Chapter 15
After Shen Xing told Captain Jean that he was friends with Venti, he clearly saw suspicion flash across the Acting Grand Master's face. She was probably wondering when Venti made a new friend bold enough to impersonate the Anemo Archon.
Captain Jean pondered for a moment and then asked Shen Xing, "May I ask how you came to know that bard?"
Even though this person claimed to be friends with the Anemo Archon, Jean could tell that Shen Xing didn't know Venti's true identity. And Venti wasn't the type to casually reveal his identity. Jean thought it was best to be cautious and ask for clarification.
How did he meet Venti?
Recalling the scene from that day, Shen Xing's smile froze, and he suddenly felt his mouth start to hurt again. How was he supposed to explain? That Venti had startled him, they both fell off a roof, and ended up kissing?
If he said that, Shen Xing figured Jean wouldn't just disbelieve him; she'd probably think he was slandering Venti (the Anemo Archon) and might get even angrier.
Jean clasped her hands on the desk, noticing the strange expression on the boy's face. "What's wrong?" she asked.
"Nothing," Shen Xing replied. "Just some unpleasant memories. Captain Jean, I have the right not to disclose how I met Venti. It's my privacy, and I have the right to choose."
"If you think I'm lying, there's no need. I've only known that bard for about two days. I'm just asking him to bring me some clothes. Do we really need to go through such an interrogation?"
It seemed that, as she suspected, the boy in front of her didn't know Venti's identity. Jean nodded. "Alright."
She stepped away from the desk and led Shen Xing. "This way, please. I'll have someone look for the person you mentioned. It might take some time, so please rest in this room for now."
Brought to a room that looked like it was for receiving guests, Shen Xing watched Jean leave and thought to himself that Venti's name was indeed useful. As soon as he mentioned Venti, Jean's attitude changed.
He shouldn't have to go to jail now, right?
Maybe he could ask Venti to smooth things over for him. But why would Venti help him? With Venti's personality, maybe if he pleaded enough, it might work?
While pondering how to handle things when Venti arrived, Shen Xing thought about something else.
He hadn't expected that even after coming to Mondstadt, he couldn't escape the fate of a Traveler. The Traveler had run away directly, while he was caught on the spot. In comparison, Shen Xing felt he was a bit more unfortunate.
As he paced around the room, he caught a glimpse of himself in a full-length mirror and froze.
The boy in the mirror was wearing a long red dress, with delicate, fair collarbones exposed. The ribbons and bows on the skirt fluttered in the wind, and his arms and legs were bare, making him even more alluring.
But what shocked Shen Xing wasn't the dress.
He quickly approached the mirror, almost pressing his face against it, and turned his head to look at the ends of his hair.
Strands of fiery red were hidden among the black hair, and by the ends, they had completely turned into a blazing red, creating a gradient with the black.
When did this happen?
Shen Xing picked up the red ends with his fingers, a look of confusion in his eyes.
...It couldn't have been burned, right?
Shen Xing recalled the process of trying to extinguish the fire at Starfell Lake. The flames had burned his clothes off and kept climbing upward. He was afraid his hair would be burned off, leaving him bald, but then the bomb exploded.
He hadn't noticed where the fire went, but it disappeared.
Shen Xing found it strange. He moved his head away from the mirror a bit to observe the person in the reflection.
His eyes were red, and now his hair had red in it too. Surprisingly, it didn't look bad; it actually looked more harmonious and even better.
Automatic hair dyeing?
Shen Xing chuckled at his own thought. After a few more glances, he lost interest. He wasn't a narcissist. What did it matter to him if he was handsome? It would only benefit someone he hadn't met yet.
Speaking of which, why hadn't Venti arrived yet? It was taking too long. Shen Xing patted his skirt, letting it cling to his backside, and the fabric's friction made it feel less chilly.
Meanwhile, Venti, whom Shen Xing was eagerly waiting for, had parted ways with him and was now sensing the Traveler's situation.
He knew Lumine had gone to Natlan. Venti was familiar with the current Pyro Archon there, Marvica. The little girl from the past had grown stronger over the years.
Venti felt nostalgic. At times like this, he couldn't help but remember their gatherings with the original Archons, where Xibalack would share stories about Natlan and his new friends—trustworthy companions—with a gentle smile on his face.
That man was strong and gentle. Just a casual conversation with Venti while passing through Natlan had given him hope, hope that supported him in slaying the fire dragon and becoming the Pyro Archon.
Back then, what did Xibalack say? He mentioned rescuing a young dragon from the dragon clan, imprisoned as a slave because it was different from the other dragons. He shared many interesting stories about it.
He said the dragon was cute, initially hostile but later obedient and well-behaved.
Xibalack even joked that it was more obedient than Venti's wind dragon and suggested bringing their companions to play together someday, especially telling Barbatos and Morax not to bully it.
But that opportunity never came.
Shortly after Xibalack returned, something happened.
