"Nothing much," Jiang Chen explained calmly.
"When someone has been extremely tense for a long time, and suddenly there's nothing left to do… the mind just collapses like that."
Then he added:
"Lumine, carry her to my room."
Although the attic had two rooms for the girls, one had been claimed by Fischl as her "Castle of the Immernachtreich," and the other was already Lumine's.
So Jiang Chen couldn't simply decide for them.
"Oh."
Lumine nodded.
Carrying Jean wasn't difficult for her.
After all, a traveler needed strength.
She wasn't some delicate mage.
Lunch Is Ready
When Lumine returned downstairs, the table had already been set.
The dish in front of them looked exquisite.
Under the golden skin of the Golden Bass, tender white fish meat shimmered faintly with tiny glowing specks.
Lily petals floated in the clear broth surrounding it, making the entire dish look alive.
It almost seemed like the fish was still swimming in shallow water.
Although—
It was only half a fish.
The rich aroma made Paimon drool immediately.
She wiped the corner of her mouth.
Then stared intensely at the soup pot nearby.
The other half of the fish was inside.
Apparently reserved for Jean.
The same ingredients had produced two dishes through different cooking techniques.
Meanwhile Sara brought up vegetable soup and rice.
"Let's eat."
Jiang Chen smiled.
Lumine nodded.
They had only eaten breakfast today.
And after bathing, her stomach had been growling for a while.
She eagerly picked up her chopsticks.
The moment the fish entered her mouth—
The tender texture exploded with freshness.
The fragrance of lily spread through her senses.
The lazy heaviness after a bath vanished instantly.
The glow powder made from firefly cores energized her body.
Lumine's eyes widened slightly.
Even after swallowing, a faint raspberry-like sourness lingered in her throat.
No matter how much she ate—
It didn't feel greasy.
"This is the best dish I've ever eaten."
She said sincerely.
Her eyes showed pure admiration.
Jiang Chen was amazing.
"Wow! It's so delicious!"
Paimon danced midair in excitement.
Suddenly—
The table became silent.
Lumine and Paimon looked at each other.
Friendship was instantly forgotten.
The two began fighting for the remaining half of the fish.
Jiang Chen only took a few bites before giving up.
The Golden Bass was delicious, but there wasn't much of it.
Instead he drank the vegetable soup.
A simple yet healthy Teyvat home-style dish.
New Plans
After finishing the meal, Lumine and Paimon still looked slightly unsatisfied.
Jiang Chen said:
"We'll rest for a couple days."
"Then we'll explore another ruin."
"Okay."
Lumine nodded.
She didn't ask many questions.
Wherever Jiang Chen wanted to take her—
She would go.
Originally, she planned to sleep all day.
But after eating the bass dish, she felt strangely energetic.
"Jiang Chen, I'll visit the library today."
She said.
Books might help her understand Teyvat and Mondstadt better.
And reading was a good way to relax.
After changing clothes, she headed toward the Knights of Favonius Headquarters.
The Mondstadt library was there.
Paimon reluctantly followed.
In Jiang Chen's Room
Jiang Chen took a bath.
Inside the master bedroom, Jean's steady breathing filled the room.
Her elegant figure lay beneath the blanket.
Still deeply asleep.
Jiang Chen brushed aside a strand of her hair.
His fingers gently traced her cheek.
"This girl…"
Even in sleep, Jean's brows were slightly furrowed.
After about an hour, Jiang Chen decided it was enough.
"Time to wake up."
A faint flow of Anemo energy passed through his fingers.
Jean's eyes snapped open.
Her gray-purple gaze was instantly alert.
She moved to dodge—
But Jiang Chen held her down.
"It's me."
Jean blinked.
"…Jiang Chen?"
The tension in her eyes disappeared.
She rubbed her head painfully.
Being forcibly awakened by elemental energy after sleep deprivation made her dizzy.
Only then did she notice something.
The bed beneath her felt soft.
And the surroundings were unfamiliar.
"Where am I?"
"My room."
Jiang Chen replied casually.
Jean's Embarrassment
Jean froze.
For a brief moment—
A flicker of disappointment crossed her face.
Using questionable methods to bring her here didn't match the heroic male leads she loved in romance novels.
But when she looked at Jiang Chen standing beside the bed—
Her heart skipped.
Her cheeks warmed.
She looked away awkwardly.
Feeling guilty.
For just a moment, she had suspected Jiang Chen might take advantage of the situation.
"Thank you."
Jean said softly, brushing hair from her face.
She felt ashamed.
Jiang Chen was an honorable person.
He had simply carried her here to rest.
He would never take advantage of someone.
She had always relied on his help.
How could she doubt him?
The image of him overlapped again with the heroic protagonist from the romance novel she loved.
Attempting to Escape
"What were you thinking just now?"
Jiang Chen asked with a teasing smile.
"I… I still have work at the Knights."
"As thanks for taking care of me, I'll send something later."
Jean avoided the question.
She quickly got dressed:
white boots
tied her ponytail
shoulder cloak
She clearly intended to escape.
Jiang Chen lay back casually.
"You can't handle work like that."
"I made some soup."
"It should work better than coffee."
Jean paused at the doorway.
Her voice carried slight embarrassment.
"…Then I'll drink the soup before leaving."