He changed Tiwat

According to Ningguang, the Sweet Pomfret is the most "contract-abiding" fish on Teyvat—they adhere to the doctrine of absolute fairness, treating all sweetness equally and never rejecting any sweetness just because it might be bait. As long as you're willing to put bait on the hook, they'll take it.

Han Fulai had just finished lighting the fire when Ningguang slapped a lively medaka into his face from the water. Han Fulai frantically tried to catch the medaka, but Ningguang was already searching for her next prey.

In less than fifteen minutes, Ningguang had caught five killifish. These lively little killifish have pale yellow scales and are named for their beautiful, petal-shaped tails. Han Fulai's hands were naturally not enough to hold so many fish, so he had to take off his expensive tuxedo coat and use it as a fish net—luckily, there was a campfire, so he could dry his clothes in a while.

Ningguang's fishing efficiency is so high that even active fishermen might not be able to match it. Han Fulai sincerely expressed his admiration for Ningguang's fishing skills: "If you had been born ten or twenty years earlier, the fishing king of Liyue might not be Uncle Tian."

Ningguang simply smiled faintly at this: "When I was a child, if I couldn't catch fish, I wouldn't earn money. If I didn't earn money in the morning, I wouldn't have anything to eat at noon. I guess that's when my obsession with Mora was formed."

"When it comes to catching fish, there are actually some tricks to it. Many people fail to catch fish because they haven't found the right spot for them. When light enters the water, it refracts, and what our eyes see is actually the shadow of the fish. The real fish is hiding further down in the shadow. Moreover, fish often swim with the direction of the water flow. As long as you figure out the direction of the water flow and find the right spot, you can make the fish swim into your hand."

Ningguang generously shared her fish-catching tips with Han Fulai.

"How many Mora is this 'Master of Slacking Off' worth?" Han Fulai asked with a smile.

“Worth five crabs.” Ningguang proudly raised her head. “This secret is something I learned when I was a child. I picked up five crabs on the beach and traded them with an old fisherman nearby.”

Ningguang returned to the shore and showed Han Fulai her grilled fish skills.

She pulled out several tools from her divine eye, such as a knife, skewers, and a small brush, and cleaned the sweet medaka, removing their internal organs. She then took out cooking oil, butter, salt, pepper, and other seasonings, rubbed them evenly on the fish, skewered them, and placed them in the fire. She hummed a tune that sounded like a fisherman's song as she began to roast the sweet medaka.

Han Fulai could only stare dumbfounded at Ningguang's actions—Ningguang, wasn't your acting a bit too exaggerated when you were being coquettish and sulking with me just now? And you even brought a whole set of grilling fish tools with you, you were planning to grill fish from the very beginning, weren't you!

"After simple preparation, grilling the fish like this actually doesn't require much seasoning and it tastes great. Hmm... I deliberately grilled it a little charred, but that's not a failure, it's just my personal taste. Normally, if I want to taste this flavor, I have to specifically tell the chef."

Ningguang wiped the thin layer of sweat from her temples, which had been dampened by the campfire, and handed the grilled fish to Han Fulai.

"I heard Keqing say that she made you a grilled fish on the way you went to Mount Aozang to visit the immortals. Try it and see which one is better, mine or hers?"

Han Fulai didn't stand on ceremony, took the grilled fish, and took a big bite.

Sweet-smelling medaka have a sweet tooth, and their flesh naturally possesses a sweet aroma. Ningguang's grilling technique was perfect; the skin was crispy, the flesh tender, and paired with her carefully applied butter and other seasonings, the fish's oils filled the mouth, creating a unique and delightful flavor. Just as Ningguang herself said, her grilling skills far surpassed those of most chefs. Even if this grilled fish were sold at Xinyuexuan Restaurant, it would undoubtedly be a bestseller.

Keqing's "Survival Grilled Fish" was made using the precise manipulation of lightning elemental power to fry the fish thoroughly inside and out, making it more like fried fish than grilled fish. Moreover, Keqing's seasoning was not as meticulous as Ningguang's—of course, it was a "survival" creation after all, and who would bring a full set of cooking utensils and seasonings when surviving a "survival" situation?

However, Han Fulai also believes that if Keqing were given a fully equipped kitchen to compete fairly, her skills might not be inferior to Ningguang's.

If Keqing were present, Han Fulai would certainly have replied that the two masters' skills were equally adept and it was difficult to say which was better. But since Keqing wasn't there...

"Of course, Ningguang's cooking is the best!"

Han Fulai gave a thumbs up and began to praise Ningguang's craftsmanship without hesitation.

Ningguang covered her mouth and laughed, seemingly quite pleased.

