Mondstadt Wine Party? Liyue Wine Party! / The Encounter Between the Corporation and Laffey

Keqing had originally thought there would be plenty of time to carefully plan how to win her companions' forgiveness, but Ganyu and Hu Tao's sudden arrival completely disrupted her plans, leaving her no time to prepare.

For now, she could only hide Ye Ming's whereabouts, buy herself some time, slowly build up her companions' goodwill, wait a few days for things to cool down before confessing, and then take the initiative to create opportunities for them to spend time with Ye Ming in hopes of earning their forgiveness.

After coming to this unfamiliar world together and relying on one another for so many years, they had long become sisters. No matter what, Keqing did not want to ruin that sincere sisterly bond.

However...

Standing at the finish line and watching Ganyu and Hu Tao still warming up at the starting line felt pretty good.

Pathetic losers.

A somewhat guilty sense of delight rose in Keqing's heart.

Chapter 72: Mondstadt Wine Party? Liyue Wine Party!

Ganyu remained silent.

Even before coming to Huaxia, she had made ample mental preparations, yet upon hearing Keqing's answer, she still could not help feeling disappointed.

After all, who would not want to fly to their beloved's side as soon as possible?

Even though Ganyu was the Liyue Qixing's envoy, Yuehai Pavilion's secretary, and an adeptus born during the Archon War with qilin blood flowing through her veins, she was still a girl in the end. She still had someone she loved, and missing the one she loved was only natural.

However, when she saw Keqing's evasive gaze and guilty expression, unaware of what Keqing was truly thinking, Ganyu assumed Keqing felt ashamed for failing in her task. After considering it, the naturally elegant and quiet Ganyu suppressed her disappointment and comforted her companion.

"It's all right, Keqing. Huaxia is vast and densely populated. It's perfectly normal that you couldn't find any news about him so quickly. There's no need to feel guilty over it."

Ganyu's voice was gentle. "For now, what we should do is pull ourselves together, work together, manage Liyue properly, and find his whereabouts as soon as possible. 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 gave her shoulder a hard slap, startling the guilty and nervous Keqing into shuddering.

"I'm sorry, Ganyu. I'm sorry, Hu Tao. It's all my fault!"

Keqing lowered her head in apology. "If you ever 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 unfamiliar world for so many years. We've long become sisters. This bond is more precious than anything else. I believe nothing can shake the sisterly affection between us."

Hearing Ganyu's words, Keqing lowered her head in shame.

Ganyu watched Keqing's touched yet ashamed expression after hearing her words. Her smile remained gentle, but her emotions were actually quite complicated.

How should she put it?

The moment she heard that Keqing had failed to find Ye Ming, she really had been disappointed. But after calming down, she felt that Ye Ming not being found by Keqing was not necessarily such a bad thing.

Because that meant she, Keqing, and Hu Tao were all standing at the same starting line, didn't it?

They had left behind their greatest threat, Ningguang, who was still across the ocean, and had pulled ahead of Xiangling, Qiqi, and Yanfei, taking the front line in the search for Ye Ming and gaining the initiative.

When the day came that they found Ye Ming, how could a mere chip-damage Keqing possibly be a match for her, Ganyu?

As for Hu Tao...

Ganyu felt that compared to that quirky girl, Ye Ming would surely prefer a mature and gentle woman like herself.

Still, those thoughts only circled in her heart. No matter what, Ganyu would never say them aloud.

Their sisterly bond still needed to be maintained.

"All right, Keqing, cheer up. Hu Tao and I came this time not only to look for Ye Ming. We actually have something even more important to do."

"Something important?" Keqing raised her head. "Is it that interesting thing you mentioned on the phone yesterday?"

"That's right!"

Ganyu nodded, her expression turning serious. "In fact, Hu Tao met a girl named Jeanne d'Arc the day before yesterday. She sensed the powerful strength hidden within her and confirmed that she was definitely no ordinary person."

"Mm, that's right!"

Hu Tao chimed in, "I received that girl's business card. It said she was the head of security at Mond International."

"Mond? Mond!?"

Keqing's eyes widened in surprise as she looked from Hu Tao to Ganyu. "The Mond you're talking about... is that Mond?"

"That's right, Mond as in Mondstadt!"

Ganyu nodded and said seriously, "I've already looked into Mond International. According to the information, Mond International is a European corporation, and its chairman and general manager is Jean Gunnhildr, the former acting grand master of the Knights of Mondstadt!"

"They came to this world too!?"

Keqing was shocked, and an intense sense of crisis rose in her heart.

