About two weeks into Qin Yu's job as a maid, the Head Maid suddenly said, "Pack your things."
Qin Yu was stunned. "Huh?!"
Have I been fired? How could this be? I've been working so hard every day! And what about my pay? If I don't get paid, all my work will have been for nothing!
"Um... is there something I've been doing wrong?" Qin Yu asked.
The Head Maid looked puzzled. "No, you're one of the few maids who actually makes my job easier. Aside from needing me to wake you up every morning, I'm perfectly satisfied with your work."
"Then... why am I being dismissed?"
Does the Head Maid even have the authority to fire me?
"Dismissed? I think you've misunderstood. I asked you to pack your things because Lady Ningguang wants you to come to the Jade Chamber."
Why couldn't you just say that straight away?! Qin Yu sighed in relief. At least I haven't been fired. I need to get that first month's salary, no matter what.
But why would Lady Ningguang want me at the Jade Chamber?
Unable to figure it out, Qin Yu asked the Head Maid for an explanation.
"It's simple. Lady Ningguang has taken a liking to you and wants you by her side. The guide has already received instructions from her. Just tell him why you're there and give your name."
Ningguang, that rich lady, wants to keep me around?
Could she be planning something... like that? No, no, no, that's impossible... Or is it? Could it be possible? Qin Yu recalled her previous private encounters with Ningguang.
The possibility seems... perhaps... maybe... not entirely zero?
She couldn't quite bring herself to believe it.
No, the strange one here is me. How could a member of the prestigious Liyue Qixing be that kind of person?
Still, since Ningguang had summoned her, Qin Yu couldn't refuse.
"Alright, I'll head to the Jade Chamber first. I understand," Qin Yu nodded.
"Good. Don't disappoint Lady Ningguang. If only the other maids were as reliable as you, I wouldn't have so much to worry about... Ah..." The Head Maid sighed to herself as she walked away.
Since she was going to the Jade Chamber, Qin Yu couldn't wear her maid uniform. Objectively, there was nothing wrong with it, but she felt too self-conscious to go in such attire.
After changing into casual clothes, Qin Yu arrived at Yujing Terrace. Since she rarely visited, she took the opportunity to light incense for Rex Lapis and offer a prayer.
If gods truly exist in this world, perhaps a prayer might bring divine protection... Qin Yu bowed her head and silently recited:
Rex Lapis, bless my noble quest for cuddles and wholesome interactions, and may it proceed smoothly.
To reach the Jade Chamber, one needed to find a guide. Qin Yu had never paid much attention to such things, only hearing that non-staff members required either wealth or influence to gain access. Unfortunately, she possessed neither, which explained her previous inaccessibility.
Approaching the guide, she explained her purpose. He sized her up, nodded in recognition, and confirmed she was the girl Ningguang had mentioned. With that, he granted her access to the platform leading to the Jade Chamber.
To board the Jade Chamber, one had to step onto the adjacent platform. This platform would then rise into the air and automatically transport passengers to the floating palace.
Though Qin Yu wasn't afraid of heights, she still felt a surge of anxiety, terrified of falling. Thankfully, she arrived safely at the Jade Chamber without incident.
Honestly, building it so high and making it fly... What if someone falls? Qin Yu muttered inwardly, exhaling deeply to calm herself. As she walked, she took in the breathtaking scenery around her. So this was the legendary "view from the summit," where all mountains appeared dwarfed beneath.
Snapping out of her reverie, Qin Yu shook her head. I need to find Ningguang.
Lady Ningguang should be somewhere within the Jade Chamber's pavilions... As she pondered this, someone suddenly bumped into her.
"Ah?!"
"Ugh?!—Uh, ah!"
Oh no, a beautiful girl shouldn't make such noises! Especially not when it clashes with my carefully crafted image. Even if I were to scream, it should be the cute kind!
That was Qin Yu's first thought after being knocked over, before she fully regained her composure.
Honestly, who bumps into people without watching where they're going? While muttering to herself, Qin Yu stood up, put on a concerned expression, and extended a hand to the young girl before her.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't see you. Are you hurt?"
The blue-haired girl pressed her head and gave a wry smile. "No, it was my fault for not paying attention... Hmm?"
She looked up at Qin Yu and froze.
"Qin Yu?"
How does she know my name? Not that it was particularly surprising—many people in Liyue recognized her.
Still, Qin Yu felt a strange sense of familiarity about the girl. Have I seen her somewhere before?
"Yes, that's me. And you are... Never mind, I'm just glad you're okay."
"Ah, yes, I'm fine... Thank you for your concern." The blue-haired girl took Qin Yu's hand and was pulled to her feet.
While the girl brushed dust from her clothes, Qin Yu took the opportunity to observe her more closely.
Her blue hair was tied back with a ribbon, and her soft eyes were a blend of pink and purple. Her elegant, off-the-shoulder dress, though refined, retained a hint of youthful charm, strangely reminiscent of Shenhe's attire.
And those horns on her head...
Hmm... I definitely feel like I've seen her before. She looks familiar... But where could it have been?
Qin Yu was genuinely curious. "Excuse me for being forward, but have we met before?"
"Eh?"
This was the second time she'd asked someone that question.
Am I really that forgetful?
The blue-haired girl stammered, "N-no, we haven't met. Ah, right, I should introduce myself. Hello, my name is Ganyu."
Her hesitation was puzzling.
Ganyu... The name rang a bell, but only from what others had told her. She was the secretary of the Yuehai Pavilion, a half-adeptus who had assisted generations of the Liyue Qixing.
Wait a minute... If that's true, she's actually a woman of immeasurable age?
Her skin and hair looked so radiant, and she appeared to be about Qin Yu's age... Incredible.
A half-adeptus—how powerful!
"Um... why are you staring at me?" Ganyu asked, turning her face away awkwardly.
"Eh? Oh, it's just because—"
Target list updated
Wait, stop! Halt! System Chill!
Target: Ganyu
Ugh! I can't take this anymore!
Does every attractive woman automatically qualify as a target now?!
Helpless, Qin Yu swallowed back what she had originally intended to say and forced a smile. "I was really worried after bumping into you, but seeing you're okay puts my mind at ease!"
"Is that so? Thank you for your concern. I'm perfectly fine," Ganyu replied, slightly surprised but still offering a gentle smile.
[Evaluation: D-]
D-? Hmph.
Qin Yu couldn't resist asking again, "Are you absolutely sure we've never met before?"
"Ah... Oh! Right! I'm so sorry, I have work to do. Please excuse me," Ganyu blurted out hastily and fled as if she were escaping.
No wonder she ran away after I kept pressing her even after she said no. Looking back, it was like I was hitting on her... Ugh, that's kind of cringey. I hope I didn't leave her with a bad impression.
Maybe it's best not to trust my instincts after all.
The Keqing incident should have proven that already.
This must be another delusion. Stop torturing yourself. Qin Yu pulled out the toy ring from under her collar, glanced at it with a sigh, tucked it away, and headed toward the pavilion.
Wait a minute.
Qin Yu retreated several steps, backing up to the edge of the pond.
She crouched down and gazed at her reflection in the water.
Her hair... ugh, the wind had messed it up. Why did they have to build this place so high? Her cheeks were smudged with dust. She wiped them with her handkerchief, using the water's surface as a mirror to tidy her appearance.
Perfect!