Chapter 3: Explanation & Amber

Part 1:

Acting Grand Master Jean was stunned by the sudden touch, her aquamarine eyes wide with surprise. Just as Chen Huaian was about to test how sweet it was, the forgotten unlocked door behind him was pushed open.

"Sister, do you want to have lunch together..."

Barbara, who had pushed the door open, froze. Their two pairs of azure eyes met directly, wide with disbelief, her mind a blur.

I went into my sister's office and saw her kissing an unfamiliar man. What should I do?

Emergency, emergency!

"Sorry," Barbara was the first to react, chuckling as she backed away, slowly closing the door. "I didn't see anything, you two continue..."

*Click.*

As the sound of the door that shut resounded, Acting Grand Master Jean finally snapped back to reality. She pushed Chen Huaian away from her face, wiped the corner of her lips, then gave Chen Huaian a shy yet angry glare before opening the door to chase after Barbara.

Acting Grand Master Jean tasted very sweet. If calculated by fruit sweetness, it would lean heavily on the sweet side.

Chen Huaian licked his lips, still unsatisfied, then squatted down to pick up the mora on the floor. He stored the mora back into his mora pouch before leaving the Knights of Favonius Headquarters.

Time to head back.

But before going back, he had to stop by the market. Just eating fish for lunch wouldn't do. He needed to buy some rice as a staple, side dishes like onions and potatoes, and most importantly, seasonings.

These items were all sold at the department store on Mondstadt's main street. He bought everything at once, ending up with two heavy bags of goods.

The mora Acting Grand Master Jean gave him was quite a lot. At Mondstadt's prices, as long as he didn't spend it recklessly, it would last Chen Huaian for quite some time.

Returning to the house he shared with Mona, it was inconvenient to take out his keys, so he kicked the door twice and called out, "Mona, are you home?"

"Coming, coming," Mona's voice came from inside the house. Footsteps approached, and the door opened. Mona stood before him in an outfit like in the game: a high-cut, low-neck leotard with black stockings.

His instincts was stirred.

"Aren't you broke?" Mona exclaimed, eagerly taking a large bag of ingredients from Chen Huaian's hand. "How did you buy so many ingredients? Did you take a commission from the Adventurers Guild? Or did you find a treasure?"

Becoming an Adventurer and taking commissions was also a way to earn mora. One didn't need to be too strong; taking simple tasks, like searching for dogs, delivering meals, or making deliveries, could all earn a certain Reward.

"Acting Grand Master Jean lent it to me, but I have to repay her with my body."

"!" Mona's mouth hung open. Acting Grand Master Jean seemed proper on the surface and was the object of adoration for many maidens in Mondstadt, but she never expected her to be such a person behind the scenes!

Part 2: Explanation

"I'm kidding," Chen Huaian saw that Mona was so shocked her small mouth could fit an egg, looking as if she truly believed him, so he had to explain properly.

"What I meant by 'repaying with my body' is that I'm going to join the Knights of Favonius. This mora is a loan from Acting Grand Master Jean, consider it an advance on my salary."

"Oh, so that's it," Mona let out a heavy sigh of relief. It was good that it wasn't "that kind" of body repayment. If these groceries were really bought with mora obtained through such a transaction with Acting Grand Master Jean, she would feel disturbed.

Most people instinctively feel inclined to uphold their integrity. For someone as handsome as Chen Huaian, Mona didn't want him to go down the wrong path for a meal.

It's not a big deal to skip a meal or two anyway.

"But I heard that the Knights of Favonius's assessment is quite difficult. I know a trainee Knight with a Vision who hasn't passed for several years in a row. Do you have confidence?"

This trainee Knight must be Noelle, right?

The reason he couldn't pass the assessment wasn't that it was too difficult, nor was it a lack of strength. It was her temperament. She wasn't fit to be a Knight and was deliberately held back by the higher-ups.

"I do have confidence," Chen Huaian took out his Vision from his pocket. "Look, I'm a person with a Vision now too."

"An Anemo Vision? Then you shouldn't have much trouble with the assessment. They say the Knights of Favonius gives preferential treatment to those with Anemo Visions."

