The next morning.
Bright sunshine, gentle breeze.
In front of the Knights of Favonius headquarters, the city streets slowly came alive.
Yichen didn't block anyone at the main entrance.
Instead, he sat on a public bench across the street.
Beside him lay a fresh bouquet—
This time, white lilies, symbolizing respect and integrity, paired with green ivy.
Clean. Proper.
Very fitting for a businesslike confession to Acting Grand Master Jean.
Yichen waited quietly, mentally rehearsing how to complete today's
"First Daily Check-In"
quickly, clearly, and without being annoying.
But the first figure to enter his view wasn't golden hair and a knight's uniform—
It was a lazy, alluring shade of purple.
Lisa appeared silently at the street corner.
She walked toward him like a sun-warmed cat.
"Oh my~ isn't this Mondstadt's newest headline-maker, little Yichen?"
Her eyes fell on the lilies.
"So early… waiting for a fateful encounter?"
She sat beside him naturally.
Yichen wasn't particularly surprised.
"Morning, Miss Lisa. I'm waiting for Acting Grand Master Jean."
Lisa drew out her tone playfully.
"Let me guess~ You're planning to perform that grand 'hundred confessions' campaign on our beloved Grand Master too, aren't you?"
Yichen admitted it readily.
"But don't worry. I won't harass her. I'll confess once, then leave—no lingering."
"I don't want to burden her more than necessary."
Lisa's eyes glinted.
She leaned forward, chin in hand, sighing softly.
"Ah~ I'm glad you're so thoughtful."
"Jean really is buried under paperwork every day. She barely has time for tea."
"But~ even if you only confess briefly once a day, that still means another event she has to process, right?"
"Rejecting someone also costs mental energy, you know~"
"Over time… it might become the final straw on her already heavy load."
Yichen frowned.
She continued gently.
"You see, Jean works so hard precisely because she insists on doing everything herself…"
Yichen imagined it—and winced.
"…Then… is there anything I can do to help reduce her burden?"
Lisa's heart cheered internally.
Hooked.
She smiled warmly.
"Of course there is~"
"The best solution is—joining the Knights of Favonius."
Yichen blinked.
Lisa pressed on smoothly.
"If you join, you can officially help share her workload! Documents, patrols, monster suppression—you can shoulder some of it!"
"And~ you'll naturally get closer to Jean. More chances to see her~ Much more convenient than waiting outside, right?"
She winked.
Yichen rubbed his chin.
"Aren't the requirements… pretty high?"
Lisa waved her hand.
"For you? Not at all."
She pulled out a prepared recommendation scroll.
"Lucky you~ I just happen to have a spare recommendation slot."
"One signature, and you're an apprentice knight."
Yichen looked at the scroll.
Then at Lisa's eyes—
Which very clearly read:
'High-quality labor spotted.'
"…So this isn't just kindness—you want me working like a mule, huh?"
Lisa laughed sweetly.
"Oh my~ how could you say that? This is about honor, duty, and striving toward your dreams!"
Yichen weighed it.
Then nodded.
"I'll join."
"But—" he added.
"You help me create confession opportunities."
Lisa grinned.
"Of course~"
They shook hands.
A strange transaction—
built on confessions and conscription—
was sealed under the morning sun.