"So beautiful."
Barbara had originally thought Su Han would give her a plush toy, or perhaps a hair clip or something similar.
Instead, it turned out to be a necklace.
Receiving such a valuable gift for the first time, Barbara felt at a loss, not knowing what to do for a moment.
Coming from an ancient family, even if she had not been deeply involved before, she still knew from what she had seen and heard that a necklace like this was far from cheap.
Jean was slightly startled and had not expected Su Han to be so generous.
"Isn't this a bit inappropriate?"
"What's inappropriate about it? Since Barbara is your younger sister, she is naturally my younger sister too. We are family, there is no need to be so distant."
Looking at the necklace that had been firmly pressed into her hands,
Barbara finally accepted it calmly. After all, her sister was going to marry him anyway, so it was fine for her to receive some gifts.
...
The Deer Hunter Restaurant.
Su Han had reserved a private VIP room.
After the three of them sat down, he took out two gift boxes and handed them to the two sisters.
Jean looked at him in confusion and asked, "Why are there more gifts?"
"I have not been here for so long, how could I come empty-handed? Take a look. Inside are specialties from Spring Fragrance Kiln. Yours is green bamboo scent, and Barbara's is green citrus."
They were naturally familiar with the reputation of Spring Fragrance Kiln.
It was similar to a famous luxury brand on Earth, a well-known name.
Jean opened the gift box and found a complete set of cosmetics inside, including moisturizing products, skincare items, and even bathing supplies.
The porcelain bottles were exquisitely made and already pleasing just to look at.
Su Han smiled and asked, "How is it?"
"A faint bamboo leaf fragrance. It is a scent I like."
Jean was not the flamboyant type, so this kind of fresh fragrance suited her best.
Su Han nodded lightly, then turned his head to look at his sister-in-law beside him.
Barbara was seen looking at one item, then smelling another, her small face filled with excitement.
It was obvious that she really liked this gift.
Soon, dinner was served.
The three of them ate and chatted. Aside from Barbara being a little distracted from time to time, the atmosphere was quite good.
After dinner ended,
Barbara carried her gift box and said goodbye.
"Goodbye, Sister. Goodbye, Brother-in-law. See you tomorrow!"
"Have a safe trip, Barbara."
Watching her sister leave,
Jean smiled and said, "It seems your gift was very well received. Barbara talked a lot more today."
"That's not the case."
"Hm?"
Jean looked at her lover in confusion. Wasn't it because she was happy to receive gifts?
Su Han took her small hand and strolled along the street with her as he smiled and said, "You have always treated her like a child, haven't you? But have you ever thought that a young girl will grow up one day too?"
"You mean Barbara wants to be taken seriously?"
With Su Han's hint, how could Jean not understand?
She almost instantly guessed the root of the issue.
Su Han nodded gently and continued, "Yes. She is not that young anymore. At this age, people usually long to be taken seriously. If I had given her girlish trinkets today, Barbara would have been happy, but she definitely would not have been this happy."
Simply put, it was adolescence.
Although Barbara was still young, being in her early teens meant it was time to start engaging with the world.
A set of women's products could not only satisfy her desire to become a grown-up, but also prove that someone cared about her growth.
"So that's how it is. It seems I overlooked this."
Jean's expression turned bitter as she finally realized where the problem lay.
It turned out she had been underestimating her sister's growth all along.
"So, if you want the relationship to improve, then work harder."
"Yes, I will learn to change."
Jean was full of confidence in this. In the past, she had always been clumsy when it came to dealing with family matters, but so what? As long as she tried, the other party would see it.
The two of them walked for a while.
The light gradually dimmed.
Jean suddenly asked softly, "Where are you resting tonight? Going back to the comic shop, or coming with me?"
"Do you even need to ask? Of course I am going to your place."
"Mhm."
Led by Jean, Su Han arrived at her home.
It was a very simple two-story house.
As soon as the door was closed, the two of them embraced and kissed.
"Wait."
Just as Su Han was about to tear at her clothes again, Jean stopped him, her face flushed red.
"What now?"
"Well… didn't you say last time that you wanted to experience the charm of the female commander? Should I change into my usual uniform?"
"That sounds great!"
Su Han's eyes immediately lit up. He truly had not expected Jean to be so considerate, even knowing about the appeal of uniforms.
That night, the neighbors next door suffered greatly.
Even with their doors and windows tightly shut, they could still hear nightingale-like sounds.
One woman grew so irritated that she could not help but kick her own old man.
"Can't you learn from them? Every time it is three minutes. Aren't you ashamed?"
"Actually, three minutes is quite long." (TL/N: I second this... What are you looking at?)
The old man climbed up from under the bed and said shamelessly.
...
The next day.
Bright sunshine.
Inside the office.
Lisa looked at Jean's tender and radiant face and asked in great surprise, "Eh? Why do you feel different from before? You look much better. Did you not work overtime yesterday?"
"Yes. Su Han came yesterday. He also brought more Phone Bugs, so naturally there was no overtime." (TL/N: Phone Bugs... lol.)
Jean answered while forcing herself to stay calm.
As for why her skin looked so good, it was naturally because she had been thoroughly nourished.
But Lisa had no man, so she naturally did not understand the mystery behind it.
Lisa's eyes lit up as she asked, "Su Han came? Then does that mean the comic has been updated? I will go take a look."
"Go ahead. The upcoming work will only get easier."
With the Phone Bugs, administrative work would be greatly reduced.
Not to mention Lisa slacking off, even if Jean occasionally went out to have fun, she would not worry.
Just as Lisa had left, a Phone Bug rang.
"Hello, this is Jean."
"Commander, the ranch has officially started operations here. Many citizens want to participate in the work and seem to be planning to settle here in the future. What do you think?"
"About that…"
Jean murmured briefly before giving her answer. "Let them stay. As for wages, pay them as usual."
"Understood."
One issue resolved, the next one followed.
This time it concerned the Treasure Hoarders.
Yesterday, Jean had not only become a woman again, but had also learned a great deal about Liyue's development from Su Han, so early this morning she began organizing a cleanup of the Treasure Hoarders.
Since Liyue could clear out the Treasure Hoarders and turn them into workers, Mondstadt could naturally do the same.
Now the response had arrived.
"Commander, including the group led by Strange Bird, six adventure groups have all been captured. How should they be dealt with?"
"Those with severe crimes are to be taken directly to the plaza for execution. The rest are to be put on trial and sentenced according to the law. Those willing to atone are to sign letters of repentance and be sent to the ruins or the ranch."
"No problem."
"One more thing. Have Kaeya inform the people of both regions that discrimination against these criminals is not allowed. They must be given a chance to start anew."
"Rest assured, I will spread the word."
Relying solely on iron-fisted suppression would only make Mondstadt more and more bloodstained in the end.
In addition to strong measures, there also needed to be lenient policies.
Only in this way would those people truly turn over a new leaf.
The call ended.
In the forest, Kaeya said to the captured Treasure Hoarders, "Did you hear that? This is the commander's order. Atone properly and strive to be good people. Take them away."
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