Inside the room.
Xia Zhi cut off cat's shared vision, his expression turning odd.
He'd expected some terrifying conspiracy between the Lawrence family and the Fatui…
But seriously? This was it?
They couldn't even draw up a proper defense map. No wonder the Lawrence clan had failed for generations to restore their so-called glory.
At least he'd gotten to witness Rosaria's interrogation skills—cold, efficient, and way too practiced to be her first time. Clearly, she'd handled dirty work before.
As for Eula… she'd never really gone along with her family's will. She'd always stood apart, which honestly made her easier to win over.
A thought stirred in Xia Zhi's mind. Tomorrow, he'd sit down with her properly.
Tonight, though, he had another little crane to keep company.
--
The next morning.
Jean arrived at her office.
A fresh pile of paperwork already waited on her desk.
One glance. Another mountain.
She sighed. Another busy day.
First things first: tea. And a bowl of instant noodles.
Balancing the container of noodles, she sat at her desk. While they softened, she picked up one of the files.
Rosaria's report.
Inside was a summary of last night's covert operation, including her interrogation of the Fatui member Sergei.
As for Schubert Lawrence, she hadn't bothered with him—just a line at the end: "Handled by Captain Eula of the Reconnaissance Company."
Jean pressed a hand to her forehead, exasperated.
The old fossils of the Lawrence clan really were… impossible.
Thanks to Rosaria and Eula, Mondstadt had escaped damage.
But the nature of the incident was still extremely serious.
By Knight regulations, everyone involved—including Schubert—should've been thrown in a cell.
But doing so would force them to reveal the real reasons behind the arrests. And that would only drag the Lawrence name deeper through the mud.
Jean didn't care about the Lawrences' reputation.
She cared about Eula.
Their relationship had never been the cold war the public imagined. In truth, they were close.
They often shared tea.
Both born to noble houses, raised with the same education. They had plenty in common.
The difference was how the world treated them.
And because of that, Eula rarely wanted to be seen in public with her. Pride.
She pretended not to care about the stares, but being mocked in front of a friend still stung.
Jean often felt indignant on her behalf, muttering defenses in private. Never to Eula's face, of course.
If the Knights exposed the Lawrence collusion with the Fatui now—even though Eula herself had stopped it—the public wouldn't care.
They'd only deepen their hatred for the family, and that hatred would land squarely on Eula's shoulders.
Jean slurped at her noodles, brow furrowed, muttering to herself.
"This can't go on. I need a way to fix this for her… once and for all."
---
Eula had already made up her mind.
She would leave Mondstadt for a while, take only missions outside the city, hunting monsters in the wild.
Once the uproar died down, once no one cared anymore—then she'd return.
But before that, she had to return the Wind Glider she'd borrowed from Xia Zhi.
She checked her phone, saw in the group chat that everyone was at the pet shop.
So she headed straight there. Outside, a crowd had gathered.
Job seekers lined up—waitresses, bartenders, even adventurers dropping off stray cats.
A hiring notice was posted on the door.
Eula glanced at it. The pay was generous. No wonder so many applicants.
If it hadn't specified "young women only" for both roles, the line would've been even longer.
Zhu Zi and Ying'er stood outside, keeping the line orderly.
They spotted her.
"Miss Eula, here to see the boss?"
"Yeah."
"He's inside. Go on in."
"Thanks."
Inside, Rosaria and Xia Ci sat running interviews.
Diona stood behind the bar, bottles lined up in front of her.
But no sign of Mr. Xia.
Eula approached.
Xia Ci looked up. "My cousin's waiting for you inside."
Waiting… for her?
Eula blinked, puzzled, but walked to the inner room alone.
The air smelled faintly of incense, calming her frayed mood.
Xia Zhi sat at the table, a pot of tea ready.
"Mr. Xia." She greeted politely.
He looked up, smiling. "Miss Eula, please sit. The tea's just finished steeping."
She sat across from him, watching as he poured.
"You knew I'd come?"
"Mm. I did a little divination this morning."
"And saw I'd show up?"
"Not just that. I saw other things too."
"Oh?"
He offered the cup naturally.
Eula reached with both hands to accept it. Their fingers brushed.
Heat surged against her skin—unnatural, different from the warmth of the porcelain.
Because Xia Zhi carried [True Sunfire]. His Trait Extreme Yang doubled any effect on yin-aligned beings. Even a brush of contact could feel like a burn.
And for cryo Vision holder like her, the sensation was even sharper.
