Dihua Marsh was far from Liyue Harbor, requiring a long journey.
Considering that even if he went, there was no guarantee he'd find Zhongli, Luo Qing decided not to waste his time traveling there. Instead, after leaving the research camp, he headed straight back to Liyue.
As he passed beneath a cliff, a bird call echoed in the air, causing Luo Qing to stop in his tracks. He looked towards the undergrowth beneath the steep cliffside and called out:
"I can see you. Come on out."
At his words, a group of people emerged from the bushes. Each of them held tools like hoes and scythes, while some had bottles of various potions strapped to their waists.
"Since you spotted us, there's no point beating around the bush," said a burly man who towered over Luo Qing, hefting a hoe menacingly.
"Hand over your toll money, kid."
Luo Qing didn't rush to make a move. He calmly eyed the Treasure Hoarders' attire and asked casually, "You do realize that Liyue Harbor is just a short distance from here, right? Aren't you worried about the Millelith finding you?"
"Hah! The Millelith have their hands full right now. They don't have time to bother with us," the leader sneered. "You look like a merchant, so hand over your Mora. Otherwise, don't blame us for getting rough!"
"Well... alright then." Luo Qing sighed and shook his head slightly. Just as he was about to use his Word of Spirit to send the Treasure Hoarders packing—
The sound of rapid footsteps came from behind him. He turned to see a familiar girl with long, flowing blue hair running towards him. In her hand, she summoned an ice arrow and shot it directly at the Treasure Hoarders.
The ice arrow scattered, freezing the Hoarders' feet to the ground, leaving them immobilized.
"Are you alright, sir? Oh... Luo... Luo Qing?!" Ganyu's eyes widened in surprise, clearly not expecting to see Luo Qing there.
She had been some distance away and had only seen a group of people being ambushed. In a rush, she'd hurried over to help, never imagining that the person being targeted was Luo Qing.
"Ganyu... Miss Ganyu, what a coincidence," Luo Qing stammered.
"Mm..." Ganyu blushed, unsure of what to say. The memory of Luo Qing possibly seeing her unclothed flitted through her mind, causing her face to heat up and turn a deep shade of red.
Despite her centuries-long life, Ganyu's shy and reserved nature had never changed. Though she was technically the one wronged, her demeanor now resembled that of a bashful girl.
With Ganyu embarrassed and Luo Qing standing motionless, the two simply stared at each other. Neither noticed as the frozen Treasure Hoarders took advantage of their distraction to make a hasty retreat.
After what felt like an eternity, Ganyu finally spoke softly, "Luo Qing, can I... ask you something?"
"Go ahead, Miss Ganyu," Luo Qing replied, knowing this moment would come eventually.
Whatever Ganyu said next, he was ready to take responsibility.
Ganyu hesitated for a moment before asking in a tiny voice, "One night... did you, by any chance, enter my room through the window?"
Which, translated, meant:
Luo Qing, that night when Yaoyao and I were bathing... were you peeking? (Blush)
Luo Qing's expression turned solemn. "Miss Ganyu! Let me clarify—no, let me explain! It was an accident!"
"I... I couldn't control my speed and ended up going in by mistake! I swear, I didn't stay for even a second longer than necessary. I left immediately!"
"...Then, Luo Qing... did you see... anything?" Ganyu's voice was barely above a whisper, her face scarlet.
"See anything..." Luo Qing's mind involuntarily flashed back to Ganyu in the bathtub, hair loose and cascading down her shoulders, the sight of creamy skin with a hint of pink...
Nope. He couldn't go there.
Any more thoughts, and little brother would definitely wake up.
"No! Miss Ganyu! I, Luo Qing, swear to the Geo Archon—I didn't see a thing!" he declared, raising four fingers to his forehead in a solemn oath.
Ganyu tilted her head and asked, "Really?"
"I swear!"
"Alright then..." Seeing his serious expression, Ganyu chose to believe him. She shifted slightly and asked again, "Have you... trained with the Adepti? That night, you moved so quickly, even I couldn't react in time..."
"Well, Miss Ganyu, if you'd like, I can always go slower..."
"Huh?" Ganyu blinked, looking confused.
"Ahem, nothing, nothing," Luo Qing quickly covered. "I grew up in Snezhnaya, and I've never trained with the Adepti."
"Oh... I see..." Ganyu lowered her head, feeling slightly embarrassed. Seeing Luo Qing's appearance, she had always assumed he was just a Liyue-born employee of the Northland Bank. It never occurred to her that he was originally from Snezhnaya.
Meanwhile, Luo Qing had his own doubts.
Logically, Ningguang and Yelan should have dug up everything about me by now. How does Ganyu not know the details?
Is Ningguang really keeping my information this well-guarded? Or did they just decide not to tell Ganyu at all?
"Miss Ganyu, it's so late, and you're outside the city. Where are you heading?"
"Mm... I've finished most of my work for now, so I wanted to take a walk..." Ganyu replied softly.
Luo Qing glanced towards the direction of Qingce Village and asked tentatively, "Heading to Dihua Marsh?"
Ganyu looked surprised. "Huh? How did you know, Luo Qing?"
"What a coincidence! I happen to be going that way too. Why don't we travel together?" Luo Qing suggested with a smile.
"I... I'm not sure..." Ganyu hesitated. She had originally planned to travel quickly, even through the night if needed, and she wasn't sure if Luo Qing could keep up. Before she could finish, he cut her off.
"If Miss Ganyu refuses, I'll just roll on the ground and refuse to leave."
"..."
"Well... alright then," she conceded, feeling strangely cornered by his persistence.
The journey to Dihua Marsh was long, and Ganyu initially thought that having Luo Qing as company would slow her down.
However, Luo Qing's stamina exceeded her expectations. He kept pace with her from morning to night and night to morning, never needing a break.
To clarify, this was about walking.
What should have been a solitary journey was unexpectedly livelier with Luo Qing's presence. He constantly found ways to make her smile, with his odd remarks and unfamiliar tunes he hummed—neither resembling Liyue's operas nor Mondstadt's ballads.
Over time, Ganyu found herself getting used to having him around.
Days later, they arrived at Dihua Marsh, a place of tranquil waters and emerald-green scenery.
"Finally here," Ganyu murmured, standing on a wooden bridge beside a Statue of the Seven. She looked out over the clear jade-like waters, a faint smile gracing her lips. It was a rare expression that Luo Qing hadn't seen on her before.
Seeing her so at ease, Luo Qing's perception of Ganyu solidified—gentle, reserved, and shy, with a warmth that rarely blossomed into a smile.
Yet here in Dihua Marsh, she had finally allowed herself to relax.
As they stood there, Ganyu suddenly remembered something and tilted her head, asking, "By the way, Luo Qing, why did you come all the way out here?"
With a smile, Luo Qing replied gently, "Just to keep you company, Ganyu."
"Huh?!"
---
T/N: I must admit even I might be moved... Poor Ganyu doesn't stand a chance.