There was nothing more delightful than having one's seemingly odd and unconventional hobby acknowledged by someone else.
At this moment, Barbara was absolutely elated.
Spicy drinks were one of her few personal indulgences. And now, not only had Gu Chen approved of it—he had even said it tasted good!
"Having one occasionally to lift your spirits is actually quite nice," Gu Chen remarked, examining the cup in his hand.
Barbara nodded vigorously like a pecking chick.
"I think we could even add some Jueyun Chili from Liyue!"
"Oh?"
Gu Chen pondered for a moment before nodding.
"That's a constructive suggestion."
Barbara's eyes sparkled. "Want to try it?"
"No rush. We'll experiment when we have time," he replied with a smile. "So—are you heading back to the Church of Favonius, or coming with me to the Knights?"
"To… the Knights?"
Barbara tightened her grip on her cup, nervous.
"You'll have to interact with your sister eventually, right?"
Gu Chen smiled faintly.
"If I leave you two alone, you might not know what to talk about. But if I'm there, at least there'll be a starting point."
Barbara imagined meeting Jean alone.
She truly wouldn't know what to say.
That unfamiliar, awkward feeling would probably make her want to flee on the spot.
But with Gu Chen there… perhaps it would feel easier.
"Th-Then I'll trouble you," she said softly.
"We're friends. No need for that."
After settling the bill, Gu Chen led her toward the Knights of Favonius headquarters.
The closer they got, the more nervous Barbara became.
But every time she glanced at Gu Chen walking calmly beside her, she felt reassured.
Along the way, Knights on duty and passing members saluted respectfully.
"Grand Master!"
"Good afternoon, Grand Master!"
Gu Chen responded with an easy smile.
Barbara once again felt the immense prestige he held within the Knights. Her eyes shimmered.
Being friends with someone like him… it must be the Anemo Archon's blessing.
Inside the office area—
Gu Chen hadn't officially moved into the Grand Master's office yet, so Jean was still in the Vice Captain's office.
He pushed the door open.
"You're back."
Jean looked up, nodding.
"There's a document that needs your signature—"
She stopped mid-sentence.
Barbara?
"Other matters can wait."
Gu Chen waved a hand casually and smiled.
"I went to Windrise earlier and happened to run into your sister. After talking with her, I realized something—you two are actually quite similar. You both want to get closer to each other, but as you grew older, it became harder to say it aloud. Am I right?"
At once, both Jean and Barbara lowered their heads.
He had struck the core of it.
"Come in and sit."
Gu Chen pulled over a chair for Barbara, then seated himself on the nearby sofa.
"You're simply lacking a chance to speak openly. The opportunity is right here. Whether you seize it—that's up to you."
Jean glanced at Barbara, who looked timid, then at Gu Chen. Gratitude flickered in her gray-purple eyes.
If he hadn't brought Barbara today, she might never have found such a chance.
After hesitating briefly, Jean cleared her throat.
"Barbara, hello."
"That's too formal. She's your sister," Gu Chen said with a chuckle.
Jean froze—then realized she was being overly serious again.
Recalling Gu Chen's earlier advice, her expression softened.
"Sorry. Years of work have made me used to being stern…"
"I-It's fine," Barbara hurriedly waved her hands.
She had never quite understood why Jean seemed strict with her.
Now it made sense.
Her sister was, after all, the Grand Master's assistant—someone in a high position couldn't always appear gentle.
Understanding that, Barbara relaxed a little.
Gu Chen poured himself tea and watched as the sisters stared awkwardly at each other.
Just as he'd expected—they had no idea how to begin.
Without shared blood, they would practically be strangers.
He coughed lightly.
"You know… daily life, work troubles—those are things you can talk about with family."
Jean immediately understood.
Barbara, however, teased with a small smile:
"With the Grand Master here, is it appropriate to complain about work?"
"What's inappropriate about it? I find plenty of work troublesome myself," Gu Chen shrugged.
Jean sighed.
"The Grand Master often passes work he doesn't want to handle onto me…"
Barbara blinked.
Her understanding of Gu Chen seemed incomplete.
"Then Sister must face many difficulties?"
Jean smiled faintly.
"Don't worry. The Grand Master is reasonable. If even I can't handle something, he'll handle the person who proposed the troublesome task."
"Ah?!"
Barbara's eyes widened in alarm.
Jean quickly clarified.
