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Xiangling instantly picked up on Keqing's subtle signals. Her lively expression shifted in a heartbeat, and she changed her form of address without hesitation.
She understood immediately: If she called out "Keqing" aloud in a crowded place like this, trouble-seekers targeting the Qixing would flock over in moments…ruining not only Keqing's meal, but the dining atmosphere of everyone around them.
And as a true chef, Xiangling would never allow another guest's meal to be disrupted.
Keqing offered her a small, approving smile. Then she turned her head—only to find Futsu Mitama gently stroking Guoba's fluffy little head.
"Rulululu~~~"
Guoba leaned into the touch, rumbling in delight.
"Oh? And who might these guests be?"
After serving the dishes, Xiangling didn't hurry back to the kitchen. Despite Wanmin Restaurant being packed as usual, she still made time for a quick chat—after all, her father and the other masters were sharing the workload today. She was head chef, yes, but they were all splitting responsibilities.
Besides—she was curious. Guoba only warmed up to good people. Anyone he liked must be worth befriending.
"These people?" Keqing caught Xiangling's interest immediately and introduced them with a gentle nod. "They're friends from Inazuma. They came to Liyue in search of rare forging materials. And since they heard Wanmin Restaurant's food is excellent, they insisted on coming to try it themselves."
Earlier, when Keqing spoke with Kuki Shinobu, she learned that Hu Tao had directed them here—and that Shinobu had once studied in Liyue, even learning some things from Xiangling in the past.
"Hi—long time no see." Kuki Shinobu greeted Xiangling warmly.
"Huh?" Xiangling blinked, searching her memories. After a moment, realization struck.
"Miss Shinobu?!"
"Long time no see, Xiangling." Shinobu removed her mask, revealing a gentle smile rarely seen since the Sakoku Decree.
Back when she was studying law at the Liyue Literary Academy, she often came to Wanmin Restaurant. It was Xiangling's adventurous cooking that taught her: even after attaining high-level certifications, one must continue exploring—there was always more to learn.
Xiangling had been moved by her words, and in return, served her a portion of Salt and Pepper Slime. Shinobu—who embraced novelty—ate it without hesitation and praised it so highly that afterward she began viewing Slimes as viable ingredients. Their shared pursuit of better flavors had made them fast friends.
"Wow! I can't believe it's really you!" Xiangling ran over to Shinobu, brimming with joy.
"I heard you were stuck in Inazuma because of the Sakoku Decree. I even thought of asking Sister Beidou to bring me there just to visit you! But she said the decree was too strict, and even getting into Inazuma wouldn't guarantee I'd find you—so I had to give up."
"But you're here now—this is amazing! No, wait—I'll give you my newest Slime dessert for free!"
Behind her, Aila stiffened. Slime…dessert? Aila had fought Slimes many times—she'd never once thought of eating one.
But Futsu Mitama, still kneading Guoba's soft fur, reassured her.
"Don't worry. Xiangling's cooking is delicious. Let's just enjoy the meal."
Fluffy, warm, irresistibly cute. And to think—wasn't this basically patting the God of the Hearth himself with one hand?
"Oh, right." Shinobu quickly added, "This is Futsu Mitama, and the young lady is Aila, his personal maid."
"Hello~!" Xiangling beamed. "You're from Inazuma, right? Since you came all this way, I'll prepare some snacks on the house!"
Before she could continue chatting, a familiar call echoed from the distance.
"That's my dad!" Xiangling startled. "I've got to run—still more orders to finish! I'll come back once I'm done. See you later~!"
Guoba wriggled free from Futsu Mitama's mysterious technique and scampered after her.
Soon after, most of the dishes were served: Wanmin Restaurant Boiled Fish, Sweet Madame, two plates of Golden Shrimp Balls—Only Golden Crab, Qingce Stir Fry, and the rice remained.
"Waiter! Rice, quickly!" Futsu Mitama called out. It wasn't a proper meal without rice.
"Right away!"
The waiters soon brought steaming bowls of fluffy white rice. They began eating.
Keqing tried the Golden Shrimp Balls first. The moment they touched her tongue, her gaze softened, her expression brightened—pure contentment.
Aila and Shinobu tasted each dish slowly, their eyes thoughtful. They weren't only enjoying the food—they were studying it, memorizing the flavors and techniques.
Futsu Mitama, meanwhile, didn't bother with analysis. He was starving. He'd run around all day, barely had a Morax Meat for lunch, and now finally had a proper meal before him.
In his past life, he drooled over the foods of Genshin Impact. Now, he was eating them in Liyue itself. A long-held wish, fulfilled.
Xiangling and Guoba returned with the final dishes—and four portions of Slime dessert. Beautiful, colorful, enticing.
But once they remembered the ingredient—Keqing and Aila froze.
Only Futsu Mitama and Shinobu dug in at once, finishing theirs in a few bites.
"Hm? The texture's good—like jelly." Futsu Mitama nodded with unexpected approval.
Kuki Shinobu savored hers with her eyes closed. "Xiangling's skills have improved again. This Slime dessert melts in your mouth—she must have refined the sweetness too."
Keqing and Aila stared at their desserts, exchanging silent glances.
Finally, Aila gathered her courage. She scooped up a piece—Ate it—And her eyes widened.
Keqing understood immediately, and followed suit.
To their surprise—the dessert was delicious.
"Burp~~~" Futsu Mitama sighed contentedly and rubbed his stomach. "It's been a while since I ate this well. Xiangling's cooking really lives up to its reputation. If only I could eat like this every day—"
Aila straightened immediately—those were dangerous words for a maid to hear.
Silently, she pulled out her "Perfect and Elegant Maid's Handbook." There were chapters on ingredient processing and ideal textures—she'd been neglecting them lately.
Keqing took a sip of tea, then looked at him seriously.
"By the way…do you truly need the bloodjade branch just to forge a weapon?"
"As far as I know, that material is unimaginably precious. Ordinary weapons would never require something like that."
She hesitated. Because the bloodjade branch belonged more to myth than reality.
A legendary material said to be born from dragon blood—Left behind after the Geo Archon fought the rampaging "Dragon King" in The Chasm a thousand years ago. Only a handful had ever been found in history.
In truth—it was nearly impossible to obtain.
So she gently tried to persuade him toward alternative materials she could help locate.
But Futsu Mitama only nodded calmly.
"Yes. It's for forging a weapon."
He knew exactly where the material truly existed. If the Shopkeeper's Daughter couldn't find it—he could simply ask Azhdaha directly in the group. Compared to Azhdaha's enormous form, a "bloodjade branch" was practically just a strand of hair.
Keqing listened quietly as he explained—That the weapon was tied to the Raiden Shogun herself. Her eyes widened slightly.
A mortal taught a divine technique. A weapon tied directly to an Archon.
Such things were rare, no matter the nation.
And it made her newly gained perspective clear: Working at the grassroots truly uncovered insights one could never find from the lofty heights of the Jade Chamber.
"I see." Keqing straightened her posture, her tone turning formal.
"I do know a piece of information related to the bloodjade branch. But I'm not certain whether it's true or false."
"It is very likely to be mere rumor. If it turns out to be incorrect… please don't blame me."
Futsu Mitama's eyes brightened with interest.
He hadn't intended to gain anything from the conversation—yet Keqing seemed moved to share intelligence on her own.
"Go ahead," he said. "Even if it's uncertain, I still want to hear it."