There were simply too many powerful rivals in Mondstadt, especially that troublemaking little Pyro girl, Klee. Ye Ming had always favored her before. If all of Mondstadt swarmed him, would there still be any room left by Ye Ming's side for Liyue?

"Actually..."

Keqing hesitated, wondering whether she should confess now and tell them about Ye Ming.

"Don't worry, Keqing."

Ganyu had clearly already thought of a response. "Although we used to be rivals, in this unfamiliar world, we can still be considered fellow townspeople. And when it comes to finding Ye Ming, we may be competitors, but that doesn't mean we can't cooperate."

"The night before last, Hu Tao received Mondstadt's business card, and Mondstadt likewise received Hu Tao's. So Mondstadt most likely knows of our existence now as well."

Ganyu's voice was steady. "I've found out that Mondstadt is holding a wine party this weekend. When the time comes, we'll attend together and test Mondstadt's attitude."

As she spoke, Ganyu glanced at Hu Tao again. "Hu Tao will be going too. She'll lie in wait outside the banquet hall. If a fight breaks out, having Hu Tao there will make it easier for us to win."

"A fight?" Keqing was startled. "Aren't we just going to test Mondstadt's attitude? We all knew each other before. It shouldn't come to a fight, should it?"

Ganyu shook her head. "It would be best if we could cooperate, but when private feelings are involved, who can guarantee that everyone will remain rational? A fight is still possible, and very likely."

"A fight, a fight."

Hu Tao was clearly looking forward to the entertaining scene of Mondstadt and Liyue brawling at the weekend banquet. "Too bad Qiqi refused to come with me. Otherwise, we wouldn't have to worry about anyone getting hurt."

Ganyu shook her head. "It's fine. As far as I know, Jean is currently the only one from Mondstadt on this continent. Even if new people appear at the banquet, there will be no more than two or three. With our combat strength, victory is practically guaranteed."

Ganyu rubbed her brow. "All right, if there's nothing else, everyone should rest for now. Get plenty of sleep, start work tomorrow, and prepare for Mondstadt's banquet this weekend."

"You two go to sleep. I'm going to wander around by myself."

Hu Tao was full of energy, without the slightest trace of fatigue.

Keqing nodded. "All right. Then I'll head back first. You two should get some rest early."

"Mm, hm?"

Ganyu answered, but immediately noticed that something was wrong with Keqing's words.

"Head back? You two?"

Ganyu frowned and looked at Keqing. "You're not staying here? Where are you going back to?"

Hu Tao was briefly stunned before frowning at Keqing as well.

The atmosphere in the bedroom instantly turned tense.

Chapter 73: The Encounter Between the Corporation and Laffey

Even though she had been prepared, facing Ganyu and Hu Tao's scrutinizing gazes at the same time still put immense pressure on Keqing.

Yet on the surface, Keqing did not panic at all. She explained naturally with a smile, "I really don't live here. For convenience at work, I rented a suite at a hotel near the company for long-term stays."

"So that's how it is."

Ganyu relaxed. Back in Liyue, Keqing had been a textbook career woman and workaholic, a staunch supporter of the 996 schedule, and had always held herself to standards even stricter than 996. For someone like Keqing, renting a hotel room near the company was nothing strange. Even if she had simply lived in the office, Ganyu would not have found it surprising.

Ganyu, a faithful practitioner of the 007 schedule, rather liked that about Keqing.

However, considering that a clash with Mondstadt at this weekend's banquet was highly possible, Ganyu still advised Keqing, "You shouldn't overwork yourself lately. Make sure to rest well, conserve your strength, and prepare for Mondstadt's wine party this weekend."

"I will."

Having successfully fooled them, Keqing secretly sighed in relief, though her expression remained calm. "Then you two get some good rest. There are snacks and ingredients in the refrigerator. If you're hungry at night, you can cook something yourselves or order takeout. I'll head back first. See you tomorrow."

Ganyu nodded. "Mm, see you tomorrow."

"Hu Tao, see you tomorrow."

Keqing rose from her chair and said goodbye to Hu Tao as well.

"Mm, see you tomorrow."

Hu Tao waved at Keqing with a radiant smile.

After Keqing left the bedroom, Hu Tao yawned and looked somewhat sleepy.

"Mm~ Ganyu, I'm going back to sleep too."

With that, Hu Tao left the bedroom, closed the door, quickly walked to the window in the corridor, and watched as Keqing slowly drove out of the courtyard. A sly smile curled across her lips.

"You're acting suspicious!"

"You think you can fool me, Hu Tao? Hmph, how naive!"