The sunset cast its golden glow, and the sound of running water echoed through Springvale.
Draff was crouched by the stream, expertly dressing today's hunt with his knife.
As the most skilled hunter in Springvale, his movements were clean and efficient.
Diona walked up behind him, glanced at the old hunting knife in his hand, and couldn't help but speak with a hint of distaste in her tone.
"Dad, why are you still using that old knife?"
"Haha, well, it is old, but it fits my hand just right."
"The back of the blade is rusting!"
"It's fine, as long as the edge is sharp. See? Still slices meat just fine."
"I think it's no good anymore!"
"You little…"
"Here."
"Hm?"
Draff looked up to see Diona handing him a brand-new hunting knife.
He blinked in surprise.
"This is… a gift for me?"
"It's not like I bought it for you on purpose or anything. I just happened to see it while shopping and picked it up!"
"Is that so…"
Of course, Draff understood his daughter's tendencies all too well.
Smiling, he accepted the knife, pulled it from its sheath, and a bright flash of steel gleamed in the light.
"This is a fine blade. Must've cost a fortune, huh?"
"Not really, I haggled!"
"You know how to haggle now?"
"Xia Ci helped me!"
"Oh…"
"Not that I can't haggle on my own! I used to go to the market with Zhu Zi every morning to buy groceries!"
"I see… I really like this knife. Thank you, Diona."
"There's nothing to thank me for! That coat you're wearing is super old too. I bought a few sets of clothes and left them in your room—try them on tonight and see if they fit. If they don't, go get them altered."
Draff nodded, a warm smile blooming on his face.
In just half a year, his daughter had grown so thoughtful… Mr. Xia truly was a man he could trust with her.
Finally done delivering her gifts, Diona let out a small breath of relief and shifted the topic. "By the way, where's that great-great-great-great-great-grandpa of ours?"
"You mean Grandpa Olaf? He built a little cabin over there for himself. But right now, I'd bet he's at the tavern."
"Drinking again!? That's terrible…"
"Now now, show some respect to your elders."
"…"
Diona stuck her tongue out, then crouched beside her father and picked up the old hunting knife she'd just criticized, joining him like she used to in processing the meat.
Her movements were swift and practiced.
Draff glanced down at her, smiling. "So, how's life in Liyue been treating you?"
"Pretty good! I can speak the Liyue language now, and I've even learned how to read their characters."
"Really? That's impressive!"
"Hmph."
"No one's been bullying you, right?"
"Nope. Everyone's been really nice—especially the boss. He cooks for us every day, and he even gave us red envelopes and special gifts during the New Year."
"Special gifts?"
"Mine was a stone that can replace yeast in the brewing process."
Draff's expression turned a little strange at that.
He knew just how much his daughter hated alcohol—so much so that even anything remotely related to it made her bristle.
And yet, Mr. Xia had given her that as a gift? What's more, judging from her tone, she didn't sound the least bit angry—if anything, she seemed happy.
He ventured cautiously, "You've been… brewing?"
"Yeah! I make a batch every day now. I'm going to brew the best-tasting wine in the world! I've got some left from today, I'll let you try it later."
…??
Draff was utterly stunned.
What the—was this really his daughter?
She used to steal his wine just to dump it out, and now she was talking about becoming a master brewer, even offering him a sample?
Was that wine… even safe to drink?
He'd never heard of any stone that could replace yeast in the brewing process…
After a brief silence, Draff asked quietly, "Then… do you still want to destroy Mondstadt's wine industry?"
"Of course I do!"
"?"
"But I'm taking a different approach now, and even if I explained it to you, you wouldn't get it! Now hurry up and finish processing that meat—we don't want to keep the guests waiting!"
"Ah… alright."
Draff felt like his daughter had changed far more than he'd expected.
But that… probably wasn't a bad thing.
Soon, the meat was ready. Diona and Draff brought the ingredients back home, only to find a crowd gathered outside their door.
Everyone had come to greet Xiangling.
The last time she passed through Springvale on a culinary journey, she'd stopped for a cooking duel with the town's best chef, Brook, and shared some Rainbow Juice with everyone. Since then, the townspeople had held her in high regard.
Now that she'd returned, they brought all sorts of ingredients from home to give to her, knowing how she loved to collect regional specialties.
Xiangling gratefully accepted the gifts, then ran off to discuss with Xia Zhi before announcing that she wanted to host a dinner party for everyone.
The townsfolk happily agreed.
"Miss Xiangling, make that same roast from last time!"
"Yes, that one!"
"That's the one!"
Xiangling waved her hands frantically. "Ahh, you mean that one? No way, no way!"
"Why not?"
She looked a little embarrassed. "Because that roast still had a lot of issues…"
"What issues? That was the best roast I've ever had!"
"Totally! Way better than Brook's cooking!"
Xiangling sighed helplessly. "Even if you say that, it's no use. I'm just assisting tonight—my master will be the head chef."
"Master?!"
"Miss Xiangling's master?"
"Then their cooking must be even better, right?"
Xiangling nodded seriously. "Of course! My master's culinary skills are at least a hundred times better than mine!"
Guoba nodded along. "Wuuu wuuu!"
Xia Zhi chuckled and walked over to the bonfire.
Everyone looked at him expectantly.
The scene felt strangely like being back home, surrounded by nosy aunts and uncles eager to see what you could do.
Charlotte stood nearby, snapping pictures with her kamera—probably planning to write a local interest piece titled something like "The Warm Hospitality of Springvale."
Under the hands of a culinary grandmaster, it wasn't long before the mouthwatering aroma of roast meat began to spread through the air.
Xia Zhi pulled out a knife, sliced off a small piece, and tasted it.
The crowd watched intently, and the gulping noises grew louder.
"It's ready. Xiangling, go slice it for everyone."
"Got it, Master!"
Xiangling responded cheerfully.
"Miss Xiangling, that thing looks heavy. You sure it's okay? We can—"
Before they could finish the sentence, Xiangling casually lifted a whole roasted deer with one slender, fair-skinned arm.
The crowd fell silent for a moment.
She set it down on the table, picked up a kitchen knife, and expertly carved the meat into slices.
"Everyone, come dig in!"
"Yeah!!"
The quiet vanished, and the gathering erupted with joy once again.
----
Join my Patreon for early access to chapters: Patreon.com/rivyura