Yuheng Star Keqing was known for her decisive and efficient nature.
Early that morning, she hurried to the Jade Chamber to discuss preparations for the upcoming Rite of Descension, scheduled for a few months later, only to find Ningguang absent.
After questioning Ningguang's three secretaries, Keqing learned that she had decided to reside at her newly acquired estate for the entire week. Without hesitation, she changed course and headed straight for the residence.
Upon entering the estate, Keqing's eyes fell upon the maids' attire, and a slight frown creased her brow. What kind of style is this? she wondered. Neither distinctly Liyuean nor distinctly foreign—a bizarre hybrid. But it wasn't something to dwell on, so she dismissed it.
Shifting her gaze, Keqing casually approached a maid and asked, "Excuse me, is Tianquan Ningguang here?"
"Yes, she is. Shall I inform her of your arrival?"
"Please do."
The maid nodded, turned, and pushed open the estate's door, disappearing inside. Keqing followed closely behind, standing in the grand hall. She pulled out her notebook to review her agenda for the day while waiting for Ningguang's arrival.
Footsteps approached, signaling Ningguang's imminent appearance.
Without looking up, Keqing began, "You were quite the challenge to track down. Without further ado, I'm here to discuss the Rite of Descension. As this year's presiding officer..."
"Lady Yuheng, Lady Ningguang is still in her room. Shall I escort you there?"
"That would be appreciated."
Keqing closed her notebook and looked up, startled. "Qin Yu?!"
Huh? Why is she so surprised? Qin Yu wondered, but she smiled anyway. "We meet again, Lady Yuheng. It's a pleasure to see you!"
"It's... I mean, it's not at all. No, that's not what I meant—oh dear, you're confusing me. What's with the outfit? Are you working as Lady Ningguang's maid?"
Keqing's words tumbled out in fragments before she finally grasped the core of the matter.
Why is she working as a maid here?
Qin Yu thought to herself, It's natural for her to be puzzled. We just met in the Ruins not long ago, and now we're running into each other again, with me working as a maid—and Tianquan Ningguang's maid, no less.
"Yes, that's right."
"But... why?"
Why indeed...? Qin Yu replied bluntly, "Because I need a job!"
"Oh, I see," Keqing murmured in relief. "I thought..."
I thought she might have developed some kind of admiration for Ningguang and wanted to serve her personally. A job is much better, though I could really use someone like her on my own staff...
No, I can't get too close to her.
After talking with the woman at the bar last night, Keqing was even more convinced that she was doing the right thing.
This is for her own protection!
Whether their reunion was a blessing or a curse remained to be seen, but for now, she needed to maintain her aloof persona, put on her mask, and create distance between them.
Keqing nodded expressionlessly. "Then take me to Ningguang."
"Certainly, this way, please."
Wasn't Keqing supposed to be approachable and down-to-earth? Why is she acting like a stone-faced robot around me? Qin Yu wondered, puzzled and suspecting she might have inadvertently offended her somehow.
But asking was out of the question. She had to continue playing the role of a cheerful, enthusiastic young girl.
The two of them donned their respective masks and ascended the stairs.
Keqing asked, her voice tinged with concern, "Are you settling in well here?"
"Wonderfully! Everyone is so kind to me, and Lady Ningguang is so gentle!"
Lady... Lady... Keqing's words caught in her throat. Her childhood friend, now a maid serving her colleague, addressing her as "Lady Ningguang" with such reverence—she couldn't help but press a hand to her forehead, a complex mix of emotions swirling within her.
"Hmm, very well." Still, Keqing had to feign indifference.
If she didn't want to talk, she could have just said so, Qin Yu thought. Why the special treatment? Am I not just a regular citizen? Don't I deserve a little of your approachable charm?
"Thank you for your concern!" she said, forcing herself to appear delighted.
At that moment, both of them muttered inwardly:
This is unbearable.
Reaching the door to Ningguang's bedroom, Qin Yu knocked. "Lady Ningguang, Lady Keqing has arrived."
"Hmm, as expected, she's swift and decisive—even earlier than I anticipated. Come in."
Qin Yu stepped aside to let Keqing enter first, then said, "I'll prepare some desserts and tea. Please wait a moment."
"Thank you for your trouble," Ningguang acknowledged with a nod.
Qin Yu closed the door behind her, her footsteps quickly fading away.
Keqing finally let out a sigh of relief. She hated pretending to be someone she wasn't, especially in front of Qin Yu. Yet she had no choice but to force herself this once.
Returning to her true self, Keqing narrowed her eyes, crossed her arms, and said, "What's going on here?"
"What do you mean?"
"Don't play coy. You know exactly what I'm asking. Why did you hire her as a maid?"
Ningguang seemed genuinely surprised, as if she couldn't comprehend Keqing's concern. "Hmm? What's wrong with that? She needed Mora and a job. I offered her one, and she accepted. There's nothing improper about it."
"But..." Keqing stammered, unable to articulate her unease.
Indeed, her argument sounded flimsy, almost like a pointless tantrum.
Leaning back in her chair, Ningguang chuckled softly. "I understand. You simply don't want to see your friend working as a servant."
"If you understand, why did you still do it?"
