When they arrived at Wanmin Restaurant, Xiangling spotted Mada Ping from afar and ran over excitedly.
"Grandmaster! You're here!"
Mada Ping nodded with a smile. "Yes, Yaoyao and I just visited Mr. Xia's shop. It happened to be alti, so we ca here to eat and check on you as well."
"Grandmaster, you've co at the perfect ti! I've been working on new dishes for the cooking competition. Your experience is vast—please share your thoughts!"
"Of course."
They entered Wanmin Restaurant and found a larger table to accommodate the five of them.
Standing beside the table, Xiangling cheerfully asked, "Other than the Treasure Basin Dragon Hotpot, what else would everyone like to eat?"
Xia Zhi politely replied, "Mada Ping, please decide. I'm not picky."
Zhu Zi imdiately followed, "Sa here. I'm fine with anything."
Shenhe and Yaoyao nodded in agreent.
Mada Ping smiled and began ordering. "Alright then. Let's have Crab Roe Tofu, Pickled Fresh Soup, and…"
After finalizing the order, Xiangling headed to the kitchen.
---
Xia Zhi glanced at the [6%] progress on Mada Ping's relationship bar, lost in thought about how to fill it.
From her reaction to the juice earlier, it was clear she enjoyed it, but not enough to make her crave it daily. She would likely only visit his shop for juice on a whim.
Though she lived under a mortal guise, her residence was in Yujing Terrace, making it inconvenient for him to visit frequently without a compelling reason—like Yaoyao.
Or, he could adopt a more consistent approach, such as gifting her food.
As he pondered this, sothing peculiar ca to mind.
Yesterday afternoon, he had given Xiangling a box of mooncakes, which Guoba devoured entirely, boosting Xiangling's progress by [5%].
Later, he gave Yaoyao a box of mooncakes, which she brought ho and shared with her master. By logic, Mada Ping eating those mooncakes should have counted as a "gift" and increased her progress slightly.
Yet, when he first saw Mada Ping today, her platinum bar was at [0%].
The discrepancy puzzled him. It seed progress only began to accumulate after he personally "observed" the recipient and their progress bar.
---
They chatted for a while, mostly listening to Mada Ping recount amusing stories from Xiangling's childhood. Xia Zhi occasionally chid in with a remark, which nudged her progress bar up by [1%].
Now at [7%], he still had a long way to go to max it out.
---
"The food is here!"
Xiangling returned to the table with a steaming clay pot. As she lifted the lid, a rich aroma wafted out, carried by the rising white steam.
"This is the Treasure Basin Dragon Hotpot, improved using the suggestions Mr. Xia gave this afternoon! Please enjoy!"
Everyone picked up their chopsticks and tasted it.
Xiangling eagerly asked, "How is it?"
Mada Ping nodded in approval, her gaze warm. "It's excellent."
This was her sincere opinion. The hotpot blended mountain delicacies and seafood into a harmonious dish, far surpassing the dishes at Liuli Pavilion and Xinyue Kiosk.
With her years of culinary experience, she was certain this dish would perform exceptionally in a cooking competition.
However, when she glanced at the others at the table, their reactions were less enthusiastic.
Zhu Zi nodded solemnly. "It's good."
Her tone lacked conviction.
Shenhe, her voice as flat as ever, added, "It's delicious."
Even less convincing.
Yaoyao tried her best to feign delight. "It's really good!"
But the little girl's attempt at acting was unconvincing.
What did they even eat yesterday? How can they be so picky?
Mada Ping fell silent and turned her attention to Xia Zhi.
Though the mooncakes he made were indeed impressive, the hotpot's flavor had already reached an exceptional level. Surely, even he wouldn't find anything more to improve upon, right?
---
Xia Zhi was carefully savoring the dish.
After a mont, he began to speak, sharing insights derived from his [Culinary Mastery]:
"The mountain mushrooms were soaked a bit too long. The salt was added to the broth too early. The sli condensate was slightly underused, which affected the texture of the soup…"
Xiangling diligently took notes, recording every mistake.
