When Qin Yu thought of the Adepti, Cloud Retainer immediately came to mind.
If she were to seek clarification from an Adeptus, it would be best to approach one with whom she had a closer relationship.
Moon Carver, Mountain Shaper, and the Conqueror of Demons were all unfamiliar to her. Only Cloud Retainer, whom Shenhe had introduced her to, allowing them to spend half a day together, felt approachable.
Would Ganyu have any insight into my condition?
Yanfei... she's a half-adeptus, but she's always lived in Liyue Harbor and specializes in law. I doubt she'd know anything about this.
Should I try Ganyu first? But she was sent to Jueyun Karst by the Qixing three days ago, as their envoy to report on Liyue's situation over the past few months to the Adepti.
I wonder if she's back yet.
In Ganyu's temporary absence, Baiwen and her two colleagues had taken over her duties.
I'll ask Baiwen and the others tomorrow.
As Qin Yu pondered her cohabitation with Shenhe, she allowed her consciousness to sink into a deeper state of meditation.
The next morning, the second day of her rest day, Qin Yu arrived at Yuehai Pavilion. Before long, she spotted Senior Baishi bustling around, already hard at work despite the early hour.
"Senior Baishi!" Qin Yu called out.
Baishi's weary eyes suddenly lit up. "Ayu! Are you here to—"
"No, no, no, no! I just wanted to ask if Sister Ganyu had returned. I need to ask her a few questions about something," Qin Yu said hastily.
Don't drag me into this!
Baiwen, Baishi, and Baixiao had temporarily taken over Ganyu's duties, while Qin Yu continued her usual work.
After all, she was responsible for two of the Liyue Qixing, and Ningguang would never burden her further.
Even with ten times the pay, Qin Yu would rather die than work overtime.
Life is more important.
"Then perfect! Go bring Miss Ganyu back!" Baiwen suddenly appeared.
"Eh? She hasn't returned yet?" Qin Yu asked, surprised.
By this time, even if Ganyu were walking, she should have been back by now.
Could she have run into trouble? Even though she's a half-adeptus, we can't rule out the possibility... Qin Yu thought, growing anxious.
"No," Baixiao replied with a look of utter despair.
"Please, Ayu! If Miss Ganyu doesn't return soon, we'll end up at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor!" Baishi pleaded, sounding like her soul had left her body. "Even though it's your day off, please save us..."
"We took on Miss Ganyu's temporary duties so confidently, but the workload turned out to be unimaginable..."
"Ehehehe, there's a floating shrimp ball..."
Wah, these three look like they're about to lose their minds.
Working overtime is out of the question—I'm not in the mood right now—but finding someone else to help isn't a problem. Qin Yu thought to herself. Then, remembering that her own destination was also Jueyun Karst, she nodded and smiled.
"Alright, leave it to me. I'll bring Sister Ganyu back."
"Ayu—" The trio looked deeply moved.
According to Baixiao, Ganyu planned to visit Cloud Retainer first.
Same destination? Perfect.
Fearing the trio might collapse from exhaustion, Qin Yu wasted no time and set off immediately.
Thanks to the Celestial System, she didn't need to travel on foot. She flew straight toward Jueyun Karst. Although a single charge wouldn't sustain the entire flight, summoning another charge wouldn't be a problem.
Landing gracefully atop Mt. Aocang, Qin Yu exhaled deeply and surveyed her surroundings. Finding no sign of Ganyu, she decided to visit Cloud Retainer first.
"Cloud Retainer, I am Qin Yu—"
Before she could finish speaking, the gates of the Adeptus Abode swung open.
Cloud Retainer emerged at a leisurely pace, her gaze lowering to meet Qin Yu's. "Indeed, it is you. This Adeptus sensed your approach as you neared the mountain."
"Long time no see. Forgive my sudden intrusion," Qin Yu said with a polite smile.
"Nonsense. As a friend of Shenhe and one who has fought alongside the Adepti, your presence is no trouble at all. Have you come to find Ganyu?" Cloud Retainer surmised.
Qin Yu nodded. "Yes. May I ask, where is Sister Ganyu...?"
"She has gone to cultivate."
"Huh?"
"Cultivation? But wasn't she here to report to The Adepti as the Qixing's envoy?" Qin Yu asked, puzzled.
Cloud Retainer hesitated, wanting to speak but holding back.
"Well... why don't you wait for her return and ask her yourself? It won't be long. Enough about that. This Adeptus senses you have other intentions. If you do, just say it."
Qin Yu felt uneasy, fearing this might be some incurable illness, but she knew knowing was better than not knowing.
Mentally preparing herself, she began, "Actually, it's like this..."
After explaining her purpose to Cloud Retainer and detailing the strange symptoms that had been plaguing her recently, Qin Yu fell silent, awaiting Cloud Retainer's reply.
Cloud Retainer mused thoughtfully, "Hmm, I see. In that case, it seems..."
"It seems...?"
"...Let me ask you this: have you recalled anything at all?"
Qin Yu frowned, confused. "Recalled?"
Could Shenhe have told Cloud Retainer about my partial memory loss? But what does that have to do with my partial amnesia?
Noticing Qin Yu's puzzled reaction, Cloud Retainer closed her eyes again, deep in thought.
Shenhe had previously said she wanted to live with Qin Yu, treating her like family. With Shenhe by her side, everything should be alright... Cloud Retainer concluded.
"Do you have any memories of this place?" Cloud Retainer asked.
"Of course! I came here with Shenhe before," Qin Yu replied with a smile.
"No, I mean from much earlier."
Much earlier?
The time I came with Shenhe should have been the first time. When else could I have been here before? Qin Yu wondered. But since Cloud Retainer insisted, she tried to recall.
"I don't remember anything," Qin Yu admitted.
"Then let me ask you this: do you recognize my voice?" Cloud Retainer pressed.
My voice?
Qin Yu grew even more confused. If she couldn't remember the place, how could she possibly remember a voice from long ago?
To perform this ritual and save your life, you must pay a price... Whether you accept it or not, you should discuss it thoroughly with your friend.
The voice flashed through her mind.
The voice and tone were strikingly similar to Cloud Retainer's.
Earlier... the voice... Cloud Retainer... Qin Yu felt as if she had been struck by an overwhelming surge of information, causing her mind to freeze momentarily. Yet her thoughts, though briefly stunned, naturally coalesced into a conclusion.
"Could I have met Cloud Retainer before?" she asked, her voice filled with disbelief.
Cloud Retainer nodded gently. "Indeed."
Hearing this confirmation, Qin Yu's brow furrowed deeply, buried memories clamoring to surface from the depths of her mind. Yet some instinctual force seemed to be suppressing them, leaving her only with a sense of bewilderment.
Fortunately, Ganyu returned just then.
"I'm back, Cloud Retainer... Eh? Qin Yu?"
Qin Yu snapped out of her daze, though her voice remained somewhat distracted as she greeted, "Sister Ganyu..."
"Are you alright?"
"Ah-hmm! I'm perfectly fine, don't worry! And I came here to see you, Sister Ganyu!" Qin Yu, desperate to distract herself, chose to address the matters concerning the three Seniors first.
"Me...? Is that so?"
Why does she look so puzzled?
Ganyu lowered her head slightly. "I understand... You want me to return, don't you? I'm sorry, but I'm afraid you'll have to go back empty-handed."
Huh?
Qin Yu couldn't grasp Ganyu's meaning. Why wouldn't she come back?
But from her expression, it seemed she had something on her mind.
Hmph... Well, there's no helping it. I can't force her back either.
It'll take a bit longer, but this is all I can do, Qin Yu thought, stepping forward to take Ganyu's hand and offering a warm smile.
"Yes, I came to bring you back, Sister Ganyu, but it's only because I was so worried about you. I was afraid you might have run into trouble. Now that I see you're safe and sound, I can finally relax!"
"Ah, is that so..."
Ganyu's cheeks flushed slightly as she murmured, "Thank you for your concern. Actually, I... I wanted to see you too."
Evaluation: D
Qin Yu's ears grew hot. What kind of weird things is she saying? A simple thank you would have been enough!
"Hmm?" Cloud Retainer, noticing Ganyu's shy demeanor, let out a puzzled sound.
What's with the strange atmosphere between these two?