Ganyu's steps carry her past rows of shops beginning to close their doors. Lantern light illuminates her slightly disheveled blue hair, tousled by the sea breeze.
She lets out a long sigh, trying to calm her racing heartbeat.
At that moment, she spots a middle-aged woman dressed in elegant Liyue silk, carrying a heavily laden shopping basket. The lady appears to have just returned from the night market.
Ganyu quickens her pace and approaches politely.
"Excuse me, madam," Ganyu greets softly, her voice like wind chimes in a gentle breeze. "Have you seen a man with black hair wearing… unusual shoes? I mean, not ordinary boots or cloth. His face doesn't look native to Liyue, and he's… rather handsome. I heard he was running around here earlier and looked very distressed."
The woman stops walking. She looks at Ganyu, then smiles warmly, recognizing the famous Secretary of the Qixing. But her smile soon turns regretful. "I'm sorry, Miss Ganyu," she answers sincerely. "I truly didn't see the young man you're describing. I just came out of the fabric shop at the end of the street and wasn't paying attention to passersby. It's quite quiet tonight. Perhaps ask the night guards or people at the tea house."
Ganyu shakes her head gently, forcing a smile. "It's alright. Thank you for your time, madam."
"Thank you as well, Miss Ganyu. Take care on the road," the woman replies, bowing slightly before continuing on her way.
Ganyu watches the woman's retreating back, then resumes walking, eyes scanning the remaining bustle. She approaches a man in his fifties standing near a fruit cart, his hair slightly gray under the lantern light.
Ganyu draws near, steadying her voice to avoid sounding too frantic, and asks, "Excuse me, sir. Have you seen a black-haired man with strange footwear pass by? He might have looked… unwell."
The man pauses his apple-arranging and looks at Ganyu. He shakes his head quickly. "I haven't seen him, miss. I've been busy arranging these fruits since earlier. Besides, there are plenty of black-haired people in Liyue."
"I see. Sorry to disturb you, sir." Ganyu bows slightly, then quickly leaves.
Frustration begins creeping into her heart. Liyue is vast, and searching for one person in this busy harbor feels like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Moreover, descriptions like "strange shoes" and "handsome face not from Liyue" aren't very specific in this port city.
Soon after, Ganyu asks several more people—a souvenir vendor, a patrolling Millelith, even a group of children playing hide-and-seek.
But their answers remain the same: head shakes, no sightings, or descriptions of completely different people.
Ganyu's steps grow heavier. She looks tired, shoulders slightly slumped, disappointment clear on her usually composed face. She stops beside a wooden pillar, leaning against it briefly.
"Am I too late? Has he gone far?" Her anxiety begins turning to fear.
She takes a deep breath, refusing to give up. She continues walking, this time approaching a middle-aged man sitting on a stone bench smoking a long pipe.
Ganyu draws near and asks with her remaining hope, "Excuse me, sir. Sorry to disturb your rest. Have you seen a black-haired man with very unusual footwear? His face might have looked very disheveled or pale. I heard he was last seen running from the gate toward this area."
The man exhales thin smoke from his pipe, then puts on a thoughtful face. He taps the pipe's end slowly. His eyes meet Ganyu's, filled with restrained desperation.
"Hmmm…" He thinks for a long moment, finger tapping his cheek.
Ganyu watches him with full anticipation. She swallows, suddenly feeling very tense waiting for his answer.
Soon his expression brightens. He looks at Ganyu with certainty.
"Ah! I think I saw him. About half an hour ago, maybe?"
Ganyu startles. Her face lights up as if she'd found water in the desert!
"Really?!" Her voice rises an octave without realizing. She steps slightly closer, eyes wide with hope. "Where did he go, sir? Please tell me!"
Seeing Ganyu's intense reaction and their suddenly very close distance, the man's face flushes. He becomes flustered.
As an ordinary citizen, being approached so enthusiastically by someone as important as Ganyu makes him nervous!
He quickly steps back, scratching his non-itchy cheek.
"Ahem… let me think, Miss Ganyu," he says nervously, avoiding direct eye contact. He puts on a face as if sinking into an ocean of memory. He closes his eyes briefly, savoring the recollection, then opens them again.
