Chapter 51: Expressing Intentions

The casual conversation between the three didn't last long, as the innkeeper soon arrived.

Keqing took the opportunity to bid farewell to the two and went off to attend to her work.

Xiangling's cheeks were still flushed with embarrassment as she looked at Wang Daoyi, her eyes conveying a mix of bashfulness and something unspoken.

Wang Dao smiled. His usual interest lay in unknown knowledge, but that didn't mean he was oblivious to emotions.

Xiangling's feelings for him were already quite apparent.

For a girl to willingly travel with you, share a house, cook for you every day, and even massage you when you're tired—that's already a significant gesture of affection.

Taking the girl's hand, Wang Daoyi noticed that despite Xiangling's delicate appearance, her hands, accustomed to chopping and wielding spears, had faint calluses, a testament to her lively nature.

"When we return to Liyue, I'll accompany you to Wanmin Restaurant. If Chef Mao scolds anyone, it'll be me first, haha!"

It was the first time the young man had taken the initiative to respond, leaving Xiangling feeling flustered, a hint of sweetness lingering in her heart as memories of their journey flooded back.

Fighting together, cooking together, living together—through moments of danger and tenderness, they had unwittingly shared many experiences.

And then there was the time when the young man was drunk, and she had helped him clean up.

Xiangling's blush faded, replaced by a calm demeanor, but the lingering warmth in her eyes seemed to engulf the young man opposite her.

"We bought so many gifts; Dad will surely love them!"

Even if Dad doesn't like them, I'll convince him. The girl thought to herself.

Love arises from affection and ends with courtesy.

In their silence, the two expressed their feelings for each other. It wasn't until much later that they let go of each other's hands.

Amidst the innkeeper's polite farewell, the two retrieved their stored carriage and set off again.

Wang Daoyi couldn't wait to return to Liyue Harbor, to express his feelings to Chef Mao and seek his approval.

Although Chef Mao often scolded him and found fault with him, he might, just perhaps, accept Wang Daoyi's relationship with Xiangling!

Sitting in the carriage, Wang Daoyi pondered with some concern.

Before, he had simply enjoyed Xiangling's kindness without expressing his own feelings. Now that they had both confessed, it was natural to seek approval from her parents, or at least to make them aware.

The journey from Stone Gate to Liyue was even longer than from Mondstadt to Stone Gate.

With two carriages laden with goods, they couldn't travel quickly. It took them nearly a month of continuous travel day and night to return to Liyue Harbor.

Passing by the Wangshu Inn, they inquired with the innkeeper and learned about the adventures of the righteous duo.

Xingqiu and Chongyun had searched for a week on Dihua Marsh, rescuing many adventurers besieged by monsters along the way, but they still hadn't found the ruins. Eventually, representatives from Feiyun Commerce Guild arrived and called them back.

With their goods in tow, the two returned to Liyue Harbor.

The harbor was as bustling as ever. Despite only being away for a few months, Wang Daoyi felt a sense of coming home when they returned.

"Let's go, back home!"

After registering their two carriages at the city gate, Wang Daoyi took Xiangling's hand and said, "Let's go home."

Compliantly, Xiangling placed her hand in Wang Daoyi's, her eyes filled with unbreakable tenderness and happiness.

A girl in love doesn't consider anything else; as long as she has her beloved by her side, that's enough.

Actually, there were already people in the crowd who recognized Xiangling; the little chef from Wanmin Restaurant was quite recognizable.

Along the way, no one disturbed the young couple. People watched them with smiles, some teasing, some blessing, but the two didn't mind.

Passing by the Feiyun Commerce Guild, they left a message for Xingqiu and were greeted by Axu at the entrance, informing him of their return to Liyue Harbor. As for Chongyun, well, once Xingqiu knew, Chongyun would naturally know.

Entering the city from Feiyun Slope into Chihuo Rock, the lively market replaced the grand shops, making the bustling atmosphere even more lively.

Unfortunately, no matter how lively the atmosphere was, it couldn't warm Wang Daoyi's heart.

