Chapter 18: Childe's Way of Making Friends
"Your imagination is still quite something.
Aren't you worried that I might be lying to you?" Aiden asked, exasperated.
Keqing gazed at Aiden intently before offering a small smile. "While that's possible, I choose to believe you.
Putting aside my status as Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing, as Keqing myself, I trust you.
Besides, I don't see anything we have that's worth scheming over."
Of course, there was one thing she didn't say aloud: You wouldn't be able to defeat the Geo Archon anyway. Keqing wasn't completely tactless, after all.
But in truth, she had her own selfish reasons for trusting him. This guy is infuriating… but I can't deny he's interesting.
Aiden, however, refrained from sharing some of his thoughts. If he told Keqing the full truth, she might start being wary of him.
With a sigh, he placed a hand on her shoulder, and in an instant, the two vanished from Mount Tianheng—only to reappear immediately in Keqing's home.
Keqing blinked in shock. We were at least an hour away from here, even with my speed… yet we arrived in a second?!
She turned to Aiden, eyes burning with curiosity. If she could master this technique, her efficiency at work would skyrocket.
Yet, despite her questions, she chose not to press the issue. There was no need to acknowledge what had just happened—not yet.
"Alright, I'm heading back," Aiden said nonchalantly. "Though you might not be able to move much right now, you should be fine soon.
Also, take this chance—you'll see what you want to see."
After setting Keqing down on a chair, Aiden turned to leave.
"Hey—!" Keqing started, but before she could stop him, he had already disappeared.
"This bastard!" she muttered under her breath, clenching her teeth. Seriously, what's up with this guy? He just left?
Did he really think she was going to try and keep him here?
She exhaled and forced herself to relax. Everything is under Rex Lapis' watchful eye, anyway… This means we can act with more confidence in the future.
Although she didn't know why the Archon hadn't directly intervened, Keqing was more than happy to handle things herself.
Of course, this wouldn't be easy—many obstacles would arise—but it was also a chance to prove themselves to Morax.
Meanwhile, Aiden wasn't too concerned about throwing Zhongli under the bus. After all, this entire situation was a test, not just for him and Keqing but for others as well.
If Zhongli truly wanted to assess these two, he wouldn't have let Aiden bring them into the fold so easily.
---
At Wanmin Restaurant, Aiden settled into a seat and called out his order.
"Master Mao, I'll have one stir-fried meat dish, one mint meat roll, and one crab roe tofu!"
Since he was in Liyue, how could he not enjoy a meal at the famous Wanmin Restaurant?
It was a shame that Xiangling wasn't in Liyue at the moment. Apparently, she had gone to another nation in search of ingredients.
Aiden sighed. He had been looking forward to tasting her cooking.
Then, thinking of Keqing next door, he added, "And one order of golden shrimp balls—to go."
"Got it! Please wait a moment!" came Master Mao's reply from the kitchen.
As Aiden sat there, waiting for his food, a voice interrupted him.
"Mind if I sit here?"
Aiden looked up to see a man dressed in a fitted beige suit, his orange hair tied back, a distinctive mask resting on his head.
It was Childe—Tartaglia.
Aiden recognized him instantly.
A man who would go to any lengths to complete his mission.
He had even unleashed Osial's remnants to lure out Morax.
Yet, despite his ruthlessness, there was something about him—his loyalty to his family, his unwavering faith in the Tsaritsa.
When he was in Fontaine, he had even entrusted the Traveler with his Vision.
And there was speculation that he was, in fact, the Foul Legacy of the Abyss—a theory that held some weight.
However, after understanding the Tsaritsa's true goal, Aiden wasn't as hostile toward Snezhnaya as he once was.
Back when he played the game, he had wanted to obliterate the Fatui, but now? Some of them, at least, didn't deserve to be eradicated.
"Of course," Aiden gestured for Childe to take a seat. "This must be Childe, the Eleventh Harbinger of the Fatui."
Childe raised an eyebrow, momentarily surprised, but quickly regained his composure. "So you know me already.
Seems like Lady Ningguang values you more than expected."
Childe had only been in Liyue for about a week and had kept a low profile.
Still, he had assumed that Ningguang was aware of his presence.
Now, this confirmed it.
"Maybe," Aiden replied with a smirk. "But I'm more curious—why approach me now?
Surely, this isn't just a coincidence?"
Childe chuckled. "Indeed. Ever since you became a consultant to the Tianquan, I've had people gather information on you.
And when I heard you'd be dining here at Wanmin Restaurant, I hurried over.
Liyue's Qixing follows the Tianquan's lead. If I want to operate smoothly here, I need to pay close attention to Tianquan's affairs.
Since you've become Ningguang's consultant, I figured it was about time we met."
Childe then pulled out a check and slid it across the table toward Aiden.
"Of course, if my actions have offended you, I'm more than happy to make amends."
Aiden glanced at the check. Good grief…
A casual "apology"—and the man had written it for five million Mora.
Aiden couldn't help but laugh. Childe truly lived up to his nickname, "The Walking Wallet."
For the Northland Bank, this was nothing. But for an ordinary person, this was an astronomical sum.
Aiden took a picture of the check and sent it to his contacts before pocketing it with a grin.
"Offended? Not at all. In fact, I feel like we'll get along great."
Childe's smile faltered for a fraction of a second before he recovered, his expression just as amiable as before.
"Friends, huh? Sure, we'll be good friends."
But inwardly, he sneered.
Friends? You think you deserve to be my friend?
Still, he had to wonder—just how had this man managed to secure Ningguang's favor?
Could it really be as simple as good looks?
Was Aiden just another one of Ningguang's playthings?
He'd have to find out.