Outside the window, the sky was filled with countless stars.
Bright moonlight streamed through the window into the room, where a confused and bashful girl sat hugging her knees.
Her chin rested between them as she thought carefully.
She understood her feelings clearly.
At the beginning it had been respect.
Slowly it became admiration.
Then it turned into a little liking.
And that liking gradually grew stronger and stronger.
Until now—
The feeling was no longer a tiny sprout.
It had already grown into a towering tree.
But Gu Chen's attitude was still unclear.
Just like Yae Miko had said—
He neither took initiative, nor rejected her.
"What does he actually mean…?"
Furina couldn't understand.
He had clearly seen through her feelings.
Yet he still showed no reaction.
If he truly disliked her, he should have rejected her outright.
But he hadn't rejected her either.
Furina patted her head and stared blankly at the bright moon outside.
The Sect Leader's wives giving her advice in a group chat had definitely boosted her confidence.
But even that sudden confidence wasn't enough for her to carry out Guizhong's terrible plan.
At least right now—
She couldn't make that choice.
It was just too…
"Ahhh, this is so annoying…"
Furina pulled the blanket over her head.
Anyway, there was still all of tomorrow.
She still had a chance… right?
Meanwhile, in the group chat:
Paimon:
"Why did Furina stop talking?"
Yae Miko:
"Maybe she actually went to sneak into his bed." 😏
Zhongli:
"From a rational standpoint, that seems unlikely."
"People usually cling to hope until the very end."
"She will probably only make up her mind when the Sect Leader is about to leave Fontaine."
Lumine:
"We've already given her a strategy."
"Whether she uses it is up to her."
Paimon:
"Cards! Let's play cards!"
Venti:
"@Zhongli @Azhdaha Come play cards!"
"Whoever loses pays for dinner tomorrow!"
Zhongli:
"I have no money. Going offline."
Azhdaha:
"I'm asleep." snore
The Next Morning
After breakfast.
Inside Neuvillette's office.
"All notifications have been sent out."
"The Opera Epiclese will definitely be packed today."
"We must pay attention to safety."
"Also inform people in the public group chats not to crowd the theater anymore—"
"They can watch the livestream online."
Neuvillette paused.
"Also… has Lady Furina woken up yet?"
The Melusine named Sedna shook her head.
"Probably not. Should I go wake her?"
"No need yet."
Neuvillette glanced at the time.
Gu Chen looked at the clock.
It wasn't even 7 a.m.
At 10 a.m., the official ceremony would begin.
Furina would formally step down as the Hydro Archon, handing all authority to Neuvillette.
Afterward would be Lyney's magic performance, followed by shows prepared by various theater troupes.
Today was nothing short of grand.
The Opera Epiclese had never had a schedule this packed before.
To Gu Chen, it felt like attending a live Spring Festival Gala, except every program looked exciting.
At 8:30 a.m.
The sleepy Furina was finally awakened.
After hurriedly eating breakfast, Gu Chen, Focalors, Furina, and Neuvillette boarded the patrol boat.
They had to reach the theater early.
And Neuvillette once again drove the boat like a racer.
When they arrived—
The theater was already packed.
"Lady Furina," Neuvillette reminded her,
"You still need to prepare backstage."
"I know, I know~"
Furina yawned.
They entered through a special passage.
Inside the theater it was quiet.
When Lyney saw them, he waved.
"Our side is fully prepared!"
"Very good."
Neuvillette nodded.
Focalors smiled.
"Furina is the opening act."
"Hurry and get ready~"
Furina headed backstage.
Meanwhile Gu Chen was led to the VIP seating area.
The VIP section was elevated, giving a perfect view of the stage.
Sitting down, Gu Chen scanned the room.
He saw many familiar faces.
Zhongli, Venti, Azhdaha, Arlecchino, and others with special status had already entered through the VIP channel.
After exchanging nods, the audience gradually filled in below.
Nearby guards were also setting up devices to livestream the event.
Neuvillette sat in the best seat, personally streaming to the Extraordinary Chat Group.
From heavenly beings to ordinary citizens—
Everyone had been taken into consideration.
Extraordinary Chat Group
Paimon:
"This is really grand!"
