Chapter 55

"Thank you so much, little Jiang Ning," Grandma Ping said with a cheerful smile.

"No need to thank me, Grandma. This is what a junior should do," Jiang Ning replied.

"Now that I have the seeds, this old lady can continue her work," Grandma Ping said.

Jiang Ning stood nearby, curious: "Grandma, why do you like planting flowers here?"

"For an old lady like me, gardening is one of the few things that can calm my heart. Besides, the Glaze Lilies... they're flowers that help me remember someone from the past."

"Someone from the past? Is there a story behind this?"

Grandma Ping's eyes flickered with reminiscence.

"Ah, the Glaze Lilies... Indeed, there is a story. According to folklore, these are ancient flowers that once covered the lands of Liyue, capable of accumulating the earth's memories into fragrance during their blooming season."

"But in truth, they were simply the favorite flowers of someone I once knew, carefully cultivated by that person."

"That's why these flowers are particularly fond of human songs... just like she used to be."

"Sadly, that person can never see these blooming flowers again. The wind blows, dust settles, ashes to ashes, dust to dust – it's all in the past now."

Although she spoke with a calm, storytelling tone, Jiang Ning noticed that Grandma Ping's eyes seemed to grow moist.

Could it be? Do even adepti and gods cry?

Jiang Ning thought he must have been mistaken.

Grandma Ping smiled and shook her head: "I'm getting old, just rambling about this and that..."

Jiang Ning quickly said: "It's fine! I love hearing these stories. If you want to share more, Grandma, I'm all ears."

"You child... Now I understand why Ganyu dotes on you so much. You really know how to speak well. You remind me of my youngest disciple – obedient and reliable... If only Xiangling and Yanfei were as sensible as you."

"I know Xiangling, I often go to eat at her place... but I haven't met Yanfei and Yaoyao."

"Yaoyao is young, she mostly stays at home, though she comes to visit this old lady from time to time. As for Yanfei, she's busy... which is good, being busy."

Grandma Ping mumbled.

"You should all get to know each other better in the future. Your master and I are good friends, and my disciples and you are all juniors under Rex Lapis. Going by the time of entering discipleship, Xiangling and Yanfei would be your senior sisters, and Yaoyao your junior sister."

Jiang Ning nodded, gaining a basic understanding of his senior and junior martial sisters.

"Grandma!"

Just then, a clear voice rang out. Jiang Ning looked over to see a pink-haired young woman running toward them from afar.

The young woman's attire was rather bold, with clothes that appeared to have been tailored to reveal her slender waist and fair thighs. She wore what looked like a lawyer's hat, but what caught Jiang Ning's attention wasn't any of these things.

Her figure... was even more impressive than Senior Sister Shenhe's, and even Senior Sister Ganyu couldn't compare.

Only slightly better than Hu Tao's.

What Jiang Ning noticed most were the two... well, scallion-like ornaments on her head.

Two scallions stuck on her head?

Jiang Ning held back his laughter.

No, he couldn't think about it that way – the more he did, the more familiar it felt.

"We were just talking about her... Running around so frantically, what kind of behavior is that? What made you decide to visit this old lady today?" 

Though Grandma Ping's words were scolding, her concern was evident.

"Hehe, I just missed you, Grandma! Plus, I'm going on a long journey in the next few days, so I came to report in. Since Mom and Dad left me in your care, I should let you know, right?"

The young woman said, hands on her hips.

"You... Be careful on your journey. But perfect timing – let me introduce someone. Jiang Ning, come meet Yanfei."

Grandma Ping said.

Yanfei finally noticed Jiang Ning, and her eyes lit up.

Oh, this young man looks quite handsome, and his fashion sense is good too, though his clothes look similar to Sister Ganyu's style.

"Who is this?" Yanfei asked.

Grandma Ping said: "Cloud Retainer's new disciple, the youngest of your batch except for Yaoyao – Jiang Ning."

"Oh, I remember now! You're that white mascot from Yuehai Pavilion? Ganyu's little junior brother, which makes you my junior brother too, right?"

Yanfei's words made Jiang Ning pause. What? White mascot?

Wait, in all of Yuehai Pavilion, besides the few well-known names, who could match his fighting ability? He was a mascot?

"Yanfei, child..." Grandma Ping said helplessly.

Jiang Ning wasn't bothered and simply said politely: "Hello, Senior Sister Yanfei."

[Host, the person before you is also a half-illuminated beast.] 

The system spoke up.

Hm? Half-illuminated beast? So those two scallions weren't decorations?

Jiang Ning couldn't help but look at the two scallions again.

Indeed, upon closer inspection, he noticed she wasn't entirely human...

Getting closer, he could see scales on her hand and waist.

Seeming to notice Jiang Ning's gaze, Yanfei said: "Hehe, nice to meet you, little junior brother. I'm Yanfei, and these aren't accessories – they're inherited from my parents."

"Little Yanfei's father was an illuminated beast called Xiezhi who once followed Rex Lapis, and her mother was a merchant from Liyue Harbor. They're now traveling the world, so they left little Yanfei in my care."

Grandma Ping explained.

"I see..." Jiang Ning understood.

Yanfei smiled: "Since you've called me Senior Sister, I should give you a welcome gift... Here's my business card. Not to brag, but I'm the best legal consultant in Liyue Harbor. If you ever need anything, just ask – Senior Sister will help you for free!"

"Thank you, Senior Sister," Jiang Ning said.

Yanfei's smile grew wider.

Those younger than her, like Xiangling, just called her Yanfei directly. Only Yaoyao called her Senior Sister, but she had always wanted a junior brother!

Just like how men want sweet junior sisters following them around calling them Senior Brother, Yanfei wanted a cute and obedient junior brother following her and calling her Senior Sister.

Now, her dream had come true.

The more Yanfei looked at Jiang Ning, the more she liked him, and she had heard nothing but good things about him.

"By the way, child, where are you going this time?" Grandma Ping asked.

Yanfei quickly replied: "Dornman Port."