Hello! I'm Stella. I write fanfiction mainly, but sometimes I might write original flash fiction or poetry. Looking for a specific fic or chapter? Check here. Looking to read a new fic? Browse here.
Hey, everyone, this chapter is a bit early because, unfortunately, I won't be able to post tomorrow or next Sunday (sorry in advance!).
Thanks to @leio13 who dedicatedly edited this chapter through her incomprehensible screaming.
Summary: After confirming the death of his latest target, Xiao’s secret mission is interrupted by an eccentric stranger in green, who claims to be Xiao’s protector! But the reality is much more convoluted… What destiny could possibly link Xiao with Venti—an assassin of hitmen?
This chapter can also be found on Ao3 here. Without further ado, please enjoy!
Venti left the scene with great haste. To think he would run into the famed lead detective of the Adepti Agency, Morax, a second time… He hadn't changed at all since their last meeting. Venti could still remember that day at the hospital in Wolvendom twelve years ago as clear as day…
He had been beaten within an inch of his life, but somehow he had won. At least, he thought he did. But he had collapsed shortly after, and then, to his surprise, he woke up in a hospital bed a few days later. He was only a teen then. A teen with absolutely nothing. And yet many people had come to ask him questions—"What happened at Decarabian's Tower?" "Who killed Decarabian?" He had ignored them all.
Until an unusual man paid the room a visit. Although his posture and step carried an undeniable authority, when he spoke, his face and voice were surprisingly disarming. "Hello, it's nice to meet you. I am Morax."
The boy's plan was, of course, to ignore the stranger just as he had done with the rest. "..."
"What is your name?"
"..." A foolish question. Even if he played along and made one up, it would mean nothing.
"I'm sure you've met many people over the past few days trying to ask you about Decarabian's Lair, but I'm not interested in that. I want to talk about you for a bit."
Yeah right. Morax may have worn a dignified facade, but he was no different from the other detectives. Besides, there was nothing to be said about the boy anyway.
"See?" The nurse chimed in. "He refuses to say anything to anyone—not even the doctors who saved his ungrateful life! All he will say is 'Where's Venti?' We've looked, but there is no 'Venti.' He's useless. I'm sure you won't find what you're looking for with him."
Morax exhaled. "Would you mind letting the two of us talk alone?"
"Suit yourself." The nurse walked out of the room.
So Morax was one of the persistent types. What would it be? Yelling? Threatening? Grabbing? Hitting? It didn't matter.
"That was an inexcusable thing to say about a patient—especially in front of him."
He didn't care. They were probably right that he was useless, anyway.
"Well, since we're alone, I will get serious. What I want to speak with you about today is…"
Here it comes, the inevitable interrogation about Decarabian…
Morax reached into his pocket and pulled out a square photograph. "Do you know this boy?" The boy in the photo had black hair in two short pigtails and eyes as blue as an autumn day.
The hospitalized boy's breath got stuck in his throat, and his eyes went wide.
"Is this 'Venti?'" Morax asked.
"What happened to him?!"
"I was hoping you would tell me."
He wanted to pounce and scream "TELL ME WHAT HAPPENED!!" but his body crumpled in agony when he so much as sat up.
"Try to remain calm; you'll only end up hurting yourself otherwise," Moraxed coaxed him. "I'll tell you what I know after you tell me what you know about him."
The boy growled, but he relented. Morax was the only person who took his search for Venti seriously, and he needed whatever information he could get. "We… Me, him, and an unfamiliar boy… we were running away…"
"Running away?"
"Yeah… from Decarabian's Lair. Everyone was panicking and fighting all around the city, so we decided to use the chance to run away."
"Where were you running to?"
"I don't know. Neither of us had left before—we weren't allowed."
Morax jotted something down on his notepad. "Okay, so then what happened after you ran away?"
"The other boy… He was injured and delirious. But Venti was insistent that we bring him with us. So I stayed behind to buy them some time…"
"I understand. So you don't know what happened after that?"
"No… Tell me already—what happened?!"
"I'm very sorry to inform you that Venti is dead. By the time I found his body, he had already passed. He had been stabbed twice and fatally shot in the chest."
Dead? Venti was… dead? The giant beautiful world that Venti had sung songs about just a week ago suddenly collapsed. The song that was supposed to illuminate the blue sky and nurture the living creatures of the planet fell from the heavens. "Arghhhhhhh!" The boy's whole body screamed and writhed.
Morax watched silently. There was no consolation he could give. When a nurse knocked on the door, he sent them away.
A tear broke through the boy's eyelids and tumbled listlessly down his face. Then others followed in a silent funeral procession towards the bleak, white sheets. "So what happens now?" The question was just as much about himself as it was about Venti.
"The boy's body is being sent back to Decarabian's Lair where it will be buried in an unmarked grave alongside the other victims of the tragedy."
So that was it? Venti's body was going to be thrown into an unmarked ditch and forgotten like he never existed? "Why…? He had a name… He almost made it out too…!" It was too unfair.
"I'm sorry. It seems like Mondstadt's government wants to quickly put this incident behind them. The sudden, implosive collapse of one of their biggest cities—even if it was an overgrown drug den—can't be a good look for them."
He wanted to scream. The outside world was no different than Decarabian's City. Venti's dream had always been an impossible fantasy. He had died for nothing.
"But there still is some hope." Morax suddenly smiled. "You're still alive."
What did it matter? He was nobody. For Venti, he had wanted to be someone, but he had failed.
"If Venti is important to you, you must remember him; you're the only one who can." That was the last piece of advice Morax gave before irreversibly exiting the nameless boy's hospital room forever.
It was only many years later, when his own journey led him to Stone Gate, that he would learn that the other boy had also survived, that Morax had found him too, and that he now went by the name Xiao.
Venti was an entirely different person since he had last met Morax, and while he wished that was enough to prevent Morax from recognizing him, he knew better than to get his hopes up. If anything, he was grateful that the detective went along with his lies.
But he had no idea what Morax would reveal in private. Venti himself had no idea what he wanted Xiao to know, and the thought of Morax taking that choice from him petrified him. Of course, it was all unfair. Xiao had the right to know. Which is why during lunch he had nearly worked up the courage to tell him about the other case—about the other Venti. But after Xiao had told him no and especially after Morax appeared, Venti's resolve was crumbling. After all, what good would this information do Xiao? What could it do besides saddle on another painful memory? Venti wanted to save Xiao; he wanted him to be happy. And for that, perhaps it was better if he never remembered.
All these reminders of the past made Venti crave a drink. Xiao had been very stern with his directions before Venti had left, but Venti was an adult who could make his own decisions. Financially, Xiao still had the upper hand; he had left Venti with no money, but this was Stone Gate—with a little stealth, Venti was sure he could get his hands on something.
Before he knew it, Venti had arrived in the neighborhood of the hotel. It would actually be more convenient to find a supply near the hotel, so he quickly took a seat on the low roof of a nearby building. From here he could watch the entrance of the hotel (lest Xiao arrive unnoticed) and the surrounding areas. And strangely enough, someone caught his eye almost immediately; a familiar woman had exited the hotel. With straight, dark hair in a ponytail, she was wearing purple Liyue garb and round, golden spectacles—oh, Venti had seen her at the restaurant. She had her phone against her ear and a scowl on her lips.
"I could easily find the lyre on my own…"
…
"I just don't understand why we had to come all this way…"
…
"With the right budget, I could have resolved this search without having to leave Liyue Harbor!"
Having leapt from his perch, Venti tapped the woman's shoulder. "Excuse me."
"Uh, hold on," she muttered into the phone before turning to Venti. "Um, hi?"
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but are you looking for a lyre?"
"Something came up. I'll talk to you later. Bye" She hung up the phone with great eagerness before beaming at Venti. "Yes, I am! Do you know something?"
"Unfortunately not, but I'm also looking for a lyre myself!"
"Oh, really? Then, why don't we look together?"
"That would be wonderful!" Venti readily agreed. "I have no clues as to where my lyre might be, so you lead the way."
"O-oh, okay." The woman started walking south east.
"You know, since we're so close to Mondstadt," Venti began. "You could probably buy another one here in Stone Gate?"
"You're probably right, but the one I lost is important to me. I actually bought it on a recent trip to Mondstadt, so I'd really like to find it again."
"Oh, I completely understand! A musical instrument carries the heart and memories of its owner."
"Exactly. That's why I'm here again in Stone Gate to see if I can find it… What about you? Are you here to look for your lyre?"
"I wish. I'm not even sure it's in Stone Gate. It's an old model, so I'm terrified just thinking of what might be happening while I'm not there." Venti shuddered. "I'm actually here because my partner dragged me along."
"...Partner?"
"Yeah, he said, 'I'd love to go to Stone Gate since we both have so much history there', and now here we are on this impromptu getaway."
"Wow, sounds very romantic…"
"Oh, you wouldn't think that if you'd met him."
"Why not? What kind of person is he?"
"He's very scary. He's a man of few words, and he's so tough! Oh, but he's actually a sweetheart! You know, I'm just a little bard, but I know I can count on him to save me in a pinch!"
"O-oh…"
"You know, Stone Gate has something of a bad reputation, but I'm sure my partner could beat up any lame criminal this town throws at me! He's my hero!"
"Oh, w-wow…" The woman was staring with her eyes wide and jaw slightly agape.
"Ah! Sorry for saying such things! I'm just not used to traveling by my lonesome, so I'm a little worried…"
"I-it's okay. I understand! So, um… where is this partner of yours if not with you?"
"Oh, well… He ran into an unexpected family problem, so he'll be busy with that for a while… So don't worry! There's no chance of him interrupting our search! He doesn't even know I'm out!"
In that matter, Venti and the lady from the restaurant continued chatting (mainly about music) as they wandered south, casually searching for a lyre. As far as music went, Venti noted she was an amateur at best, but as an expert, he could not turn away the opportunity to teach her a lesson. When they reached the waterfront, the conservation came to a stop.
"Oh wow, we made it all the way to the port, didn't we?" Venti remarked.
"It looks like it. And we still haven't found the lyre…"
"What a shame…"
"Oh, but we might be able to learn something helpful here!"
"Really?"
"Some of my friends keep a boat here; perhaps they found some leads."
"Then let's go talk to them! I'd love to meet them!"
Venti let the brunette lead the way as he trailed slightly behind her. Meeting her friends would probably take a long time. Venti would have to apologize to Xiao when they met again. As they slowed, he reached into his back pocket and unlocked his phone. He had laid out every phone he had ever owned in the exact same way just for moments like this one. Without looking, he guided his fingers to his messages (luckily there was only one) and quickly sent off his coordinates to his only contact: Xiao. Then he shut his phone off and turned all his attention back to the ship they had stopped in front. It was a small vessel, but anyone in Liyue would know to fear its carmine sails. Venti's legs nearly failed. He knew he and Xiao were being followed, but he never thought their pursuant would be the most feared pirate group in Teyvat and Ningguang’s shadow—the Crux Fleet.
Two strong hands grabbed Venti's arms and twisted them. When Venti's knees buckled, the mysterious person put him in cuffs. "That was surprisingly easy," said a male voice from behind him. "Are you sure this is our guy?"
The restaurant lady nodded. "Sorry, my bard friend. Looks like we were both here in Stone Gate for other reasons."
Summary: After confirming the death of his latest target, Xiao’s secret mission is interrupted by an eccentric stranger in green, who claims to be Xiao’s protector! But the reality is much more convoluted… What destiny could possibly link Xiao with Venti—an assassin of hitmen?
This chapter can also be found on Ao3 here. Without further ado, please enjoy!
Stone Gate was a large town scaling the cliff that separated Liyue from Mondstadt. At the top, there was a police station that served as a border checkpoint. Because everyone was forced to stop at the border and the police were unreasonably lax, the town, outside of housing new tourists, had a reputation as a haven for criminals: runaways, smugglers and traffickers who had just or were about to cross the border to safety. That had led to much of Stone Gate’s prosperity until about ten years ago when the town’s growth stagnated. If anything, according to what Morax had told Xiao, it was probably in decline, but there was always a need for a hideaway, so it would never completely fade. From what Xiao gathered, the police did little about the situation either way. Their blind eye allowed the town to grow along with their pockets.
It was those same police whose office Xiao and Venti would be visiting. "So, that's the building." Venti pointed when they were a close distance away. "It's ten in the morning and that's a border checkpoint. How do you plan on getting in?"
"Simple." When Venti had last visited, he probably used a stealthier method more suited for one person in the dead of night, but Xiao had prepared an easier plan. "We just walk in."
"Huh?"
Xiao didn't wait for Venti's brain to pick up the slack. Instead, he just marched ahead. "Excuse me." He approached one of the guards. "We are private detectives from Liyue Harbor sent by Senior Officer Keqing. We would like access to your facilities." He produced a simple form with Keqing's forged signature.
"Is that all?" The disinterested guard asked.
"No." Xiao reached into a pocket and pulled out a thick wad of cash, placing it in the guards hands. "Don't tell anyone about this and don't ask any questions."
The guard quickly counted the money before pocketing it. "I understand. Right this way, sirs."
As soon as the guard had left Xiao and Venti alone in the restricted area, Venti let out a laugh. "A request from that Keqing??"
"It's obviously fake," Xiao mumbled. "What's so funny about that? Do you know her or something?"
"Me? Not personally, no, but everyone in this field's heard of her. Her uptight interpretation of the law is a huge thorn in the sides of many powerful people. It's only a matter of time before someone gets rid of her."
"Well, she's on your tracks, so I'd be careful too if I were you."
Venti blinked once then grinned. "Thanks for looking out for me!"
"It's nothing, really…" Xiao preoccupied his eyes by scanning the room. "Can you find this file again?"
"Sure." Venti sat in front of the computer in the archives room. "It should be here." With that, he began hacking into the computer all while humming, muttering and even singing as he went along.
In the spare moment, Xiao examined the select cases that had physical copies on the shelves. The last ten years really were barren compared to the decades before. The final spike in crime was… twelve years ago. Was that why Morax was in the area when he found Xiao? A large chunk of the files had been bundled together with a sticky note reading "Decarabian Collapse." Decarabian… The name was familiar to Xiao, and he had no idea why. From the sound of it, it was related to Mondstadt, which Xiao had no relations to, so then why…?
The onset of a dull headache was quickly interrupted by a whine from Venti. "Aaaaaaaarghhh…"
Xiao pushed his own curiosities aside. "What is it?"
"I can't find it…" Venti's head lightly hit the table in resignation.
Xiao shuffled over to peer at the same screen as Venti. "Let me see."
"Look, this is where I found it last time, April from twelve years ago. But when I look for a file involving the Adepti Agency…"
A single case popped up. "And that's not it…?"
"No, it's not."
"It does say 'unknown boy'—"
"It says he was murdered, Xiao."
Oh… Xiao had admittedly failed to read that far. So then, the other case Morax was investigating at the same time was a murder…? The thought churned Xiao's stomach. He clutched his forehead.
After clicking through a few menus, Venti swiveled around. "Xiao…? What's wrong? You look really pale…"
"I-it's noth—" Xiao couldn't manage the lie. "I just need a minute."
"...Is it about the other… case?"
"I didn't realize that the other case was a murder…"
"Oh." Venti's face fell. "Sorry I didn't tell you… but… well… You should be glad you didn't become another nameless victim."
Venti was probably right; still, Xiao couldn't shake the weird survivor's guilt nagging at him. "Anyway, let's keep looking." He channeled all his attention to the computer screen, which was currently conducting a long search. "It hasn't been moved?"
"No, I checked for other instances of the Adepti Agency elsewhere, but I've had no luck finding this particular case… I'm currently searching for backups, but… I'm not optimistic…"
Xiao could only wait with bated breath.
'0 results found.' That was the ultimate search result.
"Looks like whoever last accessed the file was extremely thorough about deleting it," Venti concluded.
"When?" Xiao grimaced. "Why…?"
"I know you wanted to see it, Xiao, but look on the bright side, whoever deleted it did you something of a favor. Now there's one less copy of dangerous information about you in circulation."
"But we don't know if they copied it or what else they did with it."
Venti seemed to abandon his cheer-up efforts with a sigh. "Why don't we take a break and have lunch? Maybe we'll find something useful around town…"
"Fine." Although Xiao doubted Venti's reasoning, he knew that just standing around wasn't going to change what happened.
***
The lunch spot Xiao and Venti settled on was a simple tea stand with a balcony overlooking the view of Liyue. Xiao and Venti were just one of many duos seated by the Vista. Shortly after they had sat down, an old lady approached their table. "Hello, I will take your orders."
Venti began, "I'll have—"
Xiao had seen Venti's eyes flirting with the alcohol listing. As if he'd let that happen. "We'll both have Pops Zhou's signature tea, please."
"O-okay. I'll be back with two cups of tea." The old lady shuffled away.
Venti glared at Xiao. "Why didn't you let me order?"
"It's my money, and I'm not going to let you start drinking again."
"But we're so close to Mondstadt! They have Dandelion Wine!! From the Dawn Winery!!!"
Xiao didn't understand Venti's whining nor did he care. "We're at a tea shop."
Venti pouted, but he didn't argue.
Soon after, the waitress returned with the tea. "Would you two like anything with your tea…?"
"I'm fine." Xiao didn't know enough about the establishment to eat their food.
"We'll have four of the grilled tiger fish skewers—" Venti grinned more at Xiao than at the old woman—"to share."
"Of course." Once again, the woman left in a hurry.
"What are you doing?" Xiao scowled.
"We're here to eat lunch, remember?" Venti snapped back.
"You can eat, but—"
"You especially need to eat. You'll feel better when you do. I know, I know—you can't eat at unfamiliar places… That's why I'll try it first, you see?"
Xiao sighed. At the very least, he could appreciate Venti's sentiment.
After a few minutes, the waitress placed the food between Xiao and Venti with a nearly inaudible mumble "I'm sorry for disturbing you."
Venti just shrugged. Then he scooted his chair to be closer to Xiao and grabbed a skewer. He bit in without hesitation. "Mmm! How tasty!" He nudged the plate in Xiao's direction. "You should try some too."
Xiao ignored the plate. "It's too soon."
"Ooor you can eat it when it's cold—suit yourself!"
Out of the corner of his eye, Xiao watched as Venti slowly picked at the rest of the skewer. The remainder of his gaze traveled listlessly between the table and the view. He noted that some of the other tables and even the waitstaff were eyeing their table in anticipation.
When Venti had finished cleaning the first skewer, he began a second one with equally excruciating speed. Halfway through, he peeked up from his plate. He spoke softly, "Xiao…"
"What?"
"...You're thinking about that other case, aren't you…?"
Xiao just nodded, hoping Venti would take the hint and drop it.
"Actually… about that case… I can te—"
"This isn't the time for that." Xiao glanced around. "Look around you; everybody's staring."
"And you know why… right?"
Probably because they had caused a scene earlier, but it was possible they were spies. Someone must have anticipated Xiao and Venti's arrival in Stone Gate; that's why they deleted the one file Xiao was searching for…
Venti answered his own question: "We look like a fighting couple."
From that lens, Venti was an especially effective actor. With drooping shoulders and downcast eyes, he truly looked like he had been wronged. Xiao almost felt bad. "So," Xiao whispered, "what do you want me to do?"
"Well, you can at least eat."
Fine. A sufficient amount of time had probably passed since Venti first tried the tea and skewers, and he hadn't displayed any symptoms of poisoning. Xiao's head, on the other hand, was really beginning to pound. He gulped down the lukewarm tea and then forcefully swallowed some of the fish along with his reservations. He finished off the meal rather quickly. "So, now what?"
"Now we make up!"
Make up? "But we weren't even fighting…"
"Like this." Venti made sure to enunciate each word: "I'm sorry, Xiao, for making sure you take care of your body."
"I'm not sorry for keeping you away from alcohol."
Venti's obnoxious grin twitched slightly. He cleared his throat. "Anyway, should we head back to the hotel?"
"Yeah." Xiao stood awkwardly. "Actually, I feel better now… Um, thank you, Venti, for making me eat. It, uh, helped."
"Of course!" Venti's lips broke into a full grin. "What did I tell you? But I still think we should return to the hotel to review what we know."
"Okay." Xiao was happy to put an end to the awkward lunch. "Let's go then."
"Mmhmm!"
Xiao left the dining area with Venti trailing shortly behind him, but unfortunately, Venti wasn't the only one. Shortly after they vacated their table, an unknown woman in purple did too. While that alone could've been dismissed as coincidence, Xiao's suspicions were confirmed after a few blocks when she was still a few meters behind him.
At first, Xiao tried walking faster to outpace the follower. However, Venti, who was always overly laid back, was quick to object to the change after he fell several paces behind. "Waaait!" he called out. If he actually put in an effort, he could be swifter than Xiao, so Xiao refused to let up. "Hey!" Venti pouted, now walking briskly at Xiao's side. "Say something next time?"
But they weren't in a position where Xiao could admit he knew they were being followed. He stared at Venti, only briefly glancing behind him when he had met Venti's gaze.
Venti, for his part, made no effort to look back. He sighed. "Fine."
Even if he ignored my hints, at least he's going along—or so Xiao was happy to think until Venti suddenly grabbed his hand, intertwining their fingers.
"Now you can't do that again!" Venti's eyes glimmered with fiendish delight.