"If I remember correctly… I saw him running, then entering the dark alley beside that tea house," he points with his pipe's end. "Not long after, he came out the other side of the alley. He looked… quite a mess. Very pale, and… he kept biting his own hand. Looked beaten up—maybe he got into a fight? Or chased by loan sharks?"
The man pauses, lowering his head, cleaning remaining tobacco from his pipe, then looks back at Ganyu. "After coming out of the alley, I saw him heading toward the inn area near the eastern dock."
"That's all? Nothing else you remember?" Ganyu tilts her head, carefully absorbing every word.
The man shakes his head firmly. "That's all I know, miss. It was very dark."
He falls silent briefly, then sighs long. His gaze drifts into the distance, toward flickering lights over the water.
"But if I may offer an opinion, miss," he continues sympathetically, "I don't think he went wandering to the docks or crowded places. With a face that pale and exhausted… he'd definitely go straight home. At least if it were me, I'd go home, lock the door, and sleep. No point thinking about running anywhere when your body's that wrecked."
Ganyu stares, stunned by the simple yet sensible analysis. She considers it, then a relieved and genuine smile blooms on her lips. A smile that makes her beauty shine even brighter under moonlight.
"Thank you so much, sir. You've been incredibly helpful," Ganyu says, bowing politely—a gesture of respect that makes the man even more flustered.
"Ah, you're welcome, Miss Ganyu, you're welcome!" he replies hurriedly, scratching his cheek again, blushing. Then he looks up briefly, gazing at Ganyu with a softer expression.
"It seems… that young man is very important to you, isn't he, Miss Ganyu?" he asks with a meaningful smile. "I hope you find him quickly, and that he's alright."
Hearing the gentle teasing, Ganyu looks shy. A faint pink blush sweeps her porcelain cheeks. She turns her face away, staring at her own reflection on the stone floor, trying to calm her suddenly irregular heartbeat.
Important? she thinks. I… I just feel responsible because he brought me out of my routine. Yes, that's all.
After calming herself, she looks back at the man.
"Um." Ganyu nods slowly, her thin smile returning. "I hope so too. Thank you for your prayers."
With this new lead, Ganyu resumes walking. Her steps now more directed, faster, toward the inn area near the eastern dock.
Arriving in the slightly quieter area still with some inn residents coming and going, Ganyu spots a madam in comfortable home clothes. The woman appears to have just woken from an afternoon nap, yawning while walking. She accompanies her energetic toddler running back and forth chasing fireflies along the roadside.
Ganyu watches the child briefly with a gentle gaze, then approaches the madam.
"Excuse me, madam," Ganyu greets. "Sorry to bother you at night. Have you seen a black-haired man with… strange footwear? He's not native to Liyue."
The madam stops walking, stifling another yawn. She pauses briefly, half-lidded eyes processing Ganyu's sudden question.
Then her eyes widen. She startles and answers with a tilted head, "The man with strange shoes?"
She puts on a long thoughtful face. Her finger taps her lips.
Ganyu watches her with full anticipation. She swallows, suddenly feeling very tense waiting for this woman's answer.
Soon the madam's expression brightens. She seems to suddenly recall the handsome man's face in her mind.
"Ah! That foreign man? The one who smiles awkwardly?" Her sleepy face vanishes completely, replaced by the enthusiasm of a gossip-loving housewife. "Yes, I know where he stays!"
"Really?!" Ganyu unconsciously steps forward.
"Why are you suddenly looking for him at night like this, Miss Ganyu?" the woman tilts her head, eyes narrowing with curiosity, sensing romantic scandal in the air. "What business does the Secretary of the Qixing have with an ordinary newcomer?"
Ganyu meets her gaze, then her eyes tremble. She feels cornered by the question. She looks away, cheeks heating again.
"Sorry… this… is personal. I can't say," Ganyu murmurs softly.
"Oh?" The madam waits a moment, watching Ganyu's flustered reaction, then nods understandingly. "Well, never mind… young girl's secret. I understand."
The madam then raises her hand and points with her index finger toward a two-story wooden inn building not far from where they stand. The inn looks simple yet clean.
"I often see him coming and going from that inn," she explains. "In and out while smiling to himself. Sometimes I see him carrying food, strange items. So I think he must live or at least rent a room there."
