Fontaine Court, Vasari Passage.
There was an open-air café here called Luze Café.
Under the parasols, the tables were set with coffee, Fanta, cakes, and assorted snacks.
Ever since Furina's incident last time, Focalors had been hanging out with Zhongli, Venti, and Azhdaha, showing them around Fontaine Court.
After all, as Fontaine's Archon, she had to play the role of a proper host.
Right in the center of the table sat a fairly large figurine—the Primordial True King, lifelike and majestic.
"Gu-ge should be on his way from the Palais Mermonia by now. What does he want to drink?" Venti asked.
Zhongli and Azhdaha both turned to look at Focalors.
She thought for a moment before replying, "Fanta. He quite likes that kind of drink. Black tea works too."
"Then Fanta it is." Venti patted his pockets and chuckled.
Zhongli took a sip of tea and said softly, "In just a few short days since arriving in Fontaine, we are about to suffer our second heavy blow."
"Hey, don't drag me into this." Azhdaha waved his hand and muttered mysteriously, "We cultivators avoid worldly entanglements… I'm aiming for eternal life, got it? Having a wife would only weigh me down!"
"If you can't find one, just say so. Want me to introduce a few?" Focalors teased with a smile.
"What nonsense!"
Azhdaha clicked his tongue, clearly offended.
That stung.
"So this is where you all are."
They looked up to see Neuvillette walking over.
"Oh!" Azhdaha greeted him, then leaned forward eagerly. "So, how does the bloodline upgrade feel?"
Neuvillette pondered for two seconds before answering, "Just as the description says."
Venti smacked his lips, visibly shocked. "One dragon surpasses six… This is bad. Neuvillette has officially become the strongest under Gu-ge!"
Neuvillette nodded slightly, then looked at Focalors with a complicated expression.
It was now certain—he was the reincarnation from that episode.
Before reincarnation, Gu Chen and Focalors had always dumped troublesome matters onto him.
After reincarnation… he'd been tricked by Focalors again.
So in the end, he was the sucker all along.
Focalors was truly a terrible friend!
"I'll treat you to a meal, I'll treat you," Focalors said, averting her gaze guiltily.
"That's more like it," Neuvillette nodded.
"The Hierarch is here," Zhongli reminded.
"Where?"
Focalors immediately stood and scanned the area.
Soon, her gaze locked onto the road leading from the Palais Mermonia.
Two figures were approaching.
Gu Chen walked at an unhurried pace, with a lively, bouncing girl beside him.
Their eyes met—and Focalors broke into a run.
Gu Chen quickened his steps as well, and the two quickly closed the distance.
"Stinky little brother!"
Focalors leapt into his arms, her face full of joy.
"Mhm~"
Gu Chen ruffled her hair, then chuckled. "You haven't been corrupted by those guys these past few days, have you?"
Venti froze, then turned to Zhongli and Azhdaha. "Was he talking about us?"
"Seems like it…" Azhdaha nodded.
Zhongli said calmly, "By common reasoning, he meant the two of you—not including me."
The three joined the table.
There wasn't some dramatic, turbulent love story between Gu Chen and Focalors—just quiet, steady happiness.
Even with their memories restored, it didn't feel like a long-awaited reunion.
One glance was enough to understand the love in each other's eyes. Words weren't necessary.
After sitting down, Furina looked at the Primordial True King figurine and sighed, "It looks so real! If it didn't stay still, I'd think it was alive!"
"The real one's right beside you," Venti said, handing Fanta to Gu Chen and milk tea to Furina.
"Thanks."
Furina took a sip, clearly in a great mood.
"True King, don't forget to treat me," Neuvillette said first, his tone faintly resentful.
Gu Chen blinked in confusion.
Focalors explained with a smile, and he immediately understood. "Of course! Definitely!"
At the mention of a free meal, Zhongli and the others instantly perked up.
"Let's go now. Debord Hotel," Gu Chen said, checking the time.
"Let's go!"
[Extraordinary Group Chat]
[Venti]: How did you know Gu-ge would treat Neuvillette—and I got to tag along? (confused)
[Kaeya]: People with thick skin just know. I don't even need to ask.
