Paimon: "In any case… if anyone tries to use you, Paimon won't let them."
Aether gave a small smile.
Aether: "Thank you, Paimon."
Tap tap tap tap tap tap
Aether continued walking steadily, her boots clicking softly against the smooth stone steps.
Beside her, Paimon floated silently, her small hands clasped in front of her.
Paimon: "....."
Her usually lively expression was subdued, her eyes slightly lowered.
She didn't like what she had seen earlier:
- Those lingering stares
- Those whispers that reduced Aether to a title, an image, rather than the person she knew.
Paimon: "They don't see Aether as he truly is…"
They slowly climbed the stairs leading to the main building of Liyue's administrative district.
Around them, the sounds of the port seemed to fade away:
- The shouts of the merchants
- The clatter of crates being moved
- The lapping of water against the docks.
Here, the air was calmer, almost solemn.
Suddenly, a familiar voice rang out behind them, slightly breathless.
???: "AETHER, PAIMON!"
They both turned around almost simultaneously.
Before them stood a slender man with green hair, his golden eyes shining with barely concealed concern.
Around his neck was a white snake with red eyes, observing the scene with silent attention.
Baizhu was quickly descending the steps of the Bubu pharmacy, his coat and braid flowing slightly behind him.
Paimon: "Oh, Baizhu, Changsheng!"
Aether bowed his head slightly in respect.
Aether: "How are you?"
"Do you need any help?"
Baizhu stopped in front of them, catching his breath.
His gaze lingered briefly on Aether's face, and he immediately noticed the subtle tension in her features, the unease that an experienced doctor couldn't ignore.
He shook his head gently.
Baizhu: "No… well, not exactly."
"I'm looking for Qiqi."
"You haven't seen her, have you?"
Paimon remained silent for a moment, his cheeks puffing out slightly.
Paimon: "…"
Aether: "We saw her a few moments ago; she was running in the other direction."
Paimon: "Don't worry, she's fine!"
Baizhu let out a sigh of relief, placing a hand on his chest.
Baizhu: "Good… that child always disappears the moment I look away."
Changsheng raised his head slightly.
Changsheng: "Hmph… humans are really stressful when they worry too much."
Baizhu gave a faint smile, then his attention returned to Aether and Paimon.
This time, he didn't just give them a quick glance.
He observed their expressions more closely: Aether's closed posture, Paimon's slightly lower stance than usual.
Baizhu: "Still… something's not right, is it?"
Paimon immediately turned to Aether, then back to Baizhu, hesitating for a moment before speaking.
She took a small breath.
Paimon: "It's just that… ever since we arrived in Liyue, everyone's been looking at Aether strangely."
"They whisper, they point at him, they talk about him as if he were… someone else."
"A hero, a legend, a kind of trophy."
"But they don't know how tired Aether is sometimes, or how hard he fights to help others without asking for anything in return."
Paimon doesn't like it… it makes him uncomfortable, and Paimon hates seeing his best friend like this.
His words came out in a single breath.
Paimon crossed his arms, his eyes shining with suppressed emotion.
Baizhu listened silently, nodding slowly.
He understood.
In Liyue, fame was a double-edged sword.
Baizhu: "I see… this kind of thing is unfortunately very common here."
Aether looked away slightly, his eyes resting on the steps in front of him.
Aether: "I know they don't do it out of malice… but I feel like I'm not myself when they look at me like that."
Baizhu placed a hand on his chin, lost in thought.
He realized that his words, though honest, weren't enough to soothe Aether.
Baizhu "In that case… let me give you some advice."
He paused, then smiled gently.
Baizhu: "Not as a doctor… but as a friend."
Paimon immediately looked up.
Paimon: "Oh!"
"Oh!"
"Paimon, listen!"
Baizhu: "Do as Ningguang does."
Paimon reacted instantly, throwing up his arms.
Paimon: "Get rich and eat fish?"
Baizhu: "WHAT?"
"NO!"
Changsheng burst into a hissing laugh.
Changsheng: "Hah… I'd like to see that."
Baizhu shook his head, slightly amused despite himself.
Baizhu: "I mean… not caring what others think."
"Doing what we want, as long as it doesn't hurt anyone."
"Ningguang didn't become who she is by seeking the approval of others."
Aether remained silent for a moment.
Baizhu's words resonated within him.
He briefly closed his eyes, then took a deep breath.
Aether: "...I understand. Thank you, Baizhu."
Paimon nodded vigorously.
Paimon: "Yes!"
"Thank you!"
Baizhu smiled, clearly in a hurry now.
Baizhu: "I have to go."
"If Qiqi gets lost for too long, Hu Tao might find her before I do."
Changsheng: "And that would be a real problem."
Baizhu started running toward the exit of Liyue, his coat flapping behind him as he raced down the steps.
Baizhu: "Take care!"
Paimon waved to him.
Paimon: "Good luck!"
Aether: "And if anyone asks you if you saw us, tell them no."
Baizhu doesn't reply, but raises his hand to show he understands the message.
