Beware of Liyue Women (Genshin Impact)

Ganyu walked to the wall, pointed to a display case, and said, "Flowers fade easily, so I took measures to preserve this one. I hope you don't mind."

A flower? So the gift I gave her back then is still here?

Qin Yu curiously examined the case. Inside was a blue flower, pressed and mounted as a specimen, looking as if it had been plucked from some ordinary garden.

Though pleasant enough, it was clear at a glance that it wasn't a rare or valuable variety.

Is this what I gave her as a child?

A wave of embarrassment washed over her. Of course, a child couldn't give anything valuable, but knowing that something so insignificant she had once given was now treasured by someone else...

It was a complicated story, too complex to put into words.

Yet, simply looking at the display seemed to trigger something within Qin Yu. Lost in thought, fragments of memories deep within her mind reached out like grasping hands, tugging at her consciousness.

In a daze, she began to recall the events of that day.

Ganyu watched Qin Yu standing motionless, her gaze fixed on the flowers in the display case. She assumed Qin Yu was lost in reminiscence. There's probably no need to interrupt her, she thought.

For me, that day was special, filled with a special gift. But for her, it must have been just another ordinary day, nothing out of the ordinary.

Memories are interconnected—one thought leading to another. But it really wasn't anything particularly significant.

-

As Ganyu considered this, scenes from that distant day resurfaced in her mind as well.

It was a twilight evening, more than a decade ago.

As dusk deepened, Ganyu walked alone down the street, moving against the flow of the crowd, her mind wandering over the day's events.

It wasn't anything particularly major... though perhaps that wasn't quite accurate.

In essence, her colleagues were being replaced.

The secretaries of Yuehai Pavilion typically served for many years, taking pride in contributing to Liyue and assisting the Qixing. However, while their spirits remained youthful, their aging bodies struggled to endure the demands of their rigorous work.

One by one, new faces began to appear in Ganyu's field of vision.

Having devoted herself entirely to her work, Ganyu only now realized, upon seeing the fresh-faced secretaries, how many years had passed in the mortal world.

As a being with both Adeptus Beast and human blood, Ganyu possessed extraordinary longevity and an ageless appearance. Her perception of time naturally differed from that of ordinary people.

Moreover, her daily immersion in administrative affairs across various departments further dulled her awareness of time's passage.

Only major changes in the people or things around her, or significant shifts in the data she processed, could jolt Ganyu back to reality and make her realize that several more years had passed.

Logically, she should have grown accustomed to this by now, immune to such emotional turbulence.

Yet a persistent question, one that had plagued her since she first became aware of the relentless passage of time, resurfaced:

Do I truly belong in this human world?

She was a half-adeptus—neither fully human nor fully Adeptus, but caught between the two in an awkward position.

No, perhaps it's just my own wavering heart, Ganyu thought.

After all, from another perspective, wasn't a "half-human" still human, and a "half-adeptus" still Adeptus? Though only half... Wait, perhaps that very incompleteness was the problem?

Ganyu let out a soft sigh at this realization.

She felt unchanged, as if this question had tormented her for countless years.

If she hadn't truly integrated, could she ever fully immerse herself in human life?

Perhaps because she finally had a rare moment of rest today, Ganyu couldn't help but let her mind wander aimlessly.

Sitting on a bench near the harbor, she watched the sunset and sighed again.

"Hmm?"

"Huh?"

Hearing an unfamiliar voice, Ganyu turned to see a little girl with long hair staring at her.

The girl was adorable, carrying a basket overflowing with colorful flowers, none of particularly rare varieties.

"Big Sister, what are you doing?"

The sudden question startled Ganyu. "Me? I'm just..."

I also want to know, she thought, sighing again.

"Just enjoying the view," Ganyu replied gently. "What about you? Shouldn't you be home by now?"

The girl shook her head. "Not yet."

"Why not?"

"I haven't finished preparing the flowers."