[Paimon]: I want food too!! @[Gu Chen]
[Gu Chen]: I'll just order extra and send it in the group later.
[Shikanoin Heizou]: Thanks boss, boss is generous!
[Mona]: What?! There's such a good thing?! Thank you, Gu・Primordial True King・Supreme Hierarch・Regent General・Liyue Adeptus…・Chen!
[Alice]: Look at this poor astrologer—so hungry.
…
Late at night, 11 PM.
Debord Hotel.
Gu Chen pushed the door open. "I've paid the bill. Take your time drinking—I'll head out first."
"Go ahead," Venti waved.
Azhdaha grinned. "Neuvillette, let me test your limits tonight!"
Neuvillette smiled calmly.
Did they think he was still the naive dragon from a few days ago?
No way he'd fall for it again.
After saying goodbye, Gu Chen walked back, holding one hand of each girl.
Furina had drunk a little—her cheeks were slightly flushed, and her mind was racing.
Should I… avoid tonight?
Probably not… but two people at once… I'm not mentally prepared…
But what if he doesn't let me run…
"What's this little dummy thinking about?" Focalors asked.
"She seems nervous. Probably wondering whether to sleep separately tonight," Gu Chen mused.
"Oh~" Focalors drew out the sound, her eyes playful. "Two at once sounds pretty novel. I've never tried that~ Furina~~"
"G?!!!"
Furina immediately realized she was in danger.
After a moment of hesitation, she suddenly puffed up with courage. "Bring it on! I'm not afraid!"
Gu Chen and Focalors exchanged a surprised glance.
Where did this sudden bravery come from?
Furina lifted her chin proudly.
She had anticipated this day ever since everyone guessed Focalors would be a heroine from one of the past-life arcs.
Even if she hadn't imagined this exact scenario…
It was bound to happen eventually.
Brave Furina fears nothing!
"Come on, you big bad wolf!" she declared.
…
The next morning.
Sunlight streamed in through the window, waking Gu Chen.
The previously tidy room was now a complete mess.
He sighed, glancing at Furina—clinging to him like an octopus—and then at Focalors, sleeping peacefully in his arms.
He stayed still.
10 AM already.
The group chat was lively as ever.
After scrolling through messages for a while, he ordered breakfast.
By around 11, Furina woke up, stretching lazily.
Soon after, Focalors stirred as well, frowning slightly when she moved.
"You need a day of rest," Furina said in a knowing tone.
Focalors laughed helplessly.
Though not as fragile as humans, she still preferred staying in bed when uncomfortable.
After feeding both "Big Furina" and "Little Furina," Gu Chen sat on the balcony, basking in the sun, chatting privately with Paimon.
[Paimon]: Boss Gu!! I want to come to Fontaine too! (rolling around)
[Gu Chen]: Come then.
[Paimon]: I can't just walk there! Open a portal like Raiden Shogun uses to commute!
[Gu Chen]: Relax, I'm planning to set that up soon.
He couldn't forget that there were still wives waiting back home.
After some thought, he said to the two inside, "I'm planning to set up a teleportation gate—makes travel between the Palais Mermonia and the Gu Residence easier. What do you think?"
"Are we going to meet the other sisters at home?" Furina tilted her head.
"Sure," Focalors nodded.
Joining Gu Chen's household was inevitable—she had long been mentally prepared.
"I'll do it tomorrow. Today, I want to study my reward."
The "Teyvat Internet" intrigued Gu Chen.
The current chat group was far from true connectivity.
But with this…
Teyvat could finally experience what a real internet was like.
After experimenting for a while, he figured it out.
Combined with the chat group, it could completely transform daily life.
Take Venti, for example—
If he got access to the internet, it was hard to imagine how much chaos he'd cause online.
Or something like Genius Invokation TCG—right now, Cyno had to physically find opponents.
With the internet, they could just create an online version and duel remotely.
A paradise for homebodies.
And if Ei discovered this…
She might stay indoors for centuries again—while still keeping up with trends online.
Just imagining her excitement, Gu Chen couldn't help but smile.
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