"Boss, I'll head back downstairs first in case any customers come to order,"
Sara said.
Although she also wanted to stay with the boss and Barbara, she simply couldn't handle this level of spiciness.
Chopping up Jueyun Chilis like this was just too intense.
When she made Spicy Grilled Perch, she usually used pre-made chili powder instead, so the spiciness wouldn't be this overwhelming.
Even then, there weren't many people in Mondstadt who could handle that dish.
Only merchants or travelers from other regions ordered it occasionally.
"Alright."
Jiang Chen nodded.
He took down the fresh beast meat that Sara had hung up earlier in the morning and minced it.
The meat came from Springvale outside Mondstadt, where almost every household was a hunter and supplied the city daily with fresh meat.
He then took out a Wolfhook berry, squeezed out a little of its juice, and added it to the pot along with the chopped Jueyun Chilis, letting it mix with the soft white tofu.
"This one Small Lamp Grass costs 1000 Mora at Flora's shop."
Jiang Chen took out a lamp grass whose stamen glowed with a faint blue light and spoke.
When used as an ingredient, Small Lamp Grass enhances the umami flavor.
Cooking this bowl of Mapo Tofu for Barbara meant he was definitely losing money.
Even Mondstadt's local specialty, Small Lamp Grass, was already expensive—
not to mention Jueyun Chili, a specialty from Liyue.
So why cook it despite the loss?
Don't ask.
The answer is simple:
Barbara is very cute.
"Yeah yeah, I know. Brother Jiang Chen is stingy too."
Barbara rolled her eyes.
But her attention was entirely focused on the red soup and white tofu bubbling in the pot.
Just smelling the aroma rising from the pot made her feel a faint warmth spreading through her body.
"Alright, it's done."
Before long, Jiang Chen placed the steaming Mapo Tofu on the table.
In the dish of red broth and white tofu, finely cut pieces of lamp grass stood upright like tiny stalks, bright green with a hint of blue.
They glistened with oil, looking as if they had just been freshly picked from the forest.
"Wow~"
Barbara's eyes sparkled.
Colorful magical stars seemed to flicker around her as she eagerly grabbed a bowl and chopsticks and sat down.
"Barbara is going to eat now!"
She clasped her hands together in prayer, then scooped a spoonful of Mapo Tofu into her mouth.
"Mmm!"
The smooth tofu, the tender minced meat that melted instantly, the heat, the spice, the numbing sensation, and the savory aroma—
All the flavors exploded on her taste buds at once.
Barbara covered her cheeks and squeezed her legs together, barely managing to hold back a cry of delight that would have been unladylike.
Sweat began to appear across her body.
Tiny beads of sweat shimmered on her shoulders, and even her warm white stockings had become damp, faintly revealing the shape of her calves.
Jiang Chen leaned by the window, smiling as he watched her eat.
Suddenly, from the corner of his eye, he noticed a tall familiar figure outside waving at him.
Jiang Chen turned and nodded.
The figure walked into the Good Hunter Restaurant.
"Jean is here," Jiang Chen said.
Barbara, who had been completely absorbed in the Mapo Tofu, suddenly froze.
Her clear blue eyes looked at Jiang Chen with a questioning expression.
"There, she's already coming upstairs."
Jiang Chen gestured toward the stairs.
A tall woman wearing a white knight's uniform had already stepped up.
The Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius.
Her gray-purple eyes and delicate fair face were pleasing to the eye.
Her golden hair, naturally curled at the ends, was tied into a ponytail, with two strands falling beside her face.
Her white knight uniform was decorated with golden patterns, and a black leather swallowtail cloak hung from her back and waist, reaching her calves.
She wore a black-outside, teal-inside shoulder cape with a gothic high collar, and across her waist hung a gold belt ornament symbolizing her position as Acting Grand Master.
She truly deserved to be called a beauty.
"Jean, what a rare guest!"
Jiang Chen laughed.
"It's not that exaggerated."
Jean smiled slightly upon seeing him.
Then she noticed someone else in the restaurant, and her tone softened.
"Barbara is here too."
Barbara's face instantly turned bright red, like a mouse caught sneaking food.
"I—I'm full!"
"Grand Master Jean, Brother Jiang Chen, I'm going back to the church now!"
Barbara ran a few steps before realizing she had forgotten to put on her shoes.
She hurried back, slipped on her small black dress shoes, and rushed downstairs.
Being caught by Jean for sneaking out of the church at noon instead of doing her duties would probably make her agonize over it for a long time.
"You didn't have to run away that fast. Am I really that scary?"
Jean sighed helplessly.
If she had known, she wouldn't have come upstairs.
"In Mondstadt, anyone caught resting—or slacking off—by Jean would probably run away in shame."
Jiang Chen said.
Jean looked a little downcast.
"It feels like I've become someone nobody wants to see."
"That's not true. I'm very happy to see you."
Jiang Chen crossed his arms and looked her over.
"A beauty like Jean isn't easy to find."
"Thank you for the compliment."
Jean gave a slight curtsy with elegant lady-like manners.
Then she continued,
"Barbara works very hard. Sometimes she pushes herself too much. I can tell she's very happy here with you. I really shouldn't have come up to disturb you."
Jiang Chen paused slightly.
Then he stepped forward and reached out, touching her cheek.
"Jiang Chen?"
Jean stepped back slightly, her cheeks turning red.
"I was wondering whether your face would heat up when you said that."
Jiang Chen replied helplessly.
"Among everyone in Mondstadt, you're the least qualified to say that, Acting Grand Master of the Knights."