Taking care of the Harbor's important matters,

Making sure the Lantern Rite goes well...

...

This is what Ningguang was currently busy with,

As she was sitting in her office and signing documents...

*Even though Lantern Rite should start in only a few hours, there was still much work to do,

And the type of work she alone should manage, having already sent everyone else to do their own specific tasks...

...

The Ministry of Civil Affairs planned to hold a fireworks show this year,

A special event, which should add an extra spark to the annual Lantern Rite...

*Hearing how well the firework show went in Mondstadt during Ludi Harpastum,

It was up to the people of Liyue to show how much grander and unifying their own can be...

...

They would start with the fireworks show, a grand event they specifically prepared for this year's Lantern Rite...

*Even making improvements to the firecrackers and asking Inazuma's Naganohara Fireworks for cooperation...

...

And then, after midnight has struck, the Mingxiao Lanterns would be released to the sky,

Setting up the coming of a new age for Liyue, one which...

Knock! Knock! Knock!

There were suddenly knocks on the door,

And Ninngguang didn't take long to realize who it was...

-Come in, Ganyu. -She said soon enough, barely slightly lifting her head to welcome the entering half-qilin. -Tell me your report.

-Yes, Tianquan Ningguang. -Ganyu dutifully answered, as she went to stand before her superior. -The installations of the fireworks in both Liyue Harbor and Qingce village are proceeding smoothly. Thanks to everyone's timely cooperation, Yuheng Keqing's management and Miss Naganohara help, they are ready to be set off at a moment's notice!

-Good. -The other replied with just this, looking quite pleased. -The other matter, I take is that it is also proceeding well?

-..."The other matter"...Are you perhaps inquiring about the preparation of traditional Liyuan attire for our Mondstadtian guests...? -Ganyu asked in some confusion, getting a small nod in reply, which prompted her to continue. -I have confirmed that they have been just recently prepared and ready for distribution.

-Be sure that they are given out before Lantern Rite officially starts. -The Tianquan made sure to add, before turning to look out the window, at the blue sky outside. -Our allies should be able to experience Liyuan culture in full.

She made sure to add, liking the idea more and more with each passing second,

Soon hearing Ganyu's small salute, as she left the room, leaving Ningguang alone once more...

...

Just as their Archons for all those years, the nations of Liyue and Mondstadt were quite close,

As such, she made certain that their "esteemed guests" would be able to enjoy Lantern Rite to the fullest...

...

...

Even if all the preparations were going well, Ningguang still couldn't help but wonder how the event will go,

Especially considering that Beidou and the Crux crew would be joining them once more...

...

That brutish captain who kept breaking the rules and doing whatever she wanted without much thought given, if any at all…!

...

...

Ningguang didn't mind waiting for her "friend" to arrive to the Harbor,

It had been quite a while since the two played "Theater Mechanicus" last...


"This year's Lantern Rite is going to be even greater and grander than the last!"

This sentence and it's many different alterations,

Was what they kept hearing while strolling through the Harbor...

*And the trio had to wholeheartedly agree with it, seeing the decorations around...

-...Not only are there a lot of Lanterns already being hung up everywhere, the numerous Glaze Lilies also add more color to the place...-Jean couldn't help but mumble soon enough, as she stopped in place and turned around, looking at the "colorful path" they slowly walked through until now. -...Ever since the "Glaze Lily Hazard" situation, we constantly kept sending new shipments to Liyue. I am really grateful to know that they are being used for a good cause.

-I have to agree with you, big sister. -Barbara soon added, as she followed to stand by Jean, happily looking towards the "colorful path". -The place looks really beautiful now!

-...And even though we walked for a while, many stalls are still getting set up...-Noelle was the next to comment, as she was currently fighting a very bad urge to run over and help the struggling people. She was ordered to go on a break and to take it easy...! -...Since Liyue Harbor is a City of Commence, it is to be expected that the event would be so grand. Which is quite admirable and...! U-uh...-...Some people looked like they were having difficulties with the set ups! They looked like they were struggling so much! -...Master Jean, Barbara, I know that we are "guests" here and Captain Eula also ordered me to "take things easy"...But can't I help those people, even a little...? -She couldn't help but soon ask, her urge to help rising even more now. -It's already been an hour and 47 minutes since we decided to walk through Liyue Harbor and some people are having so much trouble to put up the stalls and Lantern Rite should start in another hour or two and I fear that they might not make it in time and then the celebration will get disrupted and everyone who worked hard to make this Lantern Rite reality...!

