Knock. Knock, knock—
The rapid knocking dragged Shenhe from shallow sleep. Hair mussed, clothes a bit askew, she frowned slightly, rubbing drowsy eyes. Normally an emotionless statue, she now wore a hint of mild reproach.
Disturbing one's dreams is improper. If the knocker refused to apologize, Shenhe didn't mind helping his head make close acquaintance with the floor—thrice.
"Miss Shenhe, are you asleep?"
If you are… then wake up and try again.
Whatever irritation had just risen snuffed out at once. Ji Ming was a good man; he would never disturb her for nothing. Being woken by him—didn't matter.
"I have not yet retired. Ji Ming, what is it?"
Seeing the obvious disarray of her hair and clothes, Ji Ming offered a polite smile and stepped aside so she could see behind him.
"I wouldn't have bothered you, but… your master and your senior have already come to find you."
Cloud Retainer had taken human form. The air of the adepti wasn't empty talk—one glance from afar and you could feel immortal dignity press upon you.
Of course, with mortals she wore a cool face. But she did care deeply for Liyue—and as for Ji Ming, the son of an old friend, she shed all immortal airs and nagged like a family elder.
Likely she treated Ganyu and Shenhe the same. Ji Ming felt honored, but he didn't wish to see her as an elder; after all, he'd never known his parents had such an immortal friend. He'd handled their simple funeral alone.
"Shenhe, why are you standing there? This is your senior, Ganyu. I've told you about her before."
Ganyu blinked. Seeing her junior say nothing, she assumed shyness and spoke first, gentle and formal:
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Ganyu, secretary of the Liyue Qixing at Yuehai Pavilion. I've trained under True Lord Cloud Retainer since childhood."
"Pleased to meet you. I am Shenhe."
As expected, their temperaments didn't match. Shenhe stopped at a name, making Ganyu think she wasn't welcome.
Ganyu glanced at Cloud Retainer—Master stayed silent. Her eyes slid toward Ji Ming, who was very obviously enjoying the show.
Don't look at me like that. How can someone who's lived millennia still be… as cute as a small animal?
Unable to resist, Ji Ming stepped in to rescue her.
"Miss Shenhe, shouldn't you invite your master and senior to sit inside?"
"Master, Senior—please, come in and sit… Ji Ming, you as well. No need to find another inn tonight. Rest here. I don't mind."
…Bad. Why did she drag me into this?
Sure enough, Ganyu—mid-seat—paused and turned, face now serious.
"Mr. Ji Ming, didn't I just see you under the stone bridge?"
Shenhe was no fool—in fact, she was unnervingly quick. She stepped forward to block his escape route and met his eyes head-on.
"Ji Ming, why were you sleeping under a bridge?"
"I am, in truth, a cultivator hidden among the common folk. Dwelling beneath bridges is merely… a method of training—"
Shenhe tilted her chin, expression flat. "Are you trying to deceive me?"
…Why does the air feel heavier all of a sudden?
Fighting the sudden invasion of gravity, Ji Ming sighed.
"Fine. I just wanted to skim a little more mora. If Wangsheng Parlor's paying and I don't skim, it'd be a waste. Don't misunderstand—Mr. Zhongli told me to give you the highest standard of living. As for me, I can rough it."
So he wasn't trying to deceive her—merely frugal on himself and generous on her. Shenhe's face stayed calm, but the old memory of a father luring her into a cave with lies loosened its grip; that strange pressure in the air quietly faded.
Cloud Retainer smiled from the side like an elder who'd just watched the youngsters bumble through their awkwardness. Then she joined in:
"You've only just met, and already you get along so well. This immortal has a brilliant idea."
…Ah. A "brilliant idea" person.
In the Old Nine Gates, the First was the idea guy—always hatching bad plans, nearly getting them all thrown in prison. Well, now everyone except the Ninth was indeed in prison.
Ji Ming grumbled inwardly. Shenhe looked to her master; Ganyu played along softly.
"Master, what is your idea…?"
"I shall take Ji Ming as my disciple," Cloud Retainer declared. "He is the son of an old friend. It is my failing not to have sensed their passing sooner, leaving their child to wander Liyue for ten long years."
Sounded like compensation born of guilt. Ji Ming didn't need it. He didn't blame his parents' friend for not noticing sooner. What was past was past; both he and Cloud Retainer should step out of that grief.
"Please allow me to refuse. I have no parents, true—but I still have ties in Liyue Harbor. I cannot abandon the mortal world to train."
Years in the deep mountains, chewing bitter herbs? Ji Ming couldn't stomach it. Besides, eight sworn brothers still sat in Liyue Prison. Someday they'd make it big—together.
Cloud Retainer frowned, arms folding—then sighed.
"This immortal will not take you back to Jueyun Karst. You may remain in Liyue Harbor; Ganyu can look after you. But you must still acknowledge me as master."
"…Why?"
A five-clear-roots cultivation prodigy? Hardly. Ji Ming was a street swindler—this smelled like the standard con.
Cloud Retainer played her trump card.
"When you were born, I held you. Your parents wished me to take you as a disciple then. Will you not honor their last wish?"
"…In that case, I will not refuse True Lord's kindness."
"No change of address?"
"…Master above, accept my bow."
Ji Ming was nothing if not adaptable. If he didn't have to leave Liyue, then acknowledging a master was fine. Besides, Miss Ganyu was also this True Lord's disciple—making her his senior.
As a junior, he could… reasonably visit Senior Ganyu more often, right?
"Very well—then I'll change how I address you. Senior Ganyu, please take care of me from now on!"
Cloud Retainer: "?"
So this rebellious disciple was only doing this for Ganyu? Hmph. If Ganyu didn't mind, perhaps it wasn't bad. Children of old friends, tying bonds upon bonds—marriage would be… No, one step at a time.
Ganyu smiled warmly and nodded.
"Mm. Please take care of me as well. If you run into trouble, tell me."
Success. Senior Ganyu is the best. Farewell, brothers—I'm defecting from the Old Nine Gates to side with Liyue's civil service.
Shenhe stepped over, concise as ever.
"And me, Ji Ming?"
He understood at once.
"Senior Shenhe, please take care of me."
"Good. Junior Ji Ming."
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