𝑬𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕/𝑨 𝑩𝒂𝒊𝒛𝒉𝒖 𝒙 𝑭𝒆𝒎 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚

Chapter 4

To be honest seeing Baizhu in Mondstadt really was a shock to me, but I kind of liked it.

It's like I first appeared in Liyue to visit, and now he appears in Mondstadt to visit.

I know that's not the real reason why he came here, but I can't help but feel like he wanted to visit me. Well that's at least how I want to feel.

Truth of the matter is that I.. over the course of time seeing him and stuff made me realize how much I love his company.

He's a really great person and I would love to be friends with him, not just acquaintances.

He's really helped me out, and I genuinely appreciate that. And I can't help but feel like I want to be friends with him, and get closer to him.

And there's also this indescribable feeling that I have never felt before. All of my years of living, despite me living in a lab most of life I have experienced all kinds of feelings. But this one is just uncharacteristic. I don't know what's wrong with me.

Every time I see him I can't help but smile and feel safe. And when he gets really close to me, my heart beat quickens and my face heats up. And when I look into his eyes, his beautiful golden red snake like eyes, I can't help but feel butterflies flutter in my stomach. He makes me feel this warm fuzzy feeling that I can't quite place what it is... And when he gets really close to me, so close that I can feel his warm breath on my neck, shivers run down my spine, and I start shaking. But not in a bad way that I usually felt in the lab, it is a good way.

But what does all this mean? Why do I feel like this? Is there something wrong with me?

It's unexplainable why I feel all these feelings.

So why is it that when I see some girls flirting with him at the tavern I get upset?

Because I can still see him, he's right in front of me. But those emotions that I usually feel aren't there, and is instead replaced with rage and jealousy.

What do I have to be jealous of? They're just some random girls.

Then why do I always feel hatred towards them when I see them talking and flirting with him?

Is there another feeling I'm not paying attention to?

I walk over to Baizhu and the flock of girls surrounding him and I put his food on the table.

"Thank you."

I simply nod my head and began to walk away.

"Hey! Pay attention to us, not that shabby low life worker!"

My eye twitched and I turned back around towards whichever girl said that.

"Excuse me?"

I glared at her and she only smirked.

"You heard me! Now scram before someone gets hurt."

She laughed and all her puny little friends laughed with her.

"Oh you wanna see somebody get hurt huh? You can, but it sure won't be me."

"Is that a threat little girl."

"It is. And for the record..I'm not a little girl."

I was about to hit her when Diluc stepped in, and stopped me.

"Okay that's quite enough."

"And miss, if you ever dare insult or threaten my employee ever again you will be banned."

"Do I make myself clear?"

He gave her an angry look, and she nodded her head quickly in understanding.

"Don't let those girls get to you. Alright?"

I took a deep breath and sighed.

"Fine."

Ever since Baizhu have been staying in Mondstadt these past couple of days I have only felt pure rage towards those annoying girls who crowd him. But this is the first time I almost got in a fight with one.

I don't know why I'm so easily triggered by them, but I just am.

I continued taking other people's orders before I decided to take my break.

I then sat in between Kaeya and Lisa.

Kaeya who was annoying Diluc and Lisa who was talking to Rosaria both turned towards me. Rosaria also decided to glance my way.

"Can I ask you guys something?"

"Sure what's up?"

Kaeya responded smiling gently.

"If someone's heart quickens and face heats up whenever they're around somebody does that mean they're sick? Or sick of that person?"

Kaeya, Lisa, and Rosaria all glanced at each other, giving each other a look before turning back to me they were all smirking.

"No sweetie, it means you're in love with them."

"Love? What is Love?"

"Exactly what you just described. It also involves liking someone more than you would let's say love your close friends."

Rosaria explained. She really was thinking about the right words to say.

"But then again everybody's definition of love is different. While Rosaria is right, my definition of love may be different from Lisa's."

Kaeya added on. I nodded in understanding.

"Love..." An image of Baizhu flashed across my mind.

"Anything else?"

I asked them.

"Y/N, when you genuinely love someone you will do whatever it takes to protect them. When you love someone you want the best for them. Loving a person may mean you might get upset when they hang out with someone else, jealousy. When you truly love someone you will do whatever it takes to stay by their side, and help them along the way. Loving a person may mean you risking it all just to see them happy."

Diluc's words really inspired me. They cut deep. But I'm glad I know now.

"Wow Diluc, I didn't know you could say such genuine things."

Kaeya responded with a small smile.

"If I didn't know any better I would say you had a crush on someone."

Diluc scoffed.

"I've never had a crush on anyone. But I do know what it's like to love someone in a different more wholesome way..."

Kaeya looked down in his wine glass and clenched it tightly. His expression seemed a bit more saddened and depressed than it did before.

Diluc just looked away and sighed.

"The great nonchalant Dawn Winery owner actually caring about somebody? That's new."

Lisa laughed lightly at her own comment.

"You don't know anything."

Was all Diluc said before working behind the bar again. The way he said it was quiet and sad. Like his voice was strained and in pain.

Kaeya didn't say word. He looked spaced out, but you could see the sad expression on his face as he looked away.

The mood suddenly shifted and felt a little more heavy weighted.

I got up from my seat deciding I had enough of a break before getting back to work.

The girls were still surrounding Baizhu.

He tried to push some of the girls away but they wouldn't budge.

"Loving a person may mean you might get upset when they hang out with someone else, jealousy."

I remembered Diluc's words in my head. Repeating it over and over and over again.

I think I.. love Baizhu.