Ever since Baishi and Baixiao left the Jade Chamber, they had been whispering to each other in low voices.
"Baixiao, don't you think Lady Ningguang was acting a bit strange today?"
"I noticed it too! Ever since she met that Ye Xi, it feels like her eyes have been glued to him!"
Baixiao nodded in immediate agreement.
Normally, Ningguang would never treat anyone with such focused intensity. Practically every time she spoke, she stared directly into his eyes, as if she were trying to peel back the layers of his mind and see his every thought.
"The most shocking part is that they only just met, and she suddenly insists on keeping him by her side. She even arranged for him to stay in the room right next to hers! If the young lords of Yujing Terrace heard about this, they'd be driven mad with jealousy!"
In Liyue, Ningguang's suitors were truly beyond count. Young, wealthy merchants, aristocratic scions, billionaire tycoons from abroad… she had them all. Yet, Ningguang had always maintained an elegant, dignified distance from thema distance that allowed for imagination but never permitted entry.
Today, however, she had truly defied all expectations.
They had barely met before they were sharing intense looks. Without any real explanation, she had offered him a massive sum of money just to stay with her. And to have him live so close at night! That wasn't maintaining distance; that was practically wanting to be inseparable day and night.
If word of this got out, everyone in Liyue, from the highest official to the common citizen, would look at Ningguang in a completely different light.
"You don't think Lady Ningguang saw how good-looking he was and then..."
Baixiao shook her head. "I'll admit Ye Xi is quite handsome, but I think Lady Ningguang cares more about strength. Just look at how he presented that gifthe might actually be an Adeptus! Besides,
the gift he gave was Steamed Meatballs in Clear Soup. It's obvious he knew beforehand that she prefers a light diet. He's not like those fools who send Golden Crab, only for the leftovers to end up with us!"
Baishi nodded thoughtfully. "So, Ye Xi came prepared?"
"Whether he was prepared or not, it looks to me like Lady Ningguang has finally found someone she's interested in."
Ye Xi and Baiwen rode the Plaustrite back down to Yuehai Pavilion.
"Master Ye Xi, this way!" Baiwen led the way, and he followed behind.
To be honest, Ye Xi was genuinely curious. Where exactly did the Liyue Qixing live? He remembered that when he played the game, the story never mentioned their private residences. It seemed they only had places to work, but nowhere to sleep.
However, Ye Xi quickly realized why. If the developers had actually mapped out the characters' bedrooms, those "cultured" players would probably have done some very strange things. Fortunately, he was following Baiwen to see the real deal!
It was already afternoon, and the weather remained quite sweltering. After walking for a short while, they arrived at a secluded, quiet courtyard. Three large characters were inscribed above the entrance: "Qixing Estate!"
Ye Xi had never seen this place in the game. It was designed like a traditional quadrangle dwelling.
"This is the residence of the Liyue Qixing. Master Ye Xi, please follow me."
As they proceeded, he saw ponds and lush greenery everywhere. The atmosphere was incredibly peaceful.
"Master Ye Xi, this is Lady Ningguang's residence. Your quarters are in the building right next to it."
Ye Xi nodded. The two houses were quite close; they were indeed neighbors. He took a quick walk through his new home and found that he didn't need to prepare much. It was fully furnished, even down to the bedding. This was going to save him a lot of Mora. There were still a few things he'd need, but he decided to worry about those in the evening.
"Thank you for showing me the way, Miss Baiwen."
"You are most welcome. Lady Ningguang mentioned that you are to officially start work tomorrow, so your time is free today. Feel free to walk around Liyue. I shall take my leave now."
Baiwen nodded politely and turned to go. Once Ye Xi saw her out, he couldn't wait any longer and opened his system to claim his rewards.
[Daily Commission]
[Task: Meet the Tianquan, Ningguang, at the Jade Chamber. Status: Completed.]
[Reward obtained: Primogems x40]
[Rewards being distributed, please check...]
