For anyone living in this world, the beauty in life is always fleeting.
Yuto was no exception.
Yesterday afternoon, he was still in Furina's room, drinking afternoon tea with her, chatting about Fontaine's music and drama, and discussing the people and affairs of Fontaine—what a joy.
But that moment of beauty could only exist yesterday afternoon; it was absent this morning.
He looked at the mountain of documents piled before him, then at the schedule planning beside his hand, and sighed helplessly.
"Forget it, forget it. I'll just work overtime tonight to finish these documents... Meeting the Liyue delegation is more important."
As Yuto spoke, he picked up the cane leaning against the desk and walked out of the office door.
There is always a priority. Compared to these messy documents, which wouldn't necessarily contain effective suggestions even if completely revised... meeting the Liyue delegation was more important. "Yuto? Is today's procedure the same as before?"
Furina's voice came from the staircase not far away. At this moment, she was fully dressed, ready to receive the Liyue envoy with the dignity befitting a God.
Hearing this, Yuto first looked up and briefly assessed his God's attire, then reached out to help straighten her collar while saying:
"It's slightly different. This time, the Head Secretary of the Qixing is leading the delegation, not one of the Qixing themselves, so I just need to go and receive them."
"As the God of Fontaine, Lady Furina only needs to wait comfortably in the conference room for me to bring the Liyue envoy back."
Hearing Yuto's arrangements, Furina nodded obediently, just like a cute little kitten.
Looking at the obedient and lovely girl before him, a smile involuntarily appeared on Yuto's face.
He gently reached out, rubbed Furina's little head, and then left the Palais Mermonia with his cane.
Furina stood at the staircase entrance, watching Yuto leave the Palais Mermonia.
After doing all this, Furina blinked slightly and whispered:
"It's just like the wife in those operas watching her husband leave for work..."
After saying this, Furina's eyes suddenly widened. She quickly shook her head, a blush appearing on her fair cheeks, and then hurriedly walked into the adjacent reception room... To get from Liyue to Fontaine, the shortest path is to start from Yilong Wharf in Chenyu Vale, arrive at Port Lumidouce, take a Fontaine ship to the Opera Epiclese, and finally enter Fontaine via the Aquabus.
Although Yuto could wait at the Fontaine exit of the 'Navia Line' corresponding to the Vasari Passage station, since this is diplomacy, it is best to receive them the moment they disembark.
However... in terms of diplomatic formality, the Chief Justice of Fontaine should also make an appearance at this time, but Neuvillette's schedule today was completely filled with trials, leaving him no time to come and welcome Gan Yu.
The stage of the Opera House could be without Furina's viewership, it could be without Yuto's records, but it could not be without Neuvillette's presiding presence
—He is the Chief Justice in the true sense of the word, the symbol of 'Justice' in the hearts of the people of Fontaine. Without him, public trials would be impossible.
Under these circumstances... Yuto could only go alone to welcome the Liyue delegation.
However... given the current relationship between Liyue and Fontaine, they wouldn't harbor any resentment because of this.
With the special acceleration provided by the Aquabus and the Melusine, Yuto quickly arrived at a platform outside the Opera Epiclese.
Before long, a medium-sized passenger ship slowly approached the small platform behind the Opera House. Soon, a gangplank lowered from the passenger ship, locking tightly onto the iron hook reserved on the platform.
Not long after the gangplank was set up, an ice-blue figure, accompanied by a group dressed in Liyue attire, slowly walked off the deck and onto the port.
Gan Yu slightly raised her head, her lively red eyes sizing up the man before her. She couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity in her heart.
It was as if... the man before her was quite similar to herself in some way.
Looking at Gan Yu, who seemed to be pondering something, Yuto displayed a standard polite smile and said softly:
"Welcome, Miss Gan Yu, for leading the Liyue delegation to Fontaine. I am Auxiliary Officer Chang Ming, the Chief Regent of Fontaine. I will take the lead in handling both today's reception and all subsequent cooperation."
Hearing this, Gan Yu, who had been wondering why she felt a sense of familiarity towards the man before her, instantly understood.
She had heard Ningguang say that Fontaine's Regent was exceptionally outstanding; people in Fontaine could be heard discussing him just by walking down the street.
And according to the populace... this Regent was a workaholic who hadn't rested in over fifty years.
Thinking of this, Gan Yu couldn't help but compare herself to Yuto before her, and then gently nodded her small head.
When she looked at Yuto again, her red eyes already held a hint of... mutual appreciation, unique to fellow corporate slaves?
Even more exaggerated... Gan Yu even felt a little sorry for Yuto.
After all, she still got a bit of time off during the Lantern Rite every year, but this person seemed to have no time off at all.
"He truly is a respectable Regent..."
Gan Yu sighed thus in her heart.
But sighs aside, facing Yuto's friendly gesture, she nodded gently, a gentle smile also appearing on her face.
"Hello, Mr. Yuto. I am Gan Yu, the person in charge of this Liyue delegation. We are here this time to renew the previous commercial contract with Fontaine and appropriately expand the scope of our transactions. Please guide us."
Hearing this, Yuto nodded knowingly, then said with a smile:
"Fontaine also plans to renew the previous ore procurement contract with Liyue. Furthermore... we also wish to import some spices and tea from Liyue to enrich the types of goods available in Fontaine."
Pausing here, Yuto then continued:
"As for the more specific details... I ask Miss Gan Yu to move to Palais Mermonia, where we can discuss them further."
"Very well, thank you, Mr. Yuto, for leading the way."
"It is my duty, Miss Gan Yu, please don't be so polite."
...After a round of meaningless pleasantries, Yuto led Gan Yu and the Liyue envoys aboard the Aquabus and arrived in the main city of Fontaine.
Gan Yu's soulful red eyes blinked repeatedly, seemingly fascinated by the scenery of Fontaine.
"It truly lives up to its reputation... The scenery here is completely different from Liyue."
Hearing this, a slight smile appeared on Yuto's lips, as if Gan Yu wasn't praising Fontaine, but praising him instead.
After all... Yuto was the one who personally watched this land transform from ruins plagued by the dark calamity into its current prosperous state.
He certainly had the right to enjoy this praise.
Just as he was about to praise Liyue's landscapes and express his longing for Liyue... a somewhat careless voice came from behind him and Gan Yu.
"Eh??? Lumine! Look quickly, isn't that Gan Yu? And also, isn't that Yuto over there?!"
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