"Ganyu, you're beautiful, and you've got a great personality. If I hadn't married Keqing, I would've married you without hesitation."
Ryou paused for a long moment before he continued.
"But I already married Keqing. Liyue Harbor doesn't strictly enforce one-husband-one-wife, sure… but even if I wanted this, I'd still have to convince Keqing first."
He knew Keqing's temperament. There was no way she'd agree to him being with Ganyu.
To be honest, Ryou had thought about it. It wasn't like bullying Keqing nonstop was a good long-term plan, and he did feel sorry for her sometimes. Still, that was a separate issue. Convincing Keqing wouldn't be easy, and he still hadn't found a good way.
He hadn't known Ganyu for long, but she really was a good person—gentle, kind, the type who always tried to do right by others.
And she was an adeptus. Her constitution was naturally far stronger than Keqing's. If she really ended up with him, maybe he wouldn't have to keep holding back all the time.
But those thoughts were just thoughts. He was happy Ganyu liked him, yet some things were already set in stone. There were limits to what he could say.
"Ganyu… let's just stay friends." Ryou looked at her.
A lot of Liyue's laws were still being revised and hadn't been fully implemented. One of the biggest debates was exactly this—whether Liyue should enforce one-husband-one-wife, or allow one husband to have multiple wives.
Keqing backed the former.
Ningguang was pushing hard for the latter.
They'd clashed more than once over it.
So Ganyu understood: changing Keqing's mind would be incredibly difficult.
Still… difficult didn't mean impossible.
Because she'd treated Keqing before, she knew Keqing had injuries. If those wounds kept accumulating, it would be bad in the long run. That was part of why Ganyu had stayed so involved.
Maybe there is a chance.
Ganyu smiled at him. "So if I convince Keqing… you'll agree?"
"Huh?" Ryou blinked, thrown off.
With Keqing's personality, agreeing was practically impossible. She'd even "reminded" him more than once to keep his distance from Ganyu. How could she possibly approve?
"If Keqing agrees, then of course I'll treat you well," Ryou said carefully. "But some things—mmph!"
Before he could finish, Ganyu stepped in and kissed him, both arms wrapped around him like a vice.
Ryou's brain went completely blank.
Could you not let me do this on my own terms?! Why do you have to force it?!
He struggled, but even with all his stats boosted to over one hundred and forty percent, he still couldn't break free.
Ganyu held him there and kissed him firmly for a long while before she finally let him go.
"Then it's settled." Ganyu looked him straight in the eye, deadly serious. "I will convince Keqing. And when I do, you're going to marry me."
"O-Okay… fine." Ryou could only give in.
"Do you want me to walk you out?" Ganyu's face burned as she remembered what she'd just done, and her voice dropped.
"N-No. I'll go back myself." Ryou hurried for the door.
He was genuinely worried Ganyu might try to keep him there.
His stats were at one-forty and it still hadn't helped—if Ganyu really decided to "make a move," he wouldn't be able to resist at all.
Even if he had… a few thoughts, he couldn't let her trap him like that.
Ryou picked up his pace and left Yujing Terrace in a few quick strides.
Ganyu stood by the window and watched him disappear into the distance. She felt much better.
She'd finally said what she'd been holding in, and she could tell Ryou did have some feelings for her.
The hard part was Keqing.
But to Ganyu, that was exactly where the opportunity was.
All she had to do was convince Keqing.
Keqing currently had the advantage in every way—time, position, closeness. So Ganyu would focus on improving her relationship with Keqing, and once the bond was strong enough, she'd find a way to persuade her.
Besides, her body was far stronger than Keqing's. If she helped Keqing too, Keqing's life would be easier.
Ganyu touched her lips, as if she could still feel the warmth there.
"I… how did I even do something like that?"
"Still… he's usually pretty calm. I didn't expect him to be so scared of me."
"It's kind of cute."
Knock knock knock.
Ganyu heard someone at the door.
"Come in."
The door opened, and a middle-aged man stepped inside. "Ganyu-sama, I want to apply for a transfer to the Ministry of Civil Affairs. This is my request."
"You want to transfer to the Ministry of Civil Affairs?" Ganyu turned to look at him.
