When Bai Hao returned to Liyue Harbor, the first place he went was—naturally—Wanmin Restaurant.
It was dinner time, and the place was packed wall-to-wall with diners. The air was thick with chatter, sizzling oil, and the fragrance of freshly fried seafood.
He went straight to the ordering window.
"Hey, Xiangling! One 'Zhongli Happy Combo' please."
The blue-haired chef, busy slicing fish in the kitchen, blinked in confusion.
"Zhongli Happy Combo?"
Bai Hao cleared his throat.
"Ahem, I mean… just bring me every seafood dish you've got!"
He'd taught that serpent Baijie a good lesson earlier, but somehow, he still felt irritated.
So, he decided to convert his rage into appetite—tonight, no seafood was escaping his stomach alive.
The private rooms were all full, so Xiangling asked him to wait a bit.
Bai Hao didn't mind. He leaned on the counter, resting his chin on his hand, watching as two or three dozen cooks bustled about the massive kitchen.
Wanmin Restaurant wasn't just famous—it was vital.
Every evening, the poorer families from the surrounding ten streets gathered here to eat, making the place a noisy, fragrant storm of fire and laughter.
Chef Mao and Xiangling were in charge of the high-end orders—the ones that went up to the private dining rooms.
Since Bai Hao had ordered the full seafood banquet, Xiangling personally handled his order.
She was holding a sleek kitchen knife carved with a dragon pattern, her movements so fast that the blade blurred.
Bai Hao raised a brow.
"New knife?"
"Mhm!" Xiangling beamed. "A reward from the livestream! They called it the Eternal Spirit Blade—supposedly the same model from some 'Little Master Chef' world. Perfect for seafood!"
Her expression glowed with pride. Clearly, she loved this new toy.
"What about you?" she asked. "Did you get a reward too?"
After yesterday's little "table incident," all of Wanmin Restaurant knew Bai Hao's name.
And since she'd seen him appear on the reward list during today's broadcast, she was curious.
"A laser," Bai Hao said, pretending nonchalant. "Shoots straight through solid Rock."
He made a finger gun and mimed the pew! of a shot.
Of course, he was the one writing those quiz questions in the first place, so putting his own name on the winner's list didn't actually change anything—but it looked cool.
Xiangling's eyes widened, full of innocent awe.
"Whoa! That's awesome! Just be careful, okay? Wouldn't want to hurt anyone."
"Of course," Bai Hao said confidently. "I'm a model citizen, you know."
Somewhere, deep in the ocean, a certain battered three-headed serpent might have disagreed violently with that statement.
Suddenly—
Clack! Clack! Clack!
The sharp rhythm of high heels echoed through the hall.
"Xiangling, one Golden Shrimp Balls, one Crystal Shrimp, and one Triple-Layered Consommé!"
A black-stockinged girl with violet twin-tails appeared at the window, her tone crisp, businesslike—and a little impatient.
Bai Hao turned his head.
Purple hair.
Twin tails.
Cat-ear accessories.
Long legs wrapped in black silk stockings.
There was no mistaking her.
"Well, if it isn't the beautiful and dangerous Lady Keqing herself…"
"Sorry," Xiangling said apologetically, still tending to a frying pan. "The last Golden Shrimp Balls just got sold."
Indeed, that final order—the very one sizzling in her wok—was for Bai Hao.
"Ah… I see."
Keqing's voice softened, disappointment flickering in her violet eyes. "Then just the other two dishes, please."
Her expression, that tiny droop of her shoulders—it hit Bai Hao right in the heart.
He smirked.
"Tell you what, you can have mine."
Her eyes sparkled instantly.
"Really?!"
Then, realizing how eager she sounded, Keqing quickly composed herself, coughing lightly into her fist.
"Ahem. I mean… thank you. May I ask your name?"
She gave him a quick once-over.
A tall young man in a silver-white martial outfit stitched with cloud patterns.
Dark hair slicked neatly back, sharp eyes, and the kind of composed handsomeness that belonged to someone used to being looked at.
"Bai Hao," he said with an easy shrug. "Just a tourist in Liyue."
"Understood."
Keqing smiled politely and placed her hand over her chest in greeting.
"I'm Keqing, the Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing. If you ever need help, feel free to come to me."
It was obvious—her gratitude for that single dish ran deep.
After all, during the Chef's Championship, Keqing had once voted against Xiangling solely because of her obsession with Golden Shrimp Ballss. That was how much she loved them.
Bai Hao chuckled.
"I know, I know. 'Master Ke,' right? Don't work too hard."
"...Master Ke?"
Her brows knit, eyes narrowing.
"Uh—I mean, your shrimp balls are ready."
Just then, a waitress approached.
"Sir, there's a private room open upstairs."
Bai Hao waved goodbye, following the waitress toward the stairs.
"What a strange guy…"
Keqing murmured, watching his back disappear around the corner.
Clink.
A plate slid across the counter—golden, fragrant shrimp balls gleaming with glaze.
"Weird, sure," Xiangling said, propping her chin on her hands. "But he seems like a good person. Why not share a table with him? The main hall's noisy tonight."
"No need." Keqing shook her head. "I'll take mine to go. And—what's with that look?"
Even as she spoke, she could feel it—Xiangling's sly, teasing smile.
A look that seemed to say: Wow, Keqing… all it takes is one plate of shrimp balls to win your heart, huh?
"Hehe, nothing~ You're imagining things."
With a playful grin, Xiangling turned back to her kitchen, blade flashing under the golden light.
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