The sky was growing dim.
Seeing that Dehya and the others still had plenty of work ahead of them, Ye Xi decided to pop next door to Wanmin Restaurant for a bit.
He had promised Madame Ping earlier that he would go and visit Xiangling — and he hadn't forgotten.
While he was at it, he could pick up some food and drinks. No need to cook tonight; they could all just enjoy a proper restaurant meal.
More importantly, standing around here with Ying'er running her mouth like a steamroller over his face was getting to be too much to handle.
With that thought, Ye Xi gave Lumine a pat on the shoulder. "Come on — walk with me to Wanmin Restaurant."
Before Lumine could even open her mouth, Paimon's eyes lit up. She grinned from ear to ear. "Okay, okay! Paimon is so tired! Paimon's starving!"
"Little Chef Xiangling at Wanmin Restaurant makes the most delicious food!"
"Mhm! Way better than Xinyue Kiosk or Liuli Pavilion!"
Listening to Paimon whine about being tired and hungry, Lumine stared at her, completely deadpan. "Paimon... you didn't do anything for the past half hour. What exactly are you tired from!?"
All afternoon, Paimon had done nothing but help pick a few Silk Flowers!
And when it came to actually extracting the essential oil — Paimon had spent the entire time standing right there watching, contributing absolutely nothing!
Paimon instantly bristled, stomping her tiny little footsies in indignation and planting her hands on her hips. "Traveler! Hovering in the air makes my phantom limbs very tired, you know!"
"I worked so hard picking all those Silk Flowers — can't Paimon eat something nice to make up for it!"
"Hmph!"
With that, Paimon crossed her arms in a huff and floated over to Ye Xi's side to cozy up to him, shooting Lumine a look that very clearly said: [I'm not playing with you anymore!]
The two of them were too entertaining for words. Ye Xi and the other girls all shared a knowing smile.
Lumine nodded repeatedly, giving in. "Fine, fine — I'll buy you something. Happy now?"
As she spoke, she rinsed the Silk Flower juice from her hands in the basin of clean water nearby and got ready to head out with Ye Xi.
At that moment, Dunyarzad reached out and tugged gently at the hem of Ye Xi's sleeve.
"Master, take some of the perfumed balm with you!"
"Hm?"
Ye Xi looked at her, slightly puzzled. "What would I want that for? You're not expecting me to put it on, are you..."
Dunyarzad shook her head quickly. "Master, the balm could be given as a gift!"
The moment she said it, it clicked.
Paimon had mentioned that Wanmin Restaurant had a young female chef. Dunyarzad had clearly caught that detail and had been thinking ahead. Considerate as always.
Truly, what a thoughtful girl.
This balm had been made with their own hands — and she was voluntarily offering it up for him to give to another woman as a gift.
With a wife like this, how could a family not flourish?
He took the balm from her and, without thinking, slipped an arm around Dunyarzad's slender waist. "I'll bring you back something good tonight. Look forward to it."
Watching this, Dehya and the others felt a distinct pang of envy.
That was a treat chosen by Ye Xi, just for her!
It wasn't really about the food itself — it was about being singled out. Being the one he thought of first.
They all wanted that kind of exclusive affection too.
But Dunyarzad simply shook her head and leaned close to Ye Xi's ear, her voice soft. "Master doesn't need to reward me. Everything I am belongs to Master — looking out for you is just my duty."
Noted.
Very good.
Ye Xi smiled and nodded, then left Chunxiang Kiln with Lumine, heading toward Wanmin Restaurant.
Dunyarzad watched his retreating figure, a faint blush rising across her cheeks.
Even after all this time together, being held by Ye Xi out in the open street like that — it was still so embarrassing!
All those eyes on them!
Dehya couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, "My Lady, you're so quick-witted — I didn't even think of that!"
"Right! And if Master ends up bringing that little chef home, we'll be eating well every single day!"
Listening to Dehya and Alusha shower her with praise, Dunyarzad laughed softly.
Nearby, Eula, Amber, and Ying'er all stared in bewilderment.
They couldn't quite wrap their heads around it.
Shouldn't being one of Ye Xi's wives mean feeling jealous? Wanting more of his attention for yourself?