She didn't remember him particularly well, but among the secretaries he was steady enough. If he wanted to transfer, it wasn't a big deal.
She glanced at him. "Tell me why."
"I… I heard the Ministry of Civil Affairs pays a bonus," he said. "Once you finish your assigned work, for every file past seven you get an extra one thousand Mora. My family needs Mora, so I want to try."
Ganyu studied him.
Someone had already reported the Ministry's new incentives to her. It was true that it would fire people up, but it also meant their Mora costs would climb. She hadn't paid it much attention—she just hadn't expected it to lure Yujing Terrace staff this quickly.
He was a decent worker, nothing outrageous, so Ganyu nodded.
"Leave the request here. Report there tomorrow."
"Thank you, Ganyu-sama!" The man's eyes lit up. He backed out carefully and left the office.
Ganyu glanced at the request and shook her head, not thinking much of it. The work was done anyway—she should go home and rest.
Knock knock knock.
"Come in." Ganyu set her things down and looked up.
"Ganyu-sama, I… I want to apply for a transfer to the Ministry of Civil Affairs…" A pretty woman stood in the doorway, speaking nervously.
"You too?" Ganyu frowned.
"…Fine."
She approved it, and the woman left.
Then another came.
And another.
One after another.
That was when Ganyu finally realized something was wrong.
She pressed a hand to her forehead, took a sip of tea, and muttered, "That guy leaves and still manages to dump trouble on my desk."
"All of you transferring to the Ministry of Civil Affairs—what kind of nonsense is that?"
"And the Ministry has a fixed headcount. Transfers also need their approval. One or two isn't a problem, but ten-plus…?"
…
Ryou kept thinking about that kiss.
It had barely been a taste—
Or rather, he'd been the one tasted.
When he got home, he found Keqing in the study, flipping through a book. A lamp sat in front of her, casting warm light across her graceful figure.
She sensed his gaze and turned her head. Ryou was standing in the doorway, looking at her.
Keqing felt a little disappointed.
She'd sent him to help Ganyu because she wanted something to happen between them. Yet every time, he came back within half an hour. That meant they definitely hadn't done anything.
Her husband really was dense.
He probably finished the paperwork and rushed straight back.
And with the way he was staring at her now, Keqing could tell he'd gotten tempted somewhere along the way.
So in the end, she'd still be the one putting out the fire.
"Blockhead," Keqing said, rolling her eyes. "What are you staring at?"
"On the way back, I saw a flash of white light," Ryou said solemnly. "I thought a heavenly treasure had descended, or maybe some immortal fairy had come down to the mortal world."
"Turns out it was my Keqing."
"Maybe you're not an immortal fairy… but in my eyes, you're a hundred million times prettier."
He walked up, scooped her into his arms, and sat down with her in his lap.
"You and your sweet talk," Keqing huffed. "Alright—tell me. You went to the Ministry of Civil Affairs to handle paperwork. What else did you do?"
"I can smell it on you. There's a scent on you—clearly Ganyu's. Don't tell me you…"
She'd meant to scold him, but the moment she caught that scent, she was thrilled.
Wait… did my dense husband finally figure it out? Did he actually get close with Ganyu?
But he came back so fast…
So maybe nothing happened.
Or maybe something happened by accident?
"There's a scent?" Ryou sniffed himself and still didn't notice anything.
Then he thought of Ganyu wrapping him up and kissing him. That had to be when it rubbed off.
Still… he'd walked all the way home. Shouldn't it have faded by now?
Ryou suddenly understood what she was getting at and smiled.
"You're imagining things. If there's any scent here, why can't I smell it?"
"Besides, I can smell yours. Doesn't that mean you're the fragrant one?"
"Oh, right. That outfit—I told you to wash it. Did you?"
"It's your fault!" Keqing pinched him. "That dress smells weird now. It won't dry anytime soon, so don't even think about getting any ideas tonight!"
"Keqing, you haven't been going out lately, and nobody's invited you anywhere," Ryou murmured, holding her tighter and leaning in by her ear.
"Don't we still have other evening dresses?"
"No!" Keqing shot him a look. "How embarrassing. You're the worst."
