After leaving Bubu Pharmacy, Childe received a location from his Fatui agents hiding in the shadows: the Golden House. He wanted to investigate immediately, but before he could take a step, a badly injured Fatui agent stumbled out.
"L-Lord Childe, help! The place where we're making the Hundred-Eyed Talismans has been attacked!"
"You idiot, keep your voice down! This isn't Northland Bank."
They were right below Yujing Terrace. If the Millelith heard them, they'd all be invited for tea. If not for the injuries on this agent, Childe would have already disciplined him.
Realizing how foolish his outburst had been, the agent lowered his voice and leaned close to Childe's ear.
"Lord Childe, there was a huge explosion at the Hundred-Eyed Talisman workshop. Many of our men are down. The captain sent me to notify you immediately."
"A huge explosion? Has someone else discovered the Hundred-Eyed Talismans?"
A flicker of killing intent crossed Childe's eyes. He would need to investigate this personally. If something went wrong with the talismans, his plan would fail.
"Send men to watch the Golden House. I'll investigate after I've dealt with the talisman matter."
"And have my personal men return to Snezhnaya immediately. What's about to happen may cost many lives."
As a Fatui Harbinger, Childe was never a merciful man. But he was always generous with his personal men. Whatever was coming, having a few more or fewer agents wouldn't change anything. Rather than leaving them here to die, he would send them back home.
"Remember, keep this quiet. The rest of you, finish your work and return to Snezhnaya as well."
With that, Childe left Yujing Terrace. He was going to settle accounts with those who had dared cross him. He would show them what cruelty truly meant.
The agents exchanged glances. They hadn't expected Lord Childe to give them a way out. Watching him leave, they couldn't help but feel moved. But there were more important matters at hand—carrying out Childe's orders.
"Su Bai, I haven't been in Liyue long, but I've never been to a place like this."
"Are you trying to treat me to some relaxation? So, are the ladies inside pretty? I want two!"
Lumine stared at the words "Chunxiang Boutique," a strange glint in her eyes. After being in Teyvat for so long, she had never visited such an establishment. It seemed today she would broaden her horizons.
Paimon scratched her head, confused. She didn't understand why Lumine was so excited. Rather than this place, she would rather go to Wanmin Restaurant, not far away, for some good food. Whatever Xiangling was cooking smelled amazing.
"Speaking generally, this may not be the kind of place you're imagining, Lumine."
Su Bai looked at Lumine's excitement with a headache. Surely Lumine didn't think Chunxiang Boutique was that kind of place? And even if it were, why was she, a girl, so excited? It was absurd.
"Huh? Then why is the door locked? Are you sure it's not that kind of place?"
Lumine's expression fell, her tone full of regret. Still, she asked again, unwilling to give up. She really wanted to go inside and see.
"I don't know. But I'm sure Chunxiang Boutique is a legitimate place. Whether the people inside are legitimate, though, I can't say."
Looking at the locked door, Su Bai shrugged. It seemed the proprietor wasn't in. They might as well go to Wanmin Restaurant next door to eat and wait. When it came to scented balm, she was the best.
"Let's go to Wanmin Restaurant and wait. We can have dinner there."
Paimon raised both hands in enthusiastic agreement with Su Bai's suggestion. She had been drooling over the aroma wafting from Wanmin Restaurant. If not for unfinished business, she would have run over there already.
"Welcome~"
"Oh, it's you, Su Bai. What would you like to eat?"
Perhaps because it was late, Wanmin Restaurant wasn't very busy. At this hour, many people bought takeout and went to "Three Bowls to Leave the Harbor" to listen to storytelling while drinking.
For some reason, the wine served at Wanmin Restaurant wasn't very good. Of course, it might be due to competition from other cuisines. Regardless, Su Bai thought the wine he'd had at Wanmin Restaurant was possibly less tasty than the cooking wine Xiangling used.
This situation had persisted for some time, and Ningguang seemed satisfied with it. In her words, rather than one establishment dominating the market, Liyue needed a hundred flowers blooming. So as long as competition didn't break the law, she generally didn't interfere.
"Leave the ordering to little Paimon. Looks like she can't wait."
Su Bai handed the menu to Paimon. She didn't stand on ceremony, taking it and studying it carefully. Since she wasn't paying for this meal, she planned to order dishes she wouldn't normally splurge on.
"One Jade Fruit Medley."
"Um, little Paimon, I'm afraid that's not possible. We're out of ham."
"Then how about some Boiled Black-back Perch? The name sounds delicious."
"You have good taste, little Paimon. That's one of our signature dishes. Many people love it. Unfortunately, we're also out of bass..."
Xiangling complimented Paimon, then scratched her head awkwardly. Business had been good lately, and naturally, they had sold out of most ingredients.
"Huh? Then surely you still have Sautéed Matsutake with Jueyun Chili?"
"Um... also sold out..."
Xiangling's voice grew softer. Paimon was dumbfounded. Finally, someone else was treating, and when they got to Wanmin Restaurant, everything was sold out? What was this nonsense?
"Cough, cough. How about I improvise with what's left? I have some ideas for new dishes. You can taste test for me, and I won't charge you."
Thinking of the large pile of fresh Slime Condensate and Whopperflower Nectar in the kitchen, Xiangling's eyes lit up. Ideas for new dishes formed in her mind.
Before Su Bai could refuse, Paimon had already agreed. Seeing Su Bai and Zhongli staring at her with strange expressions, Paimon tilted her head. What was wrong with them? Did they have a problem with free food?
After a short while, Xiangling's voice came from the kitchen. She emerged carrying a large bowl filled with a bouncy, white, unidentified substance. It was topped with some kind of yellow stuff. Looking at the presentation, Su Bai doubted he could even pick up his chopsticks.
"Sweet Matsutake with Slime Condensate, coming right up~"