A qualified butler should possess several abilities:
Household management.
Organizational skills.
Interpersonal communication.
Cooking and meal management.
As for the last one—Paimon doesn't know how to cook. As for meal management… well, she's good at eating, so that barely counts as half.
Paimon considers herself an excellent little housekeeper. She's particularly skilled at estimating Gu Chen's and the mistresses' stamina.
At this moment—
Based on past experience, Paimon can confidently conclude that Gu Chen won't wake up until at least 8:30. He won't disturb his utterly exhausted wives either; instead, he'll check the group chat for a bit and probably browse the internet.
Then, around ten o'clock, people will gradually wake up one after another, with the latest riser waking before 11:30.
This is Paimon's accumulated experience—and so far, she's never been wrong.
It's currently 8:00 a.m.
There's still plenty of time, but how could a top-tier housekeeper have procrastination issues?
Based on Ying, Hu Tao, and Furina's preferences, Paimon has already bought breakfast for today—or lunch, if you prefer.
As for Gu Chen…
To be honest, Paimon has noticed his tastes are rather unique.
Or rather, he doesn't seem to have any preferences at all—he eats everything.
Yet in every past-life video, his tastes differ.
Paimon speculates that maybe Gu Chen's fragmented past lives filled in different "gaps," eventually forming a version of him that isn't picky at all.
The more she thinks about it, the more it makes sense.
Even so, she doesn't slack off. She still picks the dishes he usually eats.
Then she sends him a message saying food is ready, packs everything into a "red packet," and leaves it in the chat.
Mission accomplished.
Only then does Paimon leisurely get up, wash, and eat her own breakfast.
After finishing up, she takes the elevator downstairs.
Before, if she wasn't with Ying or someone familiar, Paimon wouldn't dare wander far—afraid of getting lost or encountering danger.
But now, she has no such concerns.
The Exposure System has changed too much.
For Paimon alone, the improvement in her life is enormous.
Now she's basically a Teyvat celebrity. Everyone has a favorable impression of this floating little companion.
Who would harm someone like her unless they were completely insane?
And even if she did encounter a lunatic, one shout in the group chat would bring instant backup.
Plus, with the 3D maps shared by group members, any visible or reachable location is recorded—so she won't get lost even in unfamiliar places.
Floating along leisurely, Paimon arrives at the main hall.
"Good morning, Paimon."
She looks over—it's Sedene, the Melusine who works in the Palais Mermonia.
"Good morning, Sedene!" Paimon greets cheerfully.
"Going out to play?" Sedene asks curiously.
"Not really sure, just wandering around since I've got nothing to do this morning," Paimon grins.
"I see." Sedene nods. "I still have work, so I'll get going."
"Okay!"
Paimon nods.
She floats over to Neuvillette's office. Upon entering, she sees him calmly reviewing documents.
"Paimon? Good morning."
Noticing her, Neuvillette nods in greeting.
"Morning! You didn't get dragged into playing cards last night, did you?" Paimon asks with concern.
Neuvillette shakes his head. "I was invited, but declined due to today's court proceedings."
"Lucky you," Paimon says, hands behind her back.
Neuvillette smiles faintly. "I'm not quite suited for that kind of entertainment… Even Mr. Zhongli seems to be getting influenced. Mr. Venti's… influence is quite formidable."
"Hehe, that's just how he is," Paimon nods in agreement.
"But interacting with them is beneficial. It helps me better analyze certain situations in court," Neuvillette adds seriously.
"I see…" Paimon nods thoughtfully.
Seeing he's busy, she waves. "I won't bother you then, I'm heading out."
"Alright. If you go outside the city, be careful. Best to bring friends," he reminds her.
"No worries, I won't go into the wild!" Paimon replies.
Leaving the Palais Mermonia, she strolls through Fontaine.
In Gu Chen's household, no one strictly manages money.
With the large sum Aether sent previously, plus everyone's personal funds, money isn't an issue. And those without funds rarely spend anyway—if needed, they just ask Paimon.
After all, she's the one who likes visiting the treasure vault, happily admiring the shiny Mora.
Gu Chen never restricts spending. He dotes on Paimon—she can use the Mora however she likes.
With money in her pocket, Paimon confidently explores.
She's usually frugal—except when it comes to food.
What seems like a big expense to others is nothing to the household—they just care whether Paimon has eaten enough.