The madam pauses, putting on a serious face, brows furrowing.
"Um… but I don't know for sure if he's back today or tonight. I just woke from a long nap and came out to walk my child. Try asking the inn owner directly." She nods confidently. "Given how he always returns late, I think he's in his room now."
Ganyu startles at receiving such specific information so quickly. Hope surges high.
She tilts her head, still hesitant. "Do you know which room he's in, madam?"
The madam startles. Her mouth opens long enough for a fly to enter. Her eyes blink several times as if unable to believe what she just heard.
Miss Ganyu is so bold?! the madam screams inwardly. Going straight to his room? At night like this? Goodness, young people these days… ugh, it doesn't fit because he's not young, she's supposed to be a thousand-year-old girl… ugh, that doesn't fit either, anyway this Adeptus moves way too fast!
The woman shakes her head vigorously, trying to dispel her wild and impure thoughts. She tilts her head, looking at Ganyu with a meaningful smile.
"Why not just ask the inn owner directly, miss? He has the guest records. I don't want to meddle further—afraid of getting the wrong room," she says with a small laugh.
Ganyu realizes the implication of her own question and her face flushes bright red.
"O-okay then. Thank you so much for the information, madam. You've been very helpful," Ganyu forces a smile, wanting to escape the woman's teasing gaze quickly.
The madam nods kindly. "Happy to help, Miss Ganyu. I hope… your matter goes smoothly."
Then Ganyu half-runs toward the indicated inn, wanting to distance herself from the awkward situation.
She arrives in front of the inn building. Beside it stands a small house directly connected to the inn's reception desk. Ganyu walks there.
"Excuse me," Ganyu knocks on the wooden house door beside the inn with her knuckles. Her knocks gentle yet persistent. Knock. Knock. Knock.
She heard from the previous madam that the inn owner usually rests in that house at night if no guests are checking in.
Soon footsteps sound from inside. The door opens, and a woman in her fifties wearing an apron tied at her waist appears at the threshold. She looks as if she was preparing for bed.
"Yes? How can I—" her words cut off.
Ganyu, having asked too many people today, feels her energy drained. Combined with her anxiety, she becomes slightly stiff when speaking.
"Is… is it true a black-haired man stays here?" she asks, voice trembling slightly, holding back nervousness.
The inn owner woman looks Ganyu over from head to toe, assessing this unexpected visitor. Then her eyes widen in surprise upon recognizing her.
"Ah! Miss Ganyu!" she exclaims, startled. She quickly smooths her slightly messy hair and clears her throat, trying to appear more professional. "What wind brings the Secretary of Yuehai Pavilion to my humble inn at night like this? Please come in…"
"No need, madam. I just want to ask," Ganyu interrupts quickly.
"Oh, alright," the woman nods understandingly. "Black hair? Goodness, many guests have black hair, miss. Liyue is full of them. Does he have any other more specific characteristics? Or perhaps his name?"
Ganyu falls silent. She bites her lip, panicking inwardly.
How do I… he never told me his real name…!
It's a heartbreaking realization she only now notices.
She doesn't even know the name of the man she's so worried about!
Then, quickly regaining composure, Ganyu meets the inn owner's eyes with the serious expression she usually shows in important meetings.
"His nickname is… Wanderer, I think. He's a foreigner," Ganyu explains. She puts on a thoughtful face, eyes glancing away briefly to recall details, then back to the woman. "And… oh, the shoes he wears are very strange. Not Liyue-made, unique shape and unusual."
"Hmm… Wanderer… strange shoes…" The woman puts on a hard-thinking face, finger pressing her cheek. Her eyes move upward, recalling her guest list.
Suddenly her face brightens. She looks at Ganyu with certainty.
"Ah! I know who you mean, miss. That quiet and polite young man, right? Yes, he rents a room here."
The woman steps slightly out her door, then points with her index finger toward a second-floor window of the inn. The window is dark, no lantern light inside.
"He stays in the room right up there. At the corner end of the second-floor hallway. Room number four."
Ganyu follows the woman's pointing finger. She stares at the dark window with mixed feelings. Relief at having found him, mingled with fear of what she might find inside.
