Chapter 19 - Genshin (BL): Writing Genshin Fanfiction Made Me Teyvat's #1 Author

Chapter 19

"You're drunk," Shen Xing said calmly.

Inside, he was screaming. Was Venti really drunk or just pretending? How could he still remember this? Would it never end?

"You're not the Anemo Archon. The Anemo Archon wouldn't look like you. Stop talking, or we'll get arrested."

Shen Xing emphasized the 'Anemo Archon' part.

"I am!" Venti protested, aggrieved.

"No, you're not."

"I really am!!"

"Stop dreaming."

Diluc: "..."

Holding a bottle and a bowl, Diluc didn't spare them another glance, continuing to clean up.

But he was still drawn into the conversation.

Venti had already stood up, his braid brushing against his cheek, his eyes even more glazed. In an irrefutable tone, he demanded Diluc's confirmation, looking at him. "Master Diluc knows. Tell him I'm the Anemo Archon!"

Diluc: "..." What kind of madness was this?

Why suddenly reveal his identity? Didn't Venti always want to keep his identity as the Anemo Archon a secret?

But now, it seemed he wanted to prove it to the young man.

Shen Xing, feeling a headache, also stood up. Under Diluc's impassive gaze, he repeated his earlier tactic, covering Venti's mouth. Venti mumbled a few times, his eyes accusing, as if blaming Shen Xing for not letting him speak.

"He's drunk and talking nonsense. Master Diluc, don't believe him," Shen Xing said, putting Venti's hat back on and half-supporting, half-carrying him out of the tavern.

The tavern fell silent as they left.

Diluc: ?

Outside, the moon hung bright in the sky, and it was quiet. Every household had long since closed their doors for the night.

Was he really drunk or just pretending?

The question floated in Shen Xing's mind.

He found it hard to believe that Venti, a god, couldn't handle his liquor better than a human. Watching the seemingly unconscious Venti leaning against him, Shen Xing nudged him, trying to make him stand up straight.

"Venti, where do you live? I'll take you home."

Venti, who had just stood up straight, leaned back against him. Shen Xing, feeling a bit wobbly, observed Venti's face, suspecting he was being scammed.

Was he going to get busted?

No way! He had just said he liked the Anemo Archon. This guy couldn't possibly take it seriously and cling to him!

Shen Xing didn't think he had that much charm. I mean, he's an Anemo Archon. Surely he had plenty of admirers, right?!

Was he overthinking it? Shen Xing wasn't sure. What was Venti trying to do?

Watching Venti, who had his eyes closed and seemed completely out of it, Shen Xing asked him again, but Venti didn't respond at all.

Shen Xing: "..."

If this continued, he wouldn't be able to hold back!

Shen Xing reached out and pinched Venti's cheek.

It felt nice, but Venti didn't react.

"..."

He gave up.

So, was he being conned?

The money he had brought was originally quite sufficient, but he had spent it all tonight. He didn't even have enough Mora left to rent another room. Most of his remaining money was stored in a bank in Liyue.

Oh well, he could make do for one night.

After all, he planned to leave tomorrow. He had wanted to write his manuscript tonight, but that was out of the question now.

With his plans disrupted, Shen Xing gave the bed to Venti and sat, somewhat pitifully, on the room's only piece of furniture—a chair.

He planned to sit until morning.

He hadn't been sitting long when a breeze blew in through the open window, jolting the drowsy Shen Xing awake.

He got up, closed the window, and resumed his nap, resting his chin on his hand.

When he opened his eyes again, he found himself in a different place, surrounded by nothing tangible. Above him stretched an endless starry sky, and beneath his feet was a mist like white clouds.

Where was this?

He re was this?

He had been in his room just a moment ago.

Shen Xing: "..."

Alright, he knew why he was here. This scene reminded him of a part of Venti's story quest, where a friend's soul was entrusted to Venti.

He took a deep breath. Venti!!

He was pretending to be drunk!

Shen Xing felt a wave of sorrow. He could guess what Venti wanted to do by bringing him here.

He couldn't wait any longer; he needed to return to Liyue—

The figure moved, landing in front of him.

Shen Xing knew it was time to test his acting skills.

He put on a wary expression. "Who are you?!"

The figure's voice was ethereal, devoid of emotion. "Barbatos."

Shen Xing's eyes widened slightly, feigning shock, then shifted to nervousness. "Anemo Archon, you... No, I mean, why are you here?"

"As a believer in the Anemo Archon, your wishes are naturally known to me."

Surprisingly, the figure was acting like a proper god, serious to an unbelievable degree.

As the words fell, Shen Xing appeared anxious. "Are you here to punish me? I'm sorry, I shouldn't have had such thoughts about you."

Please let me go!!!

"No, quite the opposite. I like you very much."

Shen Xing screamed internally, regretting using the lie about liking the Anemo Archon. What was this? He considered Venti a friend, yet Venti said he liked him!

Watching the white figure draw closer, Shen Xing was pulled into an embrace. His thigh brushed against the other's bare leg, and he could see everything except the face—chest, leg markings, and pristine feathers...

Shen Xing felt no excitement; he was terrified. He fainted because Venti's fingers had teasingly pressed against the corner of his lips, the implication unmistakable to any man.

The figure leaned in close, its massive wings enveloping him with a sense of pressure. Shen Xing could even feel the gaze lingering on his lips, as if contemplating a kiss.

The young man closed his eyes and went limp in Venti's arms.

Originally intending to have a bit more fun, Venti froze, unsure what to do with his "friend" who had fainted from excitement.

Huh?

...

When Shen Xing opened his eyes again, he felt a sense of doom.

He had been tricked. He had felt guilty for deceiving Venti about liking the Anemo Archon, but in the end, he was the one who had been fooled the most!

Venti had never been drunk. Shen Xing felt a sense of inevitability. Venti was quite the actor, and Shen Xing should have realized this sooner. But Venti's deceptive appearance had made him doubt his own judgment, even leaning toward believing Venti.

Perhaps he shouldn't have indulged in the mischievous pleasure of teasing Venti by saying he liked the Anemo Archon.

He had clearly felt the aura of a god, even though Venti had restrained it. Just the sight of those massive wings in divine attire was enough to render him powerless.

Thinking about it, Venti was probably over three thousand years old... and had never been in a relationship. Was he so pent-up that he was easily swayed by Shen Xing's teasing?

Venti, seeing Shen Xing awake and lost in thought, approached the bed with a cheerful smile. "Good morning, Shen Xing."

Pulling his thoughts back from the heavens, Shen Xing saw Venti up close, smiling brightly, fully dressed. Shen Xing instinctively recoiled but then forced himself to stop. "Morning."

He glanced at himself, surprised to find he was in bed. Trembling, he asked, "How did I end up in bed? I remember sitting in the chair last night..."

Venti replied, "I sobered up and found you slumped over the table. That position looked uncomfortable, so I moved you to the bed."

"..." What a load of nonsense! I'll never believe you again.

Shen Xing pressed his lips together. "Thank you."

"Hehe, if anyone should be thanking someone, it should be me. Shen Xing, you really can hold your liquor. I'm not saying I'm the best, but I'm considered quite good in Mondstadt, and you're even better."

"You even brought me back last night. Yep, that's the second time. Thank you!"

"..."

Shen Xing looked listless, and Venti, noticing this, had a glint in his eye. "But you were talking in your sleep. Did you dream about the Anemo Archon? I heard you calling out."

"..."

"Yes." Thanks to you.

But the sleep-talking was probably just an excuse. Shen Xing didn't have a habit of talking in his sleep, he thought.

Venti feigned surprise. "How was it? Did he blame you? I've heard that gods have some ability to enter dreams."

Got it, so that's a thing.

Shen Xing forced a smile, taking a deep breath. "No, he even hugged me. His appearance was a bit different from what I imagined, but... surprisingly gentle."

Venti nodded in agreement. "The Anemo Archon Barbatos is rumored to be gentle, indeed."

"So, did he accept your confession?"

Shen Xing didn't answer, not wanting to address that question.

Venti's face was full of curiosity, and after being pestered for a while, Shen Xing said, "No."

Venti: "?"

"You overthink it. He's the Anemo Archon; why would he accept a human's affection?"

After saying this, Shen Xing began packing his few belongings, eager to leave this place. If he didn't leave soon, he felt he might end up being pinned down by Venti.

Though he didn't want to admit it, Venti's cute appearance could indeed do such a thing. But it was this deception that nearly ensnared him.

Recalling their first meeting, he had already been kissed, albeit accidentally. Then he had confessed in front of Venti, and even dressed as a woman to tease him. In hindsight, if something happened, he would have deserved it.

Startled by his own thoughts, Shen Xing's hand trembled, and he packed even faster.

"What's this?"

Venti watched him pack, tilting his head in question.

Shen Xing calmly replied, "I mentioned yesterday that I'm returning to Liyue today. I've stayed long enough."

"What I said before still stands. If you come to Liyue, I'll treat you well."

His tone was sincere, leaving no room for doubt. But inside, he was thinking: No, no—please don't come to Liyue!

Venti pondered for a moment and agreed cheerfully, "Alright, I'll definitely visit when I have the time."

Shen Xing's inner thoughts were dark, hoping Venti would never have the time.

After a brief farewell, Shen Xing dashed away, disappearing from sight.

Once outside Mondstadt, he finally felt at ease. Shen Xing tossed his bag aside and collapsed onto the clean grass, catching his breath.

He would never go to Mondstadt again.

Too terrifying.

Liyue's people were much better! At least no one there coveted him.

Meanwhile, at the same time Shen Xing left, Venti had already arrived at Liyue Harbor. He leisurely sat across from Zhongli, who showed no surprise at Venti's arrival, as if he had been expecting it. Venti spoke first, "Where did you find him?"

Zhongli, unhurried, lifted the lid of the teapot, pouring water around the edges. He then gently scraped off the foam with the lid before covering it again.

Finally, he said, "Strictly speaking, I found him."

"That day, I saw a great fire in the mountains and feared it might cause trouble, so I went to investigate. I didn't expect to find him. He was lying on the ground, surrounded by flames."

"I brought him back. When he woke up, he had lost all memory, didn't recognize me, but said his name was Shen Xing."had been in his room just a moment ago.

Growing cautious, Shen Xing surveyed his surroundings and walked forward until a gentle breeze brought him face-to-face with a figure he couldn't quite make out. The figure wore a white robe with golden patterns, had little fabric covering their body, and sported large wings.