The next morning, as the sun rose, rays of light filtered through the leaves, scattering dappled shadows across the ground.
Lumine had already gotten up early, washed, and set off with Paimon toward Vanarana to find those cabbage-like spirits, the Aranara.
Meanwhile, Shao Yun found himself with nothing much to do.
After all, there was still some time before the Sabzeruz Festival began, and he certainly wasn't about to waste it going to Port Ormos.
So, he went early to the Puspa Café.
Although he could always enjoy free meals at Lambad's Tavern, Shao Yun had always been curious about Sumeru's coffee.
After all, Yelan once said that the coffee in Sumeru was delicious—so naturally, he had to try it for himself!
And besides, for someone who wasn't short on Mora, indulging himself a little once in a while seemed like a fine choice.
When Shao Yun stepped into the Puspa Café, his eyes were instantly drawn to a figure sitting quietly in the corner.
It was a mature woman dressed in what looked like a Sumeru Akademiya uniform, her head slightly bowed as she toyed with the cup of coffee before her.
The woman had long chestnut hair, smooth and glossy.
Around her fair, slender neck hung a delicate necklace, at the center of which glimmered a Vision, radiating a faint violet glow.
Her attire, primarily a refreshing shade of green, was elegantly tailored and finely made—the perfect balance of scholarly sharpness and feminine grace.
Shao Yun felt she looked oddly familiar. When he moved a little closer and got a clearer look, he was startled—wasn't that Lisa?!
Notably, a ring adorned the middle finger of Lisa's right hand. Its engraved design shimmered in bright gold, gleaming brilliantly under the light, adding an extra touch of nobility to her refined beauty.
In addition, the golden circlet ornaments around her legs complemented her outfit perfectly, enhancing her already elegant and alluring appearance.
Sensing a persistent gaze fixed upon her, Lisa felt a flicker of curiosity—could someone unsavory be staring at her?
She slowly raised her head, and their eyes met midair.
Lisa certainly hadn't expected to run into Shao Yun here of all places, right after arriving in Sumeru. She gave a light wave and beckoned him warmly over.
"Well, if it isn't Shao Yun! What a coincidence, meeting you here!"
Shao Yun was equally surprised. He hadn't expected to find Lisa in Sumeru, of all places.
Without hesitation, he walked over and sat across from her, his gaze naturally falling upon Lisa's new attire.
After giving her a curious once-over, he couldn't resist teasing her.
"Wow, Lisa? You're wearing the Akademiya uniform now? Don't tell me your thesis got randomly audited and failed the standards, so they made you come back for a retake—or else they'd revoke your diploma?"
At his words, Lisa blinked, then gave him a soft, slightly reproachful look.
Resting her chin on one hand, she arched an elegant brow, a faint smile curving her lips—though she didn't show her teeth—and replied, "You really do love to joke, don't you? If anyone else dared say that to me, I'd have already given them a proper lesson with a bit of Electro."
Seeing that Lisa might actually be offended, Shao Yun quickly laughed it off, waving his hands apologetically.
"Sorry, sorry, I was only joking just now."
"But if even the legendary thesis of the Akademiya's once-in-two-hundred-years prodigy like you were rejected, I'd just burn the whole Akademiya down myself!"
Hearing his exaggerated praise, Lisa nodded in satisfaction. Shao Yun's teasing was harmless enough—at least he knew how to flatter properly.
She smiled sweetly, her tone soft and teasing. "You still know how to charm people, don't you? Hearing you say that almost takes me back to that time in Jean's office, when we first met…"
Lisa's mind drifted back to that moment—the first impression she had of Shao Yun had been that of a true gentleman.
But as time passed and she got to know him better, she realized how wrong that impression had been.
In truth, Shao Yun was nothing like a gentleman at all.
Still, she had to admit, for all his eccentricity—even split-personality tendencies—there were moments when he showed remarkable bravery.
Thinking that, Lisa could only sigh and shake her head helplessly, unsure how to evaluate this peculiar man.
To keep the mood light, she quickly changed the topic, asking curiously, "By the way, where are my little cutie and that adorable Paimon? Why don't I see them?"
Shao Yun leaned back in his chair with a lazy smile. "Ah, those two? They're off being amazing adventurers. Unlike me—I'm just a useless drifter, a jobless wanderer without a care in the world."
Lisa chuckled softly, a hint of envy in her eyes.
"Having nothing to do can be quite the blessing! It means you have the time and energy to truly enjoy life. If only I could be as carefree as you every day…"
She smiled wistfully, the thought lingering in her expression.
Shao Yun gave a self-deprecating shake of his head, then shifted the topic back to her.
"Enjoying life might be overstating it. But tell me, Lisa—you didn't come all the way to Sumeru just for a vacation, did you?"
He suspected the Akademiya had begged her to return and help with research on the Withering.
But Lisa clapped her hands lightly and said, "You guessed it! I really am here just for a vacation."
"Acting Grand Master Jean gave me a paid leave—and since it's such a rare chance, why not travel and unwind a little? Don't you think it's enviable?"
Shao Yun found that strange.
Just over a month ago, the Knights of Favonius had held their annual assessments. Normally, veterans like Lisa would be mentoring the new recruits—so how did she suddenly end up on an extended paid vacation?
"Paid leave? But didn't the Knights just take in a bunch of new members recently? I mean, shouldn't you be helping guide them? Don't you have anyone else skilled in elemental control or alchemy?"
Lisa gave a casual shrug and smiled lightly.
"Oh, there are a few talented new knights, sure. But I've already handed them over to Albedo."
"Little ol' me? Just a librarian—how could they possibly need me for such work?"
Shao Yun thought about it and had to admit, she was right.
