One wave hadn't settled before another rose.
In the library, Jean stared straight ahead at Su Xuan's diary, her eyes unblinking.
One entry caught her full attention.
Wind God Barbatos had noticed Su Xuan as a major factor disrupting his plans and might personally visit for a heart-to-heart.
"Lisa, do you think Barbatos will really approach him like Su Xuan says?"
"I mean..."
What if Barbatos upset Su Xuan, and he twisted Mondstadt—city and all—into a pretzel?
"I get your worry, Jean," Lisa said, seeing right through Jean's trembling eyes from the tension.
"I don't know Su Xuan as well as you think, but if Barbatos truly offended him..."
"Even if Mondstadt isn't twisted into a pretzel, it'd face irreversible destruction."
Jean swallowed hard at Lisa's grave tone.
Lisa's offering herself to Su Xuan last night had blindsided Jean.
Just imagining it—inexperienced as she was—made Jean tremble with fear and embarrassment.
But treating it as a transaction, Lisa was undoubtedly the big winner.
Beyond immortality, she'd gained a special ability: self-upgrading power every three months.
Per Lisa, if Su Xuan could grant her that, what about himself?
The diary showed only a fraction of his power.
If Su Xuan were set against them, how could they fight back?
Like Lisa's question to Jean: What if Su Xuan threatened all of Mondstadt? What then?
Jean Gunnhildr fell into deep confusion.
Her heart wrestled fiercely within.
Immortality wasn't her top priority, but immense power was essential to protect Mondstadt.
If she'd had the strength to defeat Ursa the dragon back then, Mondstadt wouldn't owe the Fatui favors.
The Fatui in Mondstadt now wouldn't be so brazen.
Those conscripted Mondstadters could still live freely.
Sadly, Jean—raised on "eternally protect Mondstadt"—lacked such power.
"But I don't think we need to worry," Lisa said with a beaming smile, her jade finger pointing at Barbatos's photo.
"Look at him—I doubt there'll be any conflict with Su Xuan."
Lisa didn't spell it out, but her smile said it: Barbatos looked goofy and harmless.
His temperament wasn't bad, and Su Xuan didn't seem unreasonable.
Unless Su Xuan wanted to raze Mondstadt, a fallout was near zero odds.
"Alright, it's getting late. I need to head back, prep dinner, and tend to my man," Lisa teased, rising to leave.
"M-My... man...?" Jean's cheeks flushed crimson, stammering, "Lisa, you..."
"It's Su Xuan, obviously. He's staying at my place lately," Lisa said matter-of-factly.
"But he's with Lumine now, right? He'll probably eat out," Jean said, eyes darting, unsure what she was even saying.
"That doesn't stop me from cooking. If he doesn't come back, I'll eat alone."
"But since he said last night he's staying with me awhile, I'll be home waiting."
Jean's mind flashed to Lisa and Su Xuan living harmoniously at home—then to last night's events.
Her heart pounded wildly.
"Jean, your face is so red. Imagining something restricted again?" Lisa teased slyly, making Jean's heart race.
Seeing Jean too flustered to meet her gaze, Lisa relented with a wave. "See you tomorrow."
But as Lisa reached for the library door, Jean's voice called from behind: "Lisa... do you think, with my aptitude, I could convince Su Xuan to help Mondstadt? Just once..."