At the Knights' headquarters, Xia Zhi, Ganyu, and Xia Ci followed Amber into Jean's office.
Jean was the same as yesterday—sitting behind her desk, head down, writing away. A mountain of paperwork towered beside her, like it would never end.
"Captain Jean."
Jean looked up. "Oh, Amber! And Mr. Xia, everyone. How's your stay at the Church of Favonius?"
Xia Zhi nodded. "Very comfortable. Thank you for your concern, Captain Jean."
Jean smiled gently. "Are you here about borrowing books from the library? I'm sorry—the librarian is away these days, so you might have to wait a bit…"
"No rush," Xia Zhi replied. "Actually, we're here to apply for the gliding license exam."
"The gliding exam?"
"Yes. We'd like to participate in the gliding competition, but we need licenses first."
"I see. Gliding may look easy, but it's dangerous—people get injured or even die every year. That's why the exam is necessary. I can't just give you a pass."
"Of course."
Jean pulled out a form, signed it, and handed it to Amber. "Since Amber's here, she can be your examiner. She's won the competition three years in a row and is Mondstadt's best Wind Glider user. You'll be in good hands."
"Perfect."
"I trust Amber won't play favorites."
Amber scratched her head. "…Oh, right—Captain Jean, I've also received a few commissions on the way here…"
After Amber finished explaining, Jean nodded. "I'll assign people to handle them. You go conduct the exams."
Xia Zhi suddenly said, "Captain Jean, you don't look well."
Jean paused, smiling. "Mr. Xia, you're overthinking. I feel fine."
Xia Zhi continued, "I may be blind, but I'm also a physician. From your voice alone, I can tell—you're pushing your body to the limit."
Jean waved her hand, still smiling. "That's impossible…"
Xia Zhi smiled back. "If you don't believe me, try standing up and jumping twice in place. Let's see what happens."
"Jump… twice?"
"Yes. For someone like you, Captain Jean, that should be easy, right?"
"Of course. Since you're so concerned, I'll humor you."
Jean put down her pen, stood up, and gently jumped twice.
She smiled. "See, I—"
Before she could finish, everything went black. Her body swayed, then collapsed forward onto the desk.
"Captain Jean!" Amber rushed over, panicked, catching Jean before she fell to the floor. "Captain, are you okay? Wake up!"
"Don't panic."
Xia Zhi's calm voice came from behind her.
His tone had a strange magic to it—it instantly soothed Amber's frantic heart.
"Let me take a look."
"Okay, Mr. Xia."
Amber stepped aside. Xia Zhi placed a hand on Jean's shoulder and checked her pulse.
"How is she, Mr. Xia?"
"Nothing serious—just exhaustion. She needs rest."
"But she passed out!"
"She'll wake up soon."
Xia Zhi cast [Healing].
Sure enough, a few seconds later, Jean slowly opened her eyes—to find Xia Zhi's face close by.
Huh?
She realized she was lying in Mr. Xia's arms.
Wait, what happened?
I remember… standing up, jumping twice… and then losing consciousness…
"Captain Jean! Are you alright?"
Amber's voice came from the right—too loud, too noisy.
Jean gave a small smile. "I'm fine, Amber."
"But you passed out! Good thing Mr. Xia was here to help. He said it's just exhaustion—you really need to rest, Captain. Maybe put the paperwork aside for now, just until you've recovered…"
"I can't do that. The work will only pile up…"
Jean managed to stand, legs still weak, but she leaned on the desk to stabilize herself.
"Don't worry about me. Go handle the gliding exams."
So stubborn.
Amber had no choice but to look at Xia Zhi, hoping he'd help persuade her. "Mr. Xia…"
Xia Zhi thought for a moment. "How about this—you all go do the exam. I'm a healer, so I'll stay and look after Captain Jean."
It wasn't just about farming Jean's Golden Treasure Chest. As a wise man, he couldn't just stand by in the face of human suffering.
Xia Ci nodded. "That's fine."
Ganyu glanced at Jean, sensing no danger. She whispered, "We'll head out first, then."
Amber walked to the door but suddenly remembered something. She rushed back, leaned close to Xia Zhi's ear, and whispered, "Mr. Xia, since Captain Jean is so exhausted, your massage technique would help a lot. Could you give her one too, please?"
