"Pfft!" Shajin couldn't help but laugh. The sound was crisp and clear, like a spring breeze brushing across a lake, sending gentle ripples in all directions.
Hearing the sudden laughter, Ganyu's cheeks puffed up slightly, like shy flower petals trembling in the wind.
She mumbled softly but remained polite.
"Apologies, apologies~" Shajin waved his hand, eyes shifting slyly.
"Miss Ganyu, it's already quite late. Allow me to escort you as an apology."
There was a hint of genuine concern in his tone.
Ganyu hesitated for a moment, thinking to herself, At night, this area is often swarming with monsters. Though Mr. Shajin possesses a Vision, even he might find it difficult to fend them all off.
She replied gently, "Very well, let's go together then."
Their steps were light yet steady. Before long, they had returned to the brightly lit harbor of Liyue.
"I'll be on my way now," Ganyu said softly.
"Mhm, take care, Miss Ganyu," Shajin replied, watching her figure disappear into the night before turning to leave.
"Brother Shajin!!!"
A crisp voice broke through the night's silence. A silver-haired, red-eyed girl rushed into Shajin's arms like a gust of wind.
"Hah… Finally found you!"
Her voice was filled with joy and excitement.
"Ningguang?!" Shajin's eyes widened in surprise. The girl before him looked nothing like the child in his memory.
Her silky long hair was elegantly pinned up with an ornate hairpin. A golden qipao hugged her long, fair legs—elegant and noble, enough to make it hard for anyone to look away.
The three girls nearby stared, dumbfounded, unable to believe what they were seeing. In their eyes, Miss Ningguang had always been graceful and composed—who would've thought she could be so playful?
"Hmph! Brother Shajin, you're so mean! It's been forever and you never came to visit Mom and me."
Ningguang pouted, a hint of grievance in her tone.
Shajin gave a helpless smile, his voice filled with affection. "Didn't I say I'd come visit before the year was out?"
"Hmph!" Ningguang snorted softly, clearly unsatisfied with his answer—but then she suddenly remembered something important, her eyes lighting up.
"By the way, Brother Shajin! Don't forget, I won our bet!"
She looked at him triumphantly, a victorious grin on her lips.
"Oh?" Shajin blinked in surprise.
"You've already gathered ten million Mora?" he asked.
"That's right, Brother Shajin, don't you dare forget our deal."
Ningguang blinked her ruby-like eyes, her smile growing wider.
"Baiwen, hand me the bank card."
Baiwen pulled a card from her handbag. She had been wondering why Miss Ningguang insisted on storing ten million Mora on it—now she understood.
Shajin took the card and slipped it casually into his pocket without even checking.
"I didn't expect you to pull it off in just two years. By the way, how's Auntie's condition?"
"After taking that medicine, she's living just like a normal person again." Ningguang's smile deepened with warmth.
"That's great to hear," Shajin said, genuinely pleased.
As if remembering something, he waved his hand and a small black box appeared in his palm. He handed it to Ningguang.
Curious, Ningguang took the box and opened it—inside lay a gemstone necklace that glowed with soft, radiant light.
The gem had been won by Shajin at a gambling stall on the harbor, and he'd asked Zhongli to carve it with an elegant design.
"This is…"
She looked up at him, stunned.
"It's your reward for winning," Shajin said gently. "And my blessing to you. May it bring you good fortune, and keep you safe and happy."
A glimmer of emotion flickered in Ningguang's eyes. She gently ran her fingers over the gem, then looked back at him.
"Thank you, Brother Shajin."
The three girls nearby had finally recovered from their shock, their eyes filled with admiration as they stared at the necklace in Ningguang's hands.
As they chatted and walked, Ningguang strolled beside Shajin, excitedly sharing her entrepreneurial journey.
"…So I realized I couldn't break into the restaurant business in Liyue, so I went to Sumeru instead. And it actually worked! I used my success there as a springboard to return to Liyue, and that's when I recruited Baiwen, Baixiao, and Baishi—and then I ran into you!"
Shajin stroked his chin.
"So you haven't found a place to stay yet?"
"Not yet. We were planning to find a hotel tonight."
"I see. In that case, follow me."
…
"This place is…?" Ningguang looked surprised.
"My own inn," Shajin said, leading them through the door.
"Welcome back, Boss."
"Mhm. Wang Defa, prepare a room for each of them."
"Yes, Boss." Wang Defa nodded and turned to the girls.
"This way, please. I'll show you to your rooms."
Ningguang, Baixiao, Baishi, and Baiwen followed him upstairs to the second floor. The décor was elegant and cozy, and each room was exquisitely furnished.
"Wow, these rooms are beautiful!" Baishi couldn't help but exclaim.
"Yeah, Brother Shajin, your taste is truly impeccable." Ningguang smiled as well.
Shajin chuckled. "I'm glad you like it. Get some rest tonight. Tomorrow, I'll take you on a tour of Liyue Harbor."
"Sounds perfect!"
Suddenly, Ningguang turned to Shajin, remembering something.
"Oh, Brother Shajin—can I ask you a favor?"
"Go ahead."
"Actually, one of my goals in returning to Liyue is to run for the position of Tianquan among the Qixing."
Running for Tianquan? That was a bold ambition. There was less than a month before the reelection.
"Ningguang, you know that's no easy task. You'll need to prove yourself first."
"I know, Brother Shajin." She handed him a manuscript.
"Ever since I started earning money, I've been using it to support underprivileged areas around Liyue—helping them find stable work, that sort of thing."
"I come from humble beginnings too. I know what it's like to suffer. That's why I want to hold the umbrella for others."
"I have to become a member of the Qixing."
"And once I succeed, I plan to build a structure high above Liyue, a symbol to deter those with wicked intent."
"That alone won't be enough to change Liyue's problems," Shajin said, leaning against the wall with arms crossed.
"That's why…"
Ningguang clenched her fists.
"I'll tear everything down and rebuild it from the ground up."
Shajin smiled.
"I'll help you, Ningguang."
"Have you thought of a name for that structure?"
Ningguang walked to the window, gazing out over the harbor's glowing lights.
"I have. Since the people's hopes are many and varied, I'll name it Jade. It shall be called… Jade Chamber."
_
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