Chapter 355

As soon as Takumi walked through the door of Wanmin Restaurant, a shopkeeper, who was at the level of a 'lower god,' approached and asked, "Sir, the upper god, would you like to reserve a private room or have a meal in advance?"

She was a god who had ascended from the lower world and joined the Liyue God System. Afterward, she worked under Lord Marcusius and decided to settle in Liyue Harbor.

She was a human god, accustomed to the human way of life, so she joined Wanmin Restaurant as the shopkeeper.

'Wanmin Restaurant' is one of the largest 'communities' in the 'Liyue Divine System.'

Oh, the term "community" is said to be a system established by a higher god above the main god. So, she was now a member of the 'Wanmin Community.' For most gods who ascended to the lower realms or were cultivated internally, the community felt like 'home.' And the god of Wanmin Restaurant treated its members very well.

Takumi smiled and said, "I'm a friend of Xiangling and Lord Marcusius, so I came to see her."

"A friend of the gods? Really?"

Why hadn't the upper god's friend contacted her directly through the 'chat group'? Although she had only recently joined the community, it was customary for upper god's friends to make arrangements in advance.

Takumi said, "Of course, this is to surprise her. Relying too much on the chat group would ruin the fun."

"Ah! So that's it. My apologies, sir. I'll contact the god right away."

She hurriedly contacted Lord Marcusius through the 'chat group.'

Her thoughts had been entirely seen through. Was this the power of a superior god? It was incredible.

After a short while, Xiangling appeared, running toward Takumi.

"Brother Takumi! Long time no see!" Running up to Takumi, Xiangling's cute face was flushed, her lively and youthful energy evident.

Behind Xiangling, Marcusius rushed over in a panic, nodding and bowing repeatedly, looking almost comical like a teddy bear: "Lord Takumi, I deeply apologize for not coming to greet you immediately."

He was sweating profusely. It was just like when Lord Tianli had paid a private visit incognito, and he hadn't known it. It was terrifying.

Takumi's lips twitched slightly. The teddy bear... had revealed his identity straight away.

However, he hadn't been hiding his identity intentionally; he just hadn't said it explicitly.

Not only Marcusius, but the diners in the restaurant also looked at him with astonishment.

For the diners, even if a main god arrived, this 'God of Stoves' did not bow like this. What kind of powerful figure was this!

The shopkeeper couldn't help but cover her mouth in shock. She had actually spoken with someone so significant that even Lord Marcusius bowed to him.

Xiangling blinked, looking at Marcusius and then at Takumi in confusion. "Brother Takumi, are you really someone important?"

Marcusius realized what he had done, and his face fell, as if he had been petrified.

Takumi waved his hand. "Alright, Marcusius, no need to be petrified."

He looked at Xiangling and said gently, "Xiangling, I never said I wasn't important. Would it make a difference if I were important? Would you distance yourself from me?"

Xiangling quickly shook her hands in panic: "No, no, how could I ever distance myself from Brother Takumi? Come to the backyard, Brother Takumi. I'll make tea for you immediately."

With that, she took Takumi's hand and led him to the backyard.

The backyard of Wanmin Restaurant was a place where members of Wanmin rested. Marcusius had asked Grandma Ping to use her authority to create a 'cave heaven' here—a space like a small world.

Takumi was seated at a stone table by Xiangling, who hurried to pour him tea, while Marcusius brought out the best snacks.

Xiangling gently put down the teapot, then sat on the stone bench closest to Takumi. She blinked her eyes and said with innocence, "So Brother Takumi is a very powerful god, huh? You've kept that from everyone for a long time."

There was no barrier in her heart because of the identity gap between them. After all, she was also a god and had seen many gods.

A few days ago, she had traveled to Sumeru with Guoba to cook for the Supreme God.

Takumi picked up his tea, smiling gently. "I never deceived you, Xiangling. It's just that you never asked me."

Xiangling pouted. "I tried to find Brother Takumi for a long time after becoming a god." Her cheeks turned red shyly, and she quickly added, "I just wanted to invite Brother Takumi to taste the divine dish I recently developed. Please don't misunderstand me, and don't tease me."

At this point, the index fingers of both her hands touched each other, and she looked utterly endearing in her nervousness.

Takumi put down his teacup and looked at the girl before him. He couldn't help but tease her: "Teasing? When did I tease you, Xiangling? I don't recall. Can you give me an example?"

Xiangling glanced at Takumi, her body trembling slightly. She lowered her head, but shyly peeked at him from under her lashes.

"It's just... you're not allowed to tease me like last time, saying things like that..."

Takumi smiled. "Oh~ last time~ I still remember Xiangling made a promise to me. If she became the number one chef in Teyvat, she would be my exclusive little cook, right?

I remember that quite clearly."

Xiangling didn't know where to place her hands, her cheeks a rosy pink, her head lowered, unable to meet his eyes.

Her voice came out softly, almost like a murmur.

"Brother Takumi... you're mean..."

Takumi looked at Xiangling, who was too shy to look at him, even with steam practically coming from her head, and said teasingly, "Am I mean? What's so mean about me?"

Xiangling replied in a low voice, "Brother Takumi always teases me... it's not fair..."

Takumi sighed. "Alright then, I won't tease Xiangling anymore. I guess Xiangling must hate me. If that's the case, I won't come here anymore."

Xiangling froze upon hearing this. She raised her head in a panic, standing up hurriedly. "Brother Takumi! I don't hate you!"

Takumi smiled, teasing her again. "If you don't hate me, does that mean you like me?"

Xiangling immediately covered her face with her hands, her face beet red. "Oh~ Brother Takumi is teasing me again."

Takumi decided to stop teasing her further, seeing how flustered she had become. Otherwise, she would likely run away.

Xiangling's ears were flushed red, her voice stammering. "I-I'll go cook for Brother Takumi right now, alright?"

Takumi nodded. "Alright, I've never tasted your divine cooking before. I'm looking forward to it."

Xiangling breathed a sigh of relief, but her reprieve was short-lived as she heard Takumi's next words.

"So, Xiangling is now my little cook, right?"