Just then, a flamboyant voice interrupted them from not far away. Turning toward the source, they saw a peculiar-looking man staring at them with a grin. "Care to try Mondstadt's very first private cinema?" he asked enthusiastically.
The man appeared to be in his thirties, dressed in an eccentric outfit, with a small mustache, sunglasses, and—most notably—a hairstyle that resembled a cow pie.
"And who are you?" Jean's expression turned cautious. "I've never seen you in Mondstadt before."
"Don't misunderstand! I'm no weirdo," the man replied hastily. "The name's Liben, from Liyue. I'm a merchant who's always seeking new business opportunities."
Liben?
Wasn't he that guy famous for handing out quests with minimal effort and generous rewards?
"A private cinema?" Jean's curiosity was piqued. "I've heard of 'cinema' as an art form from Fontaine, but I didn't know Mondstadt had plans for one."
Cinema, in simple terms, was akin to "movies" in the real world—a medium of art that had emerged following the invention of the "Recording Device." Its origins lay in Fontaine, a nation renowned for its romantic flair.
"Exactly!" Liben said with a dramatic flourish. "Building a proper cinema is costly and complicated. But a private cinema? That's another story entirely! I've rented out this inn and installed the equipment myself."
"Sounds fancy." Lucas stroked his chin thoughtfully. "But I imagine it's not cheap."
"Consider yourselves lucky—it's opening day!" Liben's enthusiasm was palpable. "Not 98,000, not 9,800, but just 998 Mora for an exclusive private screening!"
Private screening?
Jean's eyes lit up briefly. Lisa had once mentioned that a private, enclosed space was the perfect setting to deepen a couple's bond. This seemed like a golden opportunity.
"I… I'd like to watch a movie!" Jean mustered her courage and turned to Lucas. "Would you watch with me?"
"Of course," Lucas replied with a smile. "I almost forgot—a date wouldn't be complete without a movie."
"Right this way!" Liben's grin widened as he ushered them in. Leaning close to Lucas, he whispered, "I've got some real gems from Fontaine's underground market. You and your lady friend are in for a treat."
Much like in the real world, private cinemas operated in something of a legal gray area. Without proper licensing, they often showcased films not intended for public release. With cinema still a novel concept in Teyvat, regulations were sparse. Fontaine's artistic pursuits were diverse enough that it wasn't surprising for some films to push boundaries.
Inside the dimly lit room, there were no chairs—only a round bed positioned directly in front of the projection equipment.
"Do we… lie on the bed to watch?" Jean's cheeks flushed slightly.
"It's not a bad idea," Lucas replied casually, standing by the rack of film reels. "We've been on our feet all day—a bit of rest sounds nice. What do you feel like watching?"
"Let me see…" Jean stepped over to the rack, her curiosity evident. However, as she examined the titles and covers, her face grew increasingly red.
Titles included:
"That Summer, Flooded by the Water God"
"Yuheng Star and the Slime"
"The Fall of the Ice Queen"
Most of the titles were clearly gimmicky, aimed at catching the eye. They obviously didn't feature the real individuals depicted but rather actors in corresponding costumes. As for the content… the titles left little doubt about its adult nature.
Jean's embarrassment peaked when her gaze landed on one particular reel. She froze, unable to suppress her reaction. Lucas glanced over, reading the bold title on the cover:
"The Acting Grand Master Captured by Hilichurls."
The cover featured an actress cosplaying as Jean, tied to a chair, while four muscular men dressed as Hilichurls loomed behind her.
It was, in every sense, a masterpiece of unintended hilarity.
Though the props were clearly low-budget, and the actress's wig was comically plastic, the director had evidently put effort into capturing the aesthetic.
"H-how does something like this even exist?" Jean stammered, her voice trembling with a mix of shame and anger. "This is… utterly humiliating."
"It just shows how popular you are, even in other nations," Lucas said, trying to console her. "So, what do you think? Want to watch this one?"
"Absolutely not!" Jean pouted, her cheeks puffing slightly in irritation as she glared at Lucas. "Do you want to see me getting bullied by Hilichurls?"
"I was kidding!" Lucas raised his hands in surrender, quickly grabbing another reel. "How about this one? It looks like a proper romance film."
The title was "Eternal Love on the Great Ship"—a Fontaine Film Festival award-winner from the previous year. Its plot revolved around a love story between a poor boy and a wealthy girl aboard a massive ship.
It felt oddly reminiscent of Titanic.
However, the romantic image of the couple embracing on the cover caught Jean's interest. Though she'd read plenty of romance novels, she'd never experienced a romance movie before.
Blushing, Jean nodded. Lifting her skirt slightly, she climbed onto the bed and patted the space beside her with a gentle smile. "What are you waiting for? Come join me."
Lucas gulped nervously before removing his shoes. But as he climbed onto the bed, his foot slipped, sending him tumbling forward—directly into Jean's arms.
