Evening.
The western sky was ablaze like fire, a vast expanse of orange and red.
After appraising the final fourth-tier purple card for a wealthy merchant from Liyue, Lu Heng picked up his phone.
It was a message from Tartaglia:
"Boss Lu, coming for dinner? Someone's treating—Tian Dingyuan!"
It was common knowledge that Lu Heng was always the most enthusiastic when it came to free meals.
But!
Lu Heng typed his reply:
"You guys go ahead without me. I'm eating with my wife."
Just eating?
Of course not!
But no matter how you looked at it, sharing a meal with a beautiful girl was always a mood booster.
Wanmin Restaurant.
"See? I told you," Tartaglia said, wearing a knowing expression.
"You really didn't need to ask," Venti chuckled.
The young couple was just starting their relationship—did he really think they'd come out to eat with him?
Youngsters these days, they just don't get it!
Tartaglia understood, of course.
But he had to ask anyway!
This was his sworn brother in life—he could decline, but you had to extend the invitation!
When it came to social etiquette, no one understood it better than Tartaglia.
"Since Mr. Lu isn't joining, shall we start without him?" Zhongli suggested.
"Let's eat!" Venti was in high spirits.
As long as there was wind, the Anemo Archon could glean information from it.
Heh, Mondstadt's top tycoon had already arrived at Liyue Harbor!
By his estimate, Lu Heng wouldn't be appraising cards at this hour. After the long journey, Diluc would probably rest for the night.
By tomorrow morning—or noon at the latest—he'd witness a massive spending spree!
The only question was, how many gold cards would appear?
After all, Ningguang's four billion Mora had yielded over a dozen gold cards!
Though only six were immediately useful (mostly for survival), with cards like [Golden Armor Deity], [Annihilating Buddha's Palm], and [Immortal-Sealing Diagram], even Venti was stunned after seeing them!
Liyue had too many wealthy people!
If luck was roughly equal, the side with more money would naturally have the advantage.
Though Venti didn't involve himself much in governance, he still cared deeply about Mondstadt and hoped it would grow stronger.
And Diluc—despite his strained relationship with the Knights of Favonius—had a sincere heart for protecting Mondstadt!
So, Venti silently wished Diluc the best.
Before dinner, Lu Heng had already messaged Furina, so she didn't need to prepare anything.
With many wealthy merchants coming for card appraisals, he'd repurchased some food-related item cards.
These food-type item cards worked similarly to in-game mechanics.
Think of it like Sweet Madame in Genshin Impact—consuming it restores HP. The effect was about the same.
Notably, these restorative food-type item cards could be used directly in emergencies.
You didn't have to eat the actual food—the effect would still apply!
But if you chose to tear the card, the physical food would appear.
This simply gave people more options.
With the physical item, you could eat and feel full. Using it directly granted the effect but no satiety.
Lu Heng picked out some delicious-sounding items and returned to the Court of Fontaine via the teleportation gate.
Just as he stepped through—before the gate had even fully vanished—Furina was already leaping into his arms.
She nuzzled her face against his chest, stood on tiptoe to kiss him, then ducked under his arm to his back, jumping up to cling to him.
"Hehe, Lu Heng!"
Lu Heng: "..."
The whole sequence left him momentarily stunned.
"What's up?"
He adjusted his hold on her, feeling like he was carrying a kid.
"I missed you!"
Furina blinked, her eyes brimming with undisguised affection.
Her afternoon perfectly embodied the saying, "One day apart feels like three years."
Half a day without seeing Lu Heng? That was a year and a half of loneliness! Furina had been so bored she'd nearly rolled around on the couch.
"Feeling better?" Lu Heng asked.
"All better!"
Furina's cheeks flushed slightly as she whispered in his ear, "Completely recovered~"
"That's a relief."
Lu Heng's smile deepened with meaning.
Watching the two of them being all lovey-dovey, Focalors' lips twitched.
What's with the complete disregard for others?
Not even pretending to be subtle anymore?
Focalors knew she was being treated as "one of them," hence the lack of restraint.
But it was agonizing!
Ignorance would've been bliss!
Knowing but not having a turn—every time she thought about it, sleep eluded her. All she could do was pass the time teasing the Melusines on night shift at the Palais Mermonia. It was torture.
But Focalors also knew it wouldn't last more than a few days.
After all, Furina had said: "First come, first served, like queuing for card draws! Let me have him to myself for a couple of days! After I've had my fill, you can take your turn, and I won't interfere!"
Heh!
Put that way, Lu Heng was like the counter at a card shop—pay the toll, take your turn.
Focalors found it hard to keep a straight face, but she agreed!
Let Furina have her exclusive time. She was the first, after all.
"Lu Heng, how's your stamina holding up?"
Just as Lu Heng was chatting with Furina about the afternoon's events at the Liyue branch, Focalors suddenly posed the question.
Lu Heng paused.
Focalors wore a faint smile, her eyes glinting with implication as she scrutinized him, her gaze lingering longest around his waist.
What was this?
Lu Heng felt her look was downright insulting.
Doubt, was it?
With the demeanor of an undefeated champion, Lu Heng smirked. "Even against two, I wouldn't feel the slightest pressure."
Bold words.
But Focalors liked it.
"Just don't be begging for mercy in a few days."
Challenging him?
Did she not understand the prestige of the [Perfect Physique] equipment effect?
Lu Heng wasn't joking.
What could it do?
Smoke 100,000 cigarettes in a day, and your lungs would still ask: "Bro, did you even inhale? I didn't feel a thing."
If even the lungs were unaffected, how could the rest of the body be lacking?
So Lu Heng wasn't just talking tough—he had the foundation to back it up!
"We'll see who's really struggling when the time comes," Lu Heng replied calmly.
Honestly, no pressure at all!
He pulled out a few cards. "Let's eat first!"
"Time to eat~" Furina cheered.
Tearing the cards summoned steaming-hot dishes, as if freshly cooked.
The aroma was irresistible.
Since Furina had closed the shop, there were no outsiders around.
Right after eating wasn't the time for vigorous activity—a leisurely stroll would've been fine, but they couldn't be bothered to go out.
Lu Heng lounged on the sofa, Furina nestled on his left, Focalors on his right.
"Core of Civilization!"
The gnawing Core of Civilization looked up.
"Project something for us to watch."
A TV show.
Given the Core's advanced capabilities, even if there were no shows stored on its hard drive, its AI could instantly generate a gripping, plot-twisting series.
After two 40-minute episodes, Furina was completely engrossed.
Lu Heng scooped her up.
"Eh? Let me watch one more—no, ten more!"
Bang!
The door slammed shut.
Focalors sighed.
This place was unbearable.
The closer she was, the harder it was to ignore the implications.
"Core of Civilization, come with me to the Palais Mermonia."
The show was interesting, and since sleep was unlikely, it'd help pass the time faster.
The Core of Civilization glanced at her.
Could it refuse?
Of course not!
Furina was the master's first wife, and Focalors was the second.
It could only haul its pile of odd ores back to the Palais Mermonia, munching on rocks while projecting the show for Focalors.
--------
T/N:
You'll also get 5 extra chapters just for being a free member!
Access 50 chapters in advance on my Patreon : p@treon.com/furinaimpact