Xiangling wanted to go out and have fun, of course, but Wanmin Restaurant really could not manage without her.
Meal reservations were already booked ten years ahead, and she had to remain ready for instructions and arrangements from the authorities at all times.
Going out for fun seemed to have become a luxury beyond her reach.
"It's a shame, but please forgive me for declining your request, my lord. Wanmin Restaurant is far too busy. If I get the chance in the future, I'll accompany you on an outing then."
Guoba gave a little chirp, then nodded in his endearingly simple way.
Lin Yi had known Xiangling would say that. She felt rather helpless about refusing the Geo Archon's request, which could even be considered an order.
Without lingering any longer, Xiangling hurried back to Wanmin Restaurant to wield her ladle.
As Madame Ping's final and foremost disciple, it was quite remarkable that she had immersed herself so thoroughly in the bustle of mortal life.
But Lin Yi had already decided to bring Xiangling along, so naturally, he had to come up with something.
Ningguang had already sent someone to notify Keqing.
When Keqing heard that she would be traveling with Lin Yi, and would even have to protect him and obey his orders, her eyes, flickering with lightning, filled with displeasure.
But this was an order from the Tianquan, so she had no choice but to obey.
As for the last member, this was Lin Yi's first time putting a party together, so he naturally wanted to give it careful thought.
Even though Keqing was an administrative official, her combat strength was more than sufficient. Still, having only one powerful fighter in the party would not do, and his thoughts naturally turned to Xiao.
He should have been at the small island camp by Wangshu Inn's terrace. He was an Adeptus utterly loyal to Morax.
To command him and his strength, Lin Yi would naturally need Morax to step in.
But Hu Tao had recently taken Zhongli away on business, even bringing those three tagalong adepti with her. For the moment, that retired slacker was nowhere to be found.
"Fine, I'll bring Keqing and Xiangling first. It's a real shame my wife Ningguang can't come along."
That night, in Wanmin Restaurant.
Xiangling was drenched in sweat in the kitchen, swinging her newly purchased wok and iron ladle so fast they practically threw off sparks.
The diners kept complaining that their food was coming too slowly. Even Guoba was busy helping greet customers out front.
As Lin Yi passed by and saw the stark difference in business between Wanmin Restaurant and Liuli Pavilion, he came up with a few ideas.
"That girl's cooking has spoiled practically everyone in Liyue. Ordinary food that merely fills their stomachs won't satisfy them anymore. Lowering their dining standards won't work, but offering a wider variety of food might be a good solution. It would take some pressure off Wanmin Restaurant and let Liuli Pavilion have a share of the business."
Then the Geo Archon Lin Yi walked into Wanmin Restaurant with his hands behind his back. Who would not respectfully greet him as Lord Lin Yi, the Geo Archon?
But when he saw Guoba in a server's uniform, walking with adorable little steps, Lin Yi could not resist giving him a hug.
He had thought the people of Liyue might consider his behavior frivolous and improper. Instead, they praised him as a kind god who was close to his people, crowding around him to ask for hugs.
Faced with the enthusiastic crowd, Lin Yi hurried into the kitchen to hide.
There he happened to find Xiangling so exhausted that she was gasping for breath. Her assistants were equally swamped; one had just picked up a cup of water, only to set it down again without drinking and get back to work.
"All right, everyone, take a break."
"A break? Who said that? Wanmin Restaurant's rule is that as long as there are customers, the work doesn't stop!"
But when the person who had snapped back saw that the newcomer was Lin Yi, they stumbled and nearly punched a hole through the bottom of the wok.
"G-Geo... Lord Geo Archon! What brings you here?"
At the sound of Lin Yi's name, everyone turned their eyes toward him. Only Xiangling stayed at her station, precisely controlling every step of her cooking. Just a whiff of her dishes was enough to make other delicacies pale in comparison.
Lin Yi stayed until late into the night, and even when Wanmin Restaurant closed, he still did not leave.
Once most of the staff had gone home, Lin Yi took the initiative to help Xiangling clean up the kitchen.
"Lord Lin Yi, how could I let you do that? Is there anything you'd like to eat? I happen to have some time now."
To win over a chef, one had to impress them with cooking.
When it came to the recipes currently available in Genshin Impact, Lin Yi had only reached the stage of memorizing the ingredients.
But he had not forgotten that he had some proficiency in Sichuan cuisine, Shandong cuisine, and Cantonese cuisine.
"Xiangling, is there any food you particularly like?"
Xiangling tapped her chin and looked up at the ceiling as she thought.
"I... I like spicy food. The way it stimulates your taste buds is amazing. But I still haven't managed to develop any especially delicious spicy dishes. It's practically become one of my life's regrets."
Spicy food suited the bold flavors of Sichuan cuisine, which happened to be one of Lin Yi's specialties.
"Spicy dishes? I think I know how to make those."
At his words, Xiangling's eyes immediately lit up.
"Really? Really? Lord Geo Archon, could you show me your skills?"
Lin Yi pretended to consider it, playing hard to get, then shook his head.
"My recipes were brought down from Sky God Island. They're recipes shared among gods. It's rare for mortals even to hear of them. If you want to watch me cook..."
Xiangling patted her chest. She had her own passionate devotion to spicy flavors.
"My lord, as long as you let me see them, I, Xiangling, will be at your beck and call from now on! Whatever you want to eat, you won't have to wait in line. I'll even make it free!"
Success!
This was exactly the result Lin Yi had wanted.
Then he put on a deeply conflicted expression.
"All right, then. Since you've gone that far, I can hardly refuse. Today, I'll make just three classics out of a hundred Sichuan dishes. I'll only make them once, so watch my technique closely. If you miss it, you won't get another chance."
Lin Yi changed into his chef's uniform with even more practiced ease than Xiangling.
Mao Xue Wang, Fuqi Feipian, and Mapo Tofu.
Wanmin Restaurant happened to have similar substitutes for the ingredients in all three dishes. After a quick inspection, Lin Yi also found seasonings that matched the oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar he remembered.
For a moment, in Lin Yi's figure, Xiangling...
Saw the shadow of the God of the Stove whom Madame Ping had described to her.
The God of the Stove was not human, but he had led the people of Liyue in reclaiming fields along the rivers, growing grain, and raising livestock. He had even possessed astonishing culinary skills.
But Xiangling still did not know that the God of the Stove was Guoba, whom she had found in Kitchen God Cave.
In that brief moment of distraction, the first dish, Mapo Tofu, was already finished. The jade-white Slime tofu contrasted vividly with the fiery red chili grass, and its aroma was irresistible.
Xiangling watched the next two dishes with complete concentration. After seeing the process just once, she remembered it clearly, right down to the rhythm of every cut.
But even when Fuqi Feipian and Mao Xue Wang were successfully served, Xiangling remained stunned, unable to recover for a long time.
"Oh my goodness, is... is this heaven for people who love spicy food?"
The three different dishes all used the same chili grass, yet one sniff revealed three distinct aromas. Each had its own strengths in flavor and texture.
Xiangling took a bite. Fragrance filled her mouth, and the heat was just right-exhilarating, without a harsh, painful burn!
"Lord Geo Archon... no, Master, please accept my respects!"
Before you continue