"Keqing, being a female knight is exhausting. Why don't we go grab something to eat?"
Keqing had previously declared her ambition to surpass others and become a noble knight!
However, she was unaware that while knighthood brought glory, it also demanded a great deal of stamina...
Feng Yi led the fully suited Keqing away from the Ministry of Civil Affairs. Keqing, who hadn't eaten lunch, and the recent strenuous exercise, soon heard her stomach rumbling.
"Mmmhmm~"
Keqing blushed profusely. She had been overconfident earlier, overestimating her combat prowess and quickly finding herself defeated.
"Xiangling, two servings of ice cream, please!"
Feng Yi passed by Wanmin Restaurant and noticed the long queue still present after all this time for ice cream. Uncertain of what to eat, Feng Yi opted for the high-calorie treat.
"Yo, little brother Feng Yi, you're hungry again so soon after eating? I never expected you to have such a wide circle of friends, not only knowing Lady Ningguang but also Lady Keqing. Truly admirable..."
Chef Mao, seeing Feng Yi return with Lady Ningguang replaced by Lady Keqing, was deeply impressed by Feng Yi's extensive connections and couldn't help but exclaim!
Chef Mao's mouth was too quick, and Feng Yi quickly waved his hands to signal, not even having time to stop him.
"'Again'?! 'Lady Ningguang'?! Feng Yi, what does this mean?"
As expected, Keqing posed the fatal question.
Feng Yi: I can evade the tribulations of being stretched thin and lacking time, but I cannot evade your mouth, Chef Mao!
Don't worry, if I can't escape this, I'll bring you along when I go to see Brother Cheng!
"Uh, this... didn't we meet Ningguang this morning? Just arrived in Liyue, and funds were tight, so I relied on Lady Ningguang to show me a way. To thank her for her care, I invited her for a simple lunch at Wanmin Restaurant... Um, the ice cream is here, try it and see if you like it?"
Feng Yi's mind raced, and he came up with an explanation.
Generally speaking, a lie composed of seven parts truth and three parts falsehood is the most difficult to discern.
Feng Yi's financial struggles upon arriving in Liyue were a fact!
Ningguang showing him a way – trading explosive barrels for Mora – was also a fact!
He treated Ningguang to a meal, also a fact!
The crucial point was that these three events were not causally linked!
Feng Yi's flash of inspiration, his perfect rhetoric, could withstand scrutiny and wouldn't be exposed, at least not in the short term.
"Is that so... Um, Feng... Feng Yi, this ice cream won't, by any chance, cause... like the last time?"
Keqing didn't detect any issues for the moment. Coupled with Feng Yi handing her the delicious ice cream while she was hungry, Keqing didn't think much of it and focused her attention on the ice cream before her.
Keqing was a little worried and whispered in Feng Yi's ear, fearing it would be too embarrassing if it were like last time!
"Don't worry, this ice cream is made with ordinary ingredients and has no side effects. Please eat it with confidence!"
Seeing Keqing's attention diverted to the ice cream, Feng Yi secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, he was quick-witted, or he would have almost messed up!
"Mmm, that's good! That's good!"
Keqing, upon receiving Feng Yi's assurance, began to scoop and eat.
"Mmm... It's quite tasty, though I feel the texture is a bit lacking compared to the one I had before!"
Keqing's eyes curved as she offered an objective assessment, reminiscing about the previous texture.
Although the ice cream made with the Green Feather Swan's eggs last time had some embarrassing side effects, if she ate it with Feng Yi, those side effects wouldn't be an issue at all!
"After all, Green Feather Swan eggs are rare, and they can't be sold in large quantities, so we had to switch to ordinary eggs. A slight deficiency in taste is acceptable."
Feng Yi spread his hands helplessly. Only Cloud Retainer would consider Green Feather Swan eggs as ordinary ingredients and use them to make tea eggs.
For ordinary people, even catching a glimpse would be a luxury!
"How about we make ice cream with Green Feather Swan eggs next time? After it's done, we can secretly eat it, just the two of us, what do you say?"
Keqing chuckled mischievously, her hair, stirred by the wind, resembling the ears of a mischievous cat as she quietly proposed.
"It's a delightful decision! I'll make time to visit Jueyun Karst and borrow a few swan eggs from Cloud Retainer first..."
Feng Yi found it hard to refuse Keqing's proposal.
Feng Yi also missed the ice cream made from Green Feather Swan eggs.
Don't misunderstand... he only missed the delicate texture!
"Xiangling, besides selling ice cream, can you cook other dishes now?"
Keqing couldn't fill her stomach with just ice cream; she needed to eat some normal dishes.
However, it was past Wanmin Restaurant's lunch hours, so Feng Yi tentatively asked.
"Mmm... If it's you, Feng Yi, you can order anytime!"
Xiangling considered Feng Yi a friend and wouldn't be restricted by business hours when cooking for a friend.
"That's wonderful, thank you! Keqing... how about a serving of Golden Shrimp Balls?"
Feng Yi knew that Golden Shrimp Balls were Keqing's favorite.
"Mmm-hmm, I love seafood the most!"
Keqing beamed with joy. Indeed, Feng Yi understood her best!
This must be what they call a tacit understanding, a meeting of minds.
Feng Yi was truly her destined soulmate!
"One serving of Golden Shrimp Balls, is that right? Please wait a moment! Guoba, ignite the flames!"
Guoba: Behold my Archon's breath, Wura~
"Feng Yi, do you really want to eat at that offal stall?"
Keqing noticed Feng Yi's gaze lingering on the "Zhongyuan Beef Offal" stall opposite Wanmin Restaurant and asked with concern.
"Uh... I didn't have much of an appetite, but now that you mention it, I kind of do!"
Feng Yi indicated that since she had asked, he might as well go take a look.
"Customer, would you like a bowl of beef offal soup?"
The Zhongyuan Beef Offal vendor, seeing a customer approach, enthusiastically greeted him.
"Is your beef offal cooked thoroughly?"
"What are you implying, sir? I've been selling beef offal for over a decade. I've always been fair with my prices, honest with everyone, and offer great value. Do you think I would sell you half-cooked beef offal?"
The offal vendor became agitated, suspecting the person might be here to cause trouble.
"Please don't mind him, sir. I was just asking casually..."
Feng Yi hadn't expected such a strong reaction to a casual question.
Seeing the cleaver the vendor held tightly in his hand, Feng Yi's eyelids twitched.
He wasn't Liu Huaqiang; he had no interest in raw ingredients... oh wait, raw beef offal.
"Owner, could I borrow your stall? Don't worry, I'll pay for it!"
Keqing then walked over from Wanmin Restaurant.
"If it's Lady Keqing, of course! It would be my honor!"
The vendor's face lit up upon seeing Lady Keqing and he immediately stepped aside, making room.
"Keqing, you can cook beef offal too?!"
Feng Yi was shocked. Could that legend be true?