"Something fun to 'handle' Gu Chen with?"
Raiden Makoto glanced at Lumine, a little intrigued, then at Gu Chen.
Lumine tilted her chin up slightly, her swan-like neck glowing gold under the sunlight. "You don't know, do you? If you had to say what he likes best on a woman, it's legs in silk stockings."
As she spoke, Lumine lifted one leg and gently tugged at the white silk wrapping her thigh before letting it snap back.
Makoto froze, staring at Lumine—then turned in disbelief toward Gu Chen.
Gu Chen was sipping his tea.
For a moment, holding the cup became a dilemma—drink, or put it down?
"Cough, cough!"
Clearing his throat, Gu Chen said solemnly, "It's just… aesthetic appreciation. Is there anything wrong with loving beauty?"
"Right, right~."
Lumine nodded, not looking at him again, and continued whispering to Makoto:
"So, what do you think? Interested?"
"Mm!" Makoto nodded without hesitation.
If it's something Gu Chen likes—and not improper—then she was fine with it.
"Good! Let's go shopping!"
Hand in hand, the two "sisters" strolled out, not even bothering to tell Gu Chen or Paimon where they were going.
Gu Chen exchanged a glance with Paimon.
The little floating companion crossed her arms and looked down at him in mock disgust.
"Wow… I never took you for a leg guy!"
"What, that's a problem?" Gu Chen shot back confidently.
"You're too young to understand—the charm of a perfect pair of legs is fatal. Add silk stockings, and that's it—the ultimate weapon against men!"
"Tsk tsk."
Paimon rolled her eyes. "No wonder you kept glancing at Keqing and Ganyu before. It was the black stockings, huh?"
Gu Chen took a sip of tea—neither denying nor confirming.
"So I'm curious," Paimon asked, "what exactly is a 'good pair of legs'? How do you judge that?"
"How?"
Gu Chen perked up, instantly serious. "First, the length. Second, the shape—there can't be too much flesh, but too little is no good either."
"That's it? Then most girls who keep fit should qualify, right?" Paimon tilted her head, pouring herself tea.
"There's one more crucial part."
"The crucial part?"
Gu Chen leaned back. "Once I get to touch them, I'll know."
"Pffft—!"
Paimon sprayed her tea everywhere, eyes wide as if seeing him for the first time.
"Relax, I'm just teasing you," Gu Chen said with a smirk. "Now come on—pack up. If we don't hurry, Lumine and Makoto will be halfway across Liyue already."
As he stood, sunlight poured through the window. The white robe on his chest rippled like living fabric, shifting seamlessly into a long wind coat.
"Gulp—!"
Paimon's jaw dropped. "Wait! You don't even have your Morax's reward, right?!"
"Nope." Gu Chen shrugged casually. "But what does that have to do with knowing a trick or two?"
"Uh… I guess it doesn't…" Paimon scratched her head.
Still, she couldn't help but feel that this Gu Chen—this version—was becoming far too mysterious.
Maybe he was the fusion of all his past selves?
The thought sounded absurd even to her.
By the time she realized it, Gu Chen was already carrying her out the door.
The day was perfect in Liyue—clear skies, warm breeze, laughter on the streets.
Many people greeted Gu Chen as they passed; he'd become something of a local celebrity thanks to the videos.
Some even asked for his autograph.
Paimon sighed, "At this rate, you could just be an idol."
"Maybe I will someday." Gu Chen chuckled. "It wouldn't hurt to try new things."
"Do you even have any talents though?" Paimon teased.
In her eyes, Gu Chen was almost omnipotent—everything he'd shown so far, he'd mastered.
"Talents? I've got plenty."
The quiet confidence in his tone made Paimon instinctively believe him.
"Ah! Sugar-coated hawberries!" Paimon pointed eagerly. "I want that!"
"You'll get cavities if you keep eating sweets," Gu Chen warned—but still bought her one.
He couldn't help it; she was like his daughter at this point.
"Heh, I'm kinda jealous of Ei," Paimon mused. "She can eat whatever she wants. Even if she gets cavities, she can just swap out the tooth on her puppet body."
Gu Chen laughed softly as they turned a corner—and there, inside a boutique, were Lumine and Makoto, deep in conversation with the shopkeeper, who was smiling ear to ear.
Clearly, Lumine was a regular here.
When Gu Chen entered, the shopkeeper greeted him brightly.
"Mr. Gu Chen, welcome!"
"Hello." He nodded politely.
The shopkeeper, a woman in her late twenties, couldn't hide the sparkle in her eyes.
It was obvious—she was one of his fans. Who wouldn't be? Handsome, powerful, protective, the kind of man who'd walk into a death trap for the woman he loved.
"You're here..." Makoto's face flushed red.
Lumine had helped her pick out... very bold outfits, whispering that such things "build emotional connection."
Gu Chen had no idea what he was about to pay for.
"Got two pairs of white over-knee stockings," Lumine whispered, smirking. "Guaranteed your favorite."
Gu Chen's eyes softened. She really did know him too well.
"Perfect timing—you can pay," Lumine said cheerfully.
"No problem." Gu Chen settled the bill without hesitation.
