Seeing that Eula still looked a little uneasy, Yi Chen suddenly had an idea.
"Since Captain Eula accompanied me shopping—and even 'lost her composure' because of it… how about you come over to my place for a meal? I'll cook myself! Consider it my thank-you gift for the new clothes. What do you say?"
Eula snapped her head around, her heart skipping a beat.
T-This blockhead… did he finally get it?
Did he finally realize what it meant to invite a woman to his home alone?
Was it the outfit? Did these clothes have some kind of magical effect?!
With a mix of faint anticipation and deep suspicion, she carefully studied Yi Chen's eyes—
Only to see sincerity. Pure, transparent, bottomless sincerity.
His gaze clearly said:
"I thought of a great way to repay you—praise me!"
"I'm actually pretty good at cooking!"
"We're good friends, eating together is totally normal, right?"
And absolutely none of the subtle tension or ambiguity she'd secretly hoped for.
…Of course.
How could this guy possibly awaken all of a sudden?!
The fleeting hope she'd had instantly turned into embarrassment and irritation. Taking a deep breath, Eula suppressed the urge to roll her eyes, maintaining her composure through sheer tsundere discipline.
"…Hmph. Inviting a woman to your home so casually—such frivolous behavior. This grudge, I'll remember it."
Despite her words, she didn't move to leave. Instead, she lifted her chin slightly.
"However… seeing how 'sincere' you are in apologizing and thanking me, I'll reluctantly give your cooking a try. If it tastes bad… hmph. You know the consequences."
"Don't worry!"
Yi Chen heard only that she'd agreed and immediately thumped his chest confidently.
"I guarantee you'll like it! My place is right next to the church—it's super close!"
He led the way excitedly, already planning the menu. Mondstadt grilled steak? Or maybe something he'd learned in Liyue?
Eula followed behind him, watching his cheerful back—someone who was clearly just happy to have someone taste his food.
She sighed softly.
…Why bother getting worked up over a block of wood?
Going to his house… alone…
Her gaze drifted to the jacket she'd personally chosen for him, perfectly fitting his frame. A faint smile—so faint she didn't even notice it herself—finally appeared in her ice-blue eyes.
At least… this outfit suits him.
That's progress, right? Probably.
They arrived at Yi Chen's villa beside the cathedral.
Yi Chen headed straight into the kitchen, tied on an apron, and began cooking with clattering sounds, humming an off-key Mondstadt tune.
Eula remained in the living room, curiously observing his spacious but still somewhat lifeless new home.
Her gaze paused on the large, comfortable-looking sofa.
On the dark cushion lay something strikingly visible—
A long strand of golden hair, gleaming softly in the sunset.
Eula's pupils shrank.
Almost unconsciously, she carefully picked it up with her fingertips.
Long. Bright. Clearly female.
And that color…
Jean's golden hair instantly appeared in her mind.
Had Jean been here before her?
Had she sat casually on the living room sofa?
A sour, stifling feeling surged up—stronger than what she'd felt earlier in the clothing store.
Eula clenched the strand slightly. Even Yi Chen's cheerful humming from the kitchen now sounded irritating.
The dining table was soon filled with delicious-smelling food.
Yet Eula seemed distracted, poking at her plate with her fork.
Yi Chen, on the other hand, ate happily, completely unaware of the low-pressure zone across from him.
Finally, Eula made up her mind.
She glanced around casually and asked in what sounded like idle conversation:
"Yi Chen, your new house… it's quite nice. Other than me…"
She paused, watching his expression.
"…have you invited any other 'friends' over? For example… Acting Grand Master Jean?"
She emphasized the word friends ever so slightly.
Yi Chen looked up mid-bite, sauce still at the corner of his mouth, utterly baffled.
"Jean? No. She's insanely busy—no way she'd have time to visit. Why?"
His expression was open and genuine, dissolving some of her doubts—but not all her irritation.
"Nothing. Just asking."
She lowered her head again.
"It's just… a place this big feels a bit lonely for one person."
"Oh! That!"
Yi Chen suddenly understood.
"Didn't I tell you? The Traveler Lumine and her white floating companion are staying here temporarily! She's always organizing her gear on the sofa early in the morning."
"…The Traveler?"
Eula froze.
The hardworking blonde outsider? Not Jean?
Yi Chen, blissfully unaware of the storm he'd just diffused, continued rambling.
"Paimon always steals my food too. Next time I'll have to hide some—"
So it was the Traveler…
All of Eula's jealousy vanished instantly, replaced by intense embarrassment.
She'd really overthought things… over a single strand of hair… and almost misunderstood Yi Chen and Jean…
Her face heated up.
To cover up her panic, she lowered her head sharply and stabbed a large piece of steak, her voice stiff:
"…I see. Let's eat."
She chewed aggressively, mentally berating herself.
Eula Lawrence, what were you even thinking?!
This grudge… I'll remember it… letting me lose my composure… twice!