"Well, I learned this skill when I was adventuring outside..."
Keqing, a noble lady by birth, maintained the minimum level of luxury required by her status to match her position as one of the Liyue Qixing.
Beyond the bustling city streets, she often ventured into desolate areas, broadening her knowledge and tempering her will.
Keqing had faced countless perilous situations, and to survive, she had acquired many new skills, one of which was making tripe.
On one occasion, Keqing ventured deep into the wilderness. Due to a lack of food, she went hungry for days. Fortunately, she encountered a wild ox.
To cherish this hard-won sustenance, Keqing didn't even discard the ox's innards...
"Here you go~ Try it, I hope my skills haven't rusted!"
Keqing served the prepared ox tripe to Feng Yi, handing a bag of Mora to the stall owner as she did so.
"This tastes great, Keqing! I never knew you had this talent!"
Feng Yi took the steaming bowl of tripe soup, picked up a chopstick, and after a brief taste, was immediately impressed by Keqing's culinary skills. She hadn't expected Keqing to possess such gastronomic talent.
"You try it too, open your mouth, ah~"
The Golden Shrimp Balls they ordered hadn't been made yet. Just then, Keqing's stomach rumbled again. Feng Yi quickly picked up a piece with her chopsticks and fed it to Keqing.
Keqing thoroughly enjoyed Feng Yi's feeding. Sitting on the bench with Feng Yi, they ate, taking turns feeding each other.
"Burp! I'm so full!"
Warmed by the soup, Keqing let out a comfortable burp. Realizing she had lost the demeanor of a Qixing, she quickly covered her face and hid behind Feng Yi.
"Don't worry, don't worry, no one saw!"
Feng Yi patted Keqing, who was crouching beside her, and comforted her.
Burping was a natural human reaction; she couldn't just hold it in, could she?
Besides, the sounds of hawkers rose and fell in the streets. Keqing's burp was insignificant in comparison.
Keqing, like a shy kitten, rested her hands on Feng Yi's thighs, her gaze unconsciously drifting to a certain spot. She then swallowed hard. Though she had just eaten her fill, she suddenly felt hungry again.
"Golden Shrimp Balls are here! Please enjoy!"
Just then, Xiangling arrived with a freshly made serving of Golden Shrimp Balls. Keqing was finally able to divert her embarrassing attention.
"Mmm, I'm done! Feng Yi, shall we go explore somewhere else?"
Keqing took out a handkerchief from her pocket, elegantly wiped her lips, and then, as a natural extension, wiped Feng Yi's as well, before making her suggestion.
"Let's go then!"
The two gradually moved towards a less crowded alleyway...
Keqing linked her arm with Feng Yi's, as if relishing Feng Yi's presence, sticking very close to her.
"Oh, right, Keqing, I almost forgot to tell you. To celebrate the completion of the hot spring, there will be a hot spring party at the Serenitea Pot tomorrow at noon. I wonder if you have time to attend?"
As Feng Yi's gaze fell upon the "Yunxiang" lingerie shop again, she suddenly remembered she hadn't informed Keqing.
Keqing, as the builder of the hot spring, was someone Feng Yi couldn't forget!
"A hot spring party? It sounds quite interesting. I'll arrange my schedule and try my best to attend!"
Keqing followed Feng Yi's gaze to the lingerie shop not far away, feeling that Feng Yi might be hinting at something.
'Could it be that Feng Yi wants to see me in lingerie?'
Keqing's cheeks flushed, and she instantly thought of something exciting, her anticipation for tomorrow's party growing.
"How about we go to that shop, 'Yunxiang'? I'd like to pick out some lingerie suitable for the hot spring party tomorrow!"
Keqing: I will never tell you that I'm looking forward to a private hot spring bath with Feng Yi tomorrow!
'Heh heh... When building the hot spring, I didn't pay attention and ended up building an extra secret room. Now it will finally come in handy!'
Keqing claimed it was merely coincidental that she had some extra materials and that the terrain was suitable, so she did it on impulse.
It certainly wasn't a premeditated plan!
"Two esteemed g... *cough cough*, guests, please come in. Our shop has just received a new shipment, and we're offering special prices for the Lantern Rite. All new and fashionable styles..."
The attendant, seeing guests enter, rushed to greet them warmly. However, upon looking up, she saw familiar faces. What shocked her even more was that the Ningguang beside this guest had been replaced by Keqing!
Could it be...?
The attendant seemed to have guessed something extraordinary, but if this matter were exposed, she would surely be implicated. Thus, she forced herself to remain calm and, relying on her professional demeanor, continued to introduce the new products to the two.
The attendant led the way, secretly signaling to a colleague.
Attendant: Requesting backup from the shopkeeper, I can't handle this situation!
"Feng Yi, this new piece is so beautiful! Do you like it?"
Keqing's eyes immediately fell upon the "Purple Midsummer Night" on the display. She took it down and examined it closely, then asked Feng Yi beside her.
"It is indeed beautiful, but the price is too high, a million Mora! With that money, wouldn't it be better to buy Golden Shrimp Balls and ice cream? It's more satisfying!"
Feng Yi: Ningguang already bought this piece. If you buy it too, what will you do if you end up wearing the same outfit?
To ensure harmony tomorrow, Feng Yi strongly advised against it.
However, she didn't know that Yanfei had also bought this item, and the fate of a fashion clash was already inevitable!
"Hmm... That makes sense, considering what you said. As one of the Liyue Qixing, I should control my extravagance. Then I won't..."
Before Keqing could finish her sentence, a familiar voice was heard from outside the door.
"Feng Yi?! It really is you! I was returning from Master's place with Qiqi. Qiqi said on the way that she saw someone who looked a lot like you. I tried to find you, and Qiqi's eyesight is indeed accurate!"
Shenhe entered the shop, greeting Feng Yi happily, with the adorable and dazed Qiqi by her side.
"Feng... mmmph mmmph... Yi~, Qiqi... mmmph mmmph... bought a lot of snacks! Want some..."
Qiqi was holding various snacks, her little hands stuffed full. Even her mouth was full, and she greeted Feng Yi with slurred speech.
"Thank you, Qiqi! Shenhe, what a coincidence, I didn't expect to meet you here. By the way, how is Qiqi doing? Does Cloud Retainer have any way to help Qiqi?"
Qiqi generously handed him a candied hawthorn.
Since it was an offering of kindness, Feng Yi felt unable to refuse and accepted it.
Then, he looked at Shenhe, inquiring about their journey.
"So much time has passed, Qiqi's memories are already very vague. Master also has no solution..."
Shenhe shook her head helplessly.
Cloud Retainer told her that when the adepti saved Qiqi with their immortal power, Qiqi's soul was already incomplete. Coupled with the wear and tear over the years, it had become even weaker.
Cloud Retainer herself was not skilled in the Dao of Creation in the spiritual realm, so she expressed her inability to help Qiqi.
If she were to forcefully attempt it, it might "extinguish" Qiqi's already fragile soul...