《Bookworm's bestfriend 『Part One』》

Now entering, Xingqiu's Story Quest

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✧ • * * • · . °

Now returning to the Northland Bank, The trio was greeted by the sight of Childe patiently waiting for them infront of the bank. By the time, they had arrived back, the sun had already set so there weren't that much people around.

"Ah... You've finally returned. How was your journey to Jueyun Karst?" Childe smiled, before smirking as he started teasing (Y/n) again. "I hope you didn't got lost again now, Princess... It's such a pain whenever I hear the Adventurer's Guild got another quest in search for you."

"First of all... It's not my fault, that I kept getting lost!" (Y/n) huffed, annoyed to the fact that the Harbinger did nothing but tease her whenever he sees her. "Anyways, We did what we have to do."

Childe listened seemingly quite focused, Aether took note of that. (Y/n) did all the explaining of the events occured earlier. The ginger head didn't say anything, and only nodded at every sentences that came out of the anemo user's mouth. The blonde could have sworn he saw a faint tint on the Harbinger's cheeks as his mouth slightly twitched upwards.

"...I see..." As soon as (Y/n) finished, Childe's gaze hardened. Crossing his arms, he continued. "Moon Carver, Mountain Shaper, Cloud Retainer, Conqueror of Demons... Some of these names have never come up in the intel, the Fatui gets hold off." His gaze lingered on both Aether and Paimon. "As a returning gift, I too have information for you. Regarding the Archon's passing..."

"The Liyue Qixing's response really have given me food for thought..." Childe added. "They've announced that, as the true killer has not yet been found, they are not allowing anyone to pay their respects to the Exuvia. They've even gone so far as to try and cut off information... But with the Rite of Descension and all, even the Qixing isn't able to keep a lid on things."

"Exuvia?" Paimon asked.

"It's common knowledge in Liyue that Rex Lapis is also an adeptus." Childe told her.

"Oh! Rex Lapis is the Geo Archon and The God of Contracts..." (Y/n) said, putting a hand on her chin, trying to remember what she learned about the Archon. "He's the Exuvia, The Prime of the Adepti."

"I see you did your fair share of homework too, Princess..." Childe mused, ruffling her messy hair. "Like this shorty said, The mighty and illuminated adepti of today all signed contracts to protect Liyue way back then."

"Guess that explains why they're all so focused on Liyue's well being..." Paimon pondered.

"Naturally. They both have the responsibility and the aptitude for the job." Childe crossed his arms. "If the ruling Qixing became unable to perform their duty properly, the adepti have the right to take corrective action. The Geo Archon's spirit had risen, so why would the Qixing hide his vessel? Truly suspicious..."

"I agree, something is definitely not right." Aether said, after being completely silent during the whole conversation.

"Oh! Right! He's the whole reason we came here!" Paimon exclaimed, remembering their goal.

"I still don't understand why you two needs to see an Archon....Out of all people...." (Y/n) muttered. Aether gently pulled her by the wrist and whispered, intentionally for the Harbinger won't hear him. Somehow, he was a little glad for his floating companion to do all the talking. "I'll explain everything, later. But not now."

'It must be something personal...' (Y/n) thought. Now zoning out of the conversation, she looked at her hand that was now interwinded with Aether's gloved hands. Her thoughts drifted on to her long time friend, Kazuha.

It had already been two years. Inazuma changed from what she had heard. The Sakoku Degree was even more worst than she had remembered. With the Vision hunt degree in the motion, she fear for the worst for her samurai friend. After all, he was a vision holder himself.

Snapping out of her thoughts, she found herself being dragged away by Aether from Childe. She blinked, it seems that their conversation is over. "Where are we going?"

"To find a place to sleep! That's why!" Paimon floated infront of the anemo polearm user, her face nearing hers. "Finding the Adepti and talking to Childe took us a day and a half! Paimon is already sleepy!"