"All of Fontaine is watching, and the Six Nations of Teyvat are watching through livestream!"
"I wonder if Furina is nervous?" 😟
Prince of the Abyss:
"Even the Abyss Order is watching."
Enjou:
"It starts at 10, right? Looking forward to it."
Furina:
"Hmph! I'm not nervous at all." 😤
Charlotte:
"I'm at the scene!"
"Lady Furina's magnificent farewell is about to begin!"
"Can I get an interview afterward?" ⭐
An interview?
That would take time.
And Furina knew today was her last day.
She didn't want to waste a single moment.
She politely declined.
Furina:
"Maybe tomorrow."
"Also… five minutes before going on stage."
"I said I wasn't nervous…"
"But with all of Teyvat watching, I'm a little nervous."
"Just a little!"
Dori:
"Soon she won't just be Fontaine's superstar."
"She'll be Teyvat's superstar!"
"Imagine how much Mora I could make selling products endorsed by her!" 💰
Paimon:
"Big money!"
Gu Chen:
"It's starting."
The audience lights dimmed.
Only the stage spotlight remained.
The curtain slowly opened.
And under countless gazes—
Furina appeared.
Looking at all those eyes filled with expectation—
Furina felt emotional.
If things had followed the original timeline…
Her farewell would have been lonely.
But she had already escaped that fate.
Now—
This grand and magnificent farewell belonged to her.
"Welcome to the Opera Epiclese!"
Furina spoke.
In that moment she once again became the Hydro Archon persona.
Her voice rang proudly.
Every gesture carried divine authority.
Then—
Her aura suddenly changed.
The brilliance of divinity faded.
Leaving only Furina the human girl.
Under the spotlight—
She wasn't afraid.
She felt no hostile gazes.
Only freedom.
Only ease.
Instead of giving a speech like the day she first declared herself the Hydro Archon—
She began to dance.
Gracefully.
Wordlessly.
Telling her story through movement.
The audience watched quietly.
Offering their blessings.
Hydro Archon Furina belonged to the past.
But Superstar Furina still existed.
There was no need for sadness.
Only blessings for the girl who had endured centuries of loneliness.
Zhongli:
"From a rational perspective, the emotions within dance can surpass words."
Paimon:
"I declare!"
"Hydro Archon Furina has retired!"
"Now it's Superstar Furina!" 🎉
Klee:
"Yay!"
Nilou:
"AAAAH!!"
"Furina on stage is so dazzling I've become stupid!!" ✨
Collei:
"She's dancing like a butterfly!"
"She's so beautiful I can't even find words!"
When the silent solo dance ended—
The entire audience stood.
Thunderous applause echoed endlessly.
Furina performed a perfect stage bow.
Goodbye, Hydro Archon.
Goodbye, my former self.
Behind her, her long hair suddenly broke apart into glowing light and disappeared.
Now—
She was truly human.
And ready to pursue a new life.
The spotlight went dark.
Furina exited the stage.
Suddenly—
A private message appeared.
Furina → Gu Chen:
"Are you ready?!"
Gu Chen:
"Hm?"
Furina:
"If I confess to you right now…"
"Will you accept me?"
"Answer quickly!"
Gu Chen was surprised.
He understood.
Furina had finally walked out of her past.
She had been reborn.
Gu Chen:
"Congratulations."
"You've truly let go of the past."
"You are now a real human, Furina."
"In Taixuan terminology, your state of mind has reached perfection."
Furina:
"That's not what I want to hear!"
"Can you just answer directly?!"
Gu Chen chuckled.
Then replied:
"If it's you… I have no reason to refuse."
Furina:
"I'm coming!"
Furina, wearing a gorgeous dress, lifted her skirt and ran toward the VIP section.
Boom!
The spotlights suddenly turned back on.
One beam landed on Furina.
The other landed on Gu Chen.
They ran toward each other.
The entire theater held its breath.
Gu Chen stood up.
And opened his arms.
Furina rushed forward and threw herself into his embrace.
Like a kitten, she rubbed her cheek against his chest.
"Woooooo!!"
Venti jumped up cheering.
The theater exploded into even louder applause.