The faint, sweet fragrance of Jean's perfume filled his nose. Though reluctant, Lucas raised his head, only to find Jean staring at him in a daze. Even in the dim light, her beauty was utterly captivating.
The atmosphere was charged. At this point, not doing anything felt… impolite.
Lucas leaned in closer, and Jean responded hesitantly, her movements feeling awkward and unsure. Despite all the romance novels she had read, none had truly captured the intimate details of such moments. Their lips met in a soft, gentle kiss. Jean's eyes fluttered shut as Lucas deepened the kiss, his hand cradling her cheek with tenderness.
When they finally broke apart, Jean's cheeks were flushed, and her eyes shone with a newfound excitement."The movie… it's starting," Jean finally murmured, breaking the silence.
Only then did Lucas end the moment with a slightly flustered expression. Both of their faces were tinged with an unspoken tension as he settled beside her. Unknowingly, their hands intertwined.
Meanwhile, outside the private cinema…
"Are you two ladies interested in a screening?" Liben asked cheerfully, eyeing the oddly dressed pair before him. "I've got only the best selections from Fontaine!"
Unsurprisingly, the two were none other than Eula and Barbara, who had been tailing Lucas and Jean. Seeing the pair enter the private cinema, they weren't about to give up now.
"Yes, we'd like to try," Eula said, taking the lead. "We want the room right next to theirs."
Liben found the request a bit strange but didn't overthink it. Seeing as they were both women, he nodded. "No problem, though the films in that room are—"
"We don't care," Eula interrupted, handing over some Mora. "Just unlock it."
After all, their goal wasn't to watch a movie—they had another mission in mind.
Barbara pressed her ear against the wall as soon as they entered the room, trying to eavesdrop on any activity next door. However, all she could hear was the faint sound of a movie playing.
"Relax for now," Eula said with a shrug. "They just went in. Even if they were planning to do something, it wouldn't happen so quickly."
"Who knows if he'll be able to hold back?" Barbara huffed indignantly. "Once or twice isn't enough for that guy…"
"What was that?" Eula narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Nothing!" Barbara quickly changed the subject to cover her slip. "It's boring to just wait around. How about we watch something too? The last time I saw a movie was years ago when I visited Fontaine with my father."
"Suit yourself," Eula said dismissively, yawning. "Might as well kill time."
"Let me see…" Barbara began browsing the reels on the shelf, frowning at the peculiar titles. "Ringu," "Ju-On," "Village of the Damned," "The Shining…"
"They all sound like some boring stuff," Eula muttered, stretching. "Just pick one already."
"Fine, let's go with this." Barbara slid one of the reels into the projector. "Hopefully, it won't be too dull."
Meanwhile, next door, time ticked by as Jean found herself completely absorbed in the movie.
The plot built to its climax as the male and female leads confessed their love and began their harmonious union. The scene was daringly shot with no attempt to obscure anything, a bold seven-minute unbroken sequence meant to convey their deep emotions.
Jean watched for a moment before instinctively turning her face to glance at Lucas beside her—only to find him doing the same.
Their eyes met, while the unmistakable sounds of passion from the movie played in the background.
After a moment of silence, Jean spoke in a hushed voice, "Do you… have any thoughts?"
"Thoughts?" Lucas scratched his cheek, then replied casually, "The actress has a pretty good figure."
"Hmm…"
Hearing this, Jean's cheeks puffed slightly in annoyance, her tone turning petulant. "Better than mine?"
As a woman, hearing the man she liked compliment another woman's figure—even a fictional one—naturally sparked a twinge of jealousy.
Lucas chuckled and replied with a sly smile, "That's hard to say. After all, the actress wasn't wearing any clothes."
Jean bit her lip at his response, then muttered softly, "So… would you like to see?"
"See what?" Lucas feigned innocence, though the mischievous glint in his eye gave him away.
"Idiot…" Jean shot him a playful glare before slowly loosening the collar of her dress. She let the fabric slide down her shoulders, exposing her smooth, bare, pristine white skin. Her fingers trembled slightly as she continued to unbutton the front, each movement intentional and teasing. Lucas watched, his breath catching as more of her was revealed.
The dress finally slipped down to her waist, leaving her upper body exposed. Jean's breasts were full and round, her nipples already hardening from excitement and the cool air.
While the movie actress undoubtedly had an attractive physique, she couldn't compare to Jean's natural grace and beauty. Lucas swallowed hard, his body responding to the sight before him. Jean noticed his reaction, and a small smile crept onto her lips.
"Well?" Jean let her hands fall to her sides, a blend of confidence and shyness coloring her expression. "Compared to her, who's better?"
"Do you know," Lucas said, his gaze unwavering, "I'd gladly die in your arms."
Jean smiled faintly, leaned close to his ear, and whispered, "Then tonight… you're doomed."
----
Author's Note: