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Second Week and so on: 7 chapters advantage from regular update.
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After an entire day of running errands, Futsu Mitama had finally checked off nearly all the tasks he came to Liyue for.
A house in a prosperous district—secured. Zhongli's entry into the mysterious Chat Group—completed. Only the collection of rare forging materials remained unfinished.
Two successes out of three was more than enough to lift his spirits. But a new house meant new furniture, bedding, utensils—everyday necessities he had neither the time nor the patience to handle.
Naturally, those responsibilities fell to Kuki Shinobu and Aila. As the nominal master of the household, Mitama chose instead to pay a friendly visit to the neighboring Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
He knew much about Liyue from the game's memories housed in his mind, yet the countless small stories and subtle nuances of daily life were things he could not have learned through a screen.
Zhongli could certainly provide answers—but living right beside the Funeral Parlor meant he had a much livelier "encyclopedia" at hand.
And that "encyclopedia," Hu Tao, was in rare form today. She pulled him cheerfully into conversation, rattling off anecdotes with her usual unrestrained enthusiasm—burial customs, ghost-haunted alleys, obscure sects scattered across the land—a whirlwind tour through the more eccentric corners of Liyue, all wrapped in Hu Tao's mischievous flourish.
Mitama listened patiently, slipping in his own questions from time to time—mineral veins rich in noctilucous jade, scenic places worth visiting.
Hu Tao would pause, scratch her head in exaggerated contemplation, and then offer her spirited—if occasionally unconventional—views.
Before either of them realized it, dusk had settled over the harbor. By the time Shinobu and Aila arrived, the house was fully furnished from top to bottom.
"Young Master."
Aila and Shinobu stepped into Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Shinobu glanced at Mitama, still engaged in animated chatter with Hu Tao. "Will we dine out tonight, or head home?"
"Out." After a day this busy, Mitama had no desire to burden the two with cooking duties.
Hu Tao perked up instantly at the mention of dinner.
"Oh? Dinner? Then I recommend Wanmin Restaurant! Great food, fair prices, and plenty of unique dishes! This Director never lies—if you don't enjoy it, I'll accompany you next time~!"
Mitama's brow twitched. Next time?
"Of course! It's already evening. What if clients show up?" Hu Tao puffed her chest out proudly. "The work hasn't come yet—how can I think about eating? Don't worry, I won't starve~ I can cook for myself~ If you're worried, you can stay and watch me!"
The moment she said cook, Mitama broke into a cold sweat.
"No need, I'm starving. I'll watch next time."
A flawless three-fold refusal. He withdrew his hand, excused himself, and practically whisked Shinobu and Aila out the door.
Behind him, Hu Tao sighed dramatically. "Why is he just like Zhongli? The moment cooking is mentioned, they run— Oh well~ What to eat today, hmm~~"
Outside, Mitama released a long breath.
"Is it truly that frightening?" Shinobu asked. His panic seemed excessive—even if Hu Tao's cooking was unpredictable, surely not that disastrous?
Mitama's expression darkened subtly. "Let's just say—her dishes aren't something ordinary people should consume. Under normal circumstances it's fine, but if circumstances become unusual…"
Shinobu fell silent. She had long accepted that Mitama possessed knowledge he should not logically have. She let the matter rest.
The trio arrived at Wanmin Restaurant to find it overflowing with patrons, waiters weaving through the crowd with loaded trays.
Mitama scanned the restaurant for a table—but Aila tugged lightly at his sleeve.
"Young Master—over there."
He followed her gaze—and paused. Sitting alone, dressed in worn dockworker attire, was a familiar figure from the previous night: Keqing.
Upon noticing the trio, Keqing raised a hand and motioned them over. Wanmin was crowded tonight—finding seats together elsewhere would be nearly impossible.
"A lucky encounter indeed," Mitama said with a smile, leading the group over.
He sat down and greeted her cheerfully. "Hi, Beef Master. You ran so fast last night I never learned your name. And didn't you say you'd tell me when we next met?"
Keqing nearly choked.
'Ah. I did say that... but not like this…'
The Rite of Descension was underway. She could not yet afford to reveal herself in public—not while she was supposed to be secretly observing public sentiment.
"This meeting doesn't count," she replied quickly. "What I meant was a formal meeting."
Before Mitama could question her further, Keqing thrust the menu into his hands. "The dish names may look odd, but the taste is excellent. Wanmin Restaurant is not inferior to Liuli Pavilion or Xinyue Kiosk."
Mitama accepted the redirect and began browsing the dishes.
Shinobu glanced over and nodded. "Wanmin's meals are quite good. Chef Xiangling taught me a lot about cooking."
"Xiangling is cooking tonight," Keqing said with interest. "That's why it's so lively. Her talent revitalized the restaurant entirely."
They chatted while Mitama placed the order—Wanmin Boiled Fish for the table, and an extra plate of Golden Shrimp Balls for Keqing.
Aila scrutinized the menu with visible concern. Salt-and-Pepper Slime? Chilled Slime? Whopperflower—pigeon? She glanced up—Is this really edible?
Mitama reassured her subtly. He hadn't ordered any of those.
"Dishes coming through—!!"
A lively voice rang out. Xiangling darted over, Guoba in tow, carrying plates stacked with steaming food.
"Here's your Boiled Fish, Sweet Madame, two orders of Golden Shrimp Balls, and—eh?! Ke—?!"
"Shh." Keqing raised a finger to her lips.
The Yuheng Star was one of Liyue Harbor's most recognizable figures—especially now, during the Rite of Descension. If Xiangling called out her name here, half the restaurant would swarm her by instinct alone. Xiangling froze mid-syllable, nodded vigorously, and quietly placed the dishes on the table.
Between bites and casual conversation, Keqing learned more about the trio—Inazumans who had arrived on The Crux, here to collect rare ores. In turn, Shinobu and Aila began to suspect that Keqing was not the simple "Beef Master" she claimed to be. Her manner, tone, and aura were unmistakably refined.
As for Mitama, he simply waited for the next dish to arrive.
"So you came all the way from Inazuma to forge a weapon?" Keqing asked, genuinely intrigued.
"Most of the materials have been procured," Mitama replied. "Only one remains…and I'll likely need someone very specific to search for it."
Keqing smiled lightly. "Oh? What is it? If it's available in Liyue, I can help you procure it."
As the Yuheng of the Qixing, she had confidence—anything that existed within Liyue's borders, she could obtain.
Mitama answered calmly.
"Bloodjade Branch."
Keqing's smile froze.
Ningguang herself had sent out search parties—and not even scraps with lingering spiritual essence had been recovered. Before the awkward silence could stretch—
"Dishes are served—!!" Xiangling reappeared, energetic as always, saving Keqing from the impossible promise she was moments away from making.