-Noelle, calm down. Everything is going to be alright. -Jean soon interrupted the suddenly panicking knight in training, now standing before and putting her own hands on Noelle's shoulders in reassurance. -Even if some people struggle to put up the stalls, there is still time until Lantern Rite officially starts. Moreover, knowing Miss Ningguang, she already accounted for the possibility of things getting delayed and surely put some counter measures in place. -She both reassuringly and seriously explained, before moving her hands away. -As guests, there is no need for us to help with the Lantern Rite set up, as everything is already taken care of.

She made sure to add and to affirm her words, some Milleilith arrived to the area,

As they soon proceeded to help the struggling merchants set up their stalls...

*Seeing this, Noelle noticeably calmed down and gave a small apology for her earlier actions,

Which Jean gladly took, grateful that the other was no longer panicking...

...

And yet, she also couldn't wonder more about this year's Lantern Rite,

As for some reason it felt like Lady Ningguang was planning to show off...?

...

But surely, such a swallow reason couldn't...?

-Yo, long time no see everyone! Last time was during Ludi Harpastum, right? Time really flies! -Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a cheerful voice nearby, as Beidou and Kazuha soon walked towards and stood before the group. -You are here for Lantern Rite, eh? I heard Ningguang planned something special for this year! -She continued in even more cheer, before finally looking some more around the place and its decorations, her expression turning slightly awed. -...Well, the city already looks more colorful, that's for sure…! I wonder if I can get some of those Glaze Lilies to decorate the Crux...Maybe I can ask Ninnguang for some...? Surely, she wouldn't mind parting with a few for a good friend...?

-Good day to you, Miss Jean, Miss Barbara and Miss Noelle. I am glad to see that you appear to be doing well. -Kazuha was the next to say, looking and sounding relieved, before his expression slightly fell. -Ever since I last visited Mondstadt, I have heard some worrying news through the winds. And not only of trouble in Mondstadt, but Inazuma, as well...-...News which were quite shocking to him at the time and still partly remain now...-...All this time, I was in Beidou's care, accompanying her on her journey at sea. So when I heard of the "Memorial Service" event and what followed, I could not help but wonder about the truthfulness of these news. Did the Raiden Shogun really change or...?

His voice suddenly cut off, as he looked slightly confused,

Clearly thinking thoroughly about what he heard, once again...

*A reaction which wasn't hard to see to those around him...

-Mister Kazuha, if you don't mind it, as someone who was in Inazuma at the time, I can tell you more about what happened. -Barbara soon suggested, glad to be of help. -We could walk around the Harbor in the meantime or...?

-You can take a "joy ride" on the Crux, if you want. I will tell the crew to let you on. -Beidou interrupted her, looking and sounding a little amused. -From what I noticed, you have been in the Harbor for some time already, right? And it looks like there's still time before Lantern Rite officially starts...-She slightly chuckled by the end of those words, looking even more amused now. -...Knowing Ningguang, she is surely waiting for a few rounds of "Theater Mechanicus". I wonder what kind of bet she is about to make this time~

"Perhaps she would even let me into her hidden spa again.", was what Beidou almost said,

Before she remembered how much her friend insisted on keeping this "little detail" secret from everyone...

*Not like Beidou blamed her for this, that spa was a pretty great place to bathe and relax in,

And after months of voyage at sea...!

...

...

Oh, looks like Ganyu is running towards the group now,

Seemingly holding a few folded clothes in her hands...

...

Just what did Ningguang planned on doing this time...?~


-We are truly quite similar, Miss Yelan. Working behind the scenes in order to find and remove all the "bad weeds" which harm the nation's wellbeing and progression~ -Kaeya couldn't help but say in amusement and some intrigue, as he was currently sitting by the table in front of Yelan, silently analyzing her. -But what you just told me was simply surface information, wasn't it...? You don't trust me enough in order to tell me more.

-...And yet, you don't look surprised at all. You must realize then, why I told you so little. -Yelan answered him with the same amount of amusement and intrigue, analyzing him the same way. -We might now be "friends", sharing similar jobs in our respective nations, yet keeping confidential information is key. Isn't that right, Mister Kaeya...?

