Before Xianyun left Mt. Aocang, Ganyu's visits became less frequent.
Ganyu has always been overloaded with work but she makes sure to send a letter whenever she can. Keqing visits Ganyu at Yuehai Pavillion. Quite frequently now. The two have been going out together lately. Often going on lunch together at Wanmin restaurant so that Ganyu was still taken care of.
One day, the two of them went to Wanmin Restaurant for lunch a little later than usual, Shenhe immediately accommodating them. Keqing had already ordered but Ganyu seemed to be quieter than usual. Leaving Keqing and Shenhe to look at each other.
"Ganyu?" called Keqing tapping her hand. "Huh? Oh— uh do you still have stack of Qingxin flowers?"
Shenhe looked concered at her. "Alright, Qingxin flowers and Golden Shrimp balls— Got it. I'll get back to you," and she left.
A few minutes later, Shenhe came back and placed the food of the table. Then she pulled the chair and sat with them.
"Huh? Don't you have work?" asked Ganyu.
"There isn't many customers coming in, so I asked Chef Mao if I could talk to you," replied Shenhe.
"Talk?"
Shenhe turned her eyes to Keqing, hintind Ganyu. "Oh, I get it, Shenhe. Please worry not, I will tell Retainer soon. I'm just trying to find the right time. Sorry if I worried you." Ganyu explained.
"I'm just having a hard time as well, keeping your secret. I have always been loyal to Master and— well... it doesn't matter. I will support and trust you. However, you seemed to be a little quieter than you usually are, is something the matter?" asked Shenhe.
".. it's nothing. I'm just overloaded with work. I have been thinking about the progress of the latest issues' investigation, but that doesn't really match up our conversation here. But I am, on the other hand, is still worried about how Cloud Retainer would react once I tell her. I'm planning on telling on during Lantern Rite with us together to have fun but I wouldn't want to ruin her mood," sighed Ganyu, as she takes bite on Qingxin flower.
Keqing takes her hand. "I'm sure she will understand, Ganyu. You are her disciple after all, and she should be able to understand you just fine." she comforts her.
"Thank you, Qing.."
"I agree. Master has always been wise and understanding. You should not worry about it at all. How about this? Let's all get off work on the weekend, and pay a visit to Mt. Aocang before lantern rite? I will come along to talk to Master if necessary. But I am expecting that you would do most the effort." Shenhe plans out.
"Shenhe... I'm supposed to be your big sister here and yet you're the one advising me," Ganyu sighed of relief. "Thank you. And alright, we could do that," she added.
"No problem, I'll be sure to be at my best behavior," Keqing agreed.
"Good, let's meet at Qingyun peak," noted Shenhe.
It's finally weekend and they all met at Qingyun peak, and they all crossed the bridge to finally step a foot at Mt. Aocang so they waited at the stone table.
"Cloud Retainer!" Ganyu called.
"For once, you finally had the chance to get off work to visit one's abode. What brings you and Shenhe here? And the Yuheng of the Qixing." asked Retainer.
They all turned around to see a big sized crane with elegant lines of blue and turquoise.
"Master," Shenhe greets. "We brought you snacks from the city," she added and left the snacks on the table.
"One is pleased to see you two here. How are you and your well-beings? Did your works finally took a rest that you're standing here?" asked Retainer.
Retainer turned an eye to Keqing, occasionally observing her.
"Actually, Master— we were hoping that you're able to join us during lantern rite in the city," Shenhe started.
"Oh? Lantern Rite is one of the most significant and lively events there is. One simply cannot imagine how much activities there is to accommodate for one is only looking forward for peace and quiet time in one's abode. But since it is you asking for my presence, one cannot refuse. One shall be in your company and make this a memorable moment,"
"Thank you, Master."
"Cloud Retainer — I—... I have something to tell you..." called Ganyu.
"Hm? Go on, do tell." said Retainer.
"I— I apologize..." she started.
"Apologize? For what reason?" asked Retainer.
"For not visiting you.." Ganyu lowered her head.
"Oh, but of course, Ganyu. Do not worry about such reasons. One is simply enjoying one's own company while you are away. One did not bother asking you to visit the abode for one thinks that you wouldn't be able to focus on your work. Regardless, one knows that you almost never take a rest from work so one did not bother to ask you to visit. One do, however, would only wish for your health. Though adepti blood runs through your veins, excessive exhaustion still needs to be prioritized." Retainer explains, spreading her wings elegantly.
