Early the next morning—
In his capacity as Grand Master, Gu Chen convened a high-level meeting of the Knights of Favonius.
"From this moment forward, I appoint Jean as Vice Captain of the Knights of Favonius."
The moment the decision was announced, the room filled with nods of agreement.
No one was surprised.
If anything, they had long expected—and supported—it.
The last trace of nervousness in Jean's heart quietly dissipated.
Her competence had always been evident. This promotion was well deserved.
Diluc, now serving as Inspector General, gave a faint smile.
"With Grand Master Gu Chen leading us, and Vice Captain Jean handling affairs large and small… Mondstadt's future prosperity is practically guaranteed."
Kaeya, Captain of the Cavalry, nodded solemnly.
"The future will certainly be brighter. As for the workload… well, it might increase~"
Laughter broke out around the table.
"Then it's settled. The appointment will be announced immediately."
Gu Chen tapped the table lightly.
"Yes, Grand Master!"
After the meeting—
Back in the Grand Master's office, Gu Chen spoke earnestly.
"Jean, bearing responsibility is exhausting. But you know—greater ability comes with greater responsibility."
Jean inhaled, then rolled her eyes.
"If the Grand Master intends to pass more work to me, you can just say it directly."
Gu Chen froze for a split second—then laughed.
She really did know him too well.
He coughed lightly.
"You're Vice Captain now. Many matters can be signed off by you directly. Only bring them to me if absolutely necessary."
Jean narrowed her eyes.
"Are you planning to become a hands-off shopkeeper?"
Her mind drifted back to when Varka had still been around.
After Gu Chen became Vice Captain, Varka handed everything to him.
Then Gu Chen made Jean his assistant.
And handed everything to her.
In practice, the one who had handled the most work all along…
…was Jean.
She had no complaints. But she couldn't help thinking both the former and current Grand Masters had a remarkable talent for strategic laziness.
"As Grand Master, I am Mondstadt's pillar," Gu Chen said solemnly. "I must remain strong. That requires time for training. Surely you understand?"
Jean nodded slowly.
"So that's the justification you'll use later when you take Klee out to go fish-bombing?"
Gu Chen stiffened.
He glanced left and right before lowering his voice.
"How did you know?"
"I asked Klee."
"…That little traitor."
He sighed in defeat.
"Anyway. I'm counting on you."
Jean smiled faintly.
"I know."
And so—
Gu Chen happily left headquarters with Klee.
Two years passed in the blink of an eye.
Under Gu Chen's leadership, Mondstadt thrived.
Administrative matters were largely handled by Jean, with Diluc and Kaeya assisting. Gu Chen's role often amounted to reviewing and signing documents.
Aside from essential training—
He spent much of his free time accompanying Klee on "field research."
Which frequently ended with both of them being lectured by an exasperated Jean.
Inside the Grand Master's office—
Jean stood with hands on her hips, pointing sternly at a head-lowered Gu Chen and Klee.
"Klee is young. It's understandable if she doesn't know better. But you, Grand Master—what exactly were you thinking?"
"If I hadn't heard that the Grand Master got carried away and started throwing bombs everywhere, I wouldn't even know you two were exercising 'freedom' to this extent!"
"Blowing off one of the windmill blades in the city—and then trying to let Klee take the blame? And they wouldn't even accept child labor!"
Gu Chen muttered under his breath.
"It was an accident…"
"Grand Master."
Jean's tone sharpened.
"…Understood."
After leaving the office—
Klee whispered, "Sister Jean is so scary…"
"Don't worry," Gu Chen said solemnly. "I've got you covered."
Klee blinked and nodded brightly.
"Brother Gu Chen is amazing! Sister Jean didn't even give Klee confinement!"
"Of course."
He ruffled her hair.
"Go play. I'm heading to the Church."
Since that day two years ago—
Gu Chen and Barbara had remained close friends.
As soon as he entered the Church of Favonius, he heard her singing.
Her voice truly had a unique quality—capable of soothing restless hearts.
"Oh? You're here."
Barbara smiled warmly upon noticing him.
"Came to check on you."
Gu Chen nodded.
"You're getting better and better. You can already heal minor wounds with just your voice."
Her eyes curved into crescents at the praise.
"I heard you blew off a windmill blade with a bomb. Is that true?"
Gu Chen coughed awkwardly.
"It was an accident. Rumors tend to… evolve."
Barbara giggled.
"But ever since you became Grand Master, you seem… freer. Like you're letting yourself go a little."
"Not that dramatic."
He shook his head.
"Sometimes you need to relax. If you stay tense all the time, you're more likely to make mistakes. I've heard there's unusual activity near Stormterror's Lair lately. It's been weighing on me."
"I see."
She hesitated.
"Would you like me to sing for you?"
Gu Chen raised an eyebrow, then smiled.
"If it gets out that Barbara is giving me a private performance, I'll have half of Mondstadt envying me."
"You are my number-one fan," she said confidently. "Repaying my number-one fan's support is perfectly reasonable."
"…Fair point."
She began to sing.
Gu Chen listened quietly.
By the time she finished, the tension in his heart had eased considerably.
"That was beautiful."
Barbara beamed.
"I'll practice more songs for you."
"I'll look forward to it."
Later that evening—
Gu Chen happened to run into Kaeya.
"In half a month, it'll be Jean's coming-of-age ceremony," he said casually. "What do you think would be an appropriate gift?"
Kaeya paused.
Then leaned closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially.
"I have an idea."
"Let's hear it."
"Recently, there's been a mysterious buyer frequenting Mondstadt's bookstores. Purchasing romance novels. All starring you as the male lead."
Gu Chen was unfazed.
He'd known such books existed.
"The point?"
"I investigated," Kaeya said proudly. "The books end up at the Gunnhildr residence. And eventually… in Vice Captain Jean's desk drawer."
Gu Chen blinked.
"…Jean reads those?"
"Indeed. So I suspect she rather likes you. Whatever gift you give—she'll treasure it."
"…I see."
Gu Chen nodded slowly.
"Keep this between us."
"My lips are sealed, Grand Master."
Back at headquarters—
Jean was out of her office.
Gu Chen approached her desk.
The drawer wasn't locked.
He opened it.
Inside—
"The Aloof Vice Captain Falls for Me."
"The Grand Master's Little Chef."
"Exclusive Devotion: The Grand Master's Long-Planned Love."
"Wealthy Stepfather: Sweetness for the Whole Family."
"…?"
His expression twitched.
He opened one at random.
The premise read:
Gu Chen is the father. Klee is his daughter. Alice died in childbirth giving birth to Klee. The heroine marries Gu Chen so Klee can experience maternal love…
He closed the book.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Returned it to the drawer.
Then walked back to his own office.
The more he thought about it—
The stranger his expression became.
Meanwhile, in the chat—
Alice: "Excuse me?! I died giving birth to Klee?! How absurd!"
Klee: "Brother Gu Chen became Papa?!"
Yae Miko: "Do these authors have contact information? Yae Publishing House would be delighted to recruit them."
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