C9 I Am Going to Go out with Hu Tao!!

"Wow! Xiangling's food really is the best!"

Mu Jin contentedly patted her belly; the spread on the table had been swiftly devoured by her.

But still...

She needed to become an adventurer soon, take on more quests, and earn some extra cash.

Constantly mooching meals wasn't exactly honorable.

Mu Jin felt a twinge of conscience.

"Hehe, I'm glad you enjoy it."

Xiangling was always welcoming to the pair of freeloaders.

Seeing someone relish the dishes she prepared and hearing their compliments was the ultimate reward for a chef like her.

"By the way, I'm heading to Mondstadt in a few days. They have lots of foods there that you can't find in Liyue."

"So, I might not be able to cook for you for a little while."

"Eh~"

Mu Jin perked up, listening intently, pondering whether to tag along with Xiangling to Mondstadt.

Wasn't Mondstadt currently under attack by the Wind Demon Dragon?

The traveler wouldn't reach Liyue for a while yet.

If she went to Mondstadt, she could meet them sooner.

And check out whether the traveler was Brother Kong or Sister Ying.

Lost in her thoughts, Mu Jin was snapped back to reality when Hu Tao poked her forehead.

"What's up?"

"You look so dazed. What are you thinking about? Are you considering going to Mondstadt with Xiangling?"

Hu Tao had guessed Mu Jin's thoughts and voiced them outright.

"Going together sounds great! It'll be more fun for me and the rice crust if we have company on the road!"

Xiangling was clearly enthusiastic.

Hu Tao, meanwhile, watched Mu Jin's bewildered expression, wondering if she could be lured away by the promise of food.

"Eh? Can I really come?"

"Of course! It's always more fun with more people!"

"Wuwaa... Xiangling, you're such a good person..."

She made up her mind!

If she ever pulled a character with Max cooking skills, she'd definitely whip up an unforgettable meal for Xiangling!

Though Kiana could also make 'unforgettable' meals, those were memorable for all the wrong reasons...

She feared that once she finished eating, she'd suddenly find herself on Wuwang Hill, ready to be spirited away by Hu Tao.

"Is Hu Tao coming to Mondstadt with us?!" Mu Jin and Xiangling asked with excitement, only to be met with the inevitable... rejection.

Hu Tao looked at the two suddenly sullen figures before her and shrugged, "What can I do? The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor keeps this Director very busy."

Hmph, had I not left the Funeral Parlor today, I might have actually fallen for your tall tales.

"Alright... so, Mu Jin, we set off in three days?"

"Yes!"

Three days was the perfect amount of time to get ready for an adventure!

They were in agreement.

Hu Tao smiled, propping up her chin as she watched them, her mood lifting slightly.

But she couldn't help wondering if they'd be bored without them in Liyue.

Ah well, no use overthinking it. They'd all end up back in Liyue eventually.

"Golden-Striped Shrimp Balls for table six! Ready to go!"

"Coming right up!"

Mu Jin, apron-clad, carried the dishes with a steady gait to table six.

After reaching an agreement with Xiangling that morning, Hu Tao had left her at the Wanmin Restaurant.

Perfect timing for the lunch rush.

Seeing Xiangling and her father overwhelmed, Mu Jin couldn't just stand by and watch. She donned an apron, took orders, and welcomed customers with gusto.

Thankfully, she hadn't let her hair down today... it would have been too hot, and she risked making a mess.

"Here are your Golden-Striped Shrimp Balls."

"Thank you."

What she hadn't expected was to see the famous engraver dining at Wanmin Restaurant.

The one who had ordered the Golden-Striped Shrimp Balls was none other than the renowned Keqing of the Liyue Qixing.

She observed the girl with purple twin ponytails, her hair styled like cat ears, dressed in finery and black silk.

Her demeanor stood out starkly from her surroundings.

Mu Jin found herself taking several extra glances.

It was as if the paper figure had leapt into reality... but this was something to be approached gradually.

Keqing caught Mu Jin's gaze and looked up.

Their eyes met.

Ultimately, Mu Jin offered a gentle (and slightly goofy) smile.

Ding! Keqing's initial impression of you is at 10%—a girl who looks lovely when she smiles, with striking blue eyes.

Before Mu Jin could delve into the details, she was swept up in the next order.

"Two orders of Boiled Black Back Bass!"

"Right away!"

As Keqing savored her Golden-Striped Shrimp Balls, she watched Mu Jin bustling about.

If only my subordinates had half the dedication of this girl, Keqing mused with a sigh. Girls certainly made for a more pleasant and worry-free sight than the old-timers.

As the lunch rush tapered off, Mu Jin finally got a moment to breathe.

It was nearing afternoon, and he still hadn't made it to the Adventurers' Guild.

"You've been working hard. Here, this is for you to eat."

Mu Jin accepted the meal Xiangling had prepared, noting the sweat on the young girl's brow. "You've been working hard too, Xiangling."

"Oh, it's nothing, really. I actually enjoy being busy," Xiangling replied with a light laugh.

Chef Mao joined them, taking a seat and sipping his tea before starting his meal.

The father-daughter duo looked thoroughly spent, and one could only imagine the dinner rush.

"Actually, Xiangling, I was thinking of heading to the Adventurers' Guild this afternoon..."

"You're thinking of signing up to be an adventurer?"

Xiangling seemed genuinely surprised, not having pegged Mu Jin for the adventuring type, especially given the state he was in when they found him.

"Yeah... I need to earn some Mora... It doesn't feel right to keep living off others' generosity."

Though, truth be told, he was mostly interested in gathering crystals.

Xiangling pondered for a moment, remembering her own busy schedule. "This afternoon... I have to go out and get supplies."

"No worries, I can go on my own."

Hmm... It can't be that hard to find, can it?

But Mu Jin had utterly forgotten that she didn't recognize a single Tivat script.

There she was, crouched alone by the roadside, her gaze empty as she stared at the ground.

The bustling vibe of the surroundings had nothing to do with her.

She was seriously considering giving her overconfident self from earlier a good smack.

The curious stares from passersby were just... mortifying.

... "Hey, are you okay? Do you need some help?"

A familiar voice drifted down to Mu Jin.