After realizing that she had truly become the "hooked fish," Furina's expression became extremely complicated.
She didn't even know what kind of expression she should make to properly convey her feelings.
Standing beside Gu Chen, Furina placed her hands on her hips and said nothing.
Gu Chen turned to look at her.
She puffed up her cheeks like an inflated pufferfish, then immediately deflated again in frustration.
The whole thing looked incredibly cute.
"Hmph~"
Furina snorted and turned her head away from him.
But she couldn't hold it for long.
She sat back down in her chair.
Arms crossed over her chest.
Legs crossed.
Staring at Gu Chen with a glare that practically said:
"I'm angry now!"
So the hooked fish had realized it was the one that voluntarily bit the hook—and was now embarrassed and angry?
Gu Chen couldn't help laughing.
He poured her a cup of tea and said gently:
"How about I buy you your favorite cake at noon as an apology?"
"Hmph~"
Furina turned away again, but the joy flickering in her droplet-shaped eyes betrayed her mood.
Gu Chen continued calmly:
"Looks like one cake at noon won't be enough."
"Then of course we'll also need desserts for afternoon tea."
Furina's lips curled up slightly.
Then she quickly pretended to be indifferent.
"Fine. You can arrange it however you want."
"Oh?"
Gu Chen looked thoughtful, then sighed dramatically.
"But I'm a guest here in Fontaine."
Oh right!
He was a guest.
Furina thought for a moment before saying:
"Then I'll treat you!"
"But I'll fully respect the guest's opinions!"
Gu Chen nodded.
He glanced at the time and stood up.
"It's almost lunchtime."
Seeing him leave, Furina hurried after him.
"So… we're not fishing anymore?"
"No rush."
"We'll talk about that after lunch."
Furina walked beside him with her hands behind her back, steps light and cheerful.
Soon it was noon.
After greeting Neuvillette, the two headed to the seaside.
Fontaine's boats were quite technological and easy to operate.
The sea of Fontaine could be considered both an ocean and a massive interconnected lake system.
Either way—it was enormous.
A man and woman alone on the same boat…
Furina felt a little strange.
She sat on a small stool, turning to watch Gu Chen as he prepared bait for the fishing hook.
Then she looked down at the small boat.
Her mind began running wild.
Gu Chen cast the hook into the sea.
Just as he was about to ask if Furina wanted to try fishing—
He noticed her blushing and staring down at the boat silently.
"?"
Now he was confused.
She had been extremely excited before leaving.
Why had she suddenly become so quiet now that they were out at sea?
And…
Gu Chen stroked his chin.
For some reason, she looked like she was thinking about something very strange.
Before he could figure it out, the float trembled.
Gu Chen raised the rod.
A Blubberbeast-like sea fish splashed out of the water.
Furina watched as he skillfully reeled it in and tossed it into the bucket.
"If you catch a fish like that," she asked curiously,
"does it become your possession?"
"Hm?"
Gu Chen tapped her forehead lightly.
"What kind of question is that?"
"I caught it. Of course it's mine."
Furina covered her forehead and giggled.
Gu Chen felt her train of thought today was… unusual.
After thinking about it, he realized she might still be stuck on the hooked fish joke.
But who would take a joke that seriously?
Well…
If that person was Furina, the probability increased dramatically.
Furina clearly saw the brief flash of exasperation on his face.
Furina exploded.
"Are you disgusted with me?!" she demanded.
"Of course not."
Gu Chen shook his head solemnly.
"You are!"
"You're disgusted with me!"
"You're finished!"
"I curse you—you won't catch another fish today!"
Seeing Furina puff up like an angry kitten, Gu Chen couldn't help laughing.
"You're laughing?!"
Now she looked even more aggrieved.
Just then the float moved again.
Another fish had bitten the hook.
Furina panicked.
She lunged forward with claws out to grab the fishing rod.
"Hey—!"
Gu Chen wasn't prepared.
Splash!
Water sprayed everywhere.
Both of them fell straight into the sea.
Gu Chen surfaced quickly.
But when he looked around—
Furina was nowhere to be seen.
Only her hat floated on the water.
He dived.
Underwater, Furina's hair had come loose.
Her body was slowly sinking downward.
Her face looked panicked.
Gu Chen found the situation both helpless and amusing.
She could surf.
How could she not swim?
When he first met her, he had already sensed her budding feelings.
Calling her stupid wasn't accurate.