"N-no! You don't understand... the reason for that is not about work... it's actually about something else..."sighed Ganyu.
"Then what is the reason?" asked Retainer.
"Cloud Retainer — " Keqing stood. Surprising Ganyu.
"I, Keqing, Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing, is for once— asking for your wise and noble blessings and permission to allow me to be by Ganyu's side for a lifetime." she stood while putting her hands together and lowering her head, giving courtesy to the adepti. Ganyu, tried to lift her up but she froze in place when Cloud Retainer gave her a glance. Ganyu turned red and turned away from Retainer.
"Oh? The Yuheng is infatuated with Ganyu?" asked Retainer.
"I have fallen for your disciple, Cloud Retainer. We both look out for each other, and take care of each other. So, please grant me your blessing to be with Ganyu. I promise that I will take care of her and make sure she gets the rest she needs. I will partake any punishment if I were to do anything that displease both you and her." Keqing narrowed her brows and shut her eyes, hoping to be accepted.
"Love is indeed a powerful element in the mortal realm. So much so that even the most hardworking and intimidating person in all of the Qixing is blinded by this so called "love." One could only get curious just how strong your love for Ganyu is. After all, as an elder, it my responsibility to take care of her and wish the best for her. One is curious, how do you, Keqing, plan to live a life with someone with adepti blood? Sit down, allow one to tell you a story if you permit,"
Keqing sits down. Cloud Retainer then transforms herself into her human form and sat on her seat.
"C-cloud Retainer..." whispered Ganyu in an annoyed tone.
"Worry not, child. One must tell the Yuheng about small details. In love, affection is the most crucial of all aspects. For now, it might not seem how affectionate Ganyu is, but during her young years she is most certainly someone one could not just leave alone. She almost could never stop from crying when going off to sleep for she longs for cuddles and a sweet caressing on her horns. One simply enjoyed this affection and it lingers one's heart that she had grown this much. Responsible and hardworking.
To one, having to acquire the knowledge of the things Ganyu once liked is a good foundation of a good relationship. It would most definitely make her in her happiest. And happiness is all one long for, for this dear child. You must know how playful she could be and how enthusiastic and curious she is about little things. Like that of a simple cuisine she once couldn't insist eating despite having such a strict diet.
There was once a time that she was so happy with the new mechanism I made her that she ran around the abode and fell into the pond."
"Cloud Retainer!!!" Ganyu cried and Retainer giggled, as well as Keqing.
"Lady Keqing, not you too!!!" added Ganyu.
"If you wish so to be with Ganyu, one hopes that you are reminded that the adepti you all know are almost always aware of their emotions. However, Ganyu is more of an emotional character. She tends to get her heart sink and cry out in times she loses something and would be very sensitive of time when there's a deadline. It is crucial that you must pay attention to her emotions.
Once, she broke the mechanism I made her and suddenly while one is busy analyzing a new contraption, she cried loud. And one could only promise her that one would make her an even better mechanism. She cried like that of a newborn mortal, throwing a temper tantrum whenever she's annoyed. Ah... one heart melts whenever one recalls her childhood."
"Please, enough of me, Cloud Retainer... We came here to confess to you, not for my life story..!" Ganyu pouted.
"Do you see what one means, Keqing?" asked Retainer.
"I do," replied Keqing.
"Cloud Retainer...!!!"
"I understand now, Cloud Retainer. To me, loving Ganyu is an easy task. She quite an easy-going character. It is no doubt for the reasons why people of the harbor adores her as much as I do. Despite her beauty, she has a soft and fragile heart. Ganyu is indeed the one I long for," Keqing explains.
Ganyu blushes and ran away from them. Far enough so that Ganyu couldn't hear Cloud Retainer.
"But of course, from one's observation, from the very night you talked outside the pavilion, you were easily mesmerized by Ganyu's appearance. So much, that you were far too lost and couldn't pay attention to what she was saying. The other time, I observed Ganyu from afar, one saw how much she prepares herself whenever she needed to meet you. It is but a small action that one noticed right away that someone had caught one's child's eyes. At first, one thought that it was all about paying respect to each other, but soon one realized what was going on. Never have one thought that she would see you,"
"Do you mean after all this time, you knew all along?" asked Keqing.