"Oh! Well how stay in for the night at my house?" (Y/n) smiled sweetly that made Aether stopped. Both him and the floating emergency food stared at her with wide eyes. "I have a guest room. My house isn't that far. It's just in the outskirts of the harbor."

"Oh we couldn't possibly-" Paimon cut the blonde off. "You're a gift sent by heaven! Thanks to you, we won't have to camp outdoors tonight!"

Aether stared at his companion in disbelief. But he was soon embarrased when his stomach suddently rumbled in hunger. This made (Y/n) giggled. "Don't worry. I'll cook dinner for guys."

"You're a goddess, (Y/n)!" Paimon cheered.

✧ • * * • · . °

Aether slowly opened his eyes as his nose quickly sniffed out the aroma what seems to be Minty Meat Rolls. He slowly sat up and streched his arms, before looking around the room.

He was laying down on a simple Liyue style bed with a nightstand next to him. Looking to the other bed besides him, he noticed that it was empty, telling him that Paimon was already awake.

'That's new... She's always the last one to wake up...' Aether thought. He slowly stood up from his bed before fixing it. Atleast he could do was show that he wasn't a slob unlike the emergency food who didn't bother to fold the blanket she used. Being the sweet and kind outlander he is, he decided to do the same and fixed Paimon's bed.

Aether sighed, as he made his way out of the bedroom, trying to untangle his unbraided long blonde hair with his fingers. He was hoping that (Y/n) would lend him her hairbrush.

"There you are, Aether!" Paimon's voice was the first thing he heard once he entered the dining room. The white haired girl was holding a Crispy Potato Shrimp Platter before placing it on the table. "You lazy bum! Here we are cooking breakfast while all you did was sleep, do you have something to say to us?!"

"Hey, leave him be... Aether must be tired after what happened yesterday." (Y/n) emerged from the kitchen, Balancing three plates of Minty Meat Rolls. Despite being a little drowzy, Aether was quick enough to take two plates from her. "Thank you!"

The three began eating. As Paimon was literary inhaling the food on her plate, (Y/n) spoke up. "So Childe is out to find someone?"

"Yeah, From what he told us, this person can take us to the Exuvia." Aether confirmed. "But it might take him a while to find that person."

"Then do you have any plans for today?" (Y/n) questioned. "While waiting for Childe, you got to have something to do, errands perhaps?"

"Oh! We need a copy of the Liyue volume of the Teyvat Travel Guide." Paimon said, clearly asking for seconds. "We already have the Mondstadt Version."

"Oh no.... I lost mine a year ago..." (Y/n) muttered. "Perhaps we should ask Miss Jifang.... But again, she did say she won't sell it anymore.... But maybe... She have an old one?"

"It wouldn't hurt to ask..." Aether took his plate to the sink before washing his hands. "Even if it's used, I don't mind. I do really need one."

Once Paimon and (Y/n) finished eating, the three decided to head towards Wanwen bookhouse to see if they still sell the Liyue version of the Teyvat Travel guide. But before they did, the anemo vision holder was happy enough to braid Aether's long blonde locks to how it usually was.

She may or may not placed a flower or two on his braid.

Arriving at the Bookhouse, (Y/n) quickly waved cheerfully toward the owner, who returned the gesture. "Good morning, Miss Jifang~"

"Good morning to you too, (Y/n)." Jifang greeted, seeing that the young girl brought two new faces with her, she composed herself. "It seems that you brought friends today. Feel free to look around, there's no obligation to buy."

"We're looking for the Liyue volume of the Teyvat Travel Guide. Do you have it in stock?" Paimon asked as her and Aether went closer to the counter.

"Sorry, dear. we stopped stocking thay a very long time ago. It just wasn't selling." The woman told her, before glancing at her mostly adored regular customer. "This sweetheart here, bought the last copy I had, two years ago."

"I'm sorry but I sorta...lost it a year ago..." (Y/n) apologized.

