Outside Liyue Harbor, on an unnamed patch of grass.
A shocking scene was unfolding.
The dignified Liyue Qixing, the Yuheng Star Keqing—someone both loved and feared—was actually behaving herself, quietly allowing a man to pat her head!
If anyone who knew Keqing were present, they would be utterly stunned by—
Her obedience.
And they would be insanely jealous of Bai Ge.
After all, who wouldn't want to rub Keqing's purple cat head?
Feeling the excellent texture transmitted back through his palm, Bai Ge couldn't help but smile in satisfaction.
However, Bai Ge had forgotten one important thing.
When it comes to the art of petting cats—
House cats can be patted directly on the head.
But stray cats cannot.
With strays, you should start from below, gently scratching upward, slowly easing your way to the head.
Otherwise, a hand reaching down from above might be interpreted as an attack—
And you'll be rewarded with a cat punch or a cat bite.
At that point, five shots and five hundred Mora's worth of rabies vaccines won't feel like such a bargain.
Right now, Keqing wasn't quietly letting herself be petted because she was a house cat—
It was because she was completely stunned.
Bai Ge's utterly unpredictable behavior had left her momentarily frozen.
As she felt that warm hand continuing to mischievously move atop her head, Keqing's fair, delicate face instantly flushed red!
An indescribable mix of shame and fury flooded her heart!
"Take your hand away!"
She shouted coldly. Lion's Roar reappeared in her grasp, its blade flashing as a crisp sword-light slashed toward Bai Ge's arm.
"Whoa!"
Seeing the 'slash-through-everything' sword light coming at him, Bai Ge hurriedly withdrew his hand.
In this world, artifacts and high-grade weapons could be stored within one's mental space—so Keqing's sudden draw was genuinely hard to guard against.
"What are you doing?"
Pulling his hand back, Bai Ge stared at Keqing in shock.
"Wow, seriously? I just saved you, and you turn around and slash at me? Never thought the mighty Yuheng Star was this kind of person!"
"Tsk, tsk…"
He smacked his lips, wearing a thoroughly disappointed expression.
At that point, all the cool composure Bai Ge had shown earlier completely vanished.
That lazy, irritating, couldn't-care-less demeanor returned—the exact same slacker from the office.
"You—!"
Seeing him like this, Keqing felt her anger surge uncontrollably.
"Who told you to touch my head?!"
"Didn't you lean your head over yourself?" Bai Ge replied innocently.
"When my cat wants attention, that's exactly what she does…"
"I am not a cat! This is a hairstyle!"
Keqing snapped angrily.
"Ah yes, yes, of course."
Bai Ge nodded perfunctorily.
"You!!!"
Advanced-grade modern sarcasm effortlessly broke through the defenses of Keqing, who lived in a 12+ world where everyone was fundamentally decent.
At this moment, thoroughly provoked, her pink-violet eyes practically spewed flames, as if she wanted to swallow Bai Ge whole.
Yet surprisingly—
Even now, Keqing didn't lose control.
She didn't explode like the women from Bai Ge's previous life, who would make a scene whether they were right or wrong.
Instead, recalling the fact that Bai Ge really had saved her, Keqing took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed her anger.
At the same time, remembering her purpose for coming here, she realized she couldn't let Bai Ge drag the topic completely off track.
"Since you're clearly this strong," Keqing asked seriously,
"why do you insist on leaving right at five every day instead of doing more?"
"Do you have any idea how much negative influence your behavior has on others?"
"Don't you understand that with great power comes great responsibility?"
She voiced her doubts earnestly.
"Oh?"
Hearing this, Bai Ge gave her a strange once-over from head to toe.
The look made Keqing extremely uncomfortable.
But recalling her question, she kept a stern expression and waited for his answer.
Bai Ge looked at her, his expression playful, his tone dripping with sarcasm—for the first time, genuine emotion crept into his words.
"Didn't expect it. The dignified Yuheng Star, using hooligan logic at such a young age."
"Greater ability, greater power, greater responsibility.
But any talk of responsibility that deliberately avoids talking about power—that's hooliganism."
As he spoke, Bai Ge shook his head.
"Lady Keqing isn't really my type, but if you wanted to be that other kind of hooligan with me, I could still pinch my nose and accept it."
"Unfortunately… it's this kind."
After finishing, Bai Ge's face cooled completely, and he turned to leave.
As a wage slave in his previous life who'd been squeezed dry and worked to death by overtime, this was exactly the kind of rhetoric he hated most.
A few tens of thousands of Mora a month—and you expect people to give their lives?
As for this idea that the capable must step forward…
If the world collapses without me, then let it collapse.
Having been reborn, Bai Ge only wanted to take it easy, grow steadily, and live comfortably.
Saving the world?
That was Lumine's job.
What's more, the Mondstadt dragon crisis hadn't even started yet. The sibling travelers hadn't arrived. Liyue was still in a peaceful era.
There was no need for him to step onto the stage.
With that thought, Bai Ge's long legs carried him farther and farther away—
Until his figure gradually disappeared from view.