The Chef Showdown had just begun, and Guoba was the first to rush over to help Yanxiao.
Well, actually, Guoba, this mysterious helper, wasn't much help; his biggest role was just to light the fire for Xiangling.
Then, all he did was act cute and cheer them on from the side.
[Keqing: "As a helper who dances mysteriously on the side to cheer on Xiangling, he is now also cheering for contestant Yanxiao, which precisely proves that this helper is completely impartial."]
[Xiangling: "That's right, Guoba isn't an external helper I invited; he just likes watching people cook! I think he must have gone over to help Yanxiao relieve his tension."]
Who would have thought, Guoba can even do a 'mysterious dance'; now it's truly become 'Please look at me carefully'.
Xiangling in the story even had time to advise Yanxiao, giving him suggestions on how to stop being nervous, completely without any intention of going to cook herself.
Yanxiao thanked Xiangling for her kindness, while also urging Xiangling not to delay her own cooking.
[Xiangling: "No delay, I'm already done."]
"???" This sentence left everyone with question marks.
From what was written in the book, the competition had just started, hadn't it? Weren't there just a few people talking about Guoba?
Yanxiao was still shaking with nervousness, and you're already done with your dish?
Xiangling, did you cheat?
After Yanxiao also finished, it was the judges' turn to evaluate.
[Xiangling: "My main dish is 'Spicy Peppery Chicken', the side dish is 'Braised Shredded Meat', and the dessert is 'Crystal Shrimp'."]
Xiangling's three dishes, with ingredients from the sky, water, and land, were all complete; it could be called a 'Sea, Land, and Air Set Meal'.
Then Xiangling also introduced the three delicacies in detail, making the readers' mouths water.
Especially Paimon, whose stomach was already rumbling, and drool was about to drip onto Lumine's shoulder.
[Yanxiao: "My dishes are 'Adeptus' Temptation', 'Mint Salad', and 'golden shrimp balls'."]
[Guoba and Keqing were both staring intently at the golden shrimp balls.]
However, this time was a bit different because Keqing, as a judge, had priority in tasting.
[Keqing: "Extremely impressive, both sides' dishes are meticulously prepared, clever, and delicious. I want to eat another golden shrimp... No! I want to savor both sides' craftsmanship again."]
After all three judges had given their opinions, some audience members were also chosen as judges.
[Paimon: "Why wasn't I invited to be a judge! I'm very passionate and proficient in eating; missing me is their loss!"]
[Lumine: "Calm down, Paimon, I'll cook for you later."]
[Paimon: "Hehehe... Although there are so many chefs in this world, who can make so many delicious dishes, the person who is best to me is still you, after all!"]
"Wuwuwu, Lumine, you're so good to me." Paimon was very touched.
Lumine, however, just said helplessly, "Then don't get my clothes dirty with your drool!"
It turned out that Paimon had been hiding behind Lumine reading the book, and because of the descriptions of the food in the book, her drool had flowed all over Lumine's shoulder.
"Ehe." Paimon imitated a certain drunken poet.
"It makes me want to try it too..." Guizhong sighed with emotion.
"Wanting to eat is simple, just look at this immortal's cooking divine machine!" Xianyun pulled out a 'rice cooker' from who knows where.
"You say... will that child Xiangling think that mechanisms cannot replace human cooking?" Guizhong said with a smile.
Gecheng and Xianyun exchanged glances, both smiling. In that case, they'd just ask Zhongli to decide then.
[Ningguang: "I announce that the champion of this Chef Showdown is—contestant Xiangling, who won by a single vote!"]
The competition ended, and then Xiangling and Yanxiao exchanged tactical compliments.
Afterward, the Traveler and Paimon went to find Keqing and found that Keqing seemed to have something on her mind.
Jokingly, it was about the 'golden shrimp balls'.
Seriously, it was about her voting for Yanxiao.
Regarding the fairness of the vote, Keqing had a clear conscience, but she was worried that Xiangling, as a contestant, might not understand her; it was a worry between public and private matters.
She considered Xiangling a friend, but she didn't vote for her friend, which made Keqing, who had few friends, a bit worried that Xiangling might blame her.
[Keqing: "Xiangling, I have something to tell you... My grandfather said, 'If food is a competition, one must follow their heart.'"]
[ "So... even though I'm your friend, I still voted for Yanxiao's Adeptus' Temptation..."]
[Lumine said directly: "Was it for the golden shrimp balls?"]
[Keqing: "Yes, yes, what's wrong! Can't I just like eating golden shrimp balls?!"]
Xiangling naturally didn't mind, even saying that she admired Keqing for being so serious.
Perhaps if Keqing had truly voted for herself because of their friendship, Xiangling would have felt that the victory was undeserved.
Xiangling even turned around and advised Keqing not to be too serious or harsh on herself, and to relax more.
Zhongli highly approved of this; a balance between work and rest is indeed good.
Don't look at how strict Keqing always sounds; she is actually very humane. The only person she is truly strict with is herself.
In the story, with Granny Ping's help, Keqing's incomplete recipe was completed, and this dish was made.
After eating this dish, Keqing told everyone stories about her childhood, how she discussed Zhongli with her grandfather until her grandfather passed away and she became a Qixing.
[Keqing: "The title 'Rex Lapis' sometimes connects with my grandfather's name for me. When I see Rex Lapis's name, I always think of my grandfather."]
[ "It's this dish. Every time my grandfather tried making this dish, he would make me taste it while it was hot. It brings back memories; it's this exact taste."]
[Xiangling: "This dish is called Spicy Meat Wowo Tou. The day I met Guoba, I was making this dish!"]
[ "Guoba and I met in a cave. I saw an offering table, so I placed the Spicy Meat Wowo Tou on it."]
[ "Later, I accidentally fell asleep, and when I woke up, I found that Guoba had eaten all the Spicy Meat Wowo Tou. Since then, he has followed me and become part of my family."]
[At this moment, the divine stone behind everyone suddenly burst open, revealing the remarkably heroic 'Guoba'.]
The giant stone shattered, and the spiritual monkey... spiritual bear emerged!
[Xiangling: "Ah! Guoba? How could it be you!?"]
[Granny Ping: "That's right, after all, Guoba is the God of the Hearth you were looking for—the 'God of the Stove'."]
[Guoba: "Lu~ ♪ Lu~ ♪?"]
Granny Ping's words stunned everyone; not only were the characters in the book stunned, but also the people outside the book.
"Guoba... you...?" Xiangling looked at Guoba in a daze.
They just wanted to watch the Chef Showdown for this Moonchase Festival, but they didn't expect to stir up such a big secret.
"Ah? What happened to Guoba?" Master Mao read a part of the book, but later got busy cooking and didn't have time to read anymore, thinking Guoba had caused trouble again.
"Lulu ♪?" Guoba tilted his head.
The customers at Wanmin Restaurant didn't know this secret, but the people next door at Sanwan Buguo Port were having a lively time.
Looking at Zhongli on the left, and Guoba on the right.
Holy crap? So I'm stuck between two Gods!
Wait a minute, Xiangling's master is an Adeptus, her 'pet' is a God, and her friends are Qixing... She's the real big shot!
She's truly on par with the current Director of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Oh right, they're also childhood friends...
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Character Voice · Xiangling: About Guoba
"Hmm... No matter what his identity is, in my heart, Guoba is my family.
However, if possible, I really wish Guoba could recover his memories, hehehe, I want to ask him for a