It was an accident. It was back when she recently began living in Liyue after a year doing commissions for Mondstadt's adventurer's guild. Her, Bennett and Razor raided two Hilichurl camps that has alot of Hilichurls with Pyro element. Along the fierce battle, her travel guide fell out of her satchel, burning in the process.

Having been lost in her own thought, (Y/n) shook her head. She had to focus on the current situation. Finally going back to the conversation, she heard Paimon asked Jifang, "Who's Chang the Ninth?"

"A book collector who lives in Qingce Village. He's a compleye grouch, but he will behave himself if the conversation is about books.-" The boss of the Wanwen Bookhouse explained. On the corner of (Y/n)'s eye, she noticed a familar figure going through the red stairs up to the Bookhouse. She paled, cold sweat falling down from her temple to her chin. She then quietly, walked to Aether's left side, attempting to conceal herself from the figure now close by. It was the very person who told her that they will be gone for a while due to their father needing their assistance.

"-He was a regular customer here back when he lived in Liyue Harbor, and I still send him the odd out-of-print book or two every now, and then."

"Did somebody say, Out-of-print books?" A young man close to Aether and (Y/n)'s age asked. He has dark, navy blue hair with asymmetrical bangs and golden amber eyes. He has a slight frame and a light skin tone. There was a blue earring with a gold tassel on his right ear.

Aether and Paimon was curious of him while (Y/n) on the other hand was nervous, The male approached the counter and continued. "Is there a chance that volume six of Legend of the Shattered Halberd is also in his collection?"

"Um... Excuse me but, who are you?" Aether asked the male, trying to be polite. The young man faced him with calm smile.

"Apologies my liege, where are my manners? My name is Xingqiu, a humble literature enthusiast who happened to be passing by." Xingqiu introduced himself. His golden amber eyes landed on the girl who was hiding behind Aether. Both the blonde and Paimon could see his expression changed to somehow disappointed look as he crossed his arms. "And to think that I would have to run into a trouble maker. I have been gone for a short while only to come back to see people talking about a certain someone causing a commotion at the Rite of Descension."

"Wait... (Y/n), you know him?" Paimon asked, turning to the said anemo user who had her head down in shame, removing herself from Aether and slowly walked towards Xingqiu.

"He's one of my best friends, here in Liyue." (Y/n) muttered, avoiding the gazes of everyone in the bookhouse which were only Aether, Paimon, Xingqiu and Jifang. Finally having the courage to stare back at the disappointed Mom-friend, she began apologizing. "Xi-xing, We're innocent here. We were accussed but we're trying to prove that it wasn't us!"

The three could only watch as the girl was scolded.

"I am more bothered that you took a commission on your own than about the incident at the Rite of Descension." Xingqiu told her. "You often run into danger whenever you do commissions on your own. You do remember the Ruin Guard incident?"

"Please don't remind me..." (Y/n) hid her face on her palms as unpleasant memories flashed in her mind. That day, her other bestfriend, Chongyun got really hurt. She blamed herself for what happened, but Chongyun told her to pay no mind about it. He even told her that he was willingly to lose a limb in order to protect her. "... Please don't tell Chongyun. I don't want him to worry again."

If slimes are quite friendly with (Y/n), then Ruin Guards and Hunters are her arch-nemesis. Where ever she goes, what ever she was doing, there are always a one or two cyclops machinery out there to destroy her.

A mischevous smile appeared on Xingqiu's face as he brough a comforting pat on the girl's back, lightly assuring her that he won't tell the Cryo user about what he heard. Looking back at both Aether and Paimon, he decided to go back to the topic on hand. "My Liege. Since you and I are both in search of lost books, what say we travel together to Mt. Qingce and pay a visit to Chang the Ninth?"

Aether thought about it for a few seconds before agreeing. "Make sense. Please lead the way."

"My pleasure, fellow book lover!" Xingqiu smiled, before leading the travellers to where Chang the Ninth was.

