Shen Xing's jaw was suddenly gripped by the newcomer, and he opened his eyes in pain, his pupils contracting due to the close proximity.
Dottore chuckled softly. What Shen Xing didn't expect was that Dottore actually removed his mask, and their two pairs of distinctly different crimson eyes met.
Dottore said with an ambiguous tone, "Your eyes are truly beautiful. How about giving them to me?"
Shen Xing: ???
What the hell is going on? Where am I? How did I end up here?
Damn it, Dottore!
Why am I suddenly on his operating table?
"Heh, when you wrote that novel slandering me, you should have foreseen this day," Dottore leaned in, almost obsessively close, staring into Shen Xing's eyes, lost in the flame-like patterns.
As his thumb rubbed against Shen Xing's slippery jaw, just as Shen Xing was about to explode with anxiety, Dottore said, "I've changed my mind. How about letting you experience what you wrote?"
"Compared to that fool, I like you more."
The next second, Dottore pressed down on the terrified Shen Xing.
"Ahhhh—"
A terrified scream pierced through the sunset glow, startling the birds perched on the rooftop.
The black-haired boy lying horizontally suddenly opened his eyes, and the thick paper covering his face slid off as he sat up. His eyes, more radiant under the warm sun, flickered uncertainly.
The street vendors' cries rose and fell, children laughed and played, and smoke curled up from the restaurants.
The noise and enticing aroma grounded him.
It felt like a lifetime ago.
It was just a dream.
As his heartbeat gradually calmed, Shen Xing took a deep breath and exhaled, bending down to pick up the manuscript that had slid off him. He carefully sorted the pages and examined them closely.
His name was Shen Xing, a modern person.
That's right, just as you guessed, he had transmigrated. He died suddenly at home from staying up late rushing a manuscript, at the age of 18.
As for the manuscript, it wasn't a drawing; he was a professional fanfiction writer.
He wrote all kinds of stories for miHoYo's Genshin Impact, including those fanfics that players wanted to see. He never turned down a request. He was a person with exceptional execution ability, unable to hold onto orders; once he accepted one, he wanted to finish it immediately.
Staying up late was routine, and his day-night cycle was completely reversed. It was unavoidable because inspiration always flowed at night.
Anyone who has written a novel knows that inspiration is something you can't miss. Once missed, you can't capture the feeling of the moment, and you can't write a satisfactory article.
Over time, even though he was young, he couldn't withstand the toll on his body.
His vision went black, ending his university life before it even began.
He originally thought he would meet King Yama, but to his surprise, when he woke up, he didn't see the grim-faced ghost messengers but the incomparably handsome Zhongli.
It was like a dream, seeing a character from the game appear before him. Shen Xing had to believe he had transmigrated. Unlike the descriptions in transmigration novels, he hadn't taken over someone else's body; his appearance was exactly the same as his modern self. The only change was the color of his eyes.
Fiery, like dancing flames.
According to Zhongli, he was found in the mountains by him. Shen Xing interpreted this as being transmigrated into the mountains and being discovered by Zhongli. Otherwise, he might never have woken up, and he was lucky not to have been eaten by monsters or wild beasts outside the city.
He had used up all his luck in this lifetime.
Patting the papers in his hand, Shen Xing sat on the rooftop, looking at his freshly completed novel.
The calligraphy on the paper was ancient and elegant, a result of Zhongli's teachings. Otherwise, as a modern person, his brush-written characters would look like a dog's scrawl.
In the center of the first page were only two lines:
"The Yandere Experiment Maniac and His Runaway Harbinger"
Author: Ah Jiu
Thinking about what he had written, Shen Xing grinned mischievously. Of course, it was a twisted and melodramatic love story. Just from the title, you could guess who one of the characters was. Who else could it be but the second Harbinger of the Fatui, Dottore, whom he had just dreamed about?
Shen Xing wasn't bothered by the dream; he was used to it. Sometimes, his writing inspiration came from dreams.
As for the runaway Harbinger, it was Childe.
He had really stirred up a storm this time. If he didn't shock them, he wouldn't be satisfied.
Shen Xing had a wicked sense of humor. In reality, he didn't hold back at all. Even though he had transmigrated, he shouldn't be writing these novels, especially since the real people might see them. But you're wrong. He wasn't afraid of anything; he had guts.
Dancing in front of the real people, what's there to fear? They didn't know he was the author.
Only heaven, earth, and he himself knew his identity.
If he ever got exposed, he could just cling to Zhongli's thigh.
Moreover, Zhongli was inexplicably kind to him, not overly close but not distant either. Sometimes, Shen Xing felt Zhongli was pondering something when he looked at him.
If he had to describe it, it would be as friends!
If he ever got into trouble, Zhongli would surely save him.
Although these two Harbingers didn't get along, pairing them up... Once this book was published, besides those who knew them, Shen Xing guaranteed others would ship them hard, cursing the belated love as worse than grass, and it would be a wife-chasing crematorium!
As for the ending, Shen Xing was quite cruel, setting a BE ending, both dying.
From another perspective, it could be considered a HE ending.
He wouldn't reveal the book's specific content now. Shen Xing flipped through the thick stack of manuscripts. To prevent others from discovering what he was writing, he always wrote outside. Even Zhongli, who was closest to him, didn't know he wrote novels.
He only knew Shen Xing spent his days wandering outside. Since he had an Anemo Vision, Zhongli didn't even worry about his safety, as if certain nothing would happen to him.
Shen Xing shook his head, took out a pen, and added a line under the author's name: This book is purely fictional and has no relation to real people.
Perfect!
Now they couldn't blame him.
Shen Xing flashed a wanton smile, the flames in his crimson eyes dancing lively. He then stored the manuscript in the storage space Zhongli had given him, supporting himself with one hand on the eaves and gracefully landing on the ground.
The Vision at his waist emitted a brilliant azure glow, swaying with his movements.
His slender fingers brushed over the wind pattern on the gem. To this day, Shen Xing didn't know how he had caught Venti's attention. He didn't have any strong desires, but having a Vision was better than not having one. This Anemo Vision was indeed very useful.
Perfect for speed-based activities, like: running away.
But he wouldn't run away. Shen Xing preferred to confront things head-on. Walking through the streets of Liyue Harbor, he enjoyed the rich, smoky atmosphere while heading towards Xinyue Kiosk.
His last novel had earned him quite a bit, but he had almost spent it all. Otherwise, why would Shen Xing need to write a new one? Initially, he wanted to submit that novel to Wanwen Bookhouse, but Miss Jifang's face changed after reading it, saying he was too young to be writing such filthy things, and chased him away.
Upon closer inspection, her face was red. She probably hadn't read such explosive novels before.
Well, Shen Xing glanced at the books on her stall; they were about Liyue's history and some folklore, all very proper books.
So he went to Inazuma and found Yae Publishing House. He was fortunate to meet Yae Miko that day, who accepted his first novel: "What to Do When a Modern Person Transmigrates into a Game?!"
It was a very interesting novel about a human named Mu Bai who transmigrated into an otome game, a straight guy surrounded by men who eventually gets bent.
Miko, having read countless books as an editor, finally found a fresh light novel. The writing was quite good, and the protagonist's process of being "attacked" by the men was amusing. Miko was very satisfied and immediately approved it. She even praised some of the more obscure descriptions, saying they were very free. Not only did she mass-print Shen Xing's book, but she also gave him a large sum of money.
She told him to come back when he had a new book.
As the sunset glow dimmed, it was already dinner time. Shen Xing quickened his pace towards Xinyue Kiosk, overhearing someone mentioning his pen name along the way.
"Sis, look, this book was sent to me by a friend from Inazuma. It's so good!"
"A novel?" The older woman was puzzled. The sound of pages flipping was heard, and after a moment, she hesitated, "This book... it's so... um... two men."
"Just say if it's good or not!"
"Ahem."
After a moment of internal struggle, she admitted, "It's quite interesting. Ah Jiu? I've never heard of this author before. The writing is quite novel. What does otome mean?"
"It's on the last page. The author explains it!"
Shen Xing glanced towards the source of the voices and saw two young girls huddled together, sneakily reading the same book. From his angle, he could see their aunt-like smiles and hear their whispered conversations.
He also curled his lips, thinking they had good taste.
It had already spread to Liyue quietly, quite fast. When his next explosive novel was published, he guaranteed people would have a new perspective on the Harbingers. Shen Xing stifled a laugh as he passed them, heading to the entrance of Xinyue Kiosk.
"Good evening, Sister Yue Shu. One order of Moon Pie, as usual."
Zhongli had strict requirements for Moon Pie; the ratio of shrimp to fish had to be just right, or he wouldn't eat it. Shen Xing remembered the first time he brought Moon Pie back, and Zhongli's expression of refusal gave him a headache.
Yue Shu, seeing it was Shen Xing, nodded and instructed the kitchen to prepare the order. She had seen this boy many times. He had recently appeared in Liyue Harbor and was a child taken in by Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's guest, Zhongli. He often came here to bring food back.
"Do you want anything else?" Yue Shu asked, "The Golden Shrimp Balls are also good, just out of the pot."
He really liked seafood, especially shrimp, but Zhongli wasn't fond of it. The shrimp and fish in the Moon Pie were kept to a minimum. Would it be inappropriate to bring shrimp balls to the table?
But he was really craving them. Shen Xing touched his money pouch, reluctantly nodding, "Alright, give me a portion."
He'd eat quickly, so Zhongli wouldn't see.
After picking up the takeout box, he continued to buy some other dishes from different restaurants. Seeing that it was getting late, Shen Xing hurriedly activated his Vision, running swiftly through the streets. He stopped by Three Bowls But Can't Get Over the Post to buy a jar of wine.
Familiar with the route, he pushed open the door to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, rushing to Zhongli's side, and laid out the large and small packages on the table. Hu Tao, hearing the commotion, covered her rumbling stomach and came over, "Why are you back so late today? I'm starving."
Shen Xing, panting heavily, lifted his scorching crimson eyes, smiling, "I overslept today."
Zhongli looked at the dishes on the table. Shen Xing remembered their preferences clearly. He glanced at the wine jar the boy had placed on the table, paused, and said, "It's not safe to rest in the wild. If there are monsters—"
Shen Xing waved his hand, "I know, Mr. Zhongli. I wasn't in the wild today. I was sunbathing on a rooftop in Liyue Harbor. It was so comfortable that I fell asleep, and when I woke up, it was already late."
Zhongli nodded, saying no more. In front of Hu Tao, he made a gesture of invitation. Hu Tao, accustomed to Zhongli's actions, just thought of him as a polite guest, "It's been three months, and you're still so polite. Come on, come on, the head of the hall is starving."
Unaware of Zhongli's true identity, Hu Tao didn't think much of it. Shen Xing, however, knew the Zhongli before him was the Geo Archon. Being treated so courteously by him was truly unsettling, reminding him of the first time Zhongli invited him to dinner. It nearly scared him to death.
Anyone who didn't know might think he was the Anemo Archon.
Just a human, and not even a native of Teyvat, why be so polite to him?
Uncomfortably, Shen Xing sat opposite Zhongli, quietly shifting to the side. Zhongli's demeanor always gave him the illusion that they were equals. Hmm... maybe Zhongli was hospitable and saw him as a child?
...Even so, don't treat him like this; it was unnerving.
"So, it's already been over three months."
Time, for Zhongli as the Geo Archon, was ethereal, elusive, and fleeting.
Zhongli sat down, thoughtfully looking at Shen Xing, who was wolfing down shrimp balls. As the Golden Shrimp Ball landed in his hand, he paused, mentally preparing himself not to look at the seafood, and instead focused on the fiery gaze in the boy's eyes. He then looked at his face, "Young friend Shen, just call me Zhongli. No need to address me as Mr."
"Cough cough cough!"
Mindful of Zhongli's dislike for seafood, Shen Xing quickly devoured the shrimp balls. Caught off guard by Zhongli's request to change his form of address, Shen Xing nearly choked. He grabbed the wine and gulped it down. Shen Xing could really hold his liquor; for him, drinking was like drinking water.
Zhongli gave him a concerned look, and Shen Xing felt astonished, his mind filled with disbelief. He quickly said, "Alright, Mr. Zhongli."
Zhongli, whose words were in vain: "..."