Since he had decided to make it up to Keqing, Bai Ge intended to do it properly.
After watching the two-hour opera, he left with a still-sighing Keqing.
And for a workaholic like her, aside from work, she really only had one hobby—
Shopping.
Or more accurately, strolling and spending money.
Right now, Keqing was dragging Bai Ge along on a full-scale spending spree.
"Zhongyuan Chop Suey! Delicious and cheap!"
"Two bowls!"
"Tiger Fish! Fresh Tiger Fish!"
"Two portions for me!"
"Stone cutting! Gambling stones! Fair for all!"
"Give me ten stones—I'll open them for fun!"
"Welcome to Mingxing Jewelry Pavilion…"
"This one, this one, and this one—wrap them all up!"
"Traditional perfume-making is like caressing a lover's skin. You must gently part the petals—thin petals on top, thicker ones below…"
"Ahem—let's go!"
From street snacks to fine jewelry—if Keqing liked it, she bought it without hesitation.
Her outrageously wealthy side was displayed in full force before Bai Ge.
At that moment, Bai Ge came to a realization.
Whether shopping is tiring or not has nothing to do with strength.
It's percentage-based magic damage.
Except for the moment in front of Chunxiang Kiln, where Ying'er's high-level innuendo-driving briefly jolted him awake—
For the rest of the trip, Bai Ge's mental state was: up… down down down down down down down down.
This was also where the superiority of Vision holders showed.
From the moment they left until now, Keqing had been eating and walking nonstop. Bai Ge estimated she had eaten the equivalent of three of her own stomach volumes—yet she could still continue.
Simply the dream physique of countless women: eat all you want and never gain weight.
Gradually, under their aimless wandering, Liyue Harbor's sky dimmed into evening.
"What's wrong, Bai Ge? Are you tired?"
Walking happily ahead, energetic as ever, Keqing turned around. Her twin tails lightly brushed across Bai Ge's face, making him itch.
"No, not really…"
"I just feel like you're extremely happy right now. Completely different from your usual self. You're even prettier," Bai Ge said.
It was the truth.
Sure, shopping was a bit tiring—but seeing Keqing this happy honestly made it worthwhile.
As for Keqing—when joy fills the heart, beauty follows. She was practically glowing.
"I-is that so…"
Hearing his praise, beneath the dim lights of Liyue's night market, a faint blush crept across her delicate face.
She walked closer and gently slipped her slender arm through his.
"I'm usually pretty too, you know," she muttered shyly.
"I know. But you're even prettier now. Is it because you're with me?" Bai Ge teased lightly.
Instantly, whatever concealment the dim yellow lights had offered failed completely. Keqing's face flushed bright red.
She lowered her head, too shy to meet his gaze, and lightly bumped her forehead against his arm again and again.
"You… you know that, so why say it out loud!" she murmured, almost pouting.
Through her swaying bangs, Bai Ge could see her small, exquisitely shaped ears—like finely carved jade—had turned completely red.
He chuckled softly.
They always said Keqing was "tsundere"—proud and sharp on the outside, sweet underneath.
But right now, the sharpness had melted away, leaving only the sweetness.
And Bai Ge knew exactly what that meant.
Once he had put aside his earlier prejudice and truly looked at her, Keqing's charm revealed itself fully.
After facing that beauty head-on—
Bai Ge felt something inside him shift.
This was completely different from how he felt with Ganyu.
With Ganyu, he had still been afraid to accept her feelings.
But as his strength grew and his confidence accumulated, he seemed to be gradually shedding that overly cautious, timid mindset.
Maybe… he could do more.
At some point, his warm hand had already settled on Keqing's slender waist, pulling her gently but firmly into his embrace.
Her soft body was drawn against his chest.
Feeling the hand at her sensitive waist—and the heat in front of her—Keqing froze for a second.
Then Bai Ge spoke:
"Let's go. I'll treat you to dinner. How about Liyue cuisine at Liuli Pavilion?"
His initiative—and the subtle sense of reciprocation in his tone—made Keqing smile.
"Okay."
They both knew.
Something had changed.
Not long after, well-fed and content, Bai Ge walked Keqing home.
Like a young couple, they lingered together, weaving through Liyue's narrow streets.
Bai Ge had to admit—
Once he set aside his bias, Master Keqing was truly wonderful.