Noon.
After lunch, Gu Chen lay in a reclining chair under the shade, enjoying the cool air.
Liyue wasn't too hot this season, and the gentle breeze in the courtyard made everything feel just right.
While Gu Chen rested contentedly, not far away three women were chatting happily.
Each was curious about the others' past experiences.
After all, the videos had time limits—there was so much left unseen, and now that they were all going to share the same bed in the future, getting to know one another better only made sense.
Paimon didn't join in the talk, but she wasn't bored either.
Thanks to the group chat, she was already friends with many others who all adored the cute little companion.
Right now, she was lively in the chat, asking who had eaten lunch and sharing what she herself had. Then, naturally, gossip followed.
Close to two in the afternoon, the gate of the Gu Residence was knocked upon.
Gu Chen, still lounging comfortably, glanced up and signaled to Paimon with his eyes.
She obediently floated off to answer the door.
At this point, Paimon had a good grasp of her "position" in the household—technically the lowest in rank, yet somehow the most pampered.
After all, who could scold a child?
Opening the door, Paimon was greeted by the composed, steady figure of Zhongli and the ever-smiling, carefree Venti.
"Little Paimon, have you been eating a bit too well lately? You look like you've gained a little weight," Venti teased.
"Eh?!"
Paimon gasped, then began patting her belly frantically. "No way!"
Her days at Gu Residence were the happiest of her life.
Gu Chen's cooking was superb, and even when he didn't feel like cooking, she could order directly from Xiangling through the chat group. As for Mora—there was no shortage of that here.
Sometimes Paimon thought this was real living—pure bliss.
But now that Venti mentioned it… maybe she had eaten a bit too well lately.
Shaking off the thought, she stepped aside politely. "Come on in! Boss Gu's in the courtyard!"
"Many thanks," Zhongli replied with a faint smile.
When the two followed her in, Gu Chen was already seated in the pavilion, pouring tea.
"You three talk, I'll go play with Ying and the others," Paimon said, slipping away before she could be bored by grown-up talk.
Once she was gone, Gu Chen poured two cups of tea and gestured with a calm smile. "Please."
"Thank you, Sect Master," Zhongli said, taking the cup and sipping. His eyes brightened immediately. "As expected of you, Sect Master—even in this age, you've managed to obtain such fine tea."
Venti sniffed suspiciously, took a sip, and scratched his head. "Tastes nice enough."
Tasting wine was one thing—tea was another.
"It's been a long time, hasn't it?" Gu Chen said lightly.
Zhongli's expression softened, touched by nostalgia. "Ever since you merged with the Dao, it's been… close to a thousand years."
"Indeed," Gu Chen nodded.
As they reminisced, Venti stayed quiet; lacking his past-life memories, he couldn't quite share their sentiment.
After a while, Zhongli smiled. "Now things are finally well. The Grand Elder and Sect Master are reunited. If the old friends could see it, they'd drink to their hearts' content!"
Gu Chen chuckled. "Perhaps… though there are still regrets."
They chatted a bit longer before Zhongli's gaze turned serious. "Sect Master, what do you think of the current age?"
Small talk ended—this was business.
Gu Chen thought for a moment, then said, "Do what you believe must be done. If trouble comes, I'll bear the responsibility."
Zhongli rose and bowed deeply. "For all living beings, I thank you for your compassion."
Gu Chen only smiled in reply.
With everything being revealed to the world bit by bit, his master bedroom bed could barely fit the number of people already involved.
And most of those women's mortal lifespans were short.
For their sakes—and for all the living beings—Gu Chen would never refuse such matters. On the contrary, he would encourage them.
If Zhongli wished to act, Gu Chen would entrust it entirely to him.
The man was worthy of it—his title as Heavenly Enforcer of the Taixuan Divine Order spoke for itself.
So the Sect Master did what he did best—delegate.
"Master Gu, allow me to bow to you!"
Venti suddenly put on a straight face.
Gu Chen glanced at him sideways, mouth twitching—
And sure enough, the bard knelt right down and kowtowed in all seriousness.
Zhongli, rarely, gave a nod of approval.
Over the top as it looked, Venti's salute wasn't entirely unearned.
When he was done, the bard rubbed his hands eagerly. "Master Gu, last life I was only a Star Lord. But this time around, surely I can be promoted to Heavenly Venerable, right?"
Being the only Star Lord in the group chat did sting—especially when Dvalin liked to tease him about it.
Judging from his deeds this life, he figured he'd earned an upgrade.
Gu Chen smiled. "My suggestion? You could sweep the grounds for the Taixuan Sect. You're the Anemo Archon—wind sweeps away leaves nicely, doesn't it?"
"From a rational standpoint, that's quite reasonable," Zhongli nodded.
"Wait—you're taking that seriously?!" Venti groaned, half-laughing.
Still, the idea was oddly amusing. He chuckled. "If Sect Master doesn't mind, I'll sweep whatever you like!"
"You little rascal."
Gu Chen shook his head. He knew how flexible Venti's pride was—but still, this was something else.
Among juniors he had some dignity, but with peers or seniors, the bard reverted completely to his true chaotic self.
After a round of teasing, they finally turned to the real subject—the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles.
"Yesterday, she contacted me," Zhongli said. "She wishes to meet the Sect Master. I suspect… she feels awkward coming directly after the videos."
Gu Chen nodded knowingly. "Afraid I hold a grudge?"
"Not you," Zhongli smiled faintly. "You're magnanimous. But Guizhong…"
Ah, that smile said it all.
From an outsider's view, the Sustainer's stubborn fight with the Taixuan Sect had caused her fall—and Gu Chen's sudden ascension.
Few cared to ask why she had done it; it no longer mattered.
