That night.
A Cecilia flower was planted in a pot and placed on the windowsill.
Although this flower typically only grows on Starsnatch Cliff, with careful cultivation, it could survive in a pot as well.
Lisa didn't need to worry about the diplomat or the missionary, but to help her friend, she only found time to tend to the flower in the evening.
She looked up at the iron bars in front of her and nodded in satisfaction.
Mr. Wagner's craftsmanship was truly excellent. She had personally tested it—even if someone tried to smash it with a "Debate Club," the bars wouldn't break.
At least for the next few days, no one would dare to climb through the window.
Turning back to look at her laboratory, Lisa saw that Cyno had gone straight in after returning from Starsnatch Cliff and hadn't come out since.
Young people... truly full of energy.
"Whoosh—clang!"
Just as she was sighing, a dagger flew up from below, striking the iron bars with pinpoint accuracy and wrapping around them.
The sound of wire tightening followed, and Bailuo, pulled by the wire, arrived at the window.
He had originally planned to use his "ruthless iron hands" to bend the bars, but to his surprise, they were unusually sturdy, and he couldn't budge them.
Lisa: "..."
Thankfully, the iron bars she had custom-made were strong enough. Otherwise...
"This is great. I was always worried that the wooden windowsill wasn't sturdy enough, and I'd be nervous every time I climbed up. I never expected the noble Miss Rose to specially install iron bars for me. How thoughtful."
After quantumizing, Bailuo passed through the iron bars and entered the room.
He steadied the Cecilia flower he had almost knocked over and couldn't help but praise.
Whether he was genuinely praising or just being sarcastic, only he knew.
"...As long as you're happy."
Sighing, Lisa set down the watering can.
Next time, she'd just electrify the bars.
"Is Cyno here?"
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Bailuo got straight to the point.
He had business with Cyno.
"How did you...? Yes, he's here."
Lisa was initially puzzled as to how Bailuo knew Cyno was with her.
But after thinking about it, Mondstadt was full of Fatui informants, and since Cyno only knew her in Mondstadt, if he wasn't at the library, he had to be here.
In truth, the reality was far simpler than Lisa imagined. Bailuo had simply followed the mark he had placed on Cyno.
When they first met, Bailuo had appeared out of stealth to talk because he was in the process of marking Cyno.
Marking someone required him to temporarily become visible, which was why they had encountered each other.
"He's in the lab doing experiments. I suggest you don't disturb him."
Lisa pointed to the laboratory.
Scholars from the Akademiya generally disliked being interrupted while conducting experiments.
Especially the old professors—there had been instances where they chased their students halfway across Sumeru for interrupting them.
"Got it. Don't worry, I understand."
As Bailuo said this, he kicked open the laboratory door.
Lisa: "..."
Trying to reason with the Fatui was clearly pointless.
Inside the lab, Cyno was still in his usual attire.
He was hunched over a desk, recording something with a quill.
Beside him was a sealed vial containing a suspicious liquid and some remnants.
These were samples he had brought back from the sealing site. The disease that had afflicted Collei was a rare research material, so he had taken some samples from the magic array before leaving.
"Don't touch anything here."
Cyno couldn't have missed the commotion Bailuo made when he entered.
But facing the unreasonable Fatui, there wasn't much he could say. He simply issued a warning.
"Have you thought about what I discussed with you yesterday?"
Bailuo didn't touch anything. He looked around at the various bottles and jars, considering whether he should try to steal something useful.
Like that vial that looked highly toxic—it would be perfect for coating a blade, right?
Hearing Bailuo's words, Cyno's hand paused mid-writing.
"Why do you want to do this?"
If it were anyone else, Cyno would have agreed without hesitation. But the person making the request was Bailuo, a Fatui Harbinger.
Every action of these Harbingers brought disaster on a national scale.
Take Mondstadt, for example. If it weren't for Collei, who had wandered here, the damage to Mondstadt would have been even worse than a few years ago.
Whether the Fatui would forcibly re-establish a presence in Mondstadt was uncertain, but some high-ranking officials might have disappeared.
And they would have been key figures.
"I have my reasons, but this is purely a personal matter, unrelated to the Fatui."
"Do you think I'd trust you?"
Cyno set down his quill, no longer in the mood to write.
He looked at Bailuo, his eyes filled with suspicion.
As he said, they had only known each other for a few days.
Even Master Diluc, who had collaborated with Bailuo multiple times, still had a negative opinion of him, let alone Cyno.
If you counted on your fingers the characters who might have a positive impression of Bailuo, there weren't many.
Qiqi, who had never met him; Yoimiya, who sold fireworks; Tartaglia, who sold toys; and of course, Arataki Itto. As for Kujou Sara... it was hard to say. Kaedehara Kazuha only had a favorable impression of Bailuo when he was in his "Battousai" state.
As for Yae Miko... her favorability was definitely erratic. If she found Bailuo interesting, she might be the one with the highest favorability.
But if she found him boring, it could easily turn negative.
And among them, whether Tartaglia had a positive impression of him was uncertain.
After all, Bailuo had rejected his invitations to spar multiple times.
Well, at least he wouldn't be heading to Liyue anytime soon, so he could avoid the Eleventh Harbinger.
"You don't trust me? That's fine. There are other ways. I could just use Fatui connections to send it over. It'd be even easier."
Picking up a row of reagents, Bailuo seemed oddly pleased that Cyno wasn't agreeing to his request.
Whether it was because of the potion that could turn people into animals or because Cyno refused, no one knew.
"..."
This was a threat, right? This was absolutely a threat.
Compared to Bailuo using Fatui connections, it seemed safer for Cyno to handle it himself.
That way, he could ensure no schemes were involved.
But...
With a snap, the quill in Cyno's hand broke under the pressure of his grip.
"I'll do it."
Under the shadow of his hood, Cyno's expression was unreadable, whether he was happy or upset.
But that didn't matter to Bailuo.
"A rational decision. I'll wait for your news."
Holding the potions that could turn people into animals, Bailuo vanished from Cyno's sight.
And with a sigh, Cyno returned to writing his thesis.
Though his strokes now carried a hint of struggle.