Henry had Jueyun Chili Chicken at Wanmin Restaurant. The food lived up to everything he had imagined, rich in flavor and cooked properly, and he ended up ordering Crab Roe Tofu too as he was still hungry.
"I'm just a traveler on vacation," Henry said. "Is the famous chef Xiangling around?"
Chef Mao laughed lightly. "Out again. She's always off searching for ingredients somewhere.
Girl doesn't sit still," he added with a shake of his head, though there was pride in his voice.
Henry didn't push further and just nodded, paying the bill before heading out.
He retired early that night since tomorrow was the day to meet Ningguang.
Morning came quicker than he expected.
Henry had just finished his breakfast at a nearby stall, something simple but filling, when he noticed a girl approaching him.
She had a curvy, plum figure, yet somehow still seemed slim at the same time. Her movements were light, controlled, almost too graceful without trying. His eyes moved upward, stopping at the curved horns on her head.
There was no mistake.
Hello, Adeptus Cocogoat.
"Hello Mr Henry" the girl approached Henry and gave a small bow. "I am here to escort you to Lady Ningguang. You can call me Ganyu."
Henry nodded, standing up. "Hello Miss Ganyu, please lead the way."
Up close, he noticed her way of speaking.
Ganyu's accent is so heavy… he thought, suppressing a grin. It sounds kinda cute.
Ganyu turned and began walking, and Henry followed without saying much, letting her lead.
They reached a floating jade platform at the corner of the street. Ganyu stepped onto it, and Henry followed right behind.
The moment both of them were on it, the platform began to move.
It rose smoothly, almost like it was being carried by something invisible. Henry instinctively looked down for a second, then back up as the city started shrinking beneath them.
As if by magic, it continued traveling upward, the large structure suspended in the air becoming bigger with each passing second as they approached.
Jade Palace.
Henry kept his gaze fixed on it as they got closer, the scale of it becoming clearer the higher they went.
The platform finally slowed and then stopped, aligning perfectly with the edge of the Jade Palace.
Henry stepped ahead, taking in the place properly now—
And then he saw her.
A young yet mature-looking woman walking in his direction, her posture straight, her movements calm but deliberate. Her outfit carried a mix of elegance and authority, white and gold blending together, her long hair flowing behind her. There was something about her presence that made it clear she wasn't just another noble.
The one and only, honorary five-star character, rich and beautiful-Lady Ningguang
"Welcome, Mr. Henry, to Liyue."
Ningguang stepped forward and extended her hand toward him.
"The honor is all mine, Lady Ningguang," he said as he shook her hand.
"Please, come in."
The Jade Palace was just as grand on the inside as it looked from outside. The space was wide, open, and carefully arranged, nothing out of place, everything positioned with intent.
Ningguang led Henry into a large office-like room.
There was a large board on one side of the room, filled with markings and notes, clearly something she used regularly.
Henry paused for a second.
Wait… is this her private office?
Am I that special?
He didn't dwell on it for long, because he noticed someone else sitting on the couch.
A tall woman with an eyepatch, white skin, and a confident posture leaned back casually, her presence loud even without speaking. Her outfit was bold and practical, carrying a certain rough charm, and the way she looked at Henry made it clear she was already sizing him up.
"This is Beidou, captain of the Crux Fleet," Ningguang said. "She also wanted to listen in, if you don't mind, Mr. Henry."
Henry stepped forward and extended his hand.
"Hello Miss Beidou, I'm Henry."
Beidou let out a short laugh as she took his hand. "Ah, you can call me Beidou. 'Miss' makes me sound old."
Henry nodded. "Fair enough."
Ningguang gestured toward the table, and they all took their seats, her position naturally at the opposite end.
"Mr. Henry," Ningguang began, her tone calm, "you already know why I invited you here."
Henry leaned back slightly. "You want me to establish my bikes here in Liyue too, right?"
Ningguang smiled faintly.
"But Lady Ningguang, I didn't think my bikes were that popular yet."
Ningguang let out a soft breath, amused.
"You surely jest. Your bikes are a very convenient mode of transport. Many people who have visited Mondstadt have spoken highly of them."
Henry gave a small nod. "Thank you, Lady."
"So," Ningguang continued, "have you decided, Mr. Henry?"
"Yes," Henry replied without hesitation. "I'll look for places to open my shop in Liyue soon."
"That's great news, Mr. Henry," Ningguang said. Then she paused slightly before adding, "I also have one question."
Henry nodded, signaling her to go ahead.
"I came across a product from a merchant. 'Instant noodles.' He said he got them from a shopkeeper named Henry. I assume that was you?"
Henry nodded. "Yes, Lady Ningguang. Before my bike business, I used to sell instant noodles in Mondstadt."
"That idea is excellent, Mr. Henry," Ningguang said. "Preserving noodles in a cup to last months is quite ingenious."
I was captivated by Ningguang's beauty. She was instantly my waifu the first time I saw her in-game, I never understood why she wasn't considered one. And now she was sitting right in front of me.
The real one… and she was an absolute beauty.
Henry decided he needed some brownie points if he wanted to score with her.
Without saying much, he summoned five different flavors and placed them on the table in front of her.
"Miss Ningguang, I can provide you with the supply, and you can sell this."
Ningguang's expression shifted slightly, genuine surprise appearing for a moment. It wasn't the product—but the offer.
"Mr. Henry," she said after a pause, "thank you for your trust. Your product will definitely sell."
She paused again before adding,
"You are now a special guest to the Tianquan. You may ask me for a favor, and I will grant it."
Henry shook his head lightly.
"Lady Ningguang, I'll just be your supplier. You can establish the company in your name. And there's no need for favors… but if you insist, just call me your friend."
That caught her off guard.
"Why, Mr. Henry?" she asked.
Henry shrugged. "Why not? Isn't it good to have friends? If you're my friend, then helping you is just helping a friend."
Ningguang gave a genuine smile. "Then please, call me Ningguang from now on."
"And same to you," Henry replied. "Call me Henry."
"Well, would you look at that," Beidou laughed, leaning forward and slapping Henry's shoulder. "Being Lady Ningguang's friend isn't a small thing."
Henry let out a small breath. "Yes, I'm honoured."
Beidou grinned. "This is your first time in Liyue City right? Why don't I give you a tour of Liyue today?"
"I'm free, and my ship leaves tomorrow."
Henry nodded. "Sure, Beidou."
After bidding Ganyu and Ningguang goodbye, Henry left the Jade Palace with Beidou.
They walked through the city together, Beidou talking as she showed him around, pointing out places, explaining things in her own straightforward way.
Henry didn't mind as It made things easier to follow.
Time passed faster than he expected.
Soon it was night.
Beidou stopped and turned toward him. "Let's drink."
Henry shook his head. "I don't drink."
Beidou pretended as if she hadn't heard him. She grabbed him and pulled him into a seat anyway, slamming a mug down in front of him.
"Drink."
Henry stared at it for a second.
Then sighed. And drank.
One cup turned into another.
Henry didn't feel affected at all as he kept drinking.
Beidou, on the other hand, slowly turned red, though she didn't stop. Even then, she still looked fine—just a little drunk, nothing serious.
After a while, she leaned back slightly, looking at him.
"You're handsome," she said bluntly. "Wanna come to my ship?"
Henry blinked.
Whoa. That was ...direct.
He thought about it for half a second.
"Sure."
---
Same Goal:=)100 Powerstones
Also thank you for giving me stones last week.❤️
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