"Why wouldn't one? Ganyu is still a disciple of one's abode, looking after her is still one's responsibility even it means lacking the attention one's receive is given to someone else. Tis is what Ganyu desires, and one shall not interfere," explained Retainer.
"One could only accept what fate has given her. For this is not the first time I had encountered this. One once lost a disciple for the reasons of falling in love with an exorcist, that she decided not to visit one's abode once she settled in in the harbor. One could only accept, as this is what she desired and one could not interfere. Soon, she came back to realize what she did. One would most certainly not desire that for Ganyu and you.
One must tell you, that even this adeptus can still be all sorrowful as Ganyu is one's most precious possession. One wishes that even with you now by her side, she still makes time for one." she added. She turned her head to Shenhe.
"That goes for you, too, Shenhe. One does not demand but only wishes" she says.
"Do not worry, Master. I have no interest in finding the one for me. If possible, I could live happy with just you by my side," she explains.
"Oh, you..." Retainer gasped.
"Then, Cloud Retainer, I will make sure that I am capable of your criteria. I promise to be the best person Ganyu could look up to in this realm. And I promise that you both are happy with me." exclaimed Keqing.
"Then one shall bless you for your determination of loving one's dear child 'til the last breath. Please look after her and make sure she gets the treatment she deserves."
"I will." Keqing sealed her promise in her heart, happy that Cloud Retainer approves of her.
"You two get along with each other, while I talk to Ganyu." said Retainer.
She stands up and jumps to transforms back into a crane mid-air and flapped her wings with elegance to meet with at the toppest point of Qingyun peak.
"Ganyu?" called Retainer. As she land on her human form.
"I'm sorry, Cloud Retainer," Ganyu sighed. She was sat curling her back and hides her face from Retainer.
"For what now, hm?"
"For the way I'm behaving. I forgot my manners and couldn't give you my outmost respect, I ran off like a little child I used to be..." explained Ganyu.
"Are you shy of childhood, Ganyu?" asked Retainer.
"Is it not obvious? Especially that you're telling Lady Keqing about it makes me embarrassed. I know I was a silly child back then. It's a nostalgia when you talk about it, but telling Lady Keqing about it — I don't know. Now she thinks silly of me..." Ganyu sighed.
"One refuses to believe so. One understands how you feel, however all one shared was just a tiny but crucial feature of you. One could not simply accept that she would only see you in your appearance. One merely made her...hm, fall in love with you more than she ever had. To one can see if she is capable of hurting you, but after telling her your story, all that drew on her face was a warm smile. One only wishes you the best. No mentor would wish the bad for it's disciple. One hopes you understand," explained Retainer.
"I know, I understand. I was only embarrassed. I shouldn't have ran off like that. I do apologize." Ganyu looked at Retainer.
"One forgives you with one's most sincere heart. You are but one's most precious disciple after all. One has treated you as one's own, it is only natural that one starts to talk so much. You have grown so much after all. And one wishes the same attention one used to receive." Cloud Retainer offers a hand. Ganyu stands up and she was pulled into a hug.
"I will keep visiting you, Cloud Retainer. Don't worry. I, too, have looked up to you like my own mother. Maybe it's not that bad to do the things we used to do... You hugs are still warm as ever. I could fall asleep at any point," Ganyu giggled.
"Should the both of us go back then?"asked Retainer.
"Could we possibly... hug a little longer? I missed you so much," replied Ganyu.
"Heh, clingy as ever. Of course, one would never refuse." said Retainer.
"So, Cloud Retainer, with all that you said, do you accept our relationship?" asked Ganyu.
"One have observed her for a long time. One thinks she is the right person for you. But one should remind you that you have the blood of an adepti. Keqing is a mortal being," noted Retainer.
"I know that. I'm very aware of that. It makes me sad that I would only be able to be by her side for some time in my life time, but if there's love, I shouldn't worry. As long as we get to be happy, I'm happy," explained Ganyu.
"I must say, knowing her, she hates the archons and the adepti and I was lucky enough to have caught her attention," she chuckled.
"You are lucky, indeed," Retainer hugs her tighter even stroking her hand on Ganyu's horn.
Ganyu giggled. "So can I invite Keqing to join us during lantern rite?" she asked.
"You're asking too much now, why don't you take a nap," replied Retainer.
"Hmm... alright. Let's go back," said Ganyu.
"If that's what you wish for, one shall grant," they pulled from each other. Retainer turns back into a crane. Offering Ganyu a flight back to Mt. Aocang.