Genshin Impact's Sweet and Hard Free People

"It's a shop, how can we disturb your refined mood?" Before Xin Hui could even speak, Keyun had already interrupted him.

"At worst, I'll give you some compensation, is that alright?"

The old man in purple robes was named Ke Yun. He was a free spirit and was respectfully called Elder Yun. He usually liked to wave his paper fan and find others to play chess with.

"Don't worry, I think you'll be satisfied with this compensation." He said, then started fiddling with the chess pieces, while also offering Xinhui some words of comfort.

Xin Hui sighed helplessly, glancing at the antique-style pavilions in the distance. It shouldn't be too long, right?

So he reached out and straightened his own pieces.

But before long, Elder Yun was defeated again.

"What a pity, what a pity. I really don't know where you learned chess from." Ke Yun couldn't help but complain.

That's understandable. Before Xinhui arrived, he was a chess master in the Liyue Harbor area, a champion in the chess arena. He never expected to lose so easily to a young man.

Although he was unconvinced and wanted to defeat Xinhui to prove himself, the young man was also an extremely experienced player, and he would not have an easy time against him.

"Master Yun, I learned all of this during my travels. In that place, they call this kind of game 'Xiangqi' (Chinese chess)."

Xin Hui said with a smile, then glanced at Yi Yu Ge again. Since no one else was coming, he might as well play another game with Elder Yun.

Ke Yun naturally accepted this with a smile, but seeing the young man's friendly and calm demeanor, his thoughts suddenly changed.

However, what happened next was beyond Xinhui's comprehension.

"Xiao Xin, do you want a wife?"

"Ok?"

Ke Yun suddenly uttered this sentence, leaving Xin Hui somewhat bewildered.

"Old Yun, you're not joking, are you?" Xin Hui said jokingly.

"Who's joking? To be honest, you're a young man who's just my type, and so outstanding. As an elder, what's wrong with me finding you a wife?"

Ke Yun, on the contrary, became more enthusiastic, and his words were quite earnest, leaving Xin Hui at a loss for what to do.

Ah…this…Xin Hui looked embarrassed, but still smiled, “Yes, yes, I’m short of a wife, thank you for thinking of me, Elder Yun.”

Xin Hui didn't take it seriously, just responded in agreement while keeping his hands busy, treating it as just old Yun's nonsense.

Fifteen minutes later, Xinhui won again.

As expected.

In the afternoon, Liyue Harbor was quite tranquil. The rows of ancient buildings exuded a rustic and natural atmosphere, making one feel relaxed and happy when they were there.

At that moment, a young girl walked gracefully across the gray-white, bluish-gray brick floor. Her determined gaze carried an air of seriousness and unwavering resolve. Most people would be drawn to her bright, pale purple eyes.

Her busy figure, carrying a faint fragrance, would occasionally appear in the alleyways, her thin lips slightly upturned, exuding an inexplicable sense of confidence.

"Yesterday's experiences will become tomorrow's strength." This is one of the life creeds of Keqing, the Jade Constellation of Liyue.

Today, she went to Wanmintang and ordered a plate of golden shrimp balls, which Xiangling made herself. They were bouncy and crispy, so she was naturally in a good mood.

She naturally looked for her grandfather, after all, it had been a few days since she last saw him. Ke Qing thought that her grandfather was probably playing chess in some alley.

After going around in circles, she actually found it.

However, the young man with blue hair and golden eyes sitting opposite her grandfather caught her attention. He was so young and seemed harmless.

Hmph! What nonsense! He'll surely get a good lesson from his grandfather's chess skills, won't he?

However, what happened next completely surprised Keqing—her grandfather actually conceded defeat to a young boy in a game of chess?! And it looked like a crushing defeat!

She couldn't help but wonder who this young man was; he couldn't be an unknown nobody, and how he had managed to fight her grandfather.

"Ah Qing, come here for a second." Suddenly, a voice pulled her back to reality.

