Rewind | Genshin Impact

Chapter 3

"Yes - it was quite intriguing." Kaeya said thoughtfully as he took another slurp of his noodles. "I will surely miss America, however next time I want to explore elsewhere - perhaps Europe."

After happy introductions and reunions, Xingqiu motioned for everyone to sit down and brought out a range of dishes he prepared. Apparently, Xiangling came over earlier in the day and helped him cook. 

Venti got up and swiftly reached for the wine in the middle of the table, however Kaeya beat him to it and placed it out of his reach. 

"I haven't had that much." Venti protested, however Kaeya just shook his head with a chuckle.

"Two glasses is enough for you, last thing we need is you drunk tonight." 

"You know my tolerance is high-" Venti continued, but then he heard a sudden scoff next to him - Xiao. At this Venti decided to shut up and just sit down. 

"So-" Lumine began to inquire, leaning forward on the table. "Did you hear anything about - missing boys perhaps?"

Kaeya chuckled nervously at this, and diverted his attention back to his noodles. "Seems like America doesn't have much news about missing boys."

"Really?" Lumine inquired, as she stabbed her noodles with her chopsticks rather aggressively. "Isn't that strange? I thought America had high missing people rates. Or just in general a high population."

Missing boys? Why would Kaeya be looking for missing boys and why would Lumine be so interested in it?

"It is strange." Kaeya repeated, Venti looked over at Lumine who seemed to be shooting daggers through her eyes at Kaeya. 

Kaeya quickly diverted his attention elsewhere. "So - Xiao." Venti felt sudden movement beside him as the boy stiffened. "How's your dad going?"

"Dad? What?" The boy in question asked, confusion present on his face - which Venti noticed Kaeya smirk at.

"You have no idea who I'm talking about?" Kaeya leaned forward to stare at Xiao more intensely. 

"N- Wait you mean Zhongli?" He questioned Kaeya, which Kaeya clapped his hands at.

"The one and only."

Zhongli? The college professor? He looked late 20's at the most, there was no way he could be Xiao's dad-

"He isn't my dad." Venti heard Xiao sternly comment, well that certainly answers that question.

"I'm just messing with you." Kaeya laughed, which Xiao rolled his eyes at, however there was fondness present in his eyes.

"Zhongli's fine." He answered simply.

"Did Childe finally pop the question?" Kaeya pressed on. 

What? Childe the ethics professor?  What question?

"Still too scared of rejection, as if that'll ever happen." Xiao mumbled the last part then went back to fiddling with his food when another voice popped up.

"Now why don't you stop interrogating the poor boy about his professors love life?" Venti looked over to the source of the voice and noticed it was Diluc, he had his eyes narrowed and his hair was a flaming red. 

Gosh he truly was pretty.

"And my dear brother, how have you been?" Kaeya matched Diluc's glare and there was anger present in his eyes. The atmosphere suddenly became extremely tense. 

"Same old." Diluc replied simply, eyes not leaving Kaeya's.

Luckily, Xingqiu also seemed to pick up the atmosphere and decided to interfere. "So - how's everyone enjoying the meal?"