"Are they for your family?" Ganyu asked curiously.

"Mhm! They're for my teacher and Keqing."

Keqing? Ah... from that family. Ganyu had a vague recollection. She'd never seen this girl before; she couldn't be Keqing's sister... A friend, then?

Still, that "Teacher..." title bothered her. Perhaps the girl's family situation was complicated.

Ganyu glanced up at the sky. Night had fallen, but the streetlights wouldn't come on for a little while yet.

"Aren't you afraid of the dark?"

"Not at all!" The girl shook her head vigorously, her long, silky hair swaying gently.

Then, she blinked her amber eyes and asked, "Big Sister, why do you always sigh?"

"Ah... well..."

Since she's just a child, it probably wouldn't hurt to explain. After all, I can't confide in anyone else—it would only worry them.

Ganyu rubbed her neck and gave a wry smile. "I just don't know if I truly belong in this world..."

She figured this would confuse the girl.

But to her surprise, the girl seemed to understand perfectly. "Oh—so you mean you can't make friends, Big Sister?"

Her words cut like a knife. This child is no ordinary girl...

"Not exactly... but... maybe in a way?"

In some sense, we do have something in common, right? Even I'm starting to lose track.

"Why can't you make friends, Big Sister?"

Only a child would ask such a blunt question, Ganyu thought, feeling no resentment. The girl seemed genuinely concerned.

"Perhaps... because I'm not fully human."

In truth, while living among humans, Ganyu sometimes struggled to comprehend their thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. The things humans clung to so fiercely, even obsessively, often seemed unnecessary to her.

Humans yearned to rise above others, striving for extraordinary lives to prove their worth. But wasn't simply existing in this world already beautiful enough?

Ganyu wondered if this fundamental difference in perspective was why she still doubted whether she truly belonged in human society. The thought brought another soft sigh.

"Hmm, I don't quite understand," the girl admitted. "I don't feel like I can help you."

Ganyu smiled. "Just listening to me is more than enough. Thank you."

The girl pursed her lips, her face momentarily drawn into a thoughtful frown, then fell silent, as if deep in thought.

Her expression was surprisingly expressive.

"Got it," she said.

She lowered her head, carefully selecting a blue flower from the basket and offering it to Ganyu.

Ganyu was taken aback. She pointed to herself and asked, "This... is for me?"

"Mm-hmm."

"Why?" Ganyu couldn't help but ask, even though she knew the question was a bit presumptuous.

The girl simply smiled, offering no explanation. This composed response made Ganyu sense a maturity beyond her years, likely a result of an excellent upbringing.

"Are you sure I can accept it?"

It wasn't a rare or valuable flower, but Ganyu knew it must hold special meaning for the child. Could she really accept a gift meant for her family or friends?

"Mm-hmm," the girl nodded gently, her face showing no reluctance.

Ganyu carefully took the flower, wondering what she should say. But no words came to mind.

A flicker of anxiety crossed Ganyu's face before she finally spoke.

"My name is Ganyu. What's yours?"

"Qin Yu!"

She hadn't expected they would share a character in their names.

Ganyu gazed at the flower she held delicately, then heard Qin Yu say with a radiant smile, "This is for you! You have to cheer up, Sister Ganyu!"

Ganyu's eyes widened slightly before a genuine smile blossomed on her face.

The child's pure kindness seemed to transform into a warm current, leaving Ganyu with a profound sense of contentment, as if her heart had been nourished.

All her earlier negative emotions vanished completely.

Whether she truly belonged in the human world remained uncertain, her heart still swaying like a pendulum. But in this moment, in this place, she felt accepted.

Returning Qin Yu's smile, Ganyu gently patted the child's head. "Thank you."

I'll never forget this day, Ganyu thought.

Ganyu blinked, shaking off her thoughts. For her, that day had been special. Objectively speaking, though, it probably hadn't been all that remarkable.

