[While you and Jing Yuan are strolling around the Luofu, you run into Qingque, who's idle and slacking off.]
[Facing the slacking Qingque, you choose…]
Option 1: Scold her harshly.
As a member of the Luofu, how can you slack like this? You reprimand Qingque righteously, explaining the consequences of "fishing," stressing the importance of responsibility—and enjoy her guilty-yet-stubborn expression afterward.
Reward:Key of Enlightenment — a phantom key that appears in the hands of sages across worlds. It can unlock puzzles that imprison truth, revealing insights beyond human comprehension. No matter how the holder proves it, others cannot see the key's existence. Some believe it is heaven's favor; others think it is a sign of madness.
Option 2: Pretend you didn't see.
Slacking? Fishing? You saw nothing. You keep strolling with Jing Yuan—after all, who hasn't "fished" once in their life? You only sneak a glance to see if Qingque will feel guilty and find something to do.
Reward:A branch skill of Qingque's Path power — "Joy of Solo Play" — upon use, you can draw two "Jade" tiles from the void and play them.
Option 3: Conspire on the spot.
Since you ran into her, why not slack together? You lounge off to the side and even help Qingque come up with ways to disguise slacking as efficient work—while watching how Jing Yuan reacts.
Reward:Qingque's women's robe — a garment tainted with Path aura, carrying a young girl's fragrance, and possessing an auto-cleaning effect.
Kairo looked from the options—then glanced at Xiangling holding Guoba—and his expression grew stranger.
Qingque… Xiangling?
How did that match up?
Their personalities weren't alike at all.
One would slack whenever possible.
The other would research new dishes whenever possible.
If there was one shared trait…
It was probably that they both showed a lot of skin.
Kairo took a longer look at Xiangling.
Deep-blue short hair braided into two playful plaits, pinned into cute round buns; bright golden eyes full of curiosity and enthusiasm.
Her red-yellow-black outfit was festive and bold—yet sporty. A short fitted top, bare arms, special sleeves and fingerless gloves for flexibility. Short shorts, a red belt with small spice bottles at her waist, and a bandage on her knee—proof of how "active" she was.
Kairo's verdict was blunt in his head:
…Dangerously cute.
And those rewards?
He decided instantly.
Option 2. Virtual card draw was just too cool.
As for the other two rewards—useless.
Xiangling looked at Ying'er with interest. "Miss Ying'er, you're here today? What a rare guest!"
Ying'er smiled. "I'm borrowing Wanmin's stove fire to make perfumed balm."
"I also said that if Xiangling's here, it'll be easier with your Pyro."
"And Mr. Zhongli and the others plan to eat lunch at Wanmin as well."
"No problem!" Xiangling nodded cheerfully. "Dad and I will cook for you first. After you're full, we'll make the balm. Wanmin isn't busy in the early afternoon anyway."
"Hi everyone! Nice to meet you—I'm Xiangling!"
Paimon grinned. "Hi hi! We heard Wanmin's food is amazing—we want some signature dishes!"
"Sure!" Xiangling nodded. "There are seven of you—I'll serve extra signature dishes. Big portions, guaranteed full—no one's getting shorted!"
With that, she and Chef Mao bustled into action.
Time slipped by.
Two people cooking was much faster than one.
The stove fire leapt, reflecting warm light across Xiangling and Chef Mao's faces as their hands moved in a blur. Utensils clinked sharply.
A rich aroma spread with the steam, like the opening curtain of a feast.
"Quick! The spicy stir-fry's almost done!"
Xiangling stirred with one hand and sprinkled seasoning with the other. Bright red chili oil soaked into the ingredients, scent surging straight into the nose.
"Bring me the sliced osmanthus fish!" Chef Mao called while mixing sauce.
In a smooth motion, neatly cut fish slices slid into simmering broth. The soup thickened, and a faint osmanthus fragrance drifted through the kitchen.
Before long, Xiangling carried out the first dish—Spicy Adeptus' Temptation.
The moment it hit the table, Paimon's eyes went round. "Waaah! It smells so good!"
Xiangling beamed and dashed back.
Soon she returned with the second dish—Osmanthus Steamed Fish.
Boneless river fish, steamed with osmanthus honey sauce—tender, sweet without being heavy, with a clean freshness.
"This is my new specialty—taste it!" Xiangling urged.
Then one dish after another arrived:
Honey-Glazed Ham Stewed with Mountain Delicacies
Golden Crab Roe Tofu
Adeptus Stir-Fried Bamboo Shoots
Amber Roast Meat
The table filled with Liyue specialties, aromas weaving together until the entire Wanmin felt wrapped in deliciousness.