So why were they actively trying to find him more wives?
Wasn't that a bit too... relaxed about the whole thing? Weren't they afraid of losing favor someday?
What they didn't know was that Dunyarzad was absolutely certain she would never lose his favor.
All the girls who had become Ye Xi's wives felt the same way.
...
On the other side of the harbor.
Ye Xi and Lumine made their way through the winding streets and busy lanes. Lumine had looped her arm boldly through his, holding on without a hint of shame.
Aside from Dehya, no one else yet knew about her relationship with Ye Xi.
Earlier, she had kept it quiet on purpose — playing wingman, staying out of the way while things developed with the others.
But now that Keqing had officially joined the family, there was no reason to hide it anymore.
Even if Paimon found out, it didn't matter.
And besides — in a crowded marketplace like this, it was easy to get separated.
Not to mention, walking like this, holding on to him... felt really nice.
Getting to walk around clinging to a man this handsome? That was something to be proud of!
That single gesture, however, gave Paimon quite the shock.
"Eh——!?"
"Tr-Traveler! Why are you... holding onto Lord Ye Xi's arm like that!"
She had absolutely no idea when Lumine and Ye Xi had gotten this close!
Lumine laughed. "Little kids shouldn't ask questions they don't need to know the answer to!"
"Who are you calling a little kid!"
Paimon puffed up her cheeks in outrage!
She could already tell — whatever was going on between Lumine and Ye Xi was not normal!
She just had absolutely no idea when it had started!
Now that she thought about it, she went to sleep early every night. There was apparently a lot going on that she had no clue about!
All at once, a strange feeling of melancholy crept over Paimon.
Even Lumine — her closest companion — had secrets she wasn't sharing.
She was starting to feel more and more like an outsider.
The thought hit harder than she expected. Before she could stop herself, she flung herself into Lumine's arms and burst into tears. "Traveler... wahhh..."
"You're not going to abandon Paimon, are you..."
For all the bickering and squabbling between them — it had always just been the two of them, all along this road. Lumine was all she really had.
Seeing Paimon suddenly in tears, Lumine scooped her up and held her close. "Don't worry — how could I ever leave you behind? You're my best partner!"
"Traveler...."
Paimon was moved beyond words.
Then Lumine burst out laughing. "Because... from now on, this guy Ye Xi is footing the bill for all your meals! What do I have to worry about!? Hehehehe!"
Ye Xi: ???
He had been watching this Blonde Idiot and her Emergency Food share a genuinely touching moment — and had even found it kind of sweet.
He had not expected the girl to be running an angle on him this whole time.
Paimon lifted her head, her eyes big and watery as she peered over at him. "Lord Ye Xi, you won't abandon Paimon either... will you?"
"...Uh."
Ye Xi nodded. "Eat as much as you like. Go all out."
It was just food, after all.
Paimon could eat a frankly alarming amount, sure — but he was hardly short on funds. Keeping one little Paimon fed was not exactly a challenge.
And besides, she floated around causing all sorts of little moments of chaos and fun every day.
Without Paimon's constant chirping and chattering, things would honestly feel a bit too quiet.
The moment Ye Xi nodded, Paimon lit up like a lantern and threw herself at him, latching onto his face like a barnacle. "Wahh... Lord Ye Xi, you're the best!"
"Paimon is going to eat SO much later!"
"Hehehe."
Just like that, Paimon was back to full energy, bright as ever.
Ye Xi let out a helpless sigh. This little Emergency Food really had no emotional depth whatsoever.
Still — having a mouthy little companion like her around wasn't so bad.
As they chatted, the three of them arrived at the entrance of Wanmin Restaurant.
It was getting close to dinnertime, and the place was already filling up with customers.
The moment Ye Xi stepped through the door, Xiangling's eyes lit up. She hurried over with a bright smile. "Ye Xi, you're here——!"
"Eh!? ...And Traveler!?"
The sight of Lumine beside Ye Xi clearly caught Xiangling off guard.
But one look at the two of them holding hands, and she understood immediately.
Some time ago, she had asked Chef Mao to make some inquiries about Ye Xi on her behalf.
From Chef Mao, she had learned that Ye Xi was an extraordinarily powerful figure from Sumeru — the kind of person who could represent the Akademiya itself.