After two hours of wandering, she heads back.
Sitting quietly in the hall, she opens the chat group.
[Cyno]: Playing Genius Invokation online just doesn't feel as satisfying. (annoyed)
[Tighnari]: Being able to play without leaving home is already great. (Cyno・sweat)
[Cyno]: You don't understand the thrill of slamming down your final card and crushing your opponent! Seeing their regret firsthand is unmatched! (Cyno・duel)
[Collei]: You weren't like this before… (no response)
[Cyno]: The group corrupted me!
[Kaeya]: Blaming everything on the group now? (Nahida・pointing)
[Dvalin]: Definitely Venti's fault!
[Gu Chen]: Yes, freedom influenced Cyno. Definitely Venti's fault! (grin)
[Azhdaha]: You guys sure love blaming Venti while he's unconscious. (grin)
[Zhongli]: Don't slander. I'm only 6000 years old—still young compared to the Archon of all husbands. (smirk)
[Dvalin]: Zhongli, I must criticize you—why didn't you livestream last night?
[Zhongli]: (video of beating Venti, 17s)
[Dvalin]: Excellent. More please!
Meanwhile, atop the Palais Mermonia—
Different people have different endurance.
After last night, Ying is already up, washed, and eating breakfast like nothing happened.
Hu Tao and Furina, however, are completely unwilling to move.
"See? You're done for," Ying laughs smugly.
"Wuu…" Furina buries herself under the blanket in protest.
"No, we can't just accept this!" Hu Tao sits up, grabbing Furina. "Eat something, recover, and then we'll show him what a rotation battle is!"
"Admirable courage," Ying praises with a smile. "But still just stubbornness."
"Stop rubbing it in!" Hu Tao lunges at her.
"Geh~ can't catch me!" Ying dodges playfully.
Watching them mess around, Gu Chen calmly eats breakfast, completely used to it.
After more chaos, it's already noon.
Ying and Hu Tao want to keep exploring Fontaine. Ying, with the composure of a "main wife," says:
"Go spend time with the others. The next episode is coming in a few days—you'd better finish your rounds before that."
…Is this a task assignment?
Gu Chen feels oddly like he's clocking in for work.
But since the "head wife" has spoken—and the others agree—he goes along with it.
Over the next few days, he travels across nations, making sure no one is neglected.
Inazuma — Tenshukaku
Raiden Ei rests in his arms, eyes unfocused, still savoring the moment.
"Who do you think it will be this time?" she asks softly.
"How would I know?" Gu Chen shakes his head.
He truly doesn't.
By now, he's realized the sequence of past-life episodes isn't chronological—it's more like random selections.
As he thinks—
Boom!
The familiar sound echoes again.
Everyone looks up at their screens.
Gray fills the display. Then, droplets fall, spreading color where they land.
Gradually, the scene becomes clear—
A massive sakura tree.
Its trunk resembles a fox, branches full of pink-purple blossoms.
Beneath it, before a shrine, a graceful woman dances.
Her expression solemn, her violet eyes filled with endless sorrow.
Each movement conveys grief, as if telling the story of her heart.
[Kamisato Ayaka]: Lady Guuji!! (shocked)
[Kamisato Ayato]: sharp inhale
[Shikanoin Heizou]: So he's sweeping through Inazuma's top tier now? (Hu Tao・grin)
[Sayu]: Amazing… he even won over Lady Guuji!!! (Paimon・shocked)
[Kokomi]: Hard to imagine.
[Gorou]: Finally someone who can handle that fox!!! (excited)
[Alice]: Oh my, it's little Yae~ (smirk)
[Ganyu]: Sister Yae, we're truly sisters now. (prayer)
[Raiden Makoto]: Never expected this…
[Raiden Ei]: She's here to compete for favor! (alert)
[Yae Miko]: Oh my~ don't say it like that~ @Gu Chen enjoying yourself, dear brother-in-law? (smirk)
[Gu Chen]: Setting aside everything else—just looking at this preview makes me uneasy. (annoyed)
[Albedo]: No doubt, Gu Chen dies again this round. (grin)
[Nilou]: Nooooo!!!
[Collei]: No!!!
◇ I'll be dropping one bonus (GI)Chapters for every 10 reviews. comment
◇ One bonus (GI)Chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ You can read 60 (GI)Chapter ahead on P@treon if you're interested: patreon.com/SwipeSage