Chapter 530

Seemingly having thought it through, the young girl wiped away her tears, a faint smile appearing on her face.

She sat to one side, watching Gu Chen, who stood with his hands behind his back gazing into the distance, and said softly, "I heard from them that Mr. Gu Chen is a stern person, acting with swift and decisive action... but I feel that Mr. Gu Chen is actually a very good person."

"Hmm?"

Gu Chen raised an eyebrow, looked at Barbara, and laughed, "Of course I look miserable when dealing with work I don't want to do. As for acting with swift and decisive action... that's just because I want to finish early and get off work sooner~"

"It's actually like that?" Barbara's eyes widened.

Like Jean and many other young men and women, Gu Chen was also an idol she admired.

Barbara had very little contact with Gu Chen and could only gradually build an image of him in her heart through the discussions of others.

But seeing him today, this image seemed to have some discrepancies?

"Why, do I look very much like that kind of cold, workaholic monster?" Gu Chen asked with a smile.

"W-well, not really."

Seemingly influenced by Gu Chen's gentleness, Barbara relaxed a lot. After waving her hand, she said, "It's just that Mr. Gu Chen is completely different from what I imagined!"

"People are complex and multifaceted. A person you learn about through hearsay might not be who you imagine," Gu Chen chuckled. "Before this, I also thought Barbara was a stereotypical Deaconess... and yet..."

"Hmm?" Barbara blinked, anticipating what would come next.

After pondering for two seconds, Gu Chen said, "Like a little crybaby."

"I am not!" Barbara's eyes widened, and then her small face flushed red as she said, "A-although I was a bit like that just now... I'm really not like this usually!"

"Uh-huh."

Gu Chen shrugged and laughed, "That's why I said, just get to know me slowly."

"Hearing Mr. Gu Chen say that, I feel much better immediately." Barbara let out a long sigh of relief, the breeze blowing against her cheeks feeling exceptionally comfortable. She asked, "Mr. Gu Chen, can we be friends? Of course, I won't affect your work!"

"Friends?"

Gu Chen rubbed his chin and laughed, "You aren't afraid that sometimes I'll be lazy and delegate work to you for help."

"Eek!"

"It's only natural for friends to help each other, but Mr. Gu Chen, don't give me work that's too difficult, just give it to the more capable big sisters!" Barbara blinked slyly.

"Fine!"

【Kaeya】: Tsk tsk.

【Venti】: Tsk tsk.

【Azhdaha】: Tsk tsk.

【Osial】: Good, good, good. As expected of the Sect Leader, he captured the little sister's heart in just a few words. (Thumbs up)

【Zhongli】: I now suspect that the Sect Leader also has an identity as the God of Affection. (Nods)

【Nilou】: After this conversation, both of their moods are much better. Now, Miss Barbara's eyes have a glow when she looks at Mr. Gu Chen! To be able to comfort her when she was at her loneliest... Mr. Gu Chen and Barbara's feelings must have started here! (Klee: Yay!)

【Lisa】: If Jean's admiration for Gu Chen started from childhood and gradually evolved into a step-by-step progression in life and work, then Barbara's indeed starts from now. (Lisa: Leisurely)

【Jean】:??? Where was the step-by-step progression??? I didn't show that in the video!!!

【Barbara】: (Dizzy)

【Lumine】: Jean, you look a lot like me back then! After dying, my whole body was soft, only my mouth was hard. (Nods)

【Paimon】: Now that you mention it, it's true. At the time, Lumine vehemently denied it, even to the point of cursing. One can only say that the harder the denial, the deeper the love later on. (Spreads hands)

【Diluc】: Just like Kaeya when he goes to the doctor for kidney deficiency and insists he's very strong—stiff-lipped.

【Kaeya】:???

【Dvalin】: Good, good, good. Kaeya, so you're the one who's weak? (Suddenly enlightened)

【Azhdaha】: Young people should practice moderation. (Hu Tao: Smirk)

【Gu Chen】: Do less needlework; it's bad for your health. (Admonishing)

【Amber】: So you're that kind of Kaeya! (Paimon: Shocked)

【Noelle】: This is too shocking! (Paimon: Shocked)

【Baizhu】: @【Kaeya】 It's okay, no need to feel sad about it. I happen to have a prescription here; do you need me to prescribe some medicine?