At the time, she had felt herself pull back a little.
Someone of that stature — what place would a little restaurant cook have in his world? She couldn't possibly measure up.
Then Chef Mao had mentioned, almost in passing, that Ye Xi already had a wife.
That had felt like the door closing entirely.
If he had a family, what was there left to daydream about?
She had been on the verge of letting it go — when Chef Mao had then added, quite casually, that Ye Xi had many, many wives. Every one of them a great beauty. And that if she was willing, she too could marry into the family, and she wouldn't be mistreated.
That had genuinely startled her.
Those words had come from an Adeptus. For Madame Ping herself to speak of someone in those terms meant that, in the eyes of her master, Ye Xi's character was nothing short of flawless.
That had left Xiangling tangled up in knots.
Did she like Ye Xi? Honestly — yes. He was easy on the eyes, and that first impression had left her genuinely charmed.
But the man had so many wives already. It wasn't as though he needed one more.
She could cook — that was her one real skill. What else did she have to offer?
And what if she joined and ended up overlooked?
She had still been going back and forth on all of it — when Ye Xi walked in the door.
And she genuinely had not expected that even the Traveler would be one of his.
"Xiangling! We're here to eat delicious food!"
Paimon waved enthusiastically right in Xiangling's face.
"Eh!?"
"Welcome, welcome!"
Xiangling snapped back to the moment and quickly ushered Ye Xi and Lumine inside.
"Haven't been by in a while, have we, Xiangling~"
Lumine stepped forward and pulled her into a hug with a warm smile. "I've been missing your cooking!"
Xiangling tucked away the quiet ache in her chest and said brightly, "Traveler! Tell me what you want — order anything you like!"
"Hehe, tonight's on me!"
"You too, Ye Xi! Your meal is free tonight~"
Ye Xi hadn't expected to be included. He smiled and shook his head. "I appreciate the thought — but if you're picking up my tab tonight, you're going to regret it."
"I'm planning to order some dishes to bring back home."
"There are a lot of people to feed. The bill won't be small."
Xiangling got it immediately.
He was bringing dinner back for his wives. 'A lot of people' meant the household.
The thought settled something in her chest with a small, dull weight — but she kept her smile easy and bright. "Alright then, follow me to the back kitchen!"
"As it happens, I've got a big order to put together for delivery too!"
"Alright."
Paimon and Lumine stayed out in the front. Ye Xi followed Xiangling through to the kitchen.
And there, he spotted an unexpected face.
"Keqing?"
"Eh!? Lord Ye Xi!?"
Keqing's heart gave a little leap. She hadn't expected to run into him here. "I came to place an order on behalf of Ningguang!"
"Ningguang said you all had Liuli Pavilion's food at lunch, and she was worried you might be getting tired of that style..."
"So for tonight, she thought some classic Liyue-style stir-fry would make a nice change — simple, but delicious!"
Ye Xi nodded appreciatively. "That's very thoughtful of her. Ningguang always pays attention to these things."
Not that Liuli Pavilion wasn't excellent — it absolutely was. But having too much of anything rich started to wear on you.
"Eh!?"
Xiangling turned from one of them to the other, her eyes wide. "Ye Xi, Keqing — you, you two know each other!?"
Keqing pressed a finger to her lips with a relaxed smile. "Xiangling, I'm going to need you to keep this quiet~"
"This guy — he's someone I like."
"Eh——!?"
Xiangling's jaw dropped.
Keqing was one of the Liyue Qixing!
One of the current leaders of Liyue!
Even Keqing was one of Ye Xi's wives!?
Xiangling stared in disbelief. "So... so that means the guest Lady Ningguang is hosting tonight is..."
"That's right. My Master."
Keqing stood with her hands on her hips and nodded, cheerfully laying it all out.
Xiangling stood frozen.
Even Tianquan Star was throwing a banquet for Ye Xi——!
And at the Jade Chamber, no less!
The Jade Chamber only hosted distinguished guests of the highest order — everyone knew that!
And yet... thinking about it more carefully, it did all make sense.
Madame Ping had said Ye Xi's standing was exceptional — someone who could represent the Akademiya of Sumeru.