At first Xiao lamented the results of his actions, but he quickly changed strategies to maximize the new development. Leading Venti by the hand he had willingly surrendered, Xiao abruptly pulled Venti around one corner then immediately around another into a small alley. They needed to disappear. Quickly. He pressed Venti as far as he could into the wall. Not much could be done about Xiao's appearance, but Venti could handle a few modifications. Xiao plucked the hat off Venti's head, pressing it into Venti's hand, then with his free hand (the other was still cradled by Venti's fingers), he combed the braids from Venti's hair. "Hide your face." He looked Venti in the face. His glossy lips curled into a beguiling smile, and his blue eyes seemed to hold the entire sky inside them, with Xiao in the center. Oh. To Venti, when Xiao had pinned him to the wall and ran his fingers through his hair… Well, Xiao didn’t want to think about how Venti must have interpreted it. Hot regret pumped from Xiao's heart through his arteries all the way up to his cheeks. "S-someone is comin—following, so…" He could barely stammer out the necessary words.
"I know." Venti whispered. He undid his cape and threw it and the hat a meter away, deeper in the dead-end alley. "I can alter my appearance a bit, but maybe you should hide your face."
Then they were on the same page. Xiao wanted nothing more than to hide his face—especially from Venti. But Venti's solution was not one Xiao would have chosen: meshing his fingers in Xiao's hair, he softly pressed Xiao's face into the corner of his neck and collarbone. From his new position, he could hear Venti's warm breathing against the exposed part of his own neck and feel his steady heartbeat, calming and electrifying at the same time.
"She's coming." Venti's words tickled Xiao's skin. His hand jumped from in Xiao's hair to in between his shoulder blades, pulling him closer.
Footsteps approached the alley entrance.
Venti's hand slid lower, his legs tangling with Xiao's. Xiao's heart stopped.
"Ugh." A female voice scoffed. Then the footsteps resumed. As her presence faded away, Xiao heard her mutter (probably into a phone), "Anyway, I'm going ahead to the hotel."
After a frozen minute, Venti released Xiao from his tight embrace, and Xiao could finally breathe normally again.
"We should probably return to our hotel too." Venti chimed up. Xiao couldn’t agree more; he needed time and privacy to process everything that happened that day. But he struggled to act on his approval; he couldn’t move his tongue to speak, much less his whole body. Without letting go of Xiao's hand, Venti dragged Xiao to pick up his discarded belongings. He muttered to himself, "These are going to need to be washed," before leading the way towards the hotel.
"Still, I can't believe how red your face got!" Venti teased as they walked. "
"How was I supposed to react to that?" Having already been subjected to Venti's physical affection, Xiao was feeling defensive.
"I mean, what happened to 'I just want to follow you home, lay you bare, and have my way with you'?"
Xiao's cheeks nearly caught fire. "Th-that was different!"
"Really?" Venti feigned confusion. "How so?"
Xiao was certain it was different, but faced with Venti's question, he couldn't pin it down. Instead, he struggled to slip away from Venti's grasp.
While squirming in vain, someone familiar caught Xiao's eyes. Long, brown hair tied back in a ponytail. Piercing amber eyes. "Zh—Mo—Zh-Zhongli!" He quickly tore his hand free.
Zhongli nodded reassuringly. “What a pleasant surprise to see you here, Xiao.” He turned to face Venti with a quizzical look. “...And this is…?”
Xiao expected Venti to enthusiastically introduce himself, but, for some reason, he looked as stunned as Xiao, so Xiao ended up stepping in. "This is my tour guide for my trip to Mondstadt. We agreed to meet in Stone Gate."
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Venti chimed in.
"Yes…" Zhongli nodded again, very slowly this time. Then he shook his head. "For some reason, you look familiar, but it must be my mistake."
"Oh well, I am a bard, so perhaps you've seen me perform! I've performed in Liyue Harbor a few times."
"Is that so? That must be it."
"If you'd like, I can perform for you—and Xiao, of course—to celebrate this occasion?"
"No, that'll be quite alright. I'm sure Xiao is keeping you busy already."
"Oh, no, traveling with him has been a pleasure!"
"I'm glad to hear that. Unfortunately, I am quite busy myself, but since I did unexpectedly meet you here, Xiao, I would like to have a word."
"Of course," Xiao replied immediately.
Zhongli turned his focus back to Venti. "I hope you understand."
"Oh, yes, certainly. It's not at all a problem. I was just going to go back to the hotel and plan how Xiao and I would spend the rest of our time here."
"Great. Thank you."
"Then I'll be off~!" Venti nearly skipped off, but Xiao grabbed his arm.
"Venti," Xiao breathed. He brought his mouth to Venti's ear. "Stay at the hotel and do not start drinking."
This is terribly late. The next chapter will be on time though.
Thanks to the best @leio13 for her editing prowess!
Summary: After confirming the death of his latest target, Xiao’s secret mission is interrupted by an eccentric stranger in green, who claims to be Xiao’s protector! But the reality is much more convoluted… What destiny could possibly link Xiao with Venti—an assassin of hitmen?
This chapter can also be found on Ao3 here. Without further ado, please enjoy!
Sitting on Xiao's couch, lightly swinging his legs, Venti was a bit happier than he had been in a while, and the reason was simple: Xiao was actually kind.
Over a week ago, Venti had been at one of the worst points in his life. After mucking up his relationship with Xiao, he had been abducted. And they abused him. Venti still wasn't sure how long he was there nor what was real or fake, but one thing was certain—he lost track of who he was and why he needed to keep living. In that dark chamber, he accepted death as inevitable and imminent, and he had even consented to it, nearly letting it claim his body on several occasions.
In the end, the one who rescued him was none other than Xiao. The very same Xiao that Venti had wanted to save no matter what. Venti's entire purpose of coming to Liyue was to save Xiao from the destructive path he was stuck in, but now Venti found himself owing the hitman a debt he might never be able to pay back. Fate had an ironic sense or humor.
Still, Venti couldn't be mad. In fact, he was content. Not only had Xiao freed him from the torture, but he also went the extra mile to make sure he recovered, keeping him housed, fed, and clothed even after the doctor had released him. It was the first time anyone had done any of those things for Venti in his life, so he was extremely grateful. And, on a more personal level, though Xiao would never be aware, he had revived Venti's reason to live. The story of Venti the Bard didn't end in a dark room, and Venti's efforts to rescue Xiao wouldn't end there either. Xiao thought that he could be no more than a murder weapon, and Venti had believed him. But now Venti was certain that Xiao was kinder than he would ever realize. At his core, he was someone who was capable of a more fulfilling life than the one he had fallen into, but he was blind to it. If he couldn't see it, then Venti was determined to guide him. Only by knowing the full scope of possibilities could Xiao really be free.
“Venti,” Xiao interrupted Venti's daze. "Are you ready to go?"
"Ready when you are!" Venti always had very little to his name, but currently he had even less. Of his original belongings, he only had his phone, which Xiao had snagged off his captors. Additionally, thanks to Xiao's generosity, he was able to buy a few pairs of more suitable clothing (minus the cecilia adornments, which were impossible to find in Liyue) and a decent gun, but that was about it. His lyre was still missing, and unfortunately, it would probably remain out of his reach until he could pull himself together a little more.
For now, Venti would follow Xiao, and their first order of business was an overnight train to Stone Gate. The train car was divided into smaller cabins, which each held two built-in bunk beds. Xiao and Venti had one half, and the other half was occupied by a pair of people who luckily got off at the Wangshu Inn. After they left, Xiao closed and locked the door behind them. Then, at around twenty-two o'clock, the train crew dimmed the lights in the cabin to facilitate sleeping.
Not that Venti had even considered sleeping. There were too many uncertainties parading through his head. Venti wanted Xiao to go to Stone Gate, to learn what was written about him. There were secrets there that Venti couldn't possibly share, and secrets he couldn't even know. But Xiao's life as he knew it began there, so he deserved to learn the truth of that place, and Venti wanted to be by his side when he did. Still, Venti was afraid. Would Xiao remember his previous life? And after learning, could he still remain Xiao?
Venti couldn't help but tap his foot with a prestissimo tempo. Ahhh… He so badly needed a drink… Xiao was extremely strict with Venti's spending and even more so with his drinking. But Venti couldn't take it for much longer. His nervous system shook and ached. It was parched for intoxication. Even one glass of wine would help. Anything. Even a different substance…
Venti glanced over to Xiao sitting on the berth next to him. If Venti's shaking bothered him, he didn't show it. In fact, he was moving to his own gentle rhythm. His head would dip, and then nod, and nod, and nod, and finally shoot up, only to fall again shortly thereafter.
"Xiao," Venti whispered.
Xiao's head flipped up, and he flashed Venti an alarmed stare. "What?!"
Oops. Venti stifled his chuckling. "You can sleep, you know…"
"I'm fine. I don't need to."
"You do need to. I know you haven't been sleeping well on the floor. You're so tired, you're practically sleeping already!"
Xiao opened his mouth to object, but Venti didn't let him.
"Look, the door is locked. It's only us two. It's about as safe as your apartment." Venti scooted closer to Xiao. "I could even fall asleep right now." He closed his eyes and presumptuously placed his head on Xiao's shoulder.
"Do you—" Whatever Xiao was going to say, he cut himself off with a deep sigh that even Venti could feel through his collar bone.
Venti grinned. In his head, he counted the measures of a melody he made up following the rhythm of Xiao's breaths. At the 75 measure mark, Venti felt a light brush of hair against his own. At 100 measures, after the tune had mellowed out significantly, Venti opened one eye and then the other. Tenderly holding Xiao's head, he slowly slid off his perch. Then, lightly sweeping his hand behind Xiao's ear and down to his nape, Venti laid his head on the cushy pillow. Finally, he removed his shoes and lifted his legs onto the bed.
"Sweet dreams, Xiao. No one knows what tomorrow's wind will bring, but I hope it leads to happiness."
Congrats to tumblr for not being consumed by more controversy (than usual lol) in the week since the last chapter!
Ahem, here is chapter 14, edited by the most lovely @leio13!
Summary: After confirming the death of his latest target, Xiao’s secret mission is interrupted by an eccentric stranger in green, who claims to be Xiao’s protector! But the reality is much more convoluted… What destiny could possibly link Xiao with Venti—an assassin of hitmen?
This chapter can also be found on Ao3 here. Without further ado, please enjoy!
Xiao's first order of business was dealing with his job. He slipped into the Adepti Agency office in his usual discreet fashion. Ganyu was at the reception desk, of course, but she was strangely on the phone. Xiao was not particularly eager to voice his own business, so he waited in silence for the call to end.
"A lyre?"
…
"Do you really think that will help?"
…
"...Nnh…"
…
"Y-yes, but…"
…
"Don't you think you should pursue another trail?"
…
"N—"
…
"Oh! Someone's here, so I need to go—bye!" Ganyu hastily hung up the phone. "Sorry to keep you waiting, Xiao!"
"It's fine. …Who was that?"
"Oh, you know… Keqing." Ganyu sighed. "Recently, she's been obsessed with this case… She thinks it can turn around Liyue's crime problem in the right hands… But last time she almost made a breakthrough, she got knocked out by an unknown assailant. If this case really is that big of a deal, I'd say she was lucky she was only knocked unconscious…"
"Oh." Xiao forced his head up and down. "Yeah. Definitely."
"Right? So I think she should give up on it, but nothing ever gets through to her… Oh! I'm sorry again! I was carrying on… What brings you here, Xiao? …Let's see… Oh, it's the end of your time off, so you must be here for another assignment…" Ganyu shuffled through the papers on the desk.
"Actually, is Morax here?"
"Morax? No… He's on a business trip currently. Now that his schedules opened up a bit, he said there were some more distant cases he wanted to look into."
That wasn't too surprising. When Xiao was younger, Morax went on many business trips, leaving Xiao in the care of the Wangshu Inn. He had settled down a bit as he got older, but even now, at least 70% of the Agency's far-reaching cases went to him.
"Do you need him for something?" Ganyu asked, still busying herself with the papers.
"Not particularly." Xiao shrugged. "I was just hoping to take another vacation…"
"A… vacation?" Ganyu blinked several times. "When?"
"Now, preferably."
"Oh, uh… That… shouldn't be a problem…" Ganyu's eyes scrambled across her desk until she grabbed the phone again. "But let me call him to make sure!" Her loud voice betrayed her panic. "...Um… Hello, this is Ganyu…"
…
"No, everything is fine, but…"
…
"I'm with Xiao, and he says… he wants to take a vacation…" She hastily whispered the last part as if it were forbidden knowledge.
…
"...Um, now…?" She glanced at Xiao for reassurance. He nodded. Then she suddenly smiled back at Xiao. "He says it's okay!"
Morax said something from the other side of the line.
"He wants to know where you're going."
"Mondstadt," Xiao responded in a loud voice.
Morax was the first to respond through the phone.
"Oh, that's great!" Ganyu beamed at Xiao. "Your vacation is approved. Please enjoy your trip!"
"Thank you."
While Ganyu was stuck on the phone with Morax, Xiao took the opportunity to duck out—almost. "He says he wants to hear all about it when you get back!" Ganyu called after him.
"Of course." With that, Xiao took off. He had intended on heading straight back to his apartment, but instead, he found his mind and feet wandering. So even the police want that lyre? What is the big deal? The answer was probably straightforward—it was connected to Venti, the infamous “Mole.”
Xiao’s feet finally stopped when he reached a humble flower stand at Yujing Terrace. Behind the counter was a familiar elderly lady, publicly known as Madame Ping. Apparently, she used to work at the Adepti Agency, but as she had retired shortly after the death of Morax’s late wife, Xiao only knew her in the capacity of Zhongli’s old friend. “Is that you, Xiao?” She called out. “It’s been so long. To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“Good afternoon, Ping.” Xiao began with the customary pleasantries.
“Good afternoon.” She grinned wryly. “Don’t tell me your father still has business for this retired old lady?”
“No, actually, I have a personal favor to ask you… Have you heard anything about a lyre going up for sale?” When she was younger, Ping was a great musician, so even now that she had retired, Xiao was certain that she was more likely than anyone to have ears in the music scene, above and below ground.
“A lyre?” She tilted her head, meeting her chin with her thumb. “I can’t say that I have.” She smiled suddenly. “Are you getting into music again?”
Xiao blinked.
“Your father used to tell me all the time about how you used to love music. He would say that when you couldn’t sleep, all it would take was one song from me or Guizhong, and you’d be out like a light.”
“He did?” Xiao did have some memories of falling asleep to soothing music, but he had no idea that other people knew about it. His cheeks got warm.
“Oh yes, he did! And he was so happy about it.” Ping smiled fondly, and Xiao couldn’t help but catch her nostalgic contentment. “I will look for this lyre for you. Can you describe it for me?”
“Uh, sure.” Xiao tried to recall the details, but when he had listened to Venti play, he had been too caught up in his voice to notice the lyre’s appearance. “It’s made with a medium brown wood and has blue strings. Oh, and it’s decorated with flowers from Mondstadt. Sorry, I wish I could describe it better. It should be circulating through the market after the original owner left it behind at a hotel. …Or it could be in the trash already.”
“What a shame that would be.” Ping frowned. “We can’t have that, so I’ll track down this lyre, but, Xiao, I’d like to ask you a favor as well.”
“What is it?”
“Can you tell your old man that, when business lets up, a certain old lady would love for him to visit again?”
Neither Xiao nor Madam Ping could possibly know when that’d be; nevertheless, he went along with it. “I’ll tell him when I next see him.”
“Thank you, child.”
Finally, after somewhat settling the issue of the lyre, Xiao could return home to his apartment for however brief a stay it would be.
Chapter 13--how unlucky! But all things considered, Venti is pretty lucky here.
Biggest shout-out to @leio13, my editor!
Summary: After confirming the death of his latest target, Xiao’s secret mission is interrupted by an eccentric stranger in green, who claims to be Xiao’s protector! But the reality is much more convoluted… What destiny could possibly link Xiao with Venti—an assassin of hitmen?
This chapter can also be found on Ao3 here. Without further ado, please enjoy!
The five days passed just about as uneventfully as Morax wanted. Xiao returned to the abandoned medical building, but it had already been cordoned off by the police. If Xiao was investigating in an official capacity, he could have leveraged the Adepti Agency’s connection to the police to gain access to the scene, but he was acting alone. Plus, given Ningguang’s potential connection to the crime, it would have been a huge risk. So he passed the days restlessly, dreading the fifth night.
When the time actually came, it went easier than expected. Dr. Baizhu somehow managed to get Venti into the clothes Xiao brought, but Venti was basically a zombie, so Xiao ended up carrying him back to the only place he could think of—his apartment. Xiao reluctantly placed the sleeping Venti onto his bed and resigned himself to his couch for one last night of peace.
The morning sun came too soon. Nevertheless, Xiao schlepped into his bedroom to find that Venti was already awake. His back turned to the wall, his cloudy blue irises and vacuous pupils were spellbound by oblivion.
“Good morning, Venti,” Xiao whispered delicately.
Venti peered up at Xiao then lifted his head with a blatant grin. “Good morning, Xiao…” Somehow the stretched curls of his lips were all the more unbearable.
“You know… You don’t have to smile all the time…”
“Of course I do! I’m Venti—the bard.”
“This isn’t a stage, so you don’t have to force it…”
“Surely, a smile is better than—”
“I already know what you’re really like.” Xiao interrupted. “You’re depressed with a severe drinking habit.” Something snapped. “And that alcohol problem almost killed you!”
Venti blinked several times as his grin slowly drooped.
"Ah." Xiao's posture shrunk a little. "...Sorry… I should not have said that. …Actually, it's my fault what happened. They were asking about me, weren't they?" Xiao bowed his head. "I apologize."
Xiao didn't lift his head, and Venti, uncharacteristically, made no attempt to meet his eyes either. "Xiao… Why did you come find me?"
"I couldn't stand someone being abused because of me, so of course I went looking for you. And… Well, you saved me that time…"
Venti finally gazed at Xiao. His aqua eyes appeared to overflow with things to say, but his lips remained closed, only rising slightly at the ends.
"Um, you must be hungry." Without waiting for Venti's response, Xiao sprung to the door to fetch something edible. He returned with less haste, carrying a salad.
"Thanks," Venti mumbled.
After ascertaining that Venti was awake and not starving, Xiao slipped away, but, throughout the day, Xiao would silently check on him. Usually, he was sleeping, but sometimes he was staring at the ceiling.
Around midnight, Xiao crept back into the room to check on Venti before turning off the light and retiring to his sofa. Venti was, unsurprisingly, asleep. However, when he turned to leave, he felt a small pull from the back of his shirt.
"Don't…" came a tiny whisper.
"I won't turn off the light then," Xiao conceded.
Still, the hand wouldn't let go.
Xiao sighed. Without turning, he reached back and peeled Venti's hand off his shirt. Then he sat on the floor, legs crossed. He folded his arms, resting them on his knees, and nested his head in between. For the rest of the night, he stayed like that, thinking mindlessly, just like Venti in the bed next-door.
When the sun rose the next morning, Xiao quickly got up (although he couldn't remember when he fell asleep) and, after confirming that Venti was actually sleeping, snuck out of the room to prepare some food.
By the time Xiao returned, Venti had moved to sit by the window. He stared blankly at the city scenery even when Xiao left the food in front of him.
As he did the day before, Xiao left Venti to himself, occasionally checking on him. Sometimes he would find Venti, still sitting upright in his chair, sleeping. On such instances, Xiao would carry him to the bed—only to find he had moved back the next time Xiao saw him.
The next day proceeded the same way—a wordless back-and-forth between Xiao and Venti, the bed and the chair.
Before Xiao knew it, Monday—the day of his return to work—had arrived. He didn't particularly want to go back to work, but he was bound by his sense of duty. Making things even more complicated, there was a third factor: Venti. No matter what Xiao chose to do, he had no idea how Venti would react—if he even would react.
As though he had heard Xiao's deliberation, Venti suddenly spoke, "Xiao."
Xiao nearly jumped. "What?!"
"Thanks for giving me some time to myself to think. Today, why don't we go out somewhere?"
Venti was… asking Xiao to go out with him…? Xiao probably should have said no right away, but he was too confused and overwhelmed.
"I mean, you've been stuck in this apartment with me for the past few days," Venti took the opportunity to continue. "Surely I can't be the only one longing for fresh air?"
Xiao couldn't deny that leaving the drab scene of his apartment would do him some good. Even when he was alone, even when he was forcibly on vacation, he never confined himself to one place. Xiao nodded slowly. Was this the true strength of the one called "The Mole?"
Xiao gave Venti another pair of clean clothes to wear while they were out since Venti didn't have any of his own. The two hitmen were roughly the same size, but, on Venti, Xiao's clothes looked very odd. Perhaps because they lacked Venti's usual theatric flare, or maybe because Venti lacked the smile he so often wore on his face. Venti's hair was also rather plain—Whatever. Xiao put those thoughts aside. It didn't matter how Venti looked so long as it was clean.
After stepping outside, the first thing Xiao did was take a deep breath of the circulating air. The breeze, although artificially created by passing cars, caressed Xiao's face. At that moment, he felt like he could better understand Venti's desire to take flight on gentle winds.
But Venti had shut out the wind. In fact, tripping over shallow breath after shallow breath, he was more likely to expel all the air from his body. With his hands clamped to his ears, his face stared at the ground, but his eyes boggled restlessly.
