"The Moonchase Festival is the perfect time for all kinds of delicacies to reach their peak. This adeptus heard that a cooking competition is being held in Liyue Harbor today. When it comes to food and culinary skill, this adeptus's techniques and ingenuity are second to none."
"This adeptus has come forth today to show the world my new automatic cooking machine. Surely none of you mind if this adeptus joins the festivities?"
Cloud Retainer's words immediately sparked heated discussion among the audience. Never before had an adeptus participated in such a competition.
"What's an automatic cooking machine? Su Bai, you're close with Cloud Retainer. Do you know what it is?"
Paimon looked at Su Bai, who was fixing Shenhe's hair. His hand twitched. He was thinking of some very bad memories, but with so many people watching, he could only pretend to look confused and shake his head.
Seeing that even Su Bai didn't know what the automatic cooking machine was, the judges' panel grew even more curious. Could it be some kind of adeptal treasure?
"This..."
The sudden turn of events left Yanfei, the host, at a loss. Even Cloud Retainer had shown up. This wasn't the script Ningguang had given her. Though she was an adeptal beast herself, under Cloud Retainer's powerful presence, being an adeptal beast really didn't help.
Yanfei forced herself to glance at Ningguang. She noticed that Ningguang didn't seem surprised at all. Had Ningguang predicted this? Yanfei tried to read Ningguang's thoughts, but she never imagined that Ningguang was actually just as shocked. She simply wasn't showing it.
"Why does everyone look so surprised? Did you not tell anyone about my automatic cooking machine, little Su Bai? And you've gotten bold, haven't you? You actually tried to fool this adeptus?"
"If I hadn't seen people discussing the cooking competition on my phone, I really would have fallen for your trick."
Cloud Retainer's sharp gaze shot straight at Su Bai. He smiled bitterly. Cloud Retainer, don't you have any self-awareness? The food your machine makes is either burnt or undercooked. If I actually told people, wouldn't that ruin your reputation?
Of course, those thoughts were best kept to himself. If he actually said them out loud, he'd probably be dragged back to Cloud Retainer's abode for some "proper education."
"Cloud Retainer, I just got back from your place. I haven't had time to tell my friends yet. How about I tell them now, and you head back to your abode? I only fooled you because it's so hot today. I was worried you might get heatstroke."
"What you say makes some sense. But since you mentioned my machine, I might as well give a demonstration."
Cloud Retainer waved her wing, and three cooking pots with built-in bases appeared before everyone. Su Bai and Shenhe exchanged a glance, a flicker of fear passing between them.
"Since Cloud Retainer is so interested, why not grace the finals of this cooking competition with your participation? It would give us all a chance to witness the wonders of an adeptus's machine."
"You little girl certainly know how to talk. Since you've invited this adeptus with such sincerity, I suppose I can reluctantly join."
Cloud Retainer hadn't originally intended to compete against Xiangling and Yanxiao. She only wanted to show off her new invention. But at Ningguang's invitation, she suddenly felt that taking first place wouldn't be so bad. Then she could show off to her old friends.
The audience erupted when they heard Cloud Retainer would join the competition. In all of Liyue's history, this was the first time an adeptus had participated in such a grand event. Even the fox adeptus who had lived in Liyue Harbor for years had never taken part in a competition of this level.
Even Zhongli, who was watching from outside the venue, was surprised. He hadn't expected Cloud Retainer to actually join. It seemed she had come to accept the age of humanity.
Zhongli felt a warm sense of satisfaction as he took a sip of tea. Beside him, Azhdaha and the two little ones held cups of milk tea, their eyes fixed on Cloud Retainer.
"Sister Toto, what a huge crane! Klee has never seen such a big crane in Mondstadt. Amazing!"
"Qiqi... hasn't seen one either, when gathering herbs."
Hearing the little ones, Zhongli seemed to remember something. He raised his phone, snapped a photo of the competition ground, and sent it to the group chat. Within seconds, the chat exploded.
'Wangsheng Mondstadt Branch: My god, impossible, absolutely impossible. How could a Liyue adeptus join a competition like this? Mr. Zhongli, are you making fake photos now?'
'Amber: Um... generally speaking, photos on phones can't be faked. But Mr. Zhongli, my grandfather was from Liyue too. He once told me that adepti are very cold and distant...'
'Zhongli: Nothing is impossible in this world. Take Su Bai, for example. Do you think he's cold? Though Cloud Retainer appearing here did genuinely surprise me.'
'Eula: Su Bai isn't cold, but I can't say the same for other adepti. Like that photo Director Hu posted a few days ago of her with that short adeptus. He didn't look like a warm person at all.'
'Xiao: ??? Disrespect toward the adepti!'
'Eula: Huh??? Why is this adeptus here? I think this is the first time I've seen him speak.'
'Albedo: Su Bai asked me to give him one. He just never talked in the group. I even thought the phone was broken and went to ask about it.'
'Amber: Albedo, when are you coming back to Mondstadt? Ever since Lisa found out about my phone, she invites me to the library for tea every day. She calls it "cultivating my mind," but she just uses my phone to browse everything. Waaah~'
'Albedo: I'll mention it to Su Bai. If he doesn't mind me distributing phones on a small scale, I'll give Lisa one.'
'Wangsheng Mondstadt Branch: What about me, what about me? Can I have my own phone too? This thing is so convenient.'
'Albedo: Venti, you're still under observation. After all, the phone can be dangerous. If something goes wrong, that wouldn't be good.'
...
Back at the competition venue, a scene unfolded that left Xiangling utterly baffled. Guoba, who had practically grown up with her, had "defected"!
That good-natured Guoba was actually trotting after Cloud Retainer, forgetting entirely to help her light the fire. What was this? Even if the other party was an adeptus, Guoba, you can't suck up to her like that.
As for Cloud Retainer, she had only suspected Guoba's identity at first. But after sensing the familiar power within him, she felt a surge of delight. She hadn't expected to encounter an old friend here. Could this be fate?