He didn't expect Ningguang to catch up to him.
This little girl, she was still as stubborn as she was twenty years ago.
Upon hearing this, Ningguang pouted and said discontentedly, "No matter how much money I earn, it's only to buy your time."
"Dine with me tonight. No refusing."
If anyone else heard these words, their jaws would probably drop to the floor in surprise.
Usually, it was wealthy merchants who spent huge sums to buy Ningguang's time; how could Ningguang also need to spend money to buy time?
Most importantly, Lord Ningguang, who was always aloof, actually had a side of acting like a spoiled little girl??
"Alright, alright, I'll listen to you." Makoto nodded.
Makoto paused, then continued to ask, "Should we call others?"
He still had many people he hadn't seen on this trip back to Liyue.
For example, Qiqi, for example, Shenhe, for example, Ganyu...
Upon hearing this, Ningguang shook his head: "No, let's not call them. Tonight, your time belongs only to me."
As he spoke, as if afraid Makoto would leave again, he even specifically grabbed Makoto's hand.
Makoto suddenly felt that Ningguang, now grown up, was not cute at all.
So domineering and strong-willed.
...
Qunyu Pavilion.
This palace suspended in the sky was originally built jointly by Makoto and Ningguang.
It had complete facilities, naturally including a kitchen.
Ningguang specifically instructed Baishi to buy some groceries and then dismiss all the staff from Qunyu Pavilion.
This greatly surprised Baishi.
Was Lord Ningguang going to cook personally?
One must know that Ningguang had not cooked for many years.
It was rumored in Liyue that Ningguang's cooking skills were not bad, but unfortunately, no one could taste them.
Who was so fortunate to have Lord Ningguang cook for him personally?
Although Baishi was curious and surprised, he still followed Ningguang's instructions.
After buying the ingredients Ningguang wanted, he then dismissed all the staff from Qunyu Pavilion.
Now, Qunyu Pavilion was exceptionally quiet and empty.
Only Ningguang was there.
After everyone had left, Makoto finally appeared.
There was no other way; his current identity was quite special, so he could only stay as far away from crowds as possible.
Because if someone recognized him, he might not be able to wander freely in the mortal world anymore.
Soon, Ningguang tied on an apron and walked towards the kitchen, telling Makoto to rest for a while.
Not long after, a fragrant aroma wafted from the kitchen, and Ningguang emerged carrying dishes.
He had made three dishes and one soup in total.
The three dishes were Di San Xian, Dongpo Pork, and Beggar's Chicken.
And the soup was Loofah and Fried Egg Soup.
Looking at the three dishes and one soup in front of him, Makoto subconsciously raised an eyebrow.
These dishes did not belong to the continent of Teyvat.
Yet Ningguang knew how to make them?
Ningguang also noticed Makoto's surprise and softly said, "Knowing that Makoto liked these dishes, I specifically researched how to make them."
Because Makoto's dishes were quite unique,
Ningguang searched all the chefs in Liyue, but no one knew how to make these three dishes.
Because of this, he could only slowly explore and research on his own.
He constantly experimented until the taste was similar to the meals Makoto had made from his memory.
He had put a lot of effort into these dishes, just so that one day he could cook a meal for Makoto.
"Although I know it can't compare to Makoto's cooking, I still hope you like it."
Upon hearing this, Makoto nodded gently: "You put a lot of thought into it."
As he spoke, he picked up his chopsticks, took a piece of food, and put it in his mouth to taste it carefully.
Ningguang rested his hand on his beautiful face, quietly gazing at Makoto, his eyes filled with tenderness.
"Makoto, how do you think it tastes?"
Makoto put down his chopsticks and nodded gently: "It's good, very delicious."
This answer made Ningguang very happy, even happier than when he usually earned tens of millions of Mora.
"If Makoto likes to eat, then eat more. It's no problem for me to cook for you every day from now on."
Ningguang's eyes sparkled, and his tone was gentle.
Many years ago, Makoto always said this to him.
Many years later, he also responded to Makoto in the same way.
"Makoto, try this soup, it should be quite sweet."
"And this meat, you must eat it while it's hot, otherwise, it won't taste good if it gets cold."
Ningguang kept putting food into Makoto's bowl.
In front of Makoto, he was not the powerful Tianquan Star of the Liyue Seven Stars; he was just an ordinary, slightly clingy girl.
Makoto hadn't even taken a bite of his food, and his bowl was already full of dishes that Ningguang had put in.
However, this was all Ningguang's care, and Makoto ate all the dishes.
After this dinner, the sky had completely darkened.
Ningguang looked at the clear and flawless moon outside the window and proactively suggested, "Makoto, after dinner, why don't we go for a walk?"
Makoto also felt that he had eaten too much and that a walk would be nice.
The two left Qunyu Pavilion and arrived at Yaoguang Shoal.
Moonlight quietly spilled onto the sea, and waves crashed against the shore, then quickly receded.
Only two sets of footprints were left on the beach.
Makoto noticed that Ningguang beside him had a faint smile on his face, as if he had been very happy since this evening.
Because of this, Makoto couldn't help but ask, "Ningguang, you seem very happy tonight. Is there something joyful happening?"
Upon hearing this, Ningguang paused slightly.
He looked up into Makoto's eyes, then chuckled and said, "Makoto's return is something worth celebrating."
"Going for a walk with Makoto makes me feel like I've forgotten all my worries."
"Having you by my side makes me feel much more at ease."
Upon hearing this, Makoto smiled faintly.
Ningguang had already become one of the Liyue Seven Stars, yet he was still so clingy.
"Since that's the case, then I'll stay for a few more days."
Ningguang looked up, staring intently at Makoto: "Only a few days?"
"Little girl, then how long do you want me to stay?"
"No matter how long you stay, I want to be by your side."
"If you run off secretly again like last time, leaving everything behind, I will definitely not let you off."
Makoto raised an eyebrow and retorted, "How will you not let me off?"
"I'll make you drink tea! Drink tea all night long!"
Makoto was greatly alarmed; this little girl was so ruthless.
"Alright, alright, next time I sneak off, I'll take you with me, okay?"
"That's more like it."
Upon hearing Makoto's reply, Ningguang's face lit up with joy.
He didn't care if he was Tianquan Star of the Liyue Seven Stars, nor did he care how much money he could earn.
None of that mattered; what was important was that he wanted to stay by Makoto's side.
Ningguang paused, then continued, "Makoto, I want to hear you tell a story, can I?"
"Of course, what story do you want to hear?"
"Let's hear... the story of when we first met."
"Alright, back then, you were just a little girl, selling Starconch barefoot at the Port."
The two walked side by side under the moonlight, their shadows stretched long.
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