Thanks for _______ ________ and Nefasturis for becoming as Supporters!
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Just as everyone was chatting animatedly, a figure suddenly burst into the lobby of Hotel Debord, moving in a rush of wind and fire.
That person was none other than Melus. The moment he entered, he quickly scanned his surroundings, and his gaze finally landed on Navia and Shao Yun on the second floor.
Immediately after, he shouted loudly while striding toward the staircase.
"Miss! Mr. Shao Yun! I finally found you!"
Navia turned toward the voice. Seeing the anxious expression on Melus' face, a trace of confusion rose in her heart—did something important happen?
When he hurried up to the second floor and reached them, she quickly asked, "Melus, what happened?"
Melus slightly steadied his rapid breathing before hastily explaining.
"It's nothing too serious. Someone from the Palais Mermonia sent word, asking me to inform Mr. Shao Yun that Mr. Neuvillette would like to invite him to make a trip there. He said there's an important matter he needs to discuss with him in person."
Shao Yun pointed at himself and asked in surprise, "Me?"
...
In the afternoon, sunlight streamed through the windows, spilling into Neuvillette's spacious and elegant office at the Palais Mermonia.
Shao Yun entered the room with Lumine and Paimon. Although Neuvillette had only summoned him, he never said family members weren't allowed to come along!
The moment he stepped inside, Shao Yun's gaze fell upon Neuvillette, who was sitting upright on the reception sofa.
Shao Yun quickly walked forward and asked, "Mr. Neuvillette, you were looking for me?"
Seeing this, Neuvillette rose with a smile and gestured for them to sit down.
"No need for formalities. Please, have a seat."
As he spoke, he extended his hand and pointed to the neatly arranged sofa set in front of him.
After sitting down, Shao Yun asked again, "So, what is this about?"
Neuvillette didn't beat around the bush and answered directly. "To be honest, the reason I asked you here today is because I hope to invite you to serve as Lady Furina's temporary guard."
Hearing this, Shao Yun couldn't help widening his eyes, wondering if he had misheard.
He asked in disbelief, "What? What did you just say? A guard?"
Neuvillette repeated himself once more.
"I hope you can act as Lady Furina's guard for a period of time. The terms are open for discussion."
As soon as these words fell, Shao Yun, Lumine, and Paimon all exchanged glances, each wearing a troubled expression.
Seeing this, Neuvillette asked, "Is there some difficulty?"
Lumine voiced the key concern.
"Wouldn't this be stealing Clorinde's job…? We can't go smashing someone else's livelihood!"
Neuvillette quickly waved his hand, signaling her to relax, and patiently explained.
"You don't need to worry about that at all. Mr. Shao Yun would only be temporarily filling in for a short time. Once Clorinde's injuries have fully healed, everything will return to normal."
Hearing this, Shao Yun immediately caught on and explained in a simple, straightforward way. "Haha, putting it plainly, this is just a temporary job."
Neuvillette nodded, agreeing with Shao Yun's interpretation.
"Yes, that's a fair way to put it. But one thing must be emphasized—the compensation for this temporary position is quite generous."
The moment Paimon heard the words quite generous, her eyes lit up instantly. Her face bloomed with excitement, and she nearly jumped as she shouted, "Generous compensation!!! Wow, that's amazing!"
She immediately turned her head toward Shao Yun, staring at him eagerly as she asked, "Shao Yun, what do you think? Are you going to take this job?"
"I'm sure Neuvillette won't shortchange you! And you haven't known how to kill time lately anyway!"
Shao Yun didn't answer Paimon right away. Instead, he fell into brief contemplation.
Only after a moment did he slowly lift his head and say to Neuvillette, "Please wait a moment, Mr. Neuvillette. Before deciding, the three of us would like to discuss this privately."
After saying that, he pulled Lumine and Paimon along as they temporarily left Neuvillette's office.
...
After stepping out of the office, Paimon found Shao Yun's decision to come out and talk rather strange.
"Shao Yun, do you not want to take this commission? If you don't, shouldn't you just refuse outright? Why come out to discuss it?"
After all, she hadn't caused Shao Yun any trouble—she had asked for his opinion and hadn't agreed on the spot.
Shao Yun wasn't trying to lecture Paimon either. The real reason was that he had thought of someone more suitable—Eula—and planned to discuss recommending her with Lumine and Paimon.