Even so, she felt deeply grateful to Qin Yu.

The mere thought of it warmed her heart, and she couldn't help but wonder if she was truly starting to integrate into human society. Whether that was just wishful thinking, she couldn't be sure.

Regardless, she cherished that chance encounter. Though their meeting had been brief, it held significant meaning for her.

It was their subsequent reunion that...

Ganyu sighed inwardly. It was best not to dwell on that day.

"Do you remember now?"

Qin Yu seemed to awaken from a daze, stammering, "Ah... um, yes, I think I do."

Mostly.

How she had met Ganyu, their conversation afterward, what they had done together—she remembered almost everything. She hadn't expected to recall so much.

But one crucial detail eluded her.

"Mm-hmm! To give to the teacher and..." At that time, she was certain she had mentioned another person's name.

But she couldn't remember who it was.

Who could it have been? It must have been my childhood playmate... Qin Yu felt a faint headache coming on.

"What's wrong?" Ganyu asked.

Did Ganyu still remember who I said I wanted to give the flowers to back then?

On a whim, Qin Yu decided to test the waters. "That day... did I mention who I was going to give the flowers to?"

She's asking that question now... Ganyu hesitated for a moment before feigning casualness. "You said you were going to give them to your teacher."

"Right, right! But was there anyone else? I feel like there was someone else..."

"Oh, was there? Was there really?" Ganyu pretended not to know.

She couldn't give the correct answer because of a promise she had made. But a flat denial might arouse Qin Yu's suspicions, so she had to be vague.

Did Ganyu really not remember? Or was my own memory playing tricks on me?

Qin Yu didn't know the truth. The more she pondered it, the more her head ached, so she decided to drop it for now.

She continued searching her memories, trying to find any recollection of meeting Ganyu again after that day.

But there was nothing. Absolutely nothing.

"Um... was that the only time we ever met?" Qin Yu asked earnestly.

"Yes, but even though it was just a brief encounter, I'm still very grateful for it."

So it really was just a single meeting.

A wave of disappointment washed over Qin Yu. They had only met once.

Qin Yu had imagined Ganyu as someone like the neighborhood big sister.

It sounded like wishful thinking, but if it were true, at least she would still have a "before." Even though her family and childhood friends were gone, she would still have someone to share her past with.

But after indulging in her own hopes, she was inevitably disappointed. It had only been a brief encounter. All she truly possessed was the present.

"Ahaha, I didn't really do anything special..." Qin Yu said.

Ganyu shook her head earnestly. "No, that meeting held extraordinary significance for me."

Even if you say so... Qin Yu thought, twisting a strand of her hair. I just gave her a flower and a few encouraging words.

She couldn't understand it. Ganyu had not only preserved that insignificant flower as a specimen but had also remembered that fleeting moment for over a decade.

But in this situation, there was nothing else to say.

"I see. Thank you. I'm also very happy to see you again, Miss Ganyu. I never imagined we'd cross paths again after all these years," Qin Yu said with a smile.

Ganyu nodded happily, her joy genuine. "Yes."

Evaluation: C+

"However..."

Ganyu suddenly began to speak, then just as abruptly stopped. Her hesitant demeanor and the way she seemed to look away while secretly glancing at Qin Yu made Qin Yu uneasy.

"But...?" Qin Yu prompted.

For some reason, Qin Yu felt like she'd taken the bait.

Ganyu pressed a hand to her chest, exhaled deeply, and nodded softly, as if she'd made up her mind. Qin Yu sensed trouble.

"Actually, I don't mind... if you call me 'Sister Ganyu'..."

While being addressed that way was a little embarrassing, it was far better than the formal "Miss Ganyu." Besides, Qin Yu couldn't deny the thought of Qin Yu calling her "Sister Ganyu" with the same radiant smile she'd had as a child.

Qin Yu's smile turned strained.

You might not mind, but I do! Isn't it obvious why I don't call you that anymore?