When she turned around again, it was her grandfather gently calling her name.

At the same time, Xin Hui curiously looked in the direction of Elder Yun's voice, and the girl's figure surprised him greatly.

Her purple hair, tied up like cat ears, swayed behind her in two ponytails. A long, purplish-black dress hugged her slender, petite figure, and black stockings on her legs added a touch of sexiness while still exuding her youthful charm.

Isn't this Lord Yuheng Star?!

Although Xin Hui had only been in Liyue for half a year, the name of the Seven Stars of Liyue was well-known. She had seen them several times outside of crowds and could recognize them at a glance.

"Elder Yun..."

Xin Hui hesitated, his gaze sweeping over the two of them with a hint of curiosity.

Although he kept giving Elder Yun meaningful glances, he didn't get the answer he wanted.

Old Yun chuckled, looking like he was saying, "Leave everything to me." He placed a rough-looking hand on Ke Qing's smooth forehead and ruffled her hair, as if he were teasing a child.

Then, Xin Hui only saw that Lord Yuhengxing looked somewhat embarrassed and annoyed, followed by Elder Yun's earnest words.

"Ah Qing, there's something I need to tell you."

"What is it?" Upon hearing this, Ke Qing immediately became alert, her intuition telling her it wasn't a good thing.

"Well... that's right, I lost to you." Old Master Yun chuckled, his expression incredibly gentle.

what?

We lost?

What do you mean by "losed"?!

Ke Qing's gaze sharpened as she stared at Elder Yun. She was a living, breathing human being! Could it be that human trafficking still existed in this era?

"Just now, I was playing chess with Xiaoxin. I said that if he beat me, I would find him a wife. I didn't expect that my grandfather would lose in less than a quarter of an hour..." Ke Yun said, and then, whether out of guilt or something else, he picked up his porcelain teacup, took a sip of tea, squinted at Ke Qing's expression, and then forced himself to say the rest.

“We are a family of the Ke family, so we must keep our promises. I think you and Xiaoxin are a good match, so I agreed to let you be his wife.”

Hearing Elder Yun's words and seeing his calm expression, his face flushed but not out of breath, Xin Hui was naturally speechless. Meanwhile, Ke Qing was completely stunned, as if she had been deeply shocked and couldn't recover for a moment...

Chapter Three: Ningguang and Keqing

"No, I don't agree!"

Having already understood the reason, Keqing naturally could not follow her grandfather's wishes. At this moment, the tips of her ears turned slightly red as she barely maintained her aura as one of the Seven Stars of Liyue.

Ke Qing crossed her arms and tried to calm herself down.

"Yes, Elder Yun, please don't flatter me. How could I possibly be worthy of Lord Yuheng?" Xin Hui said, conveying his helplessness to Ke Yun.

Although he already understood the relationship between Elder Yun and Ke Qing, Elder Yun's actions not only failed to consult his opinion, but also showed a lack of responsibility towards his granddaughter!

Although Lord Yuheng is very cute and makes one want to protect him, such a noble person is clearly not someone a free person like me should touch.

"Xiao Xin..."

Ok?

"You were the one who said you were short of a wife, right? I didn't force you. I said I'd find you a wife, and you agreed, didn't you?"

"Elder Yun, that... doesn't count, right?" Xin Hui asked tentatively, feeling awkward.

"Why doesn't it count?!" Ke Yun suddenly threw down her teacup and glared at him, feigning anger. "You should understand the spirit of contract among the people of Liyue. Although we don't have a written contract, verbal agreements should still be taken seriously."

"Xiao Xin, you're part of Liyue now, you can't be unaware of that, right?"

This……

What Xinhui wanted to refute was that he was a wandering traveler who had only been in Liyue Harbor for half a year. Could he really be considered a Liyue person?

However, he has indeed integrated into the atmosphere of the people of Liyue and become a Liyue citizen, which must be quite a blessing, right?

People of Liyue should indeed have a sense of contractual obligation; whether it's a contract or an agreement, they should fulfill it...

