Chapter 186

"What's this? Decided to come home to sleep tonight?" 

At home, Ningguang greeted Keqing with a smile upon seeing her arrival. 

"Haven't you been working overtime lately? I thought you'd turned your office into your new home," she teased. 

Keqing sighed. "You're just like Jiang Ning... almost word for word." 

Ningguang's beautiful eyes sparkled. "Oh? Then I'll take that as a compliment. But it must be Jiang Ning—he has a way of persuading you that I clearly lack." 

"Hmph, I need rest too, you know," Keqing muttered. 

"Tell the truth," Ningguang pressed, unconvinced. 

"Jiang Ning said if I didn't come home to rest, he'd force me to take a leave of absence..." Keqing mumbled. 

Ningguang burst out laughing, practically doubled over. 

"I knew it! Jiang Ning must've used one of his little tricks." 

Keqing, unwilling to let Ningguang steer the conversation, shifted the topic. "Why are you here anyway?" 

"You didn't know? I moved in a while ago. If I don't have anything major the next day, I usually stay here," Ningguang replied casually. 

"Enough chatting, it's time to eat," Ganyu called, carrying dishes to the table. 

As everyone settled in, Jiang Ning remarked with a hint of exasperation, "The house just keeps getting livelier..." 

Indeed, the family had grown. Now there were Kitsune, Raiden Makoto, and Havria joining them. 

"Is that really something to brag about?" Keqing propped her chin on her hand and rolled her eyes. 

"Why wouldn't it be?" Jiang Ning countered. "Doesn't this prove how exceptional I am? To have so many outstanding women get along harmoniously—it highlights my unique charm." 

Keqing huffed, "Narcissist." Yet the slight upturn of her lips betrayed her enjoyment of his words. 

Stretching her shoulders slightly, Ningguang suddenly leaned toward Jiang Ning. 

"Jiang Ning, could you come to my room tonight? My neck feels a little sore," she said, her tone dripping with allure. 

Her eyes were half-lidded, her breath warm. That didn't sound like just a neck problem—Jiang Ning didn't even dare call her out on it. 

Keqing's cheeks flushed pink, her indignation unclear—was it jealousy or moral righteousness? 

Just as Jiang Ning was about to nod, Ganyu interjected. 

"Um... Jiang Ning, I've also been saving up a lot lately, so..." 

Her cheeks turned a rosy hue, her hesitation making her words ambiguous. 

Keqing tilted her head in confusion, while Ningguang smirked knowingly. "Looks like Ganyu's been indulging in a lot of delicious treats lately," she teased. 

Jiang Ning readily agreed, but Ganyu's blush deepened. 

"Recently, Wanmin Restaurant has been introducing many new dishes..." 

With no worries about gaining weight anymore, Ganyu had completely let herself go. More work? Eat. Feeling stressed? Eat. In a good mood? Eat! 

Her once orderly filing cabinet was now packed with snacks and treats. It wasn't surprising she felt the need to be proactive tonight. 

Ningguang's eyes gleamed as a sudden idea struck her. "Ganyu, let's go together tonight." 

"Huh?!" The petite Qilin's eyes widened in shock. 

"Why not? After all, we've worked together for so many years. You won't mind, will you?" Ningguang asked with a mischievous grin. 

Flustered, Ganyu shook her head, her face as red as a sunset. 

Shenhe, ever composed, remained silent. She'd said enough the previous night and decided to enjoy some peace for once. 

"What about my opinion?" Jiang Ning interjected. 

"Do you not want to?" Ningguang asked with a delicate snort. 

"...I want to," Jiang Ning admitted. 

Off to the side, Keqing buried her face in her rice bowl, her mind racing. 

So that's what they meant by "together"? Even if she hadn't experienced such things, she'd read enough books to get the idea. 

Eula looked slightly envious but masked it with her usual demeanor. She grabbed Shenhe's hand. "Let's chat tonight." 

"Okay," Shenhe agreed. 

The godly contingent—Raiden Makoto, Kitsune, and Havria—had their own routine. Makoto quietly ate her meal, Kitsune listened with amusement, and Havria mimicked Makoto's demeanor. 

As for Xianyun... she seemed inexplicably upset. 

