"A lament—"
Yun Jin's gaze met Feng Yi's directly below the stage, and then a shocking operatic aria escaped her lips.
The story of "The Exquisite Mount," sung by Yun Jin's sweet and clear voice, gradually unfurled before the audience.
It was a solemn and magnificent scroll painting: a little girl wielding a sword against demons...
"Karma and the mortal world, distant and vague, vanish like smoke~"
As the opera concluded, Yun Jin's thoughts remained immersed in the story of the Exquisite Mount.
The audience below, equally moved, was absolutely captivated by Yun Jin's stunning performance.
"Young Yun Jin has truly grown! If the old patriarch in heaven had a spirit, he would smile with pride seeing this..."
The veteran opera performers, clapping and cheering, wept with heartfelt satisfaction.
Seeing her performance receive such acclaim, Yun Jin beamed with joy. She quickly descended the wooden ladder and asked Feng Yi if there was anything she could improve.
"Exquisite! Beautiful to behold, with a voice as sweet as honey, and your performance was beyond reproach. I have no suggestions whatsoever," Feng Yi said, laughing and clapping his hands. Witnessing Yun Jin's performance firsthand had truly stirred his heart.
Yun Jin's glance back seemed to capture the sole brilliance in the world, inspiring Feng Yi to rise and exclaim in admiration.
"Feng Yi, thank you. Thank you for always being by my side!"
Yun Jin's pent-up emotions, under such an atmosphere, could no longer be contained.
Ignoring the presence of others, she threw herself into Feng Yi's arms, pouring out her gratitude.
The opera "The Exquisite Mount" was a collaborative effort, with Feng Yi accompanying her throughout.
Feng Yi, in his efforts to help her create it, had specially brought out precious tea gifted by an adept.
Feng Yi had sat with her, reviewing and refining the lyrics, making them ever more perfect.
Yun Jin had so much she wanted to tell Feng Yi, but the words caught in her throat. All she could do was repeatedly express her thanks.
"Let's go. No need to watch. Let them have their moment," an old man said, gently pulling his wife away, not wanting to intrude.
Once the veteran performers had all departed, Yun Jin looked up at the elegant and handsome young man before her. Unable to resist, she tiptoed and kissed Feng Yi on the lips.
Feng Yi's pupils constricted for a moment, then he responded to Yun Jin's kiss, kissing her breathlessly under the watchful eyes of the heavens.
"Feng Yi, do you... have me in your heart?" Yun Jin asked, her face flushed with a rosy hue, looking directly into his eyes.
"Yes!"
As Yun Jin waited with bated breath, Feng Yi gave his answer.
In that moment, Yun Jin felt like the happiest person in the world, wishing only to be entwined with Feng Yi.
"Feng Yi, carry me to the room!" Yun Jin said, burying her head in his chest.
Feng Yi scooped up Yun Jin's petite and delicate form and, guided by her directions, they went to her boudoir.
They closed the door and did everything they could, stopping only at the very last step.
It was due to her menstrual cycle, that "roadblock," arriving at that very moment, which greatly disappointed Feng Yi.
He went to the kitchen to brew a bowl of brown sugar tea, fed it to Yun Jin, tucked her in, and advised her to rest well.
After a while, as it was nearing mealtime, Feng Yi kissed Yun Jin on the forehead and took his leave.
"Oh, Brother Feng Yi, you're right on time today!" Chef Mao greeted Feng Yi, who had arrived again for a free meal at the Wanmin Restaurant.
"Chef Mao, the usual, one of everything!" Feng Yi smiled. He believed that not being eager to eat was a sign of a flawed mindset.
He could absorb energy from food to enhance his strength. This rare opportunity to grow stronger was something Feng Yi highly valued.
Besides, eating at Wanmin Restaurant cost him nothing, so why wouldn't he be eager?
"Alright, just a moment. Xiangling, time to work!"
"Guoba, breathe fire!" Chef Mao ordered Xiangling, and Xiangling ordered Guoba.
It was truly a world where the lazy commanded the less lazy, and only Guoba suffered.
"Feng Yi, Feng Yi, is Yuanbao here?" After breathing fire, Guoba immediately carried two cups of Slime Jelly Milk Tea to Feng Yi, hoping to clink glasses with Yuanbao.
"Sorry Guoba, Yuanbao is playing with Granny Ping today..." Feng Yi spread his hands apologetically, knowing Guoba might be disappointed.
But, he had to admit, Guoba and Yuanbao had a truly good relationship.
"Is that so? What a pity." Guoba turned away sadly. Today, he would have to drink both cups of milk tea by himself.
"Chef Mao, pack one Slime Jelly Milk Tea to go!" Suddenly, Feng Yi heard a familiar voice.
Following the sound, he saw Yanfei, whom he hadn't seen in a long time.
"Yanfei, long time no see!" Feng Yi waved with a smile and greeted her.
"Feng... Feng Yi? When did you get back?!" Yanfei, looking a bit listless from staying up all night researching Liyue law, was overjoyed to hear Feng Yi's voice.
"I just got back these past couple of days... Haven't you eaten yet? Why don't you join me? My treat!" Feng Yi waved her over, seeing another opportunity to eat more.
"Yes, yes!" Yanfei happily walked over to Feng Yi. She hadn't expected to run into Feng Yi when she came out today; it truly was her lucky day.
"Boss, we have a guest for dinner. I just ordered, add one more of everything, and put it on my tab!" Feng Yi said to Chef Mao with a smile. The money for the tab could be deducted from his year-end bonus.
"Alright, just a moment. Xiangling, add one more of everything!"
"Leave it to me, Guoba, breathe fire!" Guoba, who was sitting on the stone steps drinking milk tea, was forced back to work.
Guoba: Judgment! Roar~
"Feng Yi, are you leaving again this time?"
"I'm making preparations for a trip to Inazuma. I'll be leaving in a few days..." Yanfei pulled up a stool and sat beside Feng Yi, chatting about their recent lives.
"All the dishes are served. Please enjoy, you two!" Chef Mao, Xiangling, and Guoba, working together, made several trips before all the dishes Feng Yi ordered were on the table.
As a result, the new large dining table Chef Mao had set up in front of the Wanmin Restaurant wasn't enough to hold everything. Fortunately, Feng Yi ate quickly, devouring half the dishes like a whirlwind, which cleared enough space.
"Yanfei, eat up. It's been half a year, you seem to have lost some weight."
"Mhm." Yanfei replied with a smile and began to eat leisurely. She knew Feng Yi didn't like chubby girls, so she had been restraining her appetite to maintain her perfect figure.
"Eat more. Xiangling's cooking is second to none, everything is delicious!" Feng Yi, while eating heartily himself, didn't forget about Yanfei, picking up some delicious dishes for her.
"Thank you, Feng Yi." Yanfei ate the dishes Feng Yi had specially placed for her in small bites, feeling delighted in her heart.
At this moment, a little wolf-girl with a roasted flatbread walked by...