Wangshu Inn.
Qiu Bai looked at Yanxiao with a smile.
"Chef Yanxiao, that ghost won't bother you anymore."
Yanxiao was startled by Qiu Bai's words, but quickly collected himself.
"Really? Has that little ghost really been driven away?"
Seeing Yanxiao's surprise, Qiu Bai answered calmly.
"That's right. That little ghost won't be scaring anyone at Wangshu Inn anymore."
With Qiu Bai's confirmation, Yanxiao let out a relieved breath, then smiled at him.
"Please wait a moment. I'll put my heart into making you the finest, smoothest Almond Tofu. I guarantee you'll be satisfied!"
"Let me get myself ready first. You three can head to the kitchen and wait for me."
"I'll be there shortly."
Just then, Lumine spoke up.
"Yanxiao, could we borrow the kitchen in a little while?"
Yanxiao laughed at her request.
"Of course! You dealt with that little ghost, and I don't even know how to thank you."
Behind them, Paimon said cheerfully, "Paimon's hungry! Once we're done making food for that Adeptus, let's have a feast ourselves."
"Not a problem. I'm back in top form now!"
Yanxiao smiled at the three of them as he spoke.
"We'll head over first, then, Yanxiao."
Qiu Bai looked at Yanxiao in surprise. What an incredible chameleon he was.
His attitude was completely different from before. Then again, anyone in his position probably wouldn't have been in the mood to cook.
With that, Qiu Bai and the other two headed toward Wangshu Inn's kitchen.
Not long after they arrived, Yanxiao came in behind them.
"I'll get cooking, then. Go rest at that table over there. I'll have it ready shortly."
"Thank you, then."
After thanking him, Qiu Bai turned to Lumine beside him and spoke softly.
"It'll be your time to shine soon, Lumine."
"Make a few of your specialties."
Lumine nodded slightly, then asked with some puzzlement.
"Qiu Bai, why does it have to be my cooking?"
"Can't that chef make it too?"
Qiu Bai smiled faintly. After all, later in the story, whenever Lumine called Xiao...
Xiao would always come. Perhaps it had something to do with the food she made this time.
"You don't understand, Lumine. Making it yourself shows more sincerity."
"Who knows? You might win an Adeptus's heart."
Lumine blushed and looked at Qiu Bai, puffing her cheeks in annoyance.
"Qiu Bai, you're teasing me again!"
Qiu Bai burst out laughing, then sat down.
Paimon came closer curiously, her large, puzzled eyes fixed on Qiu Bai.
"Qiu Bai, are you some kind of Adeptus or something?"
"How do you know so many amazing spells?"
Paimon simply couldn't contain her curiosity anymore.
After all, Qiu Bai could make people appear out of thin air and teleport.
Neither she nor Lumine had ever encountered anything so extraordinary.
"Then what kind of person do you think I am?"
"Little Paimon?"
Qiu Bai looked at Paimon with a playful expression.
"Let me think. Hmm..."
"I can't figure it out. There are too many unanswered questions."
"We'll just wait until you're ready to tell us."
Paimon lost interest and turned to Lumine beside her.
Lumine wore a faint smile as she watched Yanxiao make Almond Tofu with curiosity, as though she were secretly learning his recipe.
Meanwhile, Qiu Bai studied Lumine's profile. He had never really looked closely before.
He hadn't expected the Traveler to be so beautiful. How had he failed to notice for so long?
Back when Qiu Bai played Genshin Impact, he had chosen Lumine, the very girl sitting before him now.
He still remembered repeatedly clicking the one in the middle back then. Unfortunately, the game wouldn't let him choose that one.
Noticing Qiu Bai's gaze, Lumine touched her face blankly.
She asked softly, "What's wrong, Qiu Bai? Why do you keep staring at me?"
"You're really cute, Lumine."
Qiu Bai said it with a faint smile as he looked at her.
His answer made Lumine blush furiously.
She quickly turned away, avoiding his gaze.
Qiu Bai rubbed his nose awkwardly.
Paimon watched curiously to see how Almond Tofu was made, because she really wanted to try it too.
I'll have the Traveler make it for me from now on.
Paimon thought happily, then stamped her feet in delight at the idea.
Time passed little by little.
When Yanxiao announced that it was ready, the fragrance filled the kitchen as he plated the Almond Tofu.
Yanxiao walked over to the table, stopped before the three of them, and set down the Almond Tofu.
He smiled at them.
"Hahaha! It feels great to have steady hands again!"
"The kitchen has all the ingredients you could need. Feel free to make whatever you like."
"I'm going to see the boss, so please excuse me."
Qiu Bai nodded to Yanxiao.
"Thank you, then."
Paimon flew over and sniffed the Almond Tofu.
"It smells so good! I really want to have a bite right now!"
Paimon swallowed as she stared at the Almond Tofu, and Lumine quickly picked it up and moved it away.
"Paimon, this is for the Adeptus. No sneaking bites!"
Paimon stamped her feet angrily.
"Paimon's only smelling it! I didn't sneak a bite!"
After a while, Lumine went to make a few more dishes, leaving Qiu Bai to guard the Almond Tofu and keep Paimon from sneaking any.
This infuriated Paimon, who glared fiercely at Qiu Bai. She wasn't actually going to sneak any.
Paimon's expression amused Qiu Bai.
He dropped his guard and comforted her.
"Little Paimon, we'll ask that chef to make another meal in a bit."
"Hang in there. You'll get to eat soon."
"Yay!"
Paimon clapped her little hands happily.
Qiu Bai watched Lumine cook and waited quietly.
A little while later, Lumine put the dishes into her mysterious backpack, then smiled at Qiu Bai and Paimon.
"It's ready. Let's go find that Adeptus."
Qiu Bai and Paimon nodded, and the three of them headed toward the Terrace.
This time, Xiao didn't appear out of nowhere. He was simply standing there quietly.
As though sensing something, Xiao turned his head slightly.
He looked at the three of them with an indifferent gaze.
"You again..."
"Wait! Don't disappear just yet!"
Paimon hurriedly spoke up.
Behind her, Lumine held out the Almond Tofu in her hands.
"This is..."
Xiao looked at what Lumine was holding with some surprise.
"This is your favorite, Almond Tofu."
"And this is our foreign Traveler's specialty, a salad full of exotic flavor!"
Paimon hurriedly explained.
Lumine handed the Almond Tofu to Xiao, and he ate it quietly.
"Quick, Traveler! Tell him everything while he's eating!"
Lumine took advantage of Xiao eating to quickly explain everything that had happened.
Behind her, Qiu Bai kept his eyes fixed on Xiao.
Was he constantly suppressing the karmic debt within him, even while eating?
Before you continue