Genshin Impact: My villain system is a little different.

"Wait, wait, don't call me 'Master' right now."

Xianyun held her forehead and extended a hand toward Jiang Ning, signaling him to stop.

Jiang Ning, however, deliberately continued, "Why not, Master~"

Xianyun retracted her hand and silently covered her face.

She couldn't very well say that being called "Master" made her feel guilty, and that this guilt was accompanied by an inexplicable sense of excitement, could she?

If she said something like that, her life as a master would be over.

"Anyway, just don't call me that," Xianyun said.

Jiang Ning, however, refused. "No can do, Master. As the saying goes, 'Respect the teacher and honor their teachings.' So, you are my master."

Is this really the time to bring that up?!

You're remembering to respect the teacher now?!

If you really respected the teacher, you wouldn't be such a rebellious disciple!

And you're not usually this stubborn.

But seeing Jiang Ning like this, Xianyun knew he wasn't going to change his tune. She could only sigh in defeat.

"Fine, do as you please..."

Jiang Ning, seeing his little scheme succeed, couldn't help but grin triumphantly.

Xianyun looked at Jiang Ning and suddenly fell silent.

"It feels... unreal," Xianyun muttered.

She, a lonely crane who had been single for so many years, had suddenly found herself in a relationship?

And with her own disciple, no less. It felt like she was living in a dream.

Jiang Ning took the initiative to hold Xianyun's hand. "Does this feel real enough, Master?"

Xianyun felt Jiang Ning's hand. It wasn't particularly large, about the same size as hers, maybe even a bit smaller...

Oh no, the guilt was even stronger now! But still, it was so thrilling...

Seeing Xianyun's sudden mix of embarrassment and frustration, Jiang Ning decided to test out his usual tactics with his fiancées.

Strike while the iron is hot.

"Master, since we've confirmed our relationship, can I come to your room tonight?"

Xianyun fell silent, then blushed and waved her hand, summoning a gust of wind to try and blow Jiang Ning away.

But, awkwardly, nothing happened.

Jiang Ning remained firmly in place. The feeble gust of wind generated by Xianyun's immortal power couldn't budge a god like Jiang Ning.

His strength was no longer what it used to be. He wasn't the kind of person whose power fluctuated wildly.

Right, you blonde-haired guy who can beat up Childe and La Signora but gets chased around by Sumeru mercenaries?

Xianyun lowered her head and pointed to the door.

"Get out..."

Jiang Ning asked, "So, Master, can I come tonight or not..."

Xianyun's expression remained calm. "Get out!"

Jiang Ning could only reluctantly head toward the door.

However, just as he was about to leave, a whisper so soft it was almost inaudible reached his ears.

"I'll leave the door open for you tonight."

Once she made a decision, she went all in. That was Xianyun's efficiency as a tech-savvy recluse.

Hearing this, Jiang Ning couldn't help but grin from ear to ear, humming a tune as he left.

Xianyun sat silently at the table, her hands trembling slightly. After the initial determination, a wave of fear washed over her. It was just the aftermath of the adrenaline rush.

"Congratulations."

Havria appeared out of nowhere and sat down across from Xianyun, smiling.

"You... you weren't watching the whole time, were you?!"

Xianyun panicked.

Havria, however, remained calm and poured herself a cup of tea.

"Relax, no. I only came out when I saw Jiang Ning leave. It seemed like things were settled. You look happy."

Xianyun was stunned, then realized she had been smiling all along.

She gradually calmed down. "Well... I guess I am."

"Just a little?" Havria teased.

"Hmph... what about you? What are you planning to do?"

Xianyun crossed her arms and asked the Salt Goddess.

Havria chuckled lightly. "Is this the confidence of the victor? You're no different from someone who, after being pressured to marry for years, finally brings a fiancée home for the Lantern Rite and then turns around to mock their juniors for being single."

Seeing Xianyun's smug expression, Havria decided to drop a bombshell.

"What if I told you that you could have had Jiang Ning last night, but Raiden Makoto swooped in, and Jiang Ning spent the night with her and Kitsune Saiguu?"

Xianyun's expression darkened. "Is that true?"

Seeing Xianyun's mood sour, Havria felt a bit better. "It's true."

Xianyun fell silent for a moment, then said, "I'll have a serious talk with that rebellious disciple of mine."

Havria clapped her hands. "Good luck with that."

She had no qualms about throwing Jiang Ning under the bus.

---

"Good news brings good spirits. It seems you've encountered something fortunate?"

At the tavern, Zhongli, Azhdaha, and Jiang Ning sat together. Zhongli raised his cup and spoke.

Jiang Ning glanced at his old mentor and said, "Let's not talk about me for now... Master, isn't it a bit early to be drinking?"

Zhongli replied, "In general, yes, it's not ideal. But Azhdaha insisted that he missed Liyue's wine after all these years, so I had to bring him here."

Jiang Ning looked at Azhdaha. "Uncle, you and that drunkard from Mondstadt would definitely get along."

Azhdaha laughed heartily. "Of course! When I have the time, I'll go to Mondstadt and have a drink with that guy... The last time we drank together was the last time."

Zhongli shook his head helplessly. "By the way, Jiang Ning, you must have gotten what you wanted, right?"

Jiang Ning played dumb. "I don't know what you're talking about, Master Zhongli."

Zhongli simply chuckled, seeing through Jiang Ning's act but choosing not to call him out. After so many years as a god, he had seen it all. Though he was a single old dragon, he could still tell what Jiang Ning was thinking about Xianyun.

Hadn't even Ganyu and Shenhe noticed?

It was just that Jiang Ning and Xianyun, the two involved parties, were oblivious—one thinking he was hiding it well, and the other not even considering the possibility.

But now, it seemed things had worked out.

"Enough of that. Let's drink!"

Azhdaha raised his cup with a hearty laugh.

Jiang Ning, looking at Azhdaha, could only pour himself a bowl of sweet rice wine.

Consider it... dessert after breakfast. This stuff had almost no alcohol content.

---

Xianyun left the house shortly after Jiang Ning.

The more she thought about it, the more she felt something was off. She couldn't shake the feeling that Madame Ping and Ganyu had set her up.

As for why she didn't suspect Jiang Ning...

Please, my pure and obedient disciple would never scheme against me!

It was the bias of love.

Thus, Xianyun stormed into Yujing Terrace and confronted Madame Ping.

"Did you and Ganyu set me up?"

Yanfei, who had returned to Liyue Harbor, greeted Xianyun politely, "Aunt Xianyun."

Xianyun absentmindedly acknowledged her but kept her gaze fixed on her old friend.

Madame Ping was startled but maintained her composure, leisurely pouring Xianyun a cup of tea.

"Sit down and have some tea. You look so flustered... What are you talking about? I don't understand."

Though she said this, she was surprised that Xianyun had figured it out.

Looks like Xianyun has gotten smarter.

Xianyun said, "After thinking it over, something felt off. Jiang Ning didn't know anything, but you all were pushing me to make the first move?!"

Madame Ping remained unhurried. "If you didn't have those feelings yourself, no amount of pushing from us would have worked."

"Even if we did push you... haven't you achieved what you wanted?"

"Look at that smile on your face. It's harder to suppress than a Guizhong Ballista."

"Finding someone as handsome and gentle as Jiang Ning, you should be counting your blessings."

Madame Ping began her usual spiel.

In the past, whenever Xianyun came to confront her, this was how Madame Ping handled it. It always worked, mainly because Xianyun had poured all her points into intelligence, leaving her emotional intelligence to fluctuate unpredictably.

"Huh?"

Xianyun instinctively touched the corner of her mouth and realized she was indeed smiling wider than a Guizhong Ballista.

"Fine, I'll let it slide this time. But if there's a next time, I'll definitely hold you accountable."

