Chapter 115

After 12 noon, Xia Zhi deliberately waited another half hour, but Miss Yanfei didn't come.

It seemed she would come in the evening, so he prepared to serve lunch.

The girls helped bring out dishes, and soon ten large bowls were arranged on the table.

This was the customary arrangement for hosting meals in Xia Zhi's hometown.

However, since Ganyu only ate vegetarian food, half of the dishes were replaced with vegetarian options by Xia Zhi. They were all glowing cuisine with [Melk Stardust] added for seasoning, perfect in appearance, aroma, and taste.

Xia Zhi even "saw" Madame Ping imperceptibly swallow several times.

Indeed, even immortals couldn't resist exceptionally delicious cuisine.

Xia Zhi couldn't help but think of Cloud Retainer. According to Shenhe, she loved good food. When she finished her seclusion and came by, he could properly host her.

They skipped alcohol since Xia Zhi didn't like drinking, and everyone present was female, so rainbow fruit juice for each person was better.

Liyue didn't have the custom of toasting, so after a few casual words, everyone started eating.

"Mmm~ Delicious!..."

Then there were no more words, as everyone was too immersed in eating to talk.

Xia Zhi smiled and scooped some magical mapo tofu for himself.

Usually, mapo tofu had five flavors, but this one had six.

The "spiciness" of Jueyun chilis, the "fragrance" of garlic sprouts, the appetite-arousing "colors" of white tofu, red peppers, and green garlic sprouts, the "heat," the "numbness" from wild pepper, and the "crispiness" from the fried soybean mince.

Because soybean mince replaced beef, this was a completely vegetarian dish.

And because Xia Zhi used [Frost-Marbled Tofu] in its preparation, with its rich, fresh bean aftertaste, this dish had a seventh flavor beyond the original six.

The endless "sweetness" of the aftertaste.

The hot, square tofu pieces were smooth and elastic, accompanied by red oil and soybean mince, melting instantly in the mouth, bringing intense spiciness to the taste buds.

Xia Zhi tried a bite with white rice and found it delicious.

He glanced at Ganyu, who was now eating with misty eyes, her face flushed red, crystalline sweat beads on her forehead, her rosy lips slightly parted, continuously breathing out.

Although the spiciness was overwhelming her, she couldn't help but continue eating, looking adorably both pained and happy, unable to stop.

Looking at Qiqi, her lips were touched with glossy red oil, but her expression remained blank.

For a zombie, even experiencing painful spiciness again was a luxury.

Unless Xia Zhi had [Path of the Netherworld Chef], using the power of rules, he couldn't make dishes that Qiqi could actually taste.

However, that was too expensive and not very versatile. Since Qiqi didn't come to eat every day, there was no need to buy it just for one gathering.

If his shop got another ghost employee in the future, then he might consider buying it...

While Xia Zhi was thinking about this, he suddenly heard the system's prompt.

"Progress bar has reached 100%, obtained Platinum Treasure Chest reward."

It filled up so quickly?

Xia Zhi was startled and couldn't help but "look" at Madame Ping.

The immortal was eating gracefully, appearing to eat slowly, but careful observation showed she was actually eating the fastest and most among everyone at the table.

As expected of an immortal.

Xia Zhi discreetly withdrew his observing gaze, looked down, and checked the Platinum Treasure Chest in his inventory.

This meal had certainly paid off.

This was his first Platinum Treasure Chest.

He chose to open it.

An exquisite, ancient hourglass appeared before his eyes.

[Hourglass of Time]

Quality: Platinum

Type: Rule Item

Properties: Time Stasis, Time Reversal

Effect: When inverted, can cause an area to enter a state of time stasis or time reversal.

Hidden Effect: The holder will remain eternally young.

Like [Thread of Fate], this was another new type of item Xia Zhi had never obtained before.

A Rule Item.

Compared to the rule fragment [Path of the Netherworld Chef], this [Hourglass of Time] clearly demonstrated more powerful temporal rule abilities.

The hidden effect "eternally young" was also interesting. Did this mean the holder would be unaffected by the wear of time's rules?

Xia Zhi pondered silently while continuing to eat.

After the meal, everyone leaned back in their chairs with satisfied expressions.

Only now did Ganyu look somewhat worried.

Her stomach was so full, had she eaten too much?

Eating like this occasionally shouldn't make her fat, right?

As the host, Xia Zhi needed to say something at this point.

"These past two days I've been busy with the shop and haven't properly prepared ingredients. I just bought some things to make do. Please forgive my inadequate hospitality, Madame Ping."

"Not at all, Mr. Xia is too modest. This old woman enjoyed the meal very much."

"I had invited Miss Xiangling and Miss Yanfei for lunch today, but they were busy and can probably only come in the evening."

"Those two children are quite busy usually."

"Being busy with what one loves is a good thing."

"That's true."

"Are Madame Ping and Yaoyao going to watch Miss Xiangling's cooking competition finals this afternoon?"

"Yes! Yaoyao will cheer for Senior Sister!"

"Please cheer for my share too."

"Okay!"

"If Madame Ping and Yaoyao are free this evening, please come back for dinner. It's more lively with more people."

"This..."

"I plan to make some new dishes tonight."

"Then we'll impose on Mr. Xia."

"It's no imposition."

Xia Zhi smiled and said softly.

"I didn't open this shop to make money, I just wanted to find something to do in Liyue. If I can make some friends during my stay here, that would be best."

"Mr. Xia has a free spirit."

"I just enjoy a leisurely life."

"Mr. Xia's personality is quite similar to a friend of mine."

"Oh?"

"The consultant Zhongli from Wangsheng Funeral Parlor next door. Perhaps Mr. Xia has already met him?"

"Ah, Mr. Zhongli, I know him..."

Zhu Zi couldn't help but interject with a smile: "Mr. Zhongli comes to our shop every day for fruit juice, but he always forgets to bring money and asks us to put it on Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's tab."

Madame Ping smiled warmly: "That's just like him. He likes to wander around Liyue daily, and sometimes comes to my place for tea."

"I've chatted with Mr. Zhongli several times. He's indeed a knowledgeable person with a calm temperament."

"He's also very easy to get along with."

"Mm... Since Mr. Zhongli is Madame Ping's good friend, why not invite him to join us for dinner tonight?"

"Of course."

"Then I'll trouble Madame Ping with that."

Madame Ping agreed with a smile. With Mr. Xia's excellent culinary skills, being able to invite friends to share was indeed a beautiful thing.

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