"Dad, I'm back!"
"Woo-woo!"
Xiangling entered Wanmin Restaurant, with Guoba following behind her.
"Hmm, you're back," answered Chef Mao without turning his head.
He was busy organizing ingredients in the kitchen. Since they'd eaten out at the Summer Shop tonight, Wanmin Restaurant had remained closed, leaving a surplus of ingredients prepared earlier in the day. Thankfully, the weather had cooled considerably, so with proper storage, they could still be used the next day.
Xiangling followed him into the kitchen, impatiently tugging at his sleeve.
"Dad! Dad!"
"Hmm?"
"Look at me! Look at me!"
"Wait, I'm busy right now."
"Come on, hurry up!"
Chef Mao turned his head with a trace of helplessness, seeing his daughter's excited expression.
"What's going on?"
"Look, look! My face!"
"Have you taken a bath?"
"No! Look closely! Doesn't it look whiter?"
"Is that so? I can't really tell."
"I'll go grab the lamp!"
Xiangling fetched a lamp from the table.
Chef Mao leaned in for a closer look and seemed a bit surprised.
"It really does look whiter!"
"Hehe, Mr. Xia helped me!"
"Oh."
"Dad, what's with that tone?"
"Well, it's Mr. Xia after all."
Chef Mao chuckled and turned back to his work.
Xiangling touched her smooth, tender cheeks.
Suddenly, she let out a sigh, putting the lamp back on the table.
Chef Mao couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong, Xiangling?"
"It's nothing. Dad, let me help you tidy up."
"No need. You've already bathed, so don't get your clothes dirty again. Just head to your room and rest. You've been traveling for days."
"…Alright."
--
Tonight, Shenhe didn't knock on the wall, because her senior sister was staying over at the store.
Ganyu sat on the bed, feeling the warm blankets beneath her.
"Junior Sister, that gathering this afternoon was lively."
"Oh."
"Those women, the way their eyes lit up when they saw the lipstick in Ningguang's hand…"
"Oh."
"Such a tiny tube, but it costs 79 Mora. I think that's a bit expensive."
"Mm."
Shenhe was painting her nails, responding absently.
Ganyu didn't find it boring at all—she'd spent the past few days alone in her office, bored out of her mind. Now that she finally had someone she could confide in, her desire to talk surged.
"I've been having trouble sleeping these past few nights. How have you been sleeping, Junior Sister?"
"No trouble."
Shenhe glanced up at her.
With the boss's sturdy waist, her nights were perfectly restful.
"That's good."
"Is it work stress, Senior Sister?"
"Not really. I've had plenty of free time. Otherwise, I wouldn't have come here today."
"Has the Secretariat been set up yet?"
"Not yet. It'll be a while longer. I'll have even more free time then."
"Oh?"
"Mr. Xia sent me some tea. Drinking it keeps my mind sharp and makes me much more efficient at handling tasks."
"Oh."
"Speaking of which, Junior Sister, your figure seems to have grown again."
"Really?"
"Take a look yourself. That nightgown used to fit just fine, but now the buttons won't close anymore!"
"Maybe I've been eating too well."
"Must be. The other people at your shop seem to have grown too. Junior Sister, want to go shopping for clothes during the weekend?"
"Sure."
"I'll come pick you up then."
"Mm."
--
The next morning, Madame Ping frowned slightly as she faced the two old friends before her. "You're saying you want to take a disciple?"
Mountain Shaper nodded. "What do you think?"
Madame Ping pondered for a moment. "If Xiangling is willing, I have no objections."
Moon Carver chuckled. "Of course she'll agree. Let's head over to Wanmin Restaurant and ask her."
As the two adepti left, Madame Ping shook her head and went inside to teach Yaoyao her lessons.
A short while later, the two adepti appeared at the Summer Shop with Xiangling in tow.
It was still early. Xia Zhi was in the kitchen, preparing breakfast.
"Xiangling wants to take a master?"
"Yes. What do you think, Mr. Xia?"
"A proper apprenticeship?"
"Yes!"
"Complete with formal ceremonies, just like we did for Madame Ping."
Xia Zhi thought it over and nodded.
"Sure."
Moon Carver beamed.
As expected, his divination had been spot on.