【Furina】: Interesting, this is too interesting!! (Haha)

【Kaeya】: Diluc, good, good, good. You're doing this to me, right? My reputation is ruined, ahhh!! (Annoyed)

Kaeya gripped his wine glass tightly, looking at Diluc, who had a faint, elusive smile, and really wanted to raise his hand and punch him in the face.

Since Crepus died, smiles seemed to have rarely appeared on Diluc's face.

Today's video seemed to have brought a little change to Diluc; not only did he reveal a long-lost smile, but he also broke precedent by joking about him in the group. This made Kaeya feel a bit relieved while also feeling a bit annoyed.

"What kind of joke are you making, kid? My reputation has been ruined by you!!" Kaeya stared at Diluc with resentment.

Diluc's eyes held a hint of a smile, and he crossed his arms, saying calmly, "Everyone knows it's a joke; your reputation hasn't been ruined."

"No, you must treat me to a few glasses of Death After Noon!" Kaeya slapped the table.

"Of course, just as a little consolation for someone with kidney deficiency." Diluc nodded.

Kaeya: "......"

"It's almost noon, shall we go back to the city to eat?" Gu Chen asked.

"Okay~" Barbara nodded happily.

Following Gu Chen, Barbara looked at him from time to time, making Gu Chen ask with some confusion, "What's wrong?"

"Big sister is only half a head shorter than you, but I only reach your chest... When will I be as tall as big sister?" Barbara felt a bit disappointed.

"Just for this?"

Gu Chen laughed dumbly, "Don't be too anxious. Jean is taller because she has been exercising since she was a child, and she is your big sister. You'll be fine when you reach her age."

"Uh-huh, I know that, of course, it just feels like I'm growing so slowly."

The young girl held her head and complained with some distress, "It would be great if time moved a bit faster for me!"

After finishing, she immediately picked up another topic, "Miss Alice once mentioned a topic about idols to me... something about wanting me to become a big star. Do you have any good advice?"

"Hmm..."

While walking, Gu Chen pondered and then said, "What else did she say?"

"She said that an excellent idol can heal people's hearts," Barbara said very seriously while looking at Gu Chen.

"An excellent idol can heal people's hearts?" Gu Chen was surprised and then nodded, "Thinking about it, that doesn't seem wrong."

"Mm-hmm!"

Barbara nodded, feeling even more convinced.

She herself was healed by an idol before, right?

Looking at the young girl whose eyes were suddenly curved and who was jumping with joy, Gu Chen laughed, "If you want to, you can indeed become a big star. Whether as the Grand Master or as a friend, I support you."

"Then it's decided~" Barbara nodded.

"If it's decided, then I'll be your first fan?" Gu Chen said with a smile.

"Eh, Mr. Grand Master will be my number one fan?" Barbara began to imagine, her eyes squinting happily, "That sounds pretty good!"

"This number one fan of yours will be looking forward to the big star's performance." Gu Chen laughed.

Barbara took a deep breath and said seriously, "Mm-hmm, don't worry. When I go back, I'll think about it carefully. I will definitely perform the first show well; I definitely won't let down the expectations of my number one fan!"

(Damn Zhao) Barbara was already starting to look forward to it.

She was Gu Chen's fan; although she couldn't count as the number one fan..., he was her number one fan!

Just thinking about it made her happy~

Unknowingly, the two had already returned to the city.

Because they didn't walk fast, calculating the time, they had already missed the Knights' lunch, so Gu Chen simply took Barbara to find a restaurant in the city.

Good Hunter, ranked among the top in Mondstadt's restaurants; the low cost and good taste made people rate this shop very highly.

After each ordered their food, Gu Chen looked at the menu and asked, "There are also drinks. What would you like to drink?"

"Hmm, do you have any spicy ones?" Barbara thought for a moment and asked.

"Spicy?" Gu Chen was stunned.

"It's very strange, right? Actually, I think spicy drinks are quite good!" Barbara said.

Gu Chen thought for a moment and said, "The taste is indeed peculiar, but I haven't tried spicy drinks either, and it's not on here... Hmm, shall we put some chili in and try it?"

"Okay!" Barbara immediately agreed to this plan.

Soon, two specially made drinks were delivered to their hands.

After Barbara took a small sip, a light flickered in her gray-purple eyes; she looked very satisfied with this flavor.

Gu Chen looked at the drink with chili floating in it and grinned. After taking a sip, he said, "Hiss—this taste... it's weird, but unexpectedly good!"