"...Venti…?"
"...L… o… ud…" Xiao was barely able to make out over the chatter of passersby.
"Want to go back inside?"
Venti shook his head vehemently.
"Then. We're going to get going." That was the only warning Xiao gave. "Follow me." He grabbed Venti's right hand from his ear and pulled him into a side street. Then, he continued to drag him through countless alleys and across the port. He finally stopped only when they were far enough to see the harbor's glittering expanse from where they stood.
After catching his own breath, Xiao began to feel bad about the marathon he had just put Venti through. "Sorry," he mumbled. Venti removed his hand from Xiao's and plopped onto the grass, sprawling his limbs like a star. Then only his chest moved, up and down. Up and down. Up and down. "Ven…ti…?"
"Ahhh…" Venti sighed forcefully. "I could stay like this forever… Just give me a minute." After a liberal interpretation of a minute, he sat up. "This is such a gorgeous view of Liyue Harbor! I'm kind of surprised." He shot Xiao a sideways glance with a smirk.
"This is the best place to view the Lantern Rite in the winter."
"I can imagine." Venti stared into the horizon. "'Twinkling, man-made stars, across the sky they roam,/ Looking for wandering souls to guide them back home.' Or something like that?" He patted the grass next to him.
Xiao sat down. "Venti, where do you live?"
"Ehe." Venti responded with an annoying non-answer.
Still, Xiao quickly realized that Venti wasn't hiding anything. He moved as a vagrant, switching from one location to another just as he changed jobs.
"You're pretty lucky, Xiao! You have a nice apartment in the city, and you're always welcome at the Wangshu Inn. Plus, I'd be willing to bet that you have a family home you can return to if things go sour."
Venti was right. Although Xiao lived indebted to those who took care of him, in his efforts to be alone, he had failed to appreciate the welcome that was always extended to him. Sitting next to a fugitive like Venti, Xiao sunk a little deeper into the grass.
Venti also seemed to shrink into himself. "My only home was in Mondstadt," he continued, "but I can never go back."
"Why not?"
"Because it was destroyed. Maybe you’ve heard about it; it caused quite a news sensation."
"Sorry. I'm not familiar with Mondstadt's history…"
"Well, it was twelve years ago. Even if you did know about it, you probably forgot." Venti attempted to laugh it off, but it came out bitterly.
Xiao felt as though he didn't have the right to ask, but he did anyway, "...What happened?"
"I ran away. You know, before that, I didn't have anything. I was a meaningless existence. I thought I would die that way. But when chaos erupted… we ran away. Maybe it was stupid, but at the time, I thought it was brave. When I escaped… that's when I became Venti the bard." Despite his usual pride, Venti didn't seem so happy about his conclusion.
There were a surprising number of gaps in the bard's story. Topics he couldn't bear to acknowledge. But rather than wanting to press for details, Xiao was left with an even greater question: "Why did you tell me this?"
"I've been doing a lot of thinking, and I decided I want to be honest."
"I'm not sure it's fair for me to comment when I know so little, but I think I know how you feel…" Responding to Venti's candor, Xiao mumbled bashfully. "Before twelve years ago, I also… Well, I don't remember…"
"Really?" Venti's head popped up from its slouch. "Then we have that in common! We were both reborn twelve years ago!"
What a silly thing to find camaraderie in. Nevertheless, Xiao found himself grinning slightly. Even if it was frivolous, someone had finally understood Xiao's experiences. An unknown weight had been lifted from Xiao’s chest.
The sun had shifted Venti’s shadow several degrees before he spoke again. “Um… Xiao?”
“What?” Xiao answered quietly as to not disturb the peaceful silence that had settled on the hill.
“Thank you for rescuing me, and thank you for taking care of me for the past few days. Thank you for letting me stay with you.”
“What is it?” Xiao sputtered, his face burning up.
“I’m extremely grateful for all you’ve done for me, but… there is something else I must be honest about…” Venti stood suddenly. “I think we should part ways here.”
“What are you going on about?”
“Well, the truth is…” Venti squirmed. “I'm probably responsible for the recent surge of attacks on you…"
Xiao sprung to his feet.
"...Or at least, I know how they found you."
"How?!"
"The Yaksha is a well-known name in Liyue's underground, you know? But little was known about him. Only two rumors: that he never misses a target and that he's probably affiliated with the Adepti Agency. But the second theory has always been very tenuous. Of course, the Agency would never admit to a secret weapon like that, but even investigations backed by corrupt officials have never found evidence of such an employee. But that changed recently.
"When I was digging through old case files, I found one involving the Adepti Agency twelve years ago. The leader of the Adepti Agency, while investigating another case near Stone Gate, found an unknown boy. However, that case was quickly closed without ever confirming the boy's identity. In fact, the case had been thoroughly buried and erased. I could only find that one file—the single piece of evidence that it ever happened. But that boy was you."
"How do you know that?!"
"Well, I saw your picture—you were very cute back then! But more importantly, it confirmed that the Adepti Agency was hiding something—someone. A nameless boy raised to be a secret weapon."
"That's not true at all!" Xiao snapped.
Venti jumped back. "Sorry! I have no idea how you were raised—I'm genuinely glad to hear that isn't true! But it's the assumption supported by the document!"
"So then what? Did you tell others about this 'secret weapon?'"
"No! I didn't! I just used the information to find you! From there I was able to confirm that you are in fact the Yaksha! I never told anyone what I found!"
Xiao believed him. Venti had already confessed to sabotaging Xiao's secrecy, so there was no reason for him to lie. Of course, Xiao couldn't just leave the matter at that either. "If you didn't tell anyone, how did the information spread?"
"It can't be a coincidence I found a document concerning your identity at the same time as everyone else figured you out. The file I found was very old and the only copy in existence. By digging it up, I made it easier for other people to access that information."
Xiao sighed. "How can you be so confident?"
"'Confident?' I'm trying to warn you, you know!"
"Are you certain that others will reach the same conclusion because of one unresolved file?"
"Well…!"
"How do you even know that you were the first to find it?"
Venti's red cheeks puffed up, and his lips scrunched into a pout. "So what are you trying to say then?"
"I'm saying there is no conclusive evidence linking you to the recent leak of my personal info."
"Huh?" Venti stumbled back a step.
"Yes, I hate that you found that information. I hate that strangers have knowledge about me that even I don't fully understand! But if you didn't spread the information yourself, I can't blame you."
"...I don't understand… Why don't you blame me…? Why do you believe me…?"
"When I found you in that basement, when you were on death's door, the only thing you managed to say was 'I didn't tell anyone.' What kind of idiot cares about that at such a time? You could've died, but you were worrying about betraying me… That's why I believe you."
Venti blinked a few times as his mouth glitched somewhere between happiness and confusion. Then he sat down without a word.
Xiao followed suit and sat down too. In the following silence, he realized he was just as surprised as Venti by his words. He had meant each one sincerely, but why did he feel that way and why especially did he voice those feelings? Venti had been one nod away from leaving for good, but then Xiao made him reconsider. Almost as if he wanted Venti to stay. There was no way that was the case. Still, after confirming how little Venti had, Xiao couldn't leave him on his own either. When Xiao had nothing, Morax had given him a reason to live. Last time Venti's life had reached rock bottom, he had an important friend to rely on, but that friend had been murdered at some point, and now he had no one—except Xiao. Xiao couldn't be like Morax nor like Venti's friend, but he could at least be there.
After a meditative quiet, Xiao spoke again, "Venti, what do you plan on doing now?"
"I'm going to look for my lyre." Xiao wasn't even sure if Venti had given his answer a first thought before he blurted it out.
"No, I meant from here…"
"That's the first thing I'm going to do." The level tone of Venti's response suggested that he was serious. "I was staying in a hotel before, but when I didn't return for several days, they probably sold the few items I had left behind—or worse—threw them out. The money can be remade, and the clothes replaced, but that lyre… I need to find it."
Xiao couldn't understand it, but for Venti, being a bard was as, if not more, important than his other job.
"What about you, Xiao?"
"I need to find that file."
"You're right. I should have deleted it. I'm sorry."
"It's too late to worry about that anymore. I'm going to Stone Gate to investigate it myself."
"I'll come with you." Venti smirked. "I am the one who knows where it is."
"Fine." Xiao sighed. "I have a few errands to run beforehand, so we can meet at my apartment later. Okay?"
Chapter 11 was short and anything but sweet, so here's another chapter to make up for it!
For here on out, expect the chapters to be posted regularly on Sundays again.
Thanks to my awesome editor @leio13!
Warning: alcohol withdrawal continues off-screen.
Summary: After confirming the death of his latest target, Xiao’s secret mission is interrupted by an eccentric stranger in green, who claims to be Xiao’s protector! But the reality is much more convoluted… What destiny could possibly link Xiao with Venti—an assassin of hitmen?
This chapter can also be found on Ao3 here. Without further ado, please enjoy!
Near the marina, tucked away into a shady corner, there was a small storage room. Although it had a sturdy metal door, it had been left unlocked. To Xiao, who had been looking to enter, that was a surprisingly bad sign. Chances were, he would find nothing. Nevertheless, he slipped into the dark facility.
At first glance, under the dim lighting, the room was empty. Still, Xiao began searching for any sort of clue. From the ceiling dangled a rusty pair of shackles. They were coated in dirt and blood stains, some old and some new. Xiao glanced down. There was another pair at his feet. His heart felt heavy.
Squatting down, he pulled out his phone to use as a flashlight and examined the floor. Though the concrete floor had been scrubbed down, in the small cracks, there was evidence of fresh blood and other human filth.
"Dammit!" Xiao thoughtlessly kicked one of the chains. He was too late. Somebody had been tortured there—maybe even killed. But now they were gone, along with any evidence.
Xiao's gut screamed. It was Venti—it had to be. But what happened to him? Two days had passed since Xiao had heard about the capture from Keqing, but his search had led him nowhere. He would have to start again from point zero, and, by then, he would definitely be too late.
He sulked out of the storage room back into the moonlit marina. At this hour, the empty docks looked painfully lonely. Suddenly, he caught a glimpse of a solitary figure. It was… Keqing?
Xiao ducked back into the shadows and began trailing the lone policewoman. She stopped briefly in front of the storage unit that he had been in before continuing along the water. Finally, at the end of the marina, there was a small medical building. She inhaled quickly before pulling open the door.
With its lights off, the place had clearly been abandoned. All that remained were two empty cots that might have had patients many years ago. Any of the necessary medical equipment had since vanished. Keqing had pushed past the main room into the dark staff room. One of the floor tiles emitted a faint glow. She lifted the tile and disappeared under the flooring. Xiao quickly followed. The stairs led to a decently-sized storage facility. Although what remained was minimal, there was enough equipment to fill an ambulance. And at the end, there was a door, in front of which Keqing stood.
Keqing inhaled deeply before blasting the locked handle with her gun. Beyond the door, a clatter arose. "It's the police!" She shouted through the wood.
While Keqing's back was turned, Xiao crept up behind her and hit her over the head with a nearby defibrillator. "Thanks for your help," Xiao mumbled, leaning her unconscious body against a nearby wall. The rest was Xiao's to handle. Holding his spear in his right arm, he knocked down the door with his left shoulder.
Xiao quickly scanned the room. There were three people standing by the door, guns in hand, and in the back, lying naked, strapped to a small cot, was a battered body.
Xiao's eyes flashed with rage. He skewered the first perpetrator through the chest. A gun fired off. To dodge the bullet, Xiao lifted the fresh corpse as a shield. He chucked the body onto the second offender, and, in their moment of confusion, he ran his spear into the cadaver and out the other person's throat. Another shot rang out, but it missed. Letting the first two bodies drop to the floor, Xiao glared at the third, quivering perpetrator, who stuttered, "Y-you're with the police?!"
"No. " Xiao snarled. "The police will deal with you later." Then he pierced the final offender's heart.
Leaving his weapon in the wound, Xiao ran to the cot. The gaunt body, covered from head to toe in cuts and bruises, lay in a puddle of its own blood and waste. Although the victim was currently strapped down atop the mattress, his wrists and arms were seared with the red impressions of shackles. Most likely, they were hung from the chains in the not-so-far-away storage room before being moved to this basement for whatever reason. The only evidence was a paltry IV as though they put a minimal effort into keeping the “patient” alive. In fact, judging by the rapid fluctuation of his chest, the victim might’ve even been awake, but it was hard to tell; his eyes and ears were covered by a blindfold and headphones. Those were, of course, meant to obscure the identities of his torturers. However, when Xiao leaned in even a little bit closer, he heard a high-pitched whirring and thunderous banging emanating from the headphones. Xiao’s previous assumption had been wrong—they weren’t for disguising the torture—they were facilitating it. They gave the perpetrators complete control over the senses, allowing them to confuse and torment without a moment’s relief.
Underneath all that was a mess of long black hair with teal tips. Venti.
Xiao cautiously reached to take the headphones off. When he did, he could hear an audible breath from Venti, so, feeling encouraged, he quickly peeled the blindfold off too.
"Venti," Xiao barely breathed.
"I…" The bard's usual melodious voice came out in tatters. "...didn't tell…anyone…" Then his eyelids fell, and his face dropped listlessly.
Xiao felt for Venti's pulse (it had calmed slightly) then lightly placed his hand on the bard's forehead. It was burning with fever.
"It's going to be alright now," Xiao lied. He had no way of ensuring anything was going to be fine. On his own, he had been utterly powerless again. He almost would have never found Venti had he not spotted Keqing and followed her. Even now, he could do nothing to help Venti.
He needed to call for help again. With his phone, he dialed a number he never had called before in his career: the so-called Doctor of the Underground. While waiting, he unstrapped Venti from the bed and gingerly began cleaning his body.
Luckily, the doctor arrived within a few minutes. Dr. Baizhu, as he was known, was, in person, a surprisingly sickly-looking man himself, but his reputation preceded him. In fact, so renowned was his life-saving ability that, in certain circles, he was known as "Hu Tao's Archnemesis." After taking a first glance at the bloody scene in the storage room, he muttered a quiet "goodness" under his breath. Then, in a louder voice, he addressed Xiao. "Do you know that there is an unconscious young lady outside this room?"
"Leave her. She's with the police." She would most likely wake up soon anyway. Before then, Xiao wanted any trace of himself or Venti to disappear.
"Okay." Dr. Baizhu just shrugged and approached Venti's bed. Xiao stepped to the side and picked up his spear as the doctor rudimentarily cleaned and examined Venti. "Luckily, the wounds appear to be superficial, so we can move him. He's going to need to be brought to my office to be properly treated."
"You can't let anyone find out about this."
"Of course, a doctor swears confidentiality." Dr. Baizhu gave a professional smile. "But may I ask for the patient's name?"
"You don't need to know that."
"Very well." Without another word, the doctor swaddled Venti's body in a clean blanket. Then he and Xiao, carrying Venti, drove through the empty backstreets of Liyue Harbor to a small building near Yujing Terrace.
As the doctor examined Venti, Xiao sat alone in the lobby. Now that the situation had calmed down and Xiao’s adrenaline had subsided, he finally had the chance to think about all he had done. He had entered the backroom and murdered three people in the heat of the moment. Unplanned and unnecessary. Instead, he should have interrogated them. If he had been smart about it, he would already know his next steps. But instead, he had no leads; he killed them. Morax would have interrogated them. If he knew what hasty and irreversible deed Xiao had committed, he would be beyond himself with disappointment. Xiao stared at his hands. They felt gross.
Next, he went to help the victim, who was Venti (as Xiao suspected). Why did Xiao try so hard to rescue Venti who he had finally gotten rid of? Xiao couldn't entirely understand his own feelings, but one thing was clear: he couldn't stomach someone being tortured because of him, even if that person was as insufferable as Venti. And when Venti saw Xiao, the only thing he said was "I didn't tell anyone," which confirmed Xiao's fears—the perpetrators were asking about him. Morax had said that no one would get hurt because of Xiao, but he had been wrong. Venti had been seriously harmed, so until that was righted, Xiao would take care of Venti.
For three hours Xiao waited for an update. Then finally a small girl emerged and tugged at Xiao's pant leg. "Excuse me, sir. The doctor would like to see you now." Although rather confused, Xiao followed the little girl into a backroom. After leading Xiao to Dr. Baizhu, she swiftly left.
"Um." Xiao searched for the words to say. "...Who was that?"
"Oh her? …You can consider her my daughter."
The situation seemed complicated. Xiao decided not to ask any questions.
"I'm sorry to keep you waiting," Dr. Baizhu continued. "We had a little emergency."
"...How is he?"
"He had a seizure."
Xiao froze, his eyes and lips ajar.
"Your friend is suffering from severe alcohol withdrawal."
Oh.
"I can't guarantee that a seizure hasn't happened before nor that it won't happen again, so I would like to keep him in my care for the next five days."
"I understand." All things considered, that was a relief for Xiao. Not that his concerns had completely gone away, however… "Otherwise, how is he?"
"The wounds are mainly superficial. It seems the people responsible were relying predominantly on psychological torment. He is extremely sleep deprived, so he will need lots of rest."
"Okay."
"So please come back in five days. You can pay then. And bring a pair of clothing too. For now, Qiqi will lead you to the door."
On cue, the little girl reappeared and guided Xiao to the exit. Xiao sighed. For the next five days, Venti was in good hands. After that, Xiao had no idea what would happen…
Finally, chapter 11 is here... I lost my internet connection for several weeks, so I couldn't update. Sorry!
Thanks for my editor @leio13 for helping me out!!
Warnings for torture and alcohol withdrawal.
Summary: After confirming the death of his latest target, Xiao’s secret mission is interrupted by an eccentric stranger in green, who claims to be Xiao’s protector! But the reality is much more convoluted… What destiny could possibly link Xiao with Venti—an assassin of hitmen?
This chapter can also be found on Ao3 here. Without further ado, please enjoy!
"Your phone rang—" A distorted voice yelled from up close—"You must know—who was it?!"
Venti always changed his phone number after a job, so there was only one person who would know his most recent number… Xiao.
"You spend every day in this room with me alone. No wonder you don't have any friends of your own!"
A fist slammed into the already turbulent contents of his stomach, sending them flying out of his mouth.
"Just tell me how to get onto your phone!"
"Such impatience deserves rebuke. For that I give you some of my puke."
"Don't you realize the situation you're in? Giving us access to your phone is the easy way. If not, we're going to extract the information from you. With force. No one is coming to rescue you."
Venti knew that. He was going to die.
"Hurry. Come join me!" A sweet voice sang out, dragging its talons gently through Venti's open wounds.
No, maybe Venti was already dead. Yes, he died twelve years ago. He was nothing more than the ghost of an unfulfilled bard. His aching, rotting body was nothing but a specter.
"Why did you betray me?!" The other Venti thrust his arm through Venti's chest and squeezed his heart, letting blood explode through every orifice.
"Give back my face…" The other Venti rasped. He yanked and clawed at the skin on Venti's head.
BANG! A loud metal clunk shocked Venti's ears. Then the demonic shrieks of machinery resumed. And just when he was about to forget, the deafening clatter would lunge from the shadows.
Flaming hounds lapped at his exposed limbs, but Venti shivered violently.
After Venti's eardrums had shattered countless times, the dogs had feasted twice on his legs, and his bowels had been tossed through his mouth dozens of times, the robotic voice from earlier returned. "I'll ask again—tell us what you know about the Yaksha."
"I pity those with a small brain; they ask the same again and again."
"You…!" A fang plunged into his left shoulder. Tears of sorrow poured down from the wound. Then his arm froze. Next, his right arm solidified. Quickly, his whole body was consumed with ice—except his lungs. They were like Mare Jivari, a barren expanse where no wind would blow—
Venti's brain flickered on hazily. It was the first time in thousands of years that he had rested.
An oddly human voice called out. "He needs treatment! Otherwise, he'll die before we can get any info!"
Treatment? What is that? Venti was already dead. What he needed was wine. If only he could drown in wine, fill his veins with the finest booze…
The dogs tore at his wrists and ankles. Then someone lifted his tethered soul. …Xiao…? No, it was a monster. Decarabian. He had finally found Venti. Maybe Venti had never escaped… Who was Venti, anyway…?
With his brain ebbing with the tide, the unnamed body drifted across space-time into the Abyss.
Summary: After confirming the death of his latest target, Xiao’s secret mission is interrupted by an eccentric stranger in green, who claims to be Xiao’s protector! But the reality is much more convoluted… What destiny could possibly link Xiao with Venti—an assassin of hitmen?
This chapter can also be found on Ao3 here. Without further ado, please enjoy!
A few days had passed uneventfully after the incident, and now Xiao was sitting in the lobby of the Adepti Agency, waiting to finally talk to Morax about all that had happened. Since the two of them had returned to the office that day, Morax had been too busy dealing with Hu Tao and the never-ending number of detective cases Keqing threw at him that the only thing Xiao had heard from him was a single text message reading, "I read your report." It was Ganyu who told Xiao that Morax would be able to see him this morning.
Currently, while Xiao waited, Ganyu was dealing with the ever-persistent Keqing at the reception desk. They seemed to be having a pleasant chat.
"It was on sale, so I had to buy it!" Keqing exclaimed.
"That's great," Ganyu replied with a smile. "I know you were worried you would miss it."
