The gentle voice reached his ears, feeling just like sweet, mellow coconut milk sliding down his throatthe kind of taste one could never grow tired of for a lifetime!
Ganyu was an Adeptus who had worked in Liyue for thousands of years. Half-human and half-Qilin, she possessed an unblemished, pure aura that seemed to isolate her from the common world. She was the kind of person one could spot instantly, even in a vast sea of people.
However, what attracted Ye Xi the most were her horns. Since they were Qilin fleshy horns, it meant they were actually soft.
[I really want to touch them.] Ye Xi couldn't help but sigh in admiration within his heart.
"Eh!" Ganyu's eyes filled with panic upon hearing his inner voice.
She couldn't understand why everyone was so obsessed with her horns. Besides, this was their first time meeting! She never expected his very first thought would be about touching them. Was it really that strange?
"This... these are actually just headpieces..." She shrank back slightly and explained in a small voice.
Ye Xi wanted to laugh. Who would ever mistake those horns for simple headpieces? However, he didn't call her out on it. Instead, he smiled and nodded. "Miss Ganyu, did you need something from me?"
"Just Ganyu is fine," she said softly. "Lady Ningguang asked me to take you on a tour of Liyue and help you purchase some daily necessities..."
Is there really such a good deal? Ye Xi thought. Ningguang was truly a kind soul. He smiled and nodded. "Then I'll be in your care."
"Don't mention it. It is my responsibility as the secretary of the Yuehai Pavilion. Let's head to the shops first."
Gurgle...
Ganyu was about to lead Ye Xi toward the bustling streets when a protest from her stomach interrupted her. Ye Xi looked at her in surprise, noticing she had instinctively covered her lower abdomen.
[Is she... hungry?!]
Ganyu's face turned bright red. She lowered her head and whispered, "I... I've been waiting here since the afternoon, so..."
"Since the afternoon? Then haven't you been waiting for me for several hours?" Ye Xi was taken aback.
"Mhm... it's my job." Ganyu nodded honestly.
Hearing this, Ye Xi didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She was far too upright. Back in his previous life, a girl as earnest as Ganyu would have been a rare breed indeed. Seeing him smile, Ganyu became even more embarrassed, unable to even lift her head.
"Then let's go to Wanmin Restaurant first. I have a friend there," Ye Xi suggested. He happened to have a daily task to eat there anyway, and after walking so much that afternoon, he was a bit hungry too.
"Don't worry about me..." Ganyu felt that helping Ye Xi shop was more important, but before she could finish, her stomach protested once more.
Ye Xi laughed. "Alright, I'm hungry too. Just think of it as accompanying me for a meal."
This time, Ganyu didn't refuse. She truly was starving.
Wanmin Restaurant.
It was currently dinner time, and a continuous stream of customers flowed through the doors.
"Half-price trial for Wanmin Restaurant's new dish today!" A lively voice called out, adding to the festive atmosphere of the street. Passersby couldn't help but look over upon hearing the shout.
A young girl was working hard to drum up business. At the same time, a mouth-watering aroma wafted out from the restaurant.
"Mm~ what a delicious scent!"
"What dish is this? Since when did Wanmin Restaurant launch something new?"
"It smells incredible! I have to try it!"
One after another, the diners crowded toward the establishment. Ye Xi and Ganyu blended into the crowd. Seeing how well the business was doing, Ye Xi felt a sense of satisfaction.
[It looks like that recipe I gave Xiangling is very popular.]
Ganyu was surprised to hear his thoughts. She hadn't expected Ye Xi to know Xiangling, let alone provide her with recipes. While working at the Yuehai Pavilion earlier today, she had received a report saying that a new dish at Wanmin Restaurant was drawing massive crowds, even causing some minor chaos. She had been the one to dispatch the Millelith to maintain order.
To think this profitable new dish actually came from Ye Xi. She wondered what exactly his relationship with Xiangling was.
Inside the restaurant, Xiangling also heard Ye Xi's inner voice and immediately realized he had arrived. She stood on her tiptoes, scanning the crowd, and quickly spotted his figure.
Found him!
She dropped what she was doing and ran out of the restaurant. Upon seeing her, the surrounding crowd quickly made way.
"It's Chef Xiangling!"
"My, she's not only pretty but her cooking is exquisite!"
"Whoever gets to marry a girl like her will be blessed with good food for life!"
The diners on the street sighed with admiration. Some even greeted her warmly.
"Chef Xiangling, this Fish-Flavored Shredded Pork you made is too delicious! I feel like I could eat it for ten days straight!"
"Yeah, Chef! I can down three bowls of rice with this!"
"It's half-price todayI'm going to eat until Wanmin Restaurant goes broke!"
Xiangling gave a gratified smile and giggled. "No matter how good a dish is, eating too much isn't good for you! But if you want to try and bankrupt us, then bring it on!"
The crowd burst into hearty laughter. Because of the noise, Ye Xi noticed her. He gave a faint smile. "Xiangling, I've come to sample your skills! I brought a friend along, too!"
Ganyu blinked, her eyes filled with a touch of surprise.
[Friend.]
The moment that word left Ye Xi's mouth, she felt her heart skip a beat. Had they really become friends after only knowing each other for a few minutes?
She felt a wave of emotion. She was a half-Adeptushalf-human and half-immortal. She didn't fit in with humans, yet she was entirely different from the other Adepti. In Liyue Harbor, people respected her because of her position as secretary. She was a leader, not a peer. Consequently, she had no friends; she was merely a lonely soul.
To suddenly hear such a familiar term from Ye Xi after such a short time together caught her off guard.
Hearing Ye Xi's voice, Xiangling looked over at Ganyu. Oh, it's her.
Xiangling had an impression of Ganyu. This customer didn't visit very often, but whenever she did, she would hide in a small corner, eating quietly and only ordering vegetarian dishes. Xiangling always thought Ganyu looked quite lonely and pitiful, so she would often give her extra servings. To her surprise, Ganyu finished them every time!
Truly, one should never judge a book by its cover. She hadn't expected Ye Xi to have such a beautiful girl as a friend so soon after arriving in Liyue Harbor.
"Xiangling, with so many people in line, how long is it going to take before we can eat?"
Xiangling snapped out of her thoughts and waved her hand dismissively. "What are you talking about! How could I let you go hungry? I've already saved a spot for you, of course!"
"Come on, in you go!"
With that, Xiangling grabbed Ye Xi and pulled him into the restaurant as she always did. Ganyu silently followed behind them.
The people on both sides of the street stared with wide eyes.
"Good heavens, who is that lad?"
"Did you hear? Chef Xiangling said she wouldn't let him go hungry. Could he be her sweetheart?"
"What? Chef Xiangling has a sweetheart?"
"Is she getting married?"
"Hey now, spreading rumors right to her face is a bit much..."
The crowd buzzed with gossip. Xiangling felt a bit bashful hearing the whispers, but she still led Ye Xi directly to her father.
"Dad, this is my good friend, Ye Xi!"
Chef Mao turned around in surprise and scrutinized Ye Xi. His gaze was like a scanner, examining him as if he were an object, making Ye Xi feel a bit uneasy.
A second later, Chef Mao nodded repeatedly in praise. "So you're Ye Xi!"
"Not bad, not bad at all. As expected of a young man my girl has taken a liking to."
"He looks refined and easy-goingtotally different from us rough folk!"
"Mhm, I approve!"
"So, when are you coming to propose?"
The question left Ye Xi completely stunned.
Propose?!
???
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