Failing to secure his much-anticipated date with Ganyu, Luo Qing suddenly found himself with plenty of free ti.
He had planned to spend the entire evening enjoying her company, but now that his plans had fallen through, he needed sothing to occupy himself.
After so thought, he decided to pay a visit to an old friend. Turning his steps, he began heading toward the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
It was nearing dusk by the ti he arrived.
The parlor, flush with recent success, had closed early for the day. The front doors were shut tight, leaving only a sign outside that read:
"Special Promotion: Buy One, Get the Second Coffin Half-Off! Limited Ti Only!"
"So they're out?"
Luo Qing looked up at the Wangsheng Parlor's ornate plaque. After a mont of deliberation, he knocked firmly on the door, producing a steady thud, thud, thud.
For a while, there was no response. Then, a muffled voice ca from inside.
"All right, all right! I'm coming! Stop knocking already, or the door will fall off!"
The door swung open to reveal Hu Tao, clad in a gray-and-white apron, peeking her head out.
"In such a rush—are you in a hurry to... et your end?"
"..."
Luo Qing sighed internally. Only Hu Tao could greet soone like this.
"Wait a second. Luo Qing?!"
Hu Tao gave him a once-over, her eyes lighting up with recognition.
Her expression shifted dramatically as she threw open the door and lunged at him, grabbing his arm with unbridled excitent.
"Perfect timing! Zhongli isn't here, so you can try out my newest culinary masterpiece!"
"..."
Great. I walked into this at the worst possible mont.
"Where's Zhongli?" Luo Qing asked, trying to peer inside.
"Zhongli said he had sothing urgent to take care of and went out... Which is weird, since every ti I have ti to test a new recipe, he suddenly has 'urgent matters' to handle..."
Hu Tao trailed off, a puzzled look crossing her face.
Then, as if rembering Luo Qing's presence, her confusion evaporated into joy.
Who needs Zhongli when I have Luo Qing?
Grabbing him by the arm, she began dragging him inside.
"No ti to explain! Co, follow into the kitchen!"
"..."
---
Wangsheng Funeral Parlor – Backyard Kitchen
Luo Qing sat at a round table, staring at the three dishes and one soup before him. For a long mont, he was lost in thought.
"Hu Tao, why... is the soup purple?"
"Imported Mondstadt sunsettias and fresh thorny fish stock! Doesn't it just scream 'delicious'?"
Hu Tao folded her arms, her confidence evident in her arched brow.
"..."
"And this grilled fish... why is it so black?"
"That's how grilled fish is supposed to look!"
Hu Tao planted her hands on her hips and huffed. "If it's not black, how would you know it's grilled?"
"..."
Fair point, in the most twisted way possible.
"And this Buddha Jumps Over the Wall..."
"Well..."
For the first ti, Hu Tao's confidence wavered. Then she crossed her arms and snorted.
"That's because you kept knocking and distracting ! I accidentally added a bit too much salt."
"..."
How much salt does it take to turn soup into sludge? Did you pour an entire barrel in?!
Finally, Luo Qing understood why Zhongli had conveniently vanished today.
"Hu Tao, why don't you try it first?" he suggested weakly.
"Don't be silly! You've co all this way; as my guest, you get the first taste. Don't be shy!"
"..."
Thanks. I feel so honored.
Looking at Hu Tao's bright, expectant smile, Luo Qing sighed deeply. After much internal debate, he finally picked up his chopsticks.
Even after over a year apart, her cooking was still... well, the sa.
---
Jade Chamber
As Baixiao led Ganyu into the chamber, the usually sharp and efficient secretary seed like a ghost of herself—distracted and out of sorts.
Since beginning her work under Ningguang, Baixiao had always seen Ganyu as a model of diligence—a tireless worker who handled all of Liyue's affairs with unwavering commitnt.
Day after day, year after year, Ganyu remained unchanged, a paragon of virtue and discipline.
It was as inconceivable as the idea of an Adeptus squatting to relieve themselves on a mountaintop.
Yet today, she had witnessed sothing that shattered her worldview.
Ganyu, the ever-dutiful emissary of Yuehai Pavilion, had blushed shyly in front of a man, her gaze filled with tenderness. She had even handed him the key to her ho.
It was as though the heavens themselves had shifted.
"Lady Ningguang, Lady Ganyu has arrived," Baixiao announced lifelessly, her voice drained of energy.
"Very well. You may leave us."
"Yes..."
Baixiao bowed and retreated, her hollow expression going unnoticed by Ningguang.
Turning to Ganyu, Ningguang smiled lightly. "Ganyu, please, have a seat."
"Lady Ningguang, what's happened? Baixiao said it was a matter of life and death for Liyue!"
The urgency in Ganyu's voice was palpable.
Rex Lapis had entrusted her with Liyue's safety in her dreams. If sothing dire was truly unfolding, how could she face him again?
"A matter of life and death?" Ningguang echoed, montarily perplexed.
Her gaze shifted toward the door, where Baixiao had disappeared. After a brief pause, realization dawned.
So that's how she persuaded Ganyu to co... Clever girl.
"In a sense, it is," Ningguang said smoothly. "But there's no need to rush. First, sit down. There's sothing else I'd like to ask you."
"What is it?"
"Recently, I ca across a letter signed by you. It was sent to Suru, addressed to none other than the Fatui Harbinger, Luo Qing."
"Yes, that's correct," Ganyu said without hesitation.
Ningguang raised an elegant brow. "May I ask about its contents?"
"I wanted to invite him to Liyue for the Lantern Rite, to enjoy the festival together."
"To enjoy the festival together..." Ningguang repeated, the words lingering in her mind.
Her gaze fell on Ganyu, the ancient Qilin who had served Liyue for millennia. For a mont, Ningguang didn't know how to proceed.
"Is there an issue with that?" Ganyu asked, sensing Ningguang's pause.
"No, not at all. Don't worry." Ningguang shook her head, her composed smile returning.
"But on another note, I've received intelligence suggesting soone may be conspiring with Fatui forces to free Osial from beneath the sea."
"Osial?!" Ganyu exclaid, her face paling. She imdiately grasped Ningguang's implication.
"Are you saying Luo Qing is involved?"
"It's only a possibility," Ningguang clarified. "The timing aligns too well, which is why I wanted to hear about your connection to Luo Qing, to help clear any suspicions."
"That's impossible!" Ganyu declared resolutely. "Lady Ningguang, you know the truth behind the last Osial incident."
"Of course," Ningguang acknowledged. After all, Rex Lapis himself had clarified that the events were orchestrated by him, with Luo Qing rely serving as an unwitting pawn.
By Rex Lapis's decree, Luo Qing had even been labeled a savior of Liyue.
Still, Ningguang's rise to power as the Tianquan was built on her ability to remain cautious and ticulous.
Trust, even in a decree from Rex Lapis, was never absolute.
As the leader of the Qixing, she was obligated to eliminate any potential threat.
"On a lighter note," Ningguang said, her smile softening to ease the tension, "Ganyu, what exactly is your relationship with Luo Qing?"
---
T/N: hefhiehi hu tao is my sceond favorite!
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