But she had no such memory.
Logically, she was just an ordinary citizen, while Keqing held a position of immense power—one of Liyue's Qixing, a de facto ruler of the nation.
How could someone so high above ever have crossed paths with someone like me?
Perhaps it was just her imagination? Yet Keqing's reaction suggested otherwise, and the wave of longing surging from the depths of her heart felt undeniably real.
It was utterly perplexing.
Keqing quickly regained her composure and said matter-of-factly, "Thank you for your assistance. You must be the Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor? I'll have your compensation sent to you. Naturally, the other two will receive their share as well. Thank you for your hard work."
"If there's nothing else, please leave," she added.
Was it all just my imagination? Why else would she be so distant?
Come to think of it, my Magic Eye is still active. Keqing must have been startled by seeing it.
But I'm not the only one with red eyes... Never mind.
Anyway, all the monsters in the ruins have been cleared. If any remain, the Millelith will surely take care of them. The quest is complete. Time to report back to the Adventurer's Guild.
With these thoughts, Qin Yu lowered her head and said, "Thank you, Lady Yuheng."
Hu Tao grinned. "Thanks, Yuheng Star!"
Yanfei waved goodbye. "See you next time, Miss Keqing! If you ever need legal advice, please consider consulting me first!"
Keqing offered a faint smile. "Very well. Safe travels back."
She turned and strode toward the Millelith soldiers.
Hu Tao yawned. "Tired, tired! Let's go home, Fishy Treasure. And grab something to eat!"
Keqing suddenly stopped in her tracks.
"Fishy Treasure? I thought her name was Qin Yu. Why do you call her that?" Keqing turned back, crossed her arms, and asked with genuine curiosity.
Why would Keqing, the Yuheng Star, care about this? Qin Yu was deeply puzzled.
Hu Tao was equally surprised. This doesn't seem like something that would interest her, does it? Whether it was her public persona or her true nature, Keqing was always so serious and proper. Would she really be concerned about someone's nickname?
It was odd, but nothing to hide.
Hu Tao held the urn with one arm and draped the other around Qin Yu's shoulders. "Is that even a question? Of course, it's because we're best friends!"
Keqing nodded expressionlessly. "...I see. Sorry for asking a trivial question. Forget I asked."
Hu Tao was slightly taken aback. Did I misread the situation? But it didn't really matter anyway.
Hu Tao and Yanfei walked ahead toward the exit, while Qin Yu lingered to glance at Keqing's retreating figure.
She's still curious after all... Fine, I'll just ask.
"Excuse me..."
"What is it?" Keqing replied, her back still turned.
Qin Yu asked earnestly, "Have we met before?"
"Perhaps. I occasionally visit the market. You might have seen me there," Keqing answered flatly, maintaining a clear distance.
I see... so it was just my imagination.
How embarrassing! I've already made a fool of myself once. I should just leave. Qin Yu's cheeks flushed slightly as she lowered her head, too embarrassed to make a further scene in front of such an esteemed figure.
"My apologies for the misunderstanding. I wish you success in your duties, Lady Yuheng. I'll take my leave now..."
"Mm, go ahead."
Qin Yu hurried back to Hu Tao and Yanfei.
"What did she say?" Yanfei asked.
"Nothing much. I just asked a question. Turns out it was just my imagination."
The sound of their conversation and footsteps grew fainter as they moved away, eventually fading into silence.
Only then did Keqing turn around, her brow furrowing as she gazed toward the exit. "Why would you be here?" she muttered to herself. "It's far too dangerous... And those eyes... their colors are different..."
She closed her eyes.
"Still, making such a good friend is the most important thing... Congratulations," Keqing said, taking a deep breath to steady the surge of emotions within her.
Yet one feeling lingered: envy.
"A true friend... how wonderful," she murmured softly, unheard by anyone else.
"Lady Keqing?"
Knowing her moment of sentimentality had passed and it was time to return to reality, Keqing opened her eyes, adopting her usual composed demeanor to resolve the remaining issues.
-
Back home, Qin Yu kicked off her shoes and dove headfirst onto the bed.
"Sleep!"
She slept soundly until the afternoon.
"Time to wake up! Refreshed—"
The accumulated fatigue finally began to dissipate.
Qin Yu massaged her shoulders, reflecting on the day's events.
Another monster extermination, saving the "honored guest" of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor... Honestly, Hu Tao could have just said "ashes" instead of "honored guest."
And then there was Lady Yuheng, Keqing.
For some reason, Qin Yu couldn't shake her uneasiness, like an itch she couldn't scratch. Yet Keqing had acted as if they were strangers... Was Qin Yu being too strange?
Daydreaming won't help. If that's how she sees it, I have no choice but to accept it.
But enough about that. Keqing is quite extraordinary, isn't she? Could it be...?
[Target List Updated]
[Target: Keqing]
Is this for real?
No matter how I look at it, the difficulty is absurdly high. The difference in status and background is immense. She's simply beyond my reach right now.
But does status matter if we're just friends? Of course it does.
Differences in status and background lead to different perspectives and values. These differences mean we'd have nothing in common. Forcing myself on her would only irritate her.
For example, imagine Keqing asking, "Have you heard of XX?"
If I haven't, but pretend I have, saying, "Oh, yes! I've had the pleasure of tasting it..."
And Keqing replies, "That's a fictional product I invented by combining names of regional specialties from three different areas. You've actually eaten something that doesn't exist?"
I'm doomed.
What about another scenario?
She asks, and I honestly admit, "No, I haven't."
Then Keqing explains, "This item is actually..."
Whether or not I find her explanation interesting, the conversation would likely dissolve into awkward silence.
I'm doomed.
Ugh, no, no, no. I should just give up on this. It's impossible.
"But she shouldn't be like this," Qin Yu muttered unconsciously.
Strange. What do I even mean by "not like this"? she thought. It's as if I know her real self, even though we've never met before.
Never mind that for now.
Qin Yu jingled her coin pouch, her reward from the Association. The sum was substantial, easily covering her living expenses for a while, with plenty left over for books.
And then there was the thank-you gift she'd receive from Keqing later. Given that it was from the Yuheng Star herself, it should be quite generous, right?
I'll buy some books on culture and history, Qin Yu decided. Next time Shenhe visits, I can impress her with my knowledge when we explore the city.
"You know so much! You're amazing!" she imagined Shenhe saying.
Perfect. What a genius I am!
Qin Yu got out of bed, smoothed her hair, and decided to head to the bookstore.
But then...
Knock, knock, knock! A voice called from outside her door: "Rent's due! And it's going up next month, so make sure you're prepared. Don't fall behind, got it?!"
Rent's going up?
Qin Yu's spirits plummeted.