Without hesitation, Qin Yu approached Keqing, knelt down, and asked, "Are you looking for something? I can help."
"Not again..." Keqing groaned inwardly. Why do I keep running into Qin Yu? I've been going out of my way to avoid her!
Fate? I'd rather be spared this kind of fate.
Keqing took a deep breath, resolved to don her cold mask once more, and exude an aura of rejection.
"No, I already found it," she said, rising to her feet.
Found it? I don't believe you. Your eyes are still darting around—there's not a shred of conviction in that lie. Why are you so resistant to me? You don't even dislike me...
Tch, the more I think about it, the angrier I get. I can't just let this slide.
I'm going to tear through your facade!
As for my own secrets... no one is allowed to touch them.
Qin Yu lowered her head, scanning the area for anything out of the ordinary.
"What are you doing?" Keqing asked.
"Looking for what Lady Keqing wants to find," Qin Yu replied, her eyes still fixed on the ground.
She's saying that again. Keqing felt a surge of frustration. Why can't she just give me the space I need? Is it possible that the more I push her away, the more determined she becomes to cling to me?
"I already told you, I found it," Keqing insisted.
"But you haven't left," Qin Yu countered without looking up.
Keqing pressed her fingers to her forehead and sighed. "Why do you have to do this?"
"Because I want to be friends with Lady Keqing!"
Hearing those words, Keqing momentarily recalled that day long ago. Young Qin Yu, lying in her arms, had forced a weak but resolute smile. "My only friend... of course I have to protect her..."
Keqing closed her eyes.
Back then, she had been powerless, forced to watch Qin Yu throw herself into danger for her sake. This time, no matter what, she would protect Qin Yu and ensure she never remembered that day.
Even now, she must still be afraid of the dark.
"What I'm looking for," Keqing said, "is a ring."
A ring?!
Could the Yuheng Star already be engaged? She'd never heard a word about it. Qin Yu was stunned.
"Are you engaged?"
Keqing flusteredly waved her hands. "Engaged? How could that be! I have no plans for marriage anytime soon, and I can't even imagine spending my life with someone. No, no, it's just... not on my mind."
She flicked her ponytail and sighed helplessly. "The so-called 'ring' is actually just a toy ring."
A toy ring? How coincidental, I have one too.
"It's made of wood."
Wooden? How coincidental, I have one too.
"And it's quite cute."
And it's quite cute? How coincidental... um... um!? Qin Yu's heart skipped a beat. The description sounded exactly like the toy ring she was wearing!
No, it's just a similar description. It doesn't prove anything...
But what if it really was the same ring?
Wouldn't that mean Keqing was the one who gave her the toy ring?
We met as children? If so, everything makes sense now! The reason I feel so nostalgic and familiar with her is because we've known each other since way back then!
I have to confirm this.
Qin Yu stood up, pulled the toy ring she wore as a necklace from under her collar, and showed it to Keqing.
"Is it like this?"
Keqing's eyes widened in surprise.
That reaction... exactly as I thought! Qin Yu felt a surge of joy from the bottom of her heart. I actually have a childhood playmate!
Wait a minute, does this mean she knows about my embarrassing past? Ugh, how mortifying! But why can't I remember Keqing at all?
"Lady Keqing, we must have known each other before, right?" Qin Yu asked.
Keqing gazed into Qin Yu's eyes, her lips pressed into a thin line.
I really don't want to say this, but... Keqing steeled her resolve, exhaling softly. "No, I've told you, we're strangers. We only met recently."
"But why—"
"The ring? Yes, it looks exactly like the one I lost, but I bought mine from a street vendor a long time ago."
Qin Yu stammered, "You... bought it?"
"That's right. I liked it, so I bought it. I'm quite sentimental, so I kept it. But it seems I accidentally dropped it somewhere while chasing the criminal earlier. What's wrong?"
"Huh? Oh... ahaha, nothing! Just... what a coincidence! I never expected to find another one like it," Qin Yu forced a laugh.
Keqing averted her gaze. "Indeed, quite a coincidence..."
Clutching the toy ring, Qin Yu thought, Another one like it? Impossible. This is clearly something a child made.
