章 59: Chapter 59

Xiangling blushed shyly and shook her head slightly. "I'm not the best chef in Liyue; I still have a lot to learn."

Hu Tao chuckled. "Let me introduce everyone. This is Xiangling, the head chef of Wanmin Restaurant, the best place to eat in Liyue. She'll be the future number one chef! Her cooking is unique, and everyone who eats it says it's fantastic."

In her opinion, although Xiangling sometimes made unusual dishes, when she was serious, her food could rival anything from places like Liuli Pavilion or Xinyue Kiosk. In fact, the taste was often a thousand times better.

Xiangling said shyly, "Hello, everyone. Please make yourselves comfortable; I'll prepare something delicious for you." Then she turned to the stuffed bear carrying plates.

"Guoba, could you bring the guests a menu and serve them some tea?"

Guoba walked over slowly, humming a cheerful tune, and placed the menu on the table with a joyful expression.

Seeing Lumine and Paimon curiously eyeing Guoba, Hu Tao quickly said, "That's Guoba, a pet Xiangling picked up somewhere. He's really clever and always helps out."

Paimon's eyes widened. "What a smart pet!"

Hu Tao nodded. "But compared to Paimon, Guoba is still a bit slow."

Paimon nodded enthusiastically. "That's right! I'm super smart!" She paused for a moment, then realized something was off and glared at Hu Tao. "Hey! I'm not Lumine's pet—I'm her partner and guide!"

Lumine shot her a knowing look. "And yet, you haven't really done much guiding."

Zhongli accepted a cup of tea from Guoba, thanking him, but there was a complex look in his eyes as he observed the bear.

Seeing this, Takumi smiled and patted Zhongli on the shoulder. "Zhongli, there's always hope."

Zhongli didn't quite understand what Takumi meant, but a gentle smile crossed his usually serious face, and he nodded. "You are right."

This Lord of Heavenly Principles rewarded and punished clearly. As long as they contributed, the old friends would definitely return.

Hu Tao was amazed. "Tsk, tsk, this is the second time I've seen Zhongli smile. Brother Takumi, you must be quite capable. Can you teach me how to do it?"

She jumped up next to Takumi, putting both hands on his shoulders. She was genuinely curious about how to get Zhongli, who was always so composed, to show emotions.

Takumi smiled mischievously. "It's a secret, but since it's you, Hall Master Hu, I'll let you in on it—just between us."

Hu Tao leaned in eagerly. She was really curious about Zhongli's secret.

Seeing the flash of amusement in Takumi's eyes, Yae Miko knew he was up to something, and she sighed to herself. Hu Tao was still too young to recognize the prank.

"Do this, and then do that," Takumi whispered, "and Zhongli will surely break."

"Oh, is that so? Will Zhongli really react like that?" Hu Tao's eyes twinkled with excitement.

"Absolutely. Trust me. Zhongli and I go way back."

"Alright, I'll trust you. It sounds like a great plan!"

Zhongli glanced at Takumi and Hu Tao as they whispered, his hands trembling slightly. Though he was old, he wasn't deaf, and his normally calm and serious expression was getting harder to maintain.

Paimon, serving as Lumine's voice of curiosity, asked, "What are that sneaky guy and the weird girl plotting?"

Just then, Xiangling brought out the dishes, serving them quickly.

After taking a few bites, Takumi commented, "This is amazing! Honestly, this is the best food I've ever had."

The dishes were incomparable. Compared to Earth, with its meals laced with MSG and industrial additives, this was purely natural, and Xiangling's personal touch elevated it even further.

Xiangling scratched her head, looking a little embarrassed by the compliment. "You're too kind."

Takumi smiled at Xiangling, who was just like the cheerful girl next door. "With your cooking skills, Xiangling, if you keep improving, it's not just Liyue—you could become the top chef of all Teyvat, maybe even the God of Cooking."

Hu Tao's eyes widened. "Wow! That's some high praise, Brother Takumi."

Xiangling blushed deeply. "That's too much praise—being called the number one chef or the God of Cooking is a bit embarrassing."

Takumi pointed to the Vision on Xiangling's waist. "See? The gods recognize your ambition. You should believe in yourself."

Xiangling blushed even more, nodded, and then shyly ran off. "There are other guests to serve. I hope everyone enjoys the meal."

Hu Tao gave Takumi a thumbs-up. "That's the first time I've seen Xiangling get so flustered from a compliment. Brother Takumi, you're impressive."

Takumi smiled proudly. "I know, right?"

Yae Miko rolled her eyes at them. The straightforward Hall Master Hu was falling for Takumi's charm, just like that.

Meanwhile, Lumine and Paimon, who had little Mora and were often hungry, were quietly devouring their food. If there was one thing they wouldn't skip, it was a hearty meal.

Zhongli took a deep look at Xiangling's retreating figure. "The God of Cooking..."

After they walked out of Wanmin Restaurant, Paimon patted her now full stomach. "That was so good. I'm so full, I can barely float."

Lumine also patted her stomach, feeling satisfied. Before arriving in Mondstadt, she'd survived on wild fruits, river fish, and stolen bird eggs—nothing decent. Even in Mondstadt, Paimon's insatiable appetite ate up most of her adventurer earnings.

Lumine turned to Zhongli and Takumi. "Thank you, Mr. Zhongli, for the meal, and thank you, Takumi, for telling me how to meet the Geo Archon. I'm going to find the adepti now. Goodbye."

Paimon added, "Goodbye, weird guy, and you too, mini fake-me, goodbye!"

Istaru put her hands on her hips. "Hmph, greedy Paimon. I'm going to call you 'greedy ghost' from now on."

Paimon's hair bristled as she stamped her feet in the air. "You—you—you...!"

Before Paimon could continue, Lumine grabbed her. "Alright, Paimon, let's go."

After saying their goodbyes, Zhongli was soon pulled away by Hu Tao to discuss business with Yae Miko about the Rebirth Hall.

Yae Miko intended to use the influence of the Rebirth Hall to attract Liyue merchants to do business with Inazuma and boost its trade. After all, Inazuma needed traders desperately.

Yae Miko and Hu Tao were still smiling after discussing business when they left Liyue Harbor alongside Takumi.

"That Mr. Zhongli really is knowledgeable. The business discussion with the Rebirth Hall went very smoothly—almost everything we agreed on is what Inazuma needs right now."

Istaru floated over with a cheeky grin. "Of course! Morax, going by the name Zhongli now, is over six thousand years old. Naturally, he's knowledgeable."

Yae Miko's expression froze, and she looked at Istaru in shock. "Wha—what? Mo... Morax?"