Donna looked full of guilt, unsure how to face Lisa.
Cao Zhong already knew why the book had gone missing.
So he stepped in smoothly.
"Miss Donna, don't be nervous. Just tell us what happened. I'm sure a kind and beautiful lady like Lisa wouldn't blame you… right, Lisa?"
He smiled at her.
He knew that although Lisa cared deeply about books, she was kind at heart.
"My, what a sweet talker. You've gone straight to my heart again, little cutie~"
Lisa cast him a charming glance.
"Since you've put it that way, I suppose I can't play the villain. As long as Miss Donna explains everything, I won't pursue the matter."
Internally, she couldn't help but sigh.
So young, yet already so good at this…
No wonder even Jean and the others were wrapped around his finger.
Girls who hadn't yet suffered heartbreak stood no chance against someone like him.
At the side, Lumine had to admit—
That was impressive.
She had been expecting Lisa to get angry.
Instead, Cao Zhong calmed her down in just a few sentences.
"Hmph, scumbag."
Paimon hovered midair, arms crossed.
She was still upset about not getting any flowers.
I'm this cute—don't I deserve one?!
Donna gave Cao Zhong a grateful look.
As expected of my idol—he's so kind to his fans! Anyone who says bad things about him must be haters!
"It's like this… I knew it was time to return the book, but no matter how hard I looked, I couldn't find it. I searched for days… It's like someone took it. I always kept it by my bedside…"
She looked like she was bracing for scolding.
Lisa hummed thoughtfully.
"If someone really stole it, then it's not your fault."
"…In that case, the responsibility lies with the thief."
"And they'll pay the price."
Her voice turned colder.
"Triple… no—tenfold."
As she spoke, Electro energy crackled around her, lightning flickering ominously.
"Still scary as ever…"
Paimon shivered.
Clap clap clap.
"Lisa, you look absolutely cool when you're serious."
Cao Zhong's eyes lit up, openly admiring her.
"Cool, you say?"
Lisa looked pleasantly surprised.
"Very cool." He gave her a thumbs-up.
"…Wait."
Paimon leaned toward Lumine and whispered,
"Doesn't it feel like Lisa is getting completely handled by him?"
"I heard that~"
Lisa smiled sweetly at Paimon.
"Ah! I didn't say anything! Nope! Not at all!"
Paimon instantly denied everything.
"Don't worry. I've infused each book with a special elemental signature. The thief will definitely leave traces."
Lisa didn't pursue Paimon's comment.
"Lisa, you're so dedicated to your work. I should learn from you."
Cao Zhong continued smoothly.
There wasn't a woman alive who disliked sincere praise—especially from someone handsome.
Even Lisa wasn't immune.
"My, I'm starting to enjoy talking with you more and more, little cutie~"
She looked at him lazily, her tone soft and enticing.
"Ahhh—this is bad!"
Paimon covered her mouth.
"Lisa's been won over!"
Soon after, under Lisa's guidance, Lumine followed the elemental traces.
After some searching, they arrived at a rocky ruin.
"Who would steal a book and bring it all the way here? Mondstadt people have weird hobbies…"
Paimon scratched her head, confused.
"I doubt this was done by a Mondstadter," Cao Zhong said thoughtfully. "Feels more like the work of… some troublesome elements."
"Troublesome? You're the troublesome one!"
Paimon snapped back.
"I actually agree with you, little cutie. Seems we really are in sync~"
Lisa smiled.
"Though we have no wings to fly side by side,
our hearts beat as one."
Cao Zhong stepped slightly closer, the faint scent of roses surrounding him.
Lisa's eyes brightened.
"What a beautiful line…"
"My, I didn't expect you to be so well-read. You should visit the library more often—we can 'discuss' things."
As a prodigy of the Sumeru Akademiya, Lisa valued knowledge deeply.
That line carried real literary depth.
Perhaps…
Cao Zhong wasn't as shallow as people claimed.
"I'd never refuse an invitation from you, Lisa."
He smiled.
What followed was a straightforward hunt.
With Lisa's overwhelming Electro power, every monster they encountered was reduced to ashes.
"Well? Was I too frightening, little cutie?"
Lisa glanced at him.
"Not at all. You're every bit as formidable as any hero."
Cao Zhong praised her again.
At the side—
Lumine and Paimon both looked exhausted.
"…We really shouldn't be here."
"No… Lisa's falling…"
Deep within the ruins, they finally found the culprit—
An Abyss Mage.
"I-It's impossible! How did you find this place?! I made sure everything was foolproof!"
But under Lisa's lightning, it was swiftly annihilated.
Cao Zhong picked up the book—
The Pale Princess and the Six Pygmies.
He flipped through it several times.
Still, he couldn't uncover the so-called "secret" hidden within.
Based on his guess—
It was likely a piece of forgotten history, disguised as a fairy tale.
But what exactly… he couldn't tell.
"Are you interested in fairy tales too, little cutie?"
Before he realized it—
Lisa had moved right behind him.
Her soft, warm presence pressed lightly against his back.
Cao Zhong froze.
This is dangerous…
Even Lumine and Paimon were stunned.
They exchanged a glance.
Oh no.
Lisa is really about to break.