"With your words, all my efforts have been worthwhile. Actually, Xiao Han, you've probably figured it out, one of the reasons I arranged this vacation today is to treat you to this grilled fish and reminisce about the old days."

Han Fulai tacitly accepted Ningguang's statement, after all, Ningguang had never concealed her intentions.

"Although it might sound a bit... sentimental to say this, I still have to say that it is the process of accumulating wealth bit by bit from nothing that excites me more than the extravagance I have now.

"Although that period was tough, I had clear goals and plenty of motivation every day. I want to relive that time and rekindle my past passion."

Ningguang picked up a grilled fish and examined it closely by the campfire, as if trying to find a scene from the past in the grilled fish.

“Back then, after finishing work, I would rush home to do housework, and in the evening I would help my family set up a stall. I did the odd jobs cleanly and efficiently, and my mother often praised me. Because of this, when I planned to leave home to start my own business, my mother thought it was fine for me to continue helping the family with fishing and setting up a stall, so why take the risk?”

“If that were the case, there wouldn’t be a Tianquan Star as we know it today, would there?” Han Fulai interjected.

“Hehe.” Ningguang narrowed her eyes and revealed a playful smile. “Then you might see me pushing a cart and selling grilled tiger fish next to Wanmintang. Hmm, I’ll also take over Kuai Dao Chen’s shop.”

Chen, who comes from the Guhua School, is the best grilled fish chef at Chihuyan—provided that Ningguang and Keqing, the two grilled fish experts, don't steal his business.

“My childhood memories have had a profound impact on me, and I have a special feeling for fish. They are confined by water, yet free, swimming around and never stopping. When I was a child, I thought that humans and fish seem to be no different. In this world, we seem free, yet we are confined by this world, and ultimately... we are still ‘finite things,’ trapped in ‘limitations’.”

Ningguang gazed at the sky, which was now completely dark. But above Liyue Harbor, as far as she could see, hung a magnificent golden building that seemed to rival the moon in its brilliance—that was her Jade Pavilion.

“Life is finite, and life itself is a limited thing. But it is precisely because of this that the pursuit of the infinite is what makes Sister Ningguang even more excited, right?” Han Fulai recalled Ningguang’s previous words about “infinity”.

"Little Han, do you know why I built the Jade Pavilion?" Ningguang suddenly asked.

"Well, because it symbolizes your authority and charisma, the smooth operation of the 'Condensing Light Merchant Guild,' and your wealth," Han Fulai said, uttering the standard answer that every Liyue resident knew.

“Not entirely.” Ningguang shook her head gently. “I built Jade Pavilion because it is almost ‘infinite.’ As long as my wealth can support it, it can continue to expand… It can already obscure the true silver moon over Liyue Harbor, and one day, I want its shadow to cover the Seven Kingdoms.”

It's clearly unlikely that the Jade Pavilion could be built to encompass all seven kingdoms, but it does represent Ningguang's attitude towards pursuing the "infinite." Han Fulai felt that there was nothing he could interfere with regarding this kind of philosophy of life, nor did he feel he had the right to judge Ningguang's ideals.

But Ningguang's next words shocked him so much that he almost dropped the grilled fish in his hand.

"Xiao Han, you are also one of the 'infinitesimals' I want to pursue."

Chapter Sixty-Two: I Want a Child

"...Sister Ningguang is joking." Han Fulai forced a smile.

Ningguang's words were to him nothing less than "The only heroes in the world are you, my lord, and Cao Cao." This isn't a discussion of heroes over plum wine; we're holding grilled fish in our hands!

As everyone knows, besides Mora, Ningguang values ​​the Jade Pavilion the most.

The effort she poured into the Jade Pavilion could be described as a lifelong pursuit. And now Ningguang is actually comparing him to the Jade Pavilion.

What do you mean by "you are one of the infinite things I pursue"?! Don't misuse rhetoric! This sounds more like a confession!

“I’m very serious.” Ningguang said calmly, “I see ‘infinite’ possibilities in you.”

Han Fulai paused for a moment, then replied, "Everyone has unlimited potential."

“But your ‘special’ potential fascinates me. Just like I told you in the Glass Pavilion, I will invest in you until you grow up.”

Ningguang's eyes were serious.

Han Fulai also breathed a sigh of relief.

In truth, Ningguang was already well aware of the favors she had done for him. From the moment the Liyue civil service exams began, she had already shown him goodwill. As Liyue's intelligence hub, it was understandable that Ningguang had investigated him; it would have been strange if she hadn't been able to uncover Han Fulai's background. His identity as a transmigrator was hardly a secret to Ningguang.

Ningguang's phrase "a special possibility" is hinting at this point.

