Clang.
Master Mao lifted the shop's wooden shutter and smiled at the gathered customers at the entrance. "Hold on, everyone. I'll bring out the breakfast from the kitchen."
"Master Mao, has Xiangling not returned yet?"
"Hahaha, that girl has gone out looking for more ingredients again," Master Mao said, laughing as he turned and brought out a large steamer. "When Xiangling returns, she'll definitely come up with some new dish again. You all should come by and give it a try."
"Forget it, trying Xiangling's dishes is like gambling. I'll leave that to Xinyan; she likes trying Xiangling's new creations."
"Master Mao, I'll have a bun."
"I'll take a Mora Meat."
"Dad! I'm back!"
A lively voice called out from afar, and Master Mao looked up in surprise. Xiangling was walking over with Hiroshi and a few others.
"Master Mao, congratulations! Looks like Xiangling's found herself a partner," someone teased.
"Nonsense!" Master Mao crossed his sturdy arms, his eyes wide open. "There's no way my girl could fall in love this quickly! I won't allow it!"
"Don't be so rigid. Xiangling is old enough now. I was actually planning to introduce my nephew to her."
"Not happening!" Master Mao handed over a breakfast plate swiftly. "Go on with your work, and don't be late!"
"Got it, got it! But remember to invite me to the wedding!"
Watching the regular customer leave with breakfast in hand, Master Mao mumbled, "My girl isn't so easy to marry."
"Dad, what are you saying?"
"Nothing at all!"
Master Mao looked at Xiangling, who had just entered and was giving him a strange look. He shouted, "You silly girl! Can't you see how busy we are? Get over here and help!"
"Got it!"
Xiangling grabbed her familiar apron, tied it around her waist, and walked to the window to face the familiar customers with a smile. "What would you all like?"
"I'll take a Mora Meat, Xiangling. Who's that guy you brought back?"
"Oh, Hiroshi?"
Xiangling answered quickly while making dishes. "He's my new apprentice. He's here to learn cooking from me."
"You silly girl?! You took on an apprentice?!"
Handing a bun to a customer, Master Mao looked at Xiangling, eyes wide with anger. "Your cooking might already be better than mine, but that doesn't mean you can teach! Don't lead someone astray!"
"Don't worry, Master Mao!"
A gentle male voice spoke from the side. Hiroshi stood by the window, preparing various ingredients Xiangling needed. The golden ring on his finger glimmered in the morning sunlight.
"Huh, young man, are you already promised to someone?" a regular customer, who had been watching Hiroshi, asked in surprise upon seeing the ring. "I thought you were Xiangling's boyfriend."
"Xiangling and I are just friends," Hiroshi replied, preparing the ingredients as he predicted she would need.
Suddenly, Hiroshi noticed a figure sneaking into the shop, acting less like a thief and more like someone who was very familiar with the place.
"Boo!"
The figure slapped Xiangling's back, startling her into a small jump, and then burst into laughter.
"Hehehe! Xiangling, didn't I give you a scare?" Hu Tao laughed, a mischievous grin on her face.
"Hu Tao!!!"
Turning around in annoyance, Xiangling glared at Hu Tao, whose smile revealed her success in the prank. "How many times have I told you not to scare me while I'm working?! What if I ruin the dish and waste valuable ingredients?!"
"Hehe, don't be mad, don't be mad," Hu Tao said, waving her hand with a playful smile. "It's been a while since I saw you, and you look as radiant as ever. I just couldn't resist saying hi."
Hu Tao turned to Hiroshi, her face inches from his, smiling as she introduced herself. "Hi there! I'm Hu Tao, the 77th Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor! And of course, I'm also a friend of Xiangling."
"Oh, right!"
She reached into her bag and pulled out a business card, happily handing it to Hiroshi. "This is my card. If you ever need our services, I can give you a 20% discount for Xiangling's sake!"
"Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?"
Hiroshi looked at the card, then at Hu Tao, who was grinning like she was offering a great deal. He frowned. "I doubt I'll need your services anytime soon. No need for the card."
"Hey!"
"Take it! Take it!"
Hu Tao shoved the card back at Hiroshi, her face serious. "Even if you look like you're still in good health, you never know what might happen. It's always good to be prepared. Besides, our services cover most of Liyue, though some dangerous areas come with extra charges—but I promise it'll still be cheap!"
"Brother Hiroshi, what's this?"
Klee, who had been peeking in from outside, finally couldn't resist and ran in, standing on tiptoe to look at the card in Hiroshi's hand. She tilted her head and slowly read, "Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, 77th Director Hu Tao. Cardholders can enjoy a 10% discount."
"That's right! That's right!"
Seeing Klee trying to read the card, Hu Tao seriously turned to Hiroshi. "See? I'm giving you a great deal! And if you have more travel companions, we're currently running a promotion—the second person gets half off!"
"Hu Tao!"
Xiangling, pressing a palm against the energetic Hu Tao's head, dragged her towards the back door. "Come with me! We need to have a little chat!"
"No, no, no! Xiangling, don't be mad! Fine, I'll give your friends a 30% discount, and if you need us, I'll make it 40%! That's the friends' rate!"
Thud!
"Ouch! Xiangling, my head hurts!"
"Quiet! Just deal with it!"
"That Hu Tao, always bringing such chaos whenever she visits."
Shaking his head, Master Mao handed out the last breakfast plate, then clapped his hands and looked at Hiroshi, Klee, who was holding onto Hiroshi's leg, and Noelle, who was standing at the door. "Since you're friends of Xiangling, what would you like to eat? Wanmin Restaurant's cooking won't disappoint you!"
"Thank you, Master Mao."
Seeing Master Mao eyeing him curiously, Hiroshi waved his hand, and a large piece of sea king meat appeared. He had asked Polusalino for it on his way here, intending to use it as a gift for Master Mao.
"This is a token for intruding today, Master Mao. Please accept it. Also, could you prepare ten servings of Mora Meat for us? We have some more friends arriving soon."
Master Mao's eyes were drawn to the meat Hiroshi had taken out. As a chef, he could tell it was the flesh of a powerful creature, a very rare ingredient.
He glanced at the ring on Hiroshi's finger and asked seriously, "Young man, did you really become my girl's apprentice?"
"Yes, Master Mao."
"Then tell me why you want to learn to cook."
Hiroshi patted Klee's head and smiled. "For my family and my fiancée."
"I see. Well then, young man, I accept you!"
Master Mao turned and headed towards the kitchen, looking back at Hiroshi. "I'll prepare the ten servings of Mora Meat. When do you plan on starting your culinary training?"
"I'll be here tomorrow."
"Fine. You'd better be ready—I won't go easy on you."
"I'm counting on you."
At the same time, outside Wanmin Restaurant, white light flickered, and to Noelle's surprise, four figures appeared—Kazuma Satou and his companions.
Waving his arms, Kazuma called into the shop, "Hiroshi, we're here! Let's go fishing!"