Shenhe, supporting Yuto, did not immediately go to Bubu Pharmacy to treat his injuries. Instead, they first arrived at Wanmin Restaurant.
The reason, well, it was simple. After the high-intensity battle they had just experienced, Shenhe, who had only eaten three steamed buns, felt her stomach protest again after smelling the aroma from Wanmin Restaurant.
This time, because Yuto was being supported by Shenhe, the two were very close, and he heard it even more clearly than before. Even for an Adeptus disciple like Shenhe, having her stomach growl twice in one day, heard by the same person, was a bit embarrassing.
Actually, Yuto was well aware of his own injuries. At first, it was just a slight exhaustion, and as for the DMG, it was at most a superficial wound, which was nothing to a ninja. But being able to have such close contact with Shenhe was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so he naturally had to act the part.
However, since he had already heard Shenhe's stomach growl, her needs naturally had to take priority.
So, at Yuto's insistence, Shenhe supported him as they walked into Wanmin Restaurant. When such an exceptionally elegant woman appeared in Wanmin Restaurant, the originally noisy restaurant instantly quieted down. Regardless of gender or age, everyone's eyes were fixed on Shenhe, their expressions of surprise impossible to hide.
Chef Mao, who was focused on cooking, suddenly noticed that his restaurant had become silent. He turned his head curiously to check the situation and was also stunned by Shenhe's breathtaking appearance and demeanor.
"Yo, Chef Mao, are you cooking dinner tonight? Where's Xiangling?" It was Yuto who first broke the strange atmosphere.
"Uh, ah? Oh, Xiangling went on a long trip. She said she was going to Mondstadt. Huh? You seem to be the young man from noon, aren't you? What happened to you?" After all, it had only happened at noon, and Yuto had been dragged away by his daughter, so Chef Mao certainly remembered him.
However, not long after they left, his daughter rushed home, packed some essential luggage, traveled light, and said she was going to Mondstadt, constantly muttering about 'chilled meat'. Before he could even ask clearly, she rushed out again, leaving her old father quite speechless.
"Xiangling was going to take me to visit the top of Mt. Tianheng, but she had some urgent business midway and left. I figured since I was already there, I'd go up myself. I didn't expect to encounter monsters midway, and I'm grateful to this friend for saving me."
Yuto casually fabricated a lie. Shenhe, upon hearing Yuto's explanation, was about to reveal the truth, but Yuto stopped her. Chef Mao, on the other hand, felt a sudden pang of guilt when he heard this answer.
"Oh dear! Xiangling is too thoughtless. How could she abandon a friend midway, and leave someone in a dangerous place like Mt. Tianheng? I apologize, young man, my daughter is thoughtless. When she returns, I will definitely make her apologize to you personally, and thank this beautiful... Adeptus next to you for saving him.
How about this, I'll accompany you to Bubu Pharmacy to see a doctor. I'll pay for the consultation and medicine."
In Chef Mao's understanding, the young man's current situation was all due to his daughter. Because Xiangling possessed a Vision and was quite capable in battle, Chef Mao would not stop his daughter from venturing into the wilderness to find ingredients.
This young man did not have a Vision. Xiangling actually left him alone in the wilderness. If he hadn't met this extraordinary Adeptus midway, this young man might have lost his life. As Xiangling's father, he certainly had to take responsibility when something like this happened.
But Yuto apparently didn't pay attention to this, and quickly waved his hand, saying, "No, no, no, it's fine, just some minor injuries that aren't a problem. I'm hungry, please make us some of your specialties. Oh, and my friend here likes vegetarian food, remember to serve a few more vegetarian dishes."
"Then you two can sit in the inner room. The inner room is quiet. Don't worry, I'll definitely arrange everything for you. This meal is on me."
Wanmin Restaurant, as a public eatery, did not have private rooms. The so-called inner room was actually Chef Mao's own room where he usually rested.
Xiangling was a disciple of Madame Ping. As Xiangling's father, he was actually one of the people in Liyue Harbor who knew Adepti relatively well. He knew that Adepti preferred quiet places, and Shenhe's appearance and temperament were outstanding. If she were arranged directly in the main hall, being stared at like a monkey by the diners would surely cause her displeasure. Therefore, arranging her in the inner room was most suitable.
Chef Mao's own inner room was simple and clean, with only a bed for resting and a table. Although the space was not large, it was enough for just Yuto and Shenhe sitting opposite each other. Yuto also nodded in satisfaction after seeing it.
Soon, exquisite dishes were served on the dining table. Chef Mao was also very thoughtful, placing the vegetarian dishes on Shenhe's side and some meat dishes on Yuto's side.
Although they were just ordinary ingredients, in Chef Mao's hands, the taste was no less than that of high-end restaurants. There were even some dishes that tested knife skills, such as straw-cloak cucumber and Wensi tofu, which suddenly elevated the status of this originally ordinary dining table because of the dishes.
Although Chef Mao's dishes were delicious, Shenhe seemed unsatisfied, only tasting a small bite of each dish, but eating a lot of rice instead.
"What's wrong? Are these dishes not to your liking?"
Shenhe shook her head and explained, "Mortal food is indeed delicious, but if I return to the mountains and wilderness in the future, the lingering taste of delicious food will become an obstacle to my cultivation. So, I only taste a little, understanding the flavor is enough."
"Where did you get that idea from? How come I've never heard that eating delicious food affects cultivation? You're not cultivating 'Supreme Forgetfulness of Emotions,' are you?"
"Whether it's my master, or Mountain Shaper, or Moon Carver, they all eat very plain food on a daily basis. They have their current cultivation, so perhaps that's why?"
Yuto couldn't help but cover his face, trying hard not to laugh out loud, and at the same time felt a touch of pity for this child, Shenhe.
"Shenhe, you might have misunderstood. Your master and martial uncles are Adeptus birds and Adeptus deer, not humans. They are naturally vegetarian. Moreover, it's not that they prefer plain food, but rather because none of them can cook.
As for the reason for their high cultivation, it's because they have cultivated for thousands of years. In such a long time, even a turtle could achieve enlightenment, let alone that they are all, without exception, exceptionally talented individuals with excellent foundations.
Also, let me tell you a little secret. I don't know about your master, Cloud Retainer, but Mountain Shaper and Moon Carver often secretly come to Liyue to play and enjoy delicious food behind your master's back.
Now, under the influence of a certain person, their palates have become very refined. For example, they insist on using only sprouting bamboo shoots, the salt for salt and pepper tofu must be sea salt refined from the shallow waters of Guyun Stone Forest, and for Brightmoon Egg, the ratio of shrimp to fish in the egg liquid must be strictly controlled."
At this moment, Shenhe was completely stunned. The image of her master and martial uncles, originally tall and magnificent in her heart, seemed to have diminished quite a bit today.