The Infinite Journey of a Certain Flame

"Mei."

Hearing Shadow's call, Mei snapped out of her reverie and coughed softly, "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing, I just think... um, this meat was personally picked for you by Kaito. It's definitely delicious, so Mei, you have to give me this piece of meat."

Seeing Mei's stunned expression, Kiana couldn't help but get angry, and then she spoke forcefully.

"Uh..."

Upon hearing this, Mei was momentarily at a loss for words. She genuinely liked the meat that Ying had placed on her plate, and she knew she couldn't possibly win against Kiana. So, she turned her gaze to Ying, hoping for help. However, Ying kept her head down and remained silent.

"This, how can you do this! Kiana, why are you suddenly acting like this? If you really want some, I can at least give it to you, right?"

Seeing this, Mei quickly refused.

"Mei, you'll serve me some food? Sure. Or you can serve it yourself if you want."

Seeing that Mei had made such a suggestion, Kiana had no reason to be angry, and her tone became very flippant.

"Anyway, as long as Mei is happy, I'm happy too. Anything Mei touches is absolutely the best!"

"Uh..."

Upon hearing Kiana's words, Mei felt a little embarrassed but remained silent. She even felt a tiny bit...happy inside?

"Sigh, sometimes I don't really understand you either!"

As Mei spoke, she slowly reached out and picked up a piece of meat, intending to put it into Kiana's bowl.

Before she could get what she wanted, her best friend shook her head and then opened her red lips like a fledgling bird eagerly awaiting its mother's feeding.

"this..."

Kiana's skill in taking advantage of situations was almost unbelievable. So much so that Mei began to wonder if Kiana had made the same request to others while she was away.

"I just can't do anything with you."

Finally, after a brief hesitation, Mei slowly put the food into Kiana's mouth.

Wow~ It's delicious.

Kiana let out a satisfied sigh of admiration.

Upon hearing this, Mei sighed, then affectionately gathered her hair up.

"If you like it, eat more. We rarely have the chance to have a meal together like this, so... it's perfectly reasonable to let you have your way."

"Um... thank you, Mei. It's rare for me to want to be willful like this, and I didn't expect you not to mind... really, thank you."

Seeing that Kiana had finally stopped keeping her thoughts to herself, Mei smiled with satisfaction.

She waved her hand gently, indicating that there was no need to worry about such minor details. Then she focused all her attention on the food, enjoying the sumptuous dinner with Kiana and the others.

"belch!"

As time passed, the pleasant meal finally came to an end. Kiana, feeling quite full, stretched contentedly, then gestured for everyone to return to their rooms and rest...

The next morning, as the roosters crowed, everyone took turns ascending the steps of the rebuilt Qunyu Pavilion.

At this very moment, Ms. Ningguang's secretary had already gathered all the contestants.

She smiled at Kiana and the others, then clutched her chest and announced loudly:

"Ladies and gentlemen, I hereby announce the winner of this competition as..."

Out with the old, in with the new, an unforgettable Lantern Festival (Liyue New Year): Chapter 54 An Additional Question

"Ying, Beidou, and Mr. Yunjin!"

As the secretary announced the news, the contestants who had been quietly gathered there were all stunned. They hadn't expected that so many days had passed, and the significant Qunyu Pavilion Competition would come to an end so soon.

"How could this be?"

"The competition is over before I even found the Floating Life Stone?"

"I can not accept!"

Victory slipped away so easily, and no one could accept it. After all, although there were many participants, there were at least three spots. Completing just one task would give them the opportunity to ask Ningguang and receive an answer.

Unfortunately, all of that is now in the past.

Ningguang's merciful answer to the question meant that they were no longer destined to receive it.

"Hey..."

Finally, realizing their defeat, the crowd slowly departed, leaving only the winner of the competition behind.

"Then please invite the three winners and their companions to proceed to the Jade Pavilion. Lady Ningguang is already waiting upstairs."

"I see? Then let's go first. Hmm?"

Kiana was about to lead everyone to the Jade Pavilion when she suddenly realized that one person was missing.

That man was none other than the captain of the Death Star, with whom he had once crossed paths, Beidou...

