"That's a board game Lady Ningguang created herself—'Liyue Millennial.'"

Ganyu explained to Mu Yang.

Mu Yang took a look—the dice, the pieces, the grid, the map, and the tokens used as chips.

Wasn't this just Monopoly from Earth?

To think he'd see something like this here…

It really brought back memories.

Ningguang, noticing Mu Yang's distracted gaze, asked if the matter he wanted to discuss was serious.

Mu Yang said no.

So Ningguang suggested they keep things relaxed—they could talk while playing Liyue Millennial.

Mu Yang agreed. It's just Monopoly, right?

Buying up properties and having some fun sounded nice.

Then, Ningguang handed him the simplified beginner's rulebook for the latest edition.

Mu Yang froze.

Hold on, aren't we just playing Monopoly?

Why is this rulebook thicker than a D&D manual?

If I finish reading this, it'll be tomorrow—what's left to discuss?

And if word got out—

"The white-haired youth spent all night with Tianquan Ningguang and Secretary Ganyu…

…discussing the rulebook for 'Liyue Millennial.'"

Who would believe that?

An anonymous pink-haired Fontaine journalist: "I do! Let me snap a few photos for the front page—I mean, to clear your name."

Ganyu reassured Mu Yang:

"The rules only seem complicated because of the chip calculation formulas."

"Actually playing isn't this hard—I can teach you step by step."

Mu Yang thought, Absolutely not.

Little Ganyu, remember this—

I've always been the one teaching you.

A thousand years ago, and now.

No way am I letting you flip the script.

So he had the system perform 'quantum speed-reading' for him.

In an instant, he memorized the entire rulebook—he could even recite it backward.

The efficiency left Ningguang stunned.

If she were from Earth, she would've blurted out:

"__! __!" (Pop quiz!)

Not just Ningguang—even Ganyu was dumbfounded.

Though she knew Mu Yang often did the unexpected, this was still astonishing.

Ningguang composed herself.

"Since you've grasped the rules, let's begin."

Ganyu warned Mu Yang:

"Even if you understand the rules, don't let your guard down."

"Lady Ningguang's true strength isn't just knowing them—it's applying them."

"To this day, no one has ever beaten her at 'Liyue Millennial.'"

Ningguang smiled faintly.

"It's just a casual game—no need to feel pressured, Mr. Mu Yang. Let's focus on business."

A clumsy provocation.

And it worked.

Sigh. If no 'human' can beat her…

Then let her test her wits against something else.

Mu Yang called to the system: "AlphaGo, activate."

System: "???"

Mu Yang had summoned the ultimate ringer.

Every decision in Liyue Millennial was handled by the system—he only needed to explain the event he wanted to organize.

He made it look effortless.

Meanwhile, Ningguang—calm and collected at first—was now struggling to keep up.

Beads of sweat glistened on her forehead…

She could no longer spare attention for their conversation…

——————

Mu Yang and Ganyu left the Yuehai Pavilion.

Ganyu's eyes shone with admiration.

"That was amazing! You defeated Lady Ningguang so easily—three wins in a row!"

"That's never happened in Liyue before!"

Mu Yang waved it off. "The game's simple—nothing to brag about."

"Simple…"

Ganyu thought: That line alone would make every challenger who lost to Ningguang grind their teeth in frustration…

Mu Yang's real thoughts:

Of course it's simple—you'd win too if you cheated.

That said, Ningguang was genuinely formidable.

Mu Yang would've lost for sure without help—he wasn't a merchant and had no talent for such calculations.

He glanced at the moon.

With matters settled and the night growing late…

"Come on, let's get something to eat."

He hadn't expected to trouble Ganyu this much and forgot to prepare a gift.

I'll pick some Qingxin flowers for her from the medicinal fields when we return to Chenyu Vale.

After taking up so much of her time, he couldn't just leave.

For now, dinner would do.

Ganyu hesitated.

"Eating this late…"

She worried about gaining weight—but she was also genuinely hungry.

She hadn't eaten since running into Mu Yang at dusk.

"Let's go. Hopefully, Wanmin Restaurant is still open."

"Wanmin Restaurant?"

Ganyu panicked slightly.

She'd assumed Mu Yang, unfamiliar with Liyue Harbor, would pick one of the more prestigious venues—Xinyue Kiosk or Liyue Pavilion.

Instead, he chose Wanmin Restaurant—located in Chihu Rock, Liyue's famous food street!

Even if Wanmin was closed, the night market stalls there were a supreme temptation…

Mu Yang mistook her surprise for curiosity about his familiarity with Wanmin.

So he used Zhongli as cover.

"Mr. Zhongli highly recommends Wanmin Restaurant's dishes. If we're lucky enough to catch Xiangling cooking…"

"Then we should skip Xinyue Kiosk and Liyue Pavilion entirely."

Ganyu nodded.

"That erudite Mr. Zhongli… He's not wrong."

"Xiangling is indeed the most renowned chef in that area…"

"Then let's go."

——————

They arrived at Chihu Rock.

Though late, the night market was still lively—groups of people enjoying food and drinks under the lantern glow.

Ganyu stepped into Wanmin Restaurant, Mu Yang following.

"Xiangling, are you closed?"

Xiangling and Guoba were cleaning up but looked up at the voice.

"Huh? Secretary Ganyu from Yuehai Pavilion? One moment."

She wiped her hands and checked the kitchen's remaining ingredients.

"For vegetarian dishes, I can still make 'Qingce Stir Fry,' 'Jadeite Soup,' or 'Mint Salad.' Will that be enough?"

Only then did she notice the person behind Ganyu.

"As for you, sir, there's not much left—you'll have to come back tomorrow if you want a proper meal."

Ganyu was touched—Xiangling had remembered she only ate vegetarian dishes despite their limited interactions.

If she'd come alone, these three dishes would've sufficed.

But now there was Mu Yang.

"We're together."

"Oh! My apologies—Secretary Ganyu usually sits alone in the corner, so I just assumed…"

Xiangling looked sheepish.

Mu Yang smiled.

"No worries. The three dishes are fine—I'd like to try the cooking Mr. Zhongli praised so highly."

Xiangling beamed.

"Haha, so it's Mr. Zhongli's recommendation! His critiques are always sharp—I've learned a lot from him."

"By the way, I don't think I got your name?"

"Mu Yang."

"I'm Xiangling, and this is my partner, Guoba."

Guoba waddled over, shaking his head cheerfully at Mu Yang. "♪~"

"Looks like Guoba's happy to meet you."

"Likewise, Guoba…"

The two sampled Xiangling's cooking.

All Mu Yang could say was—future champion of the Liyue Cooking Showdown, no doubt.

Her skill was undeniable.

To elevate vegetarian dishes to this level…

Even a devout meat lover like Mu Yang had to give her a thumbs-up.

After the meal, Mu Yang and Ganyu parted ways outside Wanmin Restaurant.

Before leaving, Mu Yang reminded her:

"Take breaks sometimes—don't overwork yourself with all-nighters. Delegate when you can."

Ganyu froze—perhaps he'd overheard her assigning tasks earlier.

And this tone… Had Osial's attack jogged his memory?

She nodded in agreement.

On her way back, Ganyu walked beneath the moonlight and stars, humming softly to herself.

Had Mu Yang heard the tune, it would've felt achingly familiar.

Because it was the first song he'd ever taught little Ganyu—

"Twinkle Twinkle Little Star… Variations."