The salty breeze of Liyue Harbor carried the familiar sounds of seagulls and creaking ships, but today the usual calm was mixed with the lively chatter of a very determined two-year-old. Beidou balanced her daughter on one hip, the little one’s bright eyes wide as she reached out to touch everything—from the ropes coiled on the deck to the shiny brass lanterns swinging in the wind. Ningguang had been called away to a lengthy Jade Chamber meeting, leaving Beidou to take charge of both ship and toddler.

“Easy there, little storm,”

Beidou murmured with a grin, gently pulling back a curious hand that had grabbed at her earrings. Around them, dockworkers paused to watch the scene—Beidou, the fierce Captain Crux, softened by the giggles and tiny fingers tugging at her sleeve. Steering the ship was normally all business, but today it came with the added challenge of managing a very active co-captain who insisted on climbing everything in sight.

“Not the anchor, alright? That’s not for chewing,”

Beidou warned playfully, rocking the little one gently as a crab scuttled by. Even the ocean seemed to hold its breath, as if knowing that in this moment, the strongest captain was the one holding a toddler close, mastering the wildest seas with patience and a smile.