Fu Ning found Furina and Clorinde in the Fontaine district.
"Swish!"
In an instant, Fu Ning's figure flashed to Furina and Clorinde's side.
"Alright, Clorinde, you head back first," he said.
Clorinde looked at Fu Ning and nodded. "Understood, Master."
With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Furina and Fu Ning alone.
Fu Ning looked at Furina, and a mischievous—borderline perverse—smile slowly formed at the corner of his lips.
Furina immediately reached out and covered his mouth. "Hey, hey, hey! Fu Ning! Watch it! This is the Fontaine District! If you're thinking of that, take it back to the Momang Palace!"
Fu Ning's grin deepened.
Anything could happen at the Momang Palace… ahem.
"Oh, right, Fufu. Lumine and Paimon are heading back to the Hearth House with Linny to discuss something. Then they're going shopping in the city, and finally, they're going to the Oprykle Opera House to watch Linny's performance."
"From what I heard, even Neuvillette's attending."
Furina's interest sparked. "Hah? Even those two foreign travelers—and Neuvillette—are going to watch Linny's show?"
"Fu Ning, let's go to Elynas Island!"
Fu Ning chuckled. "I'll follow you anywhere, Fufu."
After tending to a few minor affairs, Fu Ning and Furina set out for Elynas Island a few hours before the performance.
Elynas Island. Oprykle Opera House.
Neuvillette had arrived early and was seated near the front row.
He glanced at Furina, who was seated at the podium and constantly shifting in her seat, and sighed.
She seemed determined to strike the most imposing pose possible.
Neuvillette couldn't help but notice that Fu Ning was coaching her from the side. He couldn't help but think…
'They really are just a young couple.'
Same as always.
Honestly, Neuvillette felt that with Fu Ning standing nearby, that alone carried enough authority. Furina's sitting posture didn't matter at all.
Furina and Fu Ning both gave Neuvillette a polite nod in greeting.
Finally, Furina chose a pose she believed was sufficiently dignified, seated in the VIP box, awaiting Lumine and Paimon's arrival—and the show's start.
Fu Ning bowed slightly and said, "The glory and grandeur of justice are yours to command, Fufu. I'll just go take a seat downstairs."
Furina blinked. "Huh? You're leaving?"
"Ahem… well… fine. I allow it. But don't go too far! Got it? If anything happens… you come to me immediately!"
"I… I'm only saying this because I'm worried about your safety! Don't get the wrong idea!"
Fu Ning smiled. "Of course, my dear Fufu."
And indeed, once separated from him, Furina could easily start panicking or throwing a tantrum.
But Fu Ning adored her just the way she was.
Fu Ning made his way backstage and found Linny, asking him to arrange a seat near the front row.
Luckily, Linny had prepared many prime seats in advance, including one for Fu Ning—right next to Neuvillette.
Fu Ning returned to the hall, found his seat, and looked at Neuvillette beside him.
(For reference: Fu Ning now sat where Neuvillette had in a previous performance, and Neuvillette now sat in the "Master's" seat next to someone else.)
"Hey, workaholic, why weren't you at the Momang Palace today?"
Neuvillette replied dryly, "I believe you're more of a workaholic than I am."
"As for why I'm not at the Palace… Mr. Linny is a renowned magician in Fontaine, and his performances are worth watching."
Fu Ning scoffed. "I don't buy it. Let me guess—you're afraid of their connections to the Fatui?"
Neuvillette shook his head. "Not exactly… or at least, I'm not afraid. Mr. Linny and Miss Linnet are members of the Hearth House—they're merely potential affiliates of the Fatui, not official ones."
Fu Ning nodded. "Makes sense. I was wondering why you, a dragon, would bother with a magic show. I thought you might not even understand it—but turns out you were just keeping an eye on things."
Neuvillette's mouth twitched.
Every encounter with Fu Ning seemed to be a stream of sarcastic, mocking jabs.
Do you despise everyone who stands tall?
Sure enough, Fu Ning read his expression, and mimicked Neuvillette's posture and tone: "I despise all those who are tall and powerful."
"Hah, just kidding. More like—I devour all desserts on the table."
Neuvillette turned away and ignored him.
Just like Furina.
Their relationship was an odd one—they respected each other, yet couldn't resist exchanging barbs every time they met.
Not long after, Lumine and Paimon pushed open the doors to the private room and entered.
Paimon glanced at the seat numbers. "Yep, this is it. Let's sit here."
Neuvillette: "Hmm…"
Fu Ning: "Well… they've arrived."
Paimon glanced at the silent Fu Ning and the unfamiliar person beside him. "Uh…"
Lumine looked around and sensed the awkward tension. "Hmm…"
Paimon: "Hmm…"
Neuvillette lowered his head, lost in thought.
Lumine and Paimon exchanged glances and peeked at Fu Ning and Neuvillette.
Paimon whispered, "Hey, Lumine… should we say something to the person next to us? It feels weird to just sit here in silence… and Fu Ning's not talking either…"
Lumine shrugged and gestured: "It's up to you, Paimon."
Paimon's eyes widened. "You—ugh, I knew you'd leave this to me!"
Hearing them, Neuvillette turned his head. "My apologies. I didn't realize the awkwardness earlier. That was my oversight."
"We can talk, if it helps. It's alright."
Fu Ning turned and looked toward Furina's seat, giving her a cheeky wink.
Paimon was startled. "Wait… you heard all that? Your hearing is just like Fu Ning's! I even whispered!"
"Oh no, no—it's my bad, whispering like that… Uh… let's chat, sure! But what should we talk about?"
Lumine (internally): The atmosphere is even more awkward now…
Neuvillette smiled. "From what you said, you know Mr. Fu Ning."
Paimon nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! We do know Fu Ning. And since you're sitting next to him, are you a close friend of his?"
Neuvillette paused for a moment. "Friend… If possible, I wish I had never met Mr. Fu Ning."
Paimon stiffened. "Uhh… It kinda sounds like you two have some unresolved tension… This is getting even more awkward… geez, Fu Ning, say something! Oh—wait, I forgot to introduce us!"
"Hello, sir. I'm Paimon, and this is the Traveler—Lumine. We've just arrived in Fontaine."
Neuvillette stood up politely and nodded. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I've heard of your accomplishments from Fu Ning."
"As courtesy demands, I should introduce myself as well. I am Neuvillette."
He then turned toward Fu Ning and frowned. "And Fu Ning—stop making eyes at her."