"Afternoon – The Kitchen"
The kitchen space at Wangshu Inn was quiet, broken only by the crackling and sizzling of the stovetop fire. Mei stood before Yanxiao, her hands clasped in front of her chest, her eyes shimmering with hope.
“The thing is, it’s like this... Master Yanxiao, could you please help me?” she requested softly, trying to sound both pleading and respectful.
Yanxiao let out a small sigh, his eyes showing clear annoyance, yet he reluctantly nodded.
“Alright... provided you are willing to follow instructions. But remember, in this kitchen, absolutely do not break anything.”
“Understood!” Mei smiled brightly, determination visible on her face.
With Yanxiao’s meticulous guidance, she began the steps to cook Almond Tofu: soaking the almonds in warm water, grinding them, and cooking them with sugar and flavorings. Mei constantly observed and learned, occasionally clumsily spilling a few things, or sometimes adding the wrong seasoning, causing all her efforts to go to waste. But she persisted with the execution until the end, refusing to give up.
While giving instructions, Yanxiao muttered:
“No one has ever asked me how to make this dish... only the Demon Subduing Great Saint..."
“Oh! Hurry up and tell me, I’m listening!” Mei urged excitedly, her eyes lighting up.
“Sigh... Forget it, focus on the pot first. Other matters can wait.” Yanxiao sighed softly, half-reproving, half-sympathetic.
After some fumbling, Mei finally created her finished product. She carefully scooped a portion of the tofu onto a plate, placed it in front of Yanxiao, her voice filled with anticipation:
“I invite the Master to sample my work.”
Yanxiao looked at the dish of dark tofu before him, a strange feeling of unease suddenly rising in his heart. He reluctantly scooped a spoonful, tasted it... then frowned and took a step back.
“Ugh! What is this?” he covered his face, unable to hide his shock.
“Are you trying to poison the Demon Subduing Great Saint?” Yanxiao asked as he placed the plate down on the table.
Mei gave an awkward laugh and scratched her head:
“Haha, it’s not that bad…” In her eyes, there was still a hint of joy; at least Yanxiao was willing to taste it.
Several hours passed. After many attempts, the plate of Almond Tofu was finally perfected. Mei looked at Yanxiao, her eyes pleading for a compliment. He slowly scooped a spoon for another taste, pondered for a moment, then gave a measured nod, silently accepting it.
Mei was overjoyed, her eyes shining like stars, and she thanked Yanxiao repeatedly. She gently placed the Almond Tofu into a small box, carefully sealed it, and quickly left the kitchen, her heart full of emotion, preparing for the moment she would face Xiao.
---
"Evening – In Front of Xiao's Room"
Gathering all her courage, Mei lifted her hand and lightly knocked on the tightly closed door.
Knock knock knock!
“Hello, Xiao! It’s me.”
Five minutes passed with no reply. Mei furrowed her brow and persistently knocked again, but the result was exactly the same.
“Sigh, there’s no other way. Guess I have to be a little thick-skinned!”
She took a deep breath, gathered her courage, and decisively spoke:
“Xiao, I know you are in there.”
Hesitating for a moment, Mei took another breath, then raised her voice:
“If you still won’t come out and open the door... I... I will lie down here and cause a scene!”
These words finally took effect. After a few beats, the door slowly creaked open, revealing a familiar face with amber eyes, looking at Mei with reluctance but not concealing a sense of observation.
“Is there something you need?” The cold, distant voice echoed as usual.
Mei slightly lowered her head, clutching the box tightly in her hands. She exhaled sharply, then bravely moved toward Xiao:
“This... is a small token of my sincerity, um... Please accept it, Xiao.”
Xiao was momentarily stunned, his eyes narrowed, staring intently at the box for a few seconds, then he shook his head:
“Take it back. I do not have the habit of accepting gifts from mortals.”
“You truly don’t want to accept it?” Mei asked softly, her voice low.
“In any case, I cannot taste anything,” Xiao replied frankly.
A deadly silence enveloped the space. Mei lowered her head completely now, her shoulders slightly trembling, and faint whimpering sounds began to emerge.
“I’m sorry, Xiao. I won't bother you again next time.”
Witnessing the familiar scene about to unfold, Xiao stiffened, his eyes wide, unsure of what to do. He could only mouth a question.