"I see," Ganyu nods slowly, then turns back to the inn owner. She smiles—this time more genuine and reassuring. "Thank you so much, madam."
Ganyu pauses. "By the way…" She bows her head slightly, lowering her voice so other possible awake guests won't hear. "I'd like to ask permission…"
Ganyu steps closer, leaning toward the inn owner's ear. Night wind sweeps Ganyu's blue hair, brushing the woman's cheek.
…
In the pitch-black room, you sit in the corner. The wooden floor feels cold through your pants. Your body limp, drained, as if all your muscles have been dissolved by acid guilt. You lean against the meeting of two walls, head tilted back staring at the invisible ceiling with tightly closed eyes, trying to block the terrifying shadows dancing behind your eyelids.
At that moment, you suddenly open your eyes wide when your ears catch a faint sound from beyond the wooden door. Very light footsteps, followed by the soft chime of bells. And then, the voice says:
"Are you in there?"
You startle violently. Your body tenses like a fully drawn bow.
H-huh?! your mind screams in panic. Why is Ganyu here?
Your eyes tremble staring toward the dark door. You can imagine her figure standing outside. You fear the door will be forced open. You fear she'll see you in this state—dirty, bloody, broken.
How does she know where I live? Who told her?
"Please answer if you're inside," the voice comes again through the crack under the door. This time, for some reason, you feel her voice trembling slightly.
You hurriedly stand, ignoring the dizziness pounding your head. You crawl toward the door, fumbling in the dark, checking the knob. Making sure the door is truly locked.
Feeling the dead metal lock, you sigh in relief. At least she can't just barge in. After that, you press your forehead against the cold wooden door. Trying to calm yourself, swallowing saliva that feels like sand.
"Why are you here?" you finally ask. Your voice trembles too, hoarse and full of fear.
You hear her sigh long from outside, a clear sigh of relief. She seems relieved to know you're still alive and inside the room.
"I heard… rumors," Ganyu says softly. "I heard you looked unwell on the street earlier." Her voice pauses briefly, perhaps searching for the right words. "So I came to make sure."
"How are you now?" she asks, tone so gentle.
You fall silent for a long time. Your lips bitten. You don't want her to see you like this. "Fine," you answer, voice shaking badly. "You don't need to worry about me. Go home, miss."
Silence falls instantly. Then one word pierces through the door with icy sharpness.
"Liar."
You widen your eyes hearing that. Your mouth opens to deny, then closes again because you don't know what to say. Your eyes narrow staring at the wood grain before you. You shout, "I'm not lying!"
"How long do you think I've lived?" her voice sounds softer now, deeper. Then you hear rustling clothes, as if she's leaning against the door from outside.
"In my long life, I've met so many people. Hundreds, thousands," Ganyu continues tiredly. "I've met cunning merchants, slippery politicians, and ordinary people trying to hide their sadness. People who love to lie."
She pauses to breathe.
"So I can tell which is a lie and which isn't. For example… from changes in tone. From tiny vibrations trying to be hidden. From pauses that are too long before answering."
She pauses again, giving weight to her next words.
"That's why I'm absolutely certain… you're lying right now."
"How can you judge just from tone changes alone! You're not an all-knowing god!" you shout again, weakly punching the door with your fist. Thud.
"No. I'm not a god. But I'm very sure this time," she replies calmly, unprovoked by your anger. "Don't try to fool me."
"Why are you lying?" she demands, peeling away your layers of deception. "What are you hiding?"
"Don't act like you know me!" you shout again. Your voice trembles harder, tears welling in your eyelids again. "You don't know anything about what just happened to me!"
"Then let me in," her voice sounds as if she's stopped leaning and stands straight. Her tone grows firmer and more resolute. "Then I can prove I'm right. Let me see your condition with my own eyes."
Let her in? panic surges in your mind.
No way!
If she enters, she'll smell this blood. She'll see my eyes that have witnessed death!
"I don't want to. Go away!" you shout desperately. "This isn't your business!"
"I won't leave until you open the door. I can stand here until morning if necessary," Ganyu replies stubbornly.
"Fine! Stand until your legs break! I won't open the door until you leave!" your mouth trembles violently as you hurl those harsh words at her.
Then silence returns, only breaths heard—so soft. Several seconds pass, no sound from outside.