Well then, Lord Yuheng will surely be able to persuade Elder Yun, after all, everyone knows Lord Yuheng's stubbornness... Thinking of this, Xinhui decided not to argue anymore.

But the outcome of the matter opened his eyes. Ke Qing really acted like a child in front of Elder Yun, pouting her little mouth in a huff. Even when she was stamping her feet in frustration, Elder Yun's calm and leisurely attitude remained unchanged.

In short, it was unheard of for Lord Yuheng to suffer a setback in front of others.

In this stalemate, even though Ke Qing couldn't outwit Elder Yun, she didn't show any sign of giving in.

She felt that Yuheng Star should uphold the dignity of the Seven Stars of Liyue. Although she did not have the same majesty as Ningguang, she could not just become someone else's wife!

And so, this farce came to an abrupt end...

"Don't take what Grandfather said to heart. As for him, well... there's nothing you can do with him," Ke Qing said helplessly, stroking her smooth, fair forehead.

The two were on their way to Yujingtai when Ke Yun forced them to go out for a walk, get to know each other better, and deepen their relationship.

As for why they went to Yujingtai, it was because Keqing had something to discuss with Lord Tianquan, and Xinhui, thinking about Lord Tianquan's clothing procurement needs, needed to have another face-to-face talk with her.

The two decided to go together, and it seems that Yiyu Pavilion will not be able to open today.

"I've heard of the owner of Yiyu Pavilion. The list of dresses and menswear made by Yiyu Pavilion is on Ningguang's procurement list for the festival, and the quantity is quite large." In her spare time, Keqing also inquired about Xinhui's identity.

"Yes, it's precisely because of the large quantity that we need to verify with Lord Tianquan. After all, if it's confirmed, I'll be very busy," Xinhui said with a smile.

After passing through the bustling streets, the two entered a path with a blue-white stone bridge. They could vaguely see golden bass and black bass swaying or slapping their tail fins in the ponds on both sides.

It looks like a very pleasant scene.

Over thousands of years, the Liyue region has been well-governed under the rule of the Seven Stars. Naturally, in a world where gods exist, the prosperity of the Liyue region is inseparable from the protection of the Geo Archon.

Among the seven stars of Liyue, Ningguang of Tianquan is the most business-minded. She not only symbolizes power and law, but also wealth and intelligence. Few on the entire continent can match her wealth.

Moreover, Ningguang's style is extremely unique. She spent a fortune collecting a large amount of levitation stones to create a base, upon which she built an unprecedentedly magnificent palace. The levitation stones support this ethereal city, keeping it suspended above Liyue Harbor year-round. This palace, like Ningguang herself, is unfathomably high, far removed from all living beings, yet easily attracts all eyes.

"When you enter the Jade Pavilion, you need to be mindful of your behavior. If there is no order there, things will get chaotic. Although you don't need to be as serious and respectful as Ningguang's assistants, you still need to have some manners."

Xin Hui nodded slightly in agreement. The assistants in black suits beside Lady Ningguang were often busy handling various matters in Liyue, but their busyness was tinged with elegance. Although they seemed unhurried, they always managed to get things done cleanly and efficiently, earning praise from others.

Lady Ningguang is even more so. To be honest, the Jade Pavilion rarely receives men, and she only gets in thanks to Keqing.

Just then, a huge pavilion in the sky came into view. The palace-like building with its five ridges and flowing eaves shocked Xinhui.

Whether it's her dazzling appearance or her towering height overlooking Liyue, Ningguang undeniably holds the top position among Liyue Harbor's merchants.

The two crossed one floating platform after another before finally arriving at the floating city.

With Ke Qing leading the way, Xin Hui encountered no obstacles. As soon as he stepped through the door, a classical and elegant atmosphere wafted towards him.

Looking around, wisps of bluish-white smoke rose from the incense burner, filling the room. Behind the white screen, veiled by the smoke, a slender woman could be vaguely seen.