Venti snapped out of his memories, his emerald eyes briefly flashing with sorrow. The thousand winds swept through Natlan. Knowing the Traveler was in trouble, Venti lent a hand before returning his focus.
It's okay. Though five of his old friends were gone, Xibalack had returned.
Venti's lips curled into a smile. With no crisis in Mondstadt now, he didn't need to constantly receive messages from the winds. Using divine power tired him, and he had no intention of invading his people's privacy.
For now... let's see what Shen Xing is up to~
With a playful glint in his eyes, Venti sought information about Shen Xing. Moments later, Venti was stunned, his smile vanishing. Listening to the whispers in the wind, he slowly scratched his cheek.
He hadn't been gone long, and Shen Xing had already gotten himself thrown in jail.
What could he say? That's just like him.
In the Knights of Favonius' guest room, Shen Xing was about to wilt from waiting when he finally heard some movement.
He turned his head to look.
A familiar shade of green.
His eyes lit up, and recalling the plan he had devised earlier, seeing his savior, Shen Xing rushed over to him, tears streaming down his face. "Venti, my dear friend, you're finally here!"
Venti's pupils shook for a moment.
His arms hung awkwardly in the air, unsure where to place them, as he stared at his old friend, who was clinging tightly to his waist, wearing a red dress and looking slightly smaller.
Venti lowered his head and saw the gap in Shen Xing's neckline, offering an unobstructed view inside.
Pink nipples on a firm, fair chest, smooth skin, and a supple waistline. Venti's eyes widened, quickly averting his gaze, and he awkwardly tilted his head back, trying to push Shen Xing away.
Shen Xing, oblivious to Venti's reaction, was determined not to go to jail. He clung to Venti tightly, and Venti couldn't push him away.
"You have no idea. If you hadn't come, you might never have seen me again."
In a pitiful tone, he said, "I didn't mean to. I was just trying to entertain a child. Who knew it was against the law? Venti, do you have a way to get me out? I don't want to go to jail, especially not for life."
Venti's voice was inexplicably flustered. "Let go of me first."
"No!"
With Jean not around, he had to make sure Venti agreed to get him out.
Anyone familiar with Venti knew he was the most approachable and gentle of the Seven Archons. As long as you weren't a villain or a threat to Mondstadt, he'd almost always help. Why wasn't it working now? Was Venti unwilling to help him?
Venti even wanted him to let go. What if he let go and Venti ran away? Who would he cry to then?
If he had known coming to Mondstadt would land him in jail, he wouldn't have left Liyue for anything. Liyue was the safest place, with Zhongli and a group of friends. Shen Xing felt tears welling up inside.
He had no shame left. Since he was asking for help, he had to show some sincerity. It was just a bit of acting; he could do that!
He didn't believe Venti could refuse.
Clinging to Venti's waist, they were so close that he was practically pressed against him. The fake Vision—a glass orb—hanging from Venti's waist was pushed back along with its little feather ornament.
Venti kept retreating, and Shen Xing followed. Venti's back hit the wall, and he watched helplessly as his barely-clothed friend snuggled against his chest.
Venti: "!!!"
Shen Xing looked up expectantly, his hair's red tips catching Venti's eye. "Can you? If you get me out, I'll do whatever you say. I'll buy you drinks."
Not to mention, alcohol was a surefire way to win him over.
He thought for a moment and added, "You can drink as much as you want. I'll cover it."
He could afford to take care of Zhongli, so a Venti who liked to drink was no big deal. It was a small matter.
After his outburst, Shen Xing realized Venti hadn't spoken for a while. He looked up, seeing Venti's unique eyes staring intently at him, unmoving.
"?"
"Venti," Shen Xing called.
This was rare. He hadn't seen Venti with this expression in the storyline. Sneaking a glance at his pupils, he noticed they were trembling, making Shen Xing even more curious.
What was he thinking to be so startled?
Venti moved, no longer trying to push Shen Xing away. A smile curved his lips, and his eyes became calm. "Really? Then I won't hold back. Don't say I drank you dry later~"
"Let's not talk about that. I want to ask why you're dressed like this." Venti's hand brushed past Shen Xing's lower back, pausing at his rear, lifting the skirt slightly.
Suddenly, a breeze swept through his backside.
Shen Xing's face changed, and he immediately let go of Venti, clutching his skirt. "Don't move! Don't lift my skirt. It's not like I wanted to wear it. It was a last resort. Klee's fire burned all my clothes, and this was the only thing left."
"By the way, did you bring my clothes?"
Venti blinked. "What clothes?"
Shen Xing's face fell, collapsing. "You came without bringing my clothes!!"
"Didn't Captain Jean tell you to bring my clothes?!"
Venti chuckled. "I heard about a black-haired boy asking around for the Anemo Archon and getting caught. I guessed it was you, so I came over. I didn't run into any Knights of Favonius."
Shen Xing's face twitched. "..."