Genshin Impact: Back From Teyvat - The Archon Follows Me Home!

The next morning, the motorhome made its way out of the winding mountain roads toward the city.

Lu Chen yawned and rubbed his eyes as he got up from the passenger seat.

Yae Miko had taken over as the driver. Lu Chen had driven through the entire night, and now he was so exhausted he could barely keep his eyes open.

Surprisingly, aside from him and Miko, everyone else looked perfectly fine.

It made sense for the three gods to be tireless, but even Hu Tao, who had spent the entire night stirring up chaos, looked full of energy.

In the RV's lounge, Hu Tao was curiously exploring the unfamiliar furnishings—or more accurately, she was fixated on the object in Qiqi's hands.

"Qiqi, whatcha doing?"

"Watching TV..."

"What's that in your hand?"

"The remote..."

"Let me see!"

Qiqi ignored her.

Hu Tao plopped down beside Qiqi on the big couch, practically pressing up against her as she stared at the screen.

Expressionless, Qiqi slid to the right.

Hu Tao blinked and scooted right along with her.

Qiqi edged further away.

"It's too hot... Don't like it."

For the first time, a flicker of disdain crept onto Qiqi's normally blank face.

She raised her little arm and changed the channel.

The TV was playing a brainless action drama—the male lead was about to beat the villain into a pulp, laughing triumphantly. It was oddly satisfying.

Hu Tao glanced at the beatdown onscreen, then turned to Lu Chen, who was watching like it was premium entertainment.

"Do you think Qiqi hates me...?"

Still half-asleep, Lu Chen rubbed his eyes and yawned.

He didn't even register the question before muttering, "She doesn't hate you. Qiqi really likes you."

"Really?!" Hu Tao's plum blossom eyes sparkled.

"Mm."

"See, Qiqi? I knew it!" Hu Tao grabbed Qiqi's hand with glee.

Qiqi's entire body trembled.

Meanwhile, Lu Chen stumbled off to bed, his back feeling strangely cold—like someone was staring holes into him.

The gaze felt hauntingly resentful.

Forget it, I'm too tired. Sleep first.

Overwhelmed by fatigue, he flopped straight onto his soft single bed.

Just before drifting off, he vaguely remembered something Hu Tao had said...

...

He slept like a log and woke up around noon.

As he sat up in bed, he was greeted by a pair of purple eyes.

Ei was sitting at the edge of the bed and asked gently, "We've arrived at the hotel. Do you want to head to your room and sleep, Chen?"

Looking around, he saw that the RV was indeed parked in the hotel lot, and everyone else had already left.

"Sure~" Lu Chen narrowed his eyes playfully. "Let's go sleep in the room—with Ei."

"Are you really that tired?" Her violet gaze shimmered with a hint of suspicion.

Lu Chen grinned. "I can't sleep well without you beside me."

Ei rolled her eyes in mock annoyance. "What are you even saying?"

"I mean it!"

Before she could react, Lu Chen grabbed Ei from behind and, in a blink, tackled her onto the bed.

Using a wrestling move, he caught even Ei off guard.

Thud! The two of them collapsed onto the soft mattress.

Ei pushed him away helplessly. "What are you doing..."

Lu Chen grabbed her wrists teasingly. "Or we could just sleep right here."

"No!"

Ei protested, but Lu Chen wouldn't let go.

The two of them tossed and turned on the narrow bed, messing up the sheets like a pretzel.

Just as their playful struggle peaked, a faint sound echoed through the air.

Lu Chen shot upright like he'd been electrocuted.

What the hell?! Didn't everyone leave? Why is someone still in the RV?!

Ei, watching his expression shift from smug to horrified, couldn't help but laugh. So even someone with a skin thicker than a city wall had a shy side.

"Tsk, tsk..."

Miko's figure passed by the bed, her gaze dripping with disdain.

After the driver had gotten off earlier, the RV had been quiet for a long time.

Now, Lu Chen and Ei looked at each other. The silence was thick with awkwardness.

Ei covered her mouth and giggled.

"You could've told me..." Lu Chen muttered.

"I did say not to..."

...

Back at the hotel room, Lu Chen didn't return to bed—he wasn't tired anymore.

Soon after, everyone gathered in his room. Hu Tao sat on the sofa, soaking up the group's attention.

"Well... here's the deal: this world is completely different from Teyvat. To open the path back, we need to complete certain missions."

After Lu Chen's brief explanation, Hu Tao nodded thoughtfully.

"Hm, this world's pretty fun. Besides, with you guys here, I'm in no rush to go back!" Her gaze bounced casually from Lu Chen to Zhongli, and finally landed on Qiqi.

Qiqi shuddered.

Lu Chen cleared his throat, and everyone turned to him.

"Now, while everyone's challenge is difficult... Master Hu, yours is especially..."

Host a traditional funeral at midnight on the Ghost Festival.

Which, according to the lunar calendar, was fast approaching on the fifteenth of the seventh month. Time was tight, sure—but that wasn't the real issue.

The real question was... the funeral.

"Is someone going to die?" Lu Chen glanced suspiciously around the room.

"Don't say such unlucky things!" Miko shot him another sharp look.

That glare reminded Lu Chen of their earlier incident in the RV, and he smiled awkwardly.

Sure, he and Ei were usually lovey-dovey in front of everyone, but rolling around in bed? That was a bit much to get caught doing...

"Heh..." Lu Chen laughed weakly. "Of course it's not one of us. I mean, who could possibly carry us into Wangsheng Funeral Parlor? Still, if the system wants a funeral, there's gotta be a target... right?"

Venti held his wine jug, deep in thought. "Maybe have Morax go ask around town? There are a lot of elderly folks living down the mountain—who knows, one of them might..."

Lu Chen suddenly imagined a scene—

Hu Tao walking into the village with a coffin board, promoting funeral packages... and getting kicked out by angry residents.

He immediately cut Venti off. "Instead of that, how about worrying if your drunk driving's going to send someone off instead? Where's your license at? You ever gonna finish it? And what about your bar?!"

The spotlight suddenly turned to Venti, who sheepishly put down his jug.

"I mean, we're just out having fun, right? No time to take the test. But I'm super confident in the written portion..."

As the two chatted, Hu Tao suddenly shot up from the couch.

She pointed at Zhongli, her eyes wide in shock.

"I knew it! I knew you were the Geo Archon!!"

"Huh?" Venti blinked and looked at Lu Chen. "She didn't know?"

Lu Chen nodded. "Most people in Liyue don't know the Archon's still alive. And of those who do, almost none realize he's a guest consultant for Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."

Hu Tao's attention, which had been locked on Qiqi, instantly shifted to Zhongli.

She grabbed at his sleeve with a "You owe me an explanation!" look.

Zhongli's shirt was tugged every which way as he sighed helplessly.

Clearly, dealing with his overzealous parlor master wasn't his strong suit.

Thanks to Hu Tao and Venti's antics, Lu Chen completely forgot they were supposed to be discussing the challenge.

His attention drifted back to something Venti had said—

"We're just out here having fun..."

Wait.

Why did I come out here with everyone in the first place?

Felt like... I forgot something...

Lu Chen fell deep into thought.

So did Ei.

Then, all at once, Lu Chen slapped the table and stood up.

"Oh crap—wasn't I supposed to be competing?!"