The next day dawned bright and clear.
By the end of yesterday, Nathan had become business partners with Ningguang.
Although the life simulator hadn't provided any additional information, Nathan was almost certain.
This simulation must be related to the Tianquan election.
Sure enough... the moment he walked out of the inn, Ningguang was already waiting outside.
Today, Ningguang had changed into different attire, no longer wearing yesterday's plain shopkeeper's clothes.
A sky-blue qipao hugged her figure, with the hem ending just above her knees.
Her shapely calves were exposed to the open air.
Such eye-catching attire made even passersby unable to tear their gaze away from her.
Yet Ningguang stood there composed, completely ignoring these purposeful glances.
Only when Nathan appeared did she wave her arm with enthusiasm.
This action drew all the onlookers envious hatred toward Nathan instead.
"Good morning, Nathan. How did you sleep last night?"
Ningguang stepped closer to his side.
A faint fragrance wafted to his nose.
"Not bad!"
Awakened by the pleasant perfume, Nathan nodded unconsciously.
Strictly speaking, this was his first time spending the night in a life simulation side story.
The previous time, with Keqing's night raid, he hadn't made it through that monster-filled night.
"In that case, shall we head to our destination?"
Amidst the envious glares from around them, Ningguang casually linked her arm through Nathan's right arm.
Feeling the soft peaks pressing against him while enduring the jealous stares of passersby, Nathan could only think how difficult this was.
If it were just men, that would be one thing, but many passing women also cast envious glances his way.
This proved just how incredibly attractive Ningguang, this national beauty, truly was.
In reality, her three personal secretaries were the best evidence of this.
"Al-alright, let's head out right away."
Wanting to escape this place of universal hatred, Nathan even ignored the softness pressing against him.
Come to think of it, this was only his second time being so intimate with a girl.
The first was during Keqing's night raid, when she had also pressed herself against him.
But how could fourteen-year-old Keqing compare to Ningguang's development?
....
Wrapped in softness, Nathan finally arrived at today's destination.
It was the most important place in all of Liyue, the Yuehai Pavilion at Yujing Terrace.
This was where the Liyue Qixing held their meetings, where Liyue's most important decisions were made.
Now during the Tianquan selection, such an important event was naturally arranged at this plaza.
Nathan and Ningguang were the last to arrive, with quite a crowd already gathered in the central plaza.
At the front stood a woman with ice-blue hair.
A pair of small black and red qilin horns grew from either side of her head.
She wore a white short qipao over a form-fitting bodysuit.
Black stockings wrapped her figure, perfectly displaying her excellent physique.
Beyond this woman's absolutely beautiful features, what drew more attention was her otherworldly bearing.
Despite being in Liyue Harbor, this trading hub, she showed not a hint of mortal air.
It was as if this bustling human realm held nothing worth her attachment.
"Nathan... that's Ganyu, the Secretary of Yuehai Pavilion, and the chief examiner for this assessment."
As they walked slowly, Ningguang's soft voice came from beside him.
She seemed to emphasize the identity to prevent Nathan from offending her.
However, for Nathan, this girl with small qilin horns was just as familiar as could be.
She was one of the most popular female characters among players in the game Genshin Impact.
Ganyu, Secretary of Yuehai Pavilion, bearer of qilin bloodline.
In Teyvat, qilin were divine beasts that did not partake in mortal affairs.
And Ganyu was a rare half-adeptus born from the union of a qilin and a human.
Not wanting to call herself an adeptus, yet unable to fully integrate into human society.
This created her current... otherworldly and solitary disposition.
Influenced by these elements, when Ganyu first appeared in the game's character banner, Nathan had made her his main focus.
He had spent a large amount of money to get her to maximum constellation despite his unlucky constitution. (I really do have C6 Ganyu... sigh!!)
"Nathan... did you hear what I said?"
They had reached the center of the plaza, but Ningguang noticed he was staring at Ganyu, as if in a trance.
This behavior of ignoring the beauty at his side to focus attention on another girl.
Even someone like Ningguang had written her displeasure clearly on her brow.
She tightened her grip on Nathan's left arm, pressing it deeper into her VALLEY.
"Ah... y-yes, I heard!"
Only then did Nathan snap out of it, awakened by the friction of the peaks.
"Ignoring the girl at your side is very bad behavior, you know!"
"I... I understand, Ningguang. I'm sorry."
Nathan apologized. Although Ganyu was his favorite game character, this wasn't the real world after all.
This life simulation side story was centered on Ningguang.
Focusing too much attention on Ganyu would be stealing the spotlight.
Seeing Nathan withdraw his gaze, Ningguang's delicate brows finally relaxed.
On the other side, Ganyu noticed Ningguang's arrival and quietly spoke up.
"Now that Miss Ningguang has arrived, we can officially begin the assessment."
As she spoke, Ganyu's gaze also fell on Ningguang's male companion.
"Miss Ningguang, is this the business partner you've chosen?"
"Hello Miss Ganyu, I'm a traveling merchant new to Liyue. My name is Nathan."
Their eyes met, and Nathan instinctively introduced himself.
However, as he spoke, he also noticed something unusual in Ganyu's gaze.
That feeling was somehow inexplicably awkward.
But this adeptus with qilin blood should normally pay no mind to strangers.
"Mr. Nathan... hello... may I ask... have we met somewhere before?"
But Ganyu's halting response seemed to further confirm Nathan's suspicions.
Her careful questioning had a spark of light flickering in her pupils.
"No... we haven't met. This is my first time meeting Miss Ganyu."
Facing this game character who had cost him over thousand dollor to max out, this truly was Nathan's first meeting with Ganyu since his transmigration.
At least, that's what Nathan believed.