While eating breakfast, Hu Tao shot a sideways glance at Cael, her cheeks faintly flushed.
Just who exactly is this guy…?
He can cook, sew, sing opera, and his strength is completely unfathomable…
What on earth did Zhongli pick up and bring back?
Thinking back on the time they'd lived together, Hu Tao realized something unsettling.
There really didn't seem to be anything Cael couldn't do.
The only flaw was—
He wasn't very serious.
Cael noticed her staring and turned to look at her.
"What's wrong, Hu Tao?"
Hu Tao froze for a split second, then quickly looked away.
"N-Nothing."
"Eat faster," she added impatiently.
"I don't want to be late on the first day."
"So naggy…" Cael muttered.
...
...
After breakfast, the two headed toward Yujing Teahouse.
Not long after they left, Xiangling finally got out of bed. Coming downstairs, she noticed two empty plates on the table.
"Huh? Someone came this early today?"
Chef Chef Mao glanced at her and replied,
"It was Cael and the Director of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. I heard Cael is going to perform opera onstage with Miss Yun. They're heading out early to practice."
"What?!"
Xiangling was instantly wide awake.
"Brother Cael can sing opera too?!"
She already thought his cooking was unbelievable—
Now this?!
Chef Mao laughed heartily.
"Haha, we should go watch when the time comes."
"Yes! I have to go!" Xiangling nodded eagerly.
"I'm really looking forward to it!"
...
...
Yujing Teahouse
"Good morning, Mr. Cael. You're quite early today—and the person next to you is… hm?"
Yun Jin was greeting him at the entrance, but clearly hadn't expected Hu Tao to be there.
"Hu Tao? You two know each other?"
Hu Tao stepped forward cheerfully.
"Hi, Yun Jin~! I heard Cael is going to perform with you, so I came along to find some fun!"
Cael nodded.
"Good morning, Yun Jin. Sorry if we made you wait."
"No, I just arrived as well," Yun Jin replied with a gentle smile.
Their easy exchange immediately made Hu Tao feel a little sour.
She shot Cael an accusatory look.
"You've been living at Wangsheng for almost a month, and only recently started calling me Hu Tao instead of 'Director.'"
"But you've only known Yun Jin for a few days, and you're already calling her by name?"
Cael panicked slightly.
"Huh? Do I do that? I don't think I—"
Yun Jin couldn't help laughing.
"You two really get along well."
"And your outfits look very nice—quite matching."
"Of course!" Hu Tao instantly puffed up with pride.
"When has my taste ever been bad?!"
Cael smiled helplessly.
She completely misunderstood what Yun Jin meant…
"Alright," Yun Jin said warmly,
"Let's save the chatting for later. Please, come inside."
...
"Wow! I've known you for so long, but this is my first time coming here!"
Hu Tao looked around curiously, clearly fascinated.
Yun Jin only smiled without saying much.
The three soon arrived at the Yun-Han Opera Troupe's practice area.
Quite a few people were already there—
Assistants, troupe members, and other performers.
There were actors around Yun Jin's age, though none carried her level of skill or popularity. Older performers were also present in large numbers.
As soon as they saw Yun Jin arrive with Cael, many gazes turned toward him.
Someone quickly recognized him.
"Hey— isn't that the chef from Wanmin Restaurant? Why is he here to sing opera?"
The moment that was said, dissatisfaction surfaced.
"Chef Cael, why aren't you staying in your kitchen?"
"And Miss Yun—how could you let someone who handles oil and grease every day step onto the stage?"
Most of those voicing objections were younger performers.
The older ones said nothing—only watching with interest.
After all, many of them knew Cael personally and held him in high regard.
Yun Jin calmly looked at those questioning her and spoke evenly,
"I respect the stage deeply. I would never allow someone unqualified to stand upon it."
"I've already consulted the troupe, and they've agreed."
"If you still feel it's unfair, then you may watch us rehearse."
With that, all complaints fell silent.
If Yun Jin herself said this much, then it meant Cael's skills were legitimate.
Even so, some resentment remained.
Cael understood.
Everyone here had trained for years to earn their place.
For someone like him—who'd never appeared before—to step straight onto the stage was bound to feel unfair.
So there was only one thing he could do.
Win them over with ability.
...
They didn't start with Farewell My Concubine right away, instead choosing well-known classic pieces to warm up.
Duet opera demanded extreme coordination—
One line ended, the other had to follow instantly, perfectly, without the slightest discord.
Yet from the very beginning, Yun Jin and Cael moved in perfect sync.
Their vocal style, rhythm, and tone aligned almost unnaturally well.
Even Cael felt puzzled.
Why does her singing style feel so similar to mine?
Yun Jin was just as astonished.
His technique was incredibly orthodox—
Almost as if he were the originator of the art itself.
The onlookers were stunned as well.
When the two voices merged, it was breathtaking.
Even Hu Tao—who didn't understand opera at all—could tell how incredible it was.
They practiced all morning.
Yun Jin was exhausted.
Cael, however, was completely fine.
After all, the "fifty-fifty" ability had a habit of triggering at the strangest times.
By the end of it, everyone's opinion of Cael had changed.
Not only was his cooking top-tier—
His opera was equally outstanding.
Many now felt he truly deserved to be addressed as Mr. Cael.
...
At noon, Cael prepared to leave with Hu Tao.
Yun Jin told him that with their current level, only a few rehearsals were needed before going onstage.
They planned to perform next week.
Hu Tao was full of anticipation.
Though she'd found the morning a bit boring—
Just a bit.
Mostly, she was annoyed that Cael hadn't spent more of his breaks keeping her company.
Seeing her sulk, Cael could only sigh helplessly and spend the rest of the day wandering around Liyue Harbor with her.
Along the way, he completed quite a few achievements.
...
"System, open my status panel."
[Opening status panel]
Host: Cael
Age: 20 (?)
Vision: None
Attribute:Unlocking Soon
Inventory: Dull Blade (Tier 8), paper, pen, Mora, 100,000 Primogems
Assets: Wealthy
...
"Tier eight already?" Cael muttered.
"System, what level am I at now?"
[Congratulations, Host. You can now go fifty-fifty with the Traveler right after obtaining Anemo.]
"…That's… okay, I guess."
He paused.
"By the way, what's with that 'attribute unlocking' thing?"
[That is the Host's own Origin Power.]
[Its attribute will be revealed in time.]
[It does not conflict with the System's fifty-fifty ability.]
Cael fell silent.
Origin… power?
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