"Speaking of which, how did you encounter this trouble seeking maiden?" Xingqiu asked, clearly curious.

"Oh! Aether saved her from a group of Hilichurls. (Y/n) said she wants to talk to them, peacefully." Paimon answered without any hesistation. "Did you know she has a pet slime?! Quite dangerous but adorable! That slime seems to sleep quite alot!"

"You have already encountered Netsu?" Xingqiu mused, glancing at (Y/n)'s satchel where the slime rests in. "To think that you have met Netsu at an earlier time."

"It was unexpected actually."(Y/n) said, patting the sleeping slime from her pouch. "Netsu sorta, attacked Aether, thus them meeting earlier than expected. But after a while, Netsu started trusting them."

Looking back to her book loving friend, she thought it was a good time to tell him. "Xi-xing, I decided to travel with Aether. Remember when I said I want to be a traveller? Aether is one too, so I thought it was a good idea tag along with him and Paimon."

"Seems likely this is a subject that I must inform Chongyun once he returns. Knowing him, he would be displeased but who we are to stop you?" The male with dark navy blue hair with asymmetrical bangs commented. That's when his gaze landed on Aether, Xingqiu cleared his throat, gaining the blonde's attention. "If that is the case, My Liege? There is a few things that I need to inform you about our dearest (Y/n) here."

Xingqiu began his lectures.

✧ • * * • · . °

After Xingqiu's constant reminders of what the blonde should do while travelling with the anemo user like the mom that he is, they found theirselves standing on Chang the Ninth's front lawn. The trio could see the very man they were looking for deep in thought. Aether, being the polite gentleman that he is, decided to approach him first. "Excuse me, are you Chang the Ninth?"

The man look at them and nodded. " And what do you want? Come on, spit it out!"

He was a little rude, seemingly on the edge. (Y/n) could feel the sudden shift in the wind, making her frown. There seems to be something wrong.

"We've heard you've got tons of old books lying around, and we wanna borrow the Liyue volume of the Teyvat Travel Guide." Paimon asked. Chang the Ninth scoffed at this.

"Don't get me started on the topic of my books..." The older man's gaze softened, sad of what happened to his collection. "After the Chasm was sealed off, the family mining business started going south. Then, the Fatui started working to sabotage me... To pay off my debts, I had no choice but to pawn off my beloved book collection. Every last book! Do you have any idea what that means?!"

The older man began ranting, then demanded for them to leave until Xingqiu finally asked what he came here for. Chang began reminiscing the beauty of the book, with Xingqiu sharing his own opinion and interest. Both bookworms, sharing the same interests, this made (Y/n)'s eyes sparkled with curiosity, she haven't read the series yet. She mentally took note to ask Xingqiu if he has a copy of the first volume.

"Ay! Chang!" Their little conversation was interrupted when a rather muscular man decided to join in. Crossing his arm, his rather intimidating look, bore through the souls of the trio and Chang. "You've got some nerve keeping me and my boss waiting like this. I need an answer! Will you sell the Cor Lapis or not? I'm sure you don't need me to remind you that if you mess with Gentry Maocai, you're messing with the Fatui!"

Feeling the air around the man, (Y/n)'s gaze hardened as she clenched her fist. That man meant no good. Chang sighed. "You again... But you know I can't afford to give a seventy percent discount on the price... I'd never be able to buy my collection back-"

"That's your business. The question is, do you want your books or do you want food on your plate? Perhaps you'd like to take your books with you to an early grave?" The man cut him off, not really interested in what Chang's reason was, making the man sigh again. However, (Y/n) was a little mad, she's not letting the man get away with this.

