The same shop.
The same seat.
But a completely different mood.
Yesterday, when they came for candlelight dinner, Furina and Gu Chen were only friends.
Today, Furina finally had the proper identity to share a candlelight dinner with him.
She was happy.
Very happy.
Her emotions were written all over her face. Under the candlelight, the girl's bright smile and affection looked even more charming.
Gu Chen wiped the cream off his face with his hand, glanced at it, and casually smeared it onto Furina's cheek.
"!!"
Furina's eyes widened.
Then she gave a mischievous smile.
She stepped in front of Gu Chen. Since he was sitting, she was slightly taller.
She lifted his chin with her hand and slowly lowered her eyelids.
Just when Gu Chen thought she was about to kiss him—
She pressed her cheek against his instead.
The sweet cream spread evenly across both their faces.
Furina proudly put her hands on her hips.
"Now we're even!"
Gu Chen couldn't help laughing.
"How could that be the same? Oh? Is that a shooting star?"
Furina instantly turned to look out the window.
In the next moment—
A creamy handprint appeared on her face.
"You cheated!"
Furina protested angrily and immediately launched a counterattack.
After a round of playful chaos, a meal that should have taken thirty minutes lasted over two hours.
The luxurious private room had its own bathroom.
They washed the cream off their faces before leaving.
After paying, each of them held a cup of milk tea while walking back.
Furina leaned forward slightly and tilted her head toward him.
"Let me try yours!"
"Aren't they the same flavor?" Gu Chen chuckled, but still held the cup toward her.
She bit the straw and took a sip.
Her face flushed slightly.
"Hehe… does this count as an indirect kiss?"
Gu Chen raised an eyebrow.
"If you want, we could also have a direct kiss."
Furina covered her mouth.
"Ehhh—no, no! There are too many people on the street!"
"Oh?"
Gu Chen pretended to suddenly understand.
"So if there are fewer people, it's okay?"
Furina's face turned even redder. Even her delicate ears were crimson.
She whispered as quietly as possible.
"Y-yes… that's okay."
A girl's blush said more than anything else.
Gu Chen's mood brightened immediately. He wrapped an arm around Furina's slim waist.
Her body stiffened slightly at first.
But she didn't resist at all.
Instead, she leaned closer and whispered:
"Let's go home quickly."
They returned to the Palais Mermonia.
It was already late at night.
At the entrance stood Neuvillette, while Focalors waited nearby with a smile.
Seeing the two walking close together, she teased them.
"Oh my~ You two left earlier than us, yet came back later~"
"Mind your own business!" Furina huffed.
Neuvillette couldn't help laughing.
"Congratulations to you both."
"Thank you!" Furina grinned brightly.
Focalors also offered her congratulations.
But deep inside, she felt a strange emotion she couldn't quite explain.
Still, seeing Furina and Gu Chen together made her sincerely happy.
"It's late," Neuvillette said.
"Mr. Venti invited me to play cards… I have a feeling I'll lose some Mora tonight."
Focalors smiled.
"Let's go, let's go~ They invited me too."
She understood Venti's real intention.
Only the innocent Neuvillette believed Venti actually wanted to play cards with someone who didn't know how.
With cheerful anticipation of winning Mora tonight, Focalors waved goodbye and dragged Neuvillette away.
"Come on, hurry!"
"Alright."
Neuvillette nodded helplessly.
Watching them leave, Furina felt her cheeks heating up.
She coughed lightly.
"L-let's go upstairs."
Gu Chen nodded.
Meanwhile he silently thanked Venti.
As expected—old ginger was spicier.
Even when he wasn't present, he still managed to provide perfect support.
Inside the Palais Mermonia, the building was empty.
Gu Chen guessed Focalors had convinced Neuvillette to give everyone the night off.
They stepped into the elevator.
Furina pressed the 5th floor button and then deliberately blocked the panel.
Gu Chen couldn't help laughing.
This silly girl was practically delivering herself to him.
Her residence on the fifth floor was enormous.
Bedroom. Living room. Kitchen.
All incredibly spacious.
Even without entering the bedroom, Gu Chen estimated it to be dozens—maybe hundreds—of square meters.
Looks like he'd really found himself a rich girlfriend.
"There's also a bathroom over there… you don't have spare clothes, but that shouldn't matter for you…"
Furina held her pajamas, speaking while lowering her head.
Then she hurried into the bathroom like she was escaping.
Soon the sound of water echoed.
Gu Chen shrugged and went to wash up as well.
For him, a cleaning spell could replace bathing entirely.
But life needed a bit of ceremony.
After finishing, he sat on the sofa waiting.
A long time later—
Furina emerged.
She wore white pajamas.
Her damp hair and clothes still emitted faint steam.
Her face was flushed, and she walked unsteadily as if slightly drunk.
She sat beside him and leaned into his arms.
"My hair…"
"Alright."
Gu Chen placed his hand on her head.
Within moments, her hair became dry and silky.
Furina turned to face him.
Without hesitation, she closed her eyes and leaned forward.
Their lips met.
Gu Chen wasn't the type to passively accept.
He immediately responded more forcefully, leaving Furina breathless.
"You're cheating… you have more kissing experience…"
"If you're bad, practice more."
"I can help you practice."