But on second thought, when all the disciples' marriage fortunes pointed toward the same individual, it wasn't something he could easily laugh about.
Mountain Shaper nudged Xiangling. "What are you waiting for? Call him Master!"
"Oh! Master!"
"Mm."
Xia Zhi smiled and answered.
"Xiangling, have you had breakfast?"
"Not yet."
"What about you two, Adepti?"
"Not yet!"
"Well then, why not stay and have breakfast together?"
"Sounds good!"
"Xiangling, help me crack some eggs."
"Okay! Master, what are we making this morning?"
"We have plenty of leftover rice from last night. Let's make golden fried rice."
"Should I break up the rice?"
"Yes. Fried rice may be a simple recipe, but there are many techniques and nuances involved. Watch carefully and learn."
"Got it!"
"Also, slice some mushrooms. I'll make a vegetarian fried rice for Miss Ganyu."
"Sure!"
Xiangling eagerly lent a hand.
She was skilled at this.
When it came to kitchen tasks, she was much faster than Zhu Zi and the others.
Having such a capable assistant made cooking much easier for Xia Zhi.
As he stir-fried the rice, he explained the finer points to Xiangling.
She listened intently.
"If you have questions, feel free to ask."
"Okay!"
When the fried rice was ready, Xiangling saw something familiar.
The food glowed!
It was a dazzling light!
This was the question she had set out to investigate on her travels, but she hadn't found an answer.
Now, she couldn't help but ask:
"Master, how do you make it glow?"
"You have to put your heart into it."
"Huh?"
"It's not something you'll understand immediately. Watch me cook more often, and you'll gradually figure it out."
"Alright!"
"Now go call everyone to have breakfast."
"Sure!"
The two adepti happily ate the golden fried rice, their faces full of contentment.
It was far better than Madame Ping's cooking!
After breakfast, the two adepti conducted a formal apprenticeship ceremony.
Xiangling was familiar with the ceremony and ended by offering a cup of tea to Xia Zhi.
Xia Zhi accepted the tea, took a sip, and officially acknowledged her as his disciple.
Xia Ci, holding a kamera, snapped photos from the side with great interest.
Qiqi stood nearby, watching the entire ceremony, her eyes reflecting a peculiar glint.
She had been learning about herbal medicine from the boss, and in a way, she was already his disciple. After all, she came first…
Shenhe's gaze turned slightly odd as well.
She had taught boss the adepti sigil/talisman techniques in a dream, and he had called her "Master."
Now Xiangling was calling him "Master." Did that make her Xiangling's grandmaster?
And her own master, Cloud Retainer, would then be Xiangling's great-grandmaster?
And Madame Ping was already Xiangling's primary master. By this calculation, Cloud Retainer suddenly seemed two generations higher than Madame Ping…
It was all rather confusing.
Better for everyone to just stick to their usual titles.
After the ceremony, the two adepti left.
Xiangling, ever dutiful, went to the kitchen to wash dishes.
Over the next two days, Xiangling alternated between Wanmin Restaurant and the Summer Shop.
Xia Zhi's teaching method was simple.
"Your first task is to make a plate of golden fried rice that I'm satisfied with."
Xiangling accepted the challenge with enthusiasm.
And so, Wanmin Restaurant's menu suddenly featured a new special item—fried rice—over those two days.
On Thursday morning, Zhu Zi and Diona returned as usual with a heap of chicken.
Meanwhile, Xia Ci ventured out alone. She went to Hanfeng Ironmongers to pay for and collect her custom-made parts. Back in the rear workshop, she assembled them into a rather hefty recorder.
She tested it out and found the sound quality quite decent.
Around noon, Keqing arrived from the construction site.
"Is this the thing you mentioned earlier?"
"Yes. Once we install it in the places you talked about, it can be used as a broadcast system, for announcements and music alike."
"How do I use it?"
"There's a polished Electro Crystal inside to power it. When it runs out, you'll need to recharge it. And you have a Vision, so you can charge it yourself. Go on, try it."
"…"
Keqing took the device and, following Xia Ci's instructions, charged it until it made a beeping sound.
"It's done. That sound means it's fully charged."
"Alright."
"Press this button, and then speak into it."
"Let me try… Hello?"