Dinner concluded quickly. Ganyu, barely able to contain her anticipation, shyly pulled Jiang Ning along, with Ningguang following leisurely behind. 

Shenhe and Eula, accustomed to this chaos, began clearing the table and washing dishes. Keqing hesitated before joining them. 

Meanwhile, that woman (Kitsune) wandered off, lost in her thoughts, while Raiden Makoto and Havria opted for a post-dinner stroll. 

The trio walked quietly through the bustling streets before venturing into a serene path. 

Finally, Raiden Makoto couldn't hold back. "With Jiang Ning living like this... can his body handle it?" 

Kitsune teased, "Aw, worried about him? Don't fret. His Archon-level physique can take it. Oh, and let me tell you..." 

She leaned closer, lowering her voice conspiratorially. 

"I once saw him leave the house in the morning looking as refreshed as ever. Meanwhile, Shenhe and Ganyu had to help each other out, their legs barely steady." 

Raiden Makoto's cheeks flushed crimson. She vividly recalled that night—she'd had trouble sleeping. Only Jiang Ning knew the power of combining Cryo and Electro to create superconductivity. 

Havria pondered for a moment before saying, "Actually, I'm curious... what would it feel like?" 

"What are you talking about?!" Raiden Makoto exclaimed, her voice a mix of shock and embarrassment. 

Havria replied, "Being saved by Jiang Ning, following him all this time, and even... well, when I was revived, he saw everything. I feel like being with Jiang Ning is just a matter of time for me." 

Kitsune Saiguu smirked. "Look at her resolve, and then look at yours." 

Raiden Makoto hesitated. "But… haven't we already decided to form an alliance? We're already like family. Why rush?" 

Kitsune Saiguu shook her head, her fox-like grin widening. "A meal only counts when it's in your mouth. Otherwise, someone else might snatch it away—mark my words." 

She glanced knowingly at Raiden Makoto. "Jiang Ning's that type, you know—the kind who doesn't say no to anyone. If you keep hesitating, what's the point of an alliance?" 

The cunning fox continued, "And honestly, my dear Archon, do you really think giving him a lap pillow, a shy peck on the lips, or holding hands with flushed cheeks is enough to win his heart? Dream on." 

"This is when you need to strike boldly! Go Fontaine-style—give him a deep, passionate kiss that leaves him dazed. And while he's still in a daze, seal the deal!" 

"If you don't make the first move, someone else will. When that happens, you'll have no one but yourself to blame." 

Kitsune Saiguu knew Jiang Ning wasn't like that, but scaring her dear Archon with such remarks? Totally worth it. 

Raiden Makoto, a brilliant strategist and wise ruler, found herself utterly outmatched in this arena. She froze, conflicted. 

Havria, sensing an opportunity, chimed in, "Well, I'm planning to make my move soon anyway..." 

Raiden Makoto's gaze sharpened, a newfound determination flickering in her eyes. 

--- 

The next morning, Keqing discovered she was late. 

It was quite amusing. For once, she had slept soundly. Unlike her usual habit of waking at four in the morning, unable to fall back asleep, her mind constantly racing with work concerns, she had slept like a log. 

Perhaps being overly focused on her work had made her mind restless even in sleep. Yet here, in Jiang Ning's home, all those worries seemed to melt away, replaced by peace and serenity. 

"Ah! I'm late!" 

Keqing bolted up, ready to rush out the door, only to be stopped by Jiang Ning. 

"What's the hurry? Eat breakfast first. And by the way, your hair isn't even done properly." 

Keqing glanced at her reflection and winced. Her clothes were slightly disheveled—not enough to be revealing, but still untidy. Her usual neatly styled cat-eared buns? Now reduced to a lopsided single-ear look. 

Despite her emphasis on efficiency, Keqing was still a young woman who cared deeply about her appearance. She sighed and took a moment to fix her clothes and hair. 

"You don't need to go. I've already informed Yuehai Pavilion that you're taking the day off," Jiang Ning said casually, munching on his soybean milk and fried dough sticks. 

"What? When did you do that?" Keqing's eyes widened. 

"While you were still sleeping. I had Senior Ganyu and Ningguang handle it for you. They passed the message down the chain," Jiang Ning explained. 

