Chapter Text
Sometimes, Ningguang felt as if the world was about to shatter around her. As if all her life's work could so easily come crashing down around her, a shining star crumbling into shards of worthlessness. Perhaps that was why she kept building, tirelessly pushing forward every day, because if falling was inevitable, she might as well fall from the highest peak she could reach with as much glory as she could muster.
And maybe, as she stood facing the Overlord of the Vortex and announced her decision to sacrifice her beloved Jade Chamber, she felt a seed of regret worming into her mind, for if she had not built the palace of her dreams, if she had not dared to reach so high, it would not have met such a tragic end.
And she slammed the Chamber towards Osial, sealing the ancient god once more. She wanted to scream. Tears rose as she tried to channel all her frustration into her power. The final moments of the battle went by too quickly but by the time she landed back in Liyue Harbor, her cool facade was back and her emotions were forgotten.
So she pushed down the pain and continued on as normal, convincing the adepti to let Liyue flourish on its own and working long nights with the Qixing through the aftermath. Because, as it always has been, focusing herself on her work was far easier than wallowing in despair. Even when Ganyu with her millennia-old eye bags, infamously obsessed with work, begged the Tianquan for the fifth time to take a break, she was reluctant to leave her office.
"Please, Ningguang," Ganyu said. The half-adeptus's tired purple eyes stared blankly at her boss. "It's been weeks and I'm honestly not sure if you've slept or eaten at all. Just for today, go out for a drink or at least get some rest! You haven't had a night to yourself for years now."
Although she was on the verge of giving in, Ningguang shook her head, lips pursed. "Ganyu, you know I don't drink. And I'm fine. Let's continue."
"Apologies for the disruption, Lady Ningguang." One of her secretaries, Baiwen, walked in, looking a little disheveled, and presented to her a sheet of paper. "Ah, and Emissary Ganyu. Would it be appropriate for us, your staff, to request a cut in working hours? In order to respect the Liyuen courtesy of working until our boss leaves, we've had very little rest ever since the release of the Overlord of the Vortex. Here is a petition of sorts with the signature of each staff member working with you in the past few weeks. We do not intend to, in any way, alter your personal working habits or show any disrespect, we simply believe that our productivity is likely to increase if we were not so sleep deprived. Thank you for considering our proposal." With a courteous bow, she placed the petition on the desk and quietly left the office.
Ganyu looked bewildered, barely holding back a snort, and Ningguang wasn't sure if she should laugh or cry. So she did neither and sat there stiffly, speechless for a moment at the unexpected happenings.
"Well, I suppose, I guess if you have any suggestions, I can take a night off and it won't hurt my performance...perhaps I should give a few days off for my staff. Although, it's not a very efficient use of time."
"Yes!" Ganyu realized her sudden outburst and reddened, timidly continuing. "A-Apologies Lady Ningguang-"
"It's fine, Ganyu. We've known each other for years, you don't have to be so embarrassed."
"Uh, y-yes, of course, thank you. What I m-meant to say was that I was going out for drinks with a friend tonight, if you would like to join us?"
"Who is this friend?"
"You'll see if you go." Ganyu smiled reassuringly.
"I will...consider it. Thank you, Ganyu."
"Of- of course."
At the end of the day, after writing up a revision for her employees' conditions to be fulfilled, Ningguang announced to her office that they could take the rest of the week off.
"Lady Ningguang...it's Sunday, there's no...rest of the week…"
"Oh. Sorry. I suppose, in that case, no need to come in on Monday and Tuesday."
Later that evening, under the twinkling lights of the bustling harbor, Ningguang met up with Ganyu in the main plaza of Chihu Rock. The secretary's eyes lit up when she saw Ningguang and quickly rushed over.
"Ningguang, thanks for coming! Isn't Liyue beautiful at night?"
"Indeed it is. Lead the way, Ganyu."
The two of them entered the dim tavern, passing by two fishermen and a girl mumbling about the Lantern Rite. Ningguang typically despised places like Third-Round Knockout. The damp and the dark was a breeding ground for filth, and the drinks were likely watered down, but she had already accepted the invitation. She scanned the room, looking for anyone that could be the mysterious friend of Ganyu. No one seemed familiar to her except… at a table for three, set with an array of bowls, she spots the dark brown hair, the red qipao, the eyepatch, and that infuriating ever-present smirk. Of course. Who else could have dared to encourage Ganyu to invite the Tianquan of the Qixing to go out for drinks?
"Ganyu, you didn't care to mention that this friend of yours was the Captain of the Crux Fleet?"
When they reached the table, Ningguang sat down stiffly, wary of Beidou's boisterous grin. Although she held a lot of respect for the renowned pirate captain, she tended to toe the line in what Ningguang found acceptable. Or maybe she tended more so to see the line and jump over it.
"Yo, Ningguang! If I knew you drank, would've invited you to join us long ago!" Beidou said, laughing.
"I don't drink. I haven't for a while. Since when were you and Ganyu so close?"
"Doesn't your presence here say otherwise about whether or not you drink? Here, have a few rounds with us! Y'know, the rice wine here is some pretty good stuff. That stingy owner's even experimenting with dandelions!"
"..."
"Ah, come on! I've known Ganyu since the Crux Fleet first started working with your Qixing. Plus, she'll join us for drinks occasionally if little Yaoyao visits our ship." The captain giggled. "It's funny, she doesn't look it but she sure can hold her wine. This one time, the whole crew was wasted, but-"
"Beidou, how many drinks have you had tonight?" Ganyu had to interject, head in her hands as Beidou spilled out details about her drunken adventures.
"Just a few...not enough to make me tipsy yet," Beidou assured before gulping down the cloudy white liquid in a cheap porcelain cup, although both Ganyu and Ningguang were skeptical. "Aye! Let me tell you about how this tavern got its name!"
As the pirate captain rambled on, sharing little anecdotes, Ningguang picked up a cup of rice wine, staring at the swirling drink. She watched as Ganyu and Beidou drank together and thought, Just one sip...wouldn't hurt, right? Perhaps I've been a little too uptight these few years. After staring into the cup for a few moments longer, she took a careful sip before throwing caution to the wind and downing the small cup in one go. And regretting it. She coughed a dry, hacking cough as the burn of the wine brought tears to her eyes. It had been too long since she last had a drink.
Ningguang's antics didn't go unnoticed by the other two at the table, both of them unable to suppress their wheezing, drunken laughter.
"Ningguang— ha! Drink! You're drinking!" Beidou managed to squeeze out a few words between bouts of laughter. "Keep going, join us drunkards!"
Ningguang sighed as she poured another cup, unable to stop herself. It was sure to be a strange night.