Originally, Keqing planned to take her time, carefully plotting how to gain her companions' forgiveness. But Ganyu and Hu Tao's sudden arrival completely disrupted her plans, leaving her with no time to prepare.
Now, she could only temporarily conceal Ye Ming's news, stall for time, and slowly work on improving her companions' affection for her. After a few days of buffer time, she would confess, then actively create opportunities for her companions to spend time with Ye Ming, striving for their forgiveness.
Having come to this strange world together for so many years, they had long become sisters who relied on each other. Keqing didn't want to ruin this sincere sisterhood, no matter what.
However...
Standing at the finish line, watching Ganyu and Hu Tao still warming up at the starting line, this feeling was actually quite nice.
Mere losers.
A somewhat wicked sense of pleasure arose in Keqing's heart.
Chapter 72: A Mondstadt Soiree? A Liyue Soiree!
Ganyu remained silent.
Even though she had prepared herself mentally before coming to China, she couldn't help but feel disappointed upon hearing Keqing's answer.
After all, who wouldn't want to fly to their beloved's side as soon as possible?
Even though Ganyu was an emissary of the Liyue Qixing, a secretary of the Yuehai Pavilion, an adeptus born during the Archon War with Kirin blood flowing through her veins, she was still a girl, and she still had someone she loved. Missing her beloved was only natural.
However, seeing Keqing's somewhat evasive gaze and apologetic expression, Ganyu, unaware of Keqing's true thoughts, assumed that Keqing felt guilty for not handling the matter well. After thinking for a moment, Ganyu, with her naturally elegant and gentle nature, suppressed her disappointment and comforted her companion.
"It's okay, Keqing. China has a vast territory and a large population. It's normal that you couldn't find news of him right away. There's no need to feel guilty about it."
Ganyu's voice was gentle: "Now, let's cheer up and work together to manage Liyue well and find his whereabouts as soon as possible. That's what we should be doing. Cheer up, okay, Keqing?"
"That's right! Cheer up, Keqing! We all believe in your abilities!"
Hu Tao jumped down from the table, walked behind Keqing, and slapped Keqing's shoulder forcefully, startling the guilty and ashamed Keqing.
"I'm sorry, Ganyu, I'm sorry, Hu Tao, it's all my fault!"
Keqing lowered her head and apologized: "If you want to hit me in the future, I swear I won't fight back!"
"Why would we hit you?"
Ganyu smiled gently: "We've relied on each other in this strange world for so many years, and we're already like sisters. This feeling is more precious than anything else. I believe that nothing can shake this sisterhood."
Hearing Ganyu's words, Keqing lowered her head in shame.
Ganyu looked at Keqing, who was both touched and ashamed by her words, and smiled gently, but in reality, her feelings were complex.
How should she put it?
When she first heard that Keqing hadn't found Ye Ming, she was indeed disappointed, but now that she had calmed down, she felt that it wasn't so bad that Ye Ming hadn't been found by Keqing.
Because in that case, wouldn't she be standing on the same starting line as Keqing and Hu Tao?
She had shaken off the biggest threat still across the ocean—Ningguang—and left Xiangling, Qiqi, and Yanfei behind, standing at the forefront of the search for Ye Ming, seizing the initiative.
When the day came that Ye Ming was found, how could Keqing, the mere "scratching" Keqing, be her, Ganyu's, opponent?
As for Hu Tao...
Ganyu felt that Ye Ming would definitely prefer a mature and gentle girl like her to a quirky and eccentric girl.
However, she would only think about these things in her heart, and Ganyu would never say them out loud.
Sisterly feelings still had to be maintained.
"Alright, Keqing, cheer up. Besides looking for Ye Ming, Hu Tao and I have something more important to do this time."
"Something important?" Keqing raised her head when she heard this. "Is it the interesting thing you mentioned on the phone yesterday?"
"That's right!"
Ganyu nodded, her expression becoming serious: "Actually, the day before yesterday, Hu Tao met a girl named Jeanne d'Arc and sensed the powerful power contained within her, confirming that she was no ordinary person."
"Yeah, that's right!"
Hu Tao chimed in: "I received that girl's business card. The business card said that she was the head of the guard department of Mond International."
"Mond? Mond!"
Keqing opened her eyes wide in surprise, looked at Hu Tao, and then at Ganyu: "The Mond you're talking about, is it that Mond?"
"That's right, it's Mondstadt!"
Ganyu nodded, her expression serious: "I've already checked the information on Mond International. The information shows that Mond International is a European enterprise, and its chairman and general manager is Jean Gunnhildr, the former Knights of Favonius Grand Master of Mondstadt!"
"They've also come to this world!?"
