"......."
The once-lively lobby of the inn suddenly fell into a dead silence.
Looking at that familiar face, Welt fought back the urge to unleash the Zeroth Power of the Star of Eden, rely sitting to the side with a cold expression. He decided to observe for a while before deciding whether or not to send the man to et Satan.
March, for her part, was getting along famously with Sushang. And while Dan Heng wasn't looking, she started roping Sushang into gossiping about him.
"..."
Dan Heng watched the gossiping duo of March and Sushang with a deadpan expression. He turned to a nearby Stelle—who was heartbroken over her ga account getting banned—to ask where Wende was, and then headed to the back kitchen to help.
"Er... I'll go to my room to put my things away first."
Luocha, sensing the murderous intent perating the air, didn't know what was happening, but figured it was best to settle the 'thing' on his back first. Feeling the restless stirring from within the coffin on his back, Luocha apologized for his absence and followed the innkeeper toward his room.
"My, my... it's gotten lively again."
Tingyun unfolded her fan, smiling as she observed the three newcors, a strange light flashing in her eyes.
"The more the rrier, right? Lord Diviner..." Qingque's voice trailed off into a mosquito's buzz as she looked at Fu Xuan, who had her arms crossed at so point.
"I have always preferred quiet, but for a day like today, a little liveliness is not unacceptable."