"As I said, I merely provided her with a job opportunity she needed. The entire process was perfectly legitimate," Ningguang replied calmly, tapping her pipe lightly against her shoulder.
Keqing fell silent, unable to refute her.
"Ultimately, weren't you the one who chose to leave her side?" Ningguang pressed.
"You don't understand. It was necessary."
"Even when her last family member passed away, during her loneliest moments, you never truly visited her. Personally, I can't condone that kind of thinking."
Keqing flinched as if struck, her eyes closing involuntarily, a barely perceptible tremor running through her.
Ningguang's words rang true. During the days following Qin Yu's teacher's death, Keqing hadn't paid her a proper visit. Even at the funeral, she had only watched from afar.
"...Enough. Let's discuss official business," Keqing said abruptly, changing the subject.
Ningguang nodded slowly. "As you wish."
Soon after, Qin Yu returned to Ningguang's bedroom with a tray of freshly baked pastries and tea.
Heh heh, this is my masterpiece! Maybe I can even rack up some Points while I'm at it... Qin Yu thought, responding to Ningguang's call and pushing the door open.
A tense atmosphere immediately washed over her.
Did their conversation go sour?
Ugh, this is unbearable! These two powerhouses are radiating such an intense aura... Desperate to retreat three steps, she forced a smile, determined not to let them sense her discomfort.
"Here are some refreshments and tea for you, Lady Yuheng and Master. Please enjoy—ah..."
She'd forgotten to deactivate her Skill again.
Ningguang's expression turned to surprise.
Keqing's eyes widened. What did she just say? She whipped around to Ningguang, demanding, "Master? What's going on here? Do you have some kind of... fetish?!"
After her initial shock, Ningguang calmly replied, "Aren't maids portrayed like that in Inazuman light novels?"
"Those are just stories! You can't confuse fiction with reality!"
"But they're rather cute, don't you think?" Ningguang countered.
"There's nothing cute about it," Keqing retorted.
Ha? Qin Yu's smile strained. This is the first time anyone's ever said I'm not cute! What did I do to offend you, Lady Keqing?!
Ningguang hesitated. "Um... Keqing, please be mindful of your words."
"Mindful? Of what—ah..."
Keqing's body stiffened. What did I just say? "There's nothing charming about it." Wasn't that denying Qin Yu's appeal as a woman?
Realizing this, Keqing's expression darkened further.
What should I do?
Fortunately, Ningguang cleared her throat, offering Keqing a way out. "Not 'cute,' but 'beautiful,' right?"
Keqing's eyes lit up. "Yes, exactly!"
Hmph? Is that how it is... not cute, but beautiful? Fine, I suppose I can barely accept that. But if I had to be honest, it's still not right!
What's going on? Are we just naturally at odds?
Muttering inwardly, she forced a cheerful smile. "Really? Thank you both for the compliment!"
Keqing breathed a deep sigh of relief. Thank goodness I didn't let my temper get the better of me and say something harsh. It seems I'm still not mature enough. If Ningguang hadn't smoothed things over, Qin Yu's impression of me would have plummeted.
Now I owe Ningguang one. How shrewd of her.
"But you still owe me an explanation," Keqing murmured, barely moving her lips.
Ningguang, clearly pleased, chuckled. "Of course."
[Evaluation: C (Ningguang)]
Why is her evaluation going up?!
"Qin Yu," Ningguang called out.
"Yes?"
"You truly are an adorable maid."
Why is she saying that out of the blue? Isn't she shy? Qin Yu twisted a strand of her hair, her genuine, movingly cute smile unconsciously surfacing. "Thank you!"
Ningguang nodded, visibly pleased. "Hmm."
Compared to Keqing, Qin Yu's expression was indescribable. She actually smiled like that at Ningguang...
Qin Yu reflexively blurted out, "Lady Ningguang is cute too!"
In that instant, the air seemed to freeze.
Keqing stared at her in disbelief. Ningguang? Cute? Among the Qixing, Ningguang was probably the last person who would fit that description.
Ningguang herself was utterly astonished. Meanwhile, a graceful word involuntarily surfaced in Qin Yu's mind:
—Yandere.
Ningguang snapped out of her reverie. Cute? Me?
She was accustomed to being called beautiful, stunning, and even ethereal in social circles. But cute? No one had used that word in ages.
Still, she didn't mind it.
Accepting the compliment gracefully, Ningguang replied with a smile, "Heh, this is the first time I've heard that in years. Thank you."
[Evaluation: C+ (Ningguang)]
Whoa, a C+! I actually managed to raise Ningguang's affection rating to C+! Not bad at all!
Keqing, having regained her composure, glanced at Ningguang, then at Qin Yu. Subconsciously, she tossed her ponytail over her shoulder, straightened her posture, and lifted her chin, trying to exude her own charm.
What is she doing? Qin Yu wondered, bewildered.
Why isn't she complimenting me? Keqing thought, puzzled.
Watching this exchange, Ningguang mused, As expected of childhood playmates—they really are alike.
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TL Note: I finally made a Patreon! Come on by for some early chapters! We are at least ahead by a week for chapters. Will upload new chaps as they are made!
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