"I was thinking… how about letting Eula give it a try?"
Paimon didn't understand why he would recommend Eula to be Furina's guard and asked, "Eula? Why?"
Shao Yun explained, "Think about it. Eula has been staying indoors every day studying for the exams. With her skills and experience, forget being an ordinary officer—even being a captain of a security unit would be more than manageable."
"So why don't we take this chance to help Eula officially become a full-fledged member of the security force? I don't lack anything, but Eula needs this opportunity. Don't you think so?"
After Shao Yun explained it that way, Paimon nodded in agreement. "When you put it like that, Eula really does need this chance to show herself more than you do!"
...
When Shao Yun and the others returned to the office, Neuvillette asked, "So, are you willing to accept this commission?"
Shao Yun took a deep breath and responded according to the plan he had prepared. "Mr. Neuvillette, I'm sorry. As you know, I'm here on vacation, not to work."
"However, regarding the choice of guard, I do have someone more suitable in mind—Eula. What do you think?"
Hearing Shao Yun mention Eula, Neuvillette couldn't help frowning slightly, a hint of doubt appearing on his face.
He reached up and stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Hmm… Eula? I've heard a little about her."
"Miss Yanfei once specifically requested that she handle her security during her stay in Fontaine…"
After pausing briefly, Neuvillette continued, carefully raising a crucial question.
"If Miss Eula were assigned as the Hydro Archon Furina's guard, would her abilities perhaps be insufficient?"
"After all, guarding the Hydro Archon is an extremely serious responsibility."
Facing Neuvillette's concerns and doubts, Shao Yun patted his chest and gave a firm guarantee.
"Please rest assured, Mr. Neuvillette! Eula's combat ability is absolutely top-tier—far more cost-effective than hiring me."
"Besides, both Eula and Furina are women. When they're together, it'll definitely be more convenient than if it were me."
"Although guarding is about ability, you also know that Furina and I didn't exactly get along during our first meeting. Even if that's in the past now, some awkwardness would still remain."
After hearing Shao Yun's reasoning, Neuvillette nodded in agreement.
"That's true… aside from ability, your relationship with Furina is indeed an issue."
Seeing Neuvillette showing interest, Shao Yun quickly seized the opportunity and pressed on, shifting the discussion to Eula's compensation.
"As for Eula's pay, if you ask me, why not directly convert her trainee security status into a full position? What do you think?"
Hearing this, a look of difficulty appeared on Neuvillette's face.
"Directly making her a full member? That might not align with the security force's regulations…"
Shao Yun refused to give up easily and continued persuading him.
"Eula's strength absolutely shouldn't be underestimated. If someone as outstanding as her isn't absorbed into the security force in time, that would be a huge loss for Fontaine!"
"With her abilities, even guarding the Hydro Archon is well within her capacity. Becoming a regular security officer would be effortless for her!"
Neuvillette fell silent, deep in thought.
After quite some time, he finally raised his head, looked at Shao Yun, and voiced his last concern.
"However, as far as I know, her submitted resume didn't clearly detail her past experience…"
His words still carried lingering doubt about Eula's abilities.
Hearing that Eula had concealed her past, Shao Yun responded decisively, using his own reputation to vouch for her.
"Ah? Well, don't you know now? Isn't my word enough as a guarantee?"
Upon hearing Shao Yun's stance, the lingering doubts in Neuvillette's heart immediately faded.
He nodded slightly and replied, "Very well, Mr. Shao Yun. Since you say so, I naturally trust you."
"Could I trouble you to ask Miss Eula and Miss Yanfei for their thoughts?"
"After all, Miss Yanfei currently has Miss Eula serving as her guard during her stay in Fontaine."
Shao Yun agreed without hesitation, replying readily, "No problem. Leave it to me—I'll go ask them right away."
With that, he took Lumine and Paimon with him to meet Eula.
Neuvillette suddenly seemed to remember something important and quickly called out, "Oh, right—Mr. Shao Yun, your apartment has already been searched."
"There was nothing suspicious. You can return to live there today."
Hearing that the apartment was safe, Shao Yun thanked him. "Alright, thank you very much. We understand."
...
At the Spina di Rosula base on Fleuve Cendre.
Shao Yun came alone to find Eula. Lumine and Paimon didn't follow; the two of them returned first to check on their rented apartment.
Shao Yun arrived at the door of the room where Eula and Yanfei were staying.
