In the past, due to inconvenient communication and long distances, most people had never been to other nations.
But now, Gu Residence had that capability. A simple Moon Gate could directly teleport to the Knights of Favonius headquarters in Mondstadt, Tenshukaku in Inazuma, the Sanctuary of Surasthana in Sumeru, and the Palais Mermonia in Fontaine.
With such convenience—and after seeing videos or photos of local scenery—it was only natural to want to visit in person.
After lunch, Hu Tao decided to go sightseeing in Fontaine.
Furina happily volunteered as a tour guide, and the two of them dragged Lumine and Paimon along.
In this life, Lumine and Paimon hadn't been to Fontaine yet, so they were quite interested.
Focalors, on the other hand, was curious about every nation. She hadn't even finished exploring modern-day Fontaine yet, and still felt somewhat unfamiliar with this era. Fortunately, the Fontaine in her memories was wonderful, so today she followed Ganyu and Guizhong around Liyue instead.
Jean still had work at the Knights of Favonius, so Buye'er and Raiden Makoto went along to help her.
Barbara followed the Raiden Shogun to Inazuma—after hearing from Gu Chen that someone named Gorou on Watatsumi Island had experience as an idol, she planned to learn from him.
After thinking it over, Gu Chen also decided to go to Fontaine.
He remembered Zhongli and the others were still hanging around there.
Fontaine
Zhongli looked as composed as ever, exuding calm dignity.
Venti strolled around with a bottle of wine, smiling as he looked here and there.
Azhdaha walked beside them with his hands behind his back like a local tyrant, pointing at things he liked and making Zhongli pay.
The era of "Morax without Mora" was long gone—now Zhongli was rich, tall, and handsome.
"I spotted you three from afar. Azhdaha, the way you walk makes you look like a bully," Gu Chen teased as he approached.
"Oh? Isn't this Brother Gu?"
Venti grinned, circling him and sniffing. "Mm-hmm, you're carrying quite a few scents… By the way, why aren't you home with your wives?"
"You wouldn't understand."
Gu Chen shook his head.
Once you had enough wives, they'd entertain themselves and forget about their husband entirely.
"Have you found some free time today, Leader?" Zhongli asked with a smile.
Gu Chen nodded. "Of course. Free time means catching up with old friends."
Zhongli immediately took a step back. "Who's paying?"
Azhdaha turned out his pockets. "Let me be clear—I'm broke."
Venti dropped to the ground. "Can't see me… can't see me…"
Gu Chen kicked him lightly. "So I carry my brothers in my pocket, and you guys kick me into a ditch?"
"Hehe!"
Venti jumped up and dusted himself off. "Just kidding! I'll decide—Zhongli pays!"
Azhdaha sighed. "Among us, excluding Brother Gu, Zhongli's the richest."
"I earned it protecting Liyue for 3,700 years," Zhongli said matter-of-factly.
"Alright, alright, stop lecturing," Azhdaha waved him off. "If we can't decide, let's go play cards with Neuvillette!"
"You guys really love bullying the honest dragon," Gu Chen laughed.
Compared to these three, Neuvillette was still too straightforward.
Together they had eight hundred schemes—subtract Neuvillette, and it somehow became eight hundred and one.
As they chatted, they wandered through the Court of Fontaine.
"By the way," Venti asked, "this past-life series is already at episode nine—episode ten is coming up. Be honest, how many Mondstadt girls did you get involved with in your past life?"
Gu Chen paused, then replied calmly, "Don't ask. If you do, I'll just say I don't remember."
"Haha, I knew it!"
Azhdaha laughed. "Just from the group, I've noticed plenty from Liyue too. This series could easily go on for dozens more episodes!"
"Too few," Zhongli shook his head. "Hundreds."
Gu Chen chuckled. "Why do I feel like you're enjoying my suffering?"
"They're jealous you have so many wives," Venti nodded. "They want to see you trapped at home."
"Talking nonsense again," Azhdaha smacked the back of his head.
"By common reasoning," Zhongli began, "Venti isn't entirely unsuitable either. Perhaps one day—"
Before he could finish, Venti struck a coquettish pose and winked at Gu Chen—only to be kicked to the ground.
"This guy really has a shameless streak," Azhdaha muttered, pulling him up and wiping his hands.
"It's to avoid erosion! You know, avoid erosion!" Venti said seriously.
Gu Chen snorted. Zhongli sighed.
In this new era, "erosion" was no longer a convincing excuse.
"Let's go. Debord Hotel."
"Woohoo~"
Soon, they arrived at the hotel entrance.
"Huh? Doesn't that girl look familiar?" Venti pointed.
As they approached, the other party noticed them too.
"Mr. Gu Chen!!" Navia waved excitedly.
"Why does this feel like a fan meeting?" Venti scratched his head.
"Mr. Gu Chen, I didn't expect to see you here!" Navia said eagerly.
