Venti's plan succeeded as intended.
The moment he @'d Gu Chen, the group's vibe shifted completely.
[Dvalin]: @[Gu Chen] Young man, I have high hopes for you!
[Kaeya]: Oh? Besides the two leading ladies, the male lead has finally shown up?
[Charlotte]: We know Lumine and Paimon are both trying their best to distance themselves from their past lives. Now, let's interview Mr. Gu Chen—what's your take on it?
[Kamisato Ayaka]: (Curious)
[Yae Miko]: Oh my~ The handsome, unfathomably powerful male protagonist from a light novel has arrived~ What do the heroines think? @[Lumine]
[Lumine]: That was my past life. It has nothing to do with me! (Cold)
[Paimon]: I think we could be friends, hehe. It's definitely not because I'm craving Gu Chen's cooking skills. (Expectant)
Seeing this, Gu Chen couldn't just keep lurking anymore.
[Gu Chen]: Hello everyone. The dashing, free-spirited man you see in the video is none other than yours truly!
[Kaeya]: I admit, you're handsome, but I've never seen such a shameless person!
[Zhongli]: I'm old and don't understand the young folks' world. No comment.
[Hu Tao]: Oh my, Mr. Gu Chen is so fun! Let's be friends! (Flowers)
[Gu Chen]: Hello! (Kaeya · rose in mouth hand raise expression · heart-stealing thief)
[Kaeya]: ?
[Kaeya]: Wait, bro! What kind of emoji is that? Why me?!
[Sangonomiya Kokomi]: Found it. Besides the default ones, you can search for characters to add expressions, like: (Paimon · hmph)
[Paimon]: Whoa, there's even one of me! (Paimon shocked)
[Lumine]: Isn't the real issue here Gu Chen?! (One Mora, please?)
[Charlotte]: @[Gu Chen] Mr. Gu Chen, what's your view on your past life?
[Gu Chen]: Watching from the sidelines. (Goofy)
[Gu Chen]: I get what everyone's thinking. Anyway, this past life exposure series... it's pretty novel! That's about it for my thoughts.
This was way too novel!
Back when he was grinding quests, Gu Chen saw himself as a ruthless grinding machine, powering through nonstop.
Now, his grinding process was being exposed?!
If he'd known, he would've added some flair while grinding!
Gu Chen was full of regrets.
[Lumine]: You weren't moved even a little?! (Bunny Earl · get lost!)
[Your Highness]: @[Lumine] Pay attention—this is about your past life. Asking this now makes it seem like you're starting to get caught up in that past romance?
Aether saw Lumine's message and immediately went on high alert.
He had a bad feeling.
Was his sister slowly starting to immerse herself in her past life's self?!
No way!!
"What the hell were you doing in that past life, me?!"
Aether gnashed his teeth.
He'd never hated himself this much.
[Heizou]: Verdict: Miss Lumine has immersed herself in her past self and now has feelings for Mr. Gu Chen! (Kaeya · you're hilarious)
[Alhaitham]: From Miss Lumine's behavior, it's clear her past self was obviously smitten with Mr. Gu Chen, but Mr. Gu Chen hasn't shown much toward her yet. So, this life's Lumine feels unbalanced.
[Zhongli]: Indeed.
[Lumine]: I'm not, I didn't! (Denying)
[Paimon]: Look! (Lumine puffing her cheeks under the sunlight, glaring at the light screen unhappily)
[Furina]: Shipping it.
[Hu Tao]: Shipping it.
[Lumine]: I'm done, fam! (Sucrose · aggrieved)
[Sucrose]: From an outsider's perspective, the Gu Chen in the video really takes good care of Miss Lumine. How to put it... it feels like he's taking care of a daughter? (Sucrose · obedient)
[Lumine]: I don't wanna live anymore! (Tartaglia · damn it)
[Tartaglia]: I know you wanna die, but don't die yet—come to Liyue for a duel with me first! (Klee · please)
[Jean]: Maybe let's let the Honorary Knight cool off? I'm worried she'll do something rash... Also, in the video, Mr. Gu Chen and the others have reunited with Miss Lumine and found Mr. Venti. It seems like they're about to discuss some secrets.
With Jean's reminder, everyone temporarily let Lumine off the hook and turned their attention back to the video.
In the video.
Gu Chen said seriously, "I have no issues. My goal is just to travel the Seven Nations. It's Lumine who needs answers from you."
Venti nodded and turned to Lumine. "So, what questions do you have?"
Lumine gave Gu Chen a grateful look before voicing all the doubts in her heart.
In an instant, members of both the Extraordinary Group and Ordinary Group learned many secrets.
[Jean]: Why does the Tsaritsa want to take the other Archons' Gnoses?
[Yae Miko]: Hmm, looks like we need to watch out for the Fatui!
[Raiden Ei]: A Gnosis is useless. Lose it and it's gone. What does the Cryo Archon want with it?
[Venti]: @[Raiden Ei] How do you know a Gnosis is useless?! (Hu Tao · sly grin)
In the Plane of Euthymia.
Raiden Ei fell silent.
She'd known since the Archon meeting years ago that she didn't get along with this Wind God.
Now, he'd exposed himself and was trying to drag her down too?!
Raiden Ei hadn't cared much about her identity being revealed, but the Shogun's威严 over Inazuma was too heavy. She didn't want to disrupt the group's lighthearted vibe.
As for the Wind God exposing himself, his personality was like that—everyone would just roll with it without too much awe. But if she was exposed, it'd be trouble.
Raiden Ei frowned, deep in thought.
[Raiden Ei]: I figured it out from your past life's words!
[Yae Miko]: You're that smart? (Yae Miko · scoff)
Damn fox!
Raiden Ei didn't bother explaining and went silent.
[Kaeya]: Hold up, they're asking about the Abyss Order now. The Abyss Order has a Your Highness— is that you? @[Your Highness]
Hah.
Like I'd admit that?!
Aether sneered dismissively.
[Your Highness]: What does the Abyss Order have to do with me?
[Hu Tao]: I don't believe it! Send a selfie unless you do!
[Your Highness]: ...
Are these groupmates insane?!
Why are they hounding me?
Aether was getting numb. If he really sent a selfie, wouldn't that expose him outright?!
He'd realized he might get exposed in the past life videos, but he still wanted to struggle a bit!
His mood was just like Venti's not long ago!
"Got it!"
Suddenly, Aether had an idea.
Moments later.
[Your Highness]: This is your prince! (Selfie of a smug-faced, luxuriously dressed ten-year-old boy.)
[Heizou]: Judging by the age, looks about ten. You've been badmouthing Mr. Gu Chen all along because your chuunibyou is acting up and you like the Lumine in the video?
"?"
Aether froze for a second, then exploded in rage.
"I'm suing you for defamation!"
Heizou, huh?
Are you even human?!
Making him sound like some clueless kid crushing on a girl who already has a boyfriend, badmouthing her guy in a pathetic attempt to swoop in—like a total clown!
[Bennett]: That "I'm so handsome" pose feels familiar...
[Fischl]: ...
What? What do you mean "thinks he's handsome"? Bennett, what are you saying?!
[Kuki Shinobu]: My place has one like that too. (Facepalm)
[Arataki Itto]: Hahaha, Shinobu's been holding me back from posting, but now I can! Arataki #1 Under Heaven is your grandpa! Join the Arataki Gang—your grandpa's got you covered!