Her warm breath tickled his ear.
Xia Zhi hesitated. "I don't mind—but you experienced it the other night, remember? This kind of thing only works if the other person is cooperative."
Amber blushed.
That night, she'd refused to take off her boots, so the massage had only covered her waist, shoulders, and head.
"Don't worry, I'll talk to her!"
She ran back to Jean.
Jean had no idea what they'd whispered about—she only vaguely heard something like "please, I'm begging you."
"What is it?"
"Captain, listen—Mr. Xia has this amazing massage technique. Just a little bit, and your exhaustion will melt away. I've already asked him to help you. Just do as he says, okay?"
"Huh? A massage?"
Before Jean could ask more, Amber ran out.
And very thoughtfully closed the office door behind her.
After all, she'd tasted the massage herself and knew that once it started, Jean probably wouldn't be able to suppress the sounds it'd make her let out. Better not to let the other Knights overhear.
With the door shut, the office became strangely quiet.
"Mr. Xia…"
"No need to be nervous, Captain Jean. Just treat me like your physician."
"…Physician, huh."
"Is there a place to lie down?"
"Huh?"
"Like a bed?"
"No."
"Then we'll have to make do with this desk."
"The desk?"
"These documents—we can put them on the floor for now. Is that alright?"
"Yes…"
Xia Zhi moved the tall stack of papers to the floor, then walked toward Jean.
Jean was rarely in such a physically weak state. Watching him approach, she felt a little helpless.
Xia Zhi gently supported her shoulder.
"Please lie down. It's just a massage."
"…A massage."
Jean remembered what Amber had said earlier. She bit her lip and followed Xia Zhi's guidance, lying down on the desk.
It was a bit hard.
But compared to forcing herself to stand, it was definitely more comfortable.
Xia Zhi slowly rolled up his sleeves.
"Captain Jean, would you mind removing your clothes?"
"Remove my clothes? Is that… necessary?"
She was nervous.
"We can skip it, but the effect won't be as good."
"Then… let's skip it."
"Alright."
Seeing him agree so easily, Jean breathed a quiet sigh of relief.
"Let's start with your shoulders."
Xia Zhi placed his hands gently on her shoulders.
The moment his fingers pressed down, Jean felt an intense, almost electric pleasure spread through her body.
The heavy fatigue that had weighed her down vanished by half.
She instinctively bit her lip to keep from making a sound.
But as his fingers continued to knead, she couldn't help it—a soft, strange noise slipped out.
Only then did Jean understand why Amber had closed the door.
So considerate.
No, wait!
Amber must have experienced this herself before—that's why she knew exactly what was coming!
At some point, Xia Zhi's hands left her shoulders.
Jean felt a pang of disappointment.
"The shoulders are done. Next is your back. Please turn over."
"…Alright."
This time, she flipped over without hesitation.
Her guard was completely down.
Xia Zhi's hands landed gently on her back.
A moment later, the same intense, blissful sensation returned, making Jean close her eyes and softly moan.
She had no space in her mind for work anymore.
All she wanted was to enjoy the massage a little longer.
It felt… amazing.
"The back is done. Next is the legs."
"Mm…"
Jean suddenly realized—he probably didn't have to announce each part like this. He was just trying to avoid any misunderstandings, to make sure she knew exactly what he was doing and wouldn't think he was taking advantage of her.
Mr. Xia… he's even gentler than the male leads in romance novels.
"Can I take off your shoes? It's time for the feet."
"Shoes? No, no—I… I stayed up all night… so… so the shoes can't come off!"
I haven't slept. I've been wearing these for over 24 hours—they must smell!
Her cheeks flushed.
Xia Zhi whispered, "Captain Jean, it's alright. I don't mind."
"No! It's not happening!"
"Okay, then we'll skip the feet. I'll finish with your head."
"Mm…"
Xia Zhi moved to stand in front of her.
Jean opened her eyes—and saw his face.
Normally, looking up at someone from this angle would make them look ugly.
But not Mr. Xia.
Not at all.
As his hands massaged her head, a wave of pure bliss washed over her.
Jean closed her eyes.
Some people… really are just unfair.
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