Ningguang gazed at the divination pattern on the table and noticed how closely it resembled the one Mr. Xia had read for her last time.
Though Mr. Xia had said that fate was ever-changing, two different people, at different times, had read for her and come up with identical results — that had to mean something beyond coincidence.
Could she really be destined to fall in love next year?
The thought lingered as Ningguang lowered her gaze and offered a sincere thanks.
"Thank you for making an exception, Lord."
"Think nothing of it."
Moon Carver waved his hand and started gathering the Mora back into his sleeve, letting out a silent breath of relief.
So his hunch had been right — the reading had gone smoothly.
Unlike the last time when he tried to read Xia Ci's fate and all the Mora had eerily split clean in half.
That nearly gave him heartache.
After all, those were from the very first batch of Mora minted by the Geo Archon himself. He only had a few dozen left, and once one broke, that was it.
As he carefully stored the coins, Moon Carver glanced at Ningguang's contemplative expression. He couldn't help but wonder why her reading didn't come out as a null result like the other girls associated with Mr. Xia…
She and Mr. Xia definitely had something going on.
But he wouldn't dare divine anything directly related to Mr. Xia.
If he did, he'd discover that the once unknowable Mr. Xia now had a fate that appeared utterly mundane on the surface.
——
When it was time to eat…
Baizhu pulled out a small porcelain vial and poured a round pill into his hand before popping it into his mouth.
It was a digestive pill he had specially formulated, containing a rare spiritual herb.
The moment it touched his tongue, the pill dissolved instantly, releasing a strangely tangy and sweet flavor that danced across his palate, triggering a powerful appetite.
As the rich aroma of food drifted through the air, Baizhu felt a wave of hunger rise from deep within him.
Perfect. It worked!
He pocketed the vial with a mild smile and went to sit at the dining table.
Then, everyone's eyes turned to a certain peculiar dish on the table — and fell into silence.
"Xiangling, this is…?"
"It's one of my new creations! Glutinous Rice Lizard Meat!"
"…Looks a bit… odd."
Keqing cleared her throat and said, "It only looks odd. The taste is actually pretty good."
"Really?"
"Of course. I already did a taste test with Xiangling at the construction site. Even Mr. Zhongli tried it. You can ask him!"
Everyone turned to look at Zhongli.
Zhongli, calm as ever, said, "From a rational standpoint, the dish is indeed quite palatable."
The group glanced at each other, silently daring someone to be the first to try it.
Xia Zhi, with a resigned sigh, stepped in to support his disciple and tasted a piece: "Still a bit undercooked. As for flavor, try adding a bit more mint…"
Xiangling nodded eagerly like a pecking chick: "Got it, Master!"
With that cue, the others finally started picking up their chopsticks.
"Don't be shy, everyone! I made plenty! Here, let me serve you—"
"I'll help myself. One piece is enough!"
"Come on, eat more~"
"Mmmph…"
Ganyu stood by holding a bowl, clearly just watching the show.
She was a vegetarian.
This dish was not for her.
She looked on with amused detachment, only for Xiangling to suddenly turn to her with a bright grin: "Miss Ganyu! I made a vegetarian dish just for you!"
Ganyu had a bad feeling. "Ah?"
"This one — Stir-Fried Matsutake with Jueyun Chilis! I learned the base recipe in Mondstadt. Originally it was buttered mushrooms, but I thought it was too bland, so I spiced it up a bit. Miss Keqing already tried it and said it's great with rice!"
Faced with Xiangling's hopeful gaze, Ganyu had no choice but to pick up a small piece of the chili-soaked mushroom.
"How's the taste?"
"Ssss—haaa… It's… sss—haaa… Not bad… sss—haaa…"
Xiangling only made two new dishes, and once you accepted her… eccentric culinary logic, they were actually quite enjoyable.
But of course, the flavor still didn't compare to Xia Zhi's cooking.
Baizhu wasn't in a rush this time and took his time chewing each bite.
Xia Zhi had clearly used many rare ingredients in today's meal, and Baizhu could feel the abundant [Vitality] in every bite. It spread through his body, leaving him feeling warm and content.
