Following a man-made passage several dozen meters long beneath Jianmen Pass, Keqing led Yilan into Liyue Harbor.
Since it was already late, instead of immediately taking Yilan to handle official business, Keqing first arranged accommodation for him.
Originally, the plan was to have Yilan stay near the Yuehai Pavilion in Yujingtai — the area with the most expensive land in all of Liyue. The residence was a quiet and elegant courtyard, and the treatment could be described as exceptional.
However, Yilan politely declined.
After all, the closer he was to Liyue's political center, the greater the risk of being exposed.
In the end, he chose a house in Chihu Rock (Chihuyan) for his temporary stay.
Late at night.
Around four o'clock — when most people are sound asleep — Yilan turned over and got up from the bed.
According to his plan, he intended to visit Yuehai Pavilion tonight and try to make contact with Ganyu.
At this time, when almost all of Liyue was resting, probably only Ganyu — the half-qilin secretary — was still dutifully working overtime. It was the perfect chance to act without attracting attention.
However, when he stepped outside to scout the surroundings, he discovered that even in the dead of night, patrols across Liyue Harbor remained unusually strict.
"It seems the arrival of the Fatui Harbinger has made Liyue much more vigilant than usual,"
Yilan thought to himself.
Realizing this, he gave up the idea of meeting Ganyu tonight.
After all, he could stay in Liyue for a while — there was no need to rush and risk misunderstanding.
If he left any suspicious traces, it would be awkward to be mistaken for an intruder, just like certain protagonists in those adventure games.
Returning quietly to his room, Yilan had just settled back when, around five o'clock, Keqing's clear and energetic voice rang from outside:
"Yilan, are you awake?"
Yilan sighed inwardly — thankfully, he hadn't gone out — and opened the door with a resigned expression.
Standing there with her hands on her hips was Keqing, looking remarkably spirited despite the early hour.
"Hmm? You're already up,"
Keqing glanced him up and down with her brilliant violet eyes. Seeing that he was fully dressed and ready, she nodded approvingly:
"Very good. It seems we really are the same type of people."
No, we're not the same at all…
You're a workaholic, and I just don't want to be left behind by this world.
Looking at the barely-risen sun, Yilan couldn't help but ask, "What if I hadn't woken up yet?"
"Then I'd wake you up— cough!"
Keqing caught herself midway and realized that Yilan wasn't her subordinate. She coughed lightly and corrected herself:
"I mean, time is very tight today. If we waste too much, we won't finish our tasks."
Ah, all the classic "model worker" lines are coming out now…
Yilan chuckled softly and said, "Then, Miss Keqing, may I trouble you to explain today's schedule?"
"We'll talk as we walk,"
Keqing said briskly.
Yilan nodded and followed.
The sky was still pale, just before dawn.
On the quiet streets of Chihu Rock, Yilan and Keqing walked side by side.
As they walked, Keqing explained:
"In the morning, I'll take you to Yuheng Mountain to see the situation firsthand."
"After that, we'll return to Liyue Harbor and meet Ningguang of the Qixing to discuss the next steps."
"But before that — we should have breakfast first."
She put one hand on her waist and waved the other generously:
"Tell me, what do you want to eat? Or which restaurant you'd like to visit? You're a guest, and all expenses will be covered by the Liyue Qixing!"
Without hesitation, Yilan answered: "Wanmin Restaurant."
"Hmm?"
Keqing tilted her head slightly, a teasing smile appearing in her eyes:
"You know quite a lot. I thought you'd pick Liuli Pavilion or Xinyue Kiosk."
"I heard a saying among Liyue's people,"
Yilan smiled,
"—the real delicacies are hidden in the backstreets, not the fancy restaurants."
"You really do know Liyue well,"
Keqing remarked with genuine surprise.
"Maybe I'm actually a Liyue native,"
Yilan replied meaningfully.
Of course, Keqing took it as a joke.
Chatting pleasantly, the two soon arrived at the Wanmin Restaurant.
"Xiangling, good morning,"
Keqing greeted cheerfully as they entered.
"Good morning, Keqing. You're here early again— Huh? Who's this?"
Xiangling blinked her amber eyes, puzzled as she looked at the man beside Keqing, dressed in red robes and wearing a mask.
The aura Yilan emitted was so strong that if he hadn't been standing calmly beside Keqing, Xiangling might have shrieked out of instinct.
"Guoba??"
Before she could react, Guoba, who was nearby, waddled over on his short legs, hugging Yilan's calf affectionately.
Yilan crouched down, picked Guoba up, and gently stroked his head — a trace of sadness flashing across his eyes.
"Marcosius… You've come this far…"
Marcosius, once known as the Stove God of Liyue, had traveled the lands alongside Yilan during the great migration era.
Later, to protect Liyue's lands and people, Marcosius had willingly exhausted his power, ultimately taking on his current raccoon-like form.
Now almost devoid of intellect, Guoba tilted his head and patted Yilan's cheek, as if trying to comfort him with a small but familiar gesture.
Though his mind had faded, the spirit of old bonds lingered.
If even Guoba can recognize me… then surely, Ganyu will remember me too.
As Yilan thought this, Xiangling approached cautiously:
"This gentleman… just now, you called Guoba 'Marcosius' — do you know him?"
Yilan shook his head lightly, handing Guoba back:
"Now, he's Guoba. He's a friend of mine. Since he's chosen you, take good care of him."
At the right moment, Keqing stepped forward to introduce:
"This guest is from overseas. His identity must remain confidential for now, but rest assured — he poses no threat."
Still, even she couldn't help asking curiously:
"But how do you know Guoba? And how do you know… about his true origins?"
Hearing this, Xiangling's eyes also sparkled with curiosity.
But Yilan simply smiled enigmatically:
"Sooner or later, you'll find out. Isn't it more satisfying to uncover the truth through your own efforts?"
No! We want to strangle you now!
Keqing and Xiangling almost exploded. Looking at Yilan's infuriatingly mysterious smile, they both realized he was definitely teasing them on purpose.
All riddlers deserve punishment!
Xiangling glared fiercely at him, but after the little episode, she felt less nervous around Yilan.
She asked:
"So, what would you like to eat, sir? I just learned how to make Mondstadt-style Sweet Flower Stuffed Chicken. Want to try?"
"No!!"
Yilan's PTSD almost flared up the moment he heard Sweet Flower Stuffed Chicken.
Abandoning all pretense, he blurted out:
"Xiaolongbao, fried dough sticks, soy milk, porridge, pickles — just give me three servings of each!"
After finishing a hearty, authentic Liyue-style breakfast at Wanmin Restaurant, Yilan burped contentedly as he and Keqing made their way toward Yuheng Mountain.
Along the way, Keqing occasionally glanced at him.
Noticing her gaze, Yilan smiled and said:
"Why? Still upset about Guoba?"
"No,"
Keqing shook her head, her cat-ear-like twin-tails swaying slightly.
"I just feel like I understand you less and less, Mr. Yilan."
Although he claimed to be just an ordinary person, he could use two elemental powers, defeat someone like Jean head-on, and despite being from Mondstadt, he seemed deeply connected to Liyue…
He was hiding too many secrets.
Compared to Guoba's true identity, Keqing found herself growing ever more curious about Yilan.