The device echoed back, "Hello."
"It really is my voice…"
Keqing stared at it, lost in thought.
"This could be quite useful…"
"Isn't it? It's just a bit bulky. I'll refine it further."
"Mm."
Since it was already noon, Keqing decided to stay for lunch.
"Miss Keqing, did you finish that jar of sauce you took home last time?"
"It's all gone!"
"I've made a few more jars. If you like, feel free to take some home again."
"Great! Thanks, Mr. Xia!"
Keqing was genuinely pleased.
During the meal, Xiangling suddenly sighed.
Zhu Zi asked curiously, "What's wrong?"
"It's nothing. Just a small problem."
"What problem?"
"Well, I've been practicing fried rice at home. I made so much that even when I gave it away, some customers found it too greasy and preferred plain rice. I don't want it to go to waste…"
"Is that all?"
"Sigh, if only there were a place where I could cook freely, where there were lots of people with simple tastes who would eat it all and give feedback…"
Xiangling muttered under her breath.
Keqing lifted her head and remarked, "I know a place like that…"
"Really?"
"Our construction site is just such a place…"
"!"
"There are plenty of workers who just want to fill up. They won't complain about grease or salt. No matter how much you cook, it'll all get eaten…"
"!!"
Xiangling's eyes lit up.
That would be the perfect place to hone her cooking skills!
"If you're interested, I can take you there."
"Sure! I'll go pack my cookware right now! Let's head to the site!"
"Alright…"
Xiangling, full of enthusiasm, thought to herself, "When I return from the construction site, Master will surely look at me with newfound respect!"
Keqing was also quite pleased. At last, she'd have some decent meals at the construction site.
The two exchanged a smile, sharing a sense of hope for the future.
Xia Zhi nodded and said, "There's no rush, Xiangling. You can head there a bit later. It's Thursday, and I plan to make fried chicken this afternoon. Stick around and learn."
"Oh, alright! Master! Miss Keqing, I'll come a bit later!"
Keqing nodded solemnly. "No problem. I'll wait for you."
She didn't really care about the fried chicken. She just wanted to make a new friend. Having Xiangling around for late-night snacks would be convenient.
In the afternoon, Yun Jin arrived.
As per their weekly arrangement, she was here to get her legs massaged by Xia Zhi.
Just as she entered the shop, she heard him singing.
It was "The Divine Damsel of Devastation" again.
But this time, his voice was even more beautiful than before!
Within it, Yun Jin seemed to hear the sound of ocean waves.
She stood at the door, listening until he finished the performance, then stepped inside.
"Mr. Xia, your singing was incredible!"
"Miss Yun Jin, you're too kind. We were just recording."
"Oh? Recording?"
Yun Jin looked curiously at the large gramophone on the table.
"This?"
"Mm."
Xia Ci pressed a switch, and opera music began playing instantly.
"Alas—"
It sounded just as beautiful as when Xia Zhi had sung it moments ago.
Moreover, the recording retained the unique qualities of his voice, making it feel as though one could hear the ocean.
As Yun Jin listened, a look of astonishment appeared on her face.
If this device could be brought to Yun-Han Opera Troupe, it would have immense value…
Normally, patrons had to visit the Heyu Tea House in person to hear her performances.
But if her singing could be recorded, wouldn't that mean people could enjoy it from home?
As both the head of Yun-Han Opera Troupe and a savvy businesswoman, Yun Jin sensed a potential breakthrough.
"Did Miss Xia Ci make this?"
"Yes. Unfortunately, it's too heavy. I plan to refine it further."
"You can refine it even more?"
"My ideal design would be something palm-sized, portable."
Yun Jin's eyes widened slightly.
"Could it really be made that small?"
"Of course."
Seeing Xia Ci's confident smile, Yun Jin hesitated briefly before stepping closer.
"Miss Xia Ci."
"Yes?"
"I have an idea… What do you think?"
After listening, Xia Ci smiled. "Oh, you mean like a cassette tape."
"Cassette tape?"
"Yes, that's what you're describing. Great idea. Once it's ready, I'll have you test it."
"Sure!"
Yun Jin nodded.
She had a feeling that Yun-Han Opera Troupe was about to flourish under her leadership.
---
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