Chapter 1
Shenhe has always wondered what it would be like to be loved by the significant other.
Everyday, after training with Cloud Retainer, when she strolls around Liyue Harbour, she always finds couples roaming the harbour as well. There were many that she has seen, young and old. There was Xinyan and Yun Jin, along with Ganyu and Keqing. There was also Xingqiu and Chongyun, a couple that Shenhe didn't exactly approve of.
Back to the point: Shenhe felt as if the Archons were making fun of her for not having found her special other. The one that would hold her and comfort her for the rest of her life. The one that would love her if everyone else didn't. And, yes, Shenhe has fallen for someone before, but she'd rather not talk about her... Shenhe wasn't even sure that she was destined to have a lover. Who would love her? Who would love an abandoned child, a freak, an outsider?? No one, Shenhe assumed.
Shenhe knew it was best to know that she wouldn't be finding anyone anytime soon. That way, when she grew old and still no one was sitting by her side, growing old with her, she wouldn't be so disappointed. She'd always be the single aunt. She'd be the single aunt at her nephew's wedding with that Hydro boy...
"Shenhe? Shenhe, are you listening to me?"
Shenhe looked up, briefly startled. She was able not to show it, thanks to what Cloud Retainer had taught her. She locked eyes with the said Adeptus. "Yes, Master?" she asked.
Cloud Retainer sighed. "Is something wrong, child? Why are you so lost in your thoughts today?" she said, cocking her head.
Shenhe shook her head. "It's...nothing important, Master," she fibbed.
Cloud Retainer shot her a skeptical look but didn't try to pry more. Shenhe was secretly glad for that. "As one was saying, the Adepti are required to attend the Tianquan's wedding to protect her and her lover in case of an emergency. Even though you are not an Adeptus, you must go, child, since you have the power of an Adeptus."
Shenhe nodded to show her understanding. See? Even Lady Ningguang had a lover, and she didn't. It was pretty obvious that she wasn't finding anyone soon. "Of course, Master. I will go," she said.
Cloud Retainer nodded as well. "Make sure to wear more...appropriate clothing." She glanced at Shenhe's bodysuit. "One will try to find you a better suited clothing for the joyous occasion."
"Very well, Master. Thank you, Master."
Cloud Retainer huffed. Shenhe smiled the faintest bit. "No need to thank me, child. You are dismissed for today. We will continue training the following day. Make sure to have plenty of rest. And, be sure to eat a lot as well. You should also-"
"I'll take care of myself, Master. There's no need to worry so much about me," Shenhe interrupted Cloud Retainer.
"You don't get to tell one to stop worrying. Shoo, child! You should go have a well-rested break!" Cloud Retainer turned away. Shenhe knew that if her master could, she would be smiling.
Shenhe shot Cloud Retainer one last smile before walking away. She made her way to Liyue Harbour.
Liyue Harbour was lively in the late afternoon. Shenhe watched people roam the streets. She gazed longingly at couples, holding hands, sharing private jokes. She longed for a day where she would be just like them.
"Auntie! Auntie Shenhe!" she heard a familiar voice call out.
Shenhe whirled around to see Chongyun. He was pulling Xingqiu along with him. Behind the two boys was Xiangling, Chef Mao's daughter that ran Wanmin Restaurant.
Shenhe flinched a bit when Chongyun embraced her tightly. Awkwardly, she reciprocated the hug. "Greetings, Chongyun." She nodded towards a grinning Xiangling and glared at a trembling Xingqiu. She looked at her nephew again. "Did you have lunch yet?"
Chongyun nodded eagerly. "Yeah, Auntie! We had some food at Wanmin's!" His look turned sheepish. "Though, I might've accidentally ordered something spicy and ate it. Other than that, I'm fine!"
Shenhe smiled. "Good." She and Chongyun pulled away from each other.
"Hey, Miss Shenhe," Xiangling piped up. "Are you going to be attending the Tianquan's wedding as well?"
Shenhe nodded. "Indeed I am, Xiangling. I have to, to protect her in case something happens," she answered.
"Ooh, okay! Make sure you enjoy yourself there, too!"
Shenhe flushed a bit. The girl was so caring of others, whether they were close friends or not. She liked Xiangling a lot for that reason. (She couldn't say the same about Xingqiu, though.) "That...is very kind of you," Shenhe managed, trying to hide her embarrassment. "Thank you."
"No problem!" Xiangling beamed brightly.
Chongyun turned to Xingqiu. "Hey, Xingqiu, don't you have an aunt that works for the Civil Affairs? She works under the Tianquan, right?"
Xingqiu looked Chongyun, seeming startled. Avoiding Shenhe's cold gaze, he replied, "Yes, she does. Why do you ask, my liege?"
"Well, maybe our aunts could meet! They'd seem like good friends!"
Xingqiu paused, seemingly thinking about it. Shenhe observed him carefully. After a moment, he nodded. "Yes, you are right, my liege. They would get along rather well."
Shenhe was confused. Why would she and this mysterious aunt of Xingqiu's seem like good friends? She was very sure that this aunt wasn't an Adeptus or similar to one, like her. She doubted that they would even get along.
"What is she like?" Shenhe blurted out, without thinking.
"Oh, Xingqiu's aunt Yelan is a very secretive person. No one really knows where she lives, not even Xingqiu! It is rumoured that she doesn't even work under the Tianquan. We do know that she is mostly found in The Chasm, and that she defeats Treasure Hoarders there. She also possesses a Hydro Vision! That's basically all we know about her, anyway," Chongyun explained.
"I...see," Shenhe muttered.
"She can be quite flirtatious as well," Xiangling added.
Flirtatious? What did that word mean? Still, Shenhe nodded along.
"Maybe you two could meet at the Tianquan's wedding," Xingqiu murmured under his breath. Everyone heard him, though.
Xiangling clasped her hands together. "Yes, they really should! Oh, I would love to see them hanging out with each other!" she exclaimed.
Chongyun nodded in agreement. "Yes, they should!" He took a lick of his popsicle. He looked at Shenhe. "Please, Auntie? You seem like you could use more friends!"
Shenhe paused, pondering. She had no idea how this Yelan was like, besides 'flirtatious'. She could be dangerous. But, then again, she works for the Tianquan, and Ninggunag doesn't trust just anyone to work under her... Plus, if she met up with this Yelan during the wedding, that would make Chongyun happy. That's all she ever wanted for her nephew. To make him smile more. Well then...
"...I'll meet up with Xingqiu's aunt Yelan," Shenhe said. Immediately, she regretted saying it.
Xiangling squealed and started doing a small dance on the spot. Xingqiu smiled. Chongyun laughed.
"Wow, okay, Auntie," Chongyun said, still chuckling. "I'll ask Xingqiu to try to contact his aunt to get her to meet up with you on the day of the wedding."
Shenhe bit her bottom lip, drawing blood. "Okay... I-I have to find Lady Ganyu. I'll see you all around," she lied. Quickly, she hurried off, thinking why she even agreed to meeting Xingqiu's mysterious relative.