Yujing Terrace, Liyue — Gu Residence.
Gu Chen spread his arms as Buer helped him into a black windbreaker.
Ying stood on her tiptoes to fasten his tie, her eyes curved in a smile.
"You look especially dashing in this outfit. I wonder how many young ladies' hearts you'll steal walking down the street."
Raiden Makoto nodded in agreement.
"You really do have that knightly, soldier-like bearing… Hmm, though you seem to be missing a sword."
"There's no need for all that," Gu Chen chuckled. "This is our first meeting after waking from the dream. We'll need time to get reacquainted. I'll be staying in Mondstadt for the next few days."
Ying pursed her lips, wearing an expression that said she had expected as much.
"I'm already used to it."
Ganyu, gentle and obedient, fastened his belt and said softly, "All set. You can go now."
"Don't miss me too much."
Gu Chen looked around at everyone.
"We'll be fine," Guizhong said, patting Hu Tao's head. "It's just this child…"
"Huh?!" Hu Tao blinked, then shook her head. "Why are you looking at me? I already spent decades with him! He's only gone for a few days—I'm not going to pine away!"
"That's true," Buer smiled.
Paimon floated further back, inspecting Gu Chen carefully before nodding.
"Everything checks out. You may depart!"
"Alright."
The window slowly opened, letting in a breeze.
Like morning mist dispersed by the wind, Gu Chen vanished.
"This guy… showing off in front of us even after all these years," Ying muttered.
They had long expected his temporary departure. No one felt particularly downcast.
Ganyu glanced at the time.
"It's almost work hours. Sisters, I'll head out first."
"Work hard~ Dinner's waiting tonight!"
Winter had already arrived in Liyue. Though not freezing, warmth was scarce.
But Mondstadt, under the blessing of Barbatos, remained springlike year-round.
A gentle wind swept the streets as Gu Chen walked calmly toward the Knights of Favonius headquarters.
Two knights stood guard at the entrance.
When Otto saw him, he froze in disbelief.
He removed his glasses, rubbed his eyes, and put them back on—still there.
He hurried forward and gave a formal knight's salute.
"Grand Master, good afternoon!"
Gu Chen nodded slightly.
"Good afternoon. Do I need to report my arrival?"
"N-No! Please go right in!"
Everyone in Teyvat had seen the videos.
No one understood how the Exposure System worked—whether those worlds were past lives or parallels.
But that didn't matter.
Just as Liyue acknowledged him as the hero who defeated Osial, the Knights of Favonius also longed for his arrival.
The young Grand Master had strengthened Mondstadt's military to the point of intimidating the other six nations.
Even the most carefree citizens could see it.
They revered him as the Morningstar Knight—guiding Mondstadt like the dawn star itself.
Gu Chen offered a few encouraging words before heading inside.
Everything looked just as he remembered.
Perhaps the building had never been renovated in any timeline.
His thoughts drifted—
"Ah!"
"Brother Gu Chen~!"
A small red figure launched herself at him.
He smiled and caught her easily.
"Klee, sneaking out to go fish-blasting again?"
"Hehe…"
Caught red-handed, Klee scratched her head sheepishly.
Then she leaned close and whispered, "Pretend you didn't see me, okay?"
She hadn't gained past-life memories.
But she liked Gu Chen very much.
He let her go fish-blasting.
Gave her bomb-making inspiration.
Covered for her mistakes—
(Though sometimes she covered for his.)
She thought he was really, really nice.
So even if this was technically their first meeting—
She happily let him carry her.
"How could I pretend not to see such a cute Klee?" Gu Chen whispered back. "But in this world… I don't have the final say."
Klee's red eyes widened.
"Does that mean… you'll get put in solitary confinement too?"
"Very likely."
"Then don't cause trouble! Or you'll be grounded!"
"Hm. I doubt Jean would have the heart."
"Oh? Is that so?"
A calm voice came from behind.
Gu Chen and Klee stiffened.