After a day together, she constantly showed subtle little tricks to express her feelings.
But calling her smart wasn't accurate either.
She clearly knew how to swim yet acted like she was helplessly sinking.
Even if she were an ordinary person, her Taixuan cultivation would allow her to escape danger.
Yet she simply waited for him to rescue her.
Gu Chen swam closer and wrapped his arms around her.
The water spiraled like a vortex.
A current lifted them upward.
Moments later they floated above the surface before gently landing back on the boat.
Gu Chen raised a hand and retrieved the floating hat.
"Cough… cough…"
Furina coughed weakly, her face pale.
Gu Chen supported her while circulating his power.
Within seconds, the seawater on both of them evaporated.
Furina leaned weakly against his chest.
Her acting was excellent.
She looked like a frightened girl who had nearly drowned.
Gu Chen placed her hat beside them and patted her head.
"You're such an idiot."
"I'm not…" Furina muttered stubbornly.
Gu Chen smiled.
"This reminds me of a story."
"A man rescues a girl from drowning."
"They get married."
"And only afterward he finds out she's a swimming champion."
"Ugh…"
Furina blushed deeply and lowered her head.
"Then she must've had a leg cramp when she fell in…"
She was still arguing.
Gu Chen simply watched her silently.
Even though she wasn't looking at him, Furina could feel his gaze from above.
It was unbearable.
She bit her lip.
Everything she had done felt completely transparent in front of him.
No wonder he had looked slightly exasperated earlier.
The two fell silent.
Only the sound of water and the ocean breeze remained.
After a long time, when the fish in the bucket suddenly flopped—
Gu Chen finally spoke.
"Let's catch two more fish and roast them."
Furina still hadn't recovered from the embarrassment.
She remained quiet.
Gu Chen caught two more fish quickly.
Then he drove the boat back to shore.
He gathered firewood and started a fire.
Furina squatted nearby expectantly, wearing her hat again.
Everyone who had watched the videos knew Gu Chen's cooking was excellent.
Furina herself had once tasted food he sent in the chat group.
It was unforgettable.
Soon the scent of grilled fish filled the air.
Gu Chen handed one to her.
"Careful. It's hot."
"Oh—okay!"
Furina blew on it before taking a bite.
Her eyes widened instantly.
Most fish had many small bones.
But after Gu Chen's preparation, only the spine remained.
A large bite of pure fish meat filled her mouth.
She looked incredibly satisfied.
As Gu Chen's power increased and he saw more of the world, many things lost their novelty.
But food became something he enjoyed even more.
Everyone needed pleasures in life.
Otherwise existence would become dull.
Halfway through his fish, he noticed Furina staring at him.
Turning his head, he realized—
She had already finished hers.
Fortunately he had prepared another one.
He handed it to her.
Furina accepted happily, her eyes curving into crescent moons.
After finishing, she stretched lazily.
"I haven't been this happy in a long time."
Gu Chen didn't comment.
"Let's go."
"It's time to head back."
After returning the boat, they walked through Fontaine City again.
Furina ran off to buy milk tea—a drink that had recently become popular thanks to Kamisato Ayato.
She handed one to Gu Chen.
Then happily sipped her own.
Gu Chen glanced sideways.
Last time they walked together, there had been a noticeable distance between them.
Now—
Furina had subtly closed that gap.
Just as he was thinking about it—
"Yo!"
Gu Chen looked toward the roadside.
There sat Venti, Zhongli, and Azhdaha on a bench.
Each holding a cup of milk tea.
Legs crossed.
Clearly waiting.
"When did you arrive?" Gu Chen asked with a smile.
"Around noon," Azhdaha said.
"We heard you went fishing, so we wandered around Fontaine."
"Then Venti said he smelled the scent of romance in the wind and made us wait here."
Zhongli nodded calmly.
Venti grinned.
"The Anemo Archon never misreads the wind!"
"Look at you two—you look just like a couple!"
Furina immediately turned red.
Azhdaha slapped Zhongli's thigh.
"See?!"
"I told you it'd happen this fast!"
"Still denying it?"
Zhongli rubbed his leg helplessly.
"…Fine."
"You win."
"Enough nonsense."
Gu Chen sighed.
"Do you three have places to stay?"
"Don't worry."
"Neuvillette arranged accommodations for me and the old man."
"As for Venti, he can sleep in the sewer."
"Hey!"
Venti protested.