Even though prices in Teyvat weren't outrageous—one hundred Mora roughly matched a hundred back in his old world—he still ended up spending over 200,000 Mora.
For a modest shop, that could only mean one thing: you know, you know.
"Please come again!" the owner said, her tone extra sweet.
They left the shop and strolled the evening streets.
Then—a hand with rings tapped Gu Chen's shoulder, and a warm puff of air blew across his cheek.
"Heehee! Scared ya?"
It was Hu Tao—brown coat, Taiji hat, plum-blossom pupils twinkling mischievously.
"Huh? You're not reacting?" she blinked—
Only to see Gu Chen dissolve into dust on the wind.
"Wha—?!" Hu Tao's eyes widened, when suddenly—
A hand landed on her shoulder.
A deep voice whispered at her ear: "Hu Tao, you just killed a man."
"Waaaah!!"
Hu Tao nearly jumped out of her boots, spinning around—then relaxed with a grin. "Oh, it's you! That trick was awesome! Teach me!"
"Shouldn't be hard for you," Gu Chen chuckled.
"Hehe, I know a few illusions, but nothing like that." Hu Tao waved it off and introduced herself with a flourish. "Anyway—hi everyone! Hu Tao here! Hu for hush, Tao for trickery~. Did I spook you?"
"Hu Tao, what are you doing here?" Paimon asked curiously.
"Bored!" Hu Tao beamed. "I was wandering around, trying to find old Zhongli—or something fun to do—and guess what, I found you guys!"
After catching up, Hu Tao offered to guide them around as their local tour host.
Liyue Harbor was huge, and even after a week, Gu Chen and Lumine hadn't seen half of it.
They spent the day exploring, and that night, Gu Chen treated Hu Tao to dinner to thank her.
On the way back, they ran into Ningguang and Keqing heading to Yuehai Pavilion for a Seven Stars meeting—probably about some new policy issue.
After a polite greeting, they returned to Gu Mansion.
Paimon yawned. Seeing Lumine clinging to Gu Chen's left arm and Makoto holding his right, she sighed, "I'm sleepy… I'll, uh, go to bed first."
"Sleep tight, little one. Tuck yourself in," Lumine said solemnly, patting her face meaningfully.
"Yeah, yeah…" Paimon muttered, floating away.
Once she was gone, Gu Chen led the two women back to the master bedroom…
Lumine's face was flushed, but she looked calm—prepared.
Makoto, on the other hand, was stiff as a board, her nerves betraying her.
Despite all her self-coaching, now that it was real, she was trembling like a little quail.
"C-c-could we maybe… take it slow?" she stammered.
"Relax~," Lumine grinned darkly.
Gu Chen watched them both, deep in thought.
Ever since the second-world videos started, Lumine's energy had been... off.
Ever since Makoto entered the picture, she'd seemed to unlock some new "mode."
Still—he couldn't deny—he was happy.
Having a wife who understood him this well? Bliss.
"Come here, my king~ let's play~" Lumine teased.
"Oh? A royal roleplay?" Gu Chen raised an eyebrow. "Very well then—your emperor has arrived!"
And thus, the "Emperor and His Two Consorts" act began.
At first, they didn't go far—he was careful with Makoto's feelings—but the bond deepened rapidly.
Within days, the three had settled into perfect harmony.
The "Emperor" roleplay even became a favorite pastime.
Then—
The exposure system updated again.
[Kaeya]: Can't sleep, can't eat! It's finally here!! 😭
[Venti]: I've been restless for days! Finally, an update! 😭
[Paimon]: You guys are that dramatic?? 😳
[Kamisato Ayaka]: I've been so busy, I almost forgot! 😩
[Kokomi]: Finally… a peaceful moment for a new episode. 💧
[Furina]: Life without new videos is empty, hollow, and without meaning! Oh great Exposure System, I praise thee! If only you'd update every three days! 🙏😭
[Kaeya]: Uh oh, even Lady Furina's lost it. 😳
[Neuvillette]: Learned it from the chat group.
[Furina]: Don't ruin my vibe! Ten-minute countdown! Celebrate with me!! 🎉
Ten minutes later—
As always, a new cover image filled the skies and personal screens across Teyvat.
A young man with flowing silver hair and turquoise robes stood tall, a massive phantom behind him mirroring his form.
Beside him floated a barefoot, gray-haired girl full of energy.
In the distance sat a colossal dragon like a mountain, and a white-robed figure surrounded by five shadowy forms.
Cranes soared, violins bowed, and a bear-like creature breathed fire as it cooked.
[Past Life Series — Episode 3]
Title:The Supreme Master
Main Characters: Hagentus (the Dust God, Guizhong) × Gu Chen × Morax
Keywords:Archon War, Teacher of All Adepti
[Venti]: Huh?
[Lynney]: Huh?!
[Arataki Itto]: HUH?!
[Kaveh]: Huh?!
[Zhongli]: ???
[Azhdaha]: HOLY— I'm on the cover!!
[Cloud Retainer]: So am I… and that Guizhong woman too.
[Xiao]: …It's them.
[Kaeya]: I knew it! Forget "Past Life Series"—it's the Gu Chen Cinematic Universe! 😤
◇ I'll be dropping one bonus chapters for every 10 reviews. comment
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