"Probably. After all, this is the City of Wind."

Chen Huaian took out the items from the shopping bags one by one and arranged them. The seasoning bottles went on the seasoning rack, jams and crab paste went into the cabinet, and sausages, bacon, and fruits and vegetables were placed elsewhere.

"Oh, right, how do you want this fishprepared? Steamed or braised?"

"Not grilled Fish?" Mona said. "Sometimes I accompany Klee to Fish-bomb Wine Lake, and the fishwe catch are always grilled on the spot over a fire. They're really appetizing."

"Then let's steam it," Chen Huaian decided. The fish caught was a sea bass, large and plump, so steaming it would make the fish the most tender and sweet.

He skillfully grabbed the lively Fish from the tank, stunned it with the back of a knife, scaled it, gutted it, removed the gills, scored the flesh... His swift actions left Mona, who was watching beside him, dumbfounded. After thinking for a moment, she concluded, "I think you must have been a famous chef in Liyue before, either from the Xinyue Kiosk or the Liuli Pavilion."

"Who knows? I can't remember anyway," Chen Huaian shrugged. The reason he knew how to cook was due to old habits. After eating too much fast food for work, he wanted something healthier on his days off, so he would go to the market to buy meat and vegetables and cook for himself.

Furthermore, Chen Huaian didn't think his fish-gutting techniques were particularly brilliant; it was merely average. Mona simply hadn't seen much of the world.

"Oh, right, doesn't Mona do divination? Can you help me divine where I came from?"

"No," Mona shook her head. "I tried after you left. The hexagram I got was very strange, obscured by a mist. I couldn't see the future, nor could I find the past."

"That's a shame," Chen Huaian smiled. Since she couldn't see it, he felt relieved.

During the interval of steaming the fish, Chen Huaian also washed rice and put it in the pot, then stir-fried a dish with sausages and green peppers. He prepared shredded green onions and green peppers, and when the fish was steamed, he arranged them on top, drizzled with soy sauce and hot sauce, making Mona drool.

This meal, after eating cabbage, mushroom, wild fruits, and grilled fish for who knows how long, almost made Mona throw up. She hadn't eaten such delicious food in so long.

"I'll wash the dishes and utensils... *hiccup*... Let me recover first..." Mona, rubbing her round belly, slumped into her chair. Her taste buds had been conquered by Chen Huaian, and she couldn't leave him now...

Meanwhile, Barbara and Acting Grand Master Jean had just finished lunch. Acting Grand Master Jean persistently followed behind Barbara, wanting to explain clearly that what happened in the office just now was not what Barbara thought it was.

"I know," Barbara said with a hint of impatience. "I already told you I didn't see you and brother-in-law kissing in the office, really, I swear on the name of Lord Barbatos."

"He's not..." Acting Grand Master Jean continued to argue. She, who was always upright, was now lying in front of her sister, denying the kiss she and Chen Huaian had just shared, and even the fact that she had been more proactive and eager than Chen Huaian was during the kiss.

"It's just that some mora fell, and we both bent down at the same time to pick it up, and our foreheads accidentally bumped. That's when you happened to push the door open... The kiss was just a trick of perspective."

"I understand," Barbara nodded knowingly. "And you also ate a lot of unripe valberry, haven't yet? They are so sour your mouth wouldn't help but water, right?"

Barbara is not believing a single word Acting Grand Master Jean is saying!

Her sister says the kiss was a trick of perspective, fine. But how would she explain the saliva that was at the corner of her mouth? Does her sister think she's a child?

But honestly, isn't this what you'd expect from an adult? Even for kissing, they were bold—truly amazing.

"No..." Acting Grand Master Jean felt like she couldn't explain it clearly, and she couldn't help but start blaming Chen Huaian. If he hadn't dropped the mora pouch, how could such an embarrassing thing have happened?

But as soon as she thought back of that so-called "embarrassing" incident, Acting Grand Master Jean felt as if she had eaten sour and sweet valberry, and her mouth watered involuntarily.

