High-end ingredients are often prepared using the simplest cooking methods.
Cael couldn't really be called a top-tier chef, but the dishes he made were an entirely new experience for the people of Teyvat.
Yangzhou Fried Rice.
Roast suckling pig.
One after another, famous dishes from his previous life were introduced to Teyvat—earning Cael a small fortune in the process.
At the same time, the popularity of Wanmin Restaurant skyrocketed.
It wasn't as though upscale places like Xinyue Pavilion hadn't tried to recruit him—but Cael rejected them all.
Joking aside—Wanmin Restaurant had Xiangling and Yaoyao.
What did Xinyue Pavilion have?
These days, many customers came to Wanmin Restaurant with a single wish—
That they'd be lucky enough to see Cael cooking.
Xiangling's food wasn't bad—far from it—but compared to Cael's dishes, it somehow lacked that extra layer of flavor.
Overall, Cael was very satisfied with Wanmin Restaurant.
He only worked there three or four days a week, yet his weekly pay was 505,000 Mora.
...
...
With Cael around, the restaurant became busier than ever—but profits multiplied several times over.
This was precisely why Chef Mao was willing to pay such a high salary.
By evening, most customers had left. Liyue locals didn't usually dine late; those who still came at night were mostly people working overtime.
So Cael prepared to head back.
Chef Mao laughed heartily and patted him on the back.
"Haha! Cael, want to stay and eat? My treat! Today's business was incredible—thanks to you!"
Cael shook his head apologetically.
"Sorry, Uncle Mao. It's getting late, and I promised the Director I'd be back at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor by evening."
Seeing this, Chef Mao didn't insist. He laughed a few more times and sent Cael off.
A few seconds after Cael left, Xiangling came out of the kitchen.
"Huh? Brother Cael already left?"
She looked a little disappointed. She'd wanted him to try the new dish she'd been experimenting with.
Chef Mao noticed her expression and smiled, patting her head.
"Xiangling, there'll be plenty of chances later. No need to rush—he can try it next time."
"…Okay," Xiangling nodded.
Chef Mao smiled.
He knew Cael stayed largely because of Xiangling, and he had no objections to that.
But from what he could see, Cael truly regarded her as nothing more than a close friend.
Instead… it was his daughter who seemed a little off.
Thinking about it made Chef Mao laugh helplessly.
...
...
Wangsheng Funeral Parlor
"Director, I'm back."
The moment Cael pushed open the door, he saw Hu Tao heading out—
And before she could react, she slammed headfirst into his chest.
Cael was tall—about a head and a half taller than Hu Tao—so she had to tilt her head back just to look at him.
"Ow!"
She clutched her forehead.
But the moment she recognized him, she immediately straightened up.
"Cael! Why are you back so late again today?!"
Cael scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"Sorry, sorry. A lot happened today."
Hu Tao puffed her cheeks.
"Hm…?"
Then she noticed his torn clothes.
"…Wait. What happened to you?"
"You're the second person to ask," Cael replied casually.
"I just got taken hostage by the Fatui for a bit."
He tried to walk inside—
But Hu Tao immediately panicked.
"WHAT?! That happened?!"
She rushed forward.
"Are you hurt? Let me see—where are you injured?!"
She even reached to lift his shirt.
"H-Hey! Don't touch!" Cael hurriedly stopped her.
"I'm fine! Really! Look—I'm perfectly fine!"
If Hu Tao actually lifted his clothes, he might die on the spot from nervousness.
He grabbed her wrist instinctively.
"—!"
The moment she was caught, Hu Tao's body stiffened. Heat rushed up behind her ears.
She yanked her hand back quickly.
"F-Fine! If you don't want to show me, then don't!"
"No need to grab me like that!"
Cael sighed inwardly.
This Hu Tao… really did seem a bit airheaded at times.
"Director, let's drop it," he said.
"Let's eat. Zhongli might already be waiting."
"No need to wait for Zhongli," Hu Tao replied.
"He said he had something important to take care of and won't be back until tomorrow morning. Let's eat first."
"Really?" Cael was a little surprised.
When Zhongli went out on his own, it usually meant something serious had happened.
Well… probably nothing to do with me. I'm just an ordinary guy.
"Alright then. Let's eat."
"Yes! Food time!" Hu Tao nodded eagerly.
"Oh, right—I cooked today, and it turned out really well! It'll definitely surpass yours!"
"Is that so, Director? Then I'll look forward to it."
"—! I told you to call me Hu Tao!"
...
...
Jade Chamber
"Hm?"
Ningguang frowned slightly.
"Why isn't Ganyu here today?"
Baiwen replied,
"She said the adepti summoned her for something important and left immediately."
"I see," Ningguang nodded.
"Then let her go—consider it a day off."
She paused, then added,
"Oh, Baiwen. Go buy me a serving of Yangzhou Fried Rice from Wanmin Restaurant. I'm a bit hungry."
"Lady Ningguang," Baiwen said gently,
"Too much greasy food isn't good for your health. Besides, you already had Yangzhou Fried Rice yesterday."
"Is that so?" Ningguang raised an eyebrow.
"I don't remember. Then this will be the last time—go buy it."
"…You said that yesterday as well."
...
...
Mt. Aozang
The adepti gathered one after another.
Mountain Shaper looked around and sighed.
"It's been a long time since we were all summoned like this."
Cloud Retainer nodded.
"I wonder what matter could prompt the Lord of Geo to call us together so suddenly."
Ganyu spoke softly,
"The last time this many adepti gathered was hundreds of years ago."
Xiao stood silently to the side, saying nothing.
When all the adepti had arrived, Zhongli finally stepped forward.
"Is everyone present?" he asked calmly.
"Lord of Geo!" ×N
Zhongli didn't waste words.
"I have summoned you today to announce one matter."
The adepti exchanged glances.
"What matter?" someone asked.
Zhongli spoke without hesitation.
"The Dark Archon—Agarest—has returned."
Everyone: !!!!!!
Silence fell instantly.
No one spoke.
No one moved.
"…My lord," Cloud Retainer said in disbelief,
"Are you certain? Agarest… didn't he perish five hundred years ago?"
Even Xiao's expression changed.
"You mean the Agarest who once governed Liyue alongside you—whose strength rivaled yours?" Mountain Shaper asked carefully.
Zhongli answered with a single nod.
At the same time, Ganyu's body trembled.
Her eyes filled with emotion—long-buried memories surging forth.
She looked… shaken.
And deeply moved.
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