Chapter 26: Kidnapping Captain Jean
The fine sands in the hourglass slipped slowly downward. The bright candlelight cast a gentle glow over Jean's delicate face and flowing hair, adding an extra layer of beauty to her already exceptional appearance.
Hearing the door creak open, Jean lifted her heavy eyelids and forced herself to focus, though exhaustion lingered across her features.
Jean: "Mr. Su Han… did you come to see me about something? I thought I heard some noise outside just now…"
"Could it be about Lisa? I'm sorry, I've been so busy with official matters that I haven't had the chance to apologize on her behalf…"
Su Han: "…"
The hand holding his coffee stiffened slightly. For some reason, an unusual sense of guilt washed over him.
Imagine this: after a whole day of exhausting work, you're utterly worn out, yet you're forced to keep going. You're so sleepy that even closing your eyes for a moment feels like a blessing. And then… your boss hands you a cup of strong coffee.
Does this strategy really work?
Su Han: "Captain Jean, you've worked hard. I heard from Miss Lisa that you were looking for a substitute for coffee?"
Jean gave a faint smile: "Because of work, there's always more to do than I can finish. But late at night, I grow drowsy so easily. I've already built up a tolerance to coffee from drinking it too much, which is why I wanted to find a replacement."
"I didn't expect Lisa to tell you about something like this. It seems that after clearing up the misunderstanding, your relationship has progressed quite nicely?"
Su Han sighed: "I thought enjoying coffee was just a personal hobby of yours… but it turns out it's all for the sake of work."
"As a visitor, I'm not really qualified to give advice, but I must say this: work never ends. You must know how to balance effort and rest, act within your limits, and not overexert yourself."
Jean gave a wry smile: "Thank you for your concern, Mr. Su Han. As acting Grand Master of Mondstadt, I still have so much to improve on. If one day you sit in my position, you'll understand some of these things."
"By the way… is that coffee you're holding for me from Lisa?"
Su Han's smile deepened: "No…"
Indeed, according to the strategy, if Jean asked whether the coffee was from Lisa, he had to deny it—or risk exposing himself. He didn't fully understand why, but… well, he trusted the guide.
Jean: "Then…"
Su Han: "Actually, I prepared it for you myself, because I assumed that your tastes might align with mine. But… I'll be tossing this cup out. Captain Jean, you should rest properly."
Just as he moved toward the trash bin to pour it away, Jean acted first, snatching the coffee from his hands.
"Now, standing before you is Jean—not Captain Jean."
"Jean never refuses gifts from friends."
With that, she gently blew on the steaming coffee, then drank it in one smooth motion, giving him a playful wink afterward.
"Tastes good. Well then… since it's advice from a friend, Jean will make an exception and rest for three minutes."
Damn… why is my heart fluttering?
Su Han suddenly realized he was utterly defenseless against women like Jean or Lisa—the elegant, composed type.
Returning to her desk, Jean slowed her pace through the paperwork:
"I heard from Lisa that you confessed to her at the fountain plaza yesterday?"
Su Han: "Uh… actually, that was a beautiful misunderstanding."
Jean chuckled: "No need to be shy. I heard your emotions are passionate enough to earn praise from most of the Mondstadt citizens present. It's a pity, though—Lisa apparently mistook you for one of her more obsessive admirers."
"She felt a little guilty after realizing she might have hurt you… you should forgive her."
Su Han: "It's alright, Jean. I was the one in the wrong first. This whole matter started because of me, so I have no reason to blame Miss Lisa. When one makes a mistake, one must accept the consequences. That's fair, isn't it?"
Jean smiled, about to respond, when a sudden wave of sleepiness overcame her. She could not resist it and fell asleep almost instantly.
Su Han glanced at his pocket watch and said calmly, "Time is running short."
What… is happening?
Jean was surprised to find that, though asleep, she could perceive everything happening around her. Moreover, the fatigue she had accumulated recently was slowly vanishing, her spirit gradually rejuvenating.
"I'm sorry, Jean. I've betrayed the trust you placed in me."
Was that so…? As leader of the Knights of Favonius, I shouldn't have trusted a stranger so easily… Jean felt a tinge of sorrow.
Su Han approached her, expertly pulling a pair of black stockings over her head.
"Jean, I promise this is only temporary. Once I'm done, I'll return you immediately."
"Uh…"
And just like that, Su Han carried Jean in a princess-style hold, skillfully avoiding other patrolling knights, until they arrived in front of Mondstadt Cathedral.
By the time they reached the location, the pocket watch's hands pointed precisely to 1:55 a.m.
Seeing Su Han, Paimon became extremely excited and waved at him: "Hey, we're over here!"
Lumine quickly covered Paimon's small mouth: "Quiet, you idiot."
Jean: The Traveler, Paimon, and the young bard… what are they planning?
Venti: "You're here. When do we move… huh?"
Only then did they notice that Su Han was holding a strange woman.
Thanks to the special effect of the A-grade mask Black Stockings, anyone wearing it would have their identity completely concealed. Even if he placed the stockings on Lord Barbatos the Anemo Archon's head and beat him in public, bystanders would simply assume it was someone else.
Fortunately, Su Han was unaffected by this effect. Otherwise, putting the stockings on someone else would create the awkward scenario: Wait, who is this person again? Doesn't matter—let's just beat them first…
Lumine: "Su Han, who is she?"
Su Han: "Forgot what I said? Everything is going according to plan. Don't worry."
Lumine frowned: "I trust you, but…"
"Please don't harm innocent strangers. I don't want to see my friends take a dark path."
Jean: It seems… they don't know that Su Han has kidnapped me?
Venti cheerfully: "Then I'll just provide backup here. Once you've retrieved the Skyward Harp, come find me—"
Paimon raised her hand: "I… I'll…"
Lumine quietly: "Then I'll provide backup too…"
Su Han glared at them, his voice deep and commanding: "Fine. Since you're unwilling to risk being discovered, I will choose who goes."
"Rest assured, this choice is made after careful consideration."
Under Su Han's oppressive aura, they all straightened and stared at him.
He cleared his throat, then extended a finger, pointing randomly as he counted them off:
"Not you… not you…"
Finally, his finger landed on Paimon.
He hesitated, then shifted it slightly to Lumine: "You…"
Lumine: "…"
Paimon: "Hey!"
In the end, despite Paimon's furious protests, Su Han decided to take her and Lumine with him, leaving Venti outside to keep watch.
Venti: "I'll be waiting for good news from you."
—
Guys, if you want more chapters, subscribe to my YouTube channel here.
For every 10 subscribers, you'll get one extra chapter.
If no one subscribed, I would stop posting chapters.
Here is the link.
htt(p)s://youtube.com/shorts/bMOodEURFWM?si=UU7yZ0iMeEEUnpXo
Just delete the () from the p, ok.