"Pft! Are you seriously asking me that while holding a stack of Ministry of Civil Affairs reports, Ningguang?" Yelan scoffed, leaning her back against the wooden pillar of the Jade Chamber. "It is a legitimate inquiry, Yelan," Ningguang replied coolly, crossing her long, porcelain legs. Standing tall at 168 cm, her slender waist and elegant figure were perfectly framed by her golden qipao. "A merchant passed by the harbor today claiming that the Minister of Information considers you the 'hottest' asset in Liyue. Naturally, as the Tianquan, I must verify such claims." "Cklek!" Yelan flicked her dice into the air, catching it effortlessly. "Hotter than you? Absolutely. I spend my days tracking Fatui agents in the sweltering heat of the Chasm, while you just sit in your air-conditioned floating palace looking pretty." "Looking pretty is hard work, my dear agent," Ningguang retorted with a smirk, her ruby-red eyes glinting. "Cring! " She casually summoned three glowing Geo crystals that hovered dangerously close to Yelan's face. "And besides, 'hot' implies undeniable allure and presence. Look at my stature, my pristine ivory skin, and this waistline—unmatched in all Seven Nations." "Giggle..." Yelan burst into a low, husky laugh. Her sleek, fit body melded perfectly into her tight navy bodysuit, accentuating her toned hips and broad shoulders as she stepped closer. "Sret!" She pulled her Hydro thread taut between her fingers. "Presence? Ningguang, when I walk into the Yanshang Teahouse, every single man and woman drops their tea. My emerald eyes and asymmetrical bob practically define Liyue's nightlife." "Nightlife? You mean gambling dens and shadowy alleys?" Ningguang chuckled, her high-pitched laugh echoing. "Ohohoho!" "Hey! Shadowy alleys require peak physical conditioning!" Yelan argued, striking a dramatic pose that showed off her exposed thigh and Hydro Vision. "Can you do a triple backflip while shooting three Hydro arrows at once? No! You'd snap your long fingernails!" "I don't need backflips when I can drop a house on my enemies!" Ningguang snapped back, slamming her hands on her desk. "Brak!" "Slurp..." Yelan casually took a sip from Ningguang’s private teacup. "Cold tea. Just like your personality. Not very 'hot' of you, Tianquan." "Put that down!" Ningguang’s face flushed pink with irritation. "I am radiant! I am the sun of Liyue's economy!" "And I am the wildfire of its secrets!" Yelan countered, leaning across the desk until their faces were inches apart. "Bwush!" A small wave of warm Hydro mist evaporated around them. "Kruuuk..." A loud, ungraceful stomach growl suddenly shattered the tense atmosphere. "Glek..." Ningguang froze. "Was that... you?" "No..." Yelan muttered, her cheeks turning bright red as she covered her flat stomach. "Okay, fine! Yes! I haven't eaten since yesterday's stakeout!" "Kruuuk..." A second, equally loud noise erupted right from Ningguang's midsection. "Pfft!" Yelan lost it, erupting into loud laughter. "Hahaha!" "Silence!" Ningguang huffed, trying to cover her midriff with her silk sleeves. "The only thing 'hot' right now is a fresh bowl of Wanmin Black-Back Perch Stew!" "Agreed," Yelan wheezed, wiping a tear from her eye. "Winner of the 'hottest' title buys dinner?" "Deal," Ningguang grumbled, smoothing her long white hair. "But I'm ordering extra Juerun Chili just to watch you burn!"