Chapter 53

"The wind is quite boisterous today, and everyone in Liyue Harbor seems to be living peacefully and contentedly..."

Jiang Ning walked down the street with a candied haw in his hand, looking at the merchants on either side while contemplating.

[So, isn't that good?]

The system asked, puzzled.

"Of course not! It would be better if something happened. Even if it's just a pickpocket or a thief stealing in broad daylight, then I could step in. See, wouldn't that quickly increase my reputation?"

Jiang Ning said.

[...You really are something else, host. So shameless, hoping for incidents to happen around you.]

Jiang Ning sneered, "You're one to talk. Have you met your monthly quota? Starting to slack off? Fine, when next month comes, don't cry and beg me to help you meet your performance metrics."

[I was wrong, brother. I'm sorry.]

The system said.

Jiang Ning snorted, looking left and right. Hmm, patrol complete, nothing to do, so he'll just go... huh?

Since when was there such an elderly person at Yujing Terrace?

And they're... watering flowers?

Jiang Ning was secretly delighted. As a youth who harbored great disrespect and had the small goal of usurping Morax's position, these minor good deeds were just for better concealment.

Therefore, wasn't this another opportunity to gain reputation points through good deeds?

"Elder, what are you doing?" 

Jiang Ning approached and asked with concern.

"Hehe, these Glaze Lilies are blooming so beautifully... They need careful nurturing every day, otherwise, the flowers will lose their original luster and vitality."

The elder's voice was kindly, and they appeared benevolent, looking at Jiang Ning with what seemed to be scrutiny, but for some reason, soon turned to satisfaction.

"Elder, let me help you. This water bucket seems quite heavy."

Jiang Ning offered.

Perfect, quite a few people were looking over now, and those Millelith soldiers' eyes showed approval.

This reputation boost was guaranteed.

Jiang Ning was very satisfied.

The kindly elderly lady said, "Just call me Granny Ping, that's what all the young ones at home call me. Thank you for your help, young man. This bucket is indeed heavy, and these old bones of mine sometimes can't manage it anymore."

"Alright, Granny Ping... Are you working at Yujing Terrace? Are you the gardener who tends to the flowers? How come I haven't seen you before?"

Jiang Ning asked curiously.

Granny Ping said, "I suppose so. Child, you must be new to Liyue Harbor? No wonder you look unfamiliar. I was back home for a while, that's why you haven't seen me."

"I see... Should I put the water bucket here?"

Jiang Ning asked.

"Yes, thank you, child."

Granny Ping said cheerfully.

"Well then, see you next time!"

Jiang Ning said.

"Yes, yes."

Watching Jiang Ning's energetic figure disappear into the distance, Granny Ping's previously clouded eyes suddenly became clear and serene.

She suddenly chuckled and said, "Liuyun, you have good taste..."

Good looks, nice personality, and with Lord Rex Lapis's approval, there shouldn't be any problems with his character.

The age is also suitable, it wouldn't be bad for...

Ah, where are these thoughts going? I must really be getting old, thinking about such things.

Granny Ping shook her head helplessly, picked up the water dipper nearby, and began tending to the flowers.

...

"Senior Sister, I'm here!"

Jiang Ning arrived at Yuehai Pavilion, where Ganyu had already started today's work.

Seeing Jiang Ning enter, Ganyu smiled, "Little Junior Brother, perfect timing. Help me deliver these documents to Xiaoyu."

Jiang Ning said, "Of course, Senior Sister."

Xiaoyu was an office worker at Liyue Harbor's docks, mainly responsible for managing commissions for freelancers or adventurers to complete official requests and receive rewards.

Though there seemed to be competition with the Adventurers' Guild, the Guild's tasks were more dangerous and miscellaneous, while Xiaoyu's tasks were more focused on civilian matters, so the division of work was quite clear.

"Purchasing Glaze Lily seeds and Silk Flower seeds... Oh right, Senior Sister, speaking of this, is Granny Ping at Yujing Terrace our gardener?"

Jiang Ning looked at the documents and asked.

"Granny Ping... you mean Madame Ping? Well, sort of. Why do you ask?"

Ganyu's expression became somewhat strange.

Jiang Ning said, "I just think it's too much for an elderly person to tend to all those flowers alone. Has Yuehai Pavilion's budget become that tight?"

Ganyu fell silent, wondering if her junior brother's kind heart was acting up again.

But Madame Ping... wasn't an ordinary elderly person...

"Well, about Madame Ping, you don't need to worry about her."

Ganyu said.

She felt she should let Jiang Ning know Madame Ping's identity, since they would be seeing each other often anyway.

"Actually, Madame Ping is an adeptus who has taken the form of an elderly person to live in seclusion in Liyue Harbor. Her adeptal name is Streetward Rambler."

"Ah?" Jiang Ning was stunned.

Ganyu explained, "Due to certain circumstances, Madame Ping prefers to live in seclusion in Liyue Harbor, and she has a good relationship with Rex Lapis. Though you should technically call her Senior Martial Aunt, all of Madame Ping's disciples call her Granny Ping, so you should continue calling her that."

"...There really are adepti at every turn in Liyue."

Jiang Ning was surprised but also pleased that he had unknowingly formed a good connection.

"Actually, most adepti live in seclusion in the mountains..." Ganyu said.

"You just happen to interact with them more often."

It was simply because of the circumstances. Since his master was an adeptus, naturally, he would encounter more adepti.

"I see... But who are Madame Ping's disciples?"

Jiang Ning was curious.

"You know one of Madame Ping's disciples - Xiangling, the chef at Wanmin Restaurant."

Ganyu said.

Jiang Ning was surprised: "Xiangling?"

He was quite familiar with Xiangling, as despite having cooking skills himself, he had become too lazy to cook after coming to Liyue Harbor and often ate there.

Or he would have Senior Sister Shenhe cook.

Though she wasn't great at teaching others to cook, they could still communicate about it.

Over time, they had become good friends.

But he never expected that she would also be his... um, senior or junior martial sister?

Ganyu continued, "There are two others you haven't met - the younger Yaoyao, and Yanfei, who is also a half-illuminated beast. I can introduce you to them when there's a chance."

"I see..."

Jiang Ning then realized something seemed off.

"Wait, Senior Sister, am I the only male disciple in this batch?"

Ganyu was startled, then her expression also became strange. Come to think of it, that was true?