Since ancient times, stories between long-lived races and short-lived races have mostly been tragedies.
If nothing unexpected happened, Kaliru's power would continue to drain away, to the point where even maintaining a humanoid form would become difficult.
Old Finch, too, was growing old because of the limits of his lifespan. Without a path to longevity, he would eventually die at the end of his years.
But now, none of that needed to be worried about anymore.
Between Kaliru and Old Finch, a new hope had appeared.
[Kaliru]: I'm truly very grateful to everyone! (Sucrose · well-behaved)
[Azhdaha, Dragon King]: Anyone who cultivates the Grand Profound Scripture is a disciple of the Grand Profound Sect. It's only right that this Heavenly Venerable looks after them a bit. (Paimon · hmph)
[Osial]: Look at you—your smugness is practically spilling out of the chat screen and splashing onto my face. (grinning)
[Zhongli]: Could it be that certain Heavenly Venerables of the Grand Profound Sect have nothing to say at all? (confused)
[Osial]: It's not that I don't want to say anything—I'm imprisoned! I don't even have any good stuff to give! (Qiqi · collapsed)
[Diona]: So Grandpa Finch has a story like this too! (Paimon · surprised)
[Kaeya]: Can you feel the greatness of the Sect Master now? Come join the Sect Master's hardcore fan club! (welcome)
[Furina]: Name one flaw of the Sect Master. As long as the veteran fans approve, you can join the hardcore fan club! (Furina · amused)
[Paimon]: Does Boss Gu even need to have flaws? (grinning)
[Kaeya]: You can use that line once—use it a second time and we won't accept it! (grinning)
[Gu Chen]: Can't you all be quiet like my CP fans for once? (Qiqi · collapsed)
[Nilou]: Hehe. (Nilou · popping up)
[Collei]: I'm already looking forward to Episode 27 of the Eighth Past Lives series. (Collei · longing)
[Furina]: I'd like to call out certain nations—aren't you appearing way too often in the Past Lives series? Can you leave some screen time for other countries?!
[Keqing]: Can't be helped. Liyue is full of talent. (Keqing · thumbs-up)
[Raiden Shogun]: I'm wondering which episode that girl from the Kamisato clan will appear in. (thinking)
[Kamisato Ayato]: Your Excellency, there's really no need to bring that up.
[Kamisato Ayaka]: (Barbara · shy)
[Thoma]: You mean the original video used in that fan-made series last time? Mr. Gu Chen and Miss Ayaka… tsk. (Paimon · shocked)
[Paimon]: Please say it out loud—you are Kamisato Ayaka's ( ? ) @[Gu Chen]
[Kamisato Ayaka]: (Kamisato Ayaka · stunned)
[Gu Chen]: A dead old meme suddenly attacked me?! (Paimon · shocked)
[Venti]: Do explain—what are you to Kamisato Ayaka? (grinning)
[Gu Chen]: Don't slander your Sect Master. Also, it's lunchtime—time to eat. (Photo of cooking in the kitchen, with Paimon sneaking food in the corner)
[Xiangling]: Lunchtime~ Remember to eat on time! (Guoba · big smile)
"So, what are you to Kamisato Ayaka?" Paimon asked after wiping the corner of her mouth.
"That's a secret."
Gu Chen asked solemnly, "How did you find out?"
Paimon chuckled. "One night after dinner, they all went out to stroll the night market. You and I were lying in the courtyard… and you let something slip while looking at Kamisato Ayaka's photo!"
"Kamisato Ayaka's photo?"
Gu Chen froze, then asked, "Where did that come from? Let me see it again."
"That night wasn't it when the girls in the group were sharing daily photos? Kamisato Ayaka posted one too. You were looking through them one by one, then accidentally swiped to a goofy photo of Venti and started attacking him in the group," Paimon said.
"Did that really happen?" Gu Chen seemed to recall something.
"It did!" Paimon nodded.
"Forget it. Let's eat." Gu Chen shook his head.
"Sure, I'm starving." Paimon nodded back.
…
Afternoon.
Hu Tao wasn't feeling well and stayed home.
Gu Chen, Guizhong, Hu Tao, and Lumine were playing cards.
Paimon watched from the side. Makoto and Buer were there as well; Ei had gone to work with the Raiden Shogun.
After playing mahjong for quite a while, Hu Tao grew restless and wanted to go out.
Guizhong agreed enthusiastically.
"Let's go shopping!"
Gu Chen looked at his wives' excitement and felt a headache coming on.
To be honest, he never quite understood the appeal of shopping.
If it was about buying things, that made sense—but sometimes they didn't buy anything at all, just wandered around.
"You know, the shop where they often buy stockings is doing better and better lately," Paimon said, glancing at Gu Chen.
"Really?" Gu Chen froze, deep in thought.
"Mhm." Paimon nodded.
"That shop owner must have quite the business sense," Gu Chen said.
"They're from Liyue—maybe they learned a thing or two from the Geo Archon?" Paimon shrugged. "Anyway, Lumine and the others have been listed as VIP customers."
