Early the next morning.
At the Sanctuary of Surasthana.
Nahida looked reluctantly at Bu'er and Gu Chen.
"You really can't stay a few more days?"
Gu Chen planned to return to Gu Manor.
Everything in Sumeru was basically resolved—whatever remained, Nahida could handle herself.
And although staying here had a bit of "vacation vibes," he still had wives back home waiting for him.
Bu'er had no objections.
Wherever Gu Chen went, she naturally followed.
But after hearing they were leaving, Nahida couldn't hide her reluctance.
Bu'er was her idol.
And after these days, she felt like a gentle, half-motherly figure.
Warm. Comforting.
Sadly—it was time to part.
Gu Chen smiled, "We can always contact you. Sumeru isn't far from Liyue."
Nahida nodded, a bit downcast.
"Okay… but you must remember to miss me!"
"Of course."
Bu'er gently patted her head.
"Let's go."
A breeze brushed past, and the two were gone.
Nahida lowered her head briefly in disappointment, then straightened up again.
If the great scholar and Lady Bu'er believed in her—she must keep working hard.
Liyue Harbor – Yujing Terrace. Gu Manor.
Gu Chen returned to find the courtyard empty.
Entering the master bedroom—
All the wives were still asleep.
None of them showed the slightest intention of waking up.
"Gu-boss! You finally came back! You have to stand up for me!"
Paimon flew straight into his arms, face scrunched up, and began sobbing grievances.
"You weren't here, and they all ordered me around! I didn't dare resist!"
Gu Chen patted her back.
"That's how it should be. You were meant to be ordered around."
"Wha—?! Even you?!"
Paimon stomped her feet, puffing up angrily.
She turned—
and saw a stunning, gentle face.
"Woah! Greater Lord Rukkhadevata is sooo beautiful!!"
Bu'er blinked, surprised that this was Paimon's first reaction, then greeted her with a soft smile.
"Hello, Paimon."
"Hello hello!" Paimon shook her hand enthusiastically.
"But don't let them drag you down like they drag me!"
Bu'er chuckled.
Clearly, this little one was loved in this household.
"You seem to be living quite properly lately," Gu Chen said teasingly.
"Of course! Early to bed, early to rise! Anyway, I'm going to get breakfast soon—did you two eat?"
"We already did."
Paimon nodded wisely. "Good! Because someone has to take care of them when the master's away!
I arrange meals, shopping, even Yun Jin's opera tickets… It's so tiring. Good thing you're back!"
Gu Chen blinked.
"How come none of this happens when I'm home?"
Paimon rolled her eyes.
"How could they have that much energy when you're here?"
Gu Chen paused—
then suddenly understood.
"Ah. I see."
"Good! Then I'll leave the wives to you—I'm off to eat before I starve!"
She cheerfully flew away.
Inside the bedroom
Gu Chen knocked gently.
Raiden Makoto slowly woke up, saw him, rubbed her eyes.
"You're back…"
She yawned, her pajama strap slipping off her shoulder.
"Lumine dragged us into playing cards all night… my spirit feels… lacking."
"Then sleep more," Gu Chen sighed.
Bu'er asked curiously, "Is Miss Lumine always so energetic?"
Gu Chen struggled to describe her.
When unfamiliar: gentle, well-behaved.
After getting closer: a little gremlin.
Very comfortable being herself around familiar people.
And honestly—quite adorable.
Bu'er listened with amused understanding.
The personalities of the household were clearly varied—but all easy to get along with.
She relaxed.
Midday
Little housekeeper Paimon sent over a whole table of dishes using red-packet delivery.
The senior wives naturally prepared a small "welcome meal" for Bu'er.
It wasn't grand—just everyone eating and chatting together.
Lumine maintained dignified "main wife aura" for about… three minutes.
Then collapsed back into her usual self.
Women bonding was simple—
as long as they talked about Gu Chen, there was endless conversation.
Gu Chen and Paimon: completely ignored.
"Since when did you have so many good traits I didn't know about?" Paimon whispered.
"My excellence is beyond your imagination." Gu Chen raised a brow.
"Ugh. Show-off."
He drank Paimon's juice in one go.
"Don't drink too much sugary stuff. Bad for you. I'll shoulder the unhealthy part for you. Thank me."
