A moment later, Xiangling was called away by other diners, leaving only Mr. Zhongli and Guoba at the table for a moment. Guoba seemed to sense something, lifting his face which was stained with rice grains, his round eyes looking at this guest of extraordinary bearing.
Mr. Zhongli leaned down and gently placed a box of Scented Balm from his hand onto the ground in front of Guoba. His voice was gentle, low as a whisper, yet carried a familiarity that spanned a thousand years: "Old friend, this is for you."
"Though it is not as warm as the fires of ten thousand homes, it has a wisp of calming fragrance that may accompany you as you guard the smoke of this place."
"Wu?" Guoba's movements paused.
He tilted his head, looking at the Scented Balm and then at Mr. Zhongli. In those eyes that always seemed ignorant and confused, a flash of light passed very quickly, as if something deep within his sleeping memories had been gently touched.
He reached out a small paw and touched the exquisite Glazed Box, but he didn't grab it immediately, only letting out a muffled low cry.
Seeing this, the smile in Mr. Zhongli's eyes deepened. He said no more, only reaching out his hand. His fingertips brushed over the top of Guoba's furry head, extremely gently brushing away a vegetable leaf from the top of Guoba's head, his movements as natural as if he were treating an old friend.
At that exact moment, Xiangling returned with a bowl of clear soup: "Mr. Zhongli, try this to cleanse your palate... Eh? What did you give Guoba?"
Mr. Zhongli straightened up, his expression returning to normal, and said calmly: "Just a little trinket; I simply found him cute."
Having said that, he gave a slight bow to Xiangling: "Thank you for the hospitality, the bill remains..."
"I know, I know! Put it on the Seven Stars of Liyue's tab!" Xiangling interjected with a giggle, clearly having heard of this Zhongli Childe's ways long ago. He didn't look into it further; Liyue Harbor was full of eccentric and talented people, and he had long since grown used to it.
Mr. Zhongli nodded, and after drinking the soup, he turned to leave, his robes fluttering as he blended into the twilight.
Xiangling looked down and saw Guoba holding that box of Scented Balm, sniffing it curiously with his nose. He couldn't help but laugh: "You fellow, you certainly have good luck with food... uh, and with your nose too? Even Mr. Zhongli brought you a gift."
Guoba looked up toward the direction where Mr. Zhongli had disappeared. After a long time, he finally let out a "wu" in response, clutching the Scented Balm box tightly in his arms.
However, that back of Mr. Zhongli's, under the deepening night and the warm lights of Wanmin Restaurant, seemed to have gained a few hints of unspeakable weight.
With this, the final link of the Secret History of Wanmin Restaurant was quietly fastened during this ordinary conversation on an ordinary evening.
A casual word of "old friend" from Rex Lapis is enough to send ripples through the hearts of those in the know.
If Guoba were merely an ordinary pet, how could he possibly deserve to be called such by Rex Lapis? This posture of combined intimacy and respect is only reasonable when treating a former comrade and old friend who stood by his side.
From this perspective, our hypothesis is likely not a delusion.
Guoba is indeed that God of Stove, Machius, who dispersed his power for Liyue and fell into a slumber. He has forgotten his past and followed his instincts to return to his most beloved human smoke, continuing to guard the ten thousand lights of Liyue and the warmth of a single kitchen in another form.
[Conclusion: The Human World's Smoke]
Therefore, this delicious legend of Wanmin Restaurant is truly a warm poem written together by a Damselette and a God.
Guoba, this former God of Stove, may no longer be able to move mountains or fill seas, but in every bite and every drink, he is still silently fulfilling his original oath from a thousand years ago: to guard the smoke of the human world.
Having told the tale this far, I must also set aside my joking tone and hold the utmost respect.
We, the people of Liyue, may no longer know the hardships of that time, but whenever we sit around a stove and enjoy the comfort and joy brought by food, we should not forget that there was once a God who dispersed all his divine power for this.
So, next time you are feasting at Wanmin Restaurant and enjoying those stunning delicacies, if you catch a glimpse of that brown figure passing by the stove or lying lazily in a corner napping, you might as well silently say in your heart: "Thank you, Lord God of Stove."
(Note: This meal is a taste of history, of culture, and of God-level after-sales service.)
[Last Page of the Book]
Rex Lapis wanders and leaves the bills behind, while the God of Stove retires to guard the kitchen altar.
The thousand-year contract vanishes with the wind; only the smoke of human life warms the world.
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