"Not eliminate them. Just… make them come up with a solution themselves. If they can't, then the matter is shelved."
Barbara exhaled in relief.
"You scared me…"
Gu Chen took a sip of tea, feeling oddly sidelined.
"I was trying to steer the conversation toward your daily lives. How did I become the topic?"
The sisters exchanged glances and answered in unison:
"You have the most topics."
"…Fine."
He was speechless.
After all, he was Mondstadt's most discussed figure. Every move he made was watched with expectation.
Seeing his helpless expression, both sisters burst into laughter.
With Gu Chen present, the tension between them eased.
Jean, though the older sister, had never truly played that role before. Tentatively, she began asking:
"Is your work at the Church going smoothly? Has anyone made things difficult for you?"
"Now that Father has left with Grand Master Varka… you're alone at the Church. If there's any problem, come to me. I'm your sister. I'll always be your support."
Barbara felt the sincerity in her words.
"My work is fine. No one is troubling me. I was confused when Father left… but now that I have you and Mr. Gu Chen, I feel steadier."
As time passed, their conversation grew increasingly natural.
They even ate dinner together at the Knights' cafeteria.
Only afterward did Barbara remember she needed to return.
"Father asked a sister from the Church to look after me. If she can't find me, she'll worry."
"It's getting dark. I'll walk you back," Jean said.
Barbara nodded.
Gu Chen watched them leave, hands clasped behind his back.
Just as he stepped out of the cafeteria—
"Brother Gu Chen!"
A small red figure dashed toward him.
Klee.
"What's got you so excited?" he asked warmly.
"Look!"
She held up a round bomb proudly.
"With your support, I've made an even stronger one!"
"Oh? Congratulations."
He nodded with a smile.
"We'll test it outdoors another day."
"Really?!"
Her eyes sparkled.
"Would I lie?" He chuckled. "I've just taken office, so I'm busy for a few days. Once things settle, I'll take you out."
"Yay!"
Klee bounced happily.
"It's getting late. Off to bed."
"Okay! Good night, Brother Gu Chen!"
"Good night."
Later that evening, in the Grand Master's office—
The room required no modifications. Years ago, Gu Chen had already made design suggestions to Varka.
Now, it was officially his.
He sat at the desk, thinking.
Then he picked up a sheet of paper and began drafting an order.
Jean had long proven herself capable of standing on her own.
A knock sounded.
"Come in."
Jean entered.
"Grand Master—"
"It's after work hours."
She hesitated, then said softly:
"Gu Chen… thank you. Without you, I don't know when Barbara and I would have resolved things."
"I'm glad you did."
He nodded.
"Tomorrow, I'll formally appoint you as Vice Captain."
"G?!"
Jean's eyes widened.
"Isn't that… inappropriate?"
"What's inappropriate?"
"I don't think I'm qualified."
After all, the previous Vice Captain had been Gu Chen.
He had accomplished so much in that role.
She feared she couldn't measure up.
Reading her thoughts easily, he reassured her:
"The Vice Captain is simply the Grand Master's assistant. I've become Grand Master. Naturally, my assistant becomes Vice Captain. As for capability—you've already proven yourself. There's no reason you'd perform worse in a higher position."
"Take the seat with confidence. No matter what, I stand behind you."
Jean froze.
His words filled her with strength.
"…I understand."
He signed the order.
It could take effect at any time.
"Get some rest. Tomorrow is your first day."
"I will."
After he went upstairs, Jean remained standing for a while.
Professionally, she had supported him countless times.
But personally—
He had supported her just as much.
Thinking of Barbara, a soft smile appeared on her face.
"…How wonderful."
Meanwhile, in the live chat—
Venti: "Wait, aren't you missing a key word? 'You've come at just the right time!' Mondstadt is the land of freedom. There's no rule saying one person can only marry one spouse. Do you even understand the value of freedom of belief?"
Gu Chen: "Is it really appropriate to say that out loud?"
Lisa: "The corner of your mouth is practically reaching the sky. What's inappropriate about it?"
Gu Chen: "I'll just say one thing—believing in 'freedom' is absolutely correct."
Zhongli: "Judging by this episode's developments, that statement is indeed accurate."
Kaeya: "I believe in freedom too. Where are my sisters?"
Diluc: "In your dreams."
Venti: "In your dreams."
Kaeya: "…Fine. I'll dream about it tonight."
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