“What... What is it?” he asked, his voice slightly wavering.
“Nothing... it’s just... making this took so much time. I wasn't careful while making it and even got hurt…” Mei used her free arm to cover her downcast face.
“Hmph, why can’t I squeeze out a single tear? Did this strategy fail?... No... try a little harder, Mei!” She screamed wildly in her mind.
Xiao looked at the sight, and could only sigh, taking the box and placing it on the table. His voice was measured, but still retained its coldness:
“I will accept it this time, but there will not be a next time!”
He stepped closer to Mei, his amber eyes scanning her briefly, then lowered again, reminding her coldly:
“Haven’t I told you many times? Stop getting close to me.”
Under normal circumstances, Mei would have surely retorted, saying that being beside Xiao was very safe. But now, she only smiled slightly, a fleeting sense of hard-to-describe regret appearing in her eyes, and she softly spoke:
“Perhaps... I won’t be able to bother you anymore after this.”
“Hmm?” Xiao crossed his arms, tilted his head, his eyes showing confusion at the young girl’s statement.
“Haha, please take care of your health, Xiao. I’ll be going now.”
Xiao watched Mei’s figure disappear down the staircase, his eyes fixed on the box on the table. Questions continuously arose in his mind, but in the end, the Vigilant Yaksha merely closed his eyes, exhaled sharply as if to dispel the confusing thoughts, then quietly spoke a short sentence:
“Mortals are truly incomprehensible.”
---
"A Few Hours Later – Wangshu Inn Balcony"
Night covered everything, like a thick velvet cloth draped over all objects. A gentle breeze blew around the street lamps, making the small flames flicker in the dark. The atmosphere was strangely silent, but for an Adeptus like Xiao, it was a rare moment of peace.
Xiao was sitting, leaning against a large tree on the inn's tiled roof, gazing out into the distance somewhere. His body was slightly relaxed, as if he were merging with all the existing life forms.
At this moment, a figure appeared from the walkway, their footsteps steady, and a calm yet familiar voice softly rang out:
“Oh! What a coincidence. It’s rare to catch you here.” Verr Goldet spoke casually.
“The number of monsters is lower than usual today,” Xiao replied, his voice even.
“I see.” Verr Goldet smiled faintly, her eyes fleetingly scanning Xiao, as if hesitating, but then returning to normal.
“How are your wounds?”
“Those injuries are nothing to me,” Xiao answered unequivocally.
Verr Goldet nodded, but her gaze did not leave him. A moment of silence passed, and she softly sighed, forcing a faintly sad smile:
“Thank you very much, Xiao.”
Xiao lowered his eyes slightly, he understood what she was referring to. But he was no longer overly concerned with it the gratitude of others, or their disrespect, no longer mattered to him.
Perhaps... that emotion had been worn away after thousands of years of ceaseless combat. Xiao’s heart was now completely unmoved, and he replied indifferently.
“I chose to guard this place, so I will certainly fulfill my duty,” he stated, his voice steady.
“Haha, that certainly is your style, isn’t it?” Verr Goldet chuckled softly, her eyes momentarily darkening.
As if remembering something, she continued speaking:
“I suppose you received Mei’s farewell gift?”
“Farewell gift?” Xiao’s voice echoed with a mix of curiosity and surprise.
Having realized something unusual, Verr Goldet could not hide her intrigue and questioned Xiao in return.
“Did she not tell you that she would be leaving for Mondstadt tomorrow?”
Xiao remained silent, his eyes fixed straight ahead at the closely packed trees. Seeing this, Verr Goldet sighed softly, her voice deliberately emphasizing:
“Tomorrow, do you intend to see Mei off?”
Xiao let out a cold, soft "Hmph," his voice as flat as an ice block:
“The affairs of mortals have nothing to do with me.”
Without waiting for Verr Goldet to say anything more, Xiao slightly turned away. Like a shadow dissipated by the moonlight, his body vanished in a small whirlwind, leaving behind only the rustling of bamboo leaves and an empty, cold space.
Verr Goldet looked at the empty spot where Xiao had just disappeared, the corner of her lips still holding a smile, but her eyes were faintly heavy with sorrow.
“Haha, will you truly not go?”
Amidst the deep silence of the night, the sound of the wind seemed to carry her words, dissolving them into the air.