Standing on the port of Liyue was, in a word, mesmerizing the first time I tried it. There was a genuine worry that it wouldn't have this effect. After all, living your whole life in Fontaine and never going to another region, not even neighboring Sumeru- you might just think that I couldn't be impressed by the ocean anymore. We're surrounded by water back home, even seamlessly implementing it as an aid to transportation in the city. And yet- just staring out into the infinitely vast ocean, with Inazuma somewhere beyond the horizon…it's peaceful, I don't care, it is.

Thinking that I could get used to this view however, brings up a slight less-than-peaceful thought to mind.

…I made a miscalculation.

It's been a few days since my meeting with Ganyu, but I have yet to see her since. This, obviously, is not how it was supposed to go. When I said, "You will also remember how nice it was to feel so relaxed", the idea was to encounter her outside of work after. From then, the curiosity about what I did would have hopefully inspired her to request another "show"- especially if she is actually overworked, as I have since learned may very well be the case. But a second experience was going to increase my foothold in Ganyu's mind tenfold, accelerating the schedule laid out!

Or, well, that was the idea. But of course, the lack of Ganyu interactions have froze that plan.

Thankfully, I know this isn't because I messed up somewhere, freedom to leave Liyue completely proving that. Rather, after my curiosity proved too strong, I asked some locals if they might know the truth, being as discreet as possible. And boy, did they ever! I guess someone like Ganyu doesn't make it into guidebooks without her tendencies being figured out about six ways over, huh? The most common things I heard were "When did she find the time..?" and "She's incredible! Diligent, hardworking, and easy on the eyes!" and "Don't tell my wife I said that, matey." But potential marital crisis aside, it does seem that the reason I don't see Ganyu…is because she's always busy. And I understood she did warn me herself about Lantern Rite, but jeeeez… She's probably sleeping in the Jade Chamber too!

Ultimately, the temptation of checking out my abilities again will not surpass her desire to do her job. Makes sense I suppose, but unfortunate nonetheless. I need a new plan of attack…

And luckily for me, there was an angle that I didn't even know about before, primed for potential.

In one conversation with a particularly eager fisherman, I remember the other woman who interrupted my time with Ganyu. Asking about her naturally gave me a name- Keqing, the Yuheng of the Qixing (whatever the hell that means.) From that point, it was back to the guidebook- and look at that, there she was, purple hair and all~ Her profile was nothing special- serious, hardworking, believes in man's ability to carve out a role more than the power of gods, yadda yadda yadda. But it was one 'fun fact' that caught my attention in a benign Q&A at the end, where the question of 'what is your favorite food' was answered with 'Shrimp Balls'. Liking some seafood in a port town checks out, but the food sounded too…official? I guess? Further questions about that to port-goers directed me to a place called Wanmin Restaurant.

So…yeah, it's a bit of long-winded point, but that's the score. Go to Wanmin, find Keqing, and hopefully get back to Ganyu that way. And not to put too much pressure on myself, but I do need to do this with some kind of urgency. It's only a matter of time until the lasting message I left in the secretary's mind fades away completely.

The ocean before me is slowly losing its' bright blue color, we're approaching dinnertime. So with a weary sight, I pull myself up and begin to walk over, intent on scouting out the restaurant again.

Let's see…let's seek~ Keqing, oh Keqing? Where are yo-?

"OOF!"

"Waaaah!" :Crash!:

I'm not entirely sure what just happened… One second I'm approaching the entrance, the next my back is screaming at me, collision with the hard ground being the catalyst to this protest.

"OH MY GOSH! I'M SO SORRY! Here!"

To add further confusion, I hear the sound of wood landing right next to me- before a dark hand is thrust in my face. Oh wait, scratch that. The 'dark' part is a fingerless glove that goes all the way up to its' owner's elbow. And as for the person themselves?

Well, if there was a poster child for "people I don't want to make cry", this girl would certainly be up on the list.

Blue hair like Ganyu, though considerably darker and shorter. In fact, her hair actually has two strands that have been braided up into circles, which made me think I just ran into another adeptus for a second. But she's currently staring down at me with bright golden eyes. And while that's pretty cute, the obvious look of horror and major concern stretch across her agape jaw is just plain worrying. She definitely is the 'wears her emotions on her sleeves' type, especially compared to Ganyu or Keqing. The scream was proof of that.

Speaking of which, I grab her hand and am helped to my feet a moment later. Huh? This girl is slender, with no visible muscles, so how did she-?

"A-Are you ok…? I'm really sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going!" Now… she's bowing to me, all proper-like?

"Yeah, I'm fine~" I say, rolling my shoulder as proof. "I should apologize to you as well, Ms….?"

"Xiangling! Nice to meet you!" She flashes a bright smile. Hm, I guess the depression arc is over.

"Ms. Xiangling. I was just looking for somewhere to eat and figured I'd give Wanmin a try." My first white lie in this region, although doing that to this young girl doesn't sit well anyway. It doesn't take a mind-reader to know what this 'Xiangling' girl Is like. Although…I am surprised by her giving me a questioning look and then walking around me slowly.

"Hmm..I don't think I've seen you before mister! Are you new here?"

"Uh, yes. I live in Fontaine, here for the holidays."

"I knew it~ Everybody from Liyue knows how great Wanmin is; we make the best food in alllll of Teyvat, I swear!"

…I am certain this girl has not been to every restaurant and foodstall in the seven regions. Absolutely no way. So making that statement is, at the very least, exceptionally cocky. But wait, she said something interesting. "What do you mean, 'we'?"

A glint in the young adult's eyes appears, as if she was waiting for this exact moment. "My full name is Xiangling Mao! Daughter of Chef Mao, the owner of Wanmin Restaurant! And I'm a chef as well!" She thumps her chest with clear pride- meanwhile I'm just distracted by my imagination.

So the second most important figure here…is a young girl. Liyue is weird; imagine if Chief Justice Neuvillette was a freaking teenager!

Wait a minute. But Lady Furina isn't exactly a tall fellow either…

"Welp~" Xiangling's voice pulls me back, but she's now holding a wooden crate of what appears to be fish. Oh the thing she dropped earlier. "I'd love to stay and chat, but there is work to be done! By the way, order the Wanmin special; my dad won't disappoint you! Later!"

And just like that, my new…uh, friend? Acquaintance? Extortion expert? Whatever, she takes off like a rocket, leaving me in front of an open doorway. So, Wanmin Restaurant, huh? Maybe if I'm lucky, I'll find Keqing.

It takes a moment for my eyes to adjust to the change in light, late afternoon sunset to a more evening feel, building healthily illuminated by dimmed lanterns. Tables neatly litter the area, occupied chairs surrounding. One look around tells me that Xiangling's words were not completely crazy, as there's a healthy number of people dining currently. Parents and their children, a couple of teenagers, and I think I see one of the portgoers I've talked to recently.

Any interesting people though? Well, there is a white-haired boy with googles (why?) strapped to his forehead and a visible scar on his shoulder. I would blame Liyue for this again, but he has a very "foreign" vibe..another visitor I suppose.

So let's see what comes first. An employee of this place comes and plants me at a table, or I continue to absentmindedly stroll around until I see who I'm-

Annd bingo.

Boy, that purple hair really makes her easy to locate.

Sitting at a table for two, next to the wall, is the Yuheng herself. Keqing. My 'in' to Ganyu. She's eating something delicately, clearly savoring the taste. So…are those the Shrimp Balls mentioned?

Well anyway, now I just have to-

Wait…

Do I even have a plan?!

I'm not opposed to the idea of including more characters than just the three above, but Xiangling will definitely not be one them if I do.