The words fell like a thunderclap.
Hearing that answer, Jean's eyes widened slightly.
She never imagined that the novel she'd been reading these past few days was actually written by Mr. Xia.
Especially considering those… explicit scenes in the book—there was simply no way to connect that with the mild-mannered, serious Mr. Xia she knew.
Not to mention, whenever he gave her massages, his touch was proper to a fault—he had never once taken advantage of her.
If he were truly such an experienced wouldn't he at least…
Wait a second. Last time, didn't Mr. Xia say I'd put on a little weight? Could it be he actually dislikes my figure?
The thought burst into Jean's mind unbidden, and she glanced down at her body.
At that moment, Amber leaned in close, whispering: "Master Jean, do you want the novel?"
Jean tilted her head. "Hm?"
Amber's voice turned conspiratorial. "You know—the novel Mr. Xia wrote. Want to read it?"
"This…"
"You were just asking about it, weren't you? You must be curious. I happen to have it here, I can lend it to you."
"I… I've been really busy lately… I don't have time to read…"
"That's fine, you can read it while having tea, just to relax a little."
"…"
[If I hadn't already read it, I might've believed your nonsense.]
Relaxing? That book?
It doesn't relax you at all—it winds you up, distracts you from work, and leaves you with so much pressure you just want to find a quiet place to… let it out.
[Amber, if I read it again in front of you, what happens to my image as the stern and dignified Acting Grand Master?]
Jean shook her head and refused outright. "Forget it. You keep it."
Amber's face showed faint disappointment.
Lisa, however, smiled languidly. "Since Jean doesn't want it, why don't you lend it to me, Amber?"
"Eh?"
"Unlike Jean, I'm not so busy every day. Might as well take some time to appreciate Mr. Xia's masterpiece."
"Oh—okay."
Jean watched as Amber pulled a familiar book from her Space Ring and handed it to her best friend.
Curiosity, is it…
No—that's not it.
As the Knights' librarian, Lisa had read every kind of book under the sun, and she already had a taste for the risqué. This novel would suit her perfectly.
[Fine then… enjoy it.]
---
Because her sister was there, Barbara sat among the others a little stiffly, not saying much.
If someone spoke to her, she would only smile in reply.
Barbara had always been a sunny child. Even though she was clumsy, often failing at things, she always bounced back quickly to try again.
And the complete opposite of her… was her sister Jean, the pride of the family in everyone's eyes.
Jean grew up embodying the very definition of "excellent"—utterly out of reach.
Barbara's first motivation to work hard wasn't lofty at all. She just wanted, for once, to beat her sister.
But whether it was swordsmanship or study, she could never measure up. Even Barbara, with her ever-bright optimism, sometimes felt discouraged.
People say effort is the greatest magic. But what if even effort isn't enough?
Still, Barbara never thought of giving up. Her resilience even surprised her father.
She gave herself a meltdown timer: only thirty seconds.
After thirty seconds, no matter what, she had to pick herself up and keep going.
[If I'm no good at fighting, then I'll focus on support!]
Guided by her father, Barbara became a healer—a Deaconess of the Church of Favonius.
The wounded and sick suffered so deeply, and Barbara's kindness shone all the brighter.
Her craving for recognition gradually transformed into something purer: the simple belief in helping others.
She sang for blind Glory, comforting her with faith that her lover would return.
She sang for sickly Anna, blessing her with recovery.
The smiles returning to people's faces became her greatest medal.
So at night, massaging her aching calves, or sipping almond tea to soothe her throat, Barbara thought of every person who had shown her kindness.
[I keep moving forward because of everyone's encouragement!]
And perhaps those smiles themselves were proof of health—proof that her songs really could heal.
At "serious" suggestion from Klee's mom, she even began striving to become an idol singer.
And as for that tiny bit of competitiveness she still carried—wanting to surpass Jean and be Mondstadt's number-one idol—that hadn't disappeared. She had just tucked it deep, deep inside.
If she became more outstanding, maybe she could take some responsibility off her sister's shoulders.
That was how she thought of it.
Which was why Barbara was always secretly watching her admired sister.
When Jean curiously asked Amber about Mr. Xia's pen name, Barbara caught the surprise in Jean's eyes, no matter how well she tried to hide it.
[Looks like Sister really does have a close relationship with Mr. Xia.]
When Amber offered to lend Jean the book, Barbara noticed the flicker of unease in Jean's expression.
[Sister's not as uninterested as she pretends to be.]
When Lisa asked to borrow the book, Barbara caught the helpless, almost teasing look on Jean's face.
[I may not know exactly what Sister is thinking, but she definitely cares about Mr. Xia's writing.]
[If that's the case… then I have to read it too!]
[That way, I'll have more to talk about with Sister.]
Barbara snuck a glance at the book Lisa had just received, memorizing the title.
Having always followed in Jean's footsteps, she had already mastered the Liyue language.
[After dinner, I'll go buy a copy and read it properly!]
Barbara wasn't the only one secretly watching Jean.
Another pair of eyes followed her as well—Eula's.
Known as the "Spindrift Knight," Eula was often compared to the "Dandelion Knight."
Both were nobles. Both had extraordinary swordsmanship. Both had striking beauty and presence.
And yet, despite such similar qualities, their reputations could not be more different.
Because Eula was a descendant of the old Lawrence Clan—her blood tied to those who once shackled Mondstadt in darkness—even her joining the Knights of Favonius was seen as disgraceful.
Whereas Jean was Mondstadt's pride.
Jean herself had no prejudice against Eula. In fact, the two got along well in private. Eula never cared what others thought.
But every girl has her pride. In Eula's heart, she couldn't help but compare herself to Jean.
When she saw Jean asking Amber about Mr. Xia's pen name, then refusing Amber's offer to lend her the book because she was too busy, Eula's thoughts stirred.
[Jean, you're always so busy with your duties as Acting Grand Master that you don't even have time for books you want to read. If I read it, doesn't that count as me winning against you for once?]
[Besides, when I'm out chasing monsters or on night watch, it gets boring. Reading will pass the time nicely.]
Eula cast a discreet glance at the book in Lisa's hands, memorizing its title.
Raised under strict noble education, she had long mastered several foreign tongues.
[After dinner, I'll head to the bookstore and buy a copy to take with me.]