Genshin Impact: My villain system is a little different.

Over the past few days, Jiang Ning had been regularly picking up Keqing after work, a routine he suspected was no accident. 

After subtly probing Shenhe, he confirmed that his other wives had intentionally orchestrated this. 

Despite being part of the family, Keqing's relationship progress had been slow. 

Given her sharp and commanding demeanor in public as the Yuheng Star of Liyue, she often projected an air of untouchable competence. 

However, at home, she was much easier to tease. Recognizing this, Ningguang decided to lend Keqing a hand—after all, a family was only complete when everyone was on the same page. 

It was a testament to Ningguang's skill in orchestrating harmony within her vast household. 

Of course, when it came to the Raiden Shogun group or the Adeptus group, even Ningguang didn't dare meddle. The women in those circles were far too astute to be swayed easily. 

Little did Ningguang know, Raiden Ei was already being sweetly manipulated by Kitsune Saiguu, much to everyone's amusement. 

---

That evening, Jiang Ning once again arrived at Yuheng Pavilion, receiving warm greetings from the staff and passersby. 

"Jiang Ning, here to pick up Lady Keqing again?" 

"You two make such a lovely couple. Wishing you happiness!" 

Jiang Ning responded with polite smiles and small nods before arriving at Keqing's office. 

"Off work now, my dear Yuheng Star," Jiang Ning announced with a playful knock before pushing the door open. 

"Just finishing this document…" Keqing didn't even look up, but her pen flew across the page faster than usual. Moments later, she completed the day's final task. 

As they strolled through the streets of Liyue, Keqing furrowed her brows. "It's strange… I used to think that not working overtime would mean falling behind, but my efficiency seems to have improved a lot lately." 

Jiang Ning chuckled. "Oh? Isn't it you who's always preaching about the importance of work-life balance? Looks like you weren't following your own advice." 

Keqing looked away, slightly embarrassed. "I may have been moving too fast before. Sorry about that." 

Now that she had slowed her pace, Keqing noticed that her team worked more cohesively, with smiles replacing the usual tension. Even her secretaries seemed happier and more productive. 

She turned to Jiang Ning, her gaze firm. "But you're quite something yourself—convincing me and Ganyu not to work overtime anymore." 

Jiang Ning smirked. "Overtime isn't a badge of honor. If a job meant for five people is forced onto three, it's not efficiency—it's exploitation." 

Keqing sighed. "Alright, alright, I'll pay more attention from now on…" 

"By the way, isn't the Tianshu Star about to be replaced?" Jiang Ning asked. "I've looked into the candidates, but none of them seem particularly outstanding." 

Keqing frowned. "Really? I thought Zhi Yi had potential. He's a bit impulsive but capable and well-meaning. With some mentoring, he could mature into the role." 

Jiang Ning's expression darkened slightly. He recalled a recent encounter with Zhi Yi, where he'd spotted him wandering unguarded near an area frequented by Fatui operatives. It didn't sit right with him. 

"Zhi Yi, huh…" Jiang Ning muttered. 

Keqing tilted her head. "Why? Is something wrong with him?" 

Jiang Ning leaned in slightly. "Let's just say you should keep an eye on his activities. Background checks and political vetting should be thorough." 

Keqing's eyes widened in realization. "So that's why Ningguang had Yelan investigate him… I didn't think much of it at first." 

"Yelan?" Jiang Ning asked, intrigued. 

Keqing explained, "She's the head of the Wangsheng Teahouse. She handles intelligence for Liyue but isn't directly under the Qixing. Instead, she works as a trusted ally of Ningguang." 

"If she's that capable, why not recommend her as the next Tianshu Star?" Jiang Ning asked. 

Keqing laughed. "She'd never agree. She prefers being on the frontlines, chasing danger and excitement. Sitting in an office would be unbearable for her." 

"Chasing danger, huh? Sounds like quite the thrill-seeker," Jiang Ning mused. 

"She is," Keqing confirmed. "Her own words were, 'If I die out there one day, it'll just be the end of a story worth telling.' Becoming a Qixing would tie her down too much." 

"I see," Jiang Ning replied thoughtfully. 

---

After a moment of silence, Keqing hesitated before speaking. "By the way… there's something else." 

"What is it?" Jiang Ning asked. 

Keqing's cheeks turned pink as she muttered, "We're not having dinner at home tonight." 

Jiang Ning blinked in confusion. "You're not? Where are you going?" 

Keqing corrected him, flustered. "Not just me—we're not. I already told Ningguang and the others that the two of us wouldn't be back tonight." 

Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Well, well, Yuheng Star. I didn't think you had such bold ideas, inviting me for a night away from home. What's the plan?" 

Keqing froze before glaring at him, her face bright red. "What are you thinking?! I meant my parents want me to visit since it's been so long. They also want to… meet the next Rex Lapis." 

"Oh," Jiang Ning said, finally understanding. With a mischievous grin, he added, "Shouldn't it be me visiting my future in-laws? Let's go together." 

"What in-laws? Don't get ahead of yourself," Keqing muttered, though she couldn't hide the shy smile tugging at her lips. 

Jiang Ning chuckled, pulling her into his arms. "You think you can escape me? Not a chance." 

Keqing playfully pushed him away, her forehead resting against his. As the sun set, their shadows intertwined, stretching far down the cobblestone path. 

.......