No artisan would ever create something like this. Yet Keqing claims she bought hers from a street vendor.
That means the original owner of the other ring sold it, not regarding it as a treasure at all.
I see. I must have just misunderstood.
I've embarrassed myself again.
No, thinking about it, it's perfectly normal. After all, it's just something from childhood. Like old toys we outgrow and throw away because they take up space.
I'm just being too sentimental... What was I thinking?
I hope Keqing isn't annoyed by my constant pestering, Qin Yu sighed inwardly.
Keqing couldn't bear to look at Qin Yu. Of course, it was all a lie.
They had made these rings together, exchanging them as unique tokens of their bond. There couldn't possibly be another pair like them—besides, who would even buy something like this?
But this should make it clear now, Keqing thought heavily. We're just strangers. There's no need to dwell on this, and no need to get close to me.
Yet Qin Yu quickly regained her composure, smiling brightly. "Then that makes things easy! If they're the same design, identifying it will be a breeze!"
"Huh? Ah... um, but really, you don't need to. You look unwell. You should go rest," Keqing stammered, startled.
Qin Yu grasped Keqing's hand. "No, I'm fine! Please let me help you!"
"Why..."
"I've already told you," Qin Yu said with a smile. "I want to be Lady Keqing's friend."
She continued, "Besides, Lady Keqing has been so kind to me. You protected me and even asked about my well-being earlier. Consider this my way of repaying you. And as Lady Ningguang's maid, assisting the Qixing is simply part of my duty."
Keqing couldn't understand how Qin Yu could still smile after she had said such hurtful things. "Aren't you upset?"
"Upset about what?" Qin Yu asked.
"That ring you're wearing—it must be very precious to you, right? It's part of a matching pair, clearly not a mass-produced item. There couldn't be another one like it... yet the original owner sold the other half."
Qin Yu released Keqing's hand, realizing this was a tricky question to answer. But she had learned to handle such situations gracefully.
"But it ended up in your hands, didn't it? That's all that matters."
"Rather than have it discarded somewhere unknown, I'd much prefer it to be with someone who truly cherishes it. Knowing how carefully you care for it... that's better than anything."
"To me, it's a treasure. If it's a treasure to you as well, I'll be very happy."
Keqing's eyes felt warm. She lowered her head and mumbled, "I... I really like it."
"Thank you," Qin Yu said with a gentle smile.
Keqing thought to herself, No matter what I say, I can't change her mind now. She turned around. "Alright, would you mind helping me look for it?"
"I'd be delighted," Qin Yu replied.
"I'm sorry..."
Huh? Why the sudden apology? Oh, she must feel bad about troubling me.
She's such a good person.
Compared to her, I'm truly a terrible woman. I'm playing a role completely opposite to my true nature, approaching her with ulterior motives, all just to earn Points and protect myself.
And I've been deceiving everyone.
But as I said before, if I carry this lie through to the very end, it might as well be the truth.
So I have to keep acting.
And the character I'm playing isn't the type to burst into tears over something like this.
Warm and cheerful, like the gentle morning sun of spring—that's how Qin Yu knew she had to be to win people over and be accepted by Shenhe and the others.
The sun never weeps.
I absolutely won't let you see through me.
Qin Yu turned away, rubbed her eyes, and took a deep breath.
Alright... let's start searching.
After a long search, Qin Yu and Keqing finally found the other toy ring.
It had been trampled into the dirt. If Qin Yu hadn't been so observant, they might never have found it.
Keqing carefully wiped the ring clean with her handkerchief and held it tightly in her hand.
"Finally... thank goodness."
Qin Yu looked up at the sky. It was already dusk. She couldn't believe they'd been searching for so long—they hadn't even had lunch.
I'm starving!
Just one last quick act, then I'll head back.
"I'm so glad, Lady Keqing. It seems you truly cherish it."
Keqing hesitated, wanting to say something but stopping herself.
Tsk, such a bland reaction. After all that searching, not even an A+? Qin Yu felt a flicker of annoyance, but if that was how it was, she might as well go home.
"I still have work to do when I get back," Qin Yu muttered inwardly, forcing a smile. "Well, Lady Keqing, I should get going. See you next time."
"Wait... is there anything you want?"
"Anything I want? Not really."
I want Mora! But she couldn't just blurt it out. If Keqing would simply offer it, that would be perfect.
Keqing seemed slightly flustered. "Really? Nothing at all? Anything would do... Ahem, you've helped me search for so long. I want to thank you properly."
Ha? Why can't she just hand over a bag of Mora?
Sigh, if that's how it is, I'll just say this...
"I want to be Lady Keqing's friend!" Surely she wouldn't refuse that, right? It might even earn me some Points if we run into each other again.
Alright, here goes!
Qin Yu's lips parted, a slightly wistful smile on her face.
"Then... could you give me a hug?"
Why did I say that? Qin Yu wondered if she'd lost her mind.
She expected Keqing to refuse, but to her surprise, Keqing nodded.
"I'm sorry!" Qin Yu blurted out, flustered. "I don't know what came over me. What I really meant was... I want Lady Keqing to be my friend... Ah..."
Keqing stepped forward and gently embraced her with surprising naturalness. The warmth of her body, the heat of her breath, the faint, refreshing scent—Qin Yu could vividly feel the warmth of another person.
Since the death of her adoptive teacher, no one had ever held her like this.
It felt so good.
"Thank you," Qin Yu murmured, her smile both endearing and slightly wistful.
Yuheng Star Keqing... what a remarkable woman.
[Evaluation: A+]
The embrace lasted only about ten seconds before Qin Yu reluctantly pulled away. Keqing turned swiftly and said, "I must go."
"Alright. See you next time."
"...Mm," Keqing hesitated, then finally agreed.
She was in turmoil. Despite her desire to distance herself from Qin Yu, she had chosen to embrace her. I shouldn't have done that.
Keqing hurried out of the alley.
Left alone, Qin Yu noticed the darkening sky. She quickly returned to the brightly lit streets and made her way back to the mansion.
Rubbing her shoulder, she realized it felt damp.
Strange... it hasn't been raining. Had water dripped from some wet clothes hanging earlier? Qin Yu wondered briefly, but dismissed it as unimportant.
As soon as she entered the main hall, she saw Ningguang standing by the window.
"You're back. How did the task I assigned you go?"
Qin Yu's mind went blank.
Task? What task? Now that she thought about it, Ningguang had given her an assignment that morning... Ah!?
Qin Yu's face paled.
She'd forgotten!
Ningguang narrowed her eyes slightly, observing Qin Yu's reaction. "That reaction... could it be that you've forgotten?"
"I-I'm so sorry! I'll go take care of it right away—"
"There's no need," Ningguang said calmly. "Most of the shops selling those materials are already closed. Gathering only some of them would be pointless."
Cold sweat streamed down Qin Yu's back. She couldn't believe she'd forgotten something so important! Could I be fired so soon after starting this job?
"I'm truly sorry! I was trying to help Lady Keqing..."
"Keqing? Did she cause you to neglect your duties?"
"N-no! It wasn't Lady Keqing's fault! She didn't even ask for my help—I just offered!" Qin Yu blurted out, desperate to prevent Ningguang from blaming Keqing.
She wanted Ningguang to believe her, but the Tianquan wasn't about to let her off the hook so easily.
Ningguang smiled faintly. "Since you were helping Keqing, I suppose I can overlook it."
Huh?
"Keqing is my colleague, another member of the Liyue Qixing. As my maid, your choice to assist her is perfectly understandable. I won't hold this mistake against you."
Thank you, Keqing! Qin Yu's heart swelled with relief.
"However—"
Huh?
As Ningguang ascended the stairs to the second floor, she said with a smile, "A servant's mistake reflects poorly on the employer's training. To prevent this from happening again, come to my room after you finish your work tonight."
"T-tonight?" Qin Yu stammered.
"Yes, I should be free by then. Don't be nervous; it's just a minor punishment."
But I thought she said she wouldn't hold me accountable!
Punishment?! Could she mean... that kind of thing? Ningguang is wealthy and beautiful. If it were her...
No, no, no! I'm not that kind of woman!
Qin Yu forced a smile. "May I refuse?"
"I won't allow it."
Oh no.