"Eat, eat! Try my latest creations while they're hot!" Xiangling said proudly, hands on her hips.
Paimon basically dove at the table.
She bit into the crab roe tofu and gasped, mouth full. "It melts! So rich and smooth—so good!"
Lumine sampled the steamed fish and nodded. "That's really distinctive."
Kairo took a bite of amber roast meat and praised, "Xiangling's cooking truly lives up to the reputation."
Xiangling scratched her head bashfully. "Hehe—if you like it, that's all that matters! If you're full later, I'll bring out a grand finale dessert!"
She dashed off again.
Under Wanmin's warm lights, everyone chatted and ate, the atmosphere relaxed.
Then—
Bang!
Wanmin's door was shoved open, and someone hurried in.
"Mr. Lin—Mr. Lin! You're here!"
A slightly excited voice rang out.
Paimon froze mid-bite and looked up. "Huh? Isn't that… yesterday's guy?"
It was the same middle-aged man they'd met at Three Cups at the Port.
He hurried over, face bright with gratitude. Clothing plain, but eyes shining—completely rejuvenated.
"It's you," Kairo said, setting down his chopsticks. "What is it?"
The man clasped his fists and bowed deeply. "Mr. Lin—thank you for your guidance yesterday! I'm the one with the ancient bell."
"I know," Kairo said, nodding.
The man's face filled with emotion. "It's all thanks to your reminder!"
"After selling the bell at a low price, I took the money and brought my family to Bubu Pharmacy for Physician Baizhu to treat us."
His expression turned fearful at the memory.
"Physician Baizhu took one look and immediately found the problem. He said our family had been in constant 'sub-healthy' condition for years—not an ordinary illness, but erosion by some abnormal aura."
Everyone paused.
Zhongli, who'd been sipping tea unhurriedly, set his cup down and looked at him, gaze deep. "Go on."
The man swallowed. "After deducing it, Physician Baizhu said that bell… likely came into contact with a god's power and carried an aura of demonic-god residue. Over time it affected our bodies."
"If we hadn't dealt with it in time, it could've harmed our foundations—possibly triggering irreversible illness!"
"Gah—!"
Paimon sucked in a breath. "Demonic-god residue? That's seriously dangerous!"
Lumine frowned, clearly not expecting that "old bell" to hide such a deadly hazard.
The man continued, voice thick with gratitude. "If you hadn't divined fortune and misfortune for me yesterday and urged me to sell it quickly… I might've hesitated, kept it at home, and let it keep harming my family…"
"Now we've recovered a lot under Physician Baizhu's treatment. Truly… thank you, Mr. Lin!"
He bowed again.
Paimon stared at Kairo in disbelief. "That's… that's insane. Kairo, you really saw it coming—real disaster!"
Xiangling came out carrying a dish and froze, eyes wide. "Mr. Lin—wait, you can divine fortune and misfortune? Isn't that like an adeptus?!"
Ying'er also studied Kairo with interest.
Zhongli smiled, voice low and intrigued. "Mr. Lin… so you also know the art of divining fortune and calamity?"
His tone carried faint surprise.
Liyue had long revered heaven and earth; geomancy and divination existed, but few could truly master them.
And divining something as subtle as a demonic-god-tainted relic—without even seeing it—was far beyond a normal fortune-teller.
Kairo simply smiled, raised his teacup, and took a sip. "Just a little understanding."
But Zhongli narrowed his eyes slightly, looking at Kairo more carefully.
Just a little?
He didn't believe it.
The man thanked them again and again, then left with a grateful face.
Kairo waved it off casually. Yesterday had merely been Fu Xuan's Third Eye—testing its edge.
Soon lunch continued.
After eating, they drifted into a relaxed afternoon tea pace.
Meanwhile, Ying'er led Lumine, Paimon, and Xiangling into Wanmin's back kitchen to borrow the stove.
"Next, you'll need to help me use the crafting bench to extract essential oil from the Silk Flowers."
"The technique for making perfumed balm is different from alchemy. I'll teach you."
"It should be like this—hold the pestle gently…"
"Keep your palm snug against it, so it won't slip…"
"Good. Like that—now stir in the rhythm that feels most natural to you, until the Silk Flower's juice…"
"Mmm—yes. You really have talent for this. You understand the moment I explain."
"Very good. Keep going."
From the back kitchen, Ying'er's "instruction" voice drifted out from time to time.
Kairo's face went a little blank.
If you knew what they were doing, you'd say they were making balm.
If you didn't…
You'd think something else entirely was happening back there.
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