Aether: "Thank you."
Once Baizhu was out of sight, Aether and Paimon continued on their way.
They climbed the last few steps, finally reaching the plaza in front of the Civil Affairs Office.
The building stood before them, imposing and elegant, its finely carved wooden pillars a testament to Liyue's craftsmanship.
Off to the side, seated calmly at a small table, Madame Ping quietly sipped her tea, her expression serene.
Aether bowed respectfully.
Aether: "Good morning, Madame Ping."
Paimon: "Good morning!"
Madame Ping gently raised her eyes, a kind smile spreading across her face.
Madame Ping: "Ah... the Traveler and his little companion."
"You seem to have arrived at just the right time."
Aether: "Thank you, and give Yanfei my regards."
Aether exchanged a glance with Paimon.
Despite the weight of the stares he had felt earlier, something within him calmed slightly.
Here, at this precise moment, he was neither a hero nor a legend.
Madame Ping: "My granddaughter will blush when I say hello to him from her."
"Hehe."
Aether and Paimon were walking calmly near the civil affairs office when two familiar figures appeared a little further on.
A young woman with light blue hair, falling in long, silky strands along her shoulders, stood straight, her small black horns with red highlights contrasting gently with the paleness of her skin.
Beside her stood a tall woman with dazzling white hair and piercing red eyes, whose elegant and confident bearing commanded respect from anyone who met her gaze.
Ganyu and Ningguang.
Ganyu: The secretary at Yuehai Pavilion.
The blood of the qilin, an illuminated beast, flows within her veins.
Ningguang: The Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing.
Her wealth is unsurpassed in all of Teyvat.
Paimon instantly lit up, flapping her arms enthusiastically.
Paimon: "GANYU, NINGGUANG!"
The two women turned around almost simultaneously.
Ganyu's eyes widened slightly in surprise before softening, while Ningguang offered that controlled smile that was so characteristic of her.
Ganyu: "Aether… Paimon…"
Ningguang: "Glad to see you again, in any case."
Aether inclined her head respectfully.
Aether: "Us too."
"It's good to see you again."
Ganyu took a few steps toward them, clearly genuinely happy.
Ganyu: "I'm so glad to see you again, Aether and Paimon."
"And... I'm sorry for sending you that letter three days ago to get you to come here."
"I imagine you must have been gutted to have to waste your days off."
Paimon placed her hands on her hips, feigning sternness.
Paimon: "You don't have to apologize to us!"
"You're the one who should be resting instead of spending your days locked in an office!"
Ganyu smiled shyly, lowering her gaze slightly.
Ganyu: "I suppose you're right..."
Then Paimon suddenly frowned.
Paimon: "Wait… what do you mean by 'three days'?"
Ganyu blinked in surprise.
Ganyu: "…?"
"Well… I'm talking about the letter."
"I sent it four days ago, which means it arrived in Mondstadt three days ago."
Paimon's mouth fell open.
Paimon: "WHAT?!"
"We only received it this morning!"
"We were in Mondstadt just yesterday!"
Ganyu froze, her eyes wide.
Ganyu: "WAIT… BUT IT'S ONLY 1 PM!"
Ningguang crossed his arms, observing Aether with heightened interest.
Ningguang: "The journey between Mondstadt and Liyue is supposed to take at least half a day."
"How did you manage to travel so fast?"
She narrowed her eyes slightly.
Ningguang: "Didn't you use a teleportation point that only you can activate?"
Aether scratched her cheek, a sheepish smile playing on her lips.
Aether: "Teleportation points..."
"We mostly use them when we're feeling lazy."
A short silence followed.
Ganyu: "...Then how did you cover such a distance in just a few hours?"
Paimon raised his chin proudly.
Paimon: "It's simple!"
"Aether ran... and Paimon floated beside him!"
Ningguang: "...…"
Ganyu: "...…"
The two women remained silent for a moment, clearly trying to process the information.
Ganyu: "A-anyway… that's not the point."
"I assume you're here to help Shenhe?"
Paimon nodded briskly.
Paimon:
"Yes! That's exactly why we came."
Aether nodded silently.
Aether then took a small bag from her satchel and handed it to Paimon.
Paimon:
"Huh?"
She opened it.
Her eyes sparkled.
Paimon: "TEN THOUSAND MORAS?!"
Aether:
"Paimon, I have a mission for you."
Paimon: "...Paimon, listen."
Aether: "Find us a good restaurant for tonight."
Paimon smiled, but immediately noticed something.
Aether was tense.
Her shoulders were slightly stiff, her gaze more distant than usual.
Paimon closed the bag.
Paimon: "Okay... but before that, let Paimon speak to Ganyu in private."
Aether understood immediately.
Aether: "Very well."
He calmly walked away to speak with Madame Ping, whom he warmly thanked for the tea.
Meanwhile, Paimon approached Ganyu… but Ningguang also remained within earshot.
Ganyu: "If you want more mora, Ningguang might be able to extend you credit."
Ningguang smiled.
