At Lin Qiu's home, Guizhong sighed, "This child is quite similar to Marcius."
Before, Marcius would often ask them what they liked to eat, and then make those dishes for them.
In the current content, Lin Qiu hadn't drawn illustrations for Guoba, so Guizhong naturally didn't know that this Q-version adorable creature was Marcius.
Just then, Keqing mentioned something about the God of the Hearth in the book.
[Keqing: "My grandfather was a Scholar who researched Liyue's traditional culture."
"He wrote in his notes that ancient Liyue had a God of the Hearth, and people seemed to commemorate this deity at specific times."
Guoba tilted his head in confusion, listening to everyone chat, not understanding.
[Keqing continued: "Some schools of thought believe the God of the Hearth is Rex Lapis, while others suggest that the God of the Hearth is someone else."
"It is said that ancient people once found the God of the Hearth's shrine, but there was no statue inside, only a giant, smooth Stone."
It turned out that the reason Keqing cared so much about this mysterious giant Stone was because it shared the same characteristics as the giant Stone in the shrine.
She wanted to investigate the giant Stone and ascertain the God of the Hearth's identity.
[Keqing: "Now that the Geo Archon has passed away, Liyue has entered an era of human governance. As descendants, we should, like the Geo Archon, value cultural traditions."
Tian Tiezui looked at Zhongli when he reached this part, and only continued when he saw that the other's expression was as usual.
In the book, Xiangling also wanted to search for the God of the Hearth with Keqing, discussing their first destination—Qingce Village.
Guoba jumped up and waved behind them, but no one noticed him.
The group arrived at Qingce Village to search for ancient texts, and the warehouse where the ancient texts were collected belonged to the Feiyun Commerce Guild's second young master.
It was mentioned before that Xiangling wanted to find Lin Qiu and Hu Tao to try her dishes because Xingqiu and Chongyun were not in Liyue.
They had actually gone to Qingce Village, so they would coincidentally meet Xiangling and the others in the future.
In the book, the group discussed the records of the God of the Hearth, while Guoba stood on the railing nearby, his back to everyone, leaving only a chubby, bear-like silhouette.
Keqing and Lin Qiu entered the warehouse to search for books documenting the God of the Hearth and came out a while later.
[Keqing: "The book says: 'His form is like a dragon, with a long tail that obscures the sun; his claws command fire, bestowing wisdom upon humanity. Mortals receive this gift, cooking food with fire, and their lives become prosperous.'"
His form is like a dragon, just like Paimon. The 'Big Paimons' reading the book became even more convinced that the Geo Archon was the God of the Hearth.
During the Rite of Descension, the Geo Archon's massive dragon body falling down had terrified the people of Liyue.
In the book, the group continued to discuss the God of the Hearth, and Xiangling took the opportunity to ask about Xingqiu and Chongyun's preferences.
She truly hadn't done much market research before, otherwise, she wouldn't have created so many dark dishes.
They were chatting happily, and Guoba was running around the mortal world, also having a great time.
After their discussion, the group decided to visit Wangshu Inn, as it was rumored that the God of the Hearth had appeared in Guili Plains, and Wangshu Inn was very close to Guili Plains.
Upon arriving at Wangshu Inn, the group chatted with Yanxiao, and Xiangling judged him to be a 'simple chef'.
Yanxiao asked the Traveler if he could make a 'Satisfying Salad'.
[Yanxiao: "You know there's a person on the top floor of the inn, right? That very handsome, not-so-tall guy..."
[Paimon: "Shhh! Keep your voice down! Aren't you afraid he'll hear you?!"
"..." Xiao saw it. Both of his eyes saw it.
You could have just said he was handsome, why did you have to emphasize that he wasn't tall?
[Yanxiao: "The boss told me to take good care of him, but he, you know, eats out in the open every day, he's so hard to please. He just loves almond tofu."
"He really liked the Satisfying Salad you made him. Can you teach me how to make this dish? So I can make it for him too."
Xiao nodded to himself. Yanxiao did take good care of him, though he didn't need it.
[Paimon: "You're making it for Xiao! You guys are pretty good to him."
[Yanxiao: "In life, for those people you see every day, how can you not be good to them?"
"..." Xiao couldn't see anymore. Both of his eyes were closed.
"Is this a bit too 'simple'?" Hu Tao couldn't help but smile.
"Don't laugh at him, you're not much better." Lin Qiu rolled his eyes at Hu Tao.
When I write the Lantern Rite story later, you'll be just as 'damaging' to Xiao.
"Hahaha, seeing each other every day! Hahaha!" Guizhong laughed unrestrainedly.
But then again, she didn't seem to be taller than Xiao either, so who knows what she was laughing about.
Venti was also the same, laughing very happily, not knowing what he was laughing about.
"Hmm... seeing each other every day... Liyue truly has masters everywhere." Cyno approved.
It seems I'll have to go to Liyue for further study if I want to keep my title as 'Joke King' Cyno.
In the book, the group split up. Keqing and Xiangling looked at the records of the God of the Hearth, while the Traveler and Yanxiao made Satisfying Salad.
By the time the Traveler finished and went to find Keqing, Keqing had just finished reading the contents of the book.
[Keqing: "The book states: 'Two hundred li northwest, lies Guili Assembly. Many settlements are upon it, where people hunt and plant, living by farming and weaving.'"
As Keqing spoke, Guoba happened to run past everyone.
[Keqing: "'When the God of the Hearth descends, his form transforms from one into many, as tall as a child. Like stars falling to earth, they scatter into every household to help light their fires. People obtain this fire, know hot food, eat soup and rice, and cook meat.'"
This was completely different from the records in the previous book.
[Paimon: "Transforms from one into many? Does that mean there's more than one God of the Hearth?"
After everyone finished chatting, Yanxiao offered to treat them to a meal.
Once the dishes were served, among the many dishes was Keqing's favorite golden shrimp balls.
Xiangling knew just from the smell that the other person would be her formidable opponent.
Xiangling asked Yanxiao if he would participate in this 'Chef King Showdown' and expressed her hope to meet him in the finals, like a declaration of war.
[Lumine: "Xiangling, you're fired up!"
[Xiangling replied with a smile: "Not at all..."
Before she finished speaking, she noticed Guoba's little movements, "Guoba! What are you doing?!"
[Guoba's eyes widened, "Lu~ ♪?"
[Keqing: "Ah! He, he ate..."
In a blink of an eye, the golden shrimp balls were completely gone.
"Ugh... my golden shrimp balls..."
[Xiangling: "Guoba! Bad!"
[Guoba tilted his head in confusion: "Lulu~ ♪?", then grinned ♪~.
Actually, it couldn't be blamed on Guoba; after all, only the golden shrimp balls were closest to him, and with his short little arms, he couldn't reach any other dishes...
Xiangling said she would compensate Keqing with a dish she wanted to eat, because "When you don't get to eat the dish you want at that moment, even if you substitute it with something else, it can never make up for that feeling."
"Cuisine is a combination of emotion, food, and atmosphere, all three are indispensable!"
This statement was recognized by many people; it wasn't just about dishes, but many things were like this.
If you didn't get what you wanted back then, even if you get it later, you won't be as happy.
Perhaps this is the regret of trying to compensate for childhood after earning money, only to find that you no longer like the things from your childhood.
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Character Voice · Xiao: About seeing each other every day
"...Disrespectful to the Adepti!"