C4 The Hill Is Sick

Hu Tao watched Mu Jin's excitement bubble over and found herself at a loss for words. She, who usually had a trick up her sleeve for everyone else, seemed to falter when it came to Mu Jin.

Ding! Hu Tao's favorability level reached 30%. She saw you as a peculiar white-haired simpleton, yet a decent person worth befriending. The favorability reward has been distributed.

"Wow, did my favorability shoot up that fast?"

No matter, the crystal is what matters!

Unaware of her straightforward approach, Mu Jin was inwardly delighted.

Xiangling felt like an outsider, clutching the warmth of her rice crust as if it were her only ally.

"I was here first... I should be feeling twice as happy..."

"Can't I come along? Pretty please, Hu Tao? I'd love to see the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor~"

Mu Jin's plea was instinctive, a charm woven into the very fabric of her being. She hadn't even noticed how Kaslana's lineage swayed her thoughts, as if coquettishness was her natural state with someone dear—a skilled cook and a tender-hearted girl.

Mu Jin's gaze lingered on Hu Tao, a sense of longing for that girl, who must have been dear to Kiana Kaslana, creeping in. That girl was likely Raiden Mei. Mu Jin had dabbled in the game Honkai Impact 3rd, but only briefly, just enough to grasp their connection, leaving the rest of the story a mystery. Yet, this body's instincts pined for her.

Hu Tao observed Mu Jin and couldn't shake the feeling that she was seeing someone else's reflection.

"Off we go! We'll talk over dinner!"

Despite her irritation, Hu Tao grabbed Mu Jin with one hand and Xiangling, who had been reminiscing and questioning her existence, with the other. They were off to Wanmin Restaurant for a well-deserved meal.

"Big Qiu is sick, Second Qiu, take a look~"

Hu Tao sang her self-composed nursery rhyme, hands clasped behind her, bouncing along.

"Third Qiu gathers herbs, Fourth Qiu brews~"

Mu Jin chimed in with the next line. She had heard Hu Tao's tune so often on their journey that she had picked it up herself.

Due to their similar voices, Xiangling, caught in the middle, suddenly found the once-familiar hilichurl ballad morphing into a stereo experience. It was an adjustment she wasn't quite ready for.

The trio hurried back to Wanmin Restaurant, racing against the setting sun. Liyue at night was a spectacle of lights, with vendors calling out to sell their goods and soldiers patrolling in the distance.

The streets teemed with life, everyone's faces alight with joy and ease. For Mu Jin, the outsider, the vibrancy of Liyue was a profound revelation. Accustomed to the fast-paced modern world, she had never witnessed such a scene. Even though Xiangling had shown her around that morning, the impact was no less intense.

Mu Jin's eyes sparkled as she took it all in, particularly captivated by the snack stands. If only she had money on her, she would've dashed over and demonstrated her legendary appetite! But soon enough, she'd be savoring Xiangling's cooking, and the thought alone made her chuckle.

Her mouth watered in anticipation, her stomach joining in with an eager rumble. Kiana Kaslana must have a constitution that gets hungry easily, right? Or more accurately, one that craves tasty treats at the sight of them.

The locals, accustomed to their conservative ways, couldn't help but notice the trio—Xiangling and Hu Tao were familiar faces, but the silver-haired girl with eyes gleaming at the sight of the food stalls was a curiosity.

Bathed in the moonlight, Mu Jin's attire seemed to stir whispers among the Liyue citizens. Her silver hair and the cut of her clothes seemed a tad bold, didn't they? (Liyue's special attack: silver hair and blue eyes!)

Hu Tao and Xiangling, aware of the attention, decided it was time to find Mu Jin an outfit that blended in a bit more. After all, standing out might be fun, but constant stares could be unsettling.

Oblivious to the crowd's thoughts, Mu Jin's smile never wavered as she kept pace with her friends, who had kindly slowed down for her.

They quickly made their way back to the Wanmin Restaurant.

Mu Jin scanned the bustling Wanmin Restaurant, which was nearly full, and instinctively glanced at Xiangling.

All Xiangling did was set the rice crust on the floor, mimed rolling up her sleeves, and charged in!

Before heading off, she made sure Hu Tao and Mu Jin settled into one of the few vacant seats.

"Dad! I'm home!"

"Settle in here for now. Here's the menu. Mu Jin, you go ahead and order. Hu Tao, you're sticking to the usual, right?"

"Absolutely! And definitely no Clearheart Stir-Fried Slime Condensate for me!"

"Hehe, wouldn't dream of it!" Xiangling laughed sheepishly before dashing into the kitchen to get busy.

The rice crust toddled after her on its stubby legs.

As Mu Jin's hungry gaze roved over the menu's signature dishes, her stomach growling and head spinning, she was about to place her order when a voice halted her.

"Sorry... there's no room anywhere else... may I sit here?"

Mu Jin looked up, momentarily frozen in place.