Xiangling stared at the exquisite craftsmanship of the mooncakes, feeling somewhat out of her element.
It had to be said—she and Mu Yang walked completely different culinary paths.
Xiangling's experimental dishes often looked wild and unrefined, to put it mildly.
Guoba, however, paid no mind to such things. The aroma alone was enough to stir some hazy memories within him.
He reached out, grabbed a mooncake, and swallowed it whole.
Mu Yang watched as Guoba closed his eyes slowly after eating.
???
Hey, give me some reaction here, Marchosius!
Did you fall asleep?!
Meanwhile, Xiangling finally brought herself to taste one of the delicate mooncakes—and immediately exclaimed in delight.
After finishing one, she even licked her lips.
"This reminds me of Chenyu Vale's pastry—'Fine Tea, Full Moon'!"
"'Fine Tea, Full Moon' also uses flaky pastry with salted egg yolk inside, but I never quite got used to the tea flavor. This mooncake suits me much better."
Mu Yang explained that she had simply happened to pick an egg yolk mooncake.
There were many different fillings—both savory and sweet.
"Actually, 'Fine Tea, Full Moon' was also my idea. Since Chenyu Vale loves tea so much, I made it into a tea pastry."
"Eh?!" Xiangling was shocked anew.
That thousand-year-old snack was also Mu Yang's creation?!
Now, not just Chongyun—even Xiangling wanted to become Mu Yang's disciple.
Snapping out of her daze, Xiangling reached for another mooncake.
Though she felt it might be improper to have these for breakfast, their deliciousness was irresistible.
But when she reached for the gift box, it was already empty.
Like a magician, Guoba had devoured them all—one bite each.
"Guoba?! You ate them all?!"
Xiangling looked at the other box—also empty.
"You could've at least left one for Dad! Guoba! Bad!" She crossed her arms and glared at Guoba.
Guoba, however, was unusually excited, hopping up and down. "Ruaruarua!"
It seemed the God of the Stove was thoroughly pleased.
Mu Yang allowed a faint smile to surface. "Since Guoba likes them so much, I'll give you two more boxes."
"This is too much! Guoba, come thank him properly!"
Guoba swayed his head cheerfully. "♪~"
As Mu Yang bid farewell, he asked Xiangling, "Are you planning to participate in this year's Liyue Culinary Showdown?"
"I heard about it, but the theme hasn't been decided yet..."
Then it clicked. Xiangling's eyes sparkled. "Are you joining too?"
The strongest competitor has arrived!
Just as Xiangling's fighting spirit was about to ignite, Mu Yang's icy words doused it completely.
"No. I just wanted to say—good luck."
Deprived of the chance to challenge Mu Yang, Xiangling's enthusiasm dimmed slightly. "Alright... I'll do my best."
——————
Yujing Terrace.
Early in the morning, Mu Yang had just arrived when he spotted a small figure practicing spear techniques.
The spear was heavy—almost too much for the child—yet she persisted in her daily training.
Yaoyao was so focused that she only noticed Mu Yang after completing her entire routine.
"Brother Mu Yang? When did you get here?" The little one set aside her spear, still slightly out of breath.
"Just now. Where's your master?"
Guided by Yaoyao, Mu Yang found Madame Ping tending to her flowers at home.
"Master, Brother Mu Yang, I'll go study now!"
"Go ahead."
The child skipped away.
Madame Ping set down her watering can. "You seem much better recently."
"Do I?"
Madame Ping nodded. Though Mu Yang still appeared cold, he no longer felt as distant as he had during the battle at Guyun Stone Forest.
Back then, his presence had been indistinct—as if a layer of paper separated them, creating an inexplicable disconnect.
Assuming Mu Yang had regained his strength and memories, Madame Ping remarked on his improved demeanor.
Mu Yang admitted that his power had indeed recovered somewhat, and the confusion in his memories had lessened.
After exchanging pleasantries, he presented the mooncake gift box for her and Yaoyao.
——————
Yuehai Pavilion.
With the Moonchase Festival approaching, the Qixing's workload grew heavier than usual.
After all, the Moonchase Festival and Lantern Rite were Liyue's two grandest celebrations.
As the Qixing's secretary, Ganyu was busier than ever—she had barely slept in two days.
This year's Moonchase theme had been decided recently: "Food and the Land."
To match it, the Qixing would host the Liyue Culinary Showdown.
Ganyu had spent last night reviewing the event's plans, finalizing them this morning.
Now, she just needed to distribute the documents to the relevant departments.
The moment she stepped out of Yuehai Pavilion, her sleep-deprived mind wondered if she was hallucinating.
Was that… Mu Yang at Yuehai Pavilion?
Why would Mu Yang come here unprompted?
"Ganyu."
Hallucinations and auditory illusions?!
"I really need to rest soon..."
Mu Yang watched as Ganyu muttered to herself and lightly patted her cheeks.
She's definitely been pulling all-nighters again.
Two disciples—one who refused to sleep, another who refused to eat.
Half of life's joys were already lost.
What was the point of living like this?
Approaching her, Mu Yang channeled a bit of adeptal energy to refresh her.
"...So it wasn't an illusion."
Mu Yang gave her a light chop on the head for good measure.
"Put this aside and go rest properly."
Ganyu tried to defend herself weakly. "This is the last task—I was going to rest after..."
But Mu Yang didn't give her the chance.
"Give those to me. I'll have Ningguang handle it."
Ganyu's expression: (⊙o⊙)…
And just like that, Ganyu was sent home to sleep, thoroughly bewildered.
Mu Yang, meanwhile, entered Yuehai Pavilion with the documents.
Perhaps Ningguang had given orders—no one stopped him this time.
Knock knock—
"Come in."
Ningguang looked up to see Mu Yang at the door—holding documents.
The last time Mu Yang had brought something to her office, she'd suffered three consecutive losses in her board game that very day.
Now, with the Moonchase Festival approaching, he had returned.
This time, I'll uncover his tricks and win decisively!
But to her surprise, Mu Yang claimed he was only here to deliver a gift.
Ningguang, of course, wouldn't challenge a gift-giver to a duel.
She opened the box and picked up a mooncake. "Pastries?"
"Mooncakes. Both sweet and savory varieties."
Ningguang chose a mildly flavored one and praised it after tasting it.
Then, she began discussing commercializing mooncakes with Mu Yang.
But Mu Yang didn't take the bait.
Instead, he placed Ganyu's documents for the Liyue Culinary Showdown on her desk.
"I have no interest in Mora. Let the 'Moonchakes' be a prize for Liyue's top chef instead."