Xianyun huffed, giving herself an out, and sat down across from Ping, downing the tea in one go.

Meanwhile, Yanfei's eyes widened in disbelief.

What had she just heard from her grandmother and Aunt Xianyun?!

Aunt Xianyun and Jiang Ning were together? Her junior brother?

Wait, how does that work? Should she call Jiang Ning "Uncle" now, or should Aunt Xianyun start calling her "Big Sister"?

Either way, it was hard to wrap her head around.

How did Jiang Ning even manage this?

Yanfei was utterly baffled.

"Looks like little Yanfei is having a hard time processing this."

Madame Ping smiled at Yanfei.

Yanfei muttered, "Of course! It just feels so weird."

And... if Aunt Xianyun has made her move, should I make mine too? It feels like I'm competing with my elders for a man.

Madame Ping consoled her, "We immortals, as long-lived beings, don't need to worry about generational differences unless it's direct blood relations."

"Everyone just calls each other whatever they want. There's no need to stress over titles. So, your Aunt Xianyun finding a good match is something to celebrate."

"And little Yanfei, if you like someone, go for it... Xianyun won't mind. Right, Xianyun?"

Madame Ping looked at Xianyun, who pursed her lips and said, "Of course I won't mind."

After all, if we're talking about who made the first move, it was Xianyun, the elder, who went after the younger man...

"Grandma, what are you talking about? I don't have those kinds of thoughts."

Yanfei clung to Madam Ping's arm, acting coy.

After all, a young girl's heart is delicate and needs to save face.

Madame Ping laughed. "Alright, alright, I won't say anymore."

Xianyun said, "By the way, that Electro Archon acted fast. She made her move last night without a sound... It's really infuriating."

Madame Ping, who had already heard about this from Ganyu, wasn't surprised.

"That's why they say, 'The early bird catches the worm.' Jiang Ning is a hot commodity. You were just too slow."

While this seemed like a jab at Xianyun, it was actually a hint to Yanfei.

Seeing Yanfei deep in thought, Madame Ping nodded in satisfaction.

"By the way, Grandma, I need to go to Inazuma for a bit. A client has some matters that need investigating."

Yanfei finally spoke up, though her words seemed unrelated.

Seeing the clear confusion in Yanfei's eyes, Madame Ping's smile slowly faded, replaced by a sigh.

"Alright, go ahead..."

"Yay, I'll be back soon."

Yanfei quickly said.

Madame Ping exhaled. "When you get back, go see Jiang Ning. Have him introduce you to the first Raiden Shogun. If you can establish a connection, things will go smoothly in Inazuma."

Yanfei nodded. "Got it, Grandma."

"Speaking of which, Xianyun, Jiang Ning is heading to Sumeru soon. Do you... have any thoughts on that?"

Madame Ping looked at Xianyun.

Xianyun thought for a moment, then said, "I think we should settle things before he leaves for Sumeru. I don't really want to go to that place."

"The rainforest is too humid, and the desert is too dry. It's uncomfortable for me."

Madame Ping nodded slightly. "As long as you have a plan."

Right now, there were many eyes on Jiang Ning, the prized cabbage. If you want a piece, you have to act fast.

"By the way, there's one more thing..."

Madame Ping hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"Xiao brought over the relics of the Yakshas. Among them, the Heart-Eyed General, being of Geo element, shares the same origin as Rex Lapis's divine power. As a result, he's recovering the fastest."

"Most likely, he'll be fully recovered before Jiang Ning heads to Sumeru."

"Really?"

Xianyun's face lit up with joy.

Madame Ping nodded. "Yes, it's almost certain. Rex Lapis came to me specifically to start gathering materials."

"Our Liyue will finally have an old friend returning..."

Xianyun felt her eyes grow warm.

Thinking of the person who made all this possible, she hesitated for a moment.

Maybe I'll go easy on him tonight...

----

You can join my P@treon to read 30+ chapters early and support me and my work.

[email protected]/rivyura