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

A summer morning by the sea. A young girl in a white shirt and jeans walked along an empty beach.

Her lone footsteps trailed all the way to the edge of the waves. She lifted her head and gazed toward the distant horizon, her eyes tinged with sorrow.

The sun had yet to rise, and the sea breeze was cool. Her hair fluttered messily in the wind.

A faint glimmer flickered in her eyes as she continued to stare quietly out at the sea, as if waiting for something—or someone—to appear.

"Cut! That's a wrap!"

With the director's shout, the previously empty beach was suddenly bustling with activity. Turns out all the crew had been hiding behind the cameras.

Barbara immediately spun around, shedding her melancholic aura to reveal her usual cheerful energy.

"How was it? Did I do okay?"

"Perfect!" The director praised enthusiastically. "Your emotion was spot-on! Tony was right to have an eye for talent!"

Barbara's radiant smile grew even brighter with the compliments, and the rest of the crew couldn't help but smile with her. Just seeing that grin made the cold morning feel worth it.

Lu Chen waved at Barbara, who ran over happily. Venti and Tony were already reviewing the playback on a nearby monitor.

This was the shoot for the music video of Venti's second album, Travel. Barbara had performed beautifully—just two takes, and she captured exactly the mood the director and Venti wanted.

Venti nodded with satisfaction. "A girl who loses someone dear, setting off on a journey. Before she reaches her destination, her emotions would be tinged with sorrow and uncertainty—you conveyed that perfectly!"

As Lu Chen considered the song's message, he asked curiously, "Why does this story feel kind of familiar?"

Barbara leaned in curiously, her head poking into the frame. Lu Chen looked her over—blonde hair, check. If she had a couple of little white flowers in her hair, she'd resemble someone even more.

Maybe add a flying companion...

Traveler Lumine—alternate universe edition.

"This was inspired during one of our travels," Venti said mysteriously, winking. "Guess what the next few tracks are about?"

Lu Chen shook his head—how would he know?

Venti didn't drag it out. "The second one's super dramatic. A man loses his memory and ends up clashing blades with his beloved... lots of pain and angst."

"The third is about a middle-aged man reminiscing about his glory days and lamenting the passage of time."

"And another one... is about people saying goodbye to those who've passed, letting go of regrets, and bravely starting anew."

Lu Chen couldn't help but laugh. A wave of emotion welled up in him.

That really was their story.

"We've been through so much—how could I not turn it into songs?" Venti shrugged, as if it were only natural.

Lu Chen nodded silently. Just like his Liyue: Floating World Amid a Thousand Rocks, Venti was using his music to record their shared journey.

Tony, who had been quietly listening from the side, finally interjected with curiosity. "Wait—so all your songs are based on your real experiences?"

Lu Chen and Venti exchanged a glance and simply smiled.

Tony scratched his head, puzzled. "You're all only in your twenties... how do you have so much life experience?"

...

After a quick chat with Venti, the director prepped for the next shot.

Stage crew signaled everyone to get into position, and Barbara jogged back to the beach.

The entire morning shoot went smoothly. The team hopped between several filming locations without issue.

But come afternoon, the MV shoot hit a snag.

On a busy city street, the director stood on the curb, frowning, wrinkles creasing his face.

The makeup artist stared at Barbara helplessly, surrounded by curious onlookers.

Lu Chen had just been chatting in the group chat, discussing when Diluc's new bar should open, when he looked up and spotted the scene.

"What happened?" he asked as he walked over.

Barbara was comforting the visibly distraught makeup artist, who looked like she'd just been scolded.

Barbara had changed into a professional outfit. These next scenes jumped forward a few years, showing her character struggling in the city and growing into a more capable woman.

"I just can't get the look that the director and Mr. V.T. want..." the makeup artist murmured.

Lu Chen gave Barbara a once-over. "Looks pretty good to me. Very mature."

"We're not aiming for just a regular office worker…" Venti walked over with a sigh, clearly more patient than the tense director.

The makeup artist quickly asked him to clarify what exactly he wanted.

"Hmm..." Venti rubbed his chin, thinking.

"Mature, but still lively. Youthful, but not naive. Someone who's been through a lot, carrying a trace of melancholy—but also hopeful, believing she'll one day achieve her dreams!"

The makeup artist stared at him, stunned.

Barbara awkwardly tugged at her sleeve.

"What kind of impossible client brief is this…" Lu Chen muttered under his breath.

Colorful black, was it?

Tony joined them with a helpless look. "This kind of look is really hard to pull off. It's too complicated. And isn't this MV about a girl chasing her dreams in the city? Your description's kind of all over the place..."

Venti simply spread his hands. "Who said it's just about a girl chasing dreams?"

He had so much more to say—hidden in the melody was a deeper, richer life story.

"I'll give it one more shot..." The makeup artist led Barbara to a makeshift dressing room, her expression crestfallen.

She might've been young, but she was already one of Starlight's most talented rising stylists, having crafted looks for many stars to great acclaim.

Still, she'd never had such a demanding client...

Lu Chen put away his phone and followed them in. He watched as the makeup artist gently removed Barbara's previous look and began anew.

Her hands moved confidently with her compact and a collection of brushes Lu Chen couldn't name. Before long, a stunning new Barbara appeared in the mirror.

"How about this time...?" the makeup artist asked hesitantly, looking toward Venti.

Venti examined Barbara's new look. "Hmm… much better than before..."

