The next day, in a corner of Mondstadt Square.
The Fatui delegates haughtily told Jean: "Our stance is clear."
"If you can't exterminate the rampaging Stormterror immediately, hand Mondstadt's defenses over to us Fatui."
"..."
Jean, sleepless all night with dark circles under her eyes, could hardly believe her ears.
Hand Mondstadt's defenses to the Fatui?
Entrusting your city's protection to another nation was no different from selling Mondstadt outright.
The Fatui were getting more outrageous by the day.
Just as Jean was about to snap at their absurdity, she spotted a purple figure approaching the Knights from afar.
"Lisa!" Jean froze, ignoring the delegates' words and rushing straight toward her.
"Huh?" The Fatui delegate stood dumbfounded: "I wasn't done—how'd she just run off?"
Knights of Favonius Library.
Lisa lounged lazily by the window as usual, basking in the sunlight.
Newly reborn, her mood was through the roof.
Plus, with the boundary breakthrough boost, her elemental control was leagues stronger now.
"Mmm..." Lisa stretched her arms, sighing contentedly.
Last night's frenzy lingered like fine wine.
"That guy really knows his stuff."
"For a second there, it felt like my mind went totally blank—nearly turned into a real airhead." Lisa licked her lips lightly.
Something crossed her mind, and she smirked: "Hard to imagine what it'd do to girls like Barbara—might straight-up kill them."
Bang! The library door slammed open, snapping Lisa from her reverie.
Jean burst in excitedly, but paused at the sight of her—stunned for a split second.
Maybe it was an illusion, but Jean swore Lisa exuded even more feminine allure than before.
"You... last night..." Jean stammered.
Lisa waved it off: "Sigh, my own stuff's easy to handle, but..."
After last night's frenzy, once recovered, Lisa hadn't forgotten Mondstadt.
She'd suggested to Su Xuan: seize the chance to win over Jean.
But Su Xuan just patted her butt and went to sleep without a word.
Even after breakfast this morning, he hadn't mentioned it.
Lisa got the hint—pushing might backfire, so she dropped it.
The answer was obvious.
"About Mondstadt, he doesn't seem keen to help." Lisa shrugged helplessly.
Jean froze, her rising spirits drained in an instant. She murmured, "How could that be?"
But soon, something clicked, and she eagerly asked Lisa: "So how'd you succeed last night?"
Lisa was shamelessly candid, smiling: "Lone man and woman—what else?"
"I took the initiative and opened the door wide."
Jean's face flushed hot from neck to ears, her weary features burning red.
"L-Lisa... you... you..." Jean gaped at her friend.
Her mind blanked, utterly beyond her comprehension.
Seeing Jean floundering, Lisa—usually unflappable—suddenly grew serious, dropping her laziness:
"Jean, remember those kids the Fatui's Doctor took from Mondstadt years ago?"
Jean paled: "Yes... still no trace of them."
"Exactly. Back then, we couldn't handle the dragon Ursa. The Doctor used slaying it as leverage for a favor."
"Then conscripted from Mondstadt under that pretext and took kids for human experiments."
"Compared to them..."
"What I paid versus what I gained? I came out way ahead."
"And Su Xuan's handsome, great build too. Honestly, feels like he was the one giving, and I was just enjoying."
Jean: "..."
Classic you.
"But now's not the time—Su Xuan, he..."
Right then, Jean jolted—a mental ping.
The diary update.
[Mondstadt's winds are indeed free.]
[That very freedom leaves its people dazed in crises.]
[Like now: facing Stormterror's devastation, Mondstadt's citizens stare at ruined homes, clueless.]
[That's why they always lean on Jean Gunnhildr.]
[Some even dump cat-sitting on the Acting Grand Master—ridiculous.]
[Yet at this pivotal moment, Jean's juggling Stormterror and Fatui diplomatic pressure.]
[No time for rebuilding—Mondstadt's in a brief shutdown.]
[To me, though? Just travel notes for griping.]
[Like last night when Lisa asked if I'd help Mondstadt.]
[I admit, Lisa felt great—we had fun.]
[But over aiding Mondstadt, I prefer someone like her, who comes solely for herself.]
[Maybe I want our bond simple—even if transactional, best if it's just her personal gain.]
[Of course, Yellow Hair Aunt—adorable Lumine—is back in Mondstadt.]
[With her kindness and nobility, she'll surely handle the dragon crisis.]
[Me? I'll just enjoy Mondstadt's poetry and songs.]
"No way!" Jean paced frantically like an ant on a hot pan.
Lisa shook her head helplessly, inwardly griping at Su Xuan: What a rascal. Yellow Hair Aunt already knows Lord Barbatos tricked her—fat chance she'll help after drawing her sword on him instead.