"Damn Bai Ge!"
"Stupid Bai Ge!"
"Trash Bai Ge!"
"What did I ever do to make you hate me so much?!"
After yesterday's chase, Keqing returned to the office and, faced with familiar surroundings, was struck by emotion.
To be honest, her mood was terrible—and she was genuinely hurt.
As a girl, and a girl who excelled in every regard, this was the first time Keqing had ever crashed headfirst into such a solid wall with Bai Ge.
This wall—this southern wall—had left her bruised and bleeding.
She had thrown away her pride, clung to him almost shamelessly,
only to be humiliated like that.
Especially those words he said afterward.
Afraid someone would misunderstand…
As if to say:
I'd like anyone before I'd ever like you.
Keqing couldn't understand it.
She was Yuheng Star Keqing—
good looks, strength, refinement, a solid personality, a wealthy family, and real authority.
Maybe not Liyue's absolute top-tier white-rich-beautiful,
but she was definitely among the very highest.
When had someone like her ever suffered such frustration and grievance?
Was she really that detestable?
As these thoughts surfaced, Keqing's eyes grew moist again.
She hurriedly distracted herself, forcing her thoughts elsewhere, unwilling to let weak tears fall.
Even though… she had already cried silently once on her way home last night.
Yet no matter how she tried to adjust, her chest still felt unbearably tight.
Maybe I really am that awful…
In the end, that was the only explanation Keqing could give herself.
Her mood sank so low that this usual workaholic didn't even want to pick up a pen.
Plop—
A large teardrop fell onto the desk, making a clear sound.
Keqing froze as she stared at the droplet.
Then, one after another, tears began to fall—
drip, drip, drip.
...
However, the grievances of the Yuheng Star were not something she would show to others.
When Bai Ge arrived at work at nine sharp,
Keqing had already returned to her usual self, quietly processing documents.
On the surface, it looked as if yesterday's events had left no mark at all.
Only, her attitude toward Bai Ge was clearly much colder.
"As expected of Keqing," Bai Ge thought quietly.
"The first person to say humans could replace a god—she really is strong."
He didn't particularly mind her coldness.
Thinking back to yesterday felt like a small puppy being teased and suddenly rolling over to expose its belly.
An experience like that—he never wanted to repeat.
Five o'clock sharp was his bottom line.
After all, it was currently his only way to grow stronger.
Bai Ge sat down at his desk.
Bang—
Keqing carried over a thick stack of documents and dropped them in front of him.
"Secretary Bai," she said coolly,
"please perform your secretarial duties. Pre-screen these documents.
Bring the important ones to me, and handle the unimportant ones yourself.
That won't be a problem, right?"
"No problem," Bai Ge nodded crisply.
A secretary's job was to reduce a leader's workload.
Handling paperwork was a small matter to him.
With Keqing acting strictly by the book, things felt a bit regrettable—but also fine.
Picking up his pen, Bai Ge worked quickly, without slacking off.
And as he did, he finally understood why Keqing was so busy every day.
"Yujing Terrace greenery renovation? Landscaping personnel selection?
What the hell—this gets reported to the Seven Stars? Handle it through normal procedures!"
"Liyue Harbor traffic congestion, requesting a detailed optimization plan?
Damn it, since when does leadership personally write optimization plans?
Draft eight or ten versions yourself and submit them—approval is the leader's job! Get lost!"
"Fishing Association reports fish migration near Liyue Harbor, suspects mysterious pollution affecting water quality and catches?
Hmm… fishermen coming back empty-handed is worth paying attention to.
This one gets reported—harbor water quality does need monitoring."
"Housing transaction approval, issues with overdue rent on public housing?
Brother, do you need Keqing to personally collect rent too?
If you can't collect it, go to the Millelith.
If they can't handle it, hire the Fatui to violently collect rent.
If that still doesn't work, let Yanfei sue them!"
Just skimming through a portion of the documents, Bai Ge's blood pressure shot up.
He'd thought he was the slacker here—
but looking now, he was the only one actually working.
Everyone else was just dumping their problems onto Keqing.
The Yuheng Star oversaw infrastructure and public welfare—
basically equivalent to an entire government urban development system.
Her responsibilities included, but weren't limited to,
resource planning, housing management, construction oversight, waterworks, landscaping, and more.
Every trivial matter was reported upward.
The fact that Keqing handled all of this was impressive in itself.
Thinking this, Bai Ge added yet another layer of respect for her.
But still—this wouldn't do.
Trying to bury him under paperwork and force overtime? Impossible.
He glanced at Keqing, still diligently processing documents,
then picked up a thick stack of the files he'd already sorted—
and walked out.