Halfway through the meal, Baizhu started to feel full.
Without drawing attention, he took out his little porcelain vial again and discreetly popped another pill into his mouth.
That tangy sweetness danced on his tongue once more.
And soon, the fullness in his stomach began to fade.
He was hungry again.
Back to eating!
When Baizhu was about to take his third pill, Mountain Shaper, seated beside him, noticed.
"Doctor Baizhu, what are you taking?"
Baizhu remained composed. "My stomach's been a bit off lately. Just a digestive pill."
Mountain Shaper raised an eyebrow.
Right… and how many bones were piled beside your bowl again?
That's what you call a bad stomach?
After a moment's pause, Mountain Shaper leaned in and whispered, "To be honest, Doctor Baizhu… my stomach's been acting up lately too…"
"Would you like to try one of the pills?"
"Indeed."
Baizhu gave him one.
Suddenly, Mountain Shaper, who had been ready to put down his chopsticks, felt a second wind.
"Doctor Baizhu — a miraculous cure!"
"Heh."
"Two more pills, please."
"Here you go."
Meanwhile, Moon Carver was too busy eating to notice any of this going on.
A while later, after finishing the last bite on his plate, he set down his chopsticks with a stuffed sigh. His gaze lingered on the dishes, still a bit unsatisfied.
Xia Zhi's food really was on another level!
A'Ping's cooking just didn't compare…
He had even skipped breakfast this morning to leave room, but now, truly, he couldn't eat another bite.
Moon Carver turned his head — only to see Mountain Shaper still eating.
"You're really slow at eating, huh…"
Thinking for a moment, he scooped another spoonful of soup for himself.
Nope. That was the limit. He was done.
Moon Carver rubbed his stomach and turned again, only to find Mountain Shaper had gotten another bowl of rice.
…Are you a crane or a pig!?
Moon Carver was baffled. Deeply baffled.
He leaned in and whispered, "Seriously, what's going on with you?"
Mountain Shaper looked up, smirked, and kept eating without saying a word.
Moon Carver felt cheated.
Something was definitely up!
He narrowed his eyes suspiciously, watching his old friend.
Then, he quietly pulled out a Mora and rolled a quick divination on his thigh.
The signs appeared.
And what he saw—
Moon Carver's face darkened. He leaned in, hissing, "You had something good and didn't even tell me!?"
Mountain Shaper frowned. "What good thing?"
"What Baizhu gave you!"
"Oh, that? Just stomach medicine. And all medicine has side effects — hardly something to brag about."
…This man.
He was no brother of mine!
Moon Carver glared and snapped, "Cut the nonsense. Gimme two pills, now."
Mountain Shaper nudged Baizhu. "Doctor Baizhu…"
Baizhu handed over two pills.
After taking them, Moon Carver felt like he could easily eat two more bowls.
"Doctor Baizhu, truly miraculous."
"Heh. Healing is simply my duty."
Moon Carver passed the remaining pill to Zhongli, seated on his other side.
"Geo— I mean, Mr. Zhongli. This stuff's great."
"What is it?"
"Digestive pill."
"..."
Zhongli paused, then took the pill and swallowed it.
Moments later, he nodded slightly.
"Excellent."
Mountain Shaper gave Moon Carver a pointed look.
…So now you're just re-gifting my favor?
After a bit more eating—
"Doctor Baizhu—"
"Here you go."
"Doctor Baizhu—"
"Ahh… there's not much left…"
"Doctor Baizhu—"
"I really don't have any more…"
Baizhu stared at the now-empty porcelain vial, his expression one of quiet resignation.
He'd thought the bottle would last him for a while.
Who knew it'd all be gone in one meal?
He himself had only taken three pills.
That was his limit.
After the third, he felt like his stomach had reached its absolute capacity — even another pill wouldn't help.
But those three… those guys were different. Three pills were nowhere near their limit.
Baizhu could understand Moon Carver and Mountain Shaper — they were Adepti.
But Zhongli…
Baizhu glanced at him sideways, thoughtful.
Clearly not an ordinary man either.
What sort of Adeptus might he be?
---
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