"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone," Barbara said with a sweet smile, turning around and standing on tiptoes, looking at her sister who was completely different from her usual mature and steady self, like an ordinary maiden in love. Could this be the power of love?

"Besides, you're already an adult, and dating and kissing a boy you like are perfectly normal things. Why are you so nervous?"

“Or is it that your relationship with him cannot be exposed?” Barbara tilted her head. Why hide it? Why can't it be exposed?

A bold thought crepted in Barbara's mind, her pupils gradually widened, and she blurted out, “Could it be that my brother-in-law is a married man!?”

“Don't guess wildly!” Acting Grand Master Jean quickly covered Barbara's mouth, looked around, and only let go after realizing no one was paying attention. She warned, “It's absolutely not what you think. He is definitely unmarried, has no fiancée, no girlfriend... The reason I don't admit it is entirely because we haven't officially started dating yet. We're still in the process of getting to know each other. Do you understand?”

“Mhm, mhm, mhm, I understand,” Barbara nodded, her eyes shining. She could only say, 'As expected of an adult?' Even while still getting to know each other, they could engage in such bold and intimate behavior. It's truly amazing!

At this, Acting Grand Master Jean could only sigh silently. There was nothing more she could do about Barbara's misunderstanding. To make it clear that they weren't dating, and was still at a stage where they were getting to know each other, she could only say she tried her best. If Chen Huaian knew, he shouldn't blame her, right?

He probably wouldn't.

Acting Grand Master Jean then recalled Chen Huaian's confession when he was hypnotized in the library earlier. Not only did he like her, but he also liked her 'butt' the most. It was too embarrassing!

What Acting Grand Master Jean didn't know was that the conversation between the two sisters had fallen, word for word, into the ears of the pale-faced nun on the rooftop, whose attire and figure had nothing to do with the word 'holy.'

Part 3: Amber

Chen Huaian had a habit of taking naps, from primary school until he started working. If he didn't nap at noon, he wouldn't have the energy for the rest of the day.

He would decide on his afternoon schedule after waking up.

As Chen Huaian was half-asleep, he vaguely heard a knock on the door and someone calling his name.

It wasn't coming from his room's door, but from outside?

The window in Chen Huaian's room faced the road, and his bed was by the window. He groggily got up, leaned against the windowsill, and looked towards the front entrance, only to see a girl dressed in light clothing, with a red bunny hairband, waving at him.

It was Amber.

“Are you taking a nap? Are you awake yet? Acting Grand Master Jean asked me to come over and teach you how to use a wind glider. Hurry down!”

So Acting Grand Master Jean sent Amber over.

Chen Huaian couldn't refuse. He had taken Acting Grand Master Jean's mora and kissed her. He owed a big debt to Acting Grand Master Jean, so whatever she asked him to do, he would obediently comply.

Besides, learning to use a wind glider was already part of Chen Huaian's plan. Now, she even specially sent Mondstadt's flying champion to teach him how to use a wind glider. It really felt like she read my mind.

What an attentive woman.

“Wait a moment, I'll be right down.”

Chen Huaian put on his clothes, then washed up to clear his head.

He went downstairs and opened the door, meeting Amber's pretty face with a brilliant smile. He said, “Good afternoon, Amber. Hmm... I'll be relying on you from now on, Mondstadt City's flying champion.”

“You should call me teacher, or senior is fine too.”

“No way,” Chen Huaian gestured. Regardless of height or age, the two were far apart. “You're younger than me, shorter than me. I'd feel embarrassed by calling you teacher or senior.”

“Then have you heard this old Liyue saying? 'Between the noble and the humble, the elder and the younger. Where the Dao exists, there the teacher exists.' This means recognizing someone as a teacher doesn't depend on age. As a liyue person, how can you not even understand this?”

“I have amnesia.” Chen Huaian said, putting on his outdoor shoes. He closed the door. “Now I'm starting my second life. You can consider me a Mondstadter.”

“Call me properly now!” Amber bared her little fangs like an angry little tiger. “Otherwise, I won't teach you how to use a wind glider!”