Ningguang: "If Aether asks me… I might even give them to you."
Paimon blinked.
Paimon: "Huh?"
"Why would you offer Aether money?"
Ningguang looked away slightly, a faint blush creeping into his cheeks.
Ningguang: "…"
Ganyu watched the scene in silence.
Paimon: "But that's not what I want to talk about."
She became more serious.
Paimon: "Paimon wanted to ask you something."
Ganyu sat up straight.
Ganyu: "I'm listening."
Paimon: "For the next few hours... watch over Aether."
Ganyu: "...?"
Paimon explained everything.
Paimon: "First of all, his fame makes him uncomfortable."
"People stare at him everywhere he goes, and some women might try to keep him for themselves... or even manipulate him into falling in love with them."
Paimon: "Many people see him as a trophy."
Her voice fell lower.
Paimon: "Some women might even try to manipulate him… to keep him for themselves."
Ningguang immediately thought:
Ningguang: "If I could keep him for myself, I wouldn't hesitate."
Ganyu gently placed a hand on Paimon's head.
Ganyu: "Don't worry."
She smiled.
Ganyu: "When I take him to Shenhe, I'll make sure no one gets too close to him."
"It's my duty."
"Don't worry, I'll make sure everything goes smoothly. Shenhe… and Aether too."
She added, very seriously:
Ganyu: "And no woman will keep him for herself."
Ningguang looked away.
Ningguang: "Too bad."
Paimon sighed in relief.
Paimon: "Thank you."
Paimon floated lightly, pleased that the two women were taking the situation seriously, while Aether, on the other side, chatted calmly with Madame Ping, unaware of how her impromptu protectors were observing and analyzing every moment of her presence.
Ten minutes later:
Paimon had slipped away into a bustling alley in the port, already engrossed in her culinary mission, leaving Aether alone with Ganyu.
Tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap
The two were now walking side by side toward Liyue Port, their footsteps echoing softly on the cobblestones polished by time.
Around them, the city never seemed to truly fall silent.
The cries of merchants, the clinking of Mora coins, the rustling of colorful fabrics stirred by the sea breeze… and above all, the stares.
So many stares.
Merchants paused their sales for a moment to watch the Traveler pass by.
Passersby slowed slightly, some murmuring amongst themselves, others simply staring at the blond figure as it moved calmly forward.
Merchant #1: "It's him…"
Passerby #1: "The hero of Liyue…"
Passerby #2: "He's even calmer than I imagined."
Merchant #2: "He's younger than I thought."
Aether kept his gaze straight ahead, but he felt that familiar pressure weighing on his shoulders.
Being watched, judged, admired… it all felt uncomfortable.
Beside him, Ganyu walked with an upright and elegant posture, her horns quivering slightly at every whisper caught by her keen hearing, and the bell around her neck made no sound, proof that she was standing tall.
Ganyu: "They don't see him as a person… only as a legend."
They approached the bridge located not far from the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
The scent of incense mingled with the sea air, creating a strangely soothing atmosphere.
Aether was about to speak when he suddenly sensed a presence approaching.
A woman had stepped forward from the side of the path.
Tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap
She wore an elegant dress, her hair neatly styled, and her gaze slid slowly over Aether with a confident, almost calculated air.
She stopped a few steps away from him, a smile on her lips.
Woman: "Excuse me… Hero of Liyue… would you be interested in…"
Before she could even finish her sentence, Ganyu took a step forward.
Ganyu: "Sorry, we're busy."
Her voice was soft, yet firm, without the slightest hesitation.
In the same movement, she took Aether's hand and gently pulled him toward her, leading him out of her reach.
The contact was brief, but sudden enough to startle Aether.
He felt the warmth of Ganyu's hand against his, and the slight tension in her fingers, as if she were making sure he didn't stray from this impromptu path.
The woman clicked her tongue softly.
Woman: "Tch... Too bad."
She turned away, quickly disappearing into the crowd, leaving behind a sweet scent and a lingering tension in the air.
Ganyu didn't release Aether's hand until they had moved far enough, their steps leading them to the harbor entrance.
The creaking of wood beneath their feet, the gentle scraping of ships against the docks, and the seagulls circling overhead gradually replaced the persistent murmurs.
Aether remained silent for a moment, watching their hands separate as if the gesture had lasted only a fraction of a second… yet had left a lasting impression.
Aether: "Thank you."
Ganyu turned her head slightly toward him, surprised by the sincerity of his tone.
Ganyu: "No need to thank me."
She paused briefly before continuing more softly.
Ganyu: "It's nothing.
"You're here to help Shenhe… not to be bothered."
Aether nodded, a slight smile appearing on her face.
Aether: "Ninguang was right… Liyue can be… intense."
Ganyu let out a small, quiet laugh.
Ganyu: "Yes… especially when someone as well-known as you is walking around without an escort."
She glanced quickly around them, making sure no one got too close.
Ganyu: "From here on, I'll stay close to you."
"We're not far now."
Chapter 8: The old lady who serves tea
The End