Keqing, despite being one of the esteemed Qixing, hailed from a prominent business family. After all, how many of the Qixing throughout history truly ascended to their positions solely by their own merit, without familial or external support?

That evening, when Jiang Ning arrived, Keqing's father and mother were overjoyed. As devoted followers of the Geo Archon, having the next Geo Archon as their son-in-law was beyond their wildest dreams. This wasn't just their ancestral graves emitting auspicious smoke—it was as if the entire ancestral plot had burst into a roaring blaze of fortune. 

Keqing's father even quipped that their family tree might need an entire page dedicated to Keqing alone now. The pride was palpable. 

"Lord Jiang Ning, come in, come in! You've had a long journey. Would you like something to drink or eat?" Keqing's father greeted him warmly. 

"Uh, anything is fine..." Jiang Ning replied awkwardly, sweat forming on his brow as he faced the overly enthusiastic Keqing's parents. Being addressed as "Lord" by his in-laws felt unsettling. 

"Dad! Mom! Stop being so extra. He's your son-in-law, not your superior!" Keqing protested, clearly exasperated by her parents' antics. 

Her father, however, was adamant. "What's wrong with being extra? Go, fetch some water!" 

Keqing, dumbfounded, pointed to herself, incredulous. "Are you sure I'm your biological daughter?" 

Amidst her parents' exuberance, Jiang Ning was ushered into the house. Just when he thought it couldn't get any more awkward, he stepped inside to find a swarm of relatives—grand aunts, distant cousins, you name it—all eagerly awaiting his arrival. 

They were all curious to see what kind of man could win over Keqing, the notorious workaholic. But upon seeing Jiang Ning, some of Keqing's cousins patted her shoulder, sighed meaningfully, and even suggested introducing him to Yanfei if things didn't work out. 

"Here's a joke," thought Jiang Ning wryly. "If I ever dated Nahida, she'd be the one arrested." 

Keqing, though puzzled by her relatives' cryptic remarks, quickly stepped in to rescue Jiang Ning from the overwhelming crowd. After some effort, she managed to fend off the throng and whisked him away to the backyard. 

Jiang Ning let out a sigh of relief. "This should be safe, right?" 

"Yeah... I didn't expect them to be this enthusiastic," Keqing admitted. 

Jiang Ning glanced back toward the front hall. "So, all those people are...?" 

"They're relatives who watched me grow up," Keqing explained. "Our family, unlike some other merchant clans, places great emphasis on relationships. We stay in close contact, even before my parents and I took charge or I became the Yuheng. It's always been this way." 

"That's something to envy," Jiang Ning remarked. 

"It's heartwarming most of the time, with the lively, familial atmosphere. But during holidays or when someone brings their partner home, it can get terrifying..." Keqing shivered at the thought. 

"Not to mention," she continued, "what you just went through was mild because of your status as a god. They didn't dare go overboard. If it were me, I'd be surrounded, bombarded with 'I held you when you were little!' or left trying to match faces to names while completely clueless about who's who." 

"You don't have to say more; I can imagine it," Jiang Ning replied, a look of dread crossing his face. The legendary force of extended family gatherings—seven aunts and eight grandaunts—was enough to stir childhood trauma in anyone. 

"Let's just sit here for a bit and wait until dinner is ready," Keqing suggested. 

"Sounds good..." Jiang Ning had no desire to face the crowd again. 

"This spot," Keqing said, "was my sanctuary when I was a child, a place I'd come to relax when things got overwhelming. It's so serene here. Look, there's even a bamboo grove." 

Following her gesture, Jiang Ning nodded in agreement. "You're right. The sound of insects chirping, the wind rustling through the bamboo—it's really calming." 

"By the way, my parents are like a couple of mischievous kids. Among the younger family members, they're quite popular. Of course, they can still command respect and authority when needed," Keqing said, clearly opening up now that they were back home. 

"I used to spend all my time practicing swordsmanship and working on Liyue's development. My parents worried I might never get married," she confessed. "Thankfully, Ningguang, who's older and also single, took some of the pressure off me." 

"Though we've had our disagreements at work, I genuinely admire her... I just never imagined, not in a million years, that one day I'd be sharing a husband with her." 

Keqing, feeling a twinge of jealousy, pinched Jiang Ning's side lightly and added, "You really lucked out." 

Feigning pain, Jiang Ning replied, "Yes, yes, thank you for your favor, Miss Keqing." 

Keqing closed her eyes, leaning against Jiang Ning. In a soft voice, she said, "Still, having someone to rely on... doesn't feel so bad." 

"If it weren't for you, I might've taken a lot more wrong turns," she admitted. 

"Maybe. But at least the outcome is good, right? Liyue is thriving, and you've found time to enjoy life," Jiang Ning said. 

Keqing chuckled. "You make me sound like a tireless work machine." 

"Aren't you? What was your nickname at Yuehai Pavilion again? The King of Overtime, the Workaholic Supreme. You were even compared to Senior Ganyu as one of the two great workaholics." 

"Was it really that bad? And speaking of Ganyu, why do you still call her 'Senior' when we're all together now?" Keqing asked curiously. 

Jiang Ning paused, then said with a smirk, "In certain situations, doesn't it add a bit of excitement?" 

Realizing his implication, Keqing's gaze turned icy, full of disdain. 

Jiang Ning, unfazed, began to ponder. If Keqing were to step on him with those silk-clad feet of hers while giving him that expression... 

That, he thought, would be the ultimate move.

----

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