Ying's sudden change of expression caught Aether completely off guard.
After a moment of not knowing whether to laugh or cry, Aether crossed his legs and said blandly, "I actually liked that weirdly sarcastic tone you had just now."
Ying froze for a beat, then immediately put on an awkward smile. "Brother, what are you talking about? How could your little sister be like that?"
Raiden Makoto turned around outright and covered her face.
Guizhong simply buried her face into Buer's chest, her delicate body trembling.
Even Buer couldn't quite hold it together, torn between laughter and helplessness.
Paimon, having no such reservations, burst out laughing without restraint.
Gu Chen silently sent the video into the group chat.
[Extraordinary Group Chat]
[Gu Chen]: (10s video of the Madam of the Gu Residence changing expressions)
[Kaeya]: Damn, the early bird really does get the worm. Just clocked in at work and I'm already seeing this gem. (Grin)
[Venti]: Holy crap! Is that a mountain of gold?! The Abyss Order is this rich?! (Paimon · Shocked)
[Zhongli]: Your Excellency, we're all brothers here. Splitting it half and half wouldn't be unreasonable, right?
[Venti]: How does someone with a pension have the nerve to say that? Let me do the splitting! (Klee · Please)
[Nilou]: Miss Ying's face change… (Covering face)
[Shikanoin Heizou]: I could tell long ago that Miss Ying is someone destined for great things. She knows when to bend and when to stand tall—truly broad-minded. (Admiration)
[Mona]: Ahhh, such a dazzling mountain of Mora! If I had that, I could change my face too! (Mona · It's Mora!)
[Klee]: So shiny, so shiny~ (Klee · Play with me)
[Ganyu]: Just got to work and didn't expect something this entertaining to happen at home. (Ganyu · Prayer)
[Raiden Shogun]: This aligns perfectly with my impression of Sister Ying. (Nod)
[Keqing]: By the way, how did Aether even get to Yujing Terrace? (Keqing · Question)
[Kaeya]: He is the Prince of the Abyss Order. Having some tricks up his sleeve is only natural. (Hu Tao · Bad grin)
[Ganyu]: I actually knew about this ahead of time.
[Keqing]: Then I won't ask question "387." Back to work. (Strive)
[Arataki Itto]: My god, that much Mora… would be enough for me to not work for hundreds of years, right? (Gorou · Starry eyes)
[Gu Chen]: How did you know my brother-in-law sent my family enough Mora to last a lifetime? (Confused)
[Kaeya]: Who the hell asked you?! (Annoyed)
[Venti]: Your Excellency! (Clinging to leg) Your Excellency! We're good brothers—half, half!! (Hugging the rich guy's leg)
[Gu Chen]: And you are…? Is this someone's acquaintance in the group? I don't recall seeing you. (Amnesia)
[Zhongli]: Your Excellency truly understands amnesia. But who exactly is Venti friends with? I don't recall either. (Amnesia)
[Kaeya]: Don't know him. (Amnesia)
[Barbara]: Not familiar. (Amnesia)
[Venti]: You're all ganging up on me… (Sniffle-sniffle, 5s voice message that moves listeners to tears)
[Dvalin]: Disgusting. Even an elemental dragon feels like vomiting. (Furina · Amused)
[Azhdaha]: I know this situation. Just beat him up and it'll be fine. (Grin)
[Furina]: So this is what "richer than a nation" really looks like. This Mora could buy half of Fontaine City, right? (Paimon · Shocked)
[Navia]: It really could. (Paimon · Shocked)
[Gu Chen]: Low profile. This isn't even half the assets of Liyue's richest. (Hu Tao · Bad grin)
[Ningguang]: Your Excellency, there's no need to tease me like that. (Soft laugh)
[Zhongli]: By common rational standards, it's about one-third. But since this is liquid capital, even I find it tempting.
[Gu Chen]: Enough talk—I'm going to entertain my brother-in-law.
After the long-separated siblings finished talking, Ying finally grinned and said to Gu Chen, "Husband, we're rich!"
"Indeed." Gu Chen nodded with a smile.
Aether laughed helplessly.
The Abyss Order really couldn't think of any suitable gift, so sending Mora was the only option. Still, he hadn't expected it to make Ying this happy.
Then again, the amount was truly enormous. Gu Chen would even need to renovate the Gu Residence's warehouse, using spatial folding just to store it all.
"Thank you, big brother!"
Paimon wore a fawning expression as she massaged Aether's shoulders, her eyes sparkling in the shape of Mora. "From now on, I can buy a tricolor dango, throw one away, and eat another! Pure luxury!"
"Even with money, you shouldn't waste it like that," Aether said helplessly.
"Got it! You're absolutely right!" Paimon nodded vigorously.
"Brother-in-law, come sit over here."
Gu Chen gestured.
Once they were seated in the pavilion, Aether relaxed visibly. "Leaving Ying in your hands puts me at ease."
Hearing that, Ying immediately jumped onto Gu Chen's back, wrapping her arms around him and grinning smugly. "Of course! My taste is very high, you know!"
