"So this is Xiangling's new dish? It looks absolutely appetizing."
"Hehe, Su Bai, do you want to try some? I'm gathering people's opinions on food. For this competition, I want to break away from my usual approach, so I need to ask around and collect different perspectives."
Seeing Xiangling invite him to try the new dish, Su Bai didn't hold back. After giving Shenhe a piece of meat, he took a careful bite. He had to admit the broth was rich and savory, and the meat was well-braised. Even if she entered it in the competition, it would likely score well.
"The flavor is indeed quite good. But if I remember correctly, this year's theme is 'Ritual of Land and Water.' Yet this dish only has the flavor of the land."
"Oh, you're right! I totally forgot about the theme..."
Xiangling held her forehead. If Su Bai hadn't reminded her, she would have completely overlooked the competition's theme. Though she could make multiple dishes, using an unfinished dish like this for the "land" portion might not be the best idea.
"If you want opinions on food, Xiangling, maybe you could ask Hu Tao. Given her knowledge of culinary matters, she should be able to give you some good ideas. When it comes to interesting concepts, if Hu Tao isn't first in Liyue Harbor, then no one is."
"That makes sense. I'll go find Hu Tao right now. Guoba, stop doing flips at the door and come with me to find Hu Tao."
"Lulu lulu??? Lulu lulu!!"
"Hehe, did someone just call your director's name? Xiangling, make two plates of Almond Tofu and a few of your signature dishes—I need to take them to go and eat with the Conqueror of Demons."
Guoba was about to scurry off to find Xiangling when a pair of hands scooped him up from behind. His cries turned panicked, his little legs flailing in the air. The sight was so adorable that even Shenhe couldn't help wanting to pat his little head.
"Hu Tao, what are you doing here? And stop picking on Guoba!"
Hu Tao set Guoba down. That little rascal always tried to blast her with fire whenever she sneaked up on Xiangling from behind. A few times, he had almost set her alight. What a menace.
"Hu Tao, let me ask you—what's your favorite dish?"
"Huh? Shouldn't you already know? But if I had to pick just one favorite, I couldn't say off the top of my head. Hmm, let me think."
"Wow, I never thought there'd be a question Hu Tao couldn't answer. That's surprising."
Seeing Hu Tao deep in thought, Paimon couldn't help but remark. In her memory, there was almost no question that could stump Hu Tao. Hu Tao mimicked Eula's stance, hands on her hips.
"Little Paimon, even the sharpest-tongued bird has to rest sometime, right? Same goes for me."
"Uh... is 'rest' really the right word for a bird? Shouldn't it be 'tongue-tied'?"
"..."
Lumine didn't even know where to start with those two. Why use such bizarre expressions when perfectly normal ones would do? Xiangling, on the other hand, wasn't bothered. She urged Hu Tao to answer quickly so she could get back to cooking.
"Hu Tao, don't overthink it—just tell me your favorite dish. I'm doing an opinion poll."
"Oh, is that all? Boiled fish with shrimp dumplings is plenty. If those two dishes didn't take so long to make, I'd definitely order some for lunch today. But the Conqueror of Demons is still waiting for me to bring food up the mountain."
"Boiled fish with shrimp dumplings? That's pretty ordinary, isn't it?"
Xiangling was puzzled. Why would Hu Tao like such simple dishes? Though she always ordered those two, Xiangling had just assumed she liked seafood.
"This isn't ordinary at all. Think about it—boiled fish is hot, spicy, and aromatic. It's a 'dynamic' dish. Paired with shrimp dumplings, the dumplings become the 'static' element. Get it?"
"Dynamic? A dish that moves? I can make that! Slime sli—"
"No, no, not that kind of dynamic! Xiangling, just make the food for me now. I'll explain it to you on the phone later. I can't keep the Conqueror of Demons waiting—your director is counting on him to teach me some cool moves!"
Seeing that Hu Tao was genuinely in a hurry, Xiangling, who still didn't know what a phone was, had no choice but to head to the kitchen. Perhaps worried about keeping Hu Tao waiting, she fired up two stoves at once. Before long, six dishes were ready.
"If you need anything, Xiangling, just message me. Bye~"
"Hey, Hu Tao, what's a phone? You haven't told me yet!"
Watching Hu Tao's retreating figure, Xiangling was completely baffled. You can't just throw out a word like that and run off! What is a phone? Where do you get one?
"Su Bai, didn't you give Xiangling a phone? Did you forget?"
"Cough, Lumine, I just got back from Wangshu Inn. I haven't had the chance yet."
"Tsk~ Even Paimon can tell you just forgot. Hey, hey, you can't just resort to violence when you're losing an argument! Mmph~ Lumine, help! Su Bai is trying to stretch my face into a pancake!"
After giving Paimon's chubby cheeks a good squeeze, Su Bai pulled out a phone and handed it to Xiangling. He patiently taught her how to use it.
Under Su Bai's guidance, Xiangling quickly learned how to operate this novel device. She sent her first message in the group chat.
Xiangling: 'Hello everyone, this is Xiangling, a chef from Liyue.'
Klee: 'It's Sister Xiangling! Sister Xiangling, can you make Klee some grilled fish? Klee will come over to eat soon.'
Xiangling: 'Grilled fish? No problem. Mild, medium, or extra spicy? Wanmin Restaurant just got some Jueyun Chilis—spicy, but not harsh on the head.'
Albedo: 'Miss Xiangling, please don't add chili to Klee's grilled fish. She's still young and shouldn't eat too much spice.'
Albedo: 'Also, if possible, I'd like to order some milk from you to deliver to Klee daily.'
Klee: 'Brother Albedo is mean! Klee doesn't want to drink milk!'
Zhongli: 'Miss Xiangling, please make me a serving of Steamed Three Delicacies, and add a boiled fish for Zhongtuo. We'll be at Wanmin Restaurant shortly.'
Xiangling: 'Got it! I'll start cooking right away!'
Su Bai: 'Xiangling still ended up forgetting what she wanted to ask... But Klee did remind me—now that Xiangling has a phone, whenever I crave something, I can just message her directly. That's much more convenient.'
Albedo Junior: 'Where's that bastard Albedo? ******, you left me on the roof of Wangshu Inn to check the device while you go pet cats downstairs! Get your ass up here!'
Albedo: 'Everyone, don't panic. This is my younger brother. When he was little, he fell off the bed and hit his head, so that part of him is a bit... Wait, Albedo Junior, don't blast me with fire! It was just a joke.'
Albedo Junior: 'Albedo! If you want to become a charred lump, just say the word. I won't hold back.'
Sucrose: 'Ever since Mr. Albedo Junior appeared, Teacher Albedo seems much more cheerful. Is this what family feels like? I'm so happy for Teacher Albedo.'