“Captain, who is that person? I’ve never seen him before,” the guard whispered to the little captain after Feng Yi entered the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
“Mr. Feng Yi is a divine being who can make Madam Keqing let down her guard. From now on, be observant and show Mr. Feng Yi some respect when you see him again!” the little captain lectured his subordinate, who had been promoted to squad leader precisely because he knew how to handle things.
“Understood, Captain.” The guard secretly committed Feng Yi’s appearance to memory.
“Sigh~”
Feng Yi, guided by a maid, found Keqing’s study. When he pushed open the door, he discovered Keqing gazing out the window at the falling leaves with a melancholic expression.
“Just put the documents on the desk!” Keqing casually instructed, mistaking him for a maid delivering files that needed processing.
Suddenly, a pair of warm hands boldly wrapped around her waist.
“How dare you!” Keqing turned around in a fit of embarrassed rage, ready to draw out her jade hairpin and teach the offender a lesson. However, upon seeing that it was Feng Yi, she froze completely.
“Am I… am I dreaming?” Her movement to draw the hairpin changed to rubbing her eyes, her face a picture of disbelief.
“Does this still feel like a dream?” Feng Yi asked softly, gently biting her soft earlobe by her ear.
“Feng Yi, you’ve really returned?!” The slight pain in her earlobe told Keqing this was no dream. As she felt the warm breath from Feng Yi’s lips near her ear, the usually resilient Keqing’s eyes welled up with a faint mist.
“Mhm, I had some matters to attend to, and decided to come back for a visit,” Feng Yi said, pulling Keqing onto his lap and reaching for the fastenings of her clothing.
“Did you encounter trouble? Do you need my help?” Keqing asked, looking at the man she had yearned for, concern etched on her face.
“No need to worry, it’s not trouble. Just some preparations for my trip to Inazuma next year!” Feng Yi smiled. Such trivial matters didn’t warrant bothering others.
“My family has a house in Inazuma too…” Keqing said with a smile, thinking it over. She would be delighted to help Feng Yi.
“Then, how would you like me to thank you?” Feng Yi had already unfastened Keqing’s skirt.
“You know the answer. Close the door first!” Keqing responded with a knowing smile.
…
One thousand words omitted here.
Inside the study of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, Keqing, embarrassed by their intimacy, covered her mouth, stifling her moans, fearing they would be heard by others.
*“In the study, doing something strange, and must not make a sound to be heard by others.”* the maid thought to herself. The Keqing of old was serious and capable, with less worldly concerns. However, today, Keqing wore a rare smile. As a maid, she was happy for her mistress’s change.
“I need to get back to work, I don’t have time to stay with you…” Keqing returned with a stack of documents, offering an apologetic smile.
“It’s fine, I’ll stay with you a little longer,” Feng Yi said, knowing he would have to leave again in a few days and wanting to spend more time with Keqing. He pulled Keqing onto his lap, embracing her slender waist, acting as a human chair. Keqing, blushing, sat on Feng Yi’s lap, experiencing this novel way of working for the first time. It was a rare and memorable experience.
As it neared mealtime, Feng Yi proposed to leave. It was time to go to Wanmin Restaurant and snag a free lunch.
“Yo, little brother Feng Yi, long time no see!” Chef Mao smiled happily upon seeing Feng Yi return to Wanmin Restaurant.
“Chef Mao, everything is just as it was,” Feng Yi greeted him, nodding. He was quite fond of the cooking at Wanmin Restaurant. Having lived in Mondstadt for half a year and tried various local dishes, he found Wanmin Restaurant’s cuisine suited his palate best. He particularly missed Xiangling’s bold and creative new dishes.
“No problem! Xiangling, Feng Yi is back, hurry out here!” Chef Mao called into the restaurant after agreeing, turning to shout at Xiangling. “Feng Yi, who’s here for taste tests, is back! Someone’s here to try your new dishes!”
“Feng Yi is back? Where? Where?” Hearing her father’s call, Xiangling immediately put down her work and rushed out with Guoba.
“Xiangling, Guoba, long time no see!” Feng Yi greeted his old friends happily.
“Hehehe, Feng Yi, you’re finally back! I’ve developed so many new dishes, you absolutely have to try them today!” Xiangling’s eyes gleamed as she pulled Feng Yi along, afraid he might slip away. Since Feng Yi had left some time ago, no one had been willing to taste her new creations. She was finally glad he had returned and wouldn’t let him go easily!
“Guoba, breathe fire!” Xiangling nimbly tied on her apron and called for Guoba to light the stove.
Guoba: Judgment, rua~
After completing the task of lighting the fire, Guoba brought two cups of milk tea to Feng Yi.
“Feng Yi, is Yuan Bao here?” The extra cup of milk tea Guoba carried was specially prepared for Yuan Bao.
“Yes, I’ll call her out now.” Feng Yi, thinking the extra cup was for him, reached out to take it. But upon hearing Guoba’s question, he realized the extra cup was for Yuan Bao. Feng Yi subtly withdrew his hand and then took out the Serenitea Pot from his waist, summoning Yuan Bao.
“Hi, Guoba!” Yuan Bao, who had been eating roasted rabbit in the Serenitea Pot just moments before, was called out by Feng Yi, still holding half a crispy, tender roasted rabbit. Seeing Guoba after a long time, Yuan Bao swallowed the rabbit meat and waved happily.
“Hi, Yuan Bao, milk tea, for you!” Guoba generously offered his beloved milk tea to Yuan Bao.
“Then Yuan Bao will treat you to roasted rabbit!” Yuan Bao accepted the milk tea and shared her beloved roasted rabbit with Guoba. They then went to sit on the nearby stone steps, enjoying the warm sunlight, eating roasted rabbit and drinking hot milk tea. Yuan Bao, mimicking Guoba, took a small sip of the milk tea, closed her eyes, and let out a contented sigh, watching the bustling street and savoring a different kind of life. Her demeanor immediately elevated, exuding the aura of a retired elder.