C24 Looking up at the Starry Sky Whoever Eats It will Say That It Is Delicious!

Mu Jin swallowed the bite of apple she had been savoring, blinked a few times, and glanced at the two little ones crowding around her. Desperation flickered in her eyes as she quickly sought help from Xiangling and the traveler.

"Help me, help me, help me! I just can't handle this shuraba anymore!"

"Paimon, cut it out and get back here," Ying called out, having caught Mu Jin's desperate look. She cleared her throat with a couple of deliberate coughs and gestured to Paimon sternly. "If you don't come back... you can say goodbye to the Sweet Flower Wine Chicken. And you know, I've been quite curious about how Paimon would taste stewed in an iron pot."

"That's a threat if I ever heard one!" Paimon grumbled, but the promise of her favorite dish won out, and she relented. "Hmph! Cabbage head!"

"Pfft! Emergency food! Ai is the world's top idol! Lalala!" Ai stuck out her tongue at Paimon before darting into Mu Jin's embrace.

"Argh!" Paimon fumed, stamping her foot. She copied Ai, burrowing into Ying's arms, determined to adopt an 'out of sight, out of mind' attitude.

Ying couldn't help but feel a bit amused; it was her first time witnessing Paimon's defeat. She knew, though, that if she pushed any further, Paimon's embarrassment might turn to rage.

And a raging Paimon would likely demand multiple servings of Sweet Flower Wine Chicken. Despite having looted several treasure chests from the hilichurls recently, their lodgings were still at an inn, and there wasn't enough Mora to splurge on treats for Paimon.

Speaking of which, if time allowed, she needed to visit the Adventurers' Guild. After all, with Mora to be made, any mission was worth considering!

Mu Jin, too, was contemplating whether to pick up a couple of side jobs in Mondstadt for some extra cash. Once back in Liyue, she had plans to join Hu Tao in promoting the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. With Ai in tow this time, their promotional campaign was sure to pack an extra punch.

Oh, that's right! Hu Tao had given her something before she left... What was it again? It seemed she had stashed it in the system space without much thought, along with Mei's specially prepared lunchbox. Time stood still in that space, ensuring that food and everyday items remained pristine, unaffected by decay or damage.

The space might be a bit cramped, but it was hardly an issue. For anyone on the go, the System Space was an essential, perfect for both home and travel.

(System: ?)

Before I knew it, dinner time had arrived.

Eula had come back just then, having finished her mission early. She was so exhausted she didn't even feel like speaking.

Opening the door, she noticed several new faces in the room but didn't comment.

A full day of missions had taken its toll, and she was definitely feeling the fatigue.

Yet, the unexpected warmth that filled the house washed away all her weariness.

It was an odd sensation, but... not an unwelcome one.

[You saw what I was thinking? Forget it! Or else, I'll hold a grudge!]

Eula massaged her temples. Honestly, she might be overthinking things because she was so tired.

Now in her casual clothes, Eula descended the stairs and paused as she noticed Fischl, Paimon, Gouba, Xiangling, and the head maid peeking curiously into the kitchen.

Her pupils dilated in astonishment.

"Wow... I never knew a fish head could be used like that..." Xiangling murmured, watching someone inside the kitchen wield a cleaver with no mercy on the fish head.

"The kitchen isn't going to explode, is it?" The head maid clapped a hand over her mouth, genuinely surprised by Mu Jin's... unconventional approach to cooking.

High EQ: Unconcerned with the details.

Low EQ: Overly brusque.

She was genuinely concerned Mu Jin might accidentally blow up the kitchen, though she wasn't worried about the dish itself.

"Why is she in the kitchen?" Eula asked, puzzled. Mu Jin didn't exactly look like a culinary expert.

"Miss!" The head maid jumped at Eula's sudden outburst.

"Shh."

Eula gestured for silence, her curiosity piqued about Mu Jin's foray into the kitchen.

"She wanted us to try her special dish... I couldn't stop her," Fischl explained with a shrug. Given Mu Jin's fish-head-chopping technique, it was probably going to be a culinary disaster.

Paimon would be the lucky taste tester when the time came.

Xiangling's eyes sparkled as she watched Mu Jin's every move.

How had it never crossed her mind that her dear friend possessed the makings of a chef!

Just look at those powerful chops! So dashing while beheading the fish!

Once back in Liyue, she'd definitely take Mu Jin to Wanmin Restaurant for a cooking session!

Mu Jin's desire to cook was a spur-of-the-moment thing, leading her to instinctively whip up a renowned dish.

Gazing at the starry heavens.

At that moment, bored to her core, Mu Jin's body moved on its own accord at the thought of the dish, as if she had mastered it after countless attempts.

Hmm, I wonder if Eula and the rest will enjoy it?

The onlookers gazed at the fish head, eyes bulging with a ghostly aura, and the utterly mismatched pies, then back at Mu Jin, who was laughing with pure joy.

"Are you going to try some?"

This... Can we actually eat this?