As soon as they entered Chihuo Rock, he felt a sense of hostility, a resentment from an abandoned father.

Wanmin Restaurant was right in the heart of Chihuo Rock. At the entrance, Chef Mao immediately spotted his precious daughter. She was so lovely, so beautiful. If only she weren't holding hands with that stinky boy. If only she didn't have that stinky boy by her side.

But alas, reality was often disappointing.

As the two approached Wanmin Restaurant, the father's gaze turned increasingly unfriendly, cough, particularly towards Wang Daoyi.

Who was Wang Daoyi? Even as Chef Mao was about to pop his eyeballs out, Wang Daoyi still didn't let go of Xiangling's hand.

"Uncle Mao, I've brought Xiangling back!"

With a broad smile, Wang Daoyi raised the hand holding Xiangling's, gesturing to :Uncle" Mao.

The father's blood pressure skyrocketed, his face darkening.

In the presence of her dearest father, Xiangling couldn't resist blushing, releasing Wang Dao's hand and embracing Chef Mao's arm.

"Dad, Dad, I'm back, and I brought you lots of gifts!"

Her daughter's considerate gesture stabilized Chef Mao's blood pressure. Though still with a dark expression, he at least nodded in acknowledgment to Wang Daoyi; "You've worked hard. Come in!"

With permission granted, Wang Daoyi didn't feel slighted at Chef Mao's demeanor. He simply and honestly carried the gifts Xiangling had purchased into Wanmin Restaurant.

In addition to Xiangling's purchases, there were also specialty cellar wines from Dawn Winery, all of which were placed in Wanmin Restaurant.

Anyway, now that he had his hands on her daughter, it didn't matter whose house it was; they were all one family.

As for Chef Mao's dark expression, Wang Daoyi didn't care at all. After all, Chef Mao had stripped away his daughter's little cotton jacket, so it was perfectly normal for him to look dark.

Once Wang Daoyi had moved all the items into Wanmin Restaurant, Chef Mao's complexion had improved significantly.

He didn't dislike Wang Daoyi it was just that as a father, he naturally had a aversion to the pig who had taken away his little white cabbage.

But setting aside this aversion, Chef Mao was quite satisfied with Wang Daoyi.

He was the same age as Xiangling, had already established a business in Liyue Harbor, shared her love for cooking, and even liked reading. He was also handsome; one could say he was the top choice for a son-in-law.

However, just thinking that his daughter was only sixteen, Maestro Mao couldn't calm down.

"Daoyi, both you and Xiangling are still young!"

Chef Mao pondered for a long time before saying a word.

"Uncle Mao, we understand the seriousness of it. We've only just begun our relationship!"

Although Xiangling was already charming and lovely, Wang Daoyi had no further thoughts. After all, she was only sixteen, and he was also sixteen.

"You understand, that's good. You're friends for now, and I don't object to that. But you're still too young, and there's plenty of time ahead, so you understand, right?"

Chef Mao carefully chose his words, fearing that Xiangling might be upset if he spoke too harshly, or that Wang Daoyi might not understand if he spoke too lightly.

Wang Daoyi understood. Even though he was just a sixteen-year-old in this lifetime, he had experienced teenage romance crises in his previous life.

He fully understood Chef Mao's feelings.

"Uncle, Xiangling and I are both young. We share the same interests, understand each other's personalities, and we'll grow together. Please rest assured!"

Wang Daoyi didn't say much more, nor did he showcase his own merits.

For Chef Mao, as long as he expressed that he and his daughter shared the same interests, had common ground, got along well, and then expressed that there would be no further progress in the short term, that would be enough.

Sure enough, Chef Mao's complexion improved greatly, as long as the pig didn't snatch the little white cabbage away now, he could still accept it.

With a seemingly friendly smile, Chef Mao invited Wang Daoyi to stay for dinner.

"That's good, that's good. Daoyi, you've just returned, and Uncle will host a dinner for you tonight to welcome you back. Have a few drinks with me!"

(End of this chapter)