"Thank you for the advice, Mr. Xia!"
"It's no problem."
"I'll get back to work!"
"Alright."
---
Mada Ping watched Xiangling walk away before turning to Xia Zhi.
"Mr. Xia, is this how you usually guide Xiangling?"
"Yes."
"This thod is… a bit…"
"A bit what?"
"…too professional."
"Professional" was the only word Mada Ping could think of to describe what she had just witnessed.
He hadn't even seen Xiangling cook, yet he seed to know every detail of her process as if he'd watched it from beginning to end.
Mada Ping glanced at Xia Zhi's eyes, concealed behind his glasses.
Where sothing is lost, sothing else is gained. Perhaps his lack of sight has heightened his sense of taste.
---
"It's just a small skill, hardly worth ntioning in front of an adeptus like you."
"No, even I wouldn't be able to guide Xiangling the way you just did. Immortals aren't masters of all trades, after all."
"There must be immortals skilled in cooking, though?"
"There was once a god, born from sparks struck by stone. They presided over fire and the hearth and were deeply loved by humanity. People called them the God of the Stove. But later…"
"What happened?"
"That's an old story, best left untold."
Mada Ping chuckled, deftly steering the conversation away.
She turned to look at the kitchen, leaving everyone else at the table brimming with curiosity.
What kind of hobby is this, dangling mysteries in front of us like bait?
Xia Zhi sighed inwardly and shook his head. Picking up his spoon, he said, "Let's eat while it's hot. Hotpot is best enjoyed warm—it doesn't taste as good when it's cold."
"If it were made by you, boss, wouldn't it still taste amazing even cold?"
"I wouldn't know."
"Not even you, boss?"
"I ca up with this recipe based on Xiangling's inspiration. I've never made it before today."
"Wow! You're amazing, big brother! It's so good on your first try!"
"Would you like more, Yaoyao?"
"I do! But I'd rather my master also try the delicious dish I ate yesterday."
Xia Zhi chuckled. "I see."
Yaoyao was such a thoughtful and filial little girl—how could anyone not like her?
---
"Crab Roe Tofu and Pickled Fresh Soup!"
Xiangling returned with two more dishes, setting them on the table.
Xia Zhi turned to her. "Miss Xiangling, is the kitchen busy right now?"
"Not too bad. It's still early, so there aren't many custors yet. Why do you ask, Mr. Xia?"
"I was hoping to borrow your kitchen to make a Treasure Basin Dragon Hotpot like yesterday. Would that be alright?"
"Of course! Please, go ahead!"
Xiangling's joy was palpable—she was practically ready to drag him to the kitchen herself.
Xia Zhi stood up, noticing Shenhe beginning to rise as well. "No need to follow . The kitchen isn't dangerous for , as you saw yesterday."
After a mont of thought, Shenhe quietly sat back down. "Alright."
---
Xia Zhi followed Xiangling to the kitchen. He wasn't too concerned about progressing Mada Ping's relationship bar; his main goal was ensuring Yaoyao wasn't disappointed.
Back at the table, Zhu Zi and Yaoyao could barely focus on eating, their gazes fixed longingly on the kitchen.
Mada Ping found their expressions amusing but couldn't help feeling a growing anticipation for Xia Zhi's dish herself.
---
Before long, Xia Zhi returned, with Xiangling carrying the clay pot behind him.
"Mr. Xia's personally made Treasure Basin Dragon Hotpot. Please enjoy!"
As Xiangling lifted the lid, a strange glow briefly flickered from the pot.
Mada Ping froze.
So Yaoyao had been telling the truth.
The dish… actually glowed.
"Master, please try it first."
Xiangling carefully ladled a small bowl and handed it to Mada Ping.
Monts later, Mada Ping sat there, stunned.
At the sa ti, Xia Zhi noticed her platinum bar had jumped significantly.
[17%].
----
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