Genshin Impact: Spoiling the Future Chapter 64: The Wind Arrives

"Xiangling? Hello there." Lucian followed behind Furina.

Lucian wasn't particularly surprised to see Xiangling in his house.

Before leaving, he had given keys to both Xiangling and Hu Tao, assuming they would help maintain his place in his absence.

"Lucian? You're back?" Xiangling was overjoyed that her friend had finally returned.

"Mhm, let introduce you."

Lucian reached out and patted Furina's head, saying:

"This is Furina, a friend I t in Fontaine."

Lucian's hand resting on Furina's head made her instinctively shrink back slightly.

Already petite, she now looked like a startled little animal.

"Hello," Furina politely extended her hand.

"Oh, hi!" Xiangling shook it.

Furina? That na sounds sowhat familiar... Whatever, can't recall.

Now, if you ntioned Fontaine cuisine, she'd be far more interested.

Wait—you were only in Fontaine for a month or two, right?

And in that short ti, you managed to bring back such an adorable girl?

What kind of top-tier kidnapper are you?

Furina had also stopped putting on that reassuring divine deanor.

After all, the people of Liyue didn't worship her to begin with.

Not to ntion, this was a private setting—no need to worry about outsiders seeing her.

"Lucian, what exactly did you an in your last letter?" Xiangling asked, looking at him.

"I ant, can you make sothing delicious to eat?"

Lucian declared that he really couldn't get used to Fontaine's cuisine.

Though Xiangling's "experintal dishes" sotis packed a punch no less lethal than that "weird Fishy Toast," her normal cooking was absolutely superb.

He felt that the "Delicious Fishy Toast" he had last ti must've been her standard cooking level, while the "Weird Fishy Toast" was her "experintal" tier.

Anyway—save , Chef Xiang!

Hearing this, Xiangling perked up.

She loved cooking to begin with, and now she could even let a foreigner sample her dishes.

"No problem! Wait for !"

Xiangling dashed into the kitchen, with Lucian following close behind to assist.

"I'll help too," Furina spoke up.

"Huh? The guest wants to cook too?" Xiangling was stunned.

In her eyes, Furina was Lucian's guest—since when did guests cook?

Of course, she didn't know Furina's true identity yet.

Otherwise, she'd probably ask, "Can gods even cook?"

"Don't underestimate . I'm quite skilled at cooking too."

Once the topic turned to cooking, Xiangling's earlier hesitation vanished, and she chatted away with Furina.

anwhile, inside Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Zhongli sensed Lucian's presence.

An old friend's return demanded a visit.

Zhongli approached Hu Tao. "Director Hu, young Lucian has returned. I must pay him a visit."

In other words: I'm taking the day off.

"What!? Little Lucian is back?" Hu Tao was thrilled.

"And he didn't even tell ? How rude! Co on, let's go together!"

Hu Tao declared: Forget taking leave, we're just closing for the day.

Zhongli was about to indulge in so refined pleasantries when Hu Tao stepped in front of him.

Her voice completely drowned out Zhongli's as she stood on tiptoe in front of Lucian.

"Little Lucian! How could you co back without telling this director first!"

"Not reporting your itinerary to your superior? I'm docking your pay, you hear!"

Her relationship with Lucian was exceptionally close—after all, during his ti in Liyue, Lucian had always been by Hu Tao's side.

What's more, very few could keep up with Hu Tao's pace, and Lucian was one of them.

They were even on the sa level when it ca to composing alleyway-style doggerel.

"It was sudden," Lucian explained. The letter hadn't even arrived before he did—what could he do?

Then, Lucian "produced" a little Furina from behind and introduced her:

"This is Furina, a friend I t in Fontaine."

"Hello," Furina waved.

"Mmm, mmm." Hu Tao rubbed her chin, leaning slightly forward as she scrutinized Furina from left to right before nodding.

Then, grinning, she said: "Since you're little Lucian's friend, you're my friend too!"

"For your funeral, I can give you a 20% discount!"

Hu Tao held up an "eight" with her fingers, smiling as if striking a pose for a photo.

"Ah? Funeral?" Furina was baffled.

Wait, I've lived for 500 years—do you really think you'll outlive to host my funeral?

Lucian flicked Hu Tao's forehead with his thumb and middle finger.

"Ow!" Hu Tao clutched her forehead, pretending it hurt terribly.

"Wow, you flicked again! This director is deducting your pay!"

Lucian shrugged. Not only had she often threatened this in the past without following through, but now his boss was Navia—he wasn't afraid of pay cuts anymore.

Zhongli nodded subtly to himself. Soone needed to rein in the director's antics.

During Lucian's absence, with no one to keep Hu Tao in check, she had beco increasingly unruly.

Honestly, their trio dynamic was amusing.

Zhongli felt he couldn't control Hu Tao, Hu Tao felt she couldn't control Zhongli, and Lucian?

He believed he was at the bottom of the food chain.

"Lady Furina, a pleasure," Zhongli was far more composed.

Though he was sowhat puzzled—this Furina was undoubtedly an ordinary person, so why did she carry the aura of "Focalors"?

Was it due to the curse? Or sothing else?

Focalors... what exactly are you planning?

Zhongli glanced at Lucian, assuming the young man must know sothing.

Lucian was also looking at Zhongli, but their minds were far from in sync.

He just felt this scene seed... off sohow.

Zhongli with Hu Tao, with Furina—what's the issue here?

Ah! If you replaced with Neuvillette, it'd make sense!

Oh no, I feel like my "Hydro Dragon" is about to start dancing.

"Alright, enough chatting—the food's getting cold," Xiangling interrupted the reunion.

Everyone obediently took their seats.

Just as they were about to start eating, the wind around them grew wild, as if announcing its presence.

Lucian hadn't noticed anything earlier, but when the wind suddenly turned turbulent, he realized—

That bard must be nearby.

Yes, Venti had been waiting outside.

After handing over the Gnosis to Rosalyne, he had followed her all the way to Liyue.

Along the way, he'd "borrowed" countless bottles of Snezhnayan firewater—his self-reward for a job well done.

Upon arriving in Liyue, he had originally planned to visit the old blockhead.

But then he noticed the Geo Archon heading here and, from the conversation inside, the author who had exposed his identity was present too.

However, since he wasn't familiar with the others inside, he had been idling outside, using the wind to signal Zhongli.

Yet Zhongli ignored him entirely.

Finally, as everyone prepared to eat, Venti could hold back no longer.

===✧✦✧===

Character Voiceline · Furina: About Hu Tao

"Hmm... such an... enthusiastic person?

Anyway, I don't dislike her. I wish I could be as openly happy as she is."