The next morning, Feng Yi and Zhong Li first had breakfast at a teahouse to solidify their newfound camaraderie.
Afterward, they went to the market to gather materials needed for making caramel milk tea.
The moment Feng Yi reached for his wallet, a cold sweat broke out on his forehead.
He had been careless!
He had forgotten that he had already spent his meager savings on breakfast.
Alas, a single Mora could stump a hero!
Forget it, he wouldn't buy these ingredients!
He could just borrow some from Xiangling later; she wouldn't mind, would she?
Feng Yi smacked his lips and left the market with a look of regret, heading towards Wanmin Restaurant.
"Yo! Little Brother Feng Yi, here for lunch? You might have to wait a while!"
Master Xiang, upon seeing Feng Yi, greeted him warmly, though it was still a long way until lunch began.
"Hello, Master Xiang. I'm not here for lunch today! Is Xiangling around?"
Feng Yi gave a friendly smile. He had some billion-dollar projects to discuss with Xiangling!
"You're looking for Xiangling? What's up?"
Master Xiang immediately became alert, like a cat caught stealing fish. If he wasn't here to eat, but looking for Xiangling, something was fishy!
Hidden from Feng Yi's sight, Master Xiang's hand had already reached for a cleaver.
"I have an idea for a new dish, and I need to discuss it with Xiangling!"
"Hmm? Is that killing intent?!"
"So that's how it is! I'll go get Xiangling!"
Master Xiang nonchalantly put down his cleaver and turned to head inside.
Feng Yi: "Huh? Why do I feel like I just escaped death?"
After a long, agonizing wait of a few minutes.
"Feng Yi, why are you here so early today? But you've come at the perfect time, I've developed another new dish!"
Xiangling rushed out from inside, exuding youthful vigor.
Behind her, a persistent tagalong, the great Guoba, followed!
"Wait a moment, I'll be right there!"
Before Feng Yi could reply, Xiangling was already at the stove.
"Guoba, breathe fire!"
Xiangling smiled confidently and gave the command to Guoba.
Guoba: "Judgment, rua!"
Diluc: "I'm honored, everyone!"
Without making Feng Yi wait long, Xiangling soon brought out a plate of food that was difficult to describe.
"Feng Yi, quickly try it while it's hot. This fried Slime is my inspiration from last night!"
Xiangling looked at Feng Yi expectantly, hoping for some suggestions for improvement.
Feng Yi: "May I be so bold as to ask, do you have any grudges against this Slime?"
Xiangling: "No! Why do you say that?"
Feng Yi: "Otherwise, why would you always cook them?"
Xiangling: "Because they're cute!"
Feng Yi: "???"
"They're cute, so you cook them?"
"What kind of strange logic is that?"
"A girl's mind is truly complex. I'd better just try the dish honestly!"
Feng Yi picked up a golden, crispy Slime ball and took a bite. The Slime's liquid core exploded in his mouth.
"This time, it's a Pyro Slime! The crispy exterior, combined with the spicy, fragrant juice, has a unique flavor."
"Feng Yi, how does it taste?"
Seeing Feng Yi put down his chopsticks after just one bite, Xiangling, thinking he didn't like it, quickly asked.
"It tastes pretty good, but I prefer something cold and sweet with a creamy center."
Feng Yi reminisced about the deep-fried ice cream from his past life, feeling a touch of nostalgia.
"Fried balls can be cold and creamy?"
Xiangling blinked her big eyes, full of curiosity, staring at Feng Yi.
Guoba and Master Xiang beside them also cast their gazes.
"Ahem, of course, they can. In my hometown, there's a famous snack: Fried Ice Cream Slime."
"You just need to wrap the filling with a special technique and use appropriate oil temperatures, and you can cook it successfully. The peculiar sensation of 'ice and fire two heavens' is unforgettable."
"Don't let fixed ideas limit your imagination!"
Feng Yi inadvertently caught sight of Xiangling and the other two staring at him with green eyes. He twitched his eye and quickly ended the topic.
"Mr. Feng Yi, Xiangling has learned much!"
Xiangling bowed respectfully to Feng Yi, like a wise student seeking enlightenment.
This serious occasion left Feng Yi unsure of what to do. Seeing Xiangling bow, he didn't know whether to help her up.
When Feng Yi noticed Master Xiang winking at him, he decided to accept Xiangling's bow.
His previous statement might not have meant much to others, but it had given Xiangling a sudden epiphany.
And Liyue has always been a land of etiquette that values virtue. Xiangling's bow was entirely genuine!
Xiangling: "Feng Yi is indeed a well-traveled and knowledgeable person. I want to travel outside too!"
Today's events had further ignited Xiangling's determination to travel.
"Feng Yi, wait for me for a moment, I'll go catch an Cryo Slime!"
Xiangling's impetuous nature made procrastination feel ashamed. She grabbed Guoba and went to trouble an Cryo Slime.
This left Feng Yi without a chance to speak, forcing him to swallow the latter half of his request to borrow ingredients.
Feng Yi: "Cryo Slime, good luck! Amen!"
Cryo Slime: "Great Demon King Xiangling, don't come near me!"
"Little Brother Feng Yi, is there anything I can help you with?"
Master Xiang, observing Feng Yi's hesitant expression, enthusiastically inquired.
Given Feng Yi's great help to his daughter just now, Master Xiang's impression of him was very good. If not for the age difference, he would have wanted to take Feng Yi as a son-in-law.
"To be honest, Master Xiang, I'm planning to try making a dessert, but I'm missing some ingredients."
Since he couldn't count on Xiangling, he had no choice but to talk to Master Xiang.
But chatting with a grown man was nowhere near as fun as talking to a lively girl.
Feng Yi: "Alas~"
Master Xiang:
"Oh! I didn't know you could cook too, Little Brother Feng Yi! What are the ingredients? Maybe I can help!"
Truly, you can't judge a book by its cover. Master Xiang hadn't expected Feng Yi to be skilled in the culinary arts!
Feng Yi: "Skilled is a stretch, just know a little bit."
Master Xiang: "This is truly eye-opening, like a knife slicing my backside!"
"White sugar, tea, milk, taro balls..."
"That's all? These things are in the warehouse. Wait a moment, I'll go get them for you!"
Master Xiang had thought they were some rare ingredients.
Turns out, they were all common ingredients. He immediately turned to search the warehouse.
He was curious about what kind of dessert Feng Yi could create with these basic materials.
In the time it takes to steep a cup of tea, Master Xiang returned with all the ingredients, not missing a single one.
Feng Yi prepared to borrow the Wanmin Restaurant's stove, and Master Xiang was happy to oblige.
When everything was ready and Feng Yi lit the fire, he envied how convenient Xiangling's Guoba was!
He wished he had a pet that could breathe fire too.