Aether's mouth twitched.
Thankfully, he'd already prepared himself mentally. His mood remained calm.
After nodding, he said, "I won't say much about the past. With you around, the days ahead will all be good ones."
Gu Chen smiled, tacitly accepting his words.
Though he disagreed with some of Aether's past actions, it was clear now that Aether no longer had much desire to oppose the Heavenly Principles.
Gu Chen was the greatest variable in Teyvat—the source influencing everything.
Even the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles had to bow her head. In that case, there was no longer any need for conflict between them.
Because right now, Teyvat was visibly becoming a better place.
"Mhm, everyone's happy!" Paimon clapped her hands.
"I won't meddle in the rest," Ying suddenly said seriously. "But you're not young anymore. Your little sister already has a man—shouldn't you find a girl to spend your life with too?"
"?"
Aether froze.
Why did this topic suddenly come up?
He scratched his head, feeling like the eldest son of an ordinary family getting pressured to marry right after his younger sister wed.
Being cared about by his sister felt warm—but being urged to marry was way too surreal!
"Aether, how about I introduce you to a couple?" Gu Chen asked with a grin.
Aether leaned back slightly and waved his hands repeatedly. "No need. I have my own plans. You don't need to worry."
"Really?"
Ying eyed him suspiciously.
"Of course." Aether nodded firmly.
"Then why did you refuse so quickly when A-Chen could introduce pretty girls to you… You're not a guy-lover, are you?" Ying suddenly asked maliciously.
Aether's face darkened. "You seriously have something wrong with your head!"
Gu Chen pondered briefly, then said, "It's not impossible. After all, my brother-in-law has that love-hate relationship with Dainsleif, and the Abyss Order is full of men… In that kind of environment, being influenced is normal."
"Why are you joining in too…?" Aether stiffened.
He really couldn't stay in this residence for even one more second.
If he stayed any longer, his reputation would be completely ruined.
"Just joking, just joking. Don't take it to heart, brother-in-law." Gu Chen waved his hand.
Time passed quickly as they chatted.
At noon, Gu Chen and Aether drank together, the atmosphere at the table warm and cheerful.
After tasting a bit of fruit wine, Paimon's little face turned rosy.
Aether and Gu Chen drank immortal brew.
Ying glanced sideways at the two most important men in her life.
Her brother and her husband were clearly getting tipsy, looking like they were about to swear brotherhood at any moment.
Fortunately, they still maintained some restraint.
After eating and drinking their fill, Aether prepared to return to the Abyss Order.
"No need to see me off. I can head back on my own."
He opened a deep, shadowy portal and said, "Take good care of Ying. Don't let her be wronged—or even if I can't beat you, I'll still demand an explanation!"
"Rest assured, brother-in-law. How could I ever bear to wrong my wife?" Gu Chen nodded.
"I trust you." Aether nodded back, then looked at Ying. "Don't abuse his affection and cause trouble."
"When have I ever caused trouble?" Ying rolled her eyes.
"Alright then, I'm leaving."
Aether staggered slightly as he stepped into the deep portal.
Once the portal faded away, Ying let out a small laugh.
Though she harbored some resentment toward Aether, his care for her was obvious—and that was enough.
Turning to Gu Chen, she wrinkled her nose in disgust. "You stink. Go wash up."
"Ohhh, I'm dizzy, my head's spinning—I can't move." Gu Chen collapsed onto the ground.
"In broad daylight!" Ying spat lightly, then grabbed both his hands and dragged him toward the bathroom.
Paimon originally wanted to help, but after thinking it over, she gave up and said to Raiden Makoto and the others, "How about we go check on the Shogun? She didn't come back for lunch."
The group exchanged glances and all smiled.
…
Night.
Relationships need maintenance.
Private room at Xinyue Pavilion.
"The Cult Leader struck it rich—treat us!"
"Ordering dishes? What dishes? Bring one of everything!"
Venti said extravagantly to the waiter.
"Understood." The waiter nodded and withdrew.
Gu Chen sat at the head of the table. Taking the tea Zhongli handed him, he took a light sip and said, "Ordering like this—don't waste it later."
"I'll just pack it up afterward." Venti grinned.
Zhongli chuckled softly. "The Cult Leader meeting his brother-in-law is a good thing. At the very least, the Abyss Order won't cause any more headaches in the future."
Speaking of that, Venti looked envious. "The Abyss Order is really rich. This time, the Cult Leader made a killing. If only I had such a rich brother-in-law!"
"You don't even have a partner. What brother-in-law are you talking about?" Gu Chen scoffed.
Zhongli sighed. "Only after stepping down as Rex Lapis did I truly feel the weight and importance of Mora… Cult Leader, are you really not splitting half?"
"You've lived six thousand years and grown all your shamelessness on your face, huh?" Gu Chen laughed.
"The older the bastard, the thicker the skin!" Venti chimed in.
Zhongli smiled faintly. "After dinner, some exercise would be good for digestion. How about a sparring match in a secluded place?"