A person of that caliber coming to Liyue Harbor would naturally be treated as a guest of honor.
Xiangling suddenly felt a flash of vindication in her own taste.
The man she had set her eyes on at first glance — and he turned out to be this sought-after?
But then...
She felt the familiar sinking feeling return. Even the Liyue Qixing were vying for his attention. What was one little chef at Wanmin Restaurant against all of that?
She shook her head, scattering the thought. "Anyway — let's figure out what you're ordering first!"
Ye Xi looked over the menu and proceeded to order nearly every single dish Wanmin Restaurant had to offer.
"That's so much!"
Xiangling stared, genuinely stunned. She found herself dying of curiosity about exactly how many wives Ye Xi actually had.
Ye Xi smiled and nodded, then reached into his chest pocket for the perfumed balm Dunyarzad had given him earlier, along with some fragrant spices he had prepared in advance.
"Xiangling — these are the spices I promised to bring you."
"And some perfumed balm — freshly made, just today."
"Eh!? Oh, I couldn't possibly—!"
Xiangling's cheeks went immediately pink. She sneaked a glance at Keqing.
Was it really alright to accept a gift from him in front of his wife...?
She couldn't bring herself to take it.
Keqing, for her part, had already seen this coming.
Xiangling was pretty, her cooking was extraordinary, and she had an Eye of God to her name.
The moment Ye Xi had walked into Wanmin Restaurant, Keqing had already pieced together what was happening.
Honestly, she found herself quietly admiring Ye Xi's eye for people — the man had a gift for finding the hidden gems of Liyue Harbor.
This was for the best, really. She had always hoped Ye Xi would take more Liyue girls home — deepen his ties to the city, give him more reasons to stay.
Xiangling would be perfect.
Apparently noticing Xiangling's hesitation, Keqing reached out and tugged at Ye Xi's sleeve. She held out her hand with a smile. "Master — is there one for me too?"
"You think I'd forget about you?"
Ye Xi laughed and ruffled her hair. "Wait until we get home — Dehya and the others made a whole lot of it. All handmade, every tin."
"Eh!? They made it themselves!?"
Xiangling was touched. She hadn't expected the gift to carry that much heart behind it.
Keqing grinned. "Hear that? Just take it, Xiangling — I'm getting mine too!"
!!!
Xiangling's mind spun.
Was she... being helped here?
That didn't make any sense. Why would Keqing do that?
Shouldn't she be guarding against someone like her?
"Master, it's time for me to place my order — you can't listen in. Go wait outside."
Keqing put both hands on Ye Xi's back and started nudging him toward the door. "If you find out what tonight's menu is ahead of time, Ningguang will definitely blame me for it."
Ye Xi looked caught between laughing and exasperation. "Alright, alright — you win. I'll go sit out front and keep my ears to myself."
With that, he headed out to the main hall.
The moment he was gone, Keqing pulled the kitchen door shut. She stepped close to Xiangling and lowered her voice. "Xiangling — do you have feelings for that guy?"
"Eh!?"
"No — no I don't!"
Xiangling frantically waved her hands in denial, looking for all the world like a cat caught sneaking forbidden food — too flustered to even meet Keqing's eyes.
Keqing inhaled with theatrical deliberation, then announced: "That smells like a lie."
"Pfft... this is a kitchen, there's nothing but smoke and oil in the air — what could you possibly be smelling!"
Xiangling laughed despite herself, and with that small crack in her composure, she gave up the act. "Alright, alright — I do have feelings for Ye Xi..."
She had thought it through.
Liking someone was liking them. No point dancing around it.
Even if she got turned down, the worst that could happen was she moved on.
Keqing smiled. "Xiangling — you don't have to worry about me being jealous. And honestly? None of his other wives would mind either."
"Eh!?"
Xiangling stared at her, bewildered.
What woman didn't feel jealous?
Keqing gave a small, slightly sheepish nod. "Well — there is a tiny bit. But only a tiny, tiny bit."
"So if you like him, just say so! Say it straight!"
"I'll support you!"
"And honestly — if you join the family, all of our meals are about to get significantly better!"
At those words, the last hesitation in Xiangling's chest dissolved — and something warm and bright rushed in to replace it.
...
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