He gently knocked a few times before raising his voice slightly and asking, "Eula, Yanfei, are you home?"
Not long after, Yanfei's voice came from inside.
"Coming, coming!"
The door opened, and Yanfei looked curiously at Shao Yun standing outside as she asked, "What's up? What brings you here?"
While peering into the room, Shao Yun continued asking, "Is Eula home?"
Hearing this, Yanfei stepped aside slightly to make room and invited him in. "She is. Come in."
Shao Yun stepped inside and quickly scanned the room.
The layout was generally similar to the room next to his, though there were subtle differences.
The most noticeable feature was a set of desks and chairs that looked like something from a school classroom, along with a blackboard hanging on the wall.
At that moment, Eula was sitting quietly at the desk, pen in hand, fully focused on the problems in front of her.
When she noticed Shao Yun enter, her movements stopped abruptly. She looked up at him with a puzzled expression.
Seeing this, Shao Yun rubbed his nose somewhat awkwardly and said apologetically, "Sorry about that. Did I interrupt your studying?"
Eula pressed her lips together nervously, trying to calm herself, then spoke softly. "It's fine. What is it?"
Shao Yun explained the reason for his visit in a concise and straightforward manner.
"It's like this—you've probably heard that not long ago, a mysterious individual appeared. That person not only abducted someone named Vacher, but also injured the Hydro Archon's guard Clorinde, as well as the special training unit's captain, Chevreuse."
"Because of this, the Hydro Archon is currently lacking a capable guard."
"Neuvillette just asked me to take on Furina's guard duty, but I thought of you…"
Eula was clearly shocked by the sudden news. She raised her hand in disbelief, pointing at herself as she finished Shao Yun's unfinished sentence.
"Huh? Me? You mean… you want me to be the Hydro Archon's guard?"
Shao Yun smiled and nodded in affirmation, then continued explaining in more detail. "That's right. I've already discussed it with Neuvillette. You'd only need to serve as the Hydro Archon's guard temporarily, for about a month."
"Once Clorinde's injuries are fully healed, you'll be able to officially become a full member of Fontaine's security force!"
After hearing this, Eula froze completely, unable to believe what was happening. Such an enormous opportunity had actually fallen right into her lap.
"Th-this… is that really true?"
Seeing that Eula seemed doubtful of this good fortune, Shao Yun patted his chest and assured her.
"Neuvillette is Fontaine's Chief Justice—how could he possibly joke about something like this? This is absolutely true!"
Even so, a trace of worry still appeared on Eula's face as she muttered softly, "But… what if something goes wrong?"
As she spoke, her gaze unconsciously shifted toward Yanfei, seeking her opinion.
Seeing this, Yanfei thought for a moment before quickly persuading her. "Eula, I really think this is a rare opportunity!"
"Think about it—you've been getting up early and staying up late studying every day, all for the sake of passing the exam and officially becoming a full member. Now that such an opportunity is right in front of you, you have to seize it!"
Hearing Yanfei encourage her so actively, Eula understood that if she accepted this, it would also mean that Yanfei would soon leave her side.
During this time, Yanfei had not only acted as her study tutor, teaching her knowledge—
she had also served as her therapist. Whenever Eula felt anxious or overwhelmed, Yanfei was always there with care and encouragement, helping her adjust her mindset.
At the thought of Yanfei returning to Liyue, a deep sense of reluctance welled up in Eula's heart.
Yet she also knew that all good gatherings must eventually come to an end.
After a long inner struggle, Eula gently nodded and said gratefully to Yanfei, "Alright then. Since you both say so, I'll give it a try."
"Yanfei, thank you so much for everything you've done for me these past days. Without you, I don't think I could have made it this far."
Yanfei's lips curved into a small smile as she replied softly, "Oh, no need to be so polite!"
"After all, Liyue has a saying—'teaching and learning grow together.' I benefited a lot too and truly learned many new things!"
Hearing this, Eula asked again, "Then, Yanfei, when are you planning to return to Liyue?"
Yanfei pondered briefly before answering slowly, "Hmm… probably in a few days. I'll be heading back together with Yelan."
Upon hearing this, a hint of reluctance appeared in Eula's eyes, but she still smiled and offered her sincere blessing.
"I see. Then please be extra careful on the road! When you're about to leave, I'll see if I can make time to come see you off."
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