Gu Chen smiled. "Hello. What are you all doing here?"
Miles, Silver, and Charlotte stood nearby.
Charlotte explained, "After the documentary series revealed the truth about President Callas of the Spina di Rosula, misunderstandings were cleared up. The organization has gained more support and funding, so it's doing very well now. I invited Miss Navia for an interview about its current situation and future plans. We just finished, and she's treating me to dinner!"
"How's Poisson?" Gu Chen asked.
"Everyone's doing great, thank you for your concern!" Navia said gratefully. "Miles and Silver are still here too… I don't know how to thank you. Let me treat you to a meal!"
"Oh? If you insist, I won't refuse," Gu Chen smiled.
"I just hope it's not too simple," Navia said shyly.
"Not at all." Gu Chen gestured at the others. "Look at these three—they're already smiling at the chance to freeload."
Zhongli immediately suppressed his smile.
Venti grinned openly. "Free food is the best food!"
"Agreed," Azhdaha nodded.
"My goodness… Miss Navia is treating such important figures…" Silver nearly fainted.
Navia herself felt overwhelmed—these were gods, after all!
"Relax, we're all friends here," Gu Chen waved it off.
"Mr. Gu Chen is so approachable… could I interview you as well?" Charlotte asked eagerly.
Gu Chen thought for a moment. "Sure. After dinner, keep it brief."
"Thank you so much!"
"Let's go inside!" Navia said.
Navia was generous with friends. Now that the Spina di Rosula had stable funding, she was much less constrained.
"I may have ordered too much, and the dishes might take a while. Would you like some desserts first?" she asked.
Silver immediately perked up. "Eggs, sugar, almonds—I brought everything!"
"The macarons you made in the documentary looked amazing!" Charlotte said.
"Looks like we're in for a treat," Gu Chen said, glancing at the others.
"It's our honor," Zhongli nodded.
"Internet-famous desserts! Nice!" Venti rubbed his hands.
"Then I'll do my best."
That modesty was unnecessary.
Navia's dessert skills were exceptional. Even before tasting, the macarons looked like works of art.
"This is art!" Azhdaha marveled.
"With skills like this, you could easily be a professional pastry chef," Zhongli praised.
"Alright, give them a try!" Navia said.
Gu Chen took a bite and nodded under her expectant gaze. "Excellent—both presentation and taste are master-level."
Coming from him, that was high praise.
The others agreed enthusiastically.
Charlotte snapped a photo. "I'll call this—'Macarons Conquer Foreign Gods'!"
Soon, the dishes arrived.
Naturally, the Teyvat custom was to "eat with your camera first."
[Navia]: Ran into Mr. Gu Chen—treating him to dinner! (Food photos) (Gu Chen & Zhongli calm, Venti & Azhdaha posing)
[Hu Tao]: I'm eating a feast with Little Furina too! (Cute selfie)
[Nilou]: When will I run into Mr. Gu Chen?! (Annoyed)
[Collei]: (Sleepy) I hope one day I'll find an unconscious Mr. Gu Chen in the forest… (Praying)
[Gu Chen]: …That sounds a bit suspicious. (Concerned)
[Tighnari]: You're right to be concerned.
[Dunyarzad]: Then you could pose him however you want!
[Ayaka]: That's… kind of terrifying.
[Yoimiya]: I thought I was outgoing, but this is next level…
[Yun Jin]: Scary…
[Paimon]: Fontaine desserts—activate!!
[Gorou]: Who told Barbara to ask me about being an idol?!
[Yae Miko]: Your dear brother-in-law~
[Gu Chen]: She needs experience, so I thought…
[Arataki Itto]: She should ask Miss Hina! Not General Puppy!
[Kuki Shinobu]: Putting the clues together… could it be that General Gorou is Miss Hina?
[Itto]: WHAT?! Impossible!
[Gorou]: Yae Miko… I hate you!!!
[Kamisato Ayato]: This is quite entertaining.
[Furina]: I'm experienced as an idol too! I'll teach Barbara later!
[Barbara]: (Excited)
[Alice]: Since the mood is right, why not form a Teyvat idol group? Male and female groups both work!
[Alice]: Honestly, just pick a few people from the chat and you've got a group. Add some talent, and you'll be swimming in Mora!
[Venti]: Really?! Sign me up!
[Zhongli]: By common reasoning, you're better suited as a comedian.
[Kaeya]: I can't imagine how chaotic Venti would be. Don't debut—I might die laughing.
[Venti]: (Smirk)
After dinner, Charlotte's interview with Gu Chen began.
In just twenty minutes, she went through all her prepared questions.
Since the Steambird headquarters was nearby, she rushed back excitedly to publish the news.
By tomorrow morning, both Navia's interview and Gu Chen's feature would likely appear in the paper—and possibly on the web version's front page.
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