"I was soo busy with work, but by burning the midnight oil, I was able to get it all done."
"You must be so exhausted…"
"I got my shopping in, so I actually feel all refreshed right now! You should try it sometime. I can show you all the best places."
Xiao phased out Ganyu's answer as he heard familiar footsteps approach.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Xiao," Morax announced and beckoned Xiao to join him in his office. "I was unable to prepare your favorite snack, but please, have a seat."
Xiao sat with no objection. He wanted to immediately demand "What happened with Hu Tao?", but he held his tongue.
"I read your report," Morax said in the same inscrutable tone he started every meeting with. He poured two glasses of tea and passed one to Xiao. "I must say, I am disappointed. If you were met with such troubles, why didn't you say anything earlier?"
Xiao could only stare at his lap. "...I didn't want to bother anyone." The truth was also that he thought he could deal with it himself.
"Not every problem can be handled alone. You're lucky that the other party was just stalkers and that nothing bad happened to you. It could've been much worse, but, you know, it could have also been largely avoided. If you had seeked the help of the Agency, this issue could have been resolved without casualties." His words trod over Xiao like skates on a frozen lake.
"...I understand."
For a second, Morax's mouth lingered slightly agape until he finally closed it with a sigh. "As a consequence for your reckless actions, I am extending your suspension by one week."
A week ago, Xiao might have been disappointed by this, but, at the current moment, he felt that he might've been getting off lightly. Plus, as long as Xiao was a target, that would remain his main business. "Excuse me," he spoke meekly. "What happened with Hu Tao?"
"Yes, of course. You must be anxious about that." Morax set his tea on the table. "I talked to Hu Tao, and, unfortunately, I was unable to pin down who incited this episode."
"How is that possible?!" Xiao's fingernails dug into his legs in an effort to hold himself back.
"Hu Tao received the intel from a trusted informant; however, they were killed around two weeks ago. Whatever information they may have had stored on you or their recent interactions was thoroughly destroyed. It seems our culprit is really good at covering their tracks. Most likely, they are still active, and…"
"They will strike again."
"Yes, probably."
"Then, I will—"
"No." Morax frowned. "You are to lie low. I can't risk you diving into any more trouble. That could be what the enemy wants. We don't know their intentions nor capabilities."
"That's why I…!" Xiao self-corrected his tone. "I don't want anyone to get hurt for me."
"No one will be getting hurt," Morax replied sternly. "We are going to use Hu Tao as bait."
"...Hu Tao…?"
"I released her from our keeping earlier. If the culprit still wants to reach you, they very well might seek out Hu Tao again. Don't worry, she should know better now than to bother you."
Xiao wanted to be angry at Hu Tao's release. He wanted to be angry on Morax's behalf. But if Morax himself had deemed Hu Tao's discharge to be the correct path, there was nothing Xiao could do.
Morax seemed to have noticed the scowl on Xiao's face. He added, "if she continues to cause problems, I will punish her more severely, okay? For now, I think the death of four of her employees is more than enough."
Xiao could only nod.
"I believe that concludes what I wanted to discuss. Is there anything else you would like to talk about?"
Xiao shook his head.
"I can tell you're not happy. What's wrong? Should I have made almond tofu?"
Xiao cracked a small smile at the joke attempt. "No… I'm just… worried."
"That's only natural, but you have nothing to worry about. We have to take precautions, of course, but, most likely, this is no more than a normal threat. What you should be thinking about is what you are going to do over the next two weeks of your vacation. Did you do anything fun last week?"
"Not really."
"What about at Qingce Village? It was beautiful, wasn't it?"
"I didn't notice."
Zhongli's eyebrows furrowed over sad eyes.
"But—" Xiao quickly added—"I, uh, did see a glaze lily…"
"A glaze lily?" Although Zhongli was now smiling, his eyes still had a wistful air.
"I couldn't tell the difference between it and one from Liyue Harbor though."
"Hmm… I guess you wouldn't be able to."
"I also… saw… Mondstadt…"
"Mondstadt? From Qingce Village?"
"Well, where it should be… It was dark and lonely, but it was peaceful."
"Mondstadt is a beautiful country. Xiao, do you want to go to Monstadt?"
Xiao flustered as Hu Tao's words about running away flashed in his mind. "No—n-not at all!"
For a moment, Zhongli's mouth curled downward before returning to a neutral position. "Well, you don't have to go now, but you shouldn't rule it out so quickly either. Maybe in the future you could benefit from visiting another country like Mondstadt."
Xiao nodded slowly as Zhongli's meaning dawned on him; he wasn't suggesting that Xiao would abandon the Adepti, just that he could go on a trip. Of course, Xiao had no desire for that either.
With little left to discuss, Xiao and Morax's meeting came to an end. He slipped into the lobby, and, to his surprise, Keqing was still there, conversing with Ganyu. She was whispering. "That Ningguang, she thinks she's struck gold this time. She won't tell me, but she's acting all smug."
"What happened?" Ganyu asked.
"Apparently, she found a guy, someone who has dirt on most of the criminals in this city."
Xiao, who was about to leave, stopped suddenly. Instead, he decided to trifle quietly through the case request forms by the door. They were just decoration, and no one had ever written on one—well, until Keqing came along—but Xiao pretended to read them.
He could hear the nerves in Ganyu's response too. "That's… good… isn't it?"
"Maybe in someone else's hands. After Ningguang extorts information out of this person, who knows what she'll do with it. She certainly won't give it up to the rest of us. Someone with such volatile information should be in police custody—not with some rogues!"
"...I… know what you mean…" Ganyu chuckled ghastly.
"Sorry, I went on a tangent. I'm just tired of her lording over me. But I'm sure that will change soon! You guys have been a great help."
Keqing had switched topics almost as quickly as she started, but Xiao didn't move on so easily. Ningguang was the head of the country, but who was the informant? Could it be…?
Xiao's blood froze.
Venti.
Xiao hastily rushed out of the building and grabbed his phone. He hadn't heard anything from the crafty informant since the drunken texts four days ago. He hadn't thought much of it (maybe Venti finally was respecting his wishes of being left alone). But now he found himself dialing the number he had previously blocked. It rang several times and then the call ended without an answering machine.
Xiao finally manages to wrap up the issue of his stalkers, but that doesn't mean he's out of the woods yet...
Shout out to the coolest editor @leio13!
Summary: After confirming the death of his latest target, Xiao’s secret mission is interrupted by an eccentric stranger in green, who claims to be Xiao’s protector! But the reality is much more convoluted… What destiny could possibly link Xiao with Venti—an assassin of hitmen?
This chapter can also be found on Ao3 here. Without further ado, please enjoy!
After his train arrived in Liyue Harbor in the early afternoon, the first thing Xiao did was return to his apartment and flop on his bed. Physically, he was well fed and well rested, but, mentally, he was exhausted. He had pushed way past his social limits, and his emotions about the situation were still scrambled. So, for twenty minutes, he laid on his bed with his mind empty of everything but the white noise of traffic from the streets below.
Once he had rebooted, Xiao's most important order of business was putting an end to the spying. Despite being driven all the way to Qingce Village, now that he was back in Liyue Harbor, Xiao didn't think the group would be that difficult to deal with. Most likely, they had no intention of killing him—and they certainly didn't have the ability to do so. Still, besides his favorite spear, Xiao brought a hidden knife—just in case.
Before leaving, Xiao wrote a detailed account of all that had happened over the past week (excluding Venti) and tucked it under the cor lapis Zhongli had given him. In a worst case scenario, the note could explain his disappearance, but, most likely, it would just make writing a report on the incident easier.
Venti… was another issue. Xiao hoped that he was done dealing with the vengeful hitman, and he definitely didn't want to involve him in the lives of any of his coworkers. So Xiao purposely omitted his "temporary partner" from his account. Venti was part of the past now, and while it was dangerous to forget him, Xiao wouldn't dwell on him any longer.
Even in the middle of the afternoon, the mess of small alleyways at the edge of Feiyun Slope was rarely frequented due to a convenient rumor that it was haunted by the recently deceased. For Xiao, that simply meant that moving stealthily was a lot easier. At the end of a long corridor, Xiao finally spotted the first and only living person: a woman in black in front of an unassuming door. Her eyes widened. "If you'd like to see the director—do you have an appointment?" Her tone grew increasingly frantic as Xiao drew closer.
"No." Xiao pulled out his lance.
In return, the woman grabbed her gun, but her hand shook as though she rarely had the chance to use it.
Xiao continued forward. Step. Step. Step. Then, he slammed his fist into her forehead. When her unconscious body crumpled to the ground, he stepped over to gain access to the door. The door could have easily been mistaken for any other backdoor disposal were it not for the high-security fingerprint lock. Presumably, the lady below's would suffice. He gingerly picked up her right hand and aligned it to the censors. Click.
The two relaxing security guards startled as Xiao entered the building.
"We weren't expec—"
"The main entra—"
Before they could draw their weapons, Xiao had knocked them both unconscious.
The entryway itself was a long hallway with refrigerated rooms on either side. He peered through the small window into the first room. Leaned up against the cold, white wall was the lonely guard—asleep. Xiao nearly scoffed. They were woefully unprepared. But that was not Xiao's concern. His business was only with the boss, so he ignored the sterile storage rooms, marching straight to the front of the building.
Until he reached a doorway. The grand doors that separated the customer-greeting front of the company from its inner workings. There was something wrong. How did he reach the main business without a single encounter…?
He craned his head around. Still, no one was there. Creeping back down the hall, he peered into the nearest room. Although the stationed guard wasn't sleeping, he still looked lackadaisical. But he was notably wearing a gas mask. Xiao glanced into the next room. A second mask. Another room; another mask; the pattern continued.
Just as the trap Xiao had walked into dawned on him, an annoyingly cheery voice rang over the speaker system.
"Hiii~! Sorry to keep you waiting, uninvited but not unexpected guest! I'm sure by now you've realized the situation you're in! So. Which door will you choose?"
Effectively, Xiao only had two choices: either he entered one of the refrigerated rooms (which were undoubtedly traps), or he entered the main business. The second was impossible. He would not rope innocent civilians into his confrontation. Plus, he preferred to avoid the risk of his identity getting out. It was an unsavory decision, but on principle alone, it was an obvious one.
He took a deep breath. Then he reached behind and grabbed his mask. A dark, horned mask with golden accents and glowing green eyes. Its primary purpose had always been to protect Xiao's identity during business, but it also could function as a gas mask when the need arised. He covered his face.
"Oh. You're serious—" The voice over the speaker cut out.
But it had said enough. Xiao flung open the nearest door and lunged into the refrigerated room. The formerly relaxed worker inside could only scream, but no sooner than he had done so was the point of Xiao's spear millimeters from his abdomen.
"Call your boss." Xiao's voice came out as a growl.
"We are not afraid of death." The words flew out of the employee's mouth as though he had rehearsed them a thousand times, but, in the face of death itself, the speed and quiver of his speech betrayed him.
Fine. If the first employee wouldn't cooperate, there were many more rooms to visit. How many would it take for the director to appear?
Xiao lifted the spear to the man's throat. The tip poked the skin slowly pressing deeper.
Bang!
"Okaaay! That's enough!" Following the sound of the gunshot, the voice of the director popped up behind Xiao.
Xiao inhaled and lowered his spear, allowing the shrunken employee to scamper away. Wearing the Yaksha mask, Xiao had let his murderous instinct take control. Without loosening his grip on his weapon, he turned to face the director: a young woman a few years Xiao's junior. With cheery eyes and long pigtails, she defied any expectations of a funeral director. And in her right hand, she twirled a gun around as if it weren't a deadly weapon.
There was no need for riddled words or disguises—Xiao and the Director already knew each other.
"Hu Tao," Xiao grumbled. Hu Tao, or Director Hu of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor as she was more formally known, had been Morax's close business partner ever since she inherited the business.
"Ding ding! That's me!" She smirked. "Took you long enough."
"I should've known it was someone close to the business who would know my identity…" Xiao seethed at the betrayal.
"That could be quite a costly conclusion, don't you think?"
"What are you suggesting?"
"Hey." Hu Tao turned to the petrified man on the floor. "Let me and Mr. Yaksha have some time alone, okay? This is important business." On cue, he quickly scrambled away.
"I don't know what orders you're operating on that prevent you from killing me, but don't assume I will show the same restraint." Xiao lifted his down-pointing spear.
"Heeey—! Think of our partnership—of Morax! Show some mercy~!" Despite the plea in her words, her cool demeanor hadn't changed a bit.
"That depends on how you answer. Why were you following me?"
"You see… A little birdie told me you were going to throw off the natural order of my business."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Like any other company, the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is a business and requires a steady demand to stay prosperous." Xiao almost interrupted, but Hu Tao beat him to it. "Oh, yes, I know. The Adepti Agency has been a great contributor to our sales—one of my favorite clients, I must say—but you are a bit of a wild card. You've always acted alone…Well, up until recently, that is?"
…Venti? Xiao wanted nothing to do with him anymore.
"What does he have to do with this?" Xiao hissed.
"It was just an example—calm down! The point is: there are many unpredictable variables, and my first priority is the future of this Funeral Parlor."
Xiao would not readily accept such a flimsy reason, but he had other pressing questions besides Hu Tao's motivations.
"Why are the Treasure Hoarders involved?"
"Oh, they were just a cover story. I couldn't have you hunting down my business, now, could I? But who would've thought you would pursue them, a meddling group of Treasure Hoarders, all the way to Qingce Village? Nice getaway, huh?"
Xiao ignored her snide comment. He pointed his spear at her chin. "Besides the Treasure Hoarders, who did you share your information with?"
"No one, I swear. Besides it's not like there's much to give in the first place; you killed all of my informants." Hu Tao looked phased neither by the death of her subordinates nor by the sharp point inching towards her. "But, out of respect for our close business partnership, I will warn you: just because I haven't told anyone about you doesn't mean that no one else is involved."
"Who else is?!"
"Who knows."
"Don't evade the question!"
"I'm not!" Hu Tao flinched. "I couldn't tell you if I wanted to. Everyone in Liyue Harbor is talking about you, you know. The elusive Yaksha… Maybe this time they can figure him out, or so it goes."
"Why?" Xiao snapped.
"Do you always ask such stupid questions? You're one of the most feared figures in Liyue Harbor. Defeating you would do anyone wonders."
That wasn't the question Xiao was asking. As a threat, he was always a target; that was nothing new. What changed? Venti had shown up suddenly, claiming to be Xiao's protector. Around the same time, Xiao started getting followed. How were they connected? And why did it start? What changed?
"If I were you," Hu Tao interrupted Xiao's pondering, "I would take my boyfriend and hit the road. Change my name and start a new life faraway."
"I could never do that!!" The jade stones hanging from Xiao's spear jangled furiously.
"Okay—" Hu Tao shrugged—"No boyfriend."
"I would never throw away my name so callously!"
Hu Tao blinked. "That's what you're upset about?"
"It's the name Morax gave me!" Before that, Xiao had nothing. He had no identity and no purpose.
"Surely, your life is more important than some name?"
"'Some name?!' Without it, I…!" Without it, I would have nothing again. It would be the same as dying. Although Xiao's heart continued to scream, his words tapered out. Why should he tell Hu Tao, anyway? "Someone with loyalty as capricious as yours wouldn't understand."
"I think you're the one who doesn't understand why Mor—"
"You betrayed Morax!!" Xiao's spear slammed into the refrigerated drawer behind Hu Tao's head. "You have no right to speak on his intentions!"
"That's why I'm saying—"
"Enough!!" Just looking at Hu Tao's cool aura was enough to light a scorching flame under Xiao's eyes. "There's no need for your excuses!"
"If you won't believe me, you should ask him yourse—"
Xiao's head whirled, and his ears roared—shut up. shut up. Shut up Shut up. SHUT UP!! "Shut up."
No response.
"I'll ask you again: what do you stand to gain by stalking me?"
Hu Tao just smiled, a small grin dripping in smugness.
"If you won't tell me, then—" Xiao raised his weapon. Before it slammed into Hu Tao's skull, Xiao thought, "I really am no good at interrogation; killing is the only thing I can do…" Then he banged the dull end against her head.
When Hu Tao's unconscious body softly thudded on the floor, Xiao sighed deeply. He always worked by himself, but this time, he had failed. With shaky fingers, he reached for his phone and dialed a familiar number. "I'll explain later, but please come to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
Surely enough, within ten minutes of Xiao's call, Morax arrived at the funeral parlor. As a close associate of Hu Tao, Morax commanded a notable amount of respect from the Wangsheng employees, which he used to easily slip through to the off-limits corridor and even carry off Hu Tao's body with little commotion. He didn't ask for much from Xiao, saying "I'll deal with Hu Tao; you just write a report for now." For the moment, Xiao was relieved that was all.
Following Morax out of the Funeral Parlor, when Xiao stepped outside of the building, his phone buzzed. Then again. Without looking, he knew who it was. Venti.
Sunday, 15:46
xoa
15:46
sioa
15:46
Xia
15:47
o
Xiao rolled his eyes. Morax glanced back when Xiao's footsteps halted. "Who's that?"
"Nothing. Just spam." With that, Xiao blocked the number.
New enemies appear--and they turned out to be quite the pain in the neck.
Biggest thanks to @leio13, my editor!!
Summary: After confirming the death of his latest target, Xiao’s secret mission is interrupted by an eccentric stranger in green, who claims to be Xiao’s protector! But the reality is much more convoluted… What destiny could possibly link Xiao with Venti—an assassin of hitmen?
This chapter can also be found on Ao3 here. Without further ado, please enjoy!
Venti slunk to Third-Round Knockout alone. It was one of the few establishments in Liyue Harbor that served dandelion wine, which was just the nostalgic and alcoholic comfort Venti needed to numb his brain. The record of his last argument with Xiao looped over and over in his mind, and he desperately wanted it to stop. He had fumbled that conversation from the beginning. He should have never revealed his past—no matter how vague or allegorical it might have been. It was foolish to show the cards closest to his chest and even more naive to hope Xiao would understand.
As he was currently, Xiao was just a husk of a human being. His memories and emotions were empty, and all that remained were mindless, mechanical motions. It wasn't natural. Most likely, his humanity was sacrificed to seal away devastating trauma. Nevertheless, Venti still resented him. Xiao had been given a rare blank slate, yet he continued to squander it, droning through each day meaninglessly.
But, even if Venti stood by his opinions of Xiao, he deeply regretted that they had come out so explosively. His relationship with Xiao would not be easily mended, especially given the way Venti's smooth-talking prowess failed him. He didn't need to stay by Xiao's side, but he at least wanted to leave a favorable impression as Venti. In the end, Venti didn't care much about his present life; he continued to exist simply to establish a poignant legacy so that Venti the Bard would live on eternally through legend and song.
Besides sabotaging his relationship, Venti inadvertently ruined another of his plans—he actually did want Xiao to improve, despite his pessimism. Of course, now that Venti had put Xiao's flaws on blast, there was no way that Xiao would accept his criticism as valid. More likely, he would sink deeper into his apathy. That would defeat the purpose of Venti's search for Xiao in the first place. He wanted to give Xiao freedom that he should've had twelve years ago. Anything less would be his biggest failure as Venti.
Venti couldn't afford to give up, but, at the moment, whatever hope he had felt no more significant than a small twig floating on the violent sea of booze he had thrown himself into. He could cling to the branch for dear life, but it was easier to let the waves consume his consciousness.
As the constant flow of dandelion wine was the only companion at Venti's table, it was the perfect opportunity to throw himself thoughtlessly into the worlds of strangers' drama.
"Rumor has it, he's made a new friend, one with quite the reputation in these circles."
"A guy like him? Friend? Pfft! He's one of those loner types, isn't he?"
"Most likely. That business is well suited for that type of character. But, listen, he's been seen all around Liyue with this guy—even as far as Qingce Village."
"Such a remote retreat! Maybe they're actually lovers?" The woman speaking snickered.
The other lady did not see the same humor. "You don't seem at all concerned."
"The private affairs of men isn't any of my business. In all seriousness, though, I know rumors, and I don't think we have anything to worry about. We aren't going to be meeting with the boyfriend, just our guy alone. We don't really want to get entangled with that other circle—besides, I heard they might have broken up just the other day."
"Maybe…" The more serious woman pouted audibly. "But if you ask me, we should just be sticking to business as usual. I miss my cats."
Ugh. N—Aaachoo!—Not cats… Just the thought of those pesky, furry creatures was enough to trigger Venti's allergies.
The conversation came to a halt, and the two women followed the sound of the sneeze to glance at Venti's lonely table. Whether they suspected him of eavesdropping or not, Venti decided to lay low and change his focus for a bit—at least until the cat portion was over.
Venti downed another glass of dandelion wine. At this point, the booze was beginning to taste numb, which might as well have been his favorite flavor. He ordered another bottle, then let his mind float into whatever conversation the wind led him to: exciting stories of the rock concert on Friday night, rumors of the little bear-like creature that bums around the other popular restaurant in Chihu Rock, heated discussions over the latest light novel chapters…
Finally, Venti's nosiness came full circle when one of the women from the earlier conversations gasped. "He picked a fight with that group?!"
"Well, I don't know if 'picked a fight' is the right word… but what's certain is he's definitely made an enemy of them. At least four of them have gone missing, and he's the primary suspect…"
"I just don't get why. I get that taking out criminals is his shtick, but who does he think cleans up after his messes? Even the police turn a blind eye to them."