You think she might have given up.
"Fine," Ganyu sighs long. "If you won't open it…"
She pauses, making your hairs stand on end.
"I just need to force my way in."
At that moment, you suddenly widen your eyes. Your heart seems to stop.
"H-Huh?!" you choke out.
What does she mean by force her way in?
"Excuse me," she says softly from outside, tone extremely polite—completely contrasting what she's about to do next.
"W-what—" you were about to warn her the door is locked, but your words cut off. Your eyes widen in horror!
At that moment, the air around the door suddenly plummets in temperature. Frost flowers spread rapidly from the doorknob across the entire wooden surface in milliseconds. Crack! Shatter! The old wooden door instantly freezes and shatters into thin glass-like fragments.
You, pressing your face to the door, scream in shock, leap backward, and fall sprawling to the floor.
Ice shards and wood splinters scatter into the room, reflecting moonlight finally entering from the hallway window.
Ice dust rises in the air, creating a cold mist that clouds your vision. You cough, covering your face with your hands. But your trembling mouth opens then closes as your eyes slowly catch the silhouette of someone stepping through the ice mist.
Her bells ring so clearly in your ears. Cling… cling…
"I already asked permission from the owner. She said it's fine if there's minor damage. I'll cover the repair cost through Yuehai Pavilion," Ganyu speaks in flat, professional tone.
She enters, her heeled shoes stepping on ice shards. She scans your messy room before looking straight at you sitting on the floor, face pale and shocked.
"As I thought—you were lying."
She stares intently. Her sharp eyes scan you from head to toe. She sees your dirty clothes, your self-bitten hands, and dark stains on your collar.
"What you said earlier doesn't match what I see," she says, tone softening. "Your appearance deviates far from 'fine.'"
"Shut up," you turn your face toward the dark wall, hiding your threatening tears. "I said I'm fine."
Damn. Good thing I turned off the light, you curse inwardly. I don't want her seeing me looking this disgusting. I look like a crazy murderer.
"May I ask?" Ganyu steps closer slowly, bending slightly to level her gaze with you on the floor. Her voice very gentle, coaxing. "What happened to you tonight?"
You stay silent. Jaw clenched. The silence suffocates. Then you hiss, "Go away." and continue louder, "Leave me alone. Please."
"I can't do that. Not after seeing you like this," she refuses to leave. "Tell me—what happened?" she keeps staring into your evasive eyes.
"Go away! I hate you!" you scream at the top of your lungs, trying to drive her out. You throw a pillow at her, but miss.
"Mm," Ganyu only nods slowly, face remaining calm, unaffected by your outburst. "I know."
"WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT ME?!" you shout again. Your scream so hysterical your voice cracks. Veins bulge in your neck. You want her to leave before you infect her with your darkness.
"I know," she pauses, eyes staring straight into your wild ones. "I know that deep down, you're a good person."
"Good? Heh? If I'm good…" hollow, dry, cynical laughter escapes your mouth. You pause, imagining the faces killed tonight. "…they wouldn't have died."
Your voice grows softer at the end, shrinking to a nearly inaudible murmur. Until Ganyu must tilt her head, yet she still can't clearly hear your final words.
But those words trigger something inside you. Unbearable guilt demands acknowledgment, demands punishment. You want her to hate you, so you deserve this suffering.
Then you look at her with wide-open eyes, red from crying and rage. And you declare loudly, shattering your own pretense.
"You think you know me? You know nothing! Let me tell you clearly!" You pause, chest heaving rapidly. Your eyes stare sharply into her purple ones. "I approached you all this time for a reason! None of this was coincidence!"
Ganyu isn't surprised. A very thin sad smile appears on her lips. She closes her eyes briefly—a slow blink full of understanding—then opens them again, gazing at you gently without judgment.
"I know. In this world, every action always has a reason behind it, a motive driving it," she answers.
"That reason… wasn't from my heart," you say softly, voice beginning to break—the honesty painful to speak. "I… I was forced to approach you. By something I couldn't resist. It was like… a task."
You don't mention the system, but the essence is conveyed.
"I already suspected that possibility," Ganyu closes her eyes again, longer this time, as if absorbing the bitter confession.