Seeing Gu Chen's confusion, Paimon explained, "Stockings look good, and for you they're basically consumables. Several pairs a day… Lumine alone has spent almost a million Mora there."
"Hiss—"
Gu Chen sucked in a breath. "So it's my fault?"
"Yes!" Paimon nodded.
After understanding, Gu Chen said, "Well, it's fine. Big Brother-in-law sent so much Mora last time anyway… doesn't matter."
Paimon gave him a just-as-expected look.
If anyone understood Gu Chen besides his wives, Paimon believed she was definitely second—no one else would dare claim first.
Chatting as they walked, even though red packets existed and all it took was adding a contact to pay—saving the trouble of carrying things or delivery—Gu Chen still ended up holding quite a few bags.
Shopping, after all—he had mentally prepared himself.
He peeked into one bag and exchanged a glance with Paimon.
"Told you so," Paimon spread her hands.
Inside were, indeed, several newly bought pairs of stockings.
Lumine clearly understood Gu Chen well. Besides the basic black and white ones, there were even more elaborate styles.
Gu Chen's face was full of satisfaction.
Paimon looked at him with disdain and complained, "You… with how you are every day, do you really not need to go see Bubu Pharmacy?"
Gu Chen glanced at her and only smiled.
Though Paimon was worried about him, she was definitely overthinking it.
After three hours of shopping, Guizhong and Hu Tao finally ran out of energy and clamored to go home.
When Gu Chen returned carrying bags upon bags, Makoto and Buer exclaimed in surprise, "You bought so much?"
Lumine nodded. "Of course. Girls need to dress up often—so certain people don't forget the old love after finding a new one~"
"Are you calling me out? I don't think I've forgotten any old loves," Gu Chen pouted.
"Hurry up and put everything into the wardrobe," Lumine waved her hand.
Gu Chen turned to look at Paimon.
Paimon frowned and flew away.
Gu Chen shrugged. With no one to help, he had no choice but to do it himself.
After dumping everything into the wardrobe, he checked the time and called Paimon to help make dinner.
After dinner.
Bedroom.
Gu Chen leaned back in a chair, drinking tea.
With no outsiders at home, Lumine and the others freely tried on their new clothes.
Even Paimon had some.
"You can look at them, but you're not allowed to look at me."
Paimon's face turned red as she hugged Gu Chen's head and turned it aside, making him look at Hu Tao instead.
Gu Chen curled his lips. "Do you even need to say that? Who would want to look at you?"
"Hmph!"
Paimon stomped in midair.
She knew she was still small, and Gu Chen had no such thoughts about her at all.
She wondered—when she grew up, would he see her differently?
The thought felt a little strange, but the more she thought about it, the more she felt it might be possible.
"Don't space out."
Lumine pinched Paimon's cheek and handed her some clothes.
Coming back to her senses, Paimon realized that even though Lumine's eyes were full of her husband, she hadn't forgotten about her guide at all—she'd even bought her winter children's clothes.
After putting on the thick white outfit, Paimon nodded repeatedly. "Mm-hm, it feels much warmer!"
"Shouldn't you thank me?" Lumine asked, hands on her hips.
"Yes!" Paimon nodded.
"Good. That way I'll feel even less guilty bossing you around in the future," Lumine said with a smile.
Paimon rolled her eyes. "I suddenly feel like I've gone from steward of the Gu residence to a little maid."
"Not quite~" Guizhong shook her head and snickered. "More like the empress's little palace maid~"
Hearing that, Paimon seriously bowed to Lumine. "Your Majesty the Empress~"
"Oh, Little Mengzi," Lumine nodded with a smile.
Gu Chen spat out his tea. "What 'Little Mengzi'—that sounds like a eunuch!"
Paimon exploded in anger. "Despicable! Tonight I'm assassinating you, Empress!"
"Go, Paimon! Once the Empress is gone, Consort Guizhong will take the throne!" Guizhong cheered and fanned the flames.
"Lumine, prepare to die!"
Paimon took off her headpiece and charged headfirst at Lumine.
Lumine laughed and dodged, then shouted, "The Empress is under attack! Your Majesty, come protect your Empress~"
"It's useless—the Emperor didn't hear anything~" Hu Tao covered Gu Chen's ears.
Guizhong pounced and pinned Lumine down. "Quick, take the chance and seize the throne!"
"I'm coming, I'm coming~" Makoto said with a smile as she joined in.
Buer, wearing a kind expression and not intending to participate, was somehow tripped and fell into the pile as well.
Hu Tao found it amusing and jumped in too after letting go of Gu Chen.
Watching them fool around, Gu Chen coughed lightly. "Ahem—irrelevant little palace maids may withdraw!"
"What is it?"
Paimon popped her head out of the pile.
"Heh heh."
Gu Chen grinned and said, "The foolish tyrant has arrived~"
"Eek—!"
Paimon slammed the door shut and stomped her foot in frustration.
That hateful foolish tyrant, always bullying her for being young!
"When will I finally grow up?"
Paimon rubbed her chin and seriously pondered the question.
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