Early in the morning, before the sun had risen, Liyue Harbor was already bustling with activity.
Carrying a basket full of ingredients, Noelle and Xiangling made their way to Wanmin Restaurant.
Clang!
Pushing open the window shutters, Xiangling looked out at the sky that was just beginning to brighten. She stretched her body, then turned and smiled at Noelle.
"Alright, Noelle, let's start preparing."
"Leave it to me!"
Rolling up her sleeves, Noelle smiled and nodded, picking up the knife next to her and joining Xiangling in the preparations for the upcoming breakfast rush.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Amid the rising flames, Master Mao stood with his arms crossed, closely watching Hiroshi's every cooking move, pointing out his mistakes.
As time passed, the sun slowly rose over the horizon, and the golden morning light spread across every corner of the land.
Thud, thud, thud.
A series of footsteps came down the stairs, echoing through the bustling Wanmin Restaurant.
With a small backpack on her back, Klee rubbed her sleepy eyes as she groggily came down from the second floor of Wanmin Restaurant.
Lifting her small head and looking around, Klee's face broke into a happy smile.
"Brother Hiroshi."
Stirring the vegetables in the pan over the flames, a fragrant aroma filled the air. Hiroshi turned his head and looked at Klee, who was smiling at him.
"You're up. What do you want for breakfast today?"
Hearing about food, Klee's eyes lit up. Hugging her little arms, she thought for a while before saying, "Something sweet."
"Alright, just wait a bit."
Taking out flour and almonds, Hiroshi began cooking, using magic to enhance the ingredients with the philosophy of the five elements in harmony as he started preparing a newly learned dish.
Gradually, a delightful aroma wafted out from the kitchen, filling the entire room.
Swinging her short legs, Klee held a pair of chopsticks and eagerly watched Hiroshi busy in the kitchen.
Hiroshi handed a piece of Lotus Flower Crisp to the curious Xiangling, who had wandered in. Then, he lifted a plate and walked out of the kitchen.
Gently placing the Lotus Flower Crisp in front of Klee, Hiroshi smiled at her impatient face and said, "Eat slowly, okay?"
"Mm."
Klee nodded quickly, picked up a piece of Lotus Flower Crisp with her chopsticks, and stuffed it into her mouth.
The Lotus Flower Crisp, prepared by Hiroshi, was at the perfect temperature. Klee's small eyes sparkled with joy as she held her overstuffed cheeks.
Patting Klee's head as she happily ate, Hiroshi turned back towards the kitchen. At the entrance, several Wanmin Restaurant customers couldn't help but gulp as they watched Klee enjoying her meal. They turned their heads to look at Hiroshi, who walked out of the kitchen again with another tray.
"Noelle, thank you for your hard work."
Smiling, Hiroshi placed the tray in front of Noelle, looking warmly at the cute girl in the apron. "Next time, you should tell Master what you like to eat too."
"Mm."
Nodding obediently, Noelle replied earnestly, "But anything made by Master Hiroshi is something I like."
"Haha."
Ruffling Noelle's hair, Hiroshi turned and walked back to the kitchen to continue cooking.
"Ahh, I'm so full."
Patting her round belly, Klee looked towards the kitchen where Hiroshi was still busy. Her big eyes sparkled as she jumped off the stool and ran to Hiroshi.
"Brother Hiroshi, can you make some more of that for Klee? Klee wants to share it with Sister Lumine and Sister Keqing."
"Sure."
Quickly preparing a few more portions of Lotus Flower Crisp, Hiroshi placed them into a seven-layer food box and handed it to Klee, smiling as he asked, "Klee, can you find Keqing and Lumine on your own?"
"No problem."
Nodding confidently, Klee waved at Hiroshi and ran out of Wanmin Restaurant.
Under the large maple tree, Klee glanced down at the lotus pond by her feet, then looked up towards the bustling city in front of her. Tilting her head, she focused for a moment, and her eyes lit up.
"Ah! I can feel Sister Lumine and Sister Keqing!"
Hugging the food box, Klee hopped in the direction of her senses.
"Wah\~ da-da-da\~"
Running in a circle around the massive red pillar, Klee continued forward.
Pedestrians passing by couldn't help but smile at the little girl running by with a food box in her arms.
Standing on her tiptoes by the lotus pond, Klee leaned against the railing, looking at the big fish swimming slowly in the water, her eyes flickering with hesitation.
Glancing around, Klee decided to give up her bold idea. After all, there was a good chance Acting Grandmaster Jean would find out, and Brother Hiroshi would likely be upset too.
Picking up the food box placed by her feet, Klee waved to the fish below and continued on her way with her little legs.
Nearby, a couple admiring the flowers exchanged a smile, saying shyly, "Someday, we'll have an adorable girl like that too."
"Lalala."
Stopping at the end of the road, Klee looked up at the huge staircase to her right and the grand buildings above. She then turned and ran up the stairs to the left.
"Whew\~"
Letting out a breath, Klee looked at the long staircase she had climbed, straightened her small frame, and gazed at the large house near the waterfall not far away.
"Sister Lumine and Sister Keqing are there."
Lifting her foot, Klee was ready to set off again.
"Little one, do you have business here?"
A gentle voice sounded, and a Qianyan soldier standing at the entrance of the staircase stopped Klee as she was about to run ahead.
Puzzled, Klee looked up at the young man blocking her and pointed towards Yuehai Pavilion in the distance. "Klee is here to find Sister Lumine and Sister Keqing."
Holding up the food box in her hands, Klee smiled. "Brother Hiroshi made something delicious, and Klee wants Sister Lumine and Sister Keqing to try it too."
"Keqing? Lady Yuheng?!"
A surprised expression appeared on Fang Lin's face, which quickly turned to delight.
Leading Klee to a nearby tea stand, Fang Lin said seriously, "Little one, the place you pointed to is an important institution of Liyue. Normally, people aren't allowed in."
"But since you know Lady Yuheng, I'll run this errand for you. Just wait here and don't wander off, okay?"
"Oh."
Nodding obediently, Klee sat down at the edge of the table.
Looking up at the elderly lady next to her, Klee blinked her eyes and then opened the food box.
Taking the topmost layer out, Klee handed it to the kindly smiling old lady.
"Granny, this is for you. Brother Hiroshi's cooking is really good!"
"Hahaha."
Reaching out to take the food box, Granny Ping patted Klee's head and said with a smile, "Thank you, little one."
Bending down, she poured a cup of tea and placed it in front of Klee.
"Little one, have some of Granny's tea."
Looking at the cup in front of her, Klee lifted it cautiously and took a sip.
"Hmm, it's not bitter!"
"Hehe, thank you, Granny."
Her eyes brightened, and Klee smiled at Granny Ping, happily sipping the tea.
"I'm glad you like it."
Picking up a piece of Osmanthus Cake with chopsticks, Granny Ping slowly put it in her mouth.
Savoring the taste, Granny Ping smiled and said, "This is a dish made with care."
Inside Yuehai Pavilion, after dealing with his nagging brother Fang Mu, Fang Lin adjusted his clothes and knocked on the wooden door in front of him.
"Lady Yuheng, there's a little girl outside saying she's here to see you. Should I bring her in?"
"A little girl?"
The door opened, and a flash of purple lightning flickered in Keqing's eyes as a smile appeared on her face.
"Ah, it's that little Klee."
"I'll go get her myself in a bit."
rakashule jingle.
The sound of a small bell rang, and a little head with two bells attached peeked out from a room not far away.