Inside the staff lounge of the Northland Bank, Childe flipped through a folder of confidential documents while Ji Ming finished a very satisfied burp. The contrast was… painful.
The Fatui Harbinger did not look pleased.
Although the Tsaritsa herself didn't bother with "external partners," Childe's colleagues certainly did. And upon learning that Childe had chosen a street brawler as a cooperative asset, reactions ranged from outrage to disbelief.
If Ji Ming contributed, that would be one thing.
But all he had done so far was eat the Bank's food, drink their tea, use their intelligence network, and generally act like the Fatui were his personal hospitality club.
So the collective sentiment was:
Either he starts being useful —
Or he disappears.
Which was why Childe was here today.
"Mr. Ji Ming," Childe said with forced politeness, "as the Fatui's most enthusiastically freeloading collaborator, I believe it's time you performed some responsibilities appropriate to your… role."
Ji Ming lounged back, cross-legged, eyes barely open.
"Go on. What do you want from me this time?"
"You remember my colleague — 'the Lady.' She arrived in Mondstadt yesterday. However—"
"However the Fatui are about as welcome in Mondstadt as a sandstorm in Liyue Harbor, right?"
Childe sighed and handed over the document.
"Correct. Our agents in Mondstadt are being ambushed repeatedly. No one has seen the attacker's face — only that he is male, and bears a Pyro Vision."
Ji Ming nodded gravely.
"My guess is a Hilichurl with a torch."
Childe closed his eyes.
"Please don't joke about this, Mr. Ji Ming."
Then, with a tiny twitch of the mouth:
"…Though that would explain a lot."
Childe tapped the final note in the letter.
"The Lady specifically requested you. You are to depart for Mondstadt immediately. Alone."
Ji Ming pointed to himself.
"Me?"
"Yes. You."
Ji Ming scratched his jaw.
"But I don't have a Vision. I can't read Mondstadt's script. I'll slow her down."
"The Lady," Childe said, tone flat, "was very clear. Her orders were to send you, and only you. Compensation will be arranged."
"What kind of compensation?"
"A… Delusion, perhaps?"
"Keep that cursed thing far away from me," Ji Ming said at once. "Fine. I'll go. Just have a proper reward ready when I get back."
He stood and strolled out like they'd just asked him to buy cabbage at the market.
Childe stared after him, slack-jawed.
"…I can't tell whether he's fearless or just absolutely brainless."
Before Leaving Liyue
Passing by Chihu Rock, Ji Ming peeked into Wanmin Restaurant and spotted Xiangling wiping down tables.
"Afternoon, Xiangling."
She lit up instantly. "Afternoon! Come help me for a bit — I'll reward you with milk!"
"Can't today. I'm leaving Liyue for a while. Just came to tell you."
"What!?"
She rushed over, big eyes anxious. "Where are you going?"
"Mondstadt. I'll be fine. I'll be back soon."
Xiangling pressed a hand to her chest, relieved.
"Then you'd better eat properly and sleep properly! Don't skip meals. And bring back Mondstadt ingredients! I want to experiment!"
"I know, I know. And tell Hu Tao and the others for me, please."
Leaving Wanmin Restaurant, Ji Ming made for Yujing Terrace.
If he didn't tell Ganyu, she'd worry herself sick.
The Millelith let him through immediately — being Ganyu's junior has its perks.
He entered the Mooncarver Pavilion quietly.
There, head resting on her arms atop paperwork, Ganyu was fast asleep, brows slightly furrowed, exhaustion visible even in slumber.
"...Ganyu shijie?"
Ji Ming whispered, stepping lightly.
She didn't wake.
She must have finally gotten a rare moment of rest.
Waking her would be cruel.
So instead, he slipped off his outer robe and draped it gently over her shoulders.
…Then his hand accidentally brushed the base of her qilin horn.
Ganyu let out a soft, startled little sound —
Ji Ming's soul nearly left his body.
He snatched his hand back.
Last time he even mentioned touching her horns, Ganyu had fixed him with the kind of look that could freeze the sea.
"…I'll just leave a note."
Unfortunately, Mooncarver Pavilion had only calligraphy brushes.
And Ji Ming's brush calligraphy was…
Objectively criminal.
He held the brush like it was a sword and wrote as if dueling the paper itself:
Shijie — by the time you read this, I'll already be on the road to Mondstadt.
Please don't worry.
Tell Shifu and Shenhe-shijie for me too.
When I return, I'll stay with you during overtime.
Also, please rest on a bed. Sleeping at the desk will hurt your neck.
He left the note by her inkwell and slipped away.
But the moment he left, Ganyu's eyes opened — face flushed pink.
She had been awake from the moment his hand touched her horn.
So embarrassingly sensitive…
Ganyu pressed the note to her chest.
"...His handwriting is terrible," she whispered.
Then softly, shyly:
"When he comes back… I'll have to make him practice."
What she meant by practice, only she knew.