"Oh my god!"
"This must be Furina's true perfect ending!"
"I heard rumors she liked the Sect Leader—turns out it's real!"
"I was worried about her future, but now I'm completely relieved!"
"So happy for Lady Furina!"
"No—now she's Miss Furina."
"After laying everything down, she's finally pursuing her own life."
"Did you see how she ran without hesitation?!"
"And Gu Chen stood up to catch her immediately!"
"The tenderness in his eyes is overflowing!"
Chat Group
Nilou:
"MOM!!!"
"THE CP I SHIP IS REAL!!!" 😭✨
Collei:
"I thought it ended when she left the stage!!"
"Turns out the real story just started!!"
Guizhong:
"Oh? Looks like my terrible plan isn't needed anymore." 😉
Kaeya:
"Wait?! What happened that I missed?!"
Venti:
"Young man, don't ask."
"The waters here run deep."
Under everyone's gaze—
Furina's face was bright red.
But she looked incredibly happy.
"Stop staring!"
she said shyly.
The spotlight turned off.
The audience burst into laughter.
Gu Chen sat down while holding Furina.
She wiggled slightly before settling beside him—
Leaning against his chest.
Her heart was racing.
But she had never felt happier.
The stage lights came back on.
Lyney appeared center stage.
The grand magic performance officially began.
Later — Chat Group
Kaeya:
"It's over."
"Lyney's magic show was incredible." 👍
Shikanoin Heizou:
"My only regret is not seeing it live."
Kazuha:
"The play Daughter of Water starring Aurelie Fermo was also amazing."
"It was clearly inspired by Lady Furina's life."
Charlotte:
"I heard the actress was once threatened by the serial kidnapping group."
"Fortunately after the video exposed everything, Vacher was thrown into the Fountain of Lucine by angry citizens and devoured by Oceanids."
Xingqiu:
"That ending was too merciful."
Heizou:
"Calling him 'it' is correct."
"People like that don't deserve to be called human."
Venti:
"Enough depressing talk."
"Let's gossip about Gu Chen and Furina."
"When everyone left earlier, I didn't see them anywhere."
Zhongli:
"They're a couple now."
"They have plenty to talk about."
"You still want to intrude?" 😑
Azhdaha:
"Fontaine technology is amazing."
"This pistol is fun."
"I'll shoot Venti once to test it."
Venti:
"??? Why me?!"
Gu Chen:
"Looks nice. Send me one too."
Clorinde:
"Sent."
Gu Chen:
"Thanks!"
Nilou:
"I'm curious though…"
"What are Gu Chen and Furina doing right now?"
Collei:
"Hehehehehe." 😏
Kirara:
"Wait—when Collei laughs like that…"
"I suddenly understand!" 😲
Gu Chen:
"It's only six in the evening."
"The sun hasn't even set."
"Stop your wild imagination."
(photo: candlelight dinner)
Focalors:
"Oh my~ Furina looks so happy in that picture." 😏
Lumine:
"I've never experienced candlelight dinner."
"When you come back, you owe me one."
Raiden Makoto:
"Don't play favorites, Ah Chen~"
Gu Chen:
"I'm suddenly sweating."
"I'll make it up to everyone when I return!"
Hu Tao:
"That's more like it!" 😈
At that moment—
Furina suddenly leaned in front of Gu Chen.
Her eyes sparkled with joy.
"Come on~ look at the camera~"
She pressed her cheek against his and took photos.
Furina:
"Hehe!"
(photo: leaning in Gu Chen's arms)
(photo: cheek pressed against his face while he looks helpless but indulgent)
(photo: smearing cake on his face while teasing him)
Azhdaha:
"Why stab us singles like this?!" 😤
Kaeya:
"Single dogs have lives too!" 😤
Nilou:
"Hehe! Congratulations!" 🎉
Collei:
"So cute!! Send more!!"
Paimon:
"I'm full."
"No need for dinner tonight." 😤🍰
◇ I'll be dropping one bonus (GI)Chapters for every 10 reviews. comment
◇ One bonus (GI)Chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ You can read 60 (GI)Chapter ahead on P@treon if you're interested: patreon.com/SwipeSage