"I've thought about it since you started lingering near my office, since you 'happened' to be in the garden when I napped. Your movements… too purposeful," Ganyu opens her eyes, looking at you gently without judgment. "This person seems punished and forced to approach me… that's what I thought back then."
She smiles thinly. "In all my years serving the Qixing, I've experienced this several times. People trying to get close for information, connections, or threats from others. I wouldn't be surprised if you did it for a hidden reason too."
…that's not really the truth… your mind cries. You want to scream that your feelings started becoming real, that your curiosity turned into genuine admiration. But you hold back.
"If you already knew… then don't you hate me now?" you ask, confused by her calm reaction.
"Why should I hate you?" Ganyu tilts her head, genuinely not understanding your thinking.
"I mean, I seemed to have deceived you all this time. Taking advantage of your kindness," you say with head bowed.
"Perhaps your initial intention wasn't pure," Ganyu smiles—a smile that warms the cold room. "But I saw how you helped carry my documents earlier. I saw how sincerely you talked. I believe deep down you're a good person trapped in a difficult situation."
She steps forward one more pace.
"Besides, regardless of your initial reason, you're my friend now, aren't you?" her voice sounds full of hope. "And as a friend, I'm very worried about you right now…"
"Tell me, please. What happened tonight that made you like this?" Ganyu pleads.
You open your mouth. You want to tell everything. About that cursed sword, the beach massacre, blood splashing your face. But then your mouth closes tightly again. You fear she'll be disgusted.
Ganyu, seeing your hesitation and fear, sighs long. Without hesitation, she steps closer.
You, still sitting on the floor, panic seeing her approach. You try backing away, dragging your rear across ice shards.
But then your back hits the cold wall. You have nowhere left to run.
"Stay away!!" you shout.
"I won't," Ganyu shakes her head stubbornly.
Then she comes even closer. She kneels on the dirty floor, ignoring that her clothes might tear on ice.
She stops very close—close enough to feel her breath, close enough for her Glaze Lily scent to dispel the fishy blood smell around you.
Then, without warning, Ganyu extends both arms.
And she hugs you.
Her embrace is so gentle, fragile yet strong. She pulls your head to rest on her shoulder. Her body warmth penetrates your cold clothes.
"If you don't want to talk now, it's okay," she whispers in your ear. With a voice soft as a fairy mother's caress, she continues, "You don't have to force yourself. I just want you to know I'm here. I'm here for you."
You widen your eyes in her embrace, crumbling the last of your sanity. Your hands, previously stiff at your sides, now tremble.
Then the dam breaks. You let out a little sob, quickly becoming restrained crying.
"I-I… k-killed someone," the confession finally escapes, stuttering between sobs.
Ganyu, hugging you, startles slightly—her body tensing momentarily at the word "killed." Then she closes her eyes again, tightening her embrace, refusing to let go.
"That person… he seemed… from Liyue," you continue, crying on her shoulder, pouring out your soul's burden. "I didn't know him… but… his impression is so deep in me… he was tough, muscular, rough voice, exactly like a thug… a thug disliked by people around."
You remember his face in that dark alley.
"You saw him too. In the alley… when you saved me that night," you slightly release her embrace, enough to look at Ganyu's now shocked face.
"B-but… even if he was a thug… every human life is still precious, right?" your voice breaks, snot and tears mixing on your face.
"H-how if… his family is waiting for him to come home tonight? Imagining that makes me… makes me feel so guilty. I just want to die."
You pause, breathing ragged. "I-It… w-wasn't… m-my f-fault," you ramble. "It wasn't my fault…"
Ganyu looks at your broken face. Her purple eyes radiate equally deep sadness. Without a word of judgment, she pulls you back into her embrace. She rests your head on her shoulder again, letting her clothes soak with your tears.
"I know," Ganyu whispers soothingly, her hand gently stroking your trembling back. "I know."
Her embrace that night… for some reason feels so tight, as if she's trying to piece back together the scattered fragments of your shattered soul.
…
A/N: Writing this was really frustrating because this kind of event has never and probably will never happen in my life, damn it. Anyway, here's chapter 27—only one more chapter left for this week. Thank you for waiting. Looks like this story will end soon lol. Feel free to check my Patreon—I write much faster there than on this platform!