Note : This is the last Arc, from here on MC will travel around Teyvat and met with his all past relationship
It's been over a month since Yuxie arrived in Liyue, and he's become an adventurer.
He rented a small house, and his daily life has been quite good.
Though he doesn't know how many times he's started a new life in Teyvat, this life has largely met his expectations.
In this bustling port city, the streets are filled with familiar cultural vibes that make Yuxie feel very warm.
Although he comes from beyond the world, and here he feels like he's alone, this port city has become a place where he can stand and settle down.
One day, like any other, after completing a commission, Yuxie decided to take a walk around the street.
The lively atmosphere of the street greeted him as the voices of street vendors called out incessantly, and passersby were either rushing somewhere or strolling leisurely.
Before he knew it, he had arrived at the street outside the Wanmin Restaurant.
His stomach happened to growl, so he decided to step inside.
Since it wasn't mealtime yet, there were fewer customers in the restaurant. The chef and waiter of Wanmin Restaurant, a cute young girl, immediately greeted him. She was also the daughter of the famous owner of the restaurant.
"Yu Xie? What will you have today, the same as last time?"
"Today, I'd like something different. I'll have a serving of Golden Shrimp Balls," Yuxie said to Xiangling.
It had been over a month since Yuxie arrived in Liyue, and this wasn't his first time at Wanmin Restaurant. He and Xiangling had become somewhat familiar with each other.
"Okay, just a moment, it'll be ready soon!" Xiangling smiled happily and turned to head into the kitchen.
Not long after, another customer entered the restaurant.
With purple twin tails, cat-ear hair accessories on her head, a delicate purple-toned skirt, and black stockings that accentuated her perfectly shaped legs, the new arrival turned heads as she stepped inside.
This was Keqing, one of the Seven Stars of Liyue.
As one of the seven people who governs Liyue under Geo Archon, Keqing was quite a special case.
She had a somewhat "disrespectful" attitude towards Geo Archon, but her beauty and work ability were well known throughout Liyue Harbor, and she truly deserved to be the Yuheng Star.
Because of her fame, as soon as she stepped into Wanmin Restaurant, the few customers in the restaurant turned their attention toward her.
Most of them stood up and gave her a slight bow.
"Lady Keqing."
"You don't need to be so formal. I'm just here as a customer at Wanmin Restaurant," Keqing responded to the greetings of the crowd, then walked to the counter where the seemingly absent-minded Master Mao was standing. She said, "Master Mao, one order of Golden Shrimp Balls, to go."
"Hm?" Master Mao snapped out of his daze, and upon seeing it was Keqing, he immediately became more attentive. "Ah, it's Lady Keqing!"
"One order of Golden Shrimp Balls, to go," Keqing repeated.
"Oh!" Master Mao turned to shout toward the kitchen. "Xiangling, one order of Golden Shrimp Balls!"
"Ah... Today's Golden Shrimp Balls have sold out. There's only enough shrimp left to make one serving," Xiangling's voice came from the kitchen. "Yuxie already took the last order."
Upon hearing this, a slight look of apology appeared on Master Mao's face, and while Keqing's expression seemed calm, there was still a hint of disappointment in her eyes.
It was obvious that Keqing had been looking forward to the Golden Shrimp Balls, and the disappointment of not getting them was clear.
"Lady Keqing, please forgive me. If you'd like, you can wait a moment, and I can go to the docks to buy more shrimp," Master Mao said.
"...No need," Keqing replied with a smile, though the disappointment in her eyes was barely noticeable to anyone else. "In that case, I'll come back tomorrow."
The crowd saw her leave, but only Yuxie noticed the hidden disappointment in her expression. It was clear that she had been looking forward to the dish for quite a while.
Yuxie thought for a moment. He considered giving his own order of Golden Shrimp Balls to Keqing, but after a second thought, he realized that with Keqing's personality, she likely wouldn't accept such an offer without a good reason.
Keqing left Wanmin Restaurant, and among the people present, Yuxie was the only one who noticed the disappointment she had tried to conceal. She had likely been eagerly waiting for that Golden Shrimp Balls for some time.
Yuxie thought for a moment, then raised his voice and said to Xiangling in the kitchen, "Xiangling, my order of Golden Shrimp Balls, to go!"
Not long after, the Golden Shrimp Balls were ready. Yuxie took the dish and left Wanmin Restaurant, looking around.
He didn't see Keqing anywhere.
In the short time that had passed, Keqing had already left the street.
After a moment of thought, Yuxie began asking passersby for directions.
.....
Outskirts.
Keqing walked alone to a quiet, secluded spot, taking slow, deliberate steps. The breeze was gentle, and the air was fresh and invigorating.
Today was a rare day off, a chance to rest and relax. She had planned to go to Wanmin Restaurant, order her favorite Golden Shrimp Balls, and enjoy them alone in a quiet place, away from the bustling crowds.
But she had arrived too late, and the Golden Shrimp Balls were sold out.
It seemed her luck wasn't great today.
She found a shaded spot under a tree and sat down, her carefully tied twin pigtails swaying in the breeze.
"Finally found you, Lady Keqing," came a voice from behind. Yuxie appeared not far away, holding the very dish she had been hoping for.
Keqing turned around when she heard the voice.
"You are… from Wanmin Restaurant earlier?"
"That's right. I ordered the last serving of Golden Shrimp Balls," Yuxie said.
"You're… bringing that to me?" Keqing asked, her eyes widening slightly.
"Didn't get to have the Golden Shrimp Balls, feeling disappointed?" Yuxie walked over and asked, "Mind if I sit here?"
"I don't mind," Keqing replied, "but… is that Golden Shrimp Balls you're holding?"
Keqing could already smell the familiar fragrance. It was the Golden Shrimp Balls she loved the most.
"That's right." Yuxie opened the packaging, and the tantalizing aroma of the shrimp balls filled the air.
He then held the dish out toward Keqing. "If you don't mind, feel free to help yourself."
"...There's no need." Keqing hesitated for a moment before saying, "It's first come, first served. You ordered it, so I can't just take it from you."
"But you really want to eat it, don't you?" Yuxie looked at her knowingly. Keqing's reaction was just as he had expected.
"This is a different matter." Keqing turned her gaze away from the Golden Shrimp Balls and looked out at the scenery.
"I see... Well then," Yuxie thought for a moment and then decided not to push the issue further. He took the Golden Shrimp Balls back and began eating them himself.
The golden shrimp balls were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, the flavors rolling around his mouth. He could taste the care Xiangling had put into making them.
One word—perfect!
Xiangling's culinary skills were truly impeccable.
Keqing couldn't help but sneak a glance at the dish in Yuxie's hands. The longing in her eyes was hard to hide.
Yuxie noticed it. He knew that eating the shrimp balls in front of her wasn't exactly the most considerate thing to do, but seeing Keqing's current expression touched him.
She looked so cute right now, a stark contrast to her usual, more serious demeanor.
Soon, Yuxie finished the last of the shrimp balls and stood up.
"Alright," he said, "I'm not sure if Lady Keqing has any plans for the rest of the day. But if you have some time, how about we go catch some shrimp?"
"...Why?"
"My cooking skills may not match up to Xiangling's, but they're decent enough. To make up for enjoying Golden Shrimp Balls alone, if you don't mind, I'll catch some shrimp and cook them fresh to make another batch. What do you think?"
End of chapter
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