"Make a few more dishes today, to give Columbina a proper send-off."
"Hmm."
Bai You jogged over, tiptoed, untied her apron, tied it on, and rolled up her sleeves.
Varesa also came over, tied on her apron, stood in front of the stove, and glanced at the ingredients.
"Let's begin," Varesa said.
Odette then began to prepare the vegetables and fruits.
She sliced the tomatoes thinly and arranged them in a circle around the edge of the plate; she also loosely spread the lettuce in the bowl.
The peeled apple was cut into even slices, which were then arranged one on top of the other in a white porcelain plate to form a flower shape. A few deep red berries were embedded in the center, creating a refreshing contrast of red and white.
" Odette, your plating skills are amazing, you should open a pastry shop!"
Bai You leaned over for a look and said with a smile.
"You opened a shop, and now you come here every day to freeload?" Odette glanced at her indifferently.
"Then I'll definitely come," Bai You didn't deny it at all, "And I'll bring Varesa along."
Varesa, sitting in front of the stove, listened, a slight smile playing on her lips, but didn't interrupt.
The kitchen gradually became lively.
The two pots were sizzling simultaneously, releasing the aromas of eggs, meat, broth, bread, and butter all mixed together.
When the oven "dinged," the bread was done baking.
Bai You put on oven mitts and took the baking tray out.
The bread slices were toasted to an enticing golden brown, with slightly crispy edges, and the butter was still sizzling on the surface, releasing an irresistible aroma.
She tore off a small piece, blew on it, and naturally held it to Varesa's lips. "Try it, see if it tastes good enough."
Varesa took a bite from her hand, chewed it twice, and nodded. "Perfect."
After saying that, she scooped up a spoonful of freshly cooked egg, blew on it to cool it down, and fed it back to Bai You: "You should try some egg too."
Bai You opened her mouth and ate it. The egg pancake was very tender, with a buttery aroma. Her eyes curved into a smile, "Delicious!"
Odette, watching the two feeding each other as if no one else was around, couldn't help but cough lightly.
"That's enough." She picked up the fruit platter and walked out, her voice tinged with a hint of helplessness. "Let's set the table first."
Bai You felt a little embarrassed and followed him out with the bread.
The three of them went back and forth several times, bringing the prepared breakfast to the table one by one and arranging it neatly.
In the center of the table was a high pile of omelets, next to which was a plate of glistening fried meat slices and a bowl of steaming vegetable soup.
A large bowl of salad, golden and crispy bread, a plate of fruit arranged in a flower shape, and some other breakfast items.
The table was laden with food, and the aroma was enticing; it was much more elaborate than usual.
"She should be down soon," Odette said softly as she set out the last set of cutlery.
The three of them sat down and waited, each pouring themselves a glass of hot milk.
Not long after, footsteps could be heard on the stairs.
When she saw the sumptuous breakfast spread out on the table, she stopped in her tracks.
"... How much has been done?"
She pulled out a chair and sat down, her gaze sweeping from the egg pancake to the soup, and then down to the plate of fruit flowers.
"I'm here to see you off." Bai You gestured with her chin.
"Eat more, you won't be able to get this back in Snezhnaya City."
"Then I'll have to eat a lot!" Columbina smiled, her eyes crinkling.
The four of them sat down around the table and ate slowly.
They ate and chatted, discussing the taste of breakfast, but no one was in a hurry to mention the word "leave."
By the end of breakfast, everything on the table was gone.
Columbina put down her glass, took a napkin to wipe her mouth, stood up, and the smile on her face slowly faded, replaced by a deep sense of reluctance to part.
"Alright, I should go now."
She went upstairs, carried her luggage (which consisted entirely of dry bread given to her by Bai You ) down, slung it over her shoulder, walked to the door, and turned back.
All three of them followed.
She first hugged Odette, then whispered in her ear with a smile, "Next time you come, I'll definitely watch you dance again."
Odette responded faintly, without saying much, but her reluctance was evident in her actions.
Then came Varesa.
"The song is really nice," Columbina said.
Varesa smiled, "I've been very happy to have you with me these past few days."
Finally, she knelt down in front of Bai You.
"Thank you for giving me such a wonderful memory," she said softly.
Columbina stood up, waved to the three of them, and said, "I'm leaving now."
Goodbye!
Bai You stood by the door, watching the pink figure walk along the snow-covered street until it disappeared from sight.
Varesa walked over, took her hand, squeezed it gently, and said nothing.
Bai You turned her head and met her gentle eyes; the emptiness in her heart quickly dissipated.
"Let's go back," she whispered.
"Hmm."
--
Life returned to normal.
It was the first day after Columbina left, and I was still a little unaccustomed to the house.
When eating, I always subconsciously set out an extra set of chopsticks and bowls, then remember that the person has left, I smile and put them away.
By the second day, I had gotten used to it.
The third day, the fourth...
These past few days have been uneventful, nothing particularly noteworthy.
We sleep in until we naturally wake up in the morning, make breakfast together, and then go about our own business after eating.
Odette would read by the window for a while or go to training, while Varesa would take care of the house and sit in front of the fireplace whenever she had free time, letting Bai You lean against her.
Occasionally, when the mood strikes, Bai You will conjure up ears and a tail, or transform into a kitten and snuggle on a blanket for a nap.
Or, to be mischievous, turn Varesa into a catgirl or kitten, and the two cats while away an afternoon in the house.
Time moved slowly and quietly.
--
That afternoon, Bai You nestled in a soft chair by the window, basking in the sun, feeling a little sleepy.
She was in a daze, and I don't know what she was thinking about, but suddenly a figure flashed through my mind—
With golden hair and carrying a sword, she has been searching everywhere for her lost brother.
It is Traveler —Ying.
Bai You woke up a bit from her drowsiness.
She sat up a little straighter and silently counted the days in her mind.
She remembered that, according to the system, Ying woke up on the beach near Mondstadt a few days ago.
By this calculation, it's likely that I've been in Mondstadt for several days already.
I wonder how Mondstadt is doing now, and whether the story will change because of my arrival.
Bai You rested her chin on her hand, gazing out the window, and the thoughts she had just suppressed slowly resurfaced in her mind.
--Mondstadt.
Since arriving in this area, she has stayed Snezhnaya and hasn't traveled to other countries much.
Anyway, I had nothing to do, and Columbina had already left.
Odette and... She glanced at Varesa not far away.
How about we go check out Mondstadt?
Once the thought started, it was hard to stop.
She jumped off the chair and ran to Varesa in her shoes.
Varesa."
"Hmm?" Varesa put down what she was holding, looked down at her, and asked, "What's wrong?"
"How about we go to Mondstadt for a bit?"