5:30 PM.
Lu Heng appeared at the Fontaine Card Shop.
Navia had invited him to Hotel Debord at 6 PM.
As everyone knows, Lu Heng is always eager when it comes to meals—especially when it's a beautiful girl treating him.
After helping a few people appraise their cards, Lu Heng left the shop.
Holding an umbrella, he walked through the light rain falling over the Court of Fontaine.
It was unclear whether the rain was due to natural causes or the Hydro Dragon's sorrow from overtime work. Fortunately, the rain wasn't heavy.
With ten minutes to spare before 6 PM, Lu Heng was nearly at the entrance of Hotel Debord.
Hotel Debord was the most famous and largest restaurant in the Court of Fontaine.
Adapting to the times, it had designated parking spaces nearby, where two anti-gravity aircraft and a row of luxury cars were parked.
"Lu Heng~!"
"Over here~ over here!"
Lu Heng's gaze shifted from the parking lot to the entrance.
Because of the rain, Navia stood at the doorway, waving eagerly at him on her tiptoes.
Before Lu Heng could react, Navia took an umbrella from Silver, opened it, and hurried over.
She wore a turquoise lolita-style dress that matched her hair color.
Lu Heng usually referred to it as a "big dress."
The dress was adorned with intricate yet delicate decorations, making Navia look even more stunning.
Watching Navia lift her skirt as she ran toward him, Lu Heng smiled. "You're running so fast I didn't even have time to react. Such a beautiful dress would be a shame if it got wet."
"Wet from the rain?"
Navia didn't seem to care about that at all. Instead, she said matter-of-factly, "Of course I had to greet my cooking partner right away!"
The title "cooking partner" wasn't just for show.
During their last outdoor dessert-making session, the two had worked together seamlessly and had a great time.
"Alright, let's go inside!"
After meeting up with Lu Heng, Navia radiated joy.
The two entered the restaurant.
Lu Heng casually closed his umbrella.
"This way, this way!" Navia led him to a private room.
"Miss, Mr. Lu, please call us if you need anything," Melus said before exiting.
Normally, the young lady treated him and Silver as family and would dine together.
But since she was hosting a guest today, it wouldn't leave a good impression if the guest thought the hosts lacked boundaries.
Lu Heng teased Navia, "Hey, partner, isn't this a bit too formal?"
"Haha, it'll be better once we're more familiar!"
"Come, take a seat!"
After they sat down, Navia poured Lu Heng a cup of tea.
While waiting for the food to arrive, Lu Heng asked, "How have things been lately?"
Navia nodded. "Surprisingly well!"
Navia had been in high spirits recently.
Learning the truth about her father's death, the restoration of her father's reputation, the removal of obstacles to the Spina di Rosula's growth… Everything was steadily improving!
Though she was busier than before, every day felt fulfilling!
"I never even imagined life could be like this before."
Navia sighed. "If it weren't for you, partner, who knows how long it would've taken me to uncover the truth about my father's death… Melus would never have volunteered the information, really!"
"He probably wanted to protect you," Lu Heng said with a smile.
"I'm not as fragile as Melus and Dad thought!"
Navia said regretfully, "But after the Vacher incident… I feel like I've grown even more!"
She looked at Lu Heng.
Lu Heng met her gaze, waiting for her to continue.
Navia's expression turned serious, her azure eyes filled with determination. "Partner, do you believe I can lead the Spina di Rosula to surpass the influence it had during my father's time?"
"I do!"
Lu Heng nodded.
Navia immediately brightened. "But the key reason is still because of you."
Now that they had the miraculous cards and the Spina di Rosula had the resources and capabilities to match, growth was inevitable.
Navia wasn't some airheaded beauty—she could handle the Spina di Rosula's steady development with ease.
Lu Heng shook his head, disagreeing.
"My appearance and the cards can indeed bring turning points in many people's fates… But for you, partner, I think it's more like an accelerator."
"There's definitely help, but most of it still depends on your own efforts. The harder you work, the greater this help becomes."
Lu Heng smiled. "I look forward to the day when the Spina di Rosula becomes a pivotal force in Fontaine!"
"Then that'll be my goal!"
The optimistic and resilient girl was full of confidence.
"Oh!"
Navia suddenly remembered something.
"Partner, is the Genshin Impact promotion real?" she asked curiously.
She had seen herself on the wiki!
"Which part are you referring to?"
"The part without you and the card shop!"
Navia said, "I'm a bit curious about what our original fate would've been like."
Lu Heng didn't answer immediately, sipping his tea instead.
Seeing his reaction, Navia sensed something was wrong.
She lowered her voice cautiously. "Was it… really bad?"
Just "really bad"?
It was so much worse!
Watching Lu Heng's expression change, Navia grew uneasy.
But after thinking about it…
That was the original future, after all!
What was supposed to happen wouldn't necessarily happen now!
"Partner, just tell me," Navia urged, her eyes filled with curiosity and resolve.
Clearly, she wanted to know what had happened.
If it was something bad, she'd do everything to prevent it.
"I think it's better to talk after dinner," Lu Heng said after some thought.
"Why?"
Navia was puzzled.
"Mainly because I'm afraid you might lose your appetite from sadness," Lu Heng explained.
"Really?" Navia was shocked.
She didn't know Lu Heng well, but she knew he understood her deeply.
After all, someone who could see the future would naturally know a person inside out.
If even he, who knew how optimistic she was, said this…
Navia listened intently.
But as she listened, her expression changed.
Melus and Silver were dissolved while helping the people of Poisson?!
While exploring ancient ruins with the Traveler, she fell toward the water, and at the last moment, it was Melus and Silver—transformed into pure water spirits—who lifted her up, allowing Neuvillette to save her in time?!
Navia's eyes widened in disbelief.
She couldn't believe it.
Her mother had passed away early, and her father had left three years ago.
Melus and Silver were the two closest people to her now.
"How could this…"
"None of this has happened yet. Don't be sad," Lu Heng said, handing her a few tissues.
"Oh, right!"
Navia suddenly snapped back to reality.
After taking a few deep breaths to steady her emotions, she said with grave seriousness, "I'll never let something like this happen again!"
"That's the spirit. You're the partner I know."
Though the tissues went unused, Lu Heng smiled.
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T/N:
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