"We all have rooms!"
"Good."
Gu Chen nodded.
"Then enjoy yourselves."
"We're leaving."
"See you tomorrow," Zhongli said.
Venti waved enthusiastically.
"See you tomorrow!"
"Furina, good luck!"
"Capture the Sect Leader soon!"
"If you need strategy advice, come find me!"
Azhdaha nodded seriously.
"Yes!"
"Our master strategist Professor Venti will help you!"
Furina walked quietly beside Gu Chen, head lowered.
Her ears were red.
If she couldn't make progress alone…
Maybe she really could ask Venti for advice?
Even if he had no experience…
What if he actually had a good idea?
They had already walked quite far when Gu Chen suddenly spoke.
"So."
"Are you really planning to hire Venti as your strategist?"
Furina froze.
Her thoughts had been exposed again.
She lowered her head in embarrassment.
Gu Chen chuckled but didn't pursue it further.
It was still early evening.
Fontaine had recently developed film technology, similar to movies.
With increased international exchange, these films had become extremely popular.
Since they happened to pass a cinema—
They decided to watch one.
By the time it ended, night had fallen.
After dinner, they returned to the Palais Mermonia.
"See you tomorrow," Gu Chen said as he stepped out of the elevator.
"See you tomorrow."
Furina waved.
The elevator rose.
She returned to her room.
After washing up and putting on her pajamas, she lay on the bed reviewing the day's events.
Then suddenly—
A notification appeared.
You have been invited to join the group chat:
"Efficiently Capturing Gu Chen Strategy Group."
Join?
Furina froze.
Her eyes widened.
Group Owner: Lumine
Members: Venti, Zhongli, Azhdaha, Paimon, Yae Miko, Raiden Makoto, Raiden Ei, Raiden Shogun, Buer…
Aside from the first five—
Every single one of Gu Chen's wives was there.
Furina was stunned.
Why had they invited her?
Looking at the group name…
Could it be…?
She subconsciously pressed Join.
System: Furina joined the group.
Venti:
"Welcome!"
"Everyone here is now your military strategist!" 😏
Ganyu:
"That title sounds terrible." 😵
Hu Tao:
"Let's skip the nonsense!"
"@Furina What stage are you two at now?!" 😆
Barbara:
"I bet they've just held hands!"
Furina:
"Um… why did you invite me…?"
Paimon:
"Don't get it?"
"It's simple!"
"There's only one Gu Chen."
"No one here will give up."
"If we fight over him, someone will regret it forever."
"Your feelings are written all over your face."
"There are already many ladies in the house anyway."
"One more doesn't matter."
"So everyone discussed it and agreed."
"We're just getting anxious because you haven't succeeded yet!" 😤
Lumine:
"That's right."
Hu Tao:
"What stage are you at?!"
Venti:
"Director Hu, I know you're impatient—but calm down!" 😏
Furina:
"I feel like he sees through my feelings…"
"But he hasn't reacted." 🥺
Yae Miko:
"Oh I understand my brother-in-law's style."
"He's a classic scoundrel."
"Doesn't take initiative."
"Doesn't take responsibility."
"Doesn't reject you either." 😈
Furina:
"…."
Guizhong:
"I have a plan!"
Guizhong:
"Gu Chen probably goes to sleep early at night in Fontaine."
"He usually doesn't lock his door."
"So Furina just needs to sneak into his room tonight…"
"And jump into his bed!"
Venti:
"Brilliant!"
Furina:
"Eh?!"
"Isn't that… a bit too bold?" 😳
Nahida:
"Modesty depends on the situation."
"In this situation…"
"After Lyney's magic show, Gu Chen will return to Mondstadt."
"You only have tonight and tomorrow."
"The morning after that he leaves."
"And at noon there's the next Past Life episode."
"This is your chance."
"Whether you take it is up to you."
Lumine:
"You're still hesitating?"
"Looks like I have to use that line."
Lumine:
"Furina… you wouldn't want to miss Gu Chen, would you?" 😏
Paimon:
"Lumine, that sounded way too Inazuma villain!" 😲
Lumine:
"But did it hit the heart or not?" 😏
Furina had to admit.
That sentence hit her hard.
Now she had a choice.
Should she continue to pursue him actively…
Or miss the chance?
Furina had never even considered the second option.
But Guizhong's suggestion of sneaking into his bed…
Wasn't that just too embarrassing?! 😳
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