“Alright.” Chen Huaian compromised. He looked at the lively and cute Amber, and the small, round bunny beneath the goggles on her collar. He glanced around, and seeing no one nearby, he leaned close to Amber's ear and softly breathed, “Teacher Amber~”

The tall, handsome adult male's scent, the deliberately exhaled warm breath that drifted into her ear, and the prolonged, gentle tone—all combined to make Amber, a maiden experiencing her first stirrings of love, shiver. A blush sweeter than a sunsettia crept onto her pretty face, startling Amber into backing away a few steps. Her lower back hit the staircase railing, and she almost fell.

“Careful!” Chen Huaian quickly grabbed Amber's hand, pulling the maiden's delicate yet soft body into his embrace. His other hand naturally wrapped around her, resting on the small firm curve encased by her short leather shorts.

Now the male scent was even more intense, rushing over her and making Amber's face so red that her head felt dizzy. For a moment, she was like a rabbit that had run into a wooden post, completely still, letting Chen Huaian hold her.

Chen Huaian didn't make any excessive moves. It was only for a brief two or three seconds. After briefly enjoying the maiden's loveliness, he let go of her and said, “Be careful, my teacher Amber.”

“Oh.” Amber responded, dumbfounded. For her, those few short seconds felt like several years. In a daze, she saw herself and Chen Huaian kissing and embracing while rolling around under the sheets... Amber couldn't help but squeeze her thighs together. Her pants felt damp and moist, as if she’d put them on before they were fully dry..

“What are you thinking about?” Chen Huaian put his arm around Amber's waist and pulled her closer. “Don't you look where you're going? You almost ran into the wall.”

Amber felt the warmth through the thin fabric on her waist and looked up at Chen Huaian's handsome face. She seemed to understand.

To be this skilled, this guy must have been a playboy who flirted everywhere before he lost his memory!

Infuriating!

Thinking this, Amber pinched Chen Huaian's waist, then walked away indignantly.

“Ouch!” Chen Huaian rubbed his side in pain. He could only say, 'As expected of a girl?' Her mood changed too quickly!

Pain aside, Chen Huaian wouldn't foolishly stand still and watch Amber leave. He quickly followed, saying, “Teacher Amber, where are we going to learn how to use the wind glider?”

“Teacher Amber, how do you plan to teach me? Will you be flying first and I'll follow your steps, or will you take me for a few flights to get a feel for it?”

“Teacher Amber, do you want some candy? I have mint candies, cool and refreshing. Want one? Here, open your mouth, ah...”

Amber looked at the mint candy in front of her and was too lazy to argue with this overly skilled playboy. She opened her mouth and 'aoh'-ed the candy in.

The cool mint candy in her mouth calmed her inner turmoil, which Chen Huaian had stirred up. After walking for a while, she put the earlier incident behind her and returned to her usual lively self. Amber took the initiative to speak:

“We're going to Windrise, near the Temple of the Falcon. There's a cliff there and a large wind current. It's a great spot for new adventurers to use for wind glider practice.”

“Okay,” Chen Huaian had no objections. “Whatever Teacher Amber tells me to do, I'll do it.”

“But we might encounter Hilichurls on the way. Remember not to stray too far from me.”

“Okay, but Amber, can you teach me how to fight? I'm a Vision wielder now, too.”

“Really?!” Amber let out a small gasp. After all, when she saw him yesterday, he was just an ordinary person.

“Is there such a thing as a fake Vision?” Chen Huaian pulled out his Vision. “I just got it today. Isn't it amazing?”

“And it's Anemo... Darn it, if my Vision were Anemo, that would've be great. I'd definitely fly even faster with it.”

“I think Pyro suits Amber, a maiden as lively, passionate, and cute as a flame.”

“Naturally,” Amber proudly puffed out her little bunny. “I am the outrider, Amber!”

Chen Huaian's peripheral vision caught Amber's little bunny ears bouncing in sync with her words.

Cute.

The journey was smooth. Along the way, there were slimes appearing here and there, but there was not a single hilichurl. This left Chen Huaian feeling a little disappointed. He still wanted to try what it felt like to draw a bow and shoot arrows