The silent battle at the Qingxu Pool ruins was the first time he and Ningguang had disagreed. Although he had sincerely explained things to Ningguang, he was still worried that she might harbor some resentment. Right now, Liyue's "wealth and military strength" depended entirely on Ningguang, and opposing her at this point would undoubtedly be unwise.

Ningguang invited him to spend the day with her today, essentially to mend their relationship.

He naturally had to accept this kind offer.

Han Fulai smiled and said, "Then... thank you for your kind words, Sister Ningguang."

After enjoying the delicious grilled fish dinner, Ningguang and Han Fulai cleaned up the cooking utensils and sat side by side by the campfire.

Han Fulai was drying his coat, while Ningguang looked languidly at the flickering campfire, lost in thought.

"Sister Ningguang, did you enjoy your trip today?" Han Fulai asked casually.

“Of course.” Ningguang nodded with a smile, “Because I’m with you.”

"Huh? Is there anything special about being with me?" Han Fulai asked curiously.

“With you, I can be my 'true self',” Ningguang replied. “Do you remember what I said to Xingxi at 'Star Studio' today?”

“‘That Ningguang must be plotting something…’” Han Fulai repeated in a low voice what he had heard earlier that day.

“When I commissioned Xingxi to make the pieces for ‘Liyue Millennium,’ Xingxi would also think, ‘Why would Ningguang do business that doesn’t make money? There must be something she’s up to.’” Ningguang smiled. “Everyone believes that ‘no matter what Ningguang does, there’s always a scheme behind it.’”

“But actually, ‘that Ningguang’ also has a childhood, memories, she cries and laughs, she’s also a person,” Han Fulai said. To him, this was just an ordinary understanding.

People have strengths and weaknesses. No matter how outstanding someone is, they are still just a person. In fact, even immortals, demigods, or demons are still human in Han Fulai's eyes. He always treated them with the same respect one person would show to another.

Spring breezes sway countless willow branches, and the six hundred million people of China are all like the legendary sage-kings Shun and Yao. For a time traveler from China, everyone can become a sage-king; ultimately, it is people who create history.

“That’s what I like about you. You always see me as ‘Ningguang,’ as someone like you, not some other kind of creature who only cares about money and profit.” Ningguang’s smile deepened. “But Han, haven’t you ever thought about this? The me you see now might not be the ‘real me.’ The reason I asked you out today is because I’m scheming something behind the scenes, and I’m deliberately showing you a different side of myself?”

"So what? What makes you think this version of yourself isn't the real you?" Han Fulai asked with a puzzled look.

"Looks like today's 'date' was quite successful," Ningguang said with a smile. "Xiao Han, your impression of me has changed?"

"Yes...and no," Han Fulai replied.

"Yes and no?" Ningguang blinked.

"I say there's been a change because I believe the person in front of me today is the real Ningguang; I say there isn't... because I know that you deliberately wanted me to see all of this. Ningguang doesn't bother to hide her intentions, does she?"

"The person scheming everything in the Jade Pavilion is Ningguang, the person playing hide-and-seek with the children is also Ningguang, the person who is good at catching and grilling fish is also Ningguang! What kind of person you are is the real you, not defined by others. The same person can have many faces, is that contradictory? Even if the expression on your face right now is acting, how can you know how much of that acting is genuine?"

Han Fulai spoke these words with an air of self-righteousness. Even if it's a deliberately presented aspect, does that negate its authenticity? Seeing is not necessarily believing, but seeing is not necessarily deceiving either. As the saying goes, a gentleman judges by actions, not intentions. The boundary between truth and falsehood lies in what the person actually does.

Whatever Ningguang might want to do, he knew at least that Ningguang had never harmed him so far.

Ningguang was taken aback by what she heard, and then suddenly burst into laughter, laughing so hard that she shook her head, completely disregarding her usual elegant image.

Han Fulai didn't know what Ningguang was laughing at, but he knew it would be very impolite to stare at Ningguang right now, so he stood up with his back to Ningguang and put his dried coat on.

Ningguang finished laughing and extended a hand to Han Fulai.

"Hey, Xiao Han, give me your hand."

Han Fulai turned around and saw Ningguang raise her hand. He thought she wanted him to help her up, so he took her hand as instructed. Just as he was about to pull, he was suddenly pulled by a strong force, and in a moment of surprise, he fell into Ningguang's arms.

Ningguang intertwined her fingers with his with one hand, and gently wrapped her other arm around his lower back, her warm breath caressing his ear.