But he'd clearly learned his lesson—he stopped her from pinching him again by striking first.
Keqing winced at the sharp sting, glared at him, and then seemed to realize something.
She lowered her voice. "You… touching is one thing, but why are you pinching me too?"
"And… what's going on? Why does it feel like I'm… bigger than before?"
"Of course I helped you," Ryou said smoothly. "Come on. I'll help you again."
He swept her up in his arms and strode straight toward his pocket world.
Keqing wrapped her arms around his neck, her face burning hotter and hotter. The more she thought about what was about to happen, the more embarrassed she got.
He definitely got tempted over at Ganyu's place, and now I'm the one suffering for it.
Ganyu… when are you going to come help me already?
Thinking of Ganyu made Keqing ache with longing. If Ganyu helped, she'd definitely be a lot more comfortable.
Ryou had helped her recover a lot, but doing everything alone was still exhausting.
[Ding, Keqing's height increased by 10 cm!]
Ryou froze when he heard it.
Before, Keqing came up to around his chest.
Now she was closer to his throat.
Too bad the reward wasn't something he could aim at. It was random. If he could've put it into her constitution instead, Keqing would've had it much easier.
He patted her head, already thinking that he'd have to go buy clothes tomorrow.
Because now Keqing wasn't just… fuller.
She was taller too.
…
The next morning.
Today was supposed to be the start of the Rite of Descension, but the Ministry of Civil Affairs had issued an announcement postponing it, so the ceremony wouldn't happen.
Still, just in case, Ryou decided to bring Keqing to Yujing Terrace anyway.
"Keqing," Ryou said, "later I'll take you shopping for clothes. After that, we'll go to Yujing Terrace."
"Oh." Keqing sat in his lap, enjoying being fed. Then she tilted her head up.
"Today's the Rite of Descension. Are you excited?"
"Yeah," Ryou admitted.
"Don't worry," Keqing said lazily. "Ningguang is in charge this year. She'll make sure nothing goes wrong. Besides, it's already been postponed."
"Also…" Keqing tugged at her outfit. "I feel like these clothes don't fit right anymore. I don't know why."
"Keqing," Ryou said, pinching her cheek. "It's because you're ten centimeters taller. You didn't notice?"
"That's why I'm taking you to buy clothes. This time, we're getting a bunch."
"Absolutely not!" Keqing glared. "If I don't like it, I'm not buying it. Don't think I don't know what you're planning."
Ryou hugged her closer. "What can I do? My Keqing is too cute. I can't help wanting to bully you."
"Y-You… don't think you can just—mmph!"
Before Keqing could finish, Ryou stuffed another bite of food into her mouth.
Keqing rolled her eyes at him and glared back hard.
Ryou laughed. "We'll see. But I'm buying you an outfit. No refusing."
"You… fine." Keqing gave in, but laid down her terms immediately. "One outfit. Not more."
"And no costumes. Absolutely not."
"Costumes are great though…" Ryou rubbed his chin. "If not that, then… how about a nun outfit?"
"No!" Keqing puffed her cheeks. "Why are you always thinking about weird things?"
"And Liyue doesn't even have nuns! There's no way any shop would sell a nun outfit!"
Ryou pinched her cheek again. "Not true. I saw a shop selling nun outfits yesterday. In three days—"
"Ryou-sama, Ganyu-san is here!" the butler announced as he stepped in, head lowered.
"Why is she here?" Ryou frowned.
But the moment he thought of yesterday's kiss, something shifted—and then pain shot through his side.
"Ow! Keqing, why are you pinching me?!"
"Hmph. You tell me," Keqing snapped, glaring. "I'm sitting on you. You think I can't tell what you're thinking?"
Still, she couldn't help having her own thoughts.
Ryou clearly had feelings for Ganyu—he was just holding himself back because of her. Otherwise he wouldn't react like that at all.
That realization made Keqing feel better.
As long as Ryou wanted it, she'd press while the iron was hot and take Ganyu down.
Yesterday, Ryou had bullied her brutally. Both evening dresses were already in the wash now.
Ahhh!
That bastard!
[End of chapter]
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