They slowly turned to see Jean standing there, hands on hips.
"K-K-K—Captain Jean…"
Klee instantly wilted.
After being set down, she scratched her head and grinned.
"I won't disturb you two~ Bye!"
She bolted.
Jean watched her leave helplessly before turning to Gu Chen.
"You're back."
"Mm."
"Let's go to my office."
The former Grand Master's Office was now the Acting Grand Master's Office.
They sat close together on the sofa.
When the video first revealed the title and characters, Jean had felt panic, confusion, anticipation—
But as it played, sealed memories seemed to awaken.
Whether it was a dream or a past life—
It felt real.
When the reward granted her all memories, everything felt like yesterday.
Though this was technically their first meeting in this world—
Jean felt calm.
Like a wife waiting for her husband to return from work.
Gu Chen could feel the quiet, burning love beneath her composure.
"It still feels like a dream," he said, tapping his lips meaningfully.
Jean rolled her eyes, cheeks flushed.
"We've already been married for years…"
She cupped his face and kissed him.
"Mmm."
Gu Chen smiled.
"Much more real now."
Suddenly—
The office door creaked open.
Klee tumbled in.
Behind her, Lisa peeked in.
"Oh dear," the elegant librarian chuckled lazily. "Do carry on. I only came because I caught Klee spying."
She lifted Klee by her backpack strap and left.
"Lisa! Using Klee as an excuse!"
Jean's face reddened further.
Even married couples get embarrassed when watched!
Gu Chen chuckled.
Lisa had always been like this.
She'd secretly helped their relationship flourish—apparently even ghostwriting romance novels Jean adored.
"I have work," Jean said, regaining composure. "Compared to the Knights you led, ours still have a long way to go."
"Team effort," Gu Chen replied.
That wasn't flattery.
Jean handled operations flawlessly.
He and Varka focused on strategy.
Without her, their achievements wouldn't exist.
"I used to get bogged down in trivialities," Jean admitted.
Now she understood—
If she was dragged down, so was the entire order.
Lost cats?
She wouldn't handle them personally anymore.
"Go check on Barbara," Jean said seriously. "I'll draft a structural reform based on our old framework."
"Don't overwork yourself. Call Diluc back to help," Gu Chen grinned.
Jean laughed.
"He always thought we dumped everything on him and Kaeya."
"Capable people should work harder. Promote him to Vice Captain."
"I'll consider it."
Soon—
Gu Chen hurried toward the Church of Favonius.
Barbara had once nearly debuted in Alice's idol project.
Even though it fell through, she was already a household name.
Crowds surrounded the church.
Gu Chen's heart tightened—
But as he approached, he froze.
"Sweet Flowers aren't sweeter than Barbara!"
"Miss Barbara! Please give me the Leader's autograph!"
"What's it like dating the Leader? Please elaborate!"
"Why does a man need to know that?!"
"Barbara belongs to Gu Chen! Stop dreaming!"
Gu Chen: "…"
He'd rushed over worried about her.
Now he was worried about himself.
"Please stop arguing!"
Barbara sighed helplessly.
"Miss Barbara! I heard in Liyue people worship his photo for good luck! Please!"
"Albert! I'm the Grand Master's number one fan!"
She spotted Gu Chen.
"He's here!"
The crowd fell silent—
Then turned.
Suddenly, they became polite and composed.
"Grand Master, good afternoon."
"Leader, you look even more handsome than in the video!"
"Can we take a photo?"
Barbara nearly broke down.
They acted like deranged Gu Chen stans with her—
But saints in front of him?
Gu Chen pondered for two seconds—
Then pointed at the Statue of The Seven.
"Look! Barbatos!"
"Why look at Barbatos? The Grand Master's more handsome."
"Barbatos? Just an old flame."
"Grand Master, hehehe…"
High above—
Venti had just returned to watch the spectacle.
He filmed everything and dropped it in the chat.
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Even Teyvat's Anemo Archon felt a chill.
So this was Mondstadt's freedom now?
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