While Shiki and Ayaka were walking back, the Traveler and her companions arrived at Wangshu Inn and found Yansiao.
"Keqing, Keqing-dono?"
Yansiao was dumbfounded on the spot. What was one of the Liyue Seven Stars doing at his, a chef's, place?
"It's like this: we are looking for books related to the God of the Hearth. As the oldest building in the Guili Plains area, Wangshu Inn likely has ancient texts with relevant records."
"So, I wanted to ask if there's a library-like place here, and if there are any books related to the God of the Hearth in it?"
Keqing got straight to the point, without much unnecessary talk, and directly stated the question.
"There is, actually. I even found a recipe book in there before, but it's quite messy, so I'll have to search carefully."
Yansiao agreed, then turned to look at the Traveler.
"Oh! Right, Traveler, there's something else I wanted to discuss with you."
"What is it? You're not going to charge us, are you?" Paimon said, covering her little head.
Yansiao immediately became displeased: "Charge money? What kind of relationship do we have? Do I need to charge you?"
"I just wanted to ask, if you have nothing else to do, could you help me make that… 'Satisfying Salad'?"
Paimon asked, confused: "But why the Satisfying Salad?"
"Uh… you should know there's someone on the roof of the inn, right? That short, handsome young man." Yansiao said.
Paimon quickly said, "Hey, hey, keep your voice down, aren't you afraid he'll hear you?"
"Ah, yes, yes, anyway, as long as you know who it is."
"The boss told me to take good care of him, but who knew he eats wind and drinks dew every day; he's so hard to serve! Besides Almond Tofu, he has no other preferences!"
"I heard from the boss that you made him a Satisfying Salad, and he liked it very much."
"Look, could you teach me how to make this dish? So I can make it for him too, since I don't understand this foreign cuisine at all!" Yansiao asked.
"Oh? You want to make it for Xiao!"
The Traveler suddenly understood, but at the same time, she felt a little happy. See? This was a dish she had made!
Yansiao: "Of course! When you're alive, how can you not be good to those you see all the time?"
Traveler: "Yes, indeed."
"Alright! I'm going to find the books now, I'll be right back!"
Keqing: "Thank you for your trouble."
Soon after, Yansiao returned with several ancient books. The Traveler then taught Yansiao how to make Satisfying Salad, while Keqing and Xiangling also found records of the God of the Hearth in the ancient books.
"To transform into many, scattering into people's homes to help with cooking? Doesn't this completely contradict the records found in Qingce Village?" Keqing said with a frown.
"So, according to this, there's more than one God of the Hearth?" Xiangling was a bit confused. Can the God of the Hearth even split himself?
And, can Gods also help people cook?
"Currently, the two clues completely contradict each other. It seems more investigation is needed before we can draw a conclusion." After Keqing finished speaking, she pondered for a moment, then thanked Yansiao, who had already learned to make Satisfying Salad.
"Thank you for your books, Yansiao."
"Oh, it's nothing, nothing at all," Yansiao waved his hand. "On the contrary, the Traveler has helped me a lot. Since I'm free today, I'll treat everyone to a good meal. Would you be able to stay and eat? It would be my pleasure."
"Oh? Quite confident, aren't you? Hearing you say that, you're quite brave! I like confident chefs."
"Just kidding, I'm super brave, alright? I'm super good at cooking!" Yansiao said, patting his chest.
"I want to try the dishes Yansiao makes, Traveler, let's give it a try!"
Xiangling was already eager to experience the skills of this fellow chef. Based on her observations, this person's cooking was no less than her own!
"Alright then, thank you, Yansiao."
"No trouble at all, no trouble!"
A moment later...
"Ah hahaha, the dishes are ready!"
With a laugh, Yansiao pushed a cart and placed all the prepared dishes onto the table.
"Wow~"
Xiangling looked at the table full of dishes, all perfect in color, aroma, and taste, and couldn't help but widen her eyes. She was certain this guy would be a strong competitor!
"I never expected that an inn which doesn't specialize in food would have such a good chef!" Keqing sighed. If she hadn't come today, she wouldn't have known there was such a good chef at Wangshu Inn.
As one of the Liyue Seven Stars, Keqing naturally didn't need to stay at an inn, so she had never tasted the food there.
Furthermore, since this was Ningguang's territory, she didn't need to inspect anything. She only came today to look for information.
"Heh, look at what you're saying. Whether staying or just stopping by, who doesn't want a good meal? This inn, while nominally an inn, actually needs to have everything so that guests feel at home!"
"Indeed." The Traveler nodded.
"Please enjoy, everyone. I have something else to do, so I'll be busy now."
Yansiao said, waving his hand, and was about to push the cart back to the kitchen when Xiangling suddenly stood up and called out to him.
"Yansiao! Will you participate in this year's Chef King Competition?"
"Hmm!?"
Yansiao turned around sharply, asking with a surprised expression, "Could it be that you also..."
Xiangling nodded, "That's right, I will participate, and I will try my best to reach the finals. Yansiao, your cooking is excellent, and I look forward to meeting you in the finals!"
...Interesting, then I'll see you then!"
After saying that, Yansiao pushed the cart and left. After someone "declared war" on him, his motivation grew even stronger.
He didn't know that the other person was Xiangling from Wanmin Restaurant, but he could vaguely sense that the other's cooking skills were excellent, even comparable to his own.
Paimon: "Is this a declaration of war?"
Keqing: "It should be a worthy opponent, right?"
"Yes, he really is a good chef. Although the food hasn't even touched my tongue, I know he will be a good opponent."
"Since my battle with Young Miss Brock from Springvale, I haven't really had a chance to spar with anyone!"
Xiangling felt her whole being ignite. Liyue's culinary world was too small, barely enough for her to stir things up (laughs).
Xiangling was about to say something else when she turned her head and saw Guoba secretly eating.
"Guoba! What are you doing!?"
"Lu?"
Guoba's small eyes were filled with great confusion. What did he do?
"Ah... what he's eating is..."
Keqing turned her head and was stunned. Goodness, she finally found a dish she liked, and in the blink of an eye, it was gone!
"Guoba! Why did you sneak Keqing's favorite Golden Shrimp Balls? And you even licked the plate clean?"
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