Strange, why did she suddenly leave?

Wasn't there a spot reserved for her? She's leaving already?

The sight was so bizarre that even Kiana was bewildered, unable to understand why Beidou had simply vanished without a trace...

However, it seems there's no longer any opportunity to ask myself these questions.

because...

"Miss Beidou has some matters to attend to, and she will come to see Lady Ningguang afterward. Perhaps you all should hurry?"

Urged on by Ningguang's secretary, Kiana and the others exchanged hesitant glances. Ultimately, they had no choice but to slowly set off, intending to head to the Jade Pavilion to find Ningguang...

...

At this very moment, Ningguang is waiting in the Jade Pavilion, which is not yet fully activated.

With uncanny foresight, she revealed Yun Jin's purpose after some pleasantries, and also offered to help her by suggesting that the new stage be set at the Qunyu Pavilion.

Such a grand gift of gratitude is something that probably few people in the entire Liyue Harbor can enjoy, so Yun Jin accepted it without hesitation.

Everyone was happy for her.

It's just a real shame...

"Let me make it clear beforehand that I don't know your brother's whereabouts either, so let's not waste our time on this question."

Clearly, Ningguang understood that some questions couldn't be answered. Speaking out would only lead to endless trouble, so she didn't waste any words and simply stated that she didn't know.

Of course, whether she truly didn't know or knew but couldn't say, only she herself probably knows the answer...

"Ningguang, it seems like you... know everything?"

Kiana turned to look at her companions and then asked.

"Hehe... Doing business isn't as easy as you think. Capital, connections, a sense of trends, a knack for seizing opportunities... all of these are indispensable. If you want to ask how to make money, I will answer as agreed. But for you right now, it may not be effective."

"Huh? Uh... wait, why do I feel like," Kiana scratched the back of her head, then, like everyone else, turned her gaze to the most greedy little guy present, "that wasn't said to me?"

"Don't feel it, it's what I said to Paimon."

Ying covered her forehead and answered slowly.

"Huh? Hmph, Paimon isn't that greedy! Come to think of it, I haven't said anything yet! Ningguang, you..."

Paimon first stomped his foot in the air and complained for a while, then suddenly realized that his thoughts had been overheard, and immediately showed a surprised expression.

Her vivid reaction brought a knowing smile to everyone's faces.

“Your thoughts are written all over your faces, it’s obvious at a glance. Of course, you helped me rebuild the Jade Pavilion, which is a great favor, and I will never treat you unfairly. I can promise that if you ever need help, you can come to me for a job. As for salary and benefits, I will certainly give you the highest level.”

fluorescent:"......"

Everyone: "......"

The secretary standing nearby asked, "Hey? Why isn't anyone saying anything?"

"Great! Next time we run out of Mora, we can just come find Ningguang!"

Paimon clapped excitedly, seemingly genuinely delighted with the proposal. One couldn't help but wonder, was she truly happy about this promise?

"I feel like even if I come here to look for a job, Ningguang will ultimately decide the salary and benefits."

So all I can say is... it was a bit perfunctory.

Kiana touched her chin, then shook her head, saying nothing more about the matter.

Ultimately, this is their business; I'm merely a participant, or to put it more simply, someone who's helping out. There's no need for meddling in these trivial matters.

Instead of all that, how about Ningguang gives us a free question?

"Ningguang, I have a small question to ask. Could you answer it?"

Kiana spoke, then turned her gaze to her companion, who rarely spoke. It was Shen He...

"Oh?"

Seeing this, Ningguang, who was good at reading people, also shifted her gaze and finally fixed it on Shen He.

Without much hesitation, she slowly nodded.

"Ask anything you want to ask."

Since the person involved had agreed, Kiana didn't waste any more words and asked directly:

"Shen He, do you have any questions you'd like to ask?"

"Ok?"

Hearing Kiana ask him a question, Shinhaku slowly turned around and looked at her.

Such a caring gesture not only aroused the doubts of the person involved, but also naturally attracted the attention of the two people present.

Kiana, why?

Who exactly is she?

Mei and Kage both asked questions, though their voices were very calm.

But for some reason, everyone present felt an indescribable sense of jealousy.