At these words she grinned, with Kaeya soon mirroring her expression,

The two of them continuing to watch each other closely...

-You might still help me with my job, if you want. As long as you don't ask unnecessary questions and don't spill any secrets. -Yelan suddenly said, looking and sounding a little serious, as well as thoughtful now. -Something tells me that you already volunteered your help to "one of us" before. Mind telling me who it was...?

-...I don't mind sharing this with you, as long as you refrain from asking me for specifics. -Kaeya answered moments later, looking as serious and thoughtful now. -The person I helped was Kamisato Ayato of Inazuma's Yashiro Commission. The short cooperation between us was quite delightful~

He added with some dark amusement at the end, remembering quite well what they did,

The pretty efficient way they took care of those terrorists in the making...

*Not like he didn't understand their rage towards the Electro Archon at the time,

Still, planning to bomb the "Memorial Service" area and the people in it, was still quite the excessive reaction...

...

Honestly, some people needed to be "cut off" before they had a chance to cross the line,

Only then could everyone else continue to peacefully live their lives...

-Ugh...-Was suddenly heard from the nearby bed, as both Kaeya and Yelan soon turned to look there, noticing how Diluc was slowly opening his eyes. -...Kaeya...? And who is...?

The redhead couldn't help but groggily and slightly suspiciously ask,

As he was still wondering where he was and what happened for him to wake up...

...

"*Besides, from what he saw, weren't Zhongli and Childe in that kind of relationship before...?

Or was this a case of an unsuspected threesome between the Fatui, Abyss creature and Liyue's Archon...?"

"Kaeya, please, hit me on the head as hard as you can.

...I seem to have caught the stupidity in the air and am in dire need of some emergency "brain rearranging"...

...Please, Kaeya. You are the only one whom I can ask this. Save me from succumbing to lunacy."

...

The memory suddenly hit him in full,

Making him realize what happened and...

-...Something was seriously wrong with me at the time...-Diluc couldn't help but mumble aloud, still feeling embarrassed about the whole thing, before he finally turned to look around the place. This was clearly still in Liyue and as for the woman...Somehow she felt just like his brother...-...Kaeya, where are we, how long was I unconscious and who is your friend...?

-My name is Yelan, I work for the Ministry of Civil Affairs. It was about 2 and a half hours since you were knocked out. We are currently in my living room. -She decided to say instead, looking and sounding serious, yet slightly intrigued. -Would this information suffice...?

-Diluc, how are you feeling...? I did as you asked of me, but I didn't bonk you too hard, did I...? -Kaeya was the next to ask, looking and sounding a little worried. -...There is still some time until the official start of Lantern Rite, so if you need to relax some more...

-I am feeling just fine, so there is no need to worry. -Diluc interrupted him, trying to sound reassuring, yet sounding more serious than anything. -...Thank you for fulfilling my request, Kaeya...-He added in appreciation, a small and warm smile soon appearing on his face, before it turned thoughtful as he looked between his brother and Yelan. -You two must have been cooped up here for all this time while I was unresponsive. Since I am awake now, there should be no problem about going on a stroll through the harbor, yes...?

-That's a great idea, Mister Diluc. I will be glad to show you around. -Yelan answered almost right away, looking and sounding suspiciously cheerful. -And I know that you have already visited our city before, but the Harbor at this time of year might get quite confusing to get around in.

She soon explained in a more serious voice, upon standing up from her chair,

As she then proceeded to go towards and stand by the bed, helping Diluc get up...

...

All the while she made sure to appear as a good host as possible, having gained interest in the man before her:

Not only did he fight the "Local Harbringer" a few times before, but was also apparently a leader of a secret organization...

*Truthfully, both of the brothers turned out to be quite a good find, one similar to her and other keeping secrets she wanted to know~

...

-...I should have known she would take interest...-Kaeya couldn't help but soon quietly mumble to himself, as he watched the scene before him in great interest.

Knowing that she was similar to him, it didn't take long for him to realize what she wanted,

Finding out from Diluc about the secret organization, which still followed his bidding...

*Honestly, this whole thing was bound to turn out highly amusingly~

...

Both due to the fact that his dear brother was going to deal with a "female version" of himself,

And both due to the fact that Yelan wouldn't get any answers from Diluc if she took the "flirting" approach...

...

So for now, he decided to just "sit back" and watch how things unfold~