Venti froze, then shook his head vigorously. "Why would I ask for suffering? No, no."
After taking another sip of tea, Zhongli glanced at the street outside the window and said, "The Lantern Rite is approaching. With so much happening this year, it'll likely be livelier than ever…"
"The Lantern Rite offline meetup—was that a joke or are you serious?" Venti asked.
"I don't think there's any need to joke about it," Gu Chen replied without hesitation. "We're all friends in the group. Meeting in person wouldn't be bad."
"Indeed." Zhongli nodded.
Venti smiled. "Alright then. When everyone gathers, hehe! I can mooch food and drinks again!"
Gu Chen and Zhongli exchanged a glance and shook their heads with a laugh.
That was just Venti—perfectly understandable.
Xinyue Pavilion was very efficient with serving dishes.
The three ate and chatted.
"I wonder if there'll be any fan-made videos this episode." Venti said expectantly.
Zhongli's face darkened.
Both fan-made videos so far had targeted him.
While memes were amusing, the emotional trauma of being "created upon" was not something he wished to relive.
"Maybe they'll create one about the Cult Leader next." Venti snickered.
Gu Chen just smiled without saying a word.
Fan-made videos? What did that have to do with him?
"Rather than that, you might as well look forward to the next Past-Life Series episode," Gu Chen said with a grin.
"No matter what, next episode should be Mondstadt's turn!" Venti sighed.
As the first stop of the journey, Mondstadt only got a tiny bit of screen time, and later episodes had nothing to do with it at all.
It made Venti suspect the Exposure System was targeting Mondstadt.
"Fontaine hasn't appeared either. Natlan and Snezhnaya are the same," Zhongli said calmly.
Among the people, a strange comparison mentality had emerged regarding which nation appeared most in the Past-Life Series.
It wasn't particularly meaningful, but people were discussing it. Zhongli, now living as a mortal, naturally went along with it.
Of course, mocking Venti was the main purpose.
"I hope the next episode is Mondstadt." Venti clasped his hands together and muttered in prayer.
"Enough talk. Drink."
Gu Chen lifted the wine jar and poured Venti a cup.
"Alright!"
A drunkard doesn't think about anything else when alcohol is in front of him.
Drink first—enjoy first!
…
Time flew by, and soon it was time for the next Past-Life Series update.
The group chat exploded with activity.
[Kaeya]: Gu Chen Series video—launch! (Grin)
[Venti]: Beginning the search for this episode's female lead! (Venti · Confetti)
[Hu Tao]: The video's here~ This Director is watching from the front row! (Hu Tao · Cute)
[Nilou]: Here we go! No work today—time to happily watch the video! (Selfie with Collei, snacks piled in front)
[Collei]: Ten-minute countdown!! (Klee · Yay)
[Furina]: Fontaine Fontaine Fontaine. (Klee · Please)
[Venti]: Mondstadt Mondstadt Mondstadt. (Klee · Please)
[Tartaglia]: Snezhnaya!!! (Sangonomiya Kokomi · Prayer)
[Random Guy]: Natlan!!! (Ganyu · Prayer)
Ten minutes passed in a blink.
High above the skies, the massive light screen—absent for seven days—reappeared.
As usual, the Version 4.3 cover slowly emerged.
The cover clearly depicted a courtyard. Judging from the architectural style, it was undoubtedly Liyue.
In a room without doors in the distance, pipes could be seen laid out.
Under a plum tree beside an artificial rockery, Gu Chen stood dressed in black, sorrow evident on his face.
Standing beside him, Zhongli was silent, deep sadness also hidden in his eyes.
Before them, an elderly woman with white hair and kind features stood with eyes closed in the wind—lifeless.
There were not many wrinkles or signs of age on her face.
From her demeanor alone, one could almost see her younger self—a woman of graceful beauty and wisdom.
[Past-Life Series · Episode Seven]
[The Curse of Immortality]
[This Episode's Protagonists]: [Gu Chen] × [Hu Tao], [Zhongli]
[Keywords]: [Immortality is poison] [Those who see through death fear it] [I only regret that your hundred years are but a moment of my life]
[Hu Tao]: ??? It's actually this Director?! (Hu Tao · Shocked)
[Xingqiu]: Director Hu… when I saw the courtyard and Mr. Zhongli, I had my suspicions. Seeing that elderly lady confirms it. (Paimon · Shocked)
[Chongyun]: Congratulations, congratulations!
[Hu Tao]: Congratulations my ass! Look at the keywords! This Director understands death perfectly and can face it calmly—but this is clearly making me die with regret and unwillingness!!! @[Gu Chen]!!
[Gu Chen]: (Paimon · Shocked)
[Kaeya]: Wait, cultivating the Grand Profound Scripture to a high level grants longevity, doesn't it? (Grin)
[Azhdaha]: Huh? So that's why the Cult Leader had Zhongli promote the Grand Profound Scripture so hard… Cult Leader, was this all part of your calculations too? (Paimon · Shocked)
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