at Ryou.
She couldn't look at Tabibito either.
Even though she used her adeptal energy to steady her expression, the embarrassment still burned through her.
"Isn't finding Zhongli a wife a good thing?" Tabibito said, still puzzled by Ganyu's reaction.
She'd heard Ryou say before that whoever could "win over" Zhongli would get a house in Liyue Harbor. That kind of offer should've tempted a lot of people.
And she remembered last time Zhongli got drunk at Wanmin Restaurant—several women had practically carried him off.
If Venti hadn't barged in, things might've gone very differently.
"Yeah," Ryou said casually, eyes still on Ganyu. "People say getting married makes a man steadier, doesn't it?"
He smiled, then prodded the sore spot on purpose. "Ganyu, I'm doing this for Zhongli's sake. But why are you so worked up?"
His gaze sharpened. "And why are you blushing? Don't tell me you like Zhongli."
"I…" Ganyu met his eyes and felt like her face caught fire.
This bastard was doing it on purpose.
You know exactly what I'm thinking, and you still say it anyway. You just want to bully me.
"Ganyu… you like Zhongli?" Keqing's voice cut in as she walked over, catching the tail end of it.
Ganyu froze.
"That's good," Keqing said, visibly relieved. "Zhongli isn't right for you. You should—" She caught herself mid-sentence. "Never mind."
Ganyu didn't answer. She just turned even more wary of Ryou.
Keqing had almost noticed.
Almost.
This man was completely out of control.
And Ganyu—who'd been tense the whole time—reacted on instinct. She stomped down hard.
"Ow!" Tabibito yelped, twisting toward Ryou with a pained look. "Ryou, why did you step on me?"
Ryou blinked. "What?"
He glanced at Ganyu, coughed, then said quickly, "Sorry. That's on me. I've got a bottle of juice—call it compensation, alright?"
"Juice? Sure!" Tabibito brightened immediately. She'd been thinking about that taste for ages.
She poured herself a cup, took a sip, then stared. "This is better than the last batch!"
"Is it?" Keqing stepped right between Ryou and Tabibito and shot Ryou a warning look. Then she turned to Tabibito. "Pour me a cup too."
"Of course," Tabibito said, nodding.
Keqing took a sip and paused. The flavor was noticeably smoother—richer, cleaner, more satisfying than before.
She turned her head toward Ryou. "This really is better. You're unbelievable."
"Obviously," Ryou said, smiling as if it were nothing.
He lifted his hand and conjured another bottle. "Come on. Sit down and try some."
"Mm." Ganyu sat as well, using the juice as an excuse to cover the awkwardness.
Keqing had appeared without a sound earlier and nearly scared her out of her soul. Under normal circumstances, Ganyu would've sensed Keqing approaching long before she got close.
But Ryou had completely thrown her off. She hadn't noticed a thing.
If she'd slipped up even slightly, Keqing would've seen everything.
Ganyu drank slowly. The juice really was better—there was even a faint thread of spiritual energy in it, making it feel clean and invigorating.
Then guilt hit her again.
She'd stomped on Tabibito.
And Tabibito just… let it go?
That didn't feel right.
Unless Keqing was right—unless Tabibito had come here for Ryou too.
Ganyu's stomach tightened.
She hadn't even made her move yet, and there was already competition?
Tabibito noticed Ganyu watching her and grew suspicious in return.
Why is Ganyu staring at me like that?
Don't tell me she's the same type.
If Ganyu wanted Ryou too… this could get interesting.
Keqing, even your closest friend has eyes on your husband. Let's see how you plan to keep him.
With enemies outside and enemies inside, there's no way Keqing can watch him every second.
And Tabibito refused to believe she couldn't find an opening.
"Dinner is ready," the steward announced, stepping in.
Ryou set his cup down and looked at the three women. "Let's eat first."
In the dining room, Ryou stared at the dishes on the table.
They looked familiar.
The spread was almost exactly what they'd eaten at his uncle's place.
He hadn't expected Keqing to remember every dish. The thought hit him harder than he liked to admit.
Keqing really did pay attention to him.
Having a wife like that… was a kind of happiness.
