Lu Heng stepped through the portal with Klee in tow.
Furina was already waiting on the other side, prepared and grinning mischievously.
She didn't say a word, but the joy bubbling in her heart was practically written all over her face.
Lu Heng couldn't help but feel a certain resonance with her.
Yep, meals are always better with a foodie friend. Right?
Klee, as cheerful and polite as ever, greeted the two older girls sweetly.
Almost instantly, Focalors scooped the little girl up into her arms. She had a soft spot for adorable, well-behaved kids—and Klee fit that perfectly.
"So, what's the plan?" Lu Heng asked casually.
"Let's go!"
Furina didn't hesitate. By now, she and Lu Heng had developed a certain unspoken understanding.
In the beginning, they'd still bother to explain things properly. But the more familiar they got, the shorter the conversations became—especially near mealtime. At this point, even a glance or a twitch of the lips could speak volumes.
We've got chemistry!
Furina was practically humming with joy. "This way~"
Lu Heng glanced around the present-day Court of Fontaine.
Honestly? It was showing traces of futuristic tech creeping in.
But only a little.
After all, with his card system capable of summoning everything under the sun, the odds of pulling high-tech stuff were just about the same as pulling cultivation gear—rare, but not impossible.
It wasn't that good drops were hard to get—it's just that everything was good, making any specific item's drop rate feel low.
"Oh, right—I ran into Mona today!"
Furina had a lot she wanted to chat about. But she hesitated. What if he's not interested? Wouldn't that be awkward?
Lu Heng was a great listener.
But Furina still preferred to share things that could actually spark mutual interest. It was just more fun that way.
"The brilliant astrologist Mona?"
Of course Lu Heng knew—Mona had dropped by his shop earlier to draw some cards.
But Furina had no idea he already knew.
So, since she brought it up, he played along, putting on a curious look. "Was she different from how she is in the game?"
"Totally! Even the art style is different!"
Furina nodded excitedly, like a pecking chick.
Oh, you're just doting on her now!
Sure, Furina might be a bit clueless at times—but Focalors wasn't.
The archon side of her just clicked her tongue, watching the scene unfold with something close to exasperated fondness.
That was… technically herself she was criticizing.
Wait, no!
Focalors shook off the thought.
Furina is Furina. Focalors is Focalors. Totally separate. Don't mix them up!
They chatted as they arrived at the private dining room.
Like a pair of guardian angels, Furina and Focalors sat on either side of Lu Heng.
Focalors set Klee on her right.
Soon enough, the food arrived.
While Lu Heng still preferred the cuisine from Liyue, the flavors of Fontaine weren't bad at all.
He wasn't picky. And hey, free meals always hit the spot.
They ate and talked.
Furina kept asking about Lu Heng's time in Liyue.
Lu Heng shared the fun stories—the ones worth telling.
Sure, she'd heard bits and pieces through messages before, but hearing him say it in person, with his expressions and tone? That was a whole different experience.
Then suddenly—
"Huh?"
Lu Heng turned to see Focalors with a slightly troubled look.
Her long hair had drooped over her cheek and was about to dip into her bowl. Her left hand was slick with grease, and she clearly didn't want to use it to push the hair away.
Without thinking, Lu Heng reached out and gently tucked the loose strands behind her ear.
Focalors froze, her cheeks flushing slightly.
"Thanks…"
"No problem," Lu Heng replied casually.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!
Furina's eyes were practically blazing.
That gentle look… That soft voice… That shy little "thank you"? That should've been me!
She gripped her utensils tightly. The clink of knife against plate rang louder than it should've.
"Need some help?"
Lu Heng looked over, seeing Furina struggling a bit with her food.
"N-no, thanks!"
She hurriedly handed him her plate anyway.
Suddenly, she seemed awfully busy—left hand holding one dish, right hand reaching for another.
Lu Heng cut up the meat and was just about to return the plate when he noticed her "struggle."
Furina turned her head, saw the food ready and herself "conveniently" preoccupied, then leaned over and opened her mouth.
"Ahhh~"
Lu Heng couldn't help but chuckle.
By age, sure, only Klee was technically a child here.
But somehow, he was the one doing all the caretaking?
Still, teasing aside, Lu Heng dutifully picked up the meat and fed her.
Furina happily chomped down. Somehow, food tasted even better when it came from his hand. Her eyes crinkled into crescent moons.
She looked so natural, like this was nothing out of the ordinary.
To any bystander, it would just seem like she was enjoying her food.
And of course, Lu Heng, being Lu Heng, didn't overanalyze things with some hyper-intelligent deduction skill—so he didn't notice a thing.
"This grilled meat… what flavor is that?"
Focalors looked intrigued.
She hadn't ordered it earlier, but seeing them eat had piqued her curiosity.
"I wanna try some~"
Just as Lu Heng raised his fork with another piece, Furina swiped it.
With a beaming smile but a sharp glint in her eyes, she said,
"Oh, you want to try? It's delicious!"
"Really?"
Focalors looked genuinely curious.
Without another word, Furina shoved the piece of meat into her mouth—not very gently.
Hmph. You better be grateful.
"Mmm~ It's good."
Focalors's praise was honest and straightforward.
"Does little Klee want some too?"
"Klee's already full!"
The little one had a small appetite.
After spending so long with Jean, she'd developed a strong sensitivity to others' emotions.
She could tell there was a storm brewing at the table.
But the why was still a mystery.
After dinner, the group strolled through the streets to help with digestion.
Klee was fascinated by everything in modern-day Fontaine.
She pointed here, tugged there—full of wonder at everything.
Lu Heng, indulgent as always, took her by the hand and let her explore.
Furina felt like she was watching a young family on an after-dinner walk.
Lu Heng holding Klee's hand, leading her down the street… this is perfect.
If only Focalors weren't here!
As soon as Lu Heng wandered off a bit with Klee, Furina spun toward Focalors and glared.
"What exactly do you think you're doing?!"
"Hm?"
Focalors blinked, then smiled.
"Just giving you a little push~ You're clearly doing better."
"Why do you even care?!"
"Ah… young people~"
Focalors sighed theatrically.
"If you don't improve, someone else will get ahead of you. Then what?"
"You mean you, don't you?!"
"Who knows~"
Her smile was full of meaning.
"You are up to something!!"
Furina's temper flared.
"I mean… I am new to being human. Don't I get to try a little bit of everything?"
She added with a wink,
"Besides, we're technically on the same side here. Don't be so possessive~"
POSSESSIVE?!
Furina's fists clenched.
I'm gonna punch her. Right now. Twice.
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T/N:
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