Paimon choked on air.
"…Thank you so much."
Amid laughter and chatter, everyone waited.
The fan-made video previewed yesterday would update today.
Paimon lay in Gu Chen's arms, complaining,
"Still ten minutes left?!"
She opened the group chat.
Group Chat
[Hu Tao]: Zhongli disappeared early in the morning. Avoiding being laughed at before his fan-video drops? (lol)
[Venti]: I couldn't find him either. Definitely hiding. (lol)
[Azhdaha]: What's there to fear?! I'm a protagonist this time too and I'm not scared!!
[Zhongli]: I hope you can still laugh after watching."
[Kaya]: @Zhongli Where are you now? (lol)
**[Zhongli]: Don't ask."
He really felt Liyue Harbor was becoming unlivable.
Maybe he should change his name and start a new life.
The last "Morax crooked-smile meme" scarred him deeply.
And now he was featured AGAIN.
[Yunjin]: Five minutes left!
[Keqing]: The title alone promises chaos. As a hidden Zhongli-fan, this is going to be great entertainment."
The Video Starts
A peaceful forest—
stone paths, trickling streams.
Moonlight.
**[Yae Miko]: Wait… isn't this Chinju Forest? What does this have to do with Zhongli or Azhdaha?"
[Ayaka]: It really is Chinju Forest!"
**[Ayato]: Look—bottom left. "Original Video"? What does that mean?"
**[Albedo]: It means this fan-video is a parody remake based on an existing original video.
Which means… the original's protagonist is about to be revealed."
In the video:
A silver-haired girl in armor walks along the moonlit forest path.
A fox mask on her head.
Single ponytail swaying.
Youthful elegance.
Behind her—
a young man in a fox mask, white robes glowing under the moonlight.
[Ayaka]: E-Eh?! That's me… and Gu Chen-sensei?! (shocked)
[Nilou]: When did this happen?! Why didn't I know?!
**[Collei]: So there was a CP to ship and I MISSED IT?!"
[Ayato]: …(dead inside)
**[Prince]: @Ayato Now you know how I felt?"
[Ayato]: I understand. (dead smile)
[Thoma]: Lord Ayato… respectfully… this pairing does not seem impossible—"
**[Ayato]: THOMA. Not. Another. Word."
Ayaka stood in the stream, moonlight shimmering over the water.
She inhaled deeply—
"Sensei… please… look at me properly."
She closed her eyes…
opened her fan—
and danced.
Graceful.
Pure.
Full of heart.
**[Nilou]: This looks like… a confession scene??"
[Collei]: IS this a confession scene. (confirmed)
**[Ayaka]: !!!"
**[Paimon]: WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN???"
People speculated this might be footage from a future "reincarnation" episode.
Then—
REAL Fan-Made Video Begins
A flat wasteland.
Azhdaha stands.
Morax in hooded white robes stands opposite.
"Morax… please watch me closely."
His voice—
flirtatious.
Horrifying.
Then—
Azhdaha's massive body begins writhing.
Attempting to dance.
Failing miserably.
Looking absurd.
**[Zhongli]: …"
[Azhdaha]: …"
[Venti]: Dragon King, your dance moves are… amazing. (lol)
[Kaya]: The fat shaking adds a unique beauty. (lol)
[Hu Tao]: High EQ: unique beauty. Low EQ: hilarious. (lol)
[Gu Chen]: Excellent craftsmanship! (Zhongli crooked-smile meme)
**[Zhongli]: Has anyone considered the feelings of the victims here?!"
**[Cloud Retainer]: I cannot watch this."
[Moon Carver]: The erosion is clearly severe. (lol)
**[Mountain Shaper]: HAHAHAHA!"
**[Paimon]: Ayaka's dance was beautiful… Azhdaha's is ABSTRACT."
**[Nilou]: He's gripping the fan like he might snap it—HELP."
[Ayaka]: (dying inside)
**[Gu Chen]: @Azhdaha Any thoughts?"
**[Azhdaha]: I want to die."
He thought this would mock Zhongli.
Instead, it mocked them both.
A fat dragon trying to be seductive…
He himself couldn't watch.
[Azhdaha]: WHO THE HELL MADE THIS FAN-VIDEO?!"
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