What Are You Going to Do?

At this moment, Xingsu's mind was blank, her eyes were unfocused, and her heart rate was 180.

After a long while, Arlecchino released Xingsu.

Xingsu froze on the spot. The sudden kiss had disrupted all his thoughts, and he just stared blankly at Arlecchino in front of him.

Arlecchino gazed at his dazed and blank expression, a mocking smile spreading across her crimson eyes. She leaned closer, closing the distance between them, and said with a lazy, teasing tone, "What, all talk and no action?"

Xingsu's apple bobbed slightly, and it took him a while to remember where his vocal cords were. "I... I just didn't expect it."

"Didn't expect what?" Arlecchino raised an eyebrow, her fingertips lightly brushing his flushed cheek. "Didn't expect I'd follow the fairytale route and grant your wish? Weren't you quite bold when you planned the whole magic show and used the doll as an excuse to beg for a kiss?"

Xingsu's ears turned bright red. He looked up and met her smiling, scarlet eyes, and his heart pounded. Following the principle that things had come to this point, he might as well go all in, so he gently grasped her wrist hanging by her side and, with all his remaining courage, replied, "I only dare to use my courage on liking you."

Xingsu looked directly into her eyes, his gaze filled with an open and passionate affection. "I just wanted to give you a gift; I thought I'd kept it well hidden."

Arlecchino chuckled softly, then gently cupped his palm in her hand, their fingers intertwining.

"Fool."

Your feelings can never be hidden.

"This technology is incredibly sophisticated."

She gently fiddled with the communication headset given to her by Xingsu, her tone becoming serious, "We can submit the technology to Snezhnaya, or send it to the Fontaine Research Institute. Once it's put into mass production, its value will be immeasurable."

A convenient communication device represents faster access to information and intelligence, and its potential is limitless, whether for military or civilian use, and may even lead to a significant advancement in an era.

"Hmm, perhaps. But I've only ever seen the core material for it in the ruins of the Sumeru Desert, so it's highly unlikely that it can be mass-produced at the moment."

He looked at Arlecchino, his eyes filled with undisguised tenderness.

"At least for now, its only use is to make it convenient for the two of us, so that we can contact each other anytime, no matter where you are."

"Never serious."

Why didn't you say so earlier?

"Too talkative."

Xingsu sat at the table in her room, her fingertips tapping lightly on the surface, Arlecchino's words still lingering in her mind.

He had to admit that there were limitations to refining the communication device on his own. To continue in-depth research, a vast amount of resources, materials, and experimental facilities were indispensable, and having a powerful backer was the best option.

For the next few days, aside from arranging daily training for the children, Xingsu spent all his remaining free time in the study of the mansion.

Layers of manuscript paper were spread out on the table, and the pen tip moved constantly as he transcribed and organized the theoretical framework, energy transfer formula, and structural model of the communication device one by one through his own manuscript.

Two neat and complete research manuscripts were completed one after another and properly packaged.

Xingsu picked up one of the envelopes, the cover of which was marked with the mailing address of the Fontaine Research Institute.

"I will have this sent by messenger to the Fontaine Research Institute. They specialize in energy machinery research and may be able to conduct collaborative experiments."

He then pushed another envelope in front of Arlecchino.

"As for this one, I'll have to trouble you to send it back to Snezhnaya through the Fatui ' channels."

Arlecchino reached for the envelope, her fingertips tracing the surface of the paper, her crimson eyes fixed on Xingsu: "Are you sure you want to send this technology to both sides at the same time?"

"I know what I'm doing." Xingsu pointed to his head and said calmly, "I'll exchange the basic theory for research resources, but the core technology is right here. Both sides will get the opportunity to develop the technology, and I'm just looking for a sponsor who can provide more funding."

Arlecchino tapped the envelope destined for Snezhnaya with her fingertips, a meaningful smile playing on her scarlet eyes.

"I see. Then I guess you can't escape Snezhnaya's clutches."

Xingsu was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, her eyes filled with confusion. "What do you mean?"

Arlecchino didn't reveal the answer directly, but instead slowly and carefully put the envelope away, a sly smile playing on her lips.

"Hmm, just you wait."

Xingsu raised an eyebrow, wanting to ask more questions, but the other person had already turned around, taken the letter, opened the door, and left.

Bang!

The heavy door was swung open violently inward.

"Columbia! What are you doing?! Don't you know it's incredibly rude to disturb a lady's sleep so early in the morning?!"

Sandrone flung open the door and breathed heavily on Columbina, who was singing outside.

"Good morning, Sandrone. You look especially lovely today." Morning light streamed through the stained glass windows of the corridor, where Columbina stood quietly in the middle.

Sandrone paused, instinctively raising her chin, and blurted out, "Huh? When did I ever not... wait, what exactly do you want?"

"Want"

"???"

"What were we supposed to do again...?"

"Can't you just finish what you said in one go?!"

"Oh right, Arlecchino sent you a letter, I picked it up for you."

"Ha, there's no need to get it for me specially. Even if you don't get it, your subordinates will naturally bring it to me."

"Aren't you going to open it and take a look?"

Sandrone glanced at Columbina, who was lingering by the door, and said irritably, "What, do you want to read the letters Arlecchino wrote to me too?"

"Yes." With that, Columbina ignored Sandrone and walked straight past her into the bedroom.

"Hey! Don't just barge into other people's bedrooms!"

Sandrone quickly turned around and followed.

"Wireless long-distance information transmission technology? Intelligent network communication system? The communication sample is operating very stably and has the potential for large-scale deployment? This Star Tracing seems to have something special." The puppet immediately saw through the trick. "This person is currently staying at the Fontainebleau Mansion and also serves as a special instructor at the Hearth House. Moreover, this basic theory is just the tip of the iceberg; he also possesses a core frequency modulation scheme that has not yet been made public."

"Is Are you in love, Arlecchino?" Columbina stood quietly beside Sandrone, her eyes clear and her face innocent, and asked softly.

"Huh? Columbina, don't just learn a word and start using it everywhere!"

"Look," Columbina pointed to the words on the letter, "It keeps mentioning the same person, specifically providing him with accommodation, tacitly allowing him to teach children at the House of the Hearth, and even proactively helping him submit research manuscripts to Snezhnaya."

Sandrone closed the letter. "This guy named Xingsu has rare technical talent. Arlecchino values him more because she sees the benefits this research can bring to Snezhnaya."

"Is it just about technical skills?" Columbina tilted her head slightly, her ethereal voice slowly spreading out, "I've never seen Arlecchino treat anyone like this."

Sandrone frowned and solemnly reminded him:

"Columbina, stop speculating about other people's private affairs."

Columbina smiled faintly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, and simply replied, "Okay."