"Woof! Woof! Woof!"
"Quiet! Quiet, Da Huang."
Under the grand gate, Cai Le, a soldier dressed in the Qianyan Army uniform, hurriedly restrained the barking yellow dog beside him. He turned to glance at Keqing, who was still staring into the distance, and let out a small sigh of relief.
"I wonder what matter brings Lady Yuheng here today? Why has she been waiting at the entrance to Liyue for so long?"
Looking up at the orange clouds in the sky, Cai Le straightened his uniform and respectfully said, "Lady Yuheng, you've been waiting here for a long time. It's getting late. Why not return first? I can stay here to receive your guests."
With her arms folded, Keqing watched the winding road descending from the mountains, with carts traveling to and fro. A faint smile appeared on her face, and she said to Cai Le, "There's no need. Thank you for your kindness."
"But my friends have already arrived."
"Keqing!"
Waving her arm, Lumine's figure emerged from the bend in the road. She looked down at Keqing, who stood beneath the towering gate bearing the inscription of Liyue Harbor, and happily shouted, "We're here!"
Running down the road, Lumine quickly reached Keqing and threw her arms around her.
"Long time no see!"
"Haha, Lumine, you're too much."
Hugging Lumine back, Keqing smiled warmly and said, "We just saw each other at Hiroshi's engagement ceremony a few days ago."
"Hehe, but I still feel like it's been forever."
Holding Keqing's hand, Lumine giggled.
To Lumine, Keqing was one of her few friends in this world. After completing the "No Game No Life: Zero" mission together, their bond had grown stronger, becoming inseparable confidants. To Keqing, Lumine was also a special person—someone she had faced life and death with, who shared her interests, and who didn't distance herself because of Keqing's position or principles.
Holding onto Lumine's hand, Keqing looked at Hiroshi and the others approaching and smiled. "Welcome to Liyue Harbor."
"Keqing! Sister Keqing! Klee's here!"
Sitting on Hiroshi's shoulders, Klee waved with a big smile.
Keqing waved back at her, then turned to Cai Le and said, "These are my friends. They were invited to participate in the upcoming Rite of Descension."
"Understood, Lady Yuheng."
Cai Le bowed to Keqing, then turned to Hiroshi and the others, saying, "Honored guests, welcome to Liyue. Should you encounter any difficulties, please feel free to ask for help from the Qianyan Army."
"Thank you."
Hiroshi nodded to Cai Le and looked toward the large city ahead.
Bathed in soft yellow light, Liyue Harbor looked like a city that never slept. Tall, grand buildings rose between giant trees, appearing almost like a palace of immortals.
As they moved closer, the towering city walls came into view. Above lay the celestial palace, while below was the bustling realm of humanity.
The vibrant energy hit them at once. Hiroshi looked across the bridge at the bustling streets full of merchants, vendors, and patrolling soldiers from the Qianyan Army. Smiling, he looked down at Klee, who was tugging impatiently at his side. "Klee, where do you want to go first?"
"Over there!"
Without hesitation, Klee pointed to the area filled with vendors. She pulled Hiroshi toward the harbor, her excitement palpable.
"Klee, wait for me!"
A trail of sparkling light followed as Paimon pursued Hiroshi and Klee. Noelle also bowed slightly to Keqing and Lumine before following after them.
Lumine looked at the others running ahead, smiled, and pulled Keqing and Xiangling along, joining the chase.
Laughter echoed through the night as the group blended into the bustling crowd.
Holding a candied hawthorn stick, Klee sat happily on Hiroshi's shoulders. Beside them, Noelle held onto Hiroshi, her white hair adorned with a glowing accessory under the dim lights.
Lumine, Keqing, and Xiangling browsed various exotic items at foreign vendors' stalls, with Paimon flying above and enthusiastically offering suggestions.
Time seemed to slow in that peaceful moment, passing gently.
Until the moon rose high in the sky and a light drizzle began to fall, the vendors along the harbor gradually put out their lights.
A variety of umbrellas opened in the midnight rain, sheltering those below.
In the light rain, Keqing led everyone toward her home.
Among the passing umbrellas stood a girl with long icy-blue hair, adorned with an unusual headdress, standing still in the middle of the street. She held her hand out to catch the raindrops, her rose-red eyes vacant as she watched the passersby, exuding a sense of solitude.
"Big sister, are you okay?"
Holding a small umbrella, Klee smiled and handed another umbrella to the girl in front of her. She said seriously, "Both Acting Grandmaster Jean and Sister Lumine told me that good kids shouldn't get wet in the rain, or they'll get sick."
Ganyu looked down at the little girl with the pointy ears in front of her. She crouched down and gently patted Klee's head, whispering, "Thank you."
"You're welcome."
With a big smile, Klee handed the paper umbrella to Ganyu and then bounced off toward Hiroshi.
Ganyu stood up, bowed slightly toward Hiroshi and the others in the distance, and said, "Lady Yuheng."
"Good evening, Ganyu."
Releasing Lumine's hand, Keqing returned the bow and curiously asked, "Are you out for a walk, Ganyu?"
"Yes, Lady Yuheng."
Ganyu nodded, glancing at the now quiet street. She said calmly, "I often come here for a walk during breaks from work."
Bowing again, Ganyu said, "I won't disturb you and your friends any longer, Lady Yuheng. I should head back to work now."
With that, Ganyu gave Klee a small smile and turned to walk toward the large staircase in the distance.
Klee watched as Ganyu slowly walked away. She tilted her head, then took the various snacks that Hiroshi had bought for her.
Tap, tap, tap.
Footsteps splashed in the rain as Ganyu heard someone approaching from behind. She slowly turned around to see the little girl from earlier standing before her again.
Holding the large bag of snacks, Klee handed it to Ganyu.
"Big sister, you must be working really hard this late. These are Klee's snacks for you. Keep up the good work!"
Klee raised her hand in a tiny cheer and smiled at Ganyu before running back to Hiroshi.
Watching the little girl who had brought such warmth since their first meeting, Ganyu opened her mouth slightly but then quietly accepted the bag of snacks.
She waved at Klee, who was holding Hiroshi's hand, and softly said, "See you next time, Klee."
"Yes! See you next time, big sister!"
A gentle smile spread across Ganyu's face. The distant look in her eyes softened, and she waved back at Klee before turning away.
Keqing, watching Ganyu leave, muttered in a daze, "I can't believe I just saw Ganyu smile at someone other than the Lord of Geo!"
"Klee, do you like that big sister?"
Hiroshi looked curiously at Klee, who was still waving at Ganyu.
"Yes!"
Klee nodded enthusiastically and smiled at Hiroshi. "That big sister makes Klee feel really comfortable. Klee likes that feeling."
"Let's head to my house and settle in," Keqing said, turning back to the group. "It's getting late, so let's get some rest."
"Then I'll head home now."
Stretching, Xiangling smiled at Keqing and the others.
"No way!"
Lumine grabbed Xiangling with one hand and Keqing with the other, smiling playfully. "No one's going anywhere. We're all staying together tonight. I have so much to tell you."
High above Liyue, Ningguang smiled faintly as she looked over her documents. She stepped to the window, gazing down at the vast city of Liyue below.
"Finally, they've arrived."