Keqing was shocked, and a strong sense of crisis arose in her heart.
There were too many strong competitors in Mondstadt, especially that troublemaking Pyro loli Klee, who used to be very favored by Ye Ming. If Mondstadt were to swarm him, where would Liyue have a place by Ye Ming's side?
"A, actually..."
Keqing hesitated, wondering if she should confess now and tell them about Ye Ming.
"Don't worry, Keqing."
Ganyu had obviously already thought of a solution: "Although we used to have a competitive relationship with them, in this strange world, we can be considered fellow countrymen. Moreover, in the matter of finding Ye Ming, we have both competition and the possibility of cooperation."
"The night before yesterday, Hu Tao received Mondstadt's business card, and Mondstadt also received Hu Tao's business card. So, it's likely that Mondstadt already knows of our existence."
Ganyu's voice was steady, "I've inquired. There's a wine party in Mondstadt this weekend. We'll go together and test Mondstadt's attitude."
Saying that, Ganyu glanced at Hu Tao again, and said, "Hu Tao will also go, and will be ambushed outside the banquet. If a fight breaks out, with Hu Tao's help, we'll win more easily."
"A fight?" Keqing was surprised. "Aren't we just testing Mondstadt's attitude? We've known each other before, so it shouldn't come to blows, right?"
Ganyu shook her head. "It would be best if we can cooperate, but when it comes to personal feelings, who can guarantee that everyone will remain rational? The possibility of a fight is still there, and it's quite high."
"Fight, fight!"
Hu Tao was clearly looking forward to the interesting scene of Mondstadt and Liyue fighting at the weekend banquet. "It's a pity that Qiqi didn't want to come with me, otherwise we wouldn't have to worry about anyone getting hurt."
Ganyu shook her head. "It's okay. As far as I know, Jean is the only one from Mondstadt currently on the mainland. Even if there are newcomers at the banquet, there will be at most two or three. With our combat power, we can say we have a sure win."
As she spoke, Ganyu rubbed her brow. "Alright, if there's nothing else, everyone should rest first. Get enough energy, start working tomorrow, and prepare to attend the Mondstadt banquet this weekend."
"You guys sleep, I'll wander around by myself."
Hu Tao was full of energy and didn't look tired at all.
Keqing nodded. "Alright, I'll go back first. You guys rest early."
"Okay, okay?"
Ganyu responded, but immediately noticed something wrong with Keqing's words.
"Go back? You guys?"
Ganyu frowned and looked at Keqing. "Aren't you staying here? Where are you going back to?"
Hu Tao was slightly stunned when she heard this, and then frowned as well, looking at Keqing.
The atmosphere in the bedroom suddenly became heavy.
Chapter 73: The Meeting of Enterprise and Laffey
Even though she was prepared, Keqing still felt heavy pressure in her heart when facing the scrutinizing gazes of Ganyu and Hu Tao at the same time.
However, on the surface, Keqing didn't panic at all, and explained with a natural smile, "I don't live here. For the convenience of work, I opened a suite in a hotel near the company and live there long-term."
"Oh, is that so?"
Ganyu was relieved. When they were in Liyue, Keqing was a standard career woman and workaholic, a firm supporter of the 996 work schedule, and had always held herself to even stricter standards than 996. Ganyu wouldn't find it strange if Keqing opened a room in a hotel near the company, or even lived directly in the office.
Ganyu, who had always been a loyal practitioner of the 007 work schedule, liked this about Keqing.
However, considering that the banquet this weekend was very likely to lead to conflict with Mondstadt, Ganyu still advised Keqing, "It's best not to be too tired recently. You should rest well, recharge your batteries, and prepare for the Mondstadt wine party this weekend."
"I will."
Keqing secretly breathed a sigh of relief after successfully getting away with it, but remained calm on the surface. "Well, you guys rest well. There are some snacks and ingredients in the refrigerator. You can make your own food if you're hungry at night, or you can order takeout. I'll go back first. See you tomorrow."
Ganyu nodded. "Okay, see you tomorrow."
"Hu Tao, see you tomorrow."
Keqing got up from the chair and greeted Hu Tao again.
"Okay, see you tomorrow."
Hu Tao waved to Keqing with a bright smile.
After Keqing left the bedroom, Hu Tao yawned, looking a little sleepy.
"Ugh~ Ganyu, I'm going back to sleep too."
Saying that, Hu Tao left the bedroom, closed the door, walked quickly to the window in the corridor, watched Keqing drive the car slowly out of the courtyard, and a sly smile appeared on the corner of her mouth.
"You're acting strange!"
"You think you can fool me, Hu Tao? Hmph, naive!"
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