Wangshu Inn
Qiu Bai smiled as he looked at Yanxiao in front of him.
"Chef Yanxiao, that ghost won't bother you anymore."
Hearing Qiu Bai words, Yanxiao was momentarily stunned before quickly reacting.
"Really? That little ghost has truly been driven away?"
Seeing Yanxiao surprised expression, Qiu Bai responded calmly.
"That's right. It won't be scaring people at Wangshu Inn anymore."
Upon receiving Qiu Bai confirmation, Yanxiao let out a sigh of relief and smiled.
"Please wait a moment. I'll prepare the finest, smoothest almond tofu for you. I guarantee you'll be satisfied!"
"Let me adjust my mindset first. You all can wait for me in the kitchen."
"I'll be there soon."
At that moment, Lumine suddenly spoke up.
"Yanxiao, would it be okay if we borrow the kitchen for a bit later?"
Hearing this, Yanxiao laughed heartily.
"Of course! You helped me deal with that little ghost, I don't even know how to thank you properly."
Behind them, Paimon cheerfully exclaimed, "Paimon starving! After we finish making the dish for that Adeptus, we should have a feast!"
"No problem at all! Right now, I'm in peak condition!" Yanxiao said with a grin as he looked at the three in front of him.
"Alright then, we'll head to the kitchen first, Yanxiao."
Qiu Bai raised an eyebrow as he observed Yanxiao, what an impressive chameleon.
His attitude had completely changed compared to earlier.
Well, it made sense. No one would be in the mood to cook if they were being haunted.
After saying this, Qiu Bai, Lumine, and Paimon made their way toward the kitchen of Wangshu Inn.
Shortly after they arrived, Yanxiao followed them inside.
"I'll start cooking now. You can rest at that table over there, I'll be done soon."
"Much appreciated."
Qiu Bai nodded in thanks before turning to Lumine and whispering softly.
"It's your time to shine, Lumine."
"Make a few of your best dishes."
Lumine nodded slightly, but then asked in surprise.
"Qiu Bai, why does it have to be my cooking?"
"Isn't the chef capable of making the dish too?"
Qiu Bai smiled knowingly.
After all, in the upcoming events, Lumine would be calling for Xiao, and Xiao would come at a moment's notice.
Perhaps this entire cooking process was connected to what would happen next.
"You just don't get it, Lumine."
"Cooking it yourself makes it more meaningful."
"Who knows? You might just win the heart of an Adeptus."
Lumine face instantly turned red, and she glared at Qiu Bai with puffed cheeks.
"Qiu Bai! You're teasing me again!"
Qiu Bai burst into laughter before taking a seat.
Paimon, on the other hand curiously scooted closer, her big, questioning eyes locked onto him.
"Qiu Bai, are you some kind of Adeptus or something?"
"How do you know so many Adeptus arts?"
Paimon couldn't hold back her curiosity any longer.
After all, Qiu Bai had pulled off disappearing acts and instant teleportation, things she and Lumine had never seen before.
Qiu Bai smirked, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes.
"Why don't you take a guess, little Paimon?"
Paimon scrunched up her face in thought.
"Hmm... Let me think..."
"Nope, too many unanswered questions."
"I'll just wait until the day you decide to tell us."
Losing interest, she turned her gaze to Lumine.
At that moment, Lumine was watching Yanxiao prepare the almond tofu with a soft smile, her expression full of curiosity as if she was secretly trying to learn the recipe.
Meanwhile, Qiu Bai found himself looking at Lumine profile.
He had never really paid attention before.
Damn, she's got some serious looks.
How had he never noticed before?
Back when he played Genshin Impact, he had chosen this very same Lumine as his Traveler.
He still remembered how he kept tapping the middle option over and over, only to realize he wasn't allowed to choose both.
Lumine, noticing his stare, absentmindedly touched her own face.
"What's wrong, Qiu Bai? Why are you staring at me?" she asked softly.
Qiu Bai lips curled into a small smile.
"Lumine is really cute."
Lumine face instantly flushed red at his response.
She quickly turned away, avoiding his gaze.
Qiu Bai, realizing he might have embarrassed her, awkwardly scratched his nose.
Meanwhile, Paimon remained focused on the almond tofu, watching intently—she really wanted to try some.
"From now on, Traveler can make it for me!"
The thought made Paimon so happy that she stomped her feet in excitement.
As time slowly passed, the fragrant aroma of almond tofu filled the kitchen.
Finally, Yanxiao called out, "It's ready!"
The moment the dish was plated, the rich scent spread through the room.
Yanxiao walked over to the table and set the almond tofu down in front of them.
With a satisfied grin, he looked at the three of them.
"Hahaha! Feels great to have steady hands again!"
"The kitchen has everything you need, if you want to cook something, go ahead."
"I'm going to check in with the boss for a bit, so I'll leave you to it."
Qiu Bai gave Yanxiao a small nod as he left the kitchen.
"Thank you very much."
Paimon hovered over, taking in the aroma of the almond tofu.
"It smells so good! I really wanna take a bite right now!"
She swallowed her saliva, eyes locked onto the dish. But before she could do anything, Lumine quickly picked up the plate and moved it away.
"Paimon, this is for the Adeptus! No sneaking bites!"
Paimon stomped her feet in frustration.
"Hmph! I was just smelling it, not stealing a bite!"
A short while later, Lumine started preparing a few more dishes. Meanwhile, she instructed Qiu Bai to guard the almond tofu, specifically to keep Paimon from eating it.
This made Paimon even more annoyed. She shot a glare at Qiu Bai, puffing up her cheeks. As if she would really steal it!
Qiu Bai found her expression hilarious. Letting his guard down, he chuckled and reassured her.
"Relax, little Paimon. Once we deliver this, I'll ask the chef to make another batch just for you."
"Really? Yay!"
Paimon cheered, clapping her tiny hands.
Qiu Bai then quietly watched as Lumine focused on cooking. He waited patiently, the scent of freshly made dishes filling the kitchen.
Finally, Lumine packed up the food into her mysterious Traveler's backpack and turned toward them with a smile.
"All done! Let's go find the Adeptus."
Qiu Bai and Paimon nodded, and the three made their way toward the terrace.
This time, Xiao didn't suddenly appear out of nowhere.
Instead, he was already there, standing silently.
Sensing something, he turned his head slightly, his golden eyes landing on them with an indifferent gaze.
"It's you again..."
"Wait! Don't disappear just yet!" Paimon quickly interjected.
Behind her, Lumine carefully lifted the plate of almond tofu.
Xiao's gaze flickered, slightly surprised.
"This is...?"
"Your favorite almond tofu," Lumine said.
"And this is a special exotic salad, a specialty of this Traveler!" Paimon added enthusiastically.
Lumine extended the dish toward Xiao, who took it wordlessly and began eating.
Paimon seized the moment. "Quick, Traveler! While he's eating, tell him everything!"
Taking the opportunity, Lumine swiftly explained everything that had happened.
Meanwhile, Qiu Bai kept his eyes on Xiao the entire time.
"Even while eating, he's still suppressing the karmic debt within him, never letting his guard down..."
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