Genshin Impact, I'm Slime

As the sun completely sank below the horizon, the lights of Liyue Harbor came on, outlining the silhouette of the bustling port.

Ke Qing stood at the edge of Feiyunpo Street, her gaze piercing through the deepening night, directed towards the distant, dimly lit Yujingtai. The sea breeze, carrying a salty and damp scent, brushed against her hair.

"The truth is always shrouded in layers of fog. If you only seek answers from the parties involved, you will often only touch the disguise that covers it."

The girl's cool voice rang out. She turned around, her purple eyes flashing with rational light under the lamplight.

"Huh? Keqing means... these candidates might have falsified their resumes?"

Paimon and the Traveler exchanged a glance and finally realized what was happening.

"Yes."

Keqing was by nature decisive and efficient. After understanding the implication in Tian Shu Xing's words, she only thought for a moment before taking immediate action.

“I will immediately dispatch reliable personnel to split up. One side will delve into major chambers of commerce to conduct a detailed investigation into Qianwei’s past business connections and reputation; the other side will go to the Liyue General Affairs Department to review all of Mingbo’s work files and records since he took office.”

"Huh?"

Paimon floated up to Keqing, his little face full of confusion.

"Then...what about Zhiyi? Isn't he the most promising candidate? Should we investigate him too?"

Ke Qing raised an eyebrow and then nodded: "Precisely because he is currently the most promising candidate, we need to be more careful in verifying his background."

"We will personally take charge of the part about Zhiyi."

As soon as Keqing finished speaking, Famas, who had been admiring the night view of Liyue Harbor with his arms crossed, stirred.

He stretched, relaxed, exhaled softly, rubbed his neck, and turned to Keqing and the Traveler with that familiar, slightly languid smile on his face.

"Um... I won't participate in the rest of the investigation."

"This kind of work that requires sitting down and flipping through documents is not suitable for me. I still prefer jobs that involve moving my muscles."

Famas shrugged, his tone casual but without malice. He waved to the traveler and Paimon, his smile becoming more genuine.
"And I've been to enough places today. I'm starting to miss the comfortable bed at Baiju Inn. If there are any outdoor activities tomorrow, remember to call me."

With that, he turned and walked toward the street exit, his steps unhurried.

"Huh? FAMAS! Wait a minute!"

Paimon immediately floated over, looking a little anxious.

"Leaving now? Maybe we can get some interesting information later?"

The little mascot felt that something was missing after FAMAS left, and the traveler, not understanding why FAMAS had just left, couldn't help but offer some advice:
"Yes, FAMAS, the docks are quite lively at night."

Famas stopped in his tracks, turned around and winked at them, then nodded at Keqing as well, his tone slightly mischievous.

"As an outsider, I don't need to get so deeply involved in this kind of investigation about the next leader of Liyue."

"Miss Keqing, I'll take my leave now. I wish you all the best in your investigation."

After saying that, Famas didn't linger. He walked briskly down the stone steps leading to the port, and his figure quickly blended into the dimly lit, bustling streets below. His light steps were particularly noticeable in the night.

Paimon watched him walk away so decisively, puffed out his cheeks, and muttered something under his breath.

"Honestly, they're supposed to be our important partners..."

Ke Qing's gaze followed Famas's figure until the other's shadow disappeared completely at the street corner, then she thoughtfully withdrew her gaze, her tone as calm as ever.

"Mr. FAMAS may have his reasons. Let's just focus on what we're doing."

But at that moment, the traveler suddenly remembered something. It seemed that Famas didn't have a single Mora.

The accommodation at Baiju Inn is quite expensive; how could he possibly afford it?
This guy... could he be planning to stay in her and Paimon's room for free?
But Keqing didn't think too much about it. She was still concerned about Uncle Tian's warning, so she took the lead and walked down the street square, along the path leading to the port.

"Go to the port first. It's a melting pot of all sorts of people, a bustling hub of intelligence in Liyue. Any little thing could leave a trace at the dock."

Paimon seemed to remember something, temporarily setting aside his grumbling about Famas, gesturing excitedly with his little hands as he followed Keqing:

"Speaking of getting information, I know a good place."

"Let's go ask Uncle Bolai, the owner of Wanyou Shop. He's been doing business at the docks for many years. Merchants, sailors, and workers from all over the country love to chat with him. Maybe he has some useful information hidden in his pocket!"

Keqing paused for a moment, then nodded in agreement:
"Well, Bolai has been based at the dock for many years and is indeed a well-informed person. Let's go and sound him out first."

The three of them soon arrived at the South Wharf. Since the war of the Sun Rises in the harbor completely destroyed the North Wharf, the shops that were originally gathered there have moved south to rebuild their businesses here.

Bolai’s newly built Wanyou Shop is located on a bustling street corner. The shop is much larger than before, brightly lit, and filled with a dazzling array of goods, with the air filled with the smell of the sea and the aroma of various dried goods and spices.

At this moment, the shop was brightly lit, and the owner, Bo Lai, was frowning as he fiercely bargained with a merchant carrying a large basket and dressed in traveling merchant's clothes.

The merchant was spitting as he spoke, appearing quite excited, while Bo Lai stood with his hands on his hips, looking troubled and impatient.

"Brother Qiping, your prices for this batch of goods are outrageous! You've raised the purchase price so high, who am I supposed to sell to? Are all my customers suckers? This business is impossible!"

Upon hearing this, the merchant named Qi Ping immediately patted his chest and responded in a loud voice:

"Oh, Mr. Bolai, I swear to God! When it comes to the quality of this batch of Sunset Berries, if I, Qiping, admit I'm second to none, who in the entire Liyue Harbor dares to claim to be first?"

Qi Ping exaggeratedly raised a finger, his eyes darting around furtively, and said in a low, mysterious voice:

"I'm not bragging, but I accidentally dropped one into the well once... and guess what? The well water immediately turned sweet, and even the old lady drawing water asked me if I had thrown in honey. Need I say more about its quality?"

Bolai pursed his lips, clearly skeptical: "Even if it does have some benefits, the price..."

"Hey!"

Before Bo Lai could finish speaking, Qi Ping suddenly leaned closer to him, lowering his voice even further. He glanced around, his expression urgent and slightly threatening.

"Boss Bolai, for the sake of our old friendship, I'll tell you another huge secret."

“The owner of Rongfa Shop has been eyeing my goods for a long time. He contacted me privately several times, offering a much higher price than you, but I held firm and didn’t budge. I was thinking of prioritizing you, my long-time customer, right?”

Qi Ping changed the subject, putting on a helpless and aggrieved expression.

"If you're really in a difficult position... well, I can't force it on you. I'll just have to reluctantly go and talk to Rongfa."

"I'm afraid that his shop will become famous because of this batch of fruit and steal your business. I'd feel bad about that."

Upon hearing the words "Rongfa Shop," Bo Lai's eyes widened instantly, his hesitation replaced by a fierce competitive spirit. He slapped his thigh hard.
"What? Rongfa? He's trying to steal my thunder! No way!"

Bo Lai grabbed Qi Ping, who was about to leave, and said urgently, "Okay! I'll take all of this fruit at your price, not a single one less. We absolutely can't leave any for that old bastard Rong Fa!"

Qi Ping's face immediately broke into a triumphant smile.

"Oh, Mr. Bolai, you're so generous! I knew you knew your stuff. I'll unload and count the goods right away!"

The two quickly reached a deal. Qi Ping unloaded the baskets with satisfaction, while Bo Lai hurriedly called his helpers to move the goods, muttering that he couldn't let Rong Fa take advantage of him.

While the two were busy with the handover of goods, Keqing, the Traveler, and Paimon stood quietly in a dimly lit spot not far away, observing the entire transaction, which was tinged with a touch of mercenary cunning and calculation. (End of Chapter)