"It's not like they exactly have a clean record either…"
"Right?" The more rambunctious of the two women laughed.
Venti could guess what group they were referring to. Venti had generally avoided doing business with them, but recently, they had been targeting Xiao for some reason. And he and Xiao had killed four of them, two in the suburbs of Liyue Harbor and two in Qingce Village. But now it was none of Venti's business—Xiao had made that plenty clear.
"How can you be so calm about all this?"
"Well, it's not like I'm planning a funeral. We're just going to have a little chat with the guy. He should be getting comfy back home after his trip to Qingce Village; it's the perfect chance to meet!"
"...In other words, you're way out of your league, and it hasn't set in yet."
"Listen, there's only one person I've let beat me in a match, and I'm not just gonna let that change!"
Although their connection to the other case was unclear, one thing was certain: they were also after Xiao. Xiao may have forbidden Venti from pursuing the same target, but unknown threats were not off-limits. However, Venti was also just rational enough to realize he was too drunk to do anything himself. Certainly not in this restaurant.
Standing up, Venti's horizon rocked. He paid and waddled out of the outdoor seating. He tucked into a small alley where he could still observe the suspicious couple. A waitress around at their table with another round of food—it seemed they would be there a bit longer.
Though he dreaded the response he would receive, Venti's first obligation was to inform Xiao of the threat. Xiao had blocked all of Venti's previous numbers, but, of course, he had one more. Calling could give his position away, so he sent a brief text.
"xoa
"sioa
"Xia
"o"
Soft footsteps plodded closer. Venti reached for his gun in his left holster, shoving his phone in his right pocket. A tight grip seized his left arm and twisted. "Who ya texting? Boyfriend?"
With a gasping yelp, Venti looked up at his assailant—a young lady with straight black hair and an eyepatch over one eye. She was barehanded.
"Don't you want to pull out your weapon?" Venti jabbed, but it was just a bluff. In terms of physical strength, he was beat.
"Why?" She twisted harder, and Venti's fingers unclenched, dropping the gun to the ground.
His right hand still near his pocket, Venti yanked out a knife and slammed it under the woman's grip. He could feel the first drops of blood trickle with a sting as the blade scraped his arm.
"Are you insane?!" The woman screamed, tearing her hand away. But before Venti could seize the opportunity, she had smashed her other fist into his nose. In between flashes of darkness, the alley gyrated.
There was no way he could defeat his opponent at such close range. He needed to create some distance. He glanced bac—
"Too late." The other voice from the table had appeared. In her hand was…
Venti felt the quick pinch of a needle in his neck before he swirled out of consciousness.
@leio13 is the bestest ever. Thanks for editing my fic!
Summary: After confirming the death of his latest target, Xiao’s secret mission is interrupted by an eccentric stranger in green, who claims to be Xiao’s protector! But the reality is much more convoluted… What destiny could possibly link Xiao with Venti—an assassin of hitmen?
This chapter can also be found on Ao3 here. Without further ado, please enjoy!
Xiao woke up lying on top of his sheets. He couldn't remember falling asleep, but, after multiple days on high alert, his exhaustion must have caught up with him. In the gentle morning light, the Wangshu Inn looked exactly as Xiao remembered it from his childhood stays back when Zhongli went on "business trips": the same wooden furnishings, wall scrolls and lanterns. Even the potted plants had been trimmed to appear unchanged throughout the years. There was the usual chaotic harmony of birds nesting on the roof. But with that, there was an undeniably human whistle—Venti.
For the brief moment Xiao had been transported to his past, he had been able to forget about Venti, but that little peace couldn't last. Xiao had brought Venti here for only one purpose—to get an explanation. His expectations weren't high, but he wouldn't let Venti slip away without answering at least one question.
Xiao had hoped that the calm atmosphere and privacy of the Wangshu Inn would help him broach the tough subjects, but Venti had been drinking incessantly yesterday as if to prove him wrong. Today was Xiao's last chance though, so no matter how disgracefully Venti acted, Xiao would interrogate him.
Venti, back to Xiao, was sitting precariously on the fence of the rooftop balcony, with one foot tucked under the other, dangling leg. His lyre was not far from him, leaned up against the rail.
Xiao inhaled—
"Good morning, Xiao!" Venti swiveled around, a mug in his hand. "This tea's really good! I could drink all day with this—do you have any wine?"
"No."
"Aww… That's what the kitchen said too…"
"You went to the kitchen?"
"Yes—oh! I brought back some almond tofu. It's on the table. Feel free to eat it."
"No thanks." Xiao closed his eyes for a final millisecond of peace. "Venti. We need to talk."
"You want to talk? How uncharacteristic of you!"
Venti looked like he could keep poking fun at Xiao's request forever, but Xiao cut him off. "That's not what I meant. About the other day…"
"Why do we need to talk? After today, I'll be gone—just as you wanted."
Xiao didn't appreciate the provocation, but he chose to ignore it, cutting straight to the point. "I need to understand what happened the other day. Since I was involved, I can't just write it off without any explanation."
Venti brought his mug to his lips and just stared at Xiao over the rim.
"You already know my weakness. It would be a fair trade if you explained your motivations."
"You don't really want to trade information with me, what with my reputation and all."
"You are the one who initiated this relationship."
"You're so stubborn," Venti groaned and put his mug by his foot. "What if I played you a song instead?" He picked up his lyre and began plucking a few notes.
"Venti…"
Without missing a beat, Venti snapped back. "Don't you know it's rude to interrupt a bard's performance?"
Xiao grumbled silently. Normally, he wouldn't tolerate such obnoxious behavior, and he loathed making an exception for Venti, but he also knew Venti well enough to realize this song was the only answer he would receive.
The cheery melody from Venti's lyre mellowed out.
In the lakes of Fontaine, there was a school,
where each small fish hadn't even a name.
The tiniest fish knew only to swim,
and every day proceeded the same.
But one strange day, she strayed far from the group,
lured by the music from the shores above.
Upon the banks was a lonely human,
whose songs taught the fish the meaning of love.
Music freed the fish from monotony,
and, each day, she would listen to his song,
longing to escape her watery cage,
for upon the earth she wished to belong.
Alas, one night, the bard's songs became screams,
and his body was set adrift at sea.
The fish wept, for the dream had also died.
The luster of humankind had faded.
As the fish's tears bled into the lake,
her grief transformed her from fish into girl
with human breasts and a shimmering tail,
and a voice as rare as an oyster's pearl.
And with her new voice, the mermaid did sing—
ballads of the past and odes of yearning.
Her siren song would lead sailors astray
into the depths, past hope of returning.
Although it was Xiao's first time hearing the poem, it didn't surprise him very much. The romantic themes and dubious ending blended well with Venti's existing repertoire. And even Xiao had to admit that Venti's music was probably his most honest form of expression. Still, it was too abstract for Xiao to draw any solid conclusions.
“So this fish…” Xiao began to prod, “Are they really from Monstadt?”
Venti didn't look up from his instrument, still plucking the occasional note. “…Yes.”
Venti's evasive response confirmed Xiao's theory: the poem really was about him. While his origins were unclear, they were unimportant to who he was. The critical moment was when Venti met an unnamed bard who inspired Venti to go into the field himself. Still, whether the two had actually met was a mystery, but it was obvious that Venti had developed an infatuation. Then, the bard died, and Venti's life spiraled out of control. Even if Venti breezed over it lightly, this was the part Xiao was most interested in. "There's one detail I don't really understand—why does the mermaid kill humans?"
"Huh?" Venti's head popped up.
"She lures them to their deaths with her voice." Xiao paused, waiting for Venti's nod in agreement. "Why? Does she hate humans?" What drove you down this path? It was an imprudent question, but maybe under the thin guise of the song, it would work.
"Hate humans? No, never. The mermaid fell in love with humanity a long time ago." Venti's gaze drifted beyond Xiao. "But she can never forgive the humans that kill each other…"
So then his target really was only murderers—including hit men. It was a distorted version of justice, inspired by the unfair death of the bard. But something still didn't add up…
"Then why are you helping me? Why didn't you kill me when you had the chance?"
"Well, that's like asking why you're a hitman!" Venti laughed.
"How is that alike? It's my job because I'm good at it."
"You kill people just because you're good at it? How callous…"
Xiao's blood simmered. "That's not the point! Stop deflecting!"
"Well, the answer's not all that interesting… My intel from previous missions pointed me in your direction. As the best in the business, surely working with you would provide me with plenty of opportunities. As for why I saved you that time, that's even easier… We're partners."
"We were just cooperating temporarily."
"That's what partners do."
"I'm not suited to having a partner, and nor are you."
"In other words, you think I'm going to try and kill you when I'm done with you?"
"Isn't that how you dealt with your previous 'partners'?"
"That's impossible here. When will I ever be 'done with you'? You have so much more potential left untapped! And…" Venti's grin darkened. "There's no point in killing someone who's not alive."
"What are you suggesting?"
"Just that. Right now, you're just a pawn in someone's hand—a weapon for murder. With no drive or desire, do you know anything about being alive? You'll never learn by just listening to orders; you have to discover what it means to be 'Xiao' by yourself."
Xiao clenched his fists. "What do you get from criticizing my way of life? You're nothing but a self-righteous hypocrite. How can you know how to live when you hide behind the shadow of someone already dead?!"
"How dare you say that?!" Venti jumped off his perch. With his eyebrows furrowed and lips scowling, his face was a rageful red Xiao had never seen before. "I have to do what I do—because I'm the only one left! Maybe you wouldn't understand because you've never cared about anyone!"
There was a knock on the door. “Xiao?” It was Yanxiao. He must have grown concerned when Xiao hadn't paid him a visit.
Without a word, Xiao turned to the door, but Venti quickly slipped past him. He opened the door and slid past a confused Yanxiao. Then he disappeared with a cold whisper. “He's all yours.”
Yanxiao awkwardly waddled in. “There's almond tofu downstairs. Are you hungry? Or did you already eat?”
“No, I haven't. Thanks. I'll go eat in the kitchen.”
“Good. That'll make the boss happy.”
Xiao followed Yanxiao down to the basement kitchen. Verr and Huai'an were already sitting at the small table tucked away in the corner. Greeting Xiao's arrival with excitement, they both seemed eager to hear his stories, but Xiao wasn't in the mood to talk. He was still reeling from Venti's outburst.
Venti was wrong about Xiao—he had people he cared about. In fact, he was eating breakfast with two of them at the very moment. Xiao didn't need to devote his life to avenging them because he would never let anything happen to them.
But even Xiao had to admit his line of thinking was too harsh. He was simply incapable of understanding Venti's grief—because he was lucky, and because he kept all his emotions sealed. As an assassin, there was no skill more invaluable, but maybe from another perspective Xiao was incapable of seeing, he was lacking. He had no idea how he would react if Zhongli, Verr or Huai'an were to die; would he be overcome with sorrow or rage? Or would he feel nothing? Xiao shivered at the prospect. Ugh… What did Venti's words matter? He was gone now. All Xiao needed to concern himself with was the mission ahead. Still, the thought of Venti being right about him shook his resolve. He shoveled almond tofu in his mouth to avoid thinking, but even his favorite tofu felt rough.
How does Venti feel after his previous breakdown? Find out.
Biggest thanks to my editor @leio13!
Summary: After confirming the death of his latest target, Xiao’s secret mission is interrupted by an eccentric stranger in green, who claims to be Xiao’s protector! But the reality is much more convoluted… What destiny could possibly link Xiao with Venti—an assassin of hitmen?
This chapter can also be found on Ao3 here. Without further ado, please enjoy!
True to his word, Venti went to perform for Granny Ruoxin and the residents of Qingce Village. Although Venti debuted a new song, it was a soulless performance, but it seemed to be enough for the audience. Then Venti returned to his room to drink. And drink, and drink, and drink. He would drink till he lost all senses. At some point, Xiao came in, asking to talk, but Venti pretended to be passed out. And soon enough that became reality.
At the present, Venti laid half asleep on the bed while his other half grappled with a pounding headache and the desire to never wake up.
Unfortunately, Xiao had other plans. "Venti," he called out softly.
No… Don't call that name—not in that voice… That's where Venti's problems had arisen, yesterday.
Venti had been having a wonderful dream, one of Mondstadt, of bards, and of birds. Then Xiao had called out and yanked him from that happiness. That's when Venti's mask had begun to crack, letting a single tear slip out. Of course, he hadn't let Xiao see that. He never did quite recover from that, and the dam eventually burst when he was leading the interrogation. Tons of pent up anger and frustration at Venti's fate had spilled forth, and he ended up taking it out on the powerless man before him.
How unacceptable. Venti the bard would never let that happen. He would face everything with a smile.
But right now, he couldn't be the bard. He was nothing.
Xiao sighed. "I was able to obtain the information I need yesterday, so I'm going to settle this issue once and for all. I'll make sure nothing on you gets out, so don't come with me."
Venti cracked open an eye to finally acknowledge Xiao, who looked even more horrible than normal. He hadn't slept a wink of his own volition since he had arrived in Qingce Village, and he was barely eating either. He needed desperately to return to his normal routine in Liyue Harbor. "Sure."
Xiao stood there frozen for a bit with a perplexed look on his face. Finally, he managed, "That's it?"
"Isn't that what you wanted?"
"...Yes, but… I expected you to be more resistant." Xiao rarely showed hesitation, but despite the uncharacteristic slip up, he still wouldn't let Venti read his emotions. "So then, what? Do you plan on staying here to rot?"
Venti didn't answer.
"Here." Xiao tossed a slip of paper at Venti. "Don't be a burden on Granny Ruoxin."
Venti craned his neck to see the paper. …A train ticket? …Why? Xiao's seemingly friendly gesture confounded Venti, but he wasn't going to object. Given his spending habits and lack of a steady income, Venti could use a free train ticket. Plus, even if it inconvenienced him, he hadn't the energy to contest. "Thanks."
Accepting the direction given to him, Venti rolled off the bed and began his zombified morning routine.
Before they left, Venti and Xiao needed to say bye to Granny Ruoxin, even if their departure was almost as abrupt and without explanation as their arrival.
"We must return to Liyue Harbor," Xiao oversimplified the situation. "Thank you for taking care of us."
Venti forced a smile and a big wave. "Bye-bye, Granny!"
Granny Ruoxin, however, didn't play along. As soon as Xiao had disappeared beyond the door frame, she called out, "Can you spare me an extra minute?"
Venti swiveled around in genuine confusion.
She followed up with another question. "Are you feeling alright?"
"Oh, Xiao? He's always—"
"No, you, Venti. You look miserable."
"Oh…It's just a little headache."
"Let me get you some tea." Without waiting for a response, she waddled into her kitchen, returning swiftly with a thermos. She placed the mug in Venti's hands. "I wanted to give you some advice, as a fellow performer: it's important to pace out your performances and rest in between them. If you don't take off the mask every now and then, you'll end up stranded in the countryside."
Venti smirked. "That doesn't sound too bad."
"Well, if you're that eager, Qingce Village will always welcome another concert. But not just yet—you need an intermission." She ushered him out the door. "Keep the mug."
"Thanks, Granny Ruoxin. I promise I'll be back."
Xiao, who had been waiting outside, shot Venti an inquisitive glance, but he didn't say anything. "Let's go. We don't want to miss the bus out of here."
Apparently, Venti's return to Liyue Harbor was going to be accompanied by Xiao and featured a layover at the Wangshu Inn. While Venti would normally be happy, he was filled with dread. Despite declaring his intentions to ditch Venti, Xiao still had business with him. The mystery was stressful enough, but Venti had a good idea of what Xiao would want to find out—and, frankly, that was worse. Venti had already said too much in front of those stalkers and was still battling with the mental repercussions. How could Venti tell Xiao the secrets he had hidden from himself below smile after smile?
Well, it hardly mattered now; Venti's facade was crumbling. The only saving grace was that Xiao hated conversations. The silence on the bus and train was its own form of misery, but, added with his headache, it gave Venti the excuse to drink himself to sleep again.
When the train finally arrived at the Wangshu Inn, Venti was a stumbling mess, and Xiao ended up carrying him over one shoulder. "Don't do anything foolish at the inn," Xiao whispered sharply.
How could it get worse than this? Venti thought, but he figured his best course of action was to stay as quiet as possible. "Sorry…"
"Xiao!" Venti and Xiao were met by a cheery voice at the receptionist's desk. It belonged to a woman in Liyue attire and straight auburn hair. "...Who's this?"
"My… acquaintance," Xiao said, only slightly more audibly than a mumble. "He has severe motion sickness."
For some reason, Xiao was trying to present a clean image to this woman who he seemed to know. Venti's head was spinning too violently to think it through though, so he just nodded weakly.
"Oh dear…"
"I'm going to take him upstairs."
"Go right ahead. Do you need Huai'an to help?"
"No, I've got it."
"Alright. I'll inform Yanxiao of your arrival."
"Thank you."
Xiao dragged Venti to the elevator and up to the highest floor. There was a single penthouse suite, for which Xiao apparently had the key.
"I don't think they fell for that," Venti muttered.
"And who's fault is that?" Xiao threw Venti onto a chair.
"Sorry…"
"Nevermind." Xiao marched off towards the rooftop exit. "Just rest."
Unfortunately, Venti felt more likely to vomit than pass out, but if he just had to pretend not to exist, he could manage.
After a few minutes, there was a knock at the door. Venti didn't even have time to debate calling Xiao because the man immediately let himself in. It took a great deal of willpower for Venti to keep his eyes shut.
"Xiao!" The man called out. "I've brought your dinner!"
Venti heard Xiao's footsteps enter the room. "Thank you."
"I also wanted to meet your friend, but… I see now's not a good time."
"Sorry." Although Xiao's responses were short as always, they lacked the blunt attitude that was normally pointed at Venti.
"I also brought some strong tea for his… motion sickness." The man laughed.
"I'll make him drink it when he gets up."
"Well, you both look tired, so I'll let you rest."
"I'm sorry, thank you."
"Just make sure to catch up with me and the wife tomorrow morning. Tell us about all you've been up to."
"I'll tell you what I can."
The door creaked open. "You're just like me—" the unknown man whispered—"bringing home a Mondstadter."
"That is not what this is."
"Good night!" The man chuckled.
"Good night."
When the door clicked closed, Xiao let out the tiniest laugh under his breath. But the cute moment ended almost immediately when Xiao turned to Venti with a harsh gaze and slammed the cup of tea onto the small end table by his chair. "Drink this."
Venti's eyes shot open with a frantic nod. Guess my act didn't fool Xiao, huh?
Venti gulped down half the tea before rushing to empty his stomach in the bathroom. He would have to drink the rest more slowly… So for a long half-hour, he sat on the bathroom floor, sipping tea between retches.
By the time Venti finally staggered out of the bathroom, Xiao had moved to a small dinner table and was enjoying a plate of almond tofu. He cut the tofu into small morsels and placed them delicately into his mouth one by one. With each spoonful, his lips curled into a subtle smile. The mesmerizing joy on his face practically erased the mess in his hair and bags under his eyes.
Venti soon realized he was staring and threw himself onto his chair. When Xiao briefly peeked up, Venti fiercely buried his face into the back cushion and closed his eyes.
Venti only dared move after most noises from the other end of the room had ceased. Then he slowly turned in his chair before slinking onto the floor and into the kitchenette to get himself a glass of water. Sure enough, Xiao had left the table. Instead, he had moved to the other side of the suite, where he was lying motionlessly on his bed, his legs still planted on the floor.
No way… Is he… sleeping? It looked like the allure of a soft bed was too powerful for even Xiao. It was a rare moment of weakness. Venti crept forward. Even asleep, Xiao was wearing the deceptively innocent smile from earlier. Venti inhaled. Sorry. He reached over and lifted Xiao's legs onto the bed.
Venti yawned. Xiao's sleepiness was rubbing off on him in weird ways, but it wasn't so bad. He curled up on his chair. If only it could be this peaceful when he woke up…
Summary: After confirming the death of his latest target, Xiao’s secret mission is interrupted by an eccentric stranger in green, who claims to be Xiao’s protector! But the reality is much more convoluted… What destiny could possibly link Xiao with Venti—an assassin of hitmen?
This chapter can also be found on Ao3 here. Without further ado, please enjoy!
A spread of cushions pressed gently against Xiao's back as they embraced his limbs, a cool pillow cradling his head.
Xiao sat up with a start. It appeared he was in a dimly lit bedroom. On top of a worn down wooden desk, there was a note conspicuously placed under the lamp. Xiao tentatively crept over to read it.
Good morning,
If it's my fair face you seek, you can find me atop the highest peak.
-Venti
Xiao's heart rate dropped about 2 beats per minute. Given the decorative script, the rhyme, and even the mocking "good morning," Xiao was confident the author of the note was indeed the self-proclaimed bard, but, regardless, whether it was really written by Venti or not, Xiao had concerns to settle on top of the mountain.
The room Xiao woke up in was surprisingly unguarded. In fact, it was just a bedroom, belonging to an old-fashioned home in the heart of Qingce Village.
You couldn't be blamed for thinking Qingce Village was an entirely different town at night—all the tourists had disappeared into their hotels, leaving only the dim shapes of antiquated buildings. The mountain terraces were lined with functional lighting, but there were no glitzy attractions.