He couldn't betray Keqing.
Ganyu was the only exception.
Keqing worked herself to the bone—carrying everything alone was too much. If Ganyu could share the burden, that would be a good thing.
And they were close as sisters. It fit.
Just one more. No one else.
Ryou felt lighter after convincing himself, and he leaned over to hug Keqing.
Keqing caught his look and met his eyes. "Eat."
"Mm," Ryou said, nodding.
Everyone sat down. Then Keqing took out several bottles of Dandelion Wine.
Ryou immediately raised a hand. "Let's not drink tonight."
"Y-yeah," Ganyu agreed quickly, her face going pink as she remembered what happened the last time they drank.
Tabibito eyed the bottles. "This Dandelion Wine… don't tell me it's from Venti?"
"It is," Keqing said. "I asked him for a few bottles to keep for guests."
She looked at Ryou. "And I promised Venti you'd help him process the Dandelion Wine again. So…"
"Alright," Ryou said. "I've got it."
"Come on," Keqing said, lifting a cup. "We'll eat. Just one cup—no more."
Ryou and Ganyu exchanged a look and reluctantly agreed.
Ryou's head ached just thinking about the last time Keqing got drunk. She couldn't handle alcohol, yet she insisted on drinking anyway. Why torture yourself?
And wasn't she supposed to be close friends with Ganyu?
Why was she pushing Ganyu to drink so hard?
Unless…
Ryou's guard went up.
Keqing had been unusually wary of any woman around him lately. He hadn't done anything out of line—at least, not openly.
If there was anyone he'd gotten too close to…
Ganyu.
Ryou's scalp prickled.
Don't tell me she noticed something.
Dinner ran nearly half an hour. Thankfully, neither Ganyu nor Tabibito drank much, and after the meal they both left one after another.
"Keqing," Ryou said later, holding her in his arms as they sat in the courtyard to cool off, "do you have a problem with Ganyu or something?"
"No," Keqing said, turning to him. "We're close friends. Why would you think we hate each other?"
"I just keep seeing you push her to drink," Ryou said, coughing lightly. "If you weren't friends, I'd think you were trying to mess with her."
Keqing shot him a look.
I'm doing this for you, you idiot.
Everyone knows if the woman isn't tipsy, the man won't dare. And you still don't get it.
Ganyu finally comes to the house, and you don't know how to seize the moment.
Then Keqing's expression sharpened. "You can get closer to Ganyu, fine. But don't get too close to Tabibito."
Her eyes locked on his. "Tabibito isn't harmless. Haven't you seen the way she looks at you? Like a tigress staring at prey—like she wants to swallow you whole."
Ryou laughed awkwardly. "Are you overthinking it?"
"I'm not!" Keqing wriggled out of his arms, then climbed back onto his lap on her knees. She grabbed his cheeks and pinched them.
"I don't get it," she hissed. "Why do women like you so much? One after another, they keep staring at you like they want to eat you alive."
Her fingers tightened on his face. "You married me. You're not allowed to mess around. Or else…"
Her gaze flicked downward.
Ryou went cold all over. "No—of course not!"
Keqing released him, then immediately regretted what she'd said.
She'd meant it as a warning… but she also wanted him to take Ganyu.
If she kept telling him "don't mess around," wasn't she just tying her own hands?
Ryou pulled her back into his arms. "How could I? Marrying you already feels like I got everything I ever wanted."
He lowered his voice. "But if we keep talking like this, we're wasting a perfect night. Come on—I'll take you to enjoy the moon."
Keqing snorted. "Moon? The 'moon' you want to admire isn't hanging high in the sky."
She jabbed his chest. "It's hanging halfway up, showing off like it owns the place."
Ryou choked. "Cough—"
"Keqing," he managed, wheezing, "you're getting way too good at reading me."
He tightened his hold and stood up. "But you're coming anyway. If we miss the view, that'd be a tragedy. Let's go."
"I don't even like looking at—mmph! You—bad man!"
Keqing didn't get another word out.
Ryou had already carried her off to "admire the moon."
[End of chapter]
[200 Power Stones = Extra Chapter]
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