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

Lu Chen and Ei sat in "Morning Light - Craft Beer" for a long time before finally welcoming their first customer.

Looking at the young man who seemed to be in a bad mood, Lu Chen was nearly moved to tears. They were finally open for business...

Venti was especially enthusiastic, eagerly introducing the bar's signature drinks to the newcomer alongside the young bartender.

But under the group's overly warm gazes, the young man's mood only worsened—he nearly bolted out the door.

After much coaxing, they finally persuaded him to stay. Upon tasting his first complimentary Mondstadt specialty drink, his gloomy expression began to ease. He immediately ordered a full bottle, took it to a seat in the back, and began drinking alone.

Watching him knock back one glass after another, occasionally staring blankly out the window, Lu Chen finally relaxed.

"Someone trying to drown his sorrows..." Venti withdrew his curious gaze.

"Alcohol helps people escape their sadness," Ei said, swirling the clear liquid in her glass.

"You've been really interested in alcohol lately..." Venti's eyes lit up.

"Uh... have I?"

Lu Chen kept watching the new customer. Things hadn't started off great, but that first Mondstadt drink clearly hit the mark.

This was a good sign—it meant their new drink had potential. Now they just needed to figure out how to promote it.

As he pondered, Lu Chen turned back—only to see Ei was already on her fourth glass...

This drink was completely different from rice wine or cocktails, and Lu Chen was stunned.

He shot a glare at Venti for encouraging her, then tried to glare at Ei too.

But when he saw her flushed cheeks and slightly dazed eyes, his heart immediately softened.

He tried to quietly take the glass from her hand—only for her to yank it back with surprising force.

"No more drinking. You're already drunk..."

"I'm not..." Ei shook her head, trying hard to stay composed.

"Really?" Lu Chen raised a skeptical brow.

"Eh... why are there five of you, Chen..."

"Still claiming you're not drunk??"

Lu Chen looked at her helplessly. Ei seemed to be trying to figure out which of the five Lu Chens in front of her was real. She leaned in, squinting as she examined his face.

Warm breath brushed his cheek. Her stunning face was tinged with a captivating flush. Ei was practically leaning against him.

Lu Chen's heart raced. He couldn't help it—drunk Ei was way too enticing.

"I finally found you... so you were here..."

Her hand touched Lu Chen's face. Ei smiled in satisfaction, then slumped over, resting both arms on the bar and falling asleep.

"Found you..."

"I finally found you..."

She murmured softly, a gentle smile lingering on her lips, as if lost in a sweet dream.

With Ei's faint snores in the background, the remaining three exchanged helpless glances.

Lu Chen immediately turned to the main culprit, and Venti raised both hands.

"I didn't make her drink—she did it on her own!"

"I know..." Lu Chen rubbed his temples, troubled.

Ei was getting more and more fond of drinking.

This couldn't go on. Sure, she looked beautiful when she was drunk, but if she kept doing this every day...

If Miko saw her like this, they'd never hear the end of it...

Looking at the sleeping Ei, Lu Chen sighed, took off his coat, and gently draped it over her.

Since there weren't many customers today, the three co-owners started brainstorming how to promote the new drink.

"Your wine is amazing," Lu Chen spread his hands, "but the problem is—even great wine struggles when hidden away in a back alley!"

He glanced outside. The bar across the street was packed, buzzing with activity. All the patrons had flocked over there.

That place had been around forever, deeply rooted in the local scene, and it had a prime location—unlike "Morning Light Craft Brew," which sat tucked away in a corner.

"So we need to find a way to boost our visibility." Venti thought for a moment, then got excited. "Our grand opening needs to be big—maybe even free drinks!"

Lu Chen shot him a look and instantly saw through his motives.

"Forget the free drinks, but I do have an idea."

Both of them turned toward him. Lu Chen continued, "Barbara hasn't debuted yet, so she can't get commercial gigs. Why not have her perform here to warm up the crowd?"

It would also be great practice—by the time the Starlight Carnival rolled around at the end of the month, she'd be a lot less nervous.

"Sounds good to me. I'll call Tony!" Venti jumped into action, whipping out his phone.

Tony quickly agreed. Barbara's style differed from Venti's, so getting more face time would help build her popularity.

V.T already had over a million followers, and her agency regularly posted behind-the-scenes photos from the recording studio.

Even a faceless teaser photo with a "new album coming soon" caption could rack up tens of thousands of likes—plus a flood of comments demanding new music.

The fans' enthusiasm shocked Lu Chen. V.T was now on par with major celebrities.

On the other hand, the account Starlight had set up for Barbara was much quieter. Compared to V.T—heck, even compared to "Sister Nana"—it was completely overshadowed.

But since Barbara hadn't officially debuted yet, it couldn't be helped.

...

When the bar's opening day finally arrived, Lu Chen brought his whole group along to support Diluc.

A performance stage had been set up outside "Morning Light," complete with lights and music. The atmosphere was electric. Many passersby stopped to watch with curiosity.

When Lu Chen and his group of eye-catching beauties and handsome guys arrived, they drew everyone's attention instantly.

Some people even came over asking for autographs.

"Do they think we're celebrities?" Lu Chen was stunned.

They had announced earlier that an idol from Starlight Company would perform at the opening. Now, a crowd was gathering outside the bar—some fans had even traveled long distances just to be there.

A free idol performance like this was rare. The opening buzz for "Morning Light Craft Beer" was clearly working.

Lu Chen and his group had a tough time squeezing through the crowd, turning down multiple photo requests along the way.

Inside the bar, Barbara had already changed into a dazzling stage outfit. Her lightly made-up face beamed with excitement.

"First time performing on stage? Nervous?" Lu Chen asked.

She nodded at first—then quickly shook her head.

"I'm nervous... but even more excited!"

"She's really coming into her own," Miko said, smiling with satisfaction.

Back when Lu Chen had first asked her to style Barbara, the girl was painfully shy and uneasy in new surroundings.

Now, about to perform in front of a huge crowd, she looked eager and full of anticipation.

"Not really~" Barbara said modestly.

She peeked out through the gap in the bar door at the massive crowd outside, took a deep breath, and whispered to herself.

"Go Barbara! You got this!" Master Hu clenched her fists, cheering her on.

"Go... Barbara." Qiqi mimicked her and raised a tiny fist too.

Even the always stone-faced Diluc joined in, cheering awkwardly—a rare sight that was downright hilarious.

Barbara turned back to look at everyone and smiled, deeply moved.

"Mm!"

Stage lights began to flash. Venti, filling in as a backup musician, took the electric guitar handed to him by the bartender and headed on stage first.

"I'll take the lead!"

As soon as he stepped up, the electric guitar roared to life. With lights and audio effects in sync, the whole venue pulsed with upbeat rhythm. Venti waved to the crowd like a seasoned performer, drawing wave after wave of cheers.

No one knew who he was, but with that stage presence, he had to be a star.

But Venti was only the opener.

With a sweeping gesture, he called out:

"Next up—"

"The healing spring!"

"The brightest idol of all, Miss Barbara is here!!"

Barbara strode confidently onto the stage, and the cheers instantly grew louder.

When she flawlessly delivered the first line of her song, Lu Chen finally relaxed.

Her pure, melodious voice and radiant face captivated the audience. Cheers erupted nonstop, and no one could look away. Lu Chen led the group to the best seats by the entrance to enjoy the show.

The bartender, always attentive, served up several glasses of juice before hurrying off to handle the crowd.

Lu Chen noticed Ei's slightly sulky expression—and couldn't help but smile.

A summer evening by the sea, fruit juice, and a live performance—this vacation was shaping up to be perfect.