[Age 17: The Moonchase Festival was approaching again. As usual, Wanmin Restaurant would be extremely busy that evening, with many people bringing their families for a reunion dinner.]
[You had been busy preparing ingredients for the festival for nearly a week.]
[As you carried the last batch of ingredients into the kitchen, you turned around and saw Keqing sitting in the corner, watching you silently for who knows how long.]
[You wiped your sweat casually with your hand and walked over. "Keqing, when did you get here? Why didn't you say hello?"]
[Keqing took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat still dripping from your face. "I've been here for a while. Didn't want to disturb you while you were busy."]
[Your relationship hadn't grown distant after graduating from Academy. Instead, it had become closer.]
[She often came to Wanmin to see you. Most times, she would order a few dishes and sit in the corner, enjoying them alone, chatting with you when you had a moment.]
[Gradually, the two of you developed a tacit agreement that no one else could intrude upon.]
[You naturally lowered your head to make it easier for Keqing to wipe your sweat. "Did you come today because there's something you want to eat?"]
[Keqing tightened her grip on the handkerchief. "In a few days, it'll be the Moonchase Festival. I wanted to ask if you'd like to go out with me."]
[The Moonchase Festival and the Lantern Rite in Liyue were holidays for family reunions, but they were also occasions when many couples went out to participate in activities, giving them a romantic undertone.]
[For Keqing to invite you out on that day... Could it mean...?]
[You looked at Keqing in confusion, but her expression was calm, showing no signs of anything unusual.]
[You wondered if you were overthinking it.]
[Upon hearing Keqing's invitation, you decided to...]
[1. Accept it.]
[2. Decline it.]
Kael didn't hesitate. "Of course, I'll accept."
Keqing probably had feelings for him, and since she took the initiative to invite him, there was no harm in saying yes.
Besides, Kael was very interested in the Moonchase Festival in Genshin Impact.
When the Life Simulation reached that day, he would switch to sensory mode and personally experience the festive atmosphere of Liyue.
["I can, but Wanmin will be very busy that day. I might have to be a bit late..."]
["It's fine! I'll be here that day!" Xiangling appeared out of nowhere. "Brother, you can go out early."]
["This..." You hesitated.]
[Xiangling put her hands on her hips, pretending to be angry. "Brother, do you not believe in my abilities? Even without you, I can handle it alone!"]
["Alright, alright."]
[Seeing you agree, Xiangling subtly gave Keqing a thumbs up from an angle you couldn't see.]
[On the evening of the Moonchase Festival, just as you finished cooking the last dish for a customer, Xiangling rushed into the kitchen and shouted, "Brother, Keqing's here. Hurry up and go out. Don't keep a girl waiting too long!"]
[Under the teasing gazes of your father and Xiangling, you went to change into clean clothes.]
"System, switch to sensory mode."
In the blink of an eye, Kael's surroundings shifted to the backyard of Wanmin Restaurant.
He followed the path out of Wanmin's entrance.
A petite girl with a perfectly proportioned figure and purple hair turned around at the sound of the door opening.
Kael froze.
The light from the roadside lanterns reflected in her deep purple eyes, sparkling like starlight.
When she saw Kael, her expression remained unchanged, but her gaze softened.
Standing under the lantern, she exuded a gentle and affectionate aura.
"Kael."
Hearing Keqing's voice, Kael felt as if he had been abruptly awakened from a dream.
"Oh... hello."
It was the first time he realized how beautiful a gentle Keqing could be.
Keqing gave a faint smile. "What's wrong? Why so formal all of a sudden?"
Kael scratched his head sheepishly. "It's nothing. Let's go."
The two of them walked toward the Jade Chamber, the best place in Liyue to admire the moon. Many people would gather there to enjoy the lanterns and the full moon.
Along the way, Kael couldn't help but glance at Keqing's legs.
Her perfect legs paired with black stockings...
Wait!
What was he thinking? He was acting like a total creep.
What man didn't like black stockings? But ever since switching to sensory mode, he felt even more unable to resist their allure.
[Talent: Black Stockings Fetish passive triggered.]
...
So the system was stacking buffs here.
Keqing didn't notice Kael's odd behavior. She was too busy admiring the lanterns along the road.
Noticing Keqing's curiosity, Kael asked, "Is this your first time seeing the lanterns during the Moonchase Festival?"
"Yes," Keqing admitted openly. "I rarely have the chance to participate in these kinds of activities."
"And... I think these activities are only meaningful when shared with someone special."
Keqing's last sentence was so soft that Kael didn't catch it. "What?"
"Nothing."
Keqing's expression was calm, but her reddened ears betrayed her true feelings.
Soon, they arrived at the Jade Chamber, where the most lanterns were displayed in Liyue.
Many small vendors had set up stalls there today.
Kael noticed Keqing stopping in front of a lantern vendor, her eyes fixed on a small white rabbit-shaped lantern, unable to look away.
"Do you like it?"
"Yes. It's very cute."
Hearing Keqing's response, Kael immediately pulled out his coin purse. "Boss, one rabbit lantern, please."
He handed the lantern to Keqing. "If you like it, take it. Look, all the girls in the square are carrying lanterns. This one suits you."
Keqing carefully took the lantern and looked up, her deep purple eyes gazing deeply at the young man before her.
All the girls in the square had lanterns, so Kael thought she should have one too.
In Kael's eyes, she wasn't the heir to a prominent Liyue family.
She was just an ordinary girl, someone who didn't need to be perfect in everything.
That's why she always felt so at ease around Kael.
She wanted to hold onto this happiness forever.
----
This was Ningguang's first Moonchase Festival since becoming one of the Liyue Qixing.
Her subordinates had organized a grand feast for her, and more people than ever surrounded her.
Though it seemed livelier than before, a sense of emptiness and loneliness filled her heart.
After the feast, for some reason, Ningguang suddenly missed the bowl of Bamboo Shoot Soup Kael used to make for her.
----
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