But before the makeup artist could smile, he added, "Still not quite what I envisioned."

Her face froze, then slowly fell. Even Barbara looked a little embarrassed.

The director was already glancing their way again, clearly impatient. The makeup artist looked like she was about to cry.

"Don't worry, don't worry..." Lu Chen quickly stepped forward.

He picked up his phone again, intending to summon the fashion and styling guru—Yae Miko—from the group chat.

Teyvat's Most Handsome: @Gorgeous and Wise Editor-in-Chief Yae, help! This is a level ten emergency! (Image: It's on fire!)

It took a while before a reply popped up.

Gorgeous and Wise Editor-in-Chief Yae: Why are you bothering the Guuji?

Teyvat's Most Handsome: We need a makeup artist! A top-tier one! No. 12 Zhongshan Road—get here fast!!

Gorgeous and Wise Editor-in-Chief Yae: Not going.

Teyvat's Most Handsome: I'll make you your favorite fried tofu! (Image: begging) (Image: cute face)

Gorgeous and Wise Editor-in-Chief Yae: (Image: slacking off)

Teyvat's Most Handsome: Come on, you're just lounging at home! Help us out already!

Gorgeous and Wise Editor-in-Chief Yae: Who said I'm doing nothing?

Teyvat's Most Handsome: Then what are you doing?

Gorgeous and Wise Editor-in-Chief Yae: Beauty sleep.

Lu Chen put down his phone, speechless. It had been half a month since her return, and she was still just sleeping at home every day?

He looked at the group standing around helplessly, then sighed.

Forget it—if you want something done right, do it yourself.

"I'll give it a try!"

"Huh? You?" The female makeup artist looked up in shock.

"Yes!" Lu Chen pointed at Barbara and said confidently, "I'll do her makeup!"

Venti and Barbara turned to him as well. Venti burst out laughing.

"You know how to do makeup too?"

"Lu Chen... does makeup?" Barbara's eyes went wide. She couldn't believe it.

In her eyes, Lu Chen was a powerful figure—on par with the Archons themselves. Makeup just didn't seem like something that fit his image...

"Let's just try..." Lu Chen approached Barbara with little confidence. The makeup artist, still doubtful, gave up her seat.

He vaguely remembered choosing between [Gardening & Horticulture] and [Makeup Master] in a skill menu—and opting for the latter...

He'd never actually used it before, but hey—anything granted by the system shouldn't let him down, right?

Then Lu Chen stared blankly at the pile of makeup tools, not even recognizing their names.

"What's this?" he asked, pointing to something brush-like.

"That's an eyeliner pen," the makeup artist replied.

"And this?"

"Eyelash curler—for curling lashes..." Her tone had grown weary.

This guy clearly didn't know the first thing about makeup. Was this a joke?

Lu Chen glanced at the endless array of bottles and jars on the vanity—and suddenly understood why girls took over an hour to get ready.

Makeup was... incredible.

Even though he didn't know the names or uses of these tools, the moment he picked up the powder puff, he knew what to do with it.

He leaned closer to the still and quiet Barbara, glancing at her reflection in the mirror. In his mind, a series of styled images and step-by-step techniques began to unfold—every motion, every detail.

Barbara eyed Lu Chen nervously. She wanted to tell him not to force it...

But when she saw the calm determination in his eyes—and his smooth, practiced movements—she said nothing.

Maybe... he could do this?

Lu Chen began applying makeup with swift, confident strokes. The onlookers, skeptical at first, gradually turned surprised—then downright astonished.

Barbara stared at her reflection, watching herself change with every passing second. Her eyes widened again.

In Venti's song, the girl's image spans years of transformation—and with all the wild requests from the "client," this look was extremely hard to nail.

So Lu Chen chose a clear, cool style with a trace of boyish resilience.

Barbara's natural beauty was the perfect canvas. She wore the look flawlessly.

A girl who had chased after a loved one across distant roads, enduring hardship and heartbreak along the way.

A resilient traveler who would one day stand at her journey's end, overcoming everything—and finally, reuniting with the one she sought.

As Lu Chen completed the final touch, he looked once again at the mirror—at the beautiful young woman, now completely transformed.

"All done!"

"This... is this really me?" Barbara asked in disbelief, her voice filled with delight as she studied herself in the mirror.

Venti, who had been standing silently behind them, finally gave a satisfied nod once the look was finished.

"Yes. This is exactly what I wanted."

Tony, who had been lurking nearby, muttered quietly, "I've got a feeling—no matter how the song turns out, the MV's female lead is definitely going viral..."

This heroine—crafted for the lead single—added so much to the music. She matched every lyric perfectly.

And she was stunning.

The makeup artist could barely close her mouth. She pointed at Barbara, then at Lu Chen.

"She..."

"You..."

Seeing her completely speechless, Lu Chen chuckled. "What's wrong?"

Tears welled up in her eyes as she nearly pounced on him in excitement.

"This is a miracle! Mr. Lu, you're a true master of makeup!"

Lu Chen scratched his head modestly. "I just know a thing or two."

At that moment, he carried the aura of Master Zhongli himself.

The makeup artist refused to believe this was Lu Chen's first time doing makeup. To her, he just became even more mysterious.

She pressed her palms together, eyes sparkling with sincerity.

"Master, please—let me be your disciple!!"

"Uh..."

Lu Chen looked at her helplessly.

If it were martial arts, maybe he could teach her a thing or two.

But this? Not a chance.