บท 28: Protecting the Best Barbara
"I..."
Barbara's lips quivered as she hesitated to speak.
Even if she wanted to distance herself from her sisterly relationship with Jean now, Jams probably wouldn't believe her.
"What's with that expression?"
Perplexed, Jams looked at Barbara, who seemed conflicted. "Why are you always reluctant to call Jean your sister in front of others? Are you afraid of embarrassment or that we'll look down on you?"
"What are you talking about? As a member of the Gunnhildr Clan, what is there to be embarrassed about? It's just a bit awkward."
Barbara extended her small fist and lightly punched Jams in the chest, her violet eyes reflecting complex emotions.
"A bit awkward?"
"A wife with power, influence, a gentle personality, a great figure, and skilled in combat... I mean, a sister. Who wouldn't like that? If I had a wife like that... I mean, a sister, I would make the entire Teyvat know!"
When it came to Jean's virtues, Jams unintentionally entered a "fantasy time."
"..."
Barbara stared at Jams, who had a serious expression, her gaze peculiar.
Did he say something particularly inappropriate just now?
"When I was very young, I left Mondstadt with my father. When I met Jean again after returning to Mondstadt, I felt somewhat distant..."
She gently crossed her legs, stirring her clothes with her small hand, her gaze becoming unfocused. "Jean is mature, powerful, and nearly perfect. I feel like an immature child in front of her, so I always struggle to find suitable topics of conversation."
"And I've always seen Jean as my goal since I was little, but until now, I haven't truly won against her even once. "
"..."
Jams rubbed the little Klee in his arms and softened his tone. "Because you can't get along with the current Jean, that's why you don't want to call her sister in front of others?"
"Not entirely."
Barbara shook her head, sounding a bit worried. "Jean is currently the Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius and wields considerable power. I don't want others to think that I've reached this point relying solely on Jean's help."
"Tsk, what should I say to you?"
Jams gave Barbara a frustrated look and lightly tapped her forehead with his hand, saying in a displeased tone, "You're the typical case of not understanding the value of something until you lose it!"
"Uh, why are you hitting me..." Barbara covered her forehead, her eyes reddened, a touch of grievance appearing on her lovely face.
"I just wanted to wake you up."
Jams coughed lightly and said in a deep voice, "Regardless, Jean is your biological sister, and you have not only her but also the Gunnhildr Clan behind you. Not utilizing such valuable resources would be a waste, and wasting is a crime, you know?"
"Ah..."
A row of question marks popped up above Barbara's head. She just wanted to be self-reliant and independent, how did it turn into a crime?
"If I had a sister and a family like that, I would definitely make use of all the resources available. Besides, they won't disappear even if you don't use them."
Jams looked at Barbara and asked, "You just want to have a good relationship with your sister, what can others say about that?"
"But what if..." Barbara still had some lingering concerns.
"If anyone dares to badmouth Captain Jean, Klee will throw explosive bouncy bombs into their homes!"
Klee also waved her little fist, looking eager to try it out.
"Got it, got it, but you can't play with bombs in the city."
Barbara rubbed Klee's head, her gaze becoming softer, and the metaphorical shackles in her heart seemed to loosen a bit.
"Weren't you hoping for the winds of freedom to blow across Mondstadt? Then start with yourself. If you want to call me sister, go ahead. There's no need to make a fuss over such a trivial matter."
"Freedom..."
Barbara felt the encouragement in Jams' and little Klee's eyes, and the metaphorical shackles in her heart finally shattered into ashes.
Although it was just the release of an invisible shackle, she suddenly felt much lighter in her body!
Gradually, a sweet smile bloomed on Barbara's charming face, radiating confidence and vitality from within.
Summoning her courage, she stood on a small stool, looking down at Jams and little Klee, and declared loudly:
"Hmph! I wanted to interact with you as an ordinary person, but instead, I received ridicule. Since that's the case, I won't pretend anymore. Let's lay it all out. Jean is my sister!"
Clap, clap, clap!
Jams and little Klee applauded and cheered, "Awesome! Barbara, go for it! Protect the best sister-in-law in the world!"
Jean gained a sister, Barbara gained a sister, and Jams gained a sister-in-law. The world where no one gets hurt was finally complete!
"Nonsense, who said you're my sister-in-law!?"
Barbara gave Jams a playful look and then blushed as she jumped off the small stool. After the excitement, she still felt a bit shy.
"It feels more intimate when we call each other that way. So, when Jean isn't around, I'll call you my sister-in-law. It feels kind of natural." Jams' eyes gleamed with anticipation.
"Y-You... call me whatever you want. But once Jean sees your true colors, she won't let you succeed!"
Barbara had no way to deal with Jams, who was sometimes serious and sometimes flirty. However, when she heard him calling her sister-in-law, she couldn't help but feel a hint of sweetness.
This man is really toxic! But I really like it .
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
Suddenly, a series of blue ripples appeared around Barbara.
The blue ripples spread, causing the surrounding lake water to boil as if half of it was being heated, making a bubbling sound.
[Hint: Your friend Barbara's mood has reached maximum, making "Vision of Water" more active, and her constellation has been promoted to the first level!]
[Warning: The water element in this area is about to erupt. Please quickly move away from Barbara!]
"Oh my god!"
Seeing the system prompt, Jams quickly hugged little Klee.
"How did she unlock her constellation just by chatting? This is even more incredible than Jean!"
Jams looked at Barbara, who was enveloped in the blue water element, feeling full of doubt.
Klee unlocked it by fishing and then drinking the fish soup he made.
Jean unlocked it by fishing.
Barbara unlocked it just by chatting.
"Why does this process keep getting shorter? It's so easy to unlock constellations for sisters-in-law, right!?"
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
"Jams, should we continue staying here when Barbara's water keeps increasing?" little Klee asked.
Boom, boom, boom!
Little Klee looked up and saw the towering tidal wave rushing towards them, her eyes filled with shock and excitement.
"What's there to be afraid of? You didn't blow me up before, and Jean's winds didn't blow me away either. This water can't do anything to me... Ahhhh! I will definitely come back! Gulu, gulu..."
Jams hadn't finished speaking when the tidal wave formed by the water element crashed heavily against his handsome face.
The hundred-zhang-high wave weighed at least thousands of tons. Jams and little Klee were like tiny ants in front of this wave, unable to stir up a single splash of water!
"Gulu, gulu... Who am I? Where am I?"
Venti, who was taking a nap under a tree, was directly swept away by the giant wave, wearing a bewildered expression.
What are these guys up to?
Can't they do something productive like me?!
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