[Remaining tasks are as follows:]
[Task 1: Have dinner at Wanmin Restaurant tonight.]
[Task 2: Defeat Eye of the Storm x1.]
[Task 3: Defeat Hilichurl x3.]
After receiving his reward, Ye Xi now had a total of 1,000 Primogems. The task to eat at Wanmin Restaurant would obviously have to wait until evening. That meant before the sun went down, he had to find a way to take out one Eye of the Storm and three Hilichurls.
Hilichurls were easy; they were everywhere near Mt. Tianheng. But the Eye of the Storm was a different story. Just as he was beginning to worry, the ethereal voice spoke again.
[Map updated. Locations of Eye of the Storm have been automatically marked.]
Suddenly, a map appeared in Ye Xi's mind. The entirety of Liyue was lit up, and several locations for the Eye of the Storm were clearly marked.
To Ye Xi's surprise, there were actually quite a few of them in Liyue. The strength and quantity of monsters were the responsibility of the game designers, so as a character designer, he hadn't been privy to those details. But based on his memory as a player, he recalled that these monsters shouldn't be this common in Liyue!
Regardless, he picked the closest Eye of the Storm and left the Qixing Estate.
Not long after Ye Xi departed, several figures suddenly emerged from the bushes outside the estate. A fat, blue Cryogunner Legionnaire pointed at Ye Xi's retreating back and spoke.
"Boss, that's the kid!"
"To think he managed to board the Jade Chamber with Beidou of The Crux, and now he's actually staying at Ningguang's residence! I have no idea where this guy came from!"
These were the Fatui members from earlier. The ones reporting were Fatui Skirmishers, and their leader was a Pyro Agent.
"How is that kid allowed inside the Qixing Estate? Don't tell me he's a toy boy Ningguang is keeping?"
"No way. Ningguang is famous for having standards that are through the roof. Would she really settle for someone who doesn't even have a Vision?"
"That makes sense. The kid is good-looking, sure, and if he had a Vision, it wouldn't be weird for Ningguang to take an interest. But without one?"
The Fatui Agent suddenly clapped his hands. "You bunch of idiots! It's because he doesn't have a Vision that he can be a toy boy!"
The Skirmishers were utterly confused. The tall, purple Electrohammer Vanguard asked, "Boss, what do you mean by that?"
"Yeah, can an ordinary person really be Ningguang's toy boy? If that's the case, I think I could do it too!"
The Fatui Agent's brow furrowed, his face full of disdain. "You? Just you? You want me to kick you into the sky? Let me tell you, a powerful ruler like Ningguang would definitely look for an ordinary person if she wanted a toy boy.
Ordinary people are easier to keep quiet, get it? Anyone with a Visionwould they really be content to just be the man behind Ningguang?"
With the Agent's reminder, the Skirmishers finally understood. If someone had a Vision, they'd be arrogant as hell. Why would they ever agree to just live off a woman?
"Oh, I see! You really do know a lot, Boss!"
"You can tell he's got experience!"
"Experience my ass!" The Agent was so angry he almost couldn't hold back his blades. The murderous intent in his eyes was impossible to hide.
The Cryogunner Legionnaire was so scared he immediately shut his mouth. Thinking about it, didn't those words imply the boss had been a toy boy before? How could they look down on the boss like that?
The Fatui Agent snorted and cursed, "If I had that kind of experience, would I still be a debt collector? Wouldn't being kept by a rich woman be better? Huh?"
"When young, one doesn't know how sweet soft rice tastes; instead, one plants youth in the mud of waste! If Ningguang wanted to keep me, I wouldn't even ask for money. I'd be Miss Ningguang's !!!"
Cryogunner: "..."
Electrohammer: "..."
Anemoboxer: "..."
"Enough! Let's follow him and see. The kid doesn't have a Vision. We'll kidnap him and use him to threaten Ningguang! She's been restricting the growth of our Northland Bank latelyit's time we settle this score!"
"Let's move!"
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