"Whew… finally over…"
With a long sigh, the last of the crowd slowly disappeared from the opera house entrance. Furina let out a deep breath of relief, as if she'd just shed a thousand-pound burden.
She stretched lazily in her seat, like a flower blooming in full splendor—radiating beauty and grace without the slightest reservation.
Her slender arms lifted high, drawing a graceful arc in the air. Under the sunlight, her fair skin shimmered with a delicate luster, warm and smooth like creamy white jade.
Then her arms drifted down like feathers, light and silent, finally resting beside her.
Only after completing this fluid, elegant movement did Furina tilt her head back against the plush seat cushion, utterly satisfied.
Her whole body sank deep into the chair, as if she wanted to melt into its comforting embrace. In that moment, she was like a little cat who had just completed a successful hunt and was now basking in the rare serenity of rest.
She radiated a lazy charm—so utterly relaxed and mesmerizing it was impossible to look away.
"Ah~ finally, I can properly rest for a while~"
Furina narrowed her clear, autumn-water eyes with delight, a soft smile curling at her lips.
Her voice drifted like a breeze over a still lake, barely disturbing the air yet leaving ripples in its wake.
At some point—silent as a ghost—Shajin had rested his strong arms along the top of her seat.
He tilted his head slightly, casting her a sidelong glance.
And then, as their eyes unexpectedly met, time itself seemed to pause.
Furina felt as if an invisible force had locked her in place. She couldn't look away.
Her gaze locked onto Shajin's dreamlike eyes.
What kind of eyes were those? Deep and vast like a star-filled sky, yet bright as the constellations gleaming within it.
Each glimmer in his gaze held a thousand untold secrets, stories that drew the soul with irresistible allure. She couldn't help but be curious—yearning to dive into those depths, to discover the mysteries hidden within.
Without even realizing it, Furina slipped into a trance. Her thoughts blurred, logic unspooled, her mind drifting like a kite with its string cut—floating aimlessly in all directions.
Where those thoughts might go, even she didn't know…
"Fufu?"
Just as Furina fully melted into this strange, dreamlike state, a playful voice whispered in her ear.
Shajin gently tapped her smooth forehead with a single finger, smirking.
She blinked rapidly, jolting from her daze. A deep blush bloomed across her cheeks like a sunset, and she quickly turned away in flustered embarrassment.
"U-Ugh… Shajin, I'm so bored. I want to go out and play! You're my bodyguard—think of something!"
Furina pouted, fingers fidgeting with the hem of her outfit.
Shajin rubbed his chin, thinking aloud.
"Hmm… if I remember right, Liyue's annual Moonchase Festival should be coming up."
Then he turned toward her.
"Say, Fufu… how about we go to Liyue in a few days? Could be fun soaking up the festival vibes."
He offered the suggestion with a warm smile.
At the mention of "Liyue," Furina's ears perked up like a curious bunny. Her eyes immediately lit up like stars in the night.
"Liyue? Yes, yes, I want to go! I have to go!"
She practically bounced in her seat, her voice bursting with excitement.
Watching her squirm with anticipation, Shajin chuckled and poked her forehead again.
"Look at you—like a little kid. Alright then, if you're that eager, let's leave tomorrow~"
He glanced sideways at her outfit, muttering under his breath, "You might actually get along with that quirky funeral parlor director, Hu Tao~"
But his whisper didn't escape Furina's sharp ears.
She suddenly turned and shot him a deadly glare—so fierce it could've ignited flames. Shajin shivered.
"I don't know what you just said, but I'm getting a very bad feeling from it."
Laughing awkwardly, Shajin slipped on his rose-gold sunglasses and grabbed her wrist.
"Come on, let's get you some new clothes."
Furina tilted her head. "Clothes? I… huh?!"
Before she could react, the two vanished in a flash of golden light, and the opera house fell silent once more.
In the blink of an eye, they reappeared in front of a boutique with unique flair. The storefront displayed a dazzling array of outfits.
Shajin looked up at the sign.
"Chioriya Botique, huh?"
Furina's gaze darted curiously around the shop until it landed on a particular qipao. Her eyes sparkled.
The garment was embroidered with elegant lotus blossoms, and the hem featured subtle water-pattern designs—like ripples in a flowing spring.
"Lady Furina?!"
The speaker was none other than Chiori, the boutique's owner.
Her attire retained the essence of a traditional Inazuman kimono but incorporated bold changes to the cut and silhouette.
The sleeves were removed entirely, the trailing hem shortened, replaced with a voluminous double-layered skirt—merging tradition with daring modern flair.
But what caught Shajin's attention most… were her shoes.
A hybrid of Inazuman wooden clogs and Fontaine-style heel-less pumps, they blended two cultures in one striking innovation.
They looked like high heels—but without a traditional heel.
Furina, however, hadn't even noticed her. Her gaze was still fixed on the qipao.
Seeing Furina's fascination, Shajin smiled and turned to the owner.
"Miss, could you take this qipao down? She'd like to try it on."
It was only then that Chiori realized who she was facing—none other than The Gambler, Shajin, now a household name across Teyvat.
Neither of these two were people she could afford to offend!
She hurried to find the right size for Furina.
With the qipao in hand, Furina disappeared into the changing room. Moments later, she stepped out—transformed.
The qipao hugged her figure perfectly, accentuating her unique elegance and charm.
_
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