"Hehe, Boss Han, you finally came! I was about to die waiting!" Paimon exclaimed in excitement.
For her, holding out this long in front of such heavenly fragrance was harder than fighting hilichurls.
"I know you can't wait any longer. Go ahead and lift the lids," Han Feng said with a smile.
He only hoped they wouldn't be too shocked.
The moment they got his permission, everyone grew restless with anticipation—especially Paimon and Venti, who practically pounced on the lids in front of them.
A wisp of steam drifted out as the covers were lifted.
And before anyone could gasp—
In an instant, the dishes shone with dazzling golden light.
The brilliance spiraled upward, twisting like a golden vortex, rushing straight to the ceiling. When it struck, golden ripples spread across the air like waves rolling through the sea.
In that moment, the entire dining room was bathed in a radiant ocean of gold.
"Whoa! That glow's way too intense, isn't it?!"
"Yeah! Feels even brighter than the Golden Legend over at Good Hunter!"
"As expected of Boss Han—he always takes things to the next level."
Even Lumine and the others, who had witnessed the Golden Legend dish at Good Hunter before, were left utterly dumbfounded.
Han Feng's golden radiance wasn't just bright—it danced. Mist drifting, spirals spinning, rippling waves…
He had turned golden light into a performance art.
So this is what a Special-Class Chef is capable of. If he doesn't cook, fine. But once he does—it's extraordinary beyond belief.
Lumine and her friends, seasoned witnesses, were already shocked speechless.
As for newcomers like Mona and Noelle? Their eyes had glazed over, their minds completely blank.
"So this is the glowing food Paimon mentioned earlier?" Mona muttered, swallowing hard without thinking.
Now she finally understood why Paimon worshipped Han Feng's cooking so much.
This wasn't just culinary skill—this was artistry. Just the presentation alone already left Liyue cuisine in the dust. The flavor could only be beyond extraordinary.
"Boss Han is simply incredible…" Noelle sighed in awe, words failing her.
Back when she watched him stir-fry, she thought his technique was already godlike.
Now, seeing this dazzling golden ocean, she realized—that was him just playing around.
This—this Golden Legend—is the true peak of Boss Han's cooking!
Very soon, the rest of the lids were lifted, and beams of golden light spiraled upward one by one.
The entire dining room became an endless golden sea, while waves of irresistible aroma flooded the air.
"Yep, Young Master Chef's cooking really is something else," Han Feng nodded in satisfaction, watching their reactions.
At that moment—
A little figure in red dashed inside.
"Brother Han Feng! Klee wants to eat too!"
Klee wrapped her tiny arms around Han Feng's leg, teary-eyed and pitiful.
She had seen the golden glow from outside, and was completely stunned.
Brother Han Feng's food can shine too?! That's amazing!
But what truly defeated her was the smell. Compared to the mapo tofu she'd eaten last time, this fragrance was ten times stronger.
Her drool betrayed her before she could stop it.
Han Feng wasn't surprised. The bookstore was a system's reward; without his permission, outsiders couldn't even enter.
That's why he wasn't worried about leaving the first floor unattended.
Seeing Klee's adorable pleading, he rubbed her cheeks and teased:
"You know, nothing here comes free."
"Klee has money! Klee won't eat for free!"
She quickly rummaged through her backpack, only to pull out… fifty Mora.
"Brother Han Feng, this is my pocket money for the month. Is it enough?" she asked with sparkling hope.
"Not enough. You've eaten my mapo tofu before, haven't you? This is even better than that," Han Feng shook his head, continuing to tease her.
Watching her scratch her head in distress was simply too entertaining.
Everyone at the table was now watching the scene like it was a show.
"What do I do…" Klee muttered anxiously.
Mapo tofu had cost her 100,000 Mora last time, and she was far from that now.
Borrow from Acting Grand Master Jean? No way—by the time she got back, the food would be gone!
Then suddenly—an idea popped into her head.
Hugging Han Feng's leg tighter, she tried her deadliest move:
"Brother Han Feng, how about Klee introduces you to my mom, okay?"
In this version of Teyvat (as per this novel's setting), the elf race reproduced without males.
So from a young age, Klee had always wished for a father.
She hadn't found anyone suitable before. But this time, meeting Brother Han Feng—Klee felt he was perfect.
Not only was he super handsome, he had tons of fun comics, and he cooked heavenly food.
Her mom would definitely like him too.
At her words, everyone froze.
Wait—you're trading your mom… for one meal?
That's… some next-level filial piety.
"Boss Han isn't seriously considering Klee's mom… is he?" Paimon whispered suspiciously.
"Could it be that Boss Han likes… that type?" Lumine frowned in thought.
The rest gave Han Feng equally strange looks.
Han Feng nearly choked on air.
What on earth are they imagining?! Do I look like someone who covets Klee's mom?!
Ignoring their stares, he coughed lightly and said to Klee:
"That's not something you can just say randomly, alright?"
Before she could spout more shocking remarks, he carried her over to the dining table.
"Hurry and eat, or the food will get cold."
On the table: mapo tofu, golden fried rice, crispy rice dishes, and more.
Seven or eight plates in total, each portion generous enough for everyone.
The moment Han Feng gave the word, Paimon could no longer resist—she lunged with her chopsticks, scooping a piece of tofu straight into her mouth.
Her whole being trembled.
The tofu was soft, silky, paired with a spicy, savory sauce.
It was as if her taste buds were awakening for the first time.
As she savored it, she could almost hear majestic music ringing in her ears—grand, sweeping melodies that painted landscapes of rivers and mountains.
She was so overwhelmed she forgot to even comment, immediately going for another bite.
Seeing this, the others could no longer hold back either, and the feast began.
"Wow! This fried rice is incredible—way better than Good Hunter's!"
"This crispy rice too—so crunchy and fragrant!"
"What do I do… if I can't eat Boss Han's food again in the future?"
One by one, sighs of amazement filled the room.
The food was simply too good.
Meanwhile, Klee looked troubled.
She wanted to eat too, but the dishes were too far away for her little arms.
Helpless, she turned to Han Feng.
"Brother Han Feng, Klee can't reach…"
Smiling, he patted her head and served her a little bit of everything.
"Thank you, Brother Han Feng!"
Klee dug into the golden fried rice, her eyes squinting into crescent moons at the first bite.
So delicious! Brother Han Feng is amazing. If only he really were my dad…
The thought slipped out, and she couldn't hold back.
Looking up at him, she asked again with innocent seriousness:
"Brother Han Feng, my mom is really pretty. You really don't want to consider it?"
~~--------------------------------------
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