"How insensitive of you! Can't you cut Mr. Chang some slacks?! Seventy percent discount is way to much!" (Y/n) was fuming, causing both Aether and Paimon to stare at her in shock. Xingqiu on the other hand, look somehow proud, watching her stop herself from summoning her polearm. For a year he known the girl, she was the kind of person who is willingly stand up for others, never letting them get pushed around by other people. That's a trait he likes about her. "In the business world, people like you should be less selfish. Imagine the hardwork that the merchants go through just to obtain some products to sell for people like you! They too, have to earn money to feed themselves-"

"Shut up, kid. This had nothing to do with you." The man retorted, cutting her off completely. "Keep your mouth shut if you don't want your pretty face get damaged."

"How about I end your entire bloodline, instead?!" Aether was quick to act, grabbing the anemo user by her waist before she could hurt anyone and herself. Paimon did too, holding on to the girl's cape with the best of her abilities.

Xingqiu decided to step in. He has to make sure that the poor man would see mercy against the fuming female. "Whoa there, friend. Come on. This gentleman is either willing to make a deal or he's not. You can't force him to sell against his will."

"Just who do you think you are? Keep your nose out of other people's business!" The man snapped.

"My liege, I am but one who comes to the aid of this gentleman in his moment of need. I am Xingqiu, desciple of the Guhua clan." The hydro user crossed his arms. After hearing his introduction, the man laughed.

At this rate, even Chang is trying to hold back the now bloodthirsty (Y/n).

"Guhua Clan! Did you hear this clown? He thinks he's a Guhua master! In this day and age!" The man continues to laugh. "There was me thinking that the last granddads of Guhua had keeled over and died by now. Who are you supposed to be then, some sort of Guhua messiah!?"

'Where's the (Y/n), I met a two days ago?!' Aether thought, staring at the girl in disbelief as she struggle from his and Chang's grip. She somehow reminds him of an angry Razor he met on his way to Liyue.

"Where is do this girl's strength comes from?!" Chang grunted as (Y/n) almost got out of his grip.

"Paimon is wondering too! She's wasn't like this when we first met her, she was so sweet!" Paimon covered (Y/n)'s mouth as she was about to yell at the man.

Xingqiu glance at his fuming friend. He smiled, feeling nothing but warmth as she was only wanting to defend him. But he got this. "Justice is blind to our background, my friend. That just makes me someone trying to do the right thing. But you? The weasel who does the tiger's bidding may be less powerful than his master, but he is no less guilty."

"Get a load of this guy! Just you wait, you'll be sorry you crossed me!" The man told him, before looking at Chang. "And you, Chang... You're selling that Cor Lapis whether you like it or not!"

After the man left, Aether, Paimon and Chang finally let go of (Y/n) who huffed in annoyance. "Who do you think he is?! Why did you hold me back? I was about to give him a piece of my mind!"

"You might drop a kick again, like what you did to that Millelith back in Jueyun Karst!" Paimon told her.

"Exactly! You should have let me!" (Y/n) argued back.

"Now, (Y/n). I already succeeded on handling the matter with my own hands." Xingqiu told her, chuckling.

"Oh, now the wolves prey upon the fallen tiger! My days are numbered." Chang sighed.

"...So just to come back to what we were talking about earlier, could I get a yea or nay about borrowing that book...?" Xingqiu didn't hesistate on returning to the previous topic.

"Xi-xing, atleast read the athmosphere." (Y/n) scolded, before looking to Chang with an apologetic stare. "Mr. Chang, please excuse his manners."

"Oh, what does it matter now? I can't expect anybody to care about me anymore. But since you did stick up for me, please just take this book and leave me in peace." The older man finally gave Xingqiu the book he had been asking for.

"Three long years I have waited for this day! Words cannot express my gratitude... I, Xingqiu, will repay this great act of generosity!" Xingqiu look like a kid who got the toy he wanted. Chang waved him.

"Alright, give it a rest! Just bring it back when you're finished. Sorry, but I'm not about to put my hopes in some self-professed Guhua disciple."

"Hey! Where are you going!? We've still got a job to do over here!" Paimon shouted.

"Xingqiu!" (Y/n) called out as the hydro user began walking away.

She ran after him.