"Waaah… you bully…"
"We're just getting started."
With a smile, Gu Chen lifted her in his arms and pushed open the bedroom door.
"Ah—!"
Furina cried softly.
"Turn off the light…"
Meanwhile — On a Rooftop in Fontaine
Five powerful beings were crouching together.
Venti, Zhongli, Azhdaha, Focalors, and Neuvillette.
All gods or dragon kings.
Yet they were here spying.
"I thought we were actually playing cards…" Neuvillette sighed.
"You are," Venti said cheerfully, tossing a card.
Then he looked toward the Palais Mermonia.
The lights on the fifth floor went out.
"Alright."
"That's where we stop watching."
"Now we can really play cards."
"Sometimes you're impressive," Azhdaha said, giving Venti a thumbs up.
"Another couple successfully matched."
Venti puffed his chest proudly.
"Of course! Who do you think I am?!"
Zhongli sighed.
"Stop bragging. It's your turn."
The Next Morning
Gu Chen woke early but didn't get up.
Furina hugged his right arm.
Her soft legs rested on him.
Her head leaned against his shoulder, and the little ahoge on her head swayed slightly as she slept.
She looked a little tired.
Gu Chen carefully shifted and pulled her into his arms.
While waiting for her to wake naturally, he asked Paimon to buy some desserts and checked the chat group.
Extraordinary Chat Group
Kaeya:
"Good morning everyone! A beautiful day begins after finishing last night's cultivation!"
Venti:
"Oh? How did you know I won 800,000 Mora last night?"
Kaeya:
"Who the hell asked you?!" 😤
Azhdaha:
"Hehe! I made a small profit—120,000 Mora!"
Zhongli:
"A modest gain of 300,000." ☕
Focalors:
"Just a small 30,000 profit." 😊
Kaeya:
"So who lost?!"
Heizou:
"Only honest people play cards with those three."
"Lady Focalors survived because she's clever."
Neuvillette:
"…"
Childe:
"Was it you?" 😲
Osial:
"Rise up, Neuvillette! They bullied the honest dragon!"
Neuvillette:
"Value life. Stay away from card tables."
At 11 a.m., Furina finally woke up.
Still sleepy, she rubbed against Gu Chen like a kitten.
Then suddenly realized something and hid under the blanket in embarrassment.
Gu Chen gently patted the blanket.
"Hungry?"
"I asked Paimon to buy lots of desserts."
"They're from other nations. Not sure if you'll like them."
"Like them!"
Furina immediately poked her head out.
After last night's… activities…
She was really hungry.
Gu Chen helped her sit up and created a small table.
Desserts appeared one after another.
"Wow! So this is Tri-Color Dango!"
"No wonder Sister Ei loves it!"
"And this Dango Milk is amazing!"
If her body didn't feel sore, she might have jumped with excitement.
"Eat slowly," Gu Chen said.
"No one's competing with you."
"Mm… I was hungry…"
She chewed like a little hamster.
Then fed Gu Chen a dango.
They took turns eating.
Finally she sighed happily.
"I'm full~"
She tried to stand.
Then frowned pitifully.
"I can't get up…"
"Then lie down and rest."
"But I need to go to the bathroom!"
She raised her arms.
"Carry me!"
Gu Chen carried her to the bathroom.
But once inside, she waved frantically.
"Y-you go outside!"
"I've already seen everything…"
"You're not allowed to say that!"
"Alright, alright."
Later she returned and immediately asked to be carried again.
She lay back down beside him.
While watching the group chat, she also sent messages in her small group.
"'Efficiently Capturing Gu Chen Strategy Group'?"
Gu Chen read the group name aloud with a strange expression.
Furina puffed up proudly.
"Hmph! The sisters gave me lots of terrible ideas!"
"Did you use them?"
"…No."
She muttered that the ideas were too terrible.
But she was happy they had accepted her.
Just then—
Barbara reminded everyone:
"The Past Life Series is about to update!"
Furina checked the time.
Only one minute until noon.
She looked at Gu Chen nervously.
"I can't do anything about it," he said helplessly.
She suddenly felt uneasy.
Then Gu Chen hugged her and whispered in her ear:
"Have you ever seen me give up on anyone?"
That's true.
Furina smiled.
Focalors was still alive.
Her curse remained.
She had endless time ahead.
And Gu Chen's love had a place for her.
"Time to watch!"
She curled up in his arms and looked at the screen.
At exactly 12:00 noon—
A thunderous sound echoed across the sky.
The weekly Past Life Series appeared.
The cover image showed a sunny summer beach.
Golden sand.
Two umbrellas.
A table with fruit and drinks.
Under one umbrella sat Neuvillette, wearing sunglasses and beach clothes.
Nearby—
Gu Chen relaxed in a chair, shirtless, holding a lemon drink.
His toned muscles were clearly visible.
In the distance—
A white-haired girl ran toward the sea holding a surfboard, waving happily.
"Is that me?"
Furina blinked.
Then shook her head.
"No… it's not me!"
Past Life Series — Episode 9
The Primordial Lord
Main Characters:
Gu Chen × Focalors
(Fake) Neuvillette
Keywords:
The Lost Ancient True King
The First Admiration of the Pure Waters
When the Whale Falls, All Things Flourish 🌊
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