But Guizhong had never forgiven her for it. Teyvat had been thriving, and yet the Sustainer had stirred chaos—costing her centuries of grief.
And women… can be vengeful.
The Sustainer knew that as well as anyone. Hence, she'd sent Zhongli ahead to "test the waters."
Gu Chen burst out laughing. "She's underestimating Guizhong. Of course there's resentment, but not enough to hinder the world's progress. Still—if she wants something, why send a subordinate? Tell her to come herself!"
"Understood." Zhongli nodded and immediately opened a light screen to send the message.
"Say, Sect Master," Venti said, fidgeting excitedly, "when she comes, can we… listen in?"
"You just want to see your boss embarrassed," Gu Chen said dryly, though he didn't refuse.
"Honestly? Maybe a little," Venti admitted with a grin. "I don't hate her, but seeing her nervous around you—ah, sweet revenge!"
"Careful, or she'll make your life miserable later," Zhongli chuckled.
"I fear nothing!" Venti spread his arms grandly. "I've got the Sect Master to back me—what's there to fear?"
"Not that familiar, don't get clingy," Gu Chen waved him off.
Venti flashed a grin. "Oh come on, Sect Master! I'm your most loyal follower!"
Zhongli shook his head, laughing softly. "When it comes to thick skin, no one rivals you."
Gu Chen nodded gravely. "If there were a cultivation art for thick skin, Venti would be invincible."
"Damn, what a loss!" Venti slapped his thigh dramatically, as if he'd just missed his destined path to supremacy.
Zhongli: "…"
Gu Chen: "…"
Before long, the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles arrived at the Gu Residence.
When Paimon opened the door, she was startled.
The Sustainer greeted her politely—so politely, in fact, that Paimon began to doubt whether this was really the same woman from the videos.
Was it fear of Gu Chen, or a difference born from a new world's fate?
She couldn't tell—and didn't bother pondering. She simply led the visitor to the pavilion, then went off to enjoy her afternoon tea.
Inside, Zhongli and Venti were seated upright and composed.
Gu Chen might be easygoing despite his status, but the Sustainer was technically their superior—the ruler of Teyvat.
Whatever they were thinking, they kept it to themselves.
Even Venti, usually the picture of chaos, sat solemnly, eyes fixed on his cup.
This was the first meeting between the Sustainer and Gu Chen in this era.
Her demeanor was humble, uncertain whether out of reverence or necessity—perhaps both.
Gu Chen didn't mind. After inviting her to sit, he studied her quietly.
Her white hair was loose and soft, cascading down her back.
Her fair, flawless face held a trace of unease; her golden eyes—like the lenses of a sniper scope—were calm yet not emotionless.
Her aura, though, was unstable. She seemed to be recovering poorly from a serious injury—perhaps even deteriorating still.
Whatever her reasons, she was here to protect this world. For that alone, Gu Chen respected her.
…Well, and maybe because those long, pale legs wrapped in bandages that resembled stockings earned a silent evaluation in his mind: top-grade jade feet.
Sensing the slight predatory glint in his gaze, the Sustainer tensed, drawing her legs in under the table. Her hands clenched nervously on her lap. "M–Mr. Gu Chen, forgive my intrusion. I came to ask about… the World Stabilizer."
This is the Sustainer?
She sounds so timid.
Venti rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Amusing—but he dared not laugh. Instead, he discreetly snapped a photo and, wisely, didn't post it. After all, the subject of the photo was in their chat group, quietly lurking.
"Ahem."
Gu Chen set his cup down. "The World Stabilizer—just as its name suggests—is an artifact that anchors a world's order. Once bound to a realm, it maintains its balance and stability unless struck by overwhelming external force."
The Sustainer's eyes brightened. Exactly as she'd hoped.
With that artifact, her burden would ease immensely.
"You want it?" Gu Chen smiled lazily.
She clasped her hands tighter, nodding fervently, gaze pleading.
"Heh…"
Gu Chen chuckled softly, an idea flashing in his mind. Then he said slowly, "You don't want the world to collapse… do you?"
"...?"
The Sustainer froze—so did Zhongli and Venti.
Bro. Really? You're saying that with an audience?!
Zhongli frowned, feigning interest in his phone like an old man scrolling chat messages.
Venti crossed his legs tightly, digging his fingers into his thighs to stifle the laugh threatening to explode.
"Mr. Gu Chen…" The Sustainer's toes curled beneath their bandages, her hands twisting in her lap. Her jaw tightened, and through clenched teeth she forced out, "If Mr. Gu Chen is willing to give me the World Stabilizer, I… will sleep with you. Just one night!"
The last five words came out hard, eyes shimmering with humiliation and unshed tears.
To offer that for the sake of her world—at least she still had humanity in her.
Gu Chen's grin widened. "Oh? There's a deal like that?"
"Eh?"
The Sustainer blinked, stunned.
"Hahaha, relax." Gu Chen waved a hand. "Just testing your resolve. Crude method, I admit. My apologies."
He raised a hand, summoning the glowing World Stabilizer and setting it before her. "Your determination is genuine. Take it."
"That's… it?" she asked softly, disbelief flashing in her eyes.
He was just… letting her have it?
She'd been bracing herself for the worst—mentally, emotionally—yet he simply handed it over.
"What's wrong?" Gu Chen teased. "Feeling uneasy without paying some price? Or… regretting that you didn't sleep with me?"
The Sustainer's mouth opened slightly, speechless.
Venti, unable to hold it anymore, snorted out a laugh—
Only for Zhongli to reach over and pinch his side sharply.
"Hey—ow! What was that for, old man?!"
Zhongli blinked, face serene. "Ah… I thought of something funny and wanted to help you laugh."
Gu Chen: "…"
The Sustainer: "…"
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