Keqing froze. So, after working tirelessly the night before, those two had woken up early to run errands while she... slept in until now? 

Seriously? How could they indulge in their pleasures all night and still have such a perfect routine, while she... 

The little cat's temper flared slightly. 

"Alright, take it easy today," Jiang Ning said, trying to soothe her. 

Keqing sighed. At this point, even if she went to Yuehai Pavilion, she'd still be late. And since she'd already taken the day off, she decided to make up for the lost hours by working overtime later. 

With her decision made, she joined Jiang Ning at the breakfast table. 

"After we eat, let's go out for a bit," Keqing suggested. 

Having decided to rest, she resolved to truly relax. 

"Sure. Where to?" Jiang Ning asked. 

"Shopping. A lot of new items have arrived at the stores in Feiyun Slope. I need to buy some things," Keqing said matter-of-factly. 

Jiang Ning chuckled. "I've heard that our dear Yuheng uses retail therapy to ease her worries. Seeing it firsthand now—guess the rumors were true." 

"Smart aleck... Let me finish my breakfast first, then we'll talk," Keqing retorted, diving into her food with renewed vigor. 

Shopping Adventures at Feiyun Slope 

Feiyun Slope was a bustling commercial hub, almost a miniature marketplace in its own right. From everyday necessities to luxurious goods, everything could be found here. 

It attracted all walks of life, from humble merchants to wealthy elites, making it the ideal place for rest and relaxation. The area was also known for its vibrant cultural life, boasting storytellers and theaters, including performances by the renowned Yun Jin from Yun-Han Opera Troupe. 

However, while Keqing and Jiang Ning admired the arts, they weren't particularly keen on stopping for a show. Like any other young woman, Keqing had a penchant for shiny, glittering items, leading them straight to Liyue's most famous jewelry store. 

The moment the store clerk recognized Jiang Ning and Keqing, they became visibly flustered, adamantly refusing to accept any payment. 

Left with no choice, the pair had to leave. 

"This way, shopping is impossible..." Keqing sighed in frustration. 

Jiang Ning raised a brow. "How did you shop before? Did you always have to pay before, but now they refuse?" 

Keqing shot him a glare. "What are you even saying? Of course, I always paid! It's just that I used to go out in disguise. Most people couldn't recognize me." 

Jiang Ning thought for a moment and said, "That's an easy fix... Leave it to me." 

With a wave of his hand, divine energy surged briefly. "Done," he said confidently. 

Keqing looked skeptical. "What did you do? How is it 'done' already?" 

Jiang Ning explained, "I altered how people perceive us. Just a little trick with my powers. Look around—no one's sneaking glances at us anymore." 

Indeed, their presence had been drawing considerable attention earlier, but now, no one seemed to pay them any special mind. Jiang Ning's soul-manipulating divine abilities made such minor alterations a trivial task. 

Keqing, now visibly delighted, said, "Finally, we can shop properly!" 

She eagerly dragged Jiang Ning back into the store. 

This time, the clerk greeted them as ordinary customers, without any hint of the earlier deference. Keqing, now freed from the burden of her status, transformed into a lively, cheerful girl-next-door. Her melodious laughter rang through the streets like silver bells. 

Passersby who noticed them simply smiled warmly, assuming they were a young couple deeply in love. 

Shopping inevitably led to the dreaded ritual: trying on clothes. 

For Jiang Ning, it was nothing short of torment. 

There's a saying—when women enter clothing stores, men suffer. 

Keqing tried on outfit after outfit, repeatedly asking the same questions. 

"Does this look good?" 

"Which one looks better, this or that?" 

The endless cycle wore him down. 

Even Jiang Ning, with his divine endurance, felt like a single hour had stretched into years. His legs felt heavy, as though weighed down by lead. 

Thankfully, Keqing was considerate enough to choose just two casual dresses before dragging him out of the store. 

"Was it really that bad?" she asked, noticing how he looked like a survivor of some great calamity. 

"Of course, it was terrible! Please, next time we go shopping, don't torture me like that..." Jiang Ning pleaded, his expression a mix of exhaustion and dread. 

Keqing, though still puzzled, relented. "Alright, fine..."

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