The sun rises steadily over Teyvat High School, its golden rays painting the campus in warm hues. I move through my morning routine with practiced calm, the rhythmic clatter of dishes and the comforting aroma of tea providing a rare moment of tranquility. Today is significant—Xiao's final first day of high school.

As I prepare breakfast with meticulous care, flipping pancakes and scrambling eggs, my mind remains preoccupied. The Zhongven household buzzes with activity—Ganyu organizing her schedule, the twins engaged in lively conversation, and Valea sitting quietly, eager for the new school year.

When Xiao enters the kitchen, his weary expression tugs at my heart. The pressures of senior year are evident, and I offer him a warm smile, hoping to alleviate his worries.

"Good morning, Xiao," I say softly. "Did you sleep well?"

His response is subdued, a reflection of the weight he carries. I watch my children interact, each moment a reminder of how quickly time passes and how much my family means to me.

After breakfast, I drive to the school, my thoughts a swirling mix of anticipation and concern. Arriving early, I take a moment to appreciate the familiar surroundings of the campus—the buildings, the pathways—all steeped in memories.

Just as I approach my classroom, Principal Ningguang greets me with a serious expression.

"Good morning, Mr. Zhongli."

"Good morning, Ms. Ningguang."

"I wanted to inform you that we have a new student joining us today. He will arrive at the start of class."

Curiosity piqued; I nod. As Ningguang departs, I step into my classroom, the space I have dedicated to bringing history to life for my students. I prepare for the lesson, but my mind is already occupied with thoughts of the new student.

Students filter into the room, their voices creating a lively buzz. I observe them, a mix of nostalgia and anticipation stirring within me. Then, the moment arrives.

"Before we begin," I announce, my voice steady but tinged with an edge of expectation, "we have a new student joining us today. Please welcome Venti."

The door opens, and Venti steps into the room. Time seems to slow, each second stretching into eternity. I blink, and for a moment, I am convinced I am hallucinating.

Venti appears to move in an ethereal slow motion, his white gown flowing around him like a shimmering cloud. Angelic wings spread from his back, casting a halo of light around him. The sight is breathtaking, almost otherworldly. Venti's beauty is mesmerizing, his presence exuding an aura of profound love and serenity. My heart skips a beat, and I feel a strange, overwhelming connection.

Is this real? I wonder, feeling a mix of awe and disbelief. The vision before me feels too perfect, too surreal to be true. My mind races, struggling to reconcile this apparition with the reality of my classroom.

I blink rapidly, trying to dispel the illusion. The image wavers, and the room's normalcy gradually reasserts itself. Venti is no longer an angelic figure but a young man with a calm demeanor and a polite smile. Yet the impact of that first, overwhelming vision lingers.

My heart pounds as I try to regain my composure. The familiarity of Venti, the ethereal presence, stirs something deep within me—a distant echo of a past life, a connection I cannot fully grasp. My role as a teacher is suddenly overshadowed by a personal turmoil I am ill-prepared to handle.

I look around the classroom, noticing how Xiao's eyes lock onto Venti with a mixture of shock and recognition. The tension in the air is palpable, a silent acknowledgment of a deeper connection that I cannot yet understand.

The lesson proceeds, but I find it difficult to focus. My mind is a whirlwind of confusion and emotion. The weight of my past life, intertwined with Venti, is an unrelenting force. My professional demeanor is challenged by the profound personal significance of Venti's arrival.

As the class ends, I approach Venti with a sense of urgency and curiosity. I need to understand more about this enigmatic student, whose presence has stirred such intense feelings within me.

"Venti," I begin, my voice slightly unsteady despite my efforts to remain composed, "I trust you're settling in well?"

Venti's response is courteous, but I sense an underlying depth in his words. The mystery surrounding him, combined with the remnants of my vision, creates a complex emotional landscape that I struggle to navigate.

The rest of the day is a blur of conflicting emotions. My thoughts return repeatedly to Xiao and the impact Venti's presence will have on him. The familiar chaos of the Zhongven household offers some comfort, but the day's events weigh heavily on my mind.

During dinner, my gaze frequently drifts to Xiao. His contemplative expression is a stark reminder of the challenges we face. The intertwining of past and present is both a blessing and a curse, and I am determined to support my children as they confront this new reality.

As I prepare for bed, I reflect on the sense of change that permeates my life. The echoes of fate are louder than ever, and I face the future with a mixture of trepidation and resolve. Tomorrow promises new challenges and discoveries, and I must find a way to balance my roles as a father, a teacher, and a man confronted with the ghost of his past.

For now, I can only trust in the journey ahead, ready to face whatever comes with a quiet strength. The echoes of our shared history are profound and persistent, and I stand prepared to play my part in this unfolding drama of fate and destiny.