Luckily for Xiao, the mountain that towered behind the village had a small pathway that had been carved out for adventurous tourists. Still, there were no lights, so Xiao, also wary of an ambush, took his time. The official path ended at an observation deck. It was surrounded by dragon statuettes, each staring in the general direction of other landmarks—the Wangshu Inn, Dragonspine, etc. In the center, there was a circular plaque congratulating climbers on reaching the top.
The actual peak was a bit further up, but since the final climb was steep and rocky, visitors were discouraged from going any higher. Xiao, however, was undeterred. His target was the top.
Sitting at the northern face of the cliff with a lyre on their lap was a moonlit silhouette singing a soft tune:
As an actress, the world is a grand stage.
You strut and flaunt your well-crafted disguise.
Conjuring emotions, you're like a mage—
With a pretty smile and bewitching eyes…
"What are you doing, Venti?"
Venti, wine bottle in his hand, twirled his head around. "Good morning, Xiao! Did you sleep well?"
Xiao just stared back.
"I didn't think you did," Venti laughed, but he quickly adjusted to Xiao's non-reaction. "I'm just enjoying the night breeze, but I believe you're the one who owes me an explanation for earlier."
This was inevitable. Xiao had resigned himself to that fact when he decided to meet Venti. But… Xiao had never made such an inexplicable failure before. He struggled to recount earlier events to himself. He could never admit what happened to his boss. And Venti was even worse—his smug face always had a way to deflect any and all shame in Xiao's direction. Still, Xiao needed information from Venti, and the starting price was his confession.
"After we split, I began searching for connections from Qingce Village back to Liyue Harbor. Evidence at the mail center suggests that there has been an uptick in deliveries to Liyue Harbor from a certain Dragon's Scale Hotel. Given the available information online, I concluded that it really is run by Treasure Hoarders. So, I decided to start my search there. First, I set off the fire alarm to evacuate the building. The staff room had a computerized lock, but I was able to deduce the passcode to open the door with information from my earlier research. The entrance actually led to a large underground vault of stolen goods. I was going to break into their computer to see what information they had…"
"...And then?" Venti prompted Xiao after a silence.
"...And then…" Xiao had no idea. Next thing he knew, he was waking up in someone's spare bedroom.
Venti's unrelenting stare suddenly let up with a sparkle. "Oh! Guess what I've got?" He reached into his lap and pulled out a pale blue flower, a glaze lily. "Granny Ruoxin gave it to me!"
Xiao had no idea who "Granny Ruoxin" was nor the importance of her floral gift, but he played along. "That's nice. Glaze Lilies are rare flowers these days."
"Right?!" Venti grinned. "Don't you want to see it? We did come all this way to Qingce Village, after all!"
Xiao didn't need the close-up. He had seen dozens of glaze lilies at Zhongli's home.
"You can't appreciate it from afar… Come on!"
"...Fine." Xiao picked the flower from Venti's hand. Zhongli probably could have pointed out the differences between the glaze lilies grown in Liyue Harbor and Qingce Village, but to Xiao, there was nothing special about the one in his hand.
"Doesn't it smell lovely?"
"...Yeah." Xiao lied. He didn't even sniff it because there was no point. He couldn't smell it at all.
Venti grinned impishly. "You know…" He met Xiao with a serious gaze. "There was sleeping gas in that room."
When the truth clicked in Xiao's mind, shame crashed over him in two waves. The first disgrace was inexcusable. He had walked blindly into a trap against which he especially should have been wary.
For as long as he could remember, Xiao had no sense of smell or taste. A doctor had told Zhongli his olfactory system had been irreparably damaged by experimental drugs. To mitigate the risk of poisoning, Xiao only ate foods prepared by certain trusted chefs. By stupid luck, Xiao never had any mishaps with noxious gasses, so he had gotten careless. What would be a laughable trap to anyone else could've been fatal to Xiao, and yet he had walked into one without any precautions.
The second stinging mistake was letting Venti discover his weakness. Right after recovering from his first error, Xiao had stumbled into another one. If Venti hadn't already figured out Xiao's weak spot, his awkward lie with the flower must have confirmed it for him.
"Then you found me there…" Xiao muttered.
"You're lucky I was the one that found you," Venti inserted. "You were completely defenseless."
"...And you saved me?"
"Of course. I brought you all the way back to Granny Ruoxin's house. You were a little difficult to carry, but it was only natural that I'd rescue you."
Xiao didn't see anything natural about it. Xiao was a temporary ally at best, a hindrance if honest, and quite possibly a target at worst. Not to mention, he had a few objections to Venti's idea of involving an unrelated old woman, but despite his gripes, he couldn't deny he was in Venti's debt now. "Sorry for the trouble…"
"That's not what you say at times like this."
Xiao nearly rolled his eyes. "...Thank you."
"Here. Sit down." Venti patted the rock next to him.
Xiao edged closer to the cliff, out of curiosity. "What are you looking at?"
"Mainly the night sky. It's rare to have such an amazing perch. Dark, high up… You can see thousands of stars. You know, the night sky has to be a poet's greatest fantasy. A boundless expanse that not even the birds can reach. No matter where you are, you're always under the stars, and there must be a star for everyone, right? Isn't that romantic?"
Xiao stared at the same view as Venti, yet he couldn't find anything quite so profound in it. He did, however, appreciate the silence.
Venti picked up the bottle of wine. "Want some?"
"No thanks."
"Suit yourself." With that, Venti put the bottle to his lips and chugged. "Ahh… Is there anything better than wine on a cool night under the stars? I can feel the poetic inspiration coursing through me." Venti returned to his songwriting as though Xiao wasn't there.
…Conjuring emotions, you're like a mage—
With a pretty smile and bewitching eyes.
People swarm to you as a fruit lures flies,
all coveting the title of your friend.
But they only seek gratifying lies—
Where, oh where, does the dishonesty end…
Xiao sat down by the cliff a few paces away, tuning out Venti's lyrics. There was something thoughtful about this place—the gentle breeze, the faint glow of stars, Venti's soft humming—it was oddly peaceful.
The moon had risen high in the North when Venti murmured, "Do you see that?" His eyes were firm on the horizon. "Over there, that's Mondstadt. Maybe in the old days, you would be able to see it from here, twinkling tirelessly like a fallen star. It's all dark now though; whatever light was burning inside has since been smothered."
"...Do you miss it?" Xiao whispered, lest he break Venti's wistful gaze.
"It's the only home I've ever known. Even now, I carry a piece with me. But I can never return, so yes, sometimes I miss it."
Xiao followed Venti's gaze, but he only saw darkness. No matter which direction he looked, he saw nothing. Did such a shining home really exist?
***
Venti's limbs splayed carelessly all over the bed. His drunken grin pulled slightly with each small breath. To sleep so openly, either he must have not cared what happened to him or he placed an incomprehensible amount of trust in Xiao.
Then again, maybe Xiao was the fool for not acting on the opportunity right in front of him. This could be his chance to rid himself of the persistent threat that was Venti.
But he couldn't do it. Venti looked so peaceful. Such a natural smile… Are you having a good dream? How enviable.
"Venti," Xiao spoke softly, not fully committed to waking him up.
"...Ven…ti…" The bard repeated with a groan.
Venti's mocking utterance immediately destroyed any peaceable sentiment Xiao was feeling. "Wake up already," he snapped. "We need to get moving."
Venti rolled over to face the wall and rubbed his eyes. "Sorry…" He yawned. "Give me a few minutes…"
True to his word, Venti, with a little prodding from Xiao, was ready soon enough. Then they snuck out of Granny Ruoxin's house.
This morning, they needed to be proactive. Xiao's infiltration of the Dragon's Scale Hotel had failed, and he and Venti had been discovered as a result. The only course of action then was to make sure the inevitable fight happened on their terms. To do that, they had a two-pronged plan of action: Venti would bait the Treasure Hoarders, and Xiao would prepare the site of the ambush—a small cave under the mountain. Xiao was uncomfortable with leaving a big part of the mission to someone else, but he couldn't deny that Venti was more suited for the role of the lure.
As it turned out, the Treasure Hoarders' envoys arrived at the cave before Venti. They were just a pair, a man and woman in black. Maybe they weren't Treasure Hoarders, after all. They must have been with the men Xiao and Venti had killed the other day.
"Who are you?" Xiao snapped, pulling out his spear.
"Who are we?" The woman retorted, stepping in front of the man. "It was you who invaded our private base!"
"Let's not play games." Venti dropped from the shadows behind them. "You already know who we are. You have been following us, after all."
"There's a misunderstanding here." The man chimed in nervously. "We aren't Treasure Hoarders. We aren't the ones running the hotel."
"Sure, but you are the ones collecting information, aren't you?" Venti's gun clicked. "Didn't the Treasure Hoarders send you here to clean up after your own mess?"
"Yes, we are!" The woman shouted, reaching for her own handgun. "So what do you want from us?!"
"That's our question for you." Xiao smacked the woman's dominant hand with his spear, sending the gun skidding across the cave floor. "I'll ask again—who are you?"
"Argh!" The woman grunted and yanked a knife from her belt. She charged clumsily at Xiao. Xiao parried then knocked her to the ground. She reached around behind her, searching for another weapon, but Xiao was faster. He grabbed her throat and lifted her in the air. For a bit, she struggled to pry his fingers from her trachea with one hand. Then she dropped the knife to use both hands, but it was in vain.
Xiao ignored her weak tugging. He had no intention of killing her, but he would subdue any resistance. "Answer my questions."
"It's already too late!" She spat. "The information is already on its way to our boss!" Spending the last of her breath, she passed out.
Xiao let go, and her unconscious body hit the ground. He hovered his spear above her forehead in case she came around.
"Guess it's your turn then." While Xiao was dealing with the woman, Venti had taken hold of the man, his arms behind his back and the point of Venti's gun to his chin.
"W-wait! If you let her go, I'll talk!" The man pleaded.
"Talk," Xiao responded, unflinching.
"Promise me you'll let her go!"
"Why?" Venti interrupted. "What if you change your mind after she's free?"
"Th-then I'll talk first!"
"What if we kill her, anyway?"
Venti!! Xiao shot Venti a confused look. He had a plan with this, right?
"We are professional killers, you know?" Venti continued. "Why should we spare her?"
The man croaked, "That's why I'm—!"
"So we should save her just because you asked? Because you'll 'divulge your secrets?'"
"Isn't that fair?! What would you gain from killing her, anyway?! She's obviously not a threat to you. Or… Is killing just a sport for you?"
Venti's hand twitched. "For a spy, you have absolutely no idea how to appraise the situation you're in. 'Not a threat?' Your partner here has unknown information about us, so why should we let her go to spread it to anyone else?"
"Please! Take my life instead! You can torture and kill me if you want, but—"
Venti threw the man to the ground, gun to the back of his skull. "How vain. Do you think your life is really worth that much? That it's worth as much as your partner's? That either your life or your partner's life is worth my partner's and my security?!"
"I—"
Venti tapped the gun. "It doesn't matter what you think is fair. Life has never been about what's fair! If you want to protect someone, you need power—pleading and praying has never saved anyone! That's the difference between you and me—why you have a gun to your head. I'm never going to lose someone again, no matter what—"
"Venti!" Xiao knocked the gun from Venti's hand. "Enough!" He cleared him away from the man's defenseless body. "I'll do the interrogation from here."
The rage on Venti's face had dissipated into complete emptiness. Gone were the usual mischievous glimmer in his eyes, the cheeky smile on his lips. Instead, his green eyes were clouded over with a storm of nothingness. He turned around and spoke flatly. "I have a performance to get to. I promised the old lady." And with that he disappeared,
Xiao wanted to chase Venti down and question him, but he already had two hostages at his feet. The man below him was frozen in confusion, so Xiao prodded him gently with his spear. "Tell me everything you know."
---
Here's the full poem:
As an actress, the world is a grand stage.
You strut and flaunt your well-crafted disguise.
Conjuring emotions, you're like a mage—
With a pretty smile and bewitching eyes.
People swarm to you as a fruit lures flies,
all coveting the title of your friend.
But they only seek gratifying lies—
Where, oh where, does the dishonesty end?
Still, one man, above the rest, did transcend,
Offering a life beyond the spotlight.
But even his promises were just pretend—
When she gave up fame, he swiftly took flight.
For even an actress is just a pawn—
Remove the façade, and the dream is gone.
As I promised in the notes of the last chapter (if you actually read those), I am publishing the next one now to make up for how short the previous was!
As always, my editor was @leio13 and she deserves the biggest thanks!
Summary: After confirming the death of his latest target, Xiao’s secret mission is interrupted by an eccentric stranger in green, who claims to be Xiao’s protector! But the reality is much more convoluted… What destiny could possibly link Xiao with Venti—an assassin of hitmen?
This chapter can also be found on Ao3 here. Without further ado, please enjoy!
Qingce Village was indeed the quaint little village its reputation made it out to be. Despite the great number of tourists, the village proper had retained the structure and atmosphere of an old-fashioned Liyue town. The surrounding valley was terraced with autumn-colored flowers, whose sweet scent seemed to nullify the smell of sweaty pilgrims who hiked up and down the mountains in lines.
Following behind Xiao, as soon as Venti stepped off the bus, he stretched with a yawn. “Maaaann… I'm wiped.”
"No surprise there." Xiao said flatly. "You were drinking non-stop."
"We should find somewhere to stay, do some looking around…"
"No, I have business to do."
"Alright, Mr. No-Fun, you can cut straight to the boring stuff, and I'll enjoy the perks of visiting a new place."
"Fine." Xiao turned and left.
As soon as Xiao left, Venti sighed with relief—finally away from his eternal gloom! Xiao viewed himself as only a tool for murder, and Venti was beginning to admit he was right. He was the most unbearably callous person Venti ever had the pleasure of meeting.
But Venti's destiny was linked to Xiao, so he would stick with him for a while more.
Still, Venti wasn't about to let Xiao ruin the best parts of visiting a new place. Venti was first and foremost an information dealer. Qingce Village was a hub for tourists from all around and a breeding ground for criminals. There was a great wealth of information circulating through the unassuming streets. Outside of being the "Mole," he was also Venti, the greatest bard in Teyvat. As Venti, he needed to take in all the magnificent sights the world had to offer. A bird blind to the changing skies as he soars might as well be in a cage.
In any case, Venti's first order of business was to find a place to lodge. The best source of info on this matter would undoubtedly be a community leader. In Qingce Village, Venti soon gathered, the makeshift Village Chef took the form of an elderly woman referred to as Granny Ruoxin.
Venti put on a curious smile and approached the old lady. "Excuse me, Ma'am, but where are the affordable hotels in this village?"
Granny Ruoxin looked him up and down. "...Are you… here to perform?"
Venti's eyes went wide. Clearly, he had underestimated her discerning wisdom. "Yes! Well, sort of… I'm Venti, a bard from Mondstadt. I'm here with my partner as a tourist, but unfortunately, I spent most of my savings on the long journey. Nevertheless, I still hope to find new poetic inspiration—and, of course, get my name out there!"
"Oh wonderful!" Granny Ruoxin looked expectant. "Would you mind performing for the permanent residents here? They could use a breath of fresh air like yourself."
"I'd be delighted! Just give me today to get settled and do some sightseeing, and I'll be good for tomorrow."
"Oh thank you! We haven't had a great performance here in Qingce Village in a long time."
"I'll show them the best bard Teyvat has to offer!"
Granny Ruoxin chuckled. "You know, I used to be a performer once. An actress. In Liyue Harbor."
“What happened?”
"Well, I was young and very much in love. He was an adventurer, but he promised me that we'd settle here, in the country, together—right after a final voyage. But it ended up a lie." She sighed. "I suppose that's only fitting for an actress. You spend so much time pretending, the truth becomes hard to discern."
"Are you still waiting for him?"
She laughed again. "What would it matter if I were? I'm too old for acting. Too old for whirlwind romances. But you're still young and already more ambitious than I—don't take what you have for granted. In fact, if you wouldn't object to a humble abode, you and your partner are more than welcome to stay in my home."
"Really?!" Even better than Venti anticipated.
"It's only fair since I'm asking a favor of you."
"That'd be perfect! Thank you so much!" Venti had managed to secure not only a place to stay but also a performance gig for himself—he was feeling pretty accomplished. He could now move onto more scenic—and more intrusive—errands.
Whether for enjoying music or less wholesome activities, Venti had honed his ears, and they were perfect for eavesdropping. All he had to do was stand at a viewpoint for a few minutes, and he'd have access to tons of gossip. Most conversations were mundane garbage (grumpy children, forgotten items, etc), but if you could filter through that, there were gems to be found. When Venti tired of a crowd, he simply sauntered to a different hotspot.
He was still in the village proper, at an expensive restaurant with a view, when a wave of hushed whispers hit the surrounding tables.
"Did you hear? There's a fire."
"There's a fire at the Dragon's Scale Hotel!"
A fire…? Venti had witnessed many disasters during his travels—none of which were accidental.
Venti excused himself from his table, throwing a good chunk of mora at the bartender to cover his drink, and rushed to the source of the rumors. The Dragon's Scale Hotel was a decently large hotel that drew in crowds through its supposed ties to Qingce Village's mythological history. For its popularity, Venti had also overheard a fair share of complaints (missing items, creaking ceilings at night…), but frequent fire alarms wasn't one of them.
In fact, a fire in Qingce Village was a big deal. Older buildings meant relaxed safety standards. And its relative isolation meant that it would probably take a half-hour for a fire crew to reach the site of the fire. The whole town was a disaster waiting to happen, so local businesses took fire alarms very seriously.
When Venti arrived on the scene, he was met by throngs of people regrouping outside and a blaring alarm—but no fire. Someone must have evacuated the building for their own purposes. It could have been owners, hoping to rummage through their patrons' belongings again, but such a flagrant crime came with too many risks. The alternative was… Xiao.
In either case, Venti couldn't wait to find out what all the hype inside the hotel was about.
Sneaking through the nebulous cluster of panicked people would be a piece of cake. The real hard part was inside. Venti couldn't be certain about the status of the "fire," and, more than that, he really didn't want to run into people. Although Venti was confident in his assessment that the Dragon's Scale Hotel was run by criminals, he had no evidence that they were connected to Liyue Harbor. He wanted to avoid any confrontations with random petty thieves.
Luckily for him, there wasn't a soul near Venti's window of choice, which turned out to be in the kitchen. There was no fire in there either, just an abundance of active sprinklers. He could, however, hear the hurried creaks of multiple footsteps on an upper floor. It didn't sound like fighting, but that could change at any moment. Venti wasn't in a rush to meet them either, so he decided to stick with the ground floor.
Since he was in the kitchen, his first destination was, of course, the wine selection. None were particularly vintage, but there was a decent mix of top-brand Liyue wines and local creations. Venti took mental note of some of the labels for future taste testing. Then he decided to move along with more haste—he had no idea when the owners, or even the fire department, would show up and end his perusal.
While exploring the hall, the first detail that caught Venti's eye was the lack of security cameras. There was an excessive number of blaring alarms and raining sprinklers to assuage guests' concerns but nothing that could implicate any criminals.
The second oddity was the staff room. Though the hotel liked to play at being a historical building, the facade was dropped for the staff room, which was guarded by a digital keypad. Luckily for Venti, the door was already open.
As it turned out, the staff room wasn't much of a room at all. It was instead a stairwell leading to a basement. With an ounce of caution, Venti crept down the stairs, but he stopped when he picked up a sweet scent wafting up—
Sleeping gas?! Venti instinctively covered his nose and mouth. After a quick inhale, he held his breath. His exploration was on limited time now.
The owners probably weren't downstairs, but some enticing evidence most likely would be. So Venti jumped down. At the bottom, there was a large chamber with mounds of stolen treasures. In the center, there was a desk, piled with junk and a desktop computer. And at the foot of the desk was a curled up body. It was Xiao's.
He really fell for this type of trap? Venti would've sighed, but he didn't want to end up like Xiao on the ground. After confirming Xiao's pulse, Venti reluctantly picked up his body, throwing it over his back. If Venti had time, he would have checked the computer, but he was running low on oxygen, and, as it was, he already had to carry Xiao up and out of the building before he could breathe. There probably was a camera hidden somewhere in that room, but that was beyond Venti's concerns.
In order to avoid stirring up attention, Venti decided to exit through a back window. Fortunately, Xiao was surprisingly light as though he had systematically cut out all excess from his life. With his cheek on Venti's right shoulder, his breath was light and slow. If he remained asleep like this, Venti could carry him with no problem.
However, Xiao's peaceful sleep did not last. As the distance between the noxious gas and Venti grew, Xiao's heartbeat sped up, accelerating his uneven breathing at the same time. Then came the first kick. Then another.
"...Xiao?" Venti cast a glance over his shoulder where Xiao's head was still resting motionless. The only response Venti received from Xiao was a few kicks and some stirs of his arms.
"If you keep that up," Venti added sternly, "I'm going to drop you."
Xiao grunted, but he kept putting up a fight. In fact, he even turned it up another notch. In between grunts and gibberish, Xiao shouted out random words. "...go! …off! …let!"
With his own internal groan, Venti tightened his grip on Xiao's feisty legs and tucked away into a nearby bamboo grove. The last thing Venti needed was for the cluster of panicked tourists to notice the apparent abduction in progress.