Her hand trembled as she took the cup, but she recovered instantly.
A noble could not afford to falter.
She lowered her gaze and took a sip.
He smiled, as if unaware. "I also foresaw we'd strike a partnership."
"A partnership?"
"Mm. Business."
"Business… the potion shop? Or this tavern?"
"Neither."
"Then…?"
"Truthfully, those shops are just new ventures here in Mondstadt. I still have interests in Liyue. Tell me, Miss Eula, have you ever used lipstick or perfume?"
"The gifts from Miss Ningguang?"
"Yes."
"I haven't touched them yet."
"You dislike them?"
"Not at all. I just haven't had the chance."
Between side jobs and family messes, who had time to worry about makeup?
He looked faintly disappointed. "I see…"
She tilted her head. "So your business proposal… is about cosmetics?"
"Exactly. Miss Ningguang wants to break into Mondstadt's luxury market. She needs the right face to represent her line."
"And you chose me?"
"Yes. I believe you're perfect."
"Perfect?" She shook her head. "Hardly. You know how people talk about me here. Even if I agreed, no one would buy. Captain Jean would be the obvious choice."
Xia Zhi nodded. "Of course she would fit. But I think you should too. And those issues you raised? They're not impossible to solve."
"Solve them?"
Her laugh came bitter, remembering last night.
"My family's problems… they're beyond solving."
"You sound resigned."
"You don't understand, Mr. Xia…" She sighed, sipping her tea, unwilling to say more.
It was family shame. Something she'd never parade before friends.
Friends—rare, precious. She didn't want to lose the respect of the few she'd found.
Sensing her walls, Xia Zhi subtly wove [Charming Voice] and [Hypnosis] into his tone.
"I know it's rude to pry into a lady's heart… but as your friend, I'd be glad to listen. To share the weight."
For an instant, his voice was impossibly gentle.
Eula felt she could trust him completely. Words she'd buried for years rose to the surface.
"Do you know the Lawrence family's past?"
"A little."
"Long ago, our name carried honor. We helped build Mondstadt…"
And she began to tell it all.
History he already knew from the Library. But he played the perfect listener—attentive, murmuring now and then, letting her spill everything.
Her upbringing. The trials she'd endured. The rebellion that led her to join the Knights.
Tea in her cup, but she felt drunk.
Her voice softened. "The Lawrence duty was always to protect Mondstadt. If we wanted glory back, all we had to do was uphold that duty. But most of my kin… they still cling to the old nobility. The 'glory' they want is just power over others."
"Last night, my uncle even tried handing the Knights' defense map to the Fatui. He thought relying on outsiders could topple the Knights."
She scoffed. "Idiots. Even if they succeeded, what then? They're too incompetent to handle what Jean manages daily."
"I can't stand them. So smug. So useless."
When she fell silent, Xia Zhi asked quietly, "Then why not leave them behind?"
Her head snapped up. "Leave… them?"
He nodded. "If they're not pursuing true honor, and you walk your own path… why not cut ties?"
She hesitated, then shook her head. "We share blood. That's undeniable."
"Blood? In this day and age?" He scoffed lightly.
"Eula, you know Miss Ningguang's story?"
"Of course. She rose from nothing, became one of the Liyue Qixing. A legend."
"I believe you can do the same."
"Me?"
"In many ways, you already stand ahead. You had noble education. You're a master of the sword. You have Jean—and us—as allies."
She lowered her gaze, wordless.
Again, his voice curled around her, laced with [Charming Voice] and [Hypnosis].
"So what do you say, Miss Eula? Interested in building a noble house of your own?"
Her heart skipped violently.
"The Lawrences weren't born noble. Your ancestors earned it, step by step beside the Anemo Archon, until they rose to their station.
"You're no less than them. If they could, so can you."
"Forget the fools in your bloodline. You can restore true honor yourself."
"Let the Lawrence name rot in history. Forge a new name that Mondstadt can be proud of."
Each word struck like a hammer against her chest.
They were her own thoughts, the ones she'd never dared decide on.
"Eula Lawrence."
He spoke her full name.
Normally, she hated that. But from his lips, it didn't grate.
Quietly, she met his eyes.
"I've always thought your name beautiful," he said softly. "You've never needed a surname to grant you honor. On the contrary—your name gives honor to the surname."
He leaned forward, voice warm.
"So? Miss Eula. Do you want to build a noble house of your own?"
Eula was silent for a long beat.
Then, like frost melting in spring, she smiled.
"Of course. I'd be honored."