Knowing Lisa, letting her study some obscure academic topic that piqued her interest was one thing—but having her train new knights?
Even if she agreed under pressure, the recruits would probably end up self-studying in the Mondstadt Library anyway.
With that image in mind, Shao Yun smiled faintly and asked, "Alright, fair point. But still—you sure coming to Sumeru of all places is a good idea? It's not exactly the safest place right now."
Lisa pondered for a moment, then asked in return, "And where else do you suppose I could go?"
She raised her fingers and began counting off one by one.
"Let's start with Liyue—I've been there so many times that even its breathtaking scenery has started to feel repetitive."
"As for Inazuma… the security situation's unstable. I hear many former soldiers from the Shogunate Army have turned into bandits. I'd rather not be robbed while admiring the scenery."
"Natlan? Those little dragonlings are adorable, sure, but Jean didn't give me enough time off to make a trip that far."
"Snezhnaya? Please. With Mondstadt's current relations with them—if I wanted to freeze, I'd just climb Dragonspine with Eula."
Saying that, Lisa spread her arms slightly, showing off her elegant, re-tailored uniform.
"So, that left only Fontaine and Sumeru. And since it's been ages since I saw my old classmates—well, I chose Sumeru!"
"I thought it'd be nice to relive those old student days. I even took out my old Akademiya uniform, made a few adjustments, and voilà—what you see now! How do I look?"
Shao Yun listened patiently, finally getting the full picture behind Lisa's visit.
"The outfit looks great," he said after a quick glance.
"At first, I actually thought the Akademiya had rehired their most brilliant alumna—maybe even made you one of their Sages, or the Grand Sage herself."
At his words, Lisa's smile brightened noticeably. Though clearly pleased, she firmly shook her head.
Even if she was flattered, she had no intention of returning to that stifling, exhausting life at the Akademiya.
She folded her arms and said thoughtfully, "Even if the current Grand Sage, Azar himself, came all the way to Mondstadt to beg me to take his position, I'd never agree."
"Compared to endless nights buried in research, I'd much rather have a morning that starts after ten and a guaranteed afternoon tea every day."
She tilted her head back slightly, eyes half-lidded, her voice soft and wistful.
"To give up my life in Mondstadt… to return to the Akademiya as a scholar of the Spantamad Darshan… the price of wisdom is something I can no longer afford to pay."
Hearing that, Shao Yun recalled what Mona once said —
Lisa's Constellation was the Tempus Fugit, which is shaped like an hourglass, symbolizing knowledge, time, and equivalent exchange. For every grain of sand that fell, a moment—or a life—was lost.
To stop the flow of sand, one had to lay the hourglass flat—to let it never move again.
She must have discovered something back during her studies—something that made her choose to walk away.
After all, for most people, life mattered more than knowledge. What use was wisdom if it cost your very existence?
Shao Yun nodded slowly, understanding.
After a moment, he said with feeling, "Yeah… if it were me, I wouldn't trade a peaceful life for a mountain of gold either."
"I've even imagined a different kind of life—one where Lumine, Paimon, her brother, and I open a ranch. Raise horses, cattle, maybe some sheep."
As the talk drifted on, he described the idyllic picture in his mind.
Lisa chuckled. "That sounds even more tiring than my job at the library! You'd have to look after so many animals every day."
"But compared to wandering the world as you do, I suppose it would be a lot more stable."
Seeing her interest, Shao Yun grinned. "Lisa, tell me—if I wanted to open a ranch in Mondstadt, do you think Jean would grant me some land for it?"
Lisa considered it carefully, then smiled. "Of course she would! After all you've done for Mondstadt—solving crisis after crisis—how could she refuse?"
"If your ranch works out, you might even become Mondstadt's biggest meat supplier, second only to Springvale!"
The picture she painted filled Shao Yun with growing excitement.
Encouraged, he ventured, "If everything really goes that smoothly, do you think I could set it up on that wide plain in Windrise?"
That area was broad and flat, with a stream nearby and lush grass—perfect pastureland, just like the Forked Antelope Ranches of legend.
Lisa's expression softened slightly at the mention of Windrise.
That land held great symbolic meaning for Mondstadt, for it was where Vennessa's great tree stood tall.
Still, after some thought, she said, "Hmm… as long as your ranch keeps a respectful distance from the tree and doesn't disturb it, there shouldn't be a problem."
Then she added gently, "Just remember, the south side of Windrise borders Dadaupa Gorge—not the safest place around."
Shao Yun inwardly scoffed. Hilichurls? Surely they weren't more dangerous than the Skinner Brothers or mountain lions of the Tall Trees region.
If they dared cause trouble, well—like the old westward expansion, he'd just scalp them.
Of course, for now, that was all just a dream.
"Honestly, it's just a thought. After all our travels, I've found Mondstadt's the only place fit for a ranch."
"The rest of Galesong Hill's already taken up by vineyards and hunting grounds. Windrise is the only spot left."
Lisa smiled softly at his half-serious tone. "Well, if you ever decide to settle down after your travels, Mondstadt will always welcome you."
"As for your ranch idea—we can talk about that when the time comes. But personally, I think another supplier of fine meat wouldn't hurt the city one bit."
Just then, the café's acting manager, Enteka, arrived with Lisa's order.
"Here's your meal, miss. Please enjoy."
Lisa thanked her politely, then added, "Would you mind bringing me another of the same? It's for the gentleman sitting across from me."
Shao Yun chuckled dryly. "A gentleman? Me? Come now, Lisa, don't go making up things like that."
Lisa sighed, shaking her head with a helpless smile as she stirred milk into her coffee.
"You really are impossible sometimes," she said softly.