“I am a female tycoon who shakes the business world, a gentle older sister to children, a socialite at the Jade Palace banquet, and a connoisseur of sweets… I am an enigma that can never be fully understood. They say I am a ‘woman of a thousand faces,’ and that I am as unfathomable and distant from all living beings as the Jade Pavilion. But only you can see my true nature. I am simply myself. Ningguang is Ningguang itself.”

"Uh... Sister Ningguang?" Han Fulai felt that this way of speaking was not good. His young manhood was beginning to stir, but it seemed that it would not be so easy to break free from Ningguang's embrace.

In this position, any movement he makes will only cause him to stick even closer to Ningguang.

"Ying'er and the others were so gossipy today, aren't you curious about who your Ningguang sister will end up with?" Ningguang asked softly.

"Those are all just rumors... Wait, Ningguang-neechan actually had someone in mind?"

Han Fulai was more shocked than curious.

He originally thought that Ningguang, a career woman, would never consider worldly love and romance.

“Yes, I do.” Ningguang nodded gently on his shoulder. “Just like the newspapers say, I’m never short of suitors. Noblemen from Yujingtai, successful young businessmen… their invitations could fill a room in Qunyu Pavilion. Oh, and there’s also a big boss from Fontainebleau who signed a trade contract worth hundreds of millions just to have a few words with me.”

"I neither agreed to their request nor rejected them. I just kept my distance from them, but without letting them lose their room for imagination... Am I a bad person?"

“It’s really bad…” Han Fulai said with a wry smile.

As soon as he finished speaking, Ningguang blew a breath into his ear, and Han Fulai immediately shuddered, unable to finish his sentence.

“But as I have said, I do not want to be trapped in the ‘finite’; what I love is the ‘infinite’.”

Han Fulai pursed his lips tightly; no matter how much he wanted to pretend to be confused, he couldn't keep up the act anymore.

"Just like you saw today, I really like children. If I could, I'd like to have my own child... Would you be willing to help me?"

Chapter Sixty-Three: But I Refusal

As a secretary, playing dumb is an essential skill. A good secretary is inevitably a master of playing dumb.

Just like when his boss Gan Yu pushed open the door to the lounge and saw his junior sister and his subordinate sitting on the same bed, Gan Yu's choice was to silently close the door.

But now, there is no door that Han Fulai can close.

The current scene is already filled with the warmth and fragrance of jade. If we go any further, it will be like Ruan Zhao arriving at Tiantai, where spring arrives in the human world, flowers are in full bloom, and peonies are opening with dewdrops.

If you were to ask Han Fulai if he was moved, the answer would undoubtedly be yes. Any normal man would be moved by being held in the arms and whispered intimately in the ear of Ningguang, a beauty of unparalleled beauty.

Moreover, Ningguang's initiative is beyond imagination. Presumably, as long as he makes any move, even if it's just half-hearted resistance, Ningguang, this unattainable flower, will be at his disposal today.

He's been feigning ignorance from the Jade Pavilion to the Luhua Pool all day; if he continues, it would be an insult to Ningguang. Besides, Ningguang took the initiative precisely because she didn't want him to have the chance to play dumb.

"Xiao Han, what's your answer?" Ningguang asked softly.

Even she, when she asked that question, couldn't help but tighten her fingers. This was the first time she had ever expressed her love to a man.

Han Fulai keenly sensed the trembling in Ningguang's fingertips, and he gently squeezed Ningguang's hand.

“Sister Ningguang…” He had barely finished speaking when Ningguang interrupted him.

"If the younger sister can do it, why can't the older sister?" Ningguang's voice held a hint of resentment.

"That's not what I meant..." Han Fulai smiled bitterly, never expecting that the lie he told Ningguang before would turn into a weapon for Ningguang to attack him.

If a sister without blood ties can have one, then a sister without blood ties can certainly have one too. This is yet another instance of Han hoisting himself by his own petard.

"Then what do you mean?" Ningguang persisted, even pulling him closer.

The thin fabric couldn't hide the pressure of those two soft mounds on his chest, making them stand out prominently.

“I know what Sister Ningguang means. You invited me today for this very moment,” Han Fulai said softly.

From the moment he ascended the Jade Pavilion this morning, everything has been going according to Ningguang's plan.

As Ningguang's personal secretary, how could Baishi dare to leak Ningguang's schedule without her authorization? A single page from that schedule could fetch an astronomical price in Liyue Harbor; it's not something to be shown to just anyone. If Baishi wanted to ask him for help, he could simply list the tasks suitable for him separately. Giving him the entire schedule would only indicate a deliberate arrangement.

This is Ningguang showing him trust and sincerity.

Furthermore, if Ningguang's invitation was merely for a casual chat, there was no need to send all three of her personal secretaries away to create an environment for them to be alone.