[Title]: "Secret History of Wanmin Restaurant: Is Guoba the True God of Cooking?"
[Author]: Lovia
[Body]:
[Introduction: Clearing the mists of history to find the culinary wisdom and millennial heritage hidden beneath a cute and silly exterior]
In the bustling life of Liyue Harbor, eight out of ten parts revolve around food. Of the remaining two parts, one is Mora, and one is Guoba (crossed out).
And when speaking of food, how can one not mention the Wanmin Restaurant with its ever-changing dishes and infinite creativity?
Xiangling, the son of Wanmin Restaurant's owner, is likely known to everyone. He inherited his skills from his father, and his clever hands can turn ordinary ingredients into stunning delicacies; he has long been recognized as a leader in Liyue's culinary world.
However, in the streets and alleys, there are always some unofficial rumors that cannot make it into the official history: it is said that the true treasure of Wanmin Restaurant is not the young Damselette chef, but the round, adorable, and cute creature by his side who spends his days with food—Guoba.
Recently, after scouring through fragments of ancient Liyue texts and visiting elderly residents in the surrounding area, I have actually pieced together a shocking "Secret History of Wanmin Restaurant" from various clues.
Today, I shall tell it to you all; whether you believe it or not is for you to decide.
[Chapter 1: Guoba's "Abnormal" Actions]
Rumors do not come from nowhere; allow me to recount a few "strange occurrences" in detail.
The first concerns a "divine intervention" regarding the heat of the stove.
Xiangling is skilled at making an innovative signature dish called "Wanmin Boiled Fish," which is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with the heat control being nothing short of exquisite.
According to an old customer who once caught a glimpse into a corner of the kitchen, during one preparation, Xiangling was slightly distracted while thinking about a new recipe. The oil temperature in the pot rose steadily, and it looked as if it were about to overheat and ruin the dish.
At that moment, Guoba, who had been napping in the corner, seemed to wake up from a dream. He suddenly leaped up, clumsily lunging toward the stove, and with a "smack" of his little meaty paw, he hit a specific spot on the air vent with perfect precision.
The fierce fire instantly turned gentle as if it had been tamed, and the Black-back Bass in the pot reached a state of perfection at that exact moment.
One such instance could be called a coincidence, but the old Shop Assistants of Wanmin Restaurant say privately that they have long since grown used to such "coincidences."
The second is the mystery of the "Ingredient Guardian."
Whenever there is a night of torrential rain, the jueyun chili drying in the backyard, the newly arrived matsutake, or the Flour that easily dampens are always found the next morning to have been properly moved to the driest and most ventilated corner of the kitchen.
Everyone assumed it was Xiangling's attentiveness or Master Mao taking care of things in the middle of the night. However, one night, a Shop Assistant on night duty got up, and in his haze, he saw a brownish-yellow, round figure struggling to drag a bag of Spice to a higher place.
Who could that be if not Guoba?
When he saw someone coming, he immediately tilted his head and fell to the ground, pretending to sleep as if none of it had anything to do with him, entering "Who am I? Where am I? I'm just a helpless Onigiri" mode.
The third is the most miraculous, which could be called "Soothing the Berserk Pot."
Xiangling is brave in his innovation, so naturally, there are times when he fails.
Once, he attempted to cook the stamens of frostflower petals and Flaming Flowers together, seeking a miraculous effect of blending ice and fire. Unexpectedly, the elemental forces in the pot conflicted violently, rumbling and spewing steam, nearly causing the pot to explode!
While everyone retreated in panic, Guoba was seen unhurriedly pacing to the stove. Facing the violently vibrating pot, he let out two low growls: "Wuwa! Ao!"
Strangely enough, that berserk pot immediately ceased its activity like a child being scolded by an elder. The chaotic elemental forces inside gradually calmed down, leaving behind only a wisp of strange fragrance.
Unfortunately, the scene was too chaotic at the time, and no one noticed Guoba's actions.
I ask you, is such control over "fire" and "stoves" something an ordinary pet can do? Even a holder of a Pyro Vision might not be able to achieve that, right?
[Chapter 2: The Legend of the Stove God "Machius"]
All these abnormalities force one's thoughts toward that even more ancient and grand era—the era of the Archon War.
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