Exhausted in body and mind, Qin Yu returned to the mansion only to find she had to report to Ningguang first.
Slapping her cheeks to rouse herself, Qin Yu straightened up.
Please don't make me work anymore today, she prayed. If I do, I might as well ascend to heaven tonight.
"That's the gist of it. Lady Keqing should have already dispatched the Millelith to seal off the area. Here's the original ritual record Hu Tao found. Please take a look."
Ningguang nodded, took the document, glanced at it briefly, and smiled broadly. "This is quite promising."
Why is she in such a good mood? Qin Yu wondered.
"Well done," Ningguang said. "The record you've found is immensely valuable. If sold, it would fetch more Mora than most people could earn in a lifetime."
Ha? Selling it would cause trouble, wouldn't it?
Qin Yu asked, "Lady Ningguang, are you planning to sell it?"
Ningguang raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "Is that what you think?"
"No, I don't believe you're that kind of person," Qin Yu replied earnestly.
Ningguang's interest was piqued. "Oh? How have you come to that conclusion about my character? We haven't known each other for very long."
This feels like she's testing me... Qin Yu thought. She considered her words carefully before responding.
"Because you've been very kind to me, Lady Ningguang. You're a very friendly person."
"My concern for others has no direct connection to my desire for Mora. That logic doesn't quite add up," Ningguang said with a faint smile.
She's definitely testing me.
What's going on? I'm so tired. Can't she just let me go to sleep? Let. Me. Go. To. Sleep—Aaaah! I can't take this anymore!
Qin Yu grumbled inwardly, but she maintained her smile. "Then let's just call it intuition. I can't fully understand your motives, but I trust you."
Ningguang was slightly surprised that Qin Yu didn't continue arguing but instead shifted her approach entirely. This pleased her greatly.
"Then your trust is well-placed," Ningguang said with a smile. "I won't sell it. This record poses a threat to Liyue's stability. I'll have it sealed in the Ministry of Civil Affairs' secret archives."
Phew, that's a relief.
Ningguang placed her hand on Qin Yu's cheek.
Again? Why does she keep touching my face? What's so fascinating about it? I just got back from outside, so I'm not exactly clean. Can't she just stop?
Even if you're Tianquan Ningguang herself...
[Evaluation: D]
Fine, I'll endure it.
"You must be tired. Are you feeling exhausted?"
Absolutely! So please, just let me go to sleep.
Qin Yu shook her head. "With everyone's help, I didn't do much. I'm not that tired. Besides, I'm happy to assist Lady Ningguang!"
Ningguang suddenly leaned closer, scrutinizing Qin Yu's face.
Eek?! Qin Yu's composure crumbled instantly, her gaze darting around frantically.
I know how to use this tactic myself, but I have no idea how to resist it. In fact, I have zero resistance! Am I just terrible at defending against this?
"Your eyes are bloodshot. You're clearly tired. While I appreciate your dedication to assisting your employer, remember that your health is essential for your work. Don't push yourself too hard."
"Y-yes, I understand."
So please, back away already.
Ningguang didn't move away as Qin Yu had hoped. Instead, she continued, "Pushing yourself too hard could lead to lasting health problems. If you end up needing medical treatment later, it could cost you all the Mora you've worked so hard for, and then some. That's hardly worth it."
"Ensuring you don't lose money is also key to making it," Ningguang added.
That's perfectly logical. So why not just let me go to sleep already?!
"Hmm..."
Still, she's genuinely concerned about me. It doesn't feel bad.
Though I really don't need her concern.
[Evaluation: D+]
"I'll inform the other maids to let you rest properly. You're excused from your duties for the rest of the day."
"Wow!" Qin Yu exclaimed with genuine delight. "Thank you, Lady Ningguang!"
Ningguang looked surprised. "What's there to thank me for? Ensuring the health of my maids is simply my duty."
"Ahaha..."
"But there's one more thing I need to ask you. Is there anything you want? You played a part in resolving this incident, and requesting reasonable compensation is your right."
Hmm? What do I want? Mora? No, no, that doesn't fit my image at all.
Maybe cosmetics or clothes? The Liyue Qixing's supplies would undoubtedly be of exceptional quality. So good, in fact, that I might be too reluctant to actually use them. Better forget it.
Snacks... Would Ningguang think I'm just a glutton? And overeating might make me gain weight...
Seeing Qin Yu deep in thought, Ningguang didn't press her. Instead, she grew increasingly curious about what the young woman would say. After all, ever since their first meeting, Qin Yu had consistently surprised her.
One of the reasons Ningguang favored her was a particular remark Qin Yu had made during her interview. Believing she was late and had embarrassed Yanfei, her friend who had recommended her, Qin Yu chose to lie and take full responsibility to protect Yanfei's reputation. Ningguang deeply admired such loyalty.
When hiring, it's not enough to assess someone's abilities; their character matters just as much.
Fortunately, Qin Yu satisfied her on both counts.
Ningguang had been considering inviting Qin Yu to the Jade Chamber as her personal maid, to work alongside her three secretaries. But seeing how exhausted Qin Yu was, she decided to postpone that conversation for another time.
"I've made up my mind," Qin Yu said suddenly.
"You have? Tell me, I'm curious to hear what you'll ask for."
Mora, clothes, cosmetics... most things are out of the question. Considering the future, there was only one request Qin Yu could reasonably make.
With that thought, Qin Yu smiled. "I wish to strengthen my relationship with Lady Ningguang!"
Ningguang's eyes widened, utterly taken aback by the unexpected answer.
No material possessions, just a desire for a closer relationship... Ningguang felt a mixture of surprise and delight. She had assumed Qin Yu would ask for Mora or something similar.
It seems I misjudged her.
"Is that all?"
"Yes."
Whether this stemmed from genuine affection or shrewd calculation, Ningguang found it equally pleasing.
Smiling, she said, "Very well, I accept your request. Oh, and close your eyes."
Close my eyes? What are you planning to do?!
Qin Yu grew even more flustered. After agonizing over her thoughts, she tightly closed her eyes, firmly believing that even if Ningguang harbored such tendencies, she would never be frivolous.
Sensing Ningguang move closer, Qin Yu involuntarily held her breath.
"Hoo—" Ningguang's lips parted slightly as she gently blew air onto Qin Yu's eyelashes.
Waaah!? Qin Yu startled violently. Thanks to the "Part-Time Maid" effect, her sensitivity had increased, making her acutely aware of Ningguang's delicate exhalation.
[Evaluation: C]
Ugh, stop popping up! It's so annoying.
So this "sensitivity" attribute is completely useless! Qin Yu thought resentfully.
"You can open your eyes now," Ningguang said.
Qin Yu slowly opened her eyes, avoiding direct eye contact. "What was that...?"
"You had something on your eyelashes. I just blew it off for you."
Huh? Why didn't you just tell me? Why did you have to make it so... weird! Qin Yu thought, both bewildered and embarrassed. Unable to voice her true feelings, she mumbled, "Y-you could have just told me."
"I was simply fulfilling your request. Didn't you say you wanted us to get closer?"
That's not what I meant.
Qin Yu hesitated. "Is this...?"
"I apologize if I made you uncomfortable," Ningguang said.
"Not at all," Qin Yu replied, forcing a smile. "Since Lady Ningguang is looking after me, I couldn't possibly be upset."
But if you do this again, I won't let you off so easily...
Not that I can really punish a rich woman like you anyway. Tsk.
Ningguang nodded approvingly. "Qin Yu."
Haah, what now? Qin Yu felt even more exhausted than before.
"Is something the matter?"
"You're such a delightful young woman."
Ugh! Enough! They're all the same. Qin Yu couldn't help but wonder if she should have avoided getting close to Ningguang in the first place. Shenhe was like this, Ningguang too, and Hu Tao...
Wait, Hu Tao was the one who approached me first. In some ways, that makes her an even bigger deal.
Keqing? Hmph, that tsundere...
In the end, Yanfei was the best. A single compliment could keep her happy for hours, and she never disrupted Qin Yu's routine. She was practically the perfect companion for closeness.
[Evaluation: C+]
Time to go home and sleep.