If only Venti had the willpower to follow through with his threat and drop Xiao where he stood… But he couldn't abandon Xiao completely defenseless. So he lumbered through the woods with the pestering burden on his back.
Carrying Xiao must have been an inextricable part of Venti's destiny, as little as he understood it.
How does someone like you survive? One so helpless yet resistant to help?
Venti sighed before pulling Xiao's legs closer to his chest and clamping down on his flailing arms. Perhaps for his own sake more than anything else, he sang a small tune over Xiao's mumbling:
Thus under another's wing, the crane did fly
Away from his clouded nest toward a fair blue sky.
Today's new chapter is a short one, but I hope you like it!
Thanks, of course, to my bestie @leio13 for editing this fic!
Summary: After confirming the death of his latest target, Xiao’s secret mission is interrupted by an eccentric stranger in green, who claims to be Xiao’s protector! But the reality is much more convoluted… What destiny could possibly link Xiao with Venti—an assassin of hitmen?
This chapter can also be found on Ao3 here. Also, there are notes at the end (Surprise!). Without further ado, please enjoy!
The inevitable trip to Qingce Village was a tedious one, involving two trains and a bus. Worse still, Venti was determined to tag along. “Who knows how much intel about me has already made it to Qingce Village?” “I'm the only one who knows how to extract information, remember?”—Unfortunately, Xiao could not argue with Venti's points, so there sat the self-proclaimed bard, right next to Xiao, swinging his feet and humming a relentless melody.
“So—“ As soon as Venti turned to chat, Xiao missed the partial silence—“Have you ever been to Qingce Village?”
“No.” Xiao did not indulge in leisure trips.
“I hear the views there are quite lovely. We should go exploring!”
“You can go sightseeing by yourself.”
“Then maybe I will.” Venti pouted. “What else can you do in Qingce Village, anyway? Aside from tourism. How do you make a living there?”
"Not much. The only permanent residents are senior citizens; the rest are visiting tourists. It's a gold mine for thieves."
"Is that so?" Venti cocked his head then shrugged. "Well, I guess the whole world is their playground. Still, I wonder what kind of business simple thieves from Qingce Village have in Liyue Harbor…"
"I guess we'll find out when we get there." It was true that Xiao didn't have an answer, but even if he did, he wouldn't share—he just wanted the conversation to be over.
"Do you think…" Venti piped up again much to Xiao's chagrin. "Do you think their leader's dead?"
Xiao's mouth gaped slightly, and a soft utterance came out: "Dead?"
"Yeah, you know, I've been thinking about what that guy said the other day—about meeting his boss."
Maybe the words had a deeper spiritual meaning—or maybe they were just the overconfident bluffs of a man desperate to survive.
"We can't rule it out, but then we have to ask, why would they go through such risks for a dead person?"
"It's not that weird. After all, why shouldn't they?"
Why should they? There was nothing to gain from serving the dead.
"You know, there's a story like this in Inazuma," Venti continued before launching into his story. "There once were 47 samurai who faithfully served their lord until one day, he was forced to kill himself by a higher lord. Without a lord, they were directionless ronin with no honor, so they all went separate ways. For months they indulged in debauchery, so much so that the higher court became convinced that they had all but abandoned their chivalry.
"Except, the ronin hadn't forgotten. The wrongful death of their master still burned vividly in their hearts. And they had a plan to avenge him. One night, when the higher lord's guard was low, the ronin gathered and raided his castle, exacting revenge upon the merciless lord who sentenced their master to death months ago! Unfortunately, they knew there was no place in Inazuma for vengeful, masterless ronin, so after they had reclaimed honor for their lord, they followed him in death."
"Why are you telling me this? What's the point?"
"It's a fantastic story of honor!" Venti exclaimed. "Don't you think it's romantic?"
"Not really." To live and even to die for those who had already passed was a fool's errand. There was no honor for the dead. After death, there was nothing. The living had no choice but to move on. Otherwise… How could Xiao carry on? The weight of the dead would be too heavy.
Venti's eyebrows furrowed. "You must be very lonely." He sharply turned his head and stared intensely out the window.
Xiao did not understand the correlation between loneliness and living in the past. Wouldn't you feel lonelier if you kept clinging onto bygones? Besides, Xiao felt neither of those things. Sure, he was alone—but he wasn't lonely. He was better off by himself. Of course, Venti wouldn't understand that. What right did Venti, of all people, have to make baseless assumptions and criticize?
Xiao, realizing he spent too much time preparing arguments for a conversation he didn't want to have, turned in the opposite direction. He was better off ignoring Venti after all.
Notes:
The story Venti shares is real Japanese story, which you can read about here.
I know this chapter is short, so the next one will be coming very soon!
I'm back again with another chapter! In this chapter, Venti excels at being annoying...
If you missed it last time, this is a Love of Kill (殺し愛) AU, so Venti and Xiao are hitmen!
Thanks again to my fantabulous editor, @leio13!
Summary: After confirming the death of his latest target, Xiao's secret mission is interrupted by an eccentric stranger in green, who claims to be Xiao's protector! But the reality is much more convoluted... What destiny could possibly link Xiao with Venti—an assassin of hitmen?
This chapter can also be found on Ao3 here. Without further ado, please enjoy!
When Xiao crept silently into the Adepti Agency, he was halted by a confident greeting from the reception desk, “Good morning, Xiao. I finally caught you.”
“Morax… Good morning.” Xiao closed the door behind him sheepishly. “I wasn't purposefully avoiding you.”
Morax smiled smally into his tea. “I know, I know. But I remember the days when you used to report all your activities to me, and I can't help but miss them. In any case, I would actually like to discuss one of your related habits. Will you join me in my office?"
Despite the neglected storefront and dubious nature of their line of work, Morax's office had the dignity of a regular workplace. The walls were lined with shelves upon shelves of books, covering all sorts of topics (and if you bothered to carefully read all the titles, you might spot a few photo albums). The room also housed a small museum of many expensive trinkets and precious gemstones. The desk was impeccably tidied, with every paper filed in its proper place, and was a private showcase of his most valuable collection: pictures of his late wife. Perhaps the most unusual feature was the tray of tea and snacks that was always prepared for visitors.
"Tea?" Morax asked, signaling the beginning of their perfected ritual. Without waiting for a response, Morax poured two cups of hot tea and placed one in front of Xiao along with a plate of almond tofu.
"Thanks."
"Now." Morax sat across from Xiao at the small table. "You must already know what I want to talk about."
"Yes, I do."
Morax sighed, took a sip of his tea, and sighed again. "Why don't you consider working with a partner?"
“I prefer working alone.”
“Do you not trust your colleagues? I know that Ganyu is very helpful as a secretary, but she is also a capable field agent. Or Shenhe—though she is still training, she shows a lot of potential. Under your wing, she could be quite formidable indeed.”
“I don't doubt their abilities, but…” No matter how competent his allies may be, Xiao couldn't shake his misgivings. Xiao was only skilled at one thing: killing. He couldn't support a partner, and above all, he feared his own weapon. “Working together will only hinder us both.”
Morax's cup settled against the wooden table with a disappointed clank. “Xiao. Have you ever heard of the Mole?”
“The assassin of hitmen. It doesn't make sense for such a person to exist.”
“You're right. They are an anomaly, and I cannot confirm their existence; however, the fact remains that it has grown increasingly dangerous for people like us. Recently, a number of hitmen have been found dead. Their valuables, including money, arms, and drugs, remained untouched, but any forms of identification were missing. This most likely means two things: 1) the killer is trying to keep a low profile; the death of a person from the underground—especially an unidentifiable one—is unlikely to garner a lot of media or police attention. 2) The killer is looking for information. Their next move is going to be unpredictable. So far, our agency hasn't suffered from any attacks (probably due to the strength of our contracts), but it would be better for us to proceed cautiously.”
“Is that why you want me to take a partner?”
“Well, that, among many reasons.”
“You needn't worry about me. I can handle any threats.”
“No, Xiao.” Morax frowned slightly. “I'm worried about you, as your father. You can't keep going like this.”
Morax's words settled heavily on Xiao's shoulders. It was rare for Morax to bring up that side of their relationship during work. Outside of the Agency, Morax was an ordinary widower named Zhongli. Twelve years ago, not long after the death of his wife, Zhongli had found and rescued Xiao from the scene of a terrible accident, of which Xiao himself has no recollection. Whenever asked about the incident, Zhongli would modestly deflect the conversation—”Don't thank me; thank the lucky winds which brought you to me.” Nevertheless, despite the muddled circumstances of Xiao's adoption, one thing was perfectly clear: Zhongli was the reason Xiao was alive and the reason Xiao continued to live.
For such reasons, Xiao could not object to Zhongli's request so easily. Staring at the shadow cast by the table, Xiao lightly clenched the fabric of his pants. “I'm sorry.”
If Zhongli wanted to reply, he was robbed of the chance by a knock on the front door. “I don't recall anyone scheduling an appointment…” Entertaining the humorous thought, Zhongli turned to the door. “I'll go get it.”
The instructions were clear: Xiao was to remain in Morax's office. But, that didn't mean he couldn't listen in.
“I'm sorry but we don't accept walk-in appointments,” Morax kindly reproved the visitor.
“Oh, I'm sorry.” Despite her words, the young but stern voice made no indication of backing down. “I'm Keqing; I'm with the police. I was wondering what sort of business you do here. There's no indication on the door.”
“We're a detective agency. Due to the confidential and oftentimes disturbing nature of the cases we take on, we prefer to keep a low public profile.”
“Oh, I understand. Seeing as we work in the same business, we may run into each other again.”
“Yes, I look forward to a prosperous partnership in the future.”
“If it wouldn't inconvenience you, I would like a tour of your offices.”
“That would be my pleasure. If you could wait a minute, I'd like to inform my subordinate of the situation. It should only take a minute.”
“Of course. Take as much time as you need. I hate to intrude.”
Morax briefly popped his head into his office. “A policewoman is here for a tour, so, unfortunately, I must bring our meeting to an end. Of course, you're welcome to come have a chat with me whenever you'd like.”
“About my next mission…”
“Oh yes, I almost forgot. You're not currently scheduled for any other missions. Consider the next two weeks a vacation.”
“But—”
“However, if you feel like joining any of your colleagues' missions, do let me know; we can definitely work something out.”
Xiao followed Morax out of his office with a suppressed grumble. Waiting by the reception desk was a well-dressed young woman with long lavender hair tied up in cat-like pigtails. Her face was unfamiliar and hopeful, not one of the usual cops who would stop by to negotiate under-the-table deals.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.” Xiao heard Morax say as he slipped out of the door as quietly as he came.
“Is that your colleague?” Keqing asked. “He can join us, of course.”
“Oh, that's all right. He doesn't work well with other people.”
***
White sunlight pried under Xiao's eyelids, and he turned over with a grumble, reluctantly facing the shadowy wall. Xiao wasn't one to sleep in, but it was Saturday, the first day of his two-week “vacation,” so what else was he to do? At least rolling in bed pretending to sleep under the pretext of self-care was slightly productive—or so he told himself. The truth was he hoped that the next time he opened his eyes, he would receive a message from Morax retracting his forced time-off.
Just then, his phone buzzed, sending a brief vibration across the unadorned nightstand. Xiao squinted at the screen and the unfamiliar number written across.
Saturday, 09:10
Good morning! ☆ I hope you're having a
better day than this fellow~!
Do you know him?
Xiao would have ignored the strange message were it not for the strange video attached. Reluctantly, Xiao opened the file. The video was dark, and the setting, nondescript. But what was clear was the bloodied and gagged man in the focus. The captured man squirmed and grunted desperately.
09:10
He said he was going to meet you at
Chihu Rock this morning… A friend of
yours?
Xiao grimaced. While he had no idea about the man in the footage (probably a low-level assassin), he was certain about the sender—Venti. The two together made him sick.
09:11
Oh yeah, he had these on him.
The attached picture depicted two handguns and one dagger laid out across a flat surface. The hopeful assassin had been painfully unprepared.
09:14
So, what should I do? Are you going to
meet him? Or should I take care of him?
The answer to that question didn't concern Xiao. He could easily take care of a pitiful threat like that if it came to it. What he wanted instead was to stop receiving messages. He turned his screen off and rolled over. Maybe he would go back to sleep after all…
09:17
Okay. Taken care of~ ☆
With a groan, Xiao picked up his cell phone for the last time that morning. Blocked. And then he powered it down.
Ignoring the strange text from earlier, Xiao meandered through empty time until he inevitably wound up at the harbor. Giving the city its name, the harbor was an epicenter of trade, trends, and rumors. And it was, accordingly, the ideal place for gathering intel. At the pier, laborers unloaded unlabeled packages and wheeled tarped carts. At the market, buyers bargained for huge discounts on unregistered goods, and solicitors shouted and waved pamphlets about nonexistent services.
But amid the rigged prices and whispered exchanges, there were also loitering school children with their own web of petty gossip and shopping families whose infants climbed all over the anchors, oblivious to their significance. Young couples waited hand in hand for their fortunes while sailors bid tearful yet optimistic goodbyes to their loved ones before their next voyage. To Xiao, this peaceful coexistence was more enigmatic than any code word and more dazzling than any black-market jade. Though it lay right before his eyes, it was a world Xiao could never enter; he could only watch the blinding sight from the deep embrace of its shadow.
Xiao's phone buzzed from another unknown number:
Saturday, 15:16
Your friend here wanted to treat you to a
Wanmin Special. I hope you don't mind that I
joined him for lunch first?
Attached was an image of a man planted face first in a bowl of soup. Xiao didn't need a video to know he wouldn't move again. Still, he was more bothered that Venti had reached him through another number… Blocked again.
Unfortunately, two blocked numbers were not enough to deter Venti as a third cryptic message awoke Xiao in the early hours of the next day.
Sunday, 03:17
She wanted to play hide and seek with
you, but I found her first—whoopsies!
This time there was no image, leaving Venti's cruel games to Xiao's imagination. Blocked.
By the fourth text, Xiao was nearly ready to turn his phone off—except he was still clinging to the possibility that Morax would assign him a job. Until that message came, Xiao was stuck in limbo, haunted by Venti's persistence.
Sunday, 16:41
They were waiting for you in Chihu Rock.
Although the next messages had shrunk in length, they had also grown in frequency. Stranger still, each number's area code stemmed from entirely unrelated parts of Teyvat. But while they had expanded in origin, the location of each crime had narrowed down closer to Xiao's whereabouts.
Monday, 01:05
Wandering Feiyun Slope
13:26
While you were eating almond tofu
18:52
At the pier
Tuesday, 04:35
Outside ur office
11:54
While ur eating almond tofu
U do that a lot huh?
22:40
@the dock
Even after ten blocked phone numbers, Venti showed no sign of slowing down. With a long sigh, Xiao resigned himself to the next step… “Let's meet,” he replied.
22:41
Ok. 15h 3KO?
The time and place was indeed convenient to Xiao, but he would never confirm this with Venti. If they failed to meet on Wednesday, Xiao wouldn't be bothered.
Nevertheless, when Wednesday afternoon rolled around, Xiao found himself by the square in front of Third-Round Knockout. Not certain if he wanted to reveal himself after all, he hid himself in the unusual crowd that had gathered around the fountain. Above the gentle rush of water emanated the breezy notes of a lyre. The melody carried the whistle of a bird flying on caressing winds across the audience. And the poem began…
The first birds took flight in the land of wind,
But one crane was unlike his kin.
The bard could be only one person—Venti. And yet, the sound did not grate Xiao's ears. Though he did not sing, Venti's voice rang out clearly like a song, brushing through Xiao's hair and over his face with a sweet warmth.
Although wings he did have a pair,
Life's gift to him was unfair,
For ugly and strange were his feathers,
Which held him to the ground like a teather.
Thus, lofty horizons he did not seek,
but instead, the gentle song of another beak.
But the crane did not whistle back,
For it was courage that he lacked.
When, with Winter's breath, Mond began to freeze,
The flock turned south to a warmer breeze.
So away they flew, 'cept one little bird
Whose wings' deformities were too absurd.
Though try and try did he,
From Winter's grasp, he could not flee.
Under falling frost, he began to numb.
Then aloft, he heard a familiar hum!
"You cannot stay here," came the cry overhead,
"For Winter's snow embraces only the dead.
"If you cannot fly on your own wing,
"Then, to summer's sweet breeze, you I shall bring."
Thus under another's wing, the crane did fly
Away from his clouded nest to a fair blue sky.
When Xiao closed his eyes, he could see white cranes taking flight from a stony spire into a stormy, gray sky. The freezing sleet pelted their feathers as to push them back down. No matter what, Xiao couldn't envision the blue expanse beyond the swirling winds which blocked the horizon.
“Did I keep you waiting long?” A cheery voice snapped Xiao from the cruel ending laid out by his imagination.
“No—uh, I just got here.” Xiao sputtered out.
“Really?” Venti grinned widely. “Did you enjoy my poem?”
The blush on Xiao's face betrayed him, and he could not deny that he had been listening. “You're very talented… b—…” He stopped himself; it was a useless inquiry.
“Mmm-mmm! I'm the best bard in Teyvat!” Venti's chest swelled. “But?”
“Could that poem really have a happy ending?”
“Eh?” Venti broke into a laugh. “What do you think?”
“I…”
“You think there's no way a bird could carry an equal-sized bird through Mondstadt's stormy walls into Liyue?”
Xiao nodded.
“I think so too.” Venti turned his back. “But, I'm just the bard. I just provide the stories; it's up to the audience to find meaning in them. C'mon, let's eat! I'm hungry!” Without a second's pause, he pranced over to the restaurant, Third-Round Knockout, and found himself a seat.
Xiao didn't arrange this meeting for a casual lunch date, but he found he had little control over the pacing. As soon as he sat down, Venti started chatting again. “I'm going to have the dandelion wine—what about you?”
“Just water is fine. I don't drink.”
“Eehh? How boring…” With a bewildered look, Venti eventually shrugged and moved on. “What about the main meal?”
“Almond Tofu.”
“Even here? What is it with you and almond tofu?”
Luckily, before Xiao had to justify his food preferences, the waitress arrived to take their order, which ended up being one order of wine-fermented sweet rice balls, one order of almond tofu, and two glasses of dandelion wine.
When the food and drinks arrived, Xiao seized the opportunity to take control of the conversation. “So, what do you want with me?”
“What do you mean?” Venti tilted his head.
“You must know that I can deal with those minor threats myself.”
“Of course! But is it wrong of me to help you?”
“What do you want out of it?”
“Besides your safety?” Venti downed his glass of wine with a laugh.
Unamused, Xiao only responded with a glare. Venti seemed unaffected, however, as he slurped down his rice-ball wine with delight. “Mmm!” Taking a sip out of the other wine glass, he exclaimed, “This reminds me of home! Although I suppose it's a little dif—“
“I know about your reputation. You're the one they call 'the Mole,' aren't you?”
“'Mole?' How rude! I'd much rather be a bird…”
“Don't play ignorant.”
Shrinking under the sudden attention from other patrons, Venti nudged Xiao's plate towards him. “Here, Xiao, why don't you eat something?” Until the stares finished, Xiao had no choice but to play along. He nibbled on a bite of tofu which melted softly over his agitated nerves.
Venti sipped his wine again and shot Xiao a telling glance. “And what if I am?”
“If you want information from me, you won't get a word. And I'll never let you kill me.”
“Ooh!” Venti grinned. “I like the fighting spirit!” He flagged the waitress for two more glasses then sighed. “To be honest, you know… I do want information, but I don't need to get it from you. And don't worry, I have no intentions on killing you. As one of the best in the business, surely you must have good connections?”
“But wouldn't you want to finish me off after getting the information you wanted?”
“Ahaha, I know my limits. And besides, you're something of an exception…”
“'An exception?'”
“I can tell. You don't enjoy the hunt like other hitmen, right? You've just been trapped in the shadows for too long.” A look of genuine pity scrolled across Venti's face, but it was not pity Xiao needed.
“You're wrong about me. I chose to do this job, and that makes me no different than the others. Killing is what I'm good at; it's all I can do.”
An unsettling emotion flashed across Venti's face before he quickly covered it up with his smiling mask. Even when the waitress returned with his drinks, he hardly responded, minus a simple “thanks.”
As they sat in silence, Xiao reconsidered his response. Should he have been honest with someone as unpredictable as Venti? Still, he didn't regret his decision. It would be better if Venti lost interest in him, even if it ended in violence.
Suddenly, Venti squirmed. “Aah~ I can't handle it when you look at me with such an intense stare~. It feels like you can see right through me~.” Despite his words, Venti's eyes watched Xiao in earnest.
“I can't help it. You're just so… eye-catching.” Venti pouted slightly, but his body posture supported Xiao's acting, so Xiao continued, running his fingers by Venti's ear. “But if I can't look at you, where should I look?”
“Ah, uh… anywhere else is fine…” Venti blushed massively, glancing bashfully to his right.
Xiao snuck a leftward gaze while pretending to amuse himself in Venti's hair. At a nearby table, a pair in black were hastily preparing to leave. Their timing was nearly perfect. Had they left just a minute earlier, they would have been able to escape with their new intel. But unfortunately for them, Xiao wouldn't let them slip away. “Oh, but as I thought—I can't stop myself.” Xiao's hands slid down, his fingers coiling loosely around Venti's neck and jaw. “I just want to follow you home, lay you bare, and have my way with you.”
“Ooh!” Venti jumped, a smirk growing on his face. “What will you do with me?”
“That depends on you.” Letting Venti breathe again, Xiao stood up to pay the bill. Venti quickly chugged down the remaining wine before drunkenly traipsing towards Xiao, his cheeks glowing red.
The darkly dressed men disappeared into one of Chihu Rocks western side streets—perhaps looking to escape the city? Unfortunately, Liyue Harbor's usual bustle had retired back to their workplaces, and it was impossible to stalk the spies on the smaller streets. Xiao's one hope was intercepting them at the bridge out of town.
“Well… this was an… interesting outing, but something just came up, so I'm afraid we need to part ways.” For good. Xiao less than gently pried Venti off his arm.
“No waayyy…” Venti refused to budge. “After those provocative words, you can't just leave me. I just need to see what you can do.”
“I'm sure you have the answer to that question already.”
“How cold…” Venti sighed. “But Xiao, I think you're missing something here. You think you're major hotstuff—”
“I do not.”
“Oh yes, you think all eyes are always on you, including mine. But if you took a moment to think about someone other than yourself, you'd realize that I'm also quite the tempting piece of eye candy. With or without you, there will always be people chasing after me. I don't think you should so carelessly let me slip away.”
Xiao groaned. He had no idea of the extent of Venti's involvement, so, much as he preferred to work alone, he could not just cast the 'bard' aside. “Fine.”
“Hehe.” Venti leaned cheekily.
After striding down the busy main streets, Xiao and Venti tucked into a shop near the bridge to watch for their targets. Sure enough, the duo appeared shortly after, their shuffling feet and tunneled gazes betraying their suspicion. As the two men beelined out of the city, Xiao and Venti joined the pedestrian crowd of tourists and couples promenading over the bridge. The traffic stopper was the dazzling heights of Liyue's skyline, the towers of Feiyun Slope reaching towards the beaming sun, but Xiao and Venti's sights were set elsewhere—beyond the fountain welcoming new arrivals, where the dilapidated frames of old buildings creaked under the breeze.
Xiao was not unfamiliar with the suburbs—a few of his colleagues hailed from the small villages that lay west of the harbor—and he knew the types that lurked there. They were usually the poor that couldn't make it through honest living in the city and had no choice but to scour for valuables to take and sell. But they typically steered clear of more dangerous criminals…
"How unsightly." Venti grimaced. "What a terrible shame they let their suburbs get like this…"
"It can't be helped."
Venti shot Xiao a quizzical look. "I get it! You—" Venti's mouth and feet came to a halt. "Look who it is…"
The men in black had rendezvoused with a group of three dressed in khaki.
"Treasure Hoarders."
The Treasure Hoarders were a loose cross-continental organization of thieves. As their name and corny uniform suggested, they began as a group who dug up treasures to sell for a fortune. But as the number of Treasure Hoarders kept growing even as the number of undiscovered relics diminished, they expanded their hunt to include already claimed valuables.
"Never imagined them to be the stalking type."
"No, those are moles."
"Hmph." Venti pouted, turning away for dramatic flair.
While Venti was moping, the odd group had slipped into one of the run-down buildings by the road. Xiao crept up to the flimsy wall, and after a moment's peace, Venti joined him.
“So what's the deal with the other one?” One of the interior voices asked.
“Don't know.” The answer came with a sigh. “Boyfriend?'
There were a few stifled chuckles—even a grin from Venti, which Xiao quickly tore down with a glare.
“That's cute… But he wasn't part of the info. What should we do with him?”
"Should we—you know…"
"Don't get ahead of yourself."
"We don't know what he can do."
"Wanna find out?" Venti had casually slipped through a nearby window.
"Nuh—HUH?!"
Xiao slipped in a sigh under the cacophony of startled footsteps. Unlike Venti, however, he was not yet eager to show his face.
"How did you—?!"
"That's—!!"
"You were followed?!"
"Of course." Xiao could hear the amusement on Venti's lips. "A bird pursuing a worm must still be wary of snakes."
"Oh? Then what business does a bird have in a snake den?" The scrape of knives accented the Treasure Hoarder's threat, drawing Xiao closer to the window.
Venti twirled a gun around his finger. "Even a chicken eats snakes."
The soft thud of the gun against Venti's palm signaled the three Treasure Hoarders' pounce. For the two others in black, however, it was time to escape; they sprinted to the door. Xiao needed not stop them as before they found the exit, Venti had already shot them down—one in the knee, the other in the spine. As they writhed on the floor, Xiao towered over, brandishing his spear. He hesitated. He was an assassin; what did he know of interrogation?
Meanwhile, Venti was making quick work of the Treasure Hoarders. First, he shot a pistol out of the shaky fingers of a man lurking in the back. The mouthy leader leapt forward with a knife. Venti grabbed the assailant's arm, twisted it, and propelled himself into the air. He landed in front of a flabbergasted man with a shovel. Snatching the shovel, Venti twirled around to parry another knife attack. After entertaining a few rounds back and forth, Venti slammed the barrel of his gun into his opponent's jaw, putting a bullet through his skull. Without sparing him a glance, he smacked the man behind him with the shovel. Then, he plucked the knife from the cadaver and strutted to the man nursing his bloodied hand. He drove the knife into his chest. The last of the Treasure Hoarders lunged with a guttural scream, but Venti callously knocked him off balance.
“Aw man… I usually prefer to exchange information before killing…” Venti sighed and pleaded with the remaining Treasure Hoarder with murderous eyes. “Won't you tell me what you know?” He held his gun up to the guy's throat.
“I…! Uh—I don't know anything! I-I swea—“
“Who are you targeting?”
“The… Ya… Yaksha…!”
“Who sent you?”
“I don't know…!”
Venti cocked the gun. “Who sent you?”
“The boss at Qingce Village!”
“What business does he have with the Yaksha?”
“I-I don't know! We're just Treasure Hoarders—I swear!”
“Final question—“ Venti pointed his gun to the two men at Xiao's feet—“Who are they?”
“N-no idea! The boss told us to work with them! They're not Treasure Hoarders…”
“Thanks.” Venti smiled before shooting the man in the chest. Then he turned to Xiao, who finally snapped out of his daze.
He needed to question the men lying at his mercy.
“Please…” rasped the now paralyzed man between coughs of blood. “…Spare my partner…”
Xiao glanced at the other man who had been pinned down with his spear then back to the first man. “What about you?”
“I… won't—“ With a loud bang, the man's head exploded.
“Hey!” Xiao snapped.
“He wouldn't have been a good bargaining chip, anyway. Would've just died before we got any answers.” Venti shrugged as he stepped over. “I just put him out of his misery.”
“I'm doing the interrogation here.” Xiao snarled.
“Are you?”
Ignoring Venti's provocation, Xiao stared at the still living man in black. “Who are you?”
“You can't scare me!” He spat venomously. “We're prepared for death in our field.”
Xiao picked up his spear and brought it to the defiant man's forehead. “What organization are you part of?”
“I'm not scared. The boss will take care of me.”
“Your boss? They'll never find you. But tell me who they are, and you may live to see them again.”
“No matter what you do, in the end, I will meet them.”
“I'm telling you—you won't—not unless you cooperate. Tell me what you're after.”
“Boss—“ The man pulled a knife from his pocket. Xiao's grip tensed, and blood trickled from the point of his spear poking into the man's forehead. “I'm going home early.” The man drove his blade through his own trachea.
Xiao slammed the point of his spear into the growing puddle of blood. “Why!?”
“It's over, Xiao.” A gentle hand touched his shoulder. “Things can't always end as we want.”
“Leave me alone.” Xiao shook off Venti's hand with little resistance. He stormed from the now lifeless building. He wandered mindlessly through the neighborhood until he stopped in front of a familiar crane statue. Oh, it's you. Xiao sighed and sat down. Maybe you'd understand.
For his part, Xiao couldn't make heads or tails of his frustration. Normally, on a job, he was able to separate his feelings entirely. This shouldn't have been different. He was a hitman —so why did five deaths bother him so much? Venti was right: they were going to be killed regardless. There was no way Xiao could let them escape with information on him. Still, they were just petty criminals, who should've had nothing to do with the world of killers. But then again, Xiao could not judge who deserved to live. He was a tool only for killing. What right did he have to condemn the deaths of others?
“A bird?” A soft voice popped up above Xiao's head.
Xiao didn't have the energy to shoo Venti away. “A grave marker.”
“Oh. A friend of yours?”
Friend? Xiao had always considered himself alone. He had never thought of his colleague as a friend before, and to do so now, after he had died, seemed cruel. “When he was alive, he was called Pervases. If you had met him, you would've killed him.” A bitter laugh lingered on Xiao's lips.
“Why? I'm not that heartless!”
“He was a hitman, though he shouldn't have been. He wanted to make a change in this city. He should've been in the Millelith, but he was unlucky. Instead, he died here in the shadows.”
“I'm sorry.”
Xiao didn't know why he told Venti all that. There was no way Xiao could convince Venti of Pervases' character. And even if he did, what was the point? Pervases was long gone. The silence chilled Xiao's knees, and he pulled them closer to his chest.
A light breeze tousled Xiao's hair, carrying a gentle tune to his ears.
Due to personal reasons, I took a hiatus two years ago, but NO LONGER! I am BACK, and with a new fic!
It’s another Genshin fic, this time inspired by the great manga Love of Kill (殺し愛), featuring Xiao and Venti!
Huge thank you to my editor @leio13 for all the awesome feedback she provides!
Summary: After confirming the death of his latest target, Xiao's secret mission is interrupted by an eccentric stranger in green, who claims to be Xiao's protector! But the reality is much more convoluted... What destiny could possibly link Xiao with Venti—an assassin of hitmen?
This chapter can also be found on Ao3 here. Without further ado, please enjoy!
The jade tip of the spear glided cleanly through the center of the man's chest. After just a few moments of staggering and sputtering blood, the body crumpled to the floor. It would take a few minutes for brain death, but that wasn't Xiao's concern. Wasting no time, he walked over to the body and began his inspection, running his gloved fingers through every crevice. …Nothing. This was to be expected, of course. When Xiao died no one would find anything on his body either. Then he yanked out his spear and let the blood pour from the wound.
“Woooooowww~ Good job!” A light voice sang out. Xiao was certain he cleared the area of any bystanders. He shot up and whipped his spear in the direction of the voice. “So that's how the masters do it!”
At the end of his weapon was a short… whimsical-looking fellow. His flowered hat and twin braids painted the image of a fairy-tale character, certainly not a witness to a murder. But whatever misfortune or accident led him to this scene was not important. He couldn't leave alive.
Xiao thrusts the spear at his skull, but the man just ducked under, not a second too soon.
“Can you hear me out?“
Xiao stabbed. Again. Again. Again. But each time, his target managed to elude his spear in an energetic dance.
“Please?” He shot Xiao the biggest puppy eyes imaginable, and while appeals to emotion didn't mean anything to Xiao, the man seemed equally unaffected by the many attempts on his life.
Xiao sighed. “You have no idea what you've gotten yourself into.”
“Of course I do,” he chuckled. “Who in these parts hasn't heard the tragedy of the Yaksha?” After posing dramatically, he smiled, holding out his hand. “I'm Venti.”
Venti…? A strange name that should've meant nothing to Xiao, yet it stayed his hand—if only for a second. Then he lunged at “Venti” again.
“What's your name?” Venti playfully glided around the dim alley.
Xiao's only answer was another stab.
“You won't tell me?” Venti's pout was quickly replaced by a smile. “Nevertheless, I'm still glad we had this chance to meet, o woeful Yaksha.” And with that, he slipped out into the dark, droning Liyue streets and disappeared.
***
Early the next morning, Xiao trudged through the already busy commercial district with a persistent twinge of irritation. He let that guy escape yesterday without a single clue about his identity. All he had was a name: Venti. That had to be a fake name, otherwise he wouldn't have given it up so easily. In any case, the name hadn't produced any results in Xiao's research. Although the stranger’s continued existence concerned Xiao, he felt deeply in his gut that he shouldn't let anyone else know about their encounter—at least not until Xiao could gather more information. As a result, the report in Xiao's hand contained no mention of the thorn in his side named Venti.
At the end of Liyue Harbor's Feiyun Slope, across from the entertainment district (Chihu Rock), sat an unassuming apartment building with an equally plain storefront on the first floor. Above the door, an old-fashioned sign read “Adepti Agency.” Due to its location, the small garden out front was a prime spot for teenage loitering, none of whom even spared the agency a second glance. Even at nine in the morning, there were already two teens hovering around one of the stone benches.
“Have you heard about Teyvat's most prolific killers? They supposedly live right here in Liyue Harbor.”
“Ehhh? No?? What?!”
“Eheh, don't worry; they only kill bad people. They're known as the Yaksha and the Mole.”
“Ohh… I've heard about the Yaksha before—they're the hitman, right?”
“Yeah, they're called the Yaksha because they only kill the scum of the scum in Liyue's shadows. And they have a 100% hit rate.”
“Ooh, scary…”
“But guess what? Rumor has it they have a background in crime! They're first job was wiping out their own organization…!”
“Wow…”
“Yeah, but, the Mole is even worse—they're a hitman of hitmen!”
“Damn.”
“They deal in information. They help other assassins kill their targets in exchange for info. Supposedly, if the target offers up the better intel, they get spared, and the Mole kills the assassin. But no matter what, they always kill both eventually.”
“But if you're going to get killed no matter what, why would anyone make a deal with them?”
“Well, you see, they apparently have a voice so hypnotic that no one can resist them!”
“What would happen if they met?”
“Well, obviously the Mole would kill the Yaksha.”
“Yeah, but the Yaksha never misses a target.”
“True… hmm… what if they killed each other… at the same time!”
“Or what if they teamed up together?”
“Now that would be scary…”
Tuning out the embellished drivel of the teenagers, Xiao approached the uninviting entrance. There was only a single piece of paper hanging on the door that read “SORRY! No walk-in appointments.” Xiao opened the door and slipped inside.
Upon entering, he was greeted by the reception desk. The young woman at the desk was sleeping, her head of blue hair nestled in her arms. Xiao wordlessly placed an envelope on her desk.
“…Ah! Uh… g-good morning, Xiao!” The secretary's head shot up in a daze.
“You don't have to work all night, you know, Ganyu.”
“Oh, yes… I know, but… intel can come through at any time, and Morax is counting on me to process them. Um, is this your report from your last job? That was fast!” Ganyu filed the envelope away. “Are you heading out again?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay…” She flipped through the papers on her desk and handed a packet to Xiao. “Here's your next job. Knowing you, you shouldn't have any problem with it.”
“Thanks.” Xiao turned back to the door.
“Xiao!” Ganyu called out to him once more as he was halfway through the exit. “I'll tell Morax that you stopped by! Good luck!”
And with a nod, Xiao left.
***
Although Xiao wasn't worried about his target (a corrupt aristocrat), that didn't mean he had plenty of free time. He headed over to the Heyu Tea House, where his target liked to lounge about, squandering his unlawful gains. As it was still early, the aristocrat had not yet shown up; the place was empty, save for Xiao himself and the storyteller who took it upon himself to begin a story:
“There once was a massive monsters' den. The monsters were exceptionally cruel, kidnapping children from their homes! But they did not eat them—no! They forced them to labor like slaves as their masters sat round their fire pits, inhaling the fumes. Our story today is the tale of three of these children on a fateful night…”
By this point, Xiao's laptop had started up, and he began his research, tuning out the fantastical story behind him. Since he was in a public place, his resources were limited, but nevertheless, he would scour the surface web for any information on “Venti.” But “Venti” was nothing more than dust in the wind, a fleeting encounter swept away into the unknown.
“Though the children had slain the King of the Beasts, could they escape the den alive? Please come back tomorrow to find out what happened to our three brave heroes.” Just as the storyteller wrapped up his first story, Xiao's target, Gentry Maocai, arrived at the Tea House as if on cue. He sauntered over to the boss for idle chatter, leaving his servant to prepare his table. With his master's back turned, the servant flippantly arranged the dishes, placing Maocai's teacup front and center. After a bit of dawdling, he approached Maocai to coax him to his seat.
That was Xiao's chance. He slipped past the gentleman's unattended seat, dumped the contents of a small packet into his tea and then excused himself to the bathroom. Inside the packet was a ground powder created from the leaves of a tiny flower (gelsemine). It was a rare tea leaf, well suited for the end of a corrupt businessman's life.
Xiao returned to his proper table, lingering to make sure Gentry Maocai savored his final cup. At around 11:45, a lively voice suddenly popped up behind Xiao's head, snapping him out of his covert gaze. “Oh, is that my name? I’m flattered!” Xiao slammed his laptop closed. The annoying presence skipped around to the other side of the table. “You know, if you wanted to find me, you could've just asked for my number~!” He waved his cellphone. “Then you can reach me whenever!”
“No thanks…” Xiao grumbled automatically. “What are you doing here?”
“May I join you?” Venti pulled out the nearest chair without hesitation. “I told the host you were expecting me~.”
“Unfortunately, I was just about to leave.” Xiao rose slowly, trying to cover his irritation.
“Need to leave before the clock strikes twelve? Well, I guess the poor child couldn't be caught at the nobleman's… ball.” An artificial smile quickly covered Venti's smug eyes. “Well, that's okay! I've already heard all these stories anyway.” After leaving the storyteller an enormous tip, Venti cheerily exited the tea house after Xiao.
Although, personally, Xiao wanted to shake off his company, he could not stray far from his mission until he had confirmed completion. Moreover, this was a rare chance to gather intel on the elusive Venti. If Xiao lost him now, Venti would vanish into the untraceable shadows. For those reasons, Xiao reluctantly let Venti skip behind him up to a higher balcony.
Equally convenient and confusing, the many buildings of Feiyun Commerce Slope were connected by a network of stairs, balconies, and bridges which extended to the skies. From a business perspective, the arrangement was perfect for spying. From his higher perch, Xiao could easily watch the chaos that was unfolding at Heyu Tea House. The cacophony of moving furniture, the indistinct shouts, and the distant approach of sirens were enough to inform Xiao that Gentry Maocai was quickly expiring. By now, he was probably convulsing and having difficulty breathing.
Then the restaurant fell silent.
Venti, who had been quietly humming next to Xiao, suddenly snaked his left arm around Xiao's waist.
“Don't.” Xiao breathed.
“Aww, Honey…” Venti cooed. “Don't be so cold…” Venti let go of Xiao, his hand slowly creeping up to Xiao's cheek. With his right hand, he brushed back some of Xiao's hair and cupped his ear. “We're being watched.”
Xiao briefly scanned his surroundings, and sure enough, behind Venti, there was a woman in all black trying not to turn her eyes in discomfort.
Closing his eyes, Xiao inhaled sharply. “Sorry. I didn't mean to be cold.” Xiao wrapped his arms around Venti. “But once I start thinking about all the things I want to do to you…” He whispered loudly, his fingers crawling down Venti's back. “Well…” Lower. “I don't think I'd be able to control myself—”Lower—“Even in public.”
Venti jumped ever so slightly, his face as red as a chili. He wasn't the only one blushing—the nosy woman was struggling to hide her rosy cheeks—but he was the first to regain his composure. “Oh my~!” With a coy giggle, he grabbed Xiao's arm, locking their fingers, and led him hastily to street level.
“Never do that again,” Xiao hissed.
“Uh-huh.” Venti's eyes were locked with the sidewalk.
An ambulance had finally arrived at the scene, but it was too late.
As Xiao and Venti wormed through the busy crowd, Venti's jumbled footsteps calmed into his usual dancing step. Perhaps his hand was a little too snug in Xiao's…
“I know I didn't leave the greatest first impression, but I'm grateful that we could have this second date.”
“This isn't a date.”
“Hm.” Venti shrugged. “You go by Xiao, right?”
Xiao's feet froze. When did Venti learn his name? What else has he learned?
“Relax. I just think it's a nice name.” For a brief second, Venti readjusted his hand, and just like that, Xiao's phone had been snatched. “So, this is your number…” He rapidly typed in a message (“This is Xiao!”) and sent it off to an unfamiliar number.
Xiao yanked his phone back. “I'm going to block you.” But underneath his chastisement, he had even greater concerns. Not only did Venti have unknown access to information, but he also was exceptionally quick. Even ignoring whatever strength he might possess, he was a dangerous threat. Xiao had to figure him out before he could get whatever he wanted from Xiao.
When they arrived at a quiet park, Venti finally freed Xiao from his grip. “We're not being tailed anymore,” he exclaimed, stretching his arms.
“By that group, at least.”
Venti blinked. He turned his head left and right; there was confusion written all over it.
“What business do you have with me?”
“Huh? Business? Oh.” Laughing, Venti deflected Xiao's accusations, “It's nothing like that at all. Just think of me as your guardian angel~!”
“Such a thing like that doesn't exist.”
“Sure it does!” Sensing Xiao's growing bloodlust, Venti skipped back a few paces. “Well, I'm glad I could meet you a second time, but I do have other places to be~! See you soon!”
Xiao would have preferred to settle everything right then, but Venti had once again vanished into the bustling streets. Xiao could pursue him no longer. Clinging to the smallest hope, Xiao blocked the unknown number on his phone screen, but he knew that wouldn't be the end of it.
