After the banquet, Jiang Yan, drunk to the point of staggering, stumbled out of his tent.
He had only taken a few steps when he noticed someone sitting alone on the distant hillside.
"Ganyu? What are you doing out here?"
He wobbled his way up the slope and sat down beside her, the smell of wine still heavy on his breath.
"A-Yan, look."
Ganyu pointed toward the distance. Jiang Yan followed the direction of her finger—
—and saw not the sea of water he first expected, but a sea of flowers.
"This is…"
A glimmer of recognition flickered in his half-clouded eyes, but his alcohol-fogged brain refused to supply the answer.
"Those are flowers His Majesty brought here," Ganyu said softly, leaning her head gently against his shoulder.
"They're called Glaze Lilies."
"Ah… right, that's what they were called…"
Jiang Yan finally remembered.
"Morax's taste isn't bad. Two million catties of grain for these flower seeds—not a bad deal."
"Yes," Ganyu said with a gentle smile. "Lord Morax's judgment is never wrong."
The night wind brushed their cheeks, carrying the faint, crystalline fragrance of the Glaze Lilies.
"You like them?"
Jiang Yan brought his hands together in a seal, then lifted one palm.
From within the sea of flowers, the most beautiful Glaze Lily rose from the earth, carried by a slender green vine.
The vine extended toward Jiang Yan's hand, placing the blossom gently in his palm.
He plucked it up and carefully tucked it behind Ganyu's ear.
"Ah!"
She gasped softly, her fair face blooming into a deep blush.
One flower, one girl—together for a lifetime.
"The most beautiful flower," Jiang Yan murmured, "belongs only with the most beautiful person."
He had never seen Ganyu look so lovely.
And with the wine still burning in his veins, he leaned forward—
and kissed her.
For that instant, time itself seemed to stop.
Ganyu didn't resist.
She simply closed her eyes, trembling slightly, shy and silent.
Their lips met—and then—
"Eh?!"
Ganyu's eyes flew open in disbelief.
The boy in front of her had… started snoring.
He'd fallen asleep.
Wait—what?! How do you fall asleep in the middle of a kiss?!
"You… you idiot drunkard!!"
She shoved him away in a flustered burst of anger—
then sighed softly, caught him again before he could topple over, and laid his head gently in her lap.
Looking down at the peacefully sleeping face before her, Ganyu's expression softened.
She brushed a strand of silver hair from his forehead with tender care.
The night wind whispered through the Glaze Lilies, carrying their sweet fragrance across the hillside.
A little distance away, Guizhong, Cloud Retainer, and Moon Carver were watching from afar—each of them wearing the same mischievous, indulgent smile.
"Ah~ Little Jiang Yan and little Ganyu are just too adorable!"
Guizhong covered her reddened cheeks with her hands, shaking her head with a delighted sigh.
"Hmph! That brat's lucky, that's all! He's grown up, but he's not nearly as cute as when he was small!"
Cloud Retainer huffed, crossing her arms with a pout.
"Oh really?" Moon Carver chuckled, covering her mouth.
"Then why don't you wipe off that big smile you're trying so hard to hide?"
"I–I'm not smiling!" Cloud Retainer retorted, her cheeks pink as she turned sharply away.
"I'm going to check on Lord Morax and the others. If Jiang Yan's this drunk, they can't be any better."
"Uh-huh~ Don't think you're running off that easily."
Songdust wrapped an arm around Cloud Retainer's slender waist as the latter took human form.
"My, my, have these gotten bigger again?"
"What?! Really?!"
Guizhong immediately leaned clOsial, eyes shining with curiosity—and a hint of envy.
"A-Ping!!"
Cloud Retainer's face turned scarlet from embarrassment.
"You two… honestly—!"
"Enough already!!!"
Their laughter echoed across the quiet night, carried by the gentle breeze that passed through the Glaze Lilies—
their sweet fragrance drifting into every home in Guili Plains,
making even those in sleep smile faintly in their dreams.
The next morning.
"Ugh… so thirsty…"
Jiang Yan groaned awake, blinking blearily.
The first thing he saw was a pair of delicate blue horns and soft azure hair resting against his arm.
He froze.
Right there, Ganyu lay sleeping in his embrace.
A dozen thoughts flashed through his mind.
Wait… did I… last night…
Hiss!
Why did I drink so much?!
He clutched his head in regret.
Next time I drink with Azhdaha and Marchosius, I swear I'll—no, I'll be a dog if I do!
My precious first time!!
Before his panic could spiral further, Ganyu stirred from his movement.
"You… you're awake?" she whispered shyly.
Just remembering what had happened last night made her cheeks turn pink.
"Not awake. Still sleeping," Jiang Yan muttered, refusing to get up, hugging her tighter.
"Oh stop it… If you're awake, get up already."
"There's so much work to do today."
But Jiang Yan only tightened his hold.
He didn't want to move.
In the end, Ganyu sighed—then leaned forward and planted a quick, feather-light kiss on his lips.
Only then did Jiang Yan grin like an idiot and finally get up.
He stepped outside—
and immediately ran into Marchosius, who was carrying a large pot.
The moment Marchosius saw Jiang Yan walk out of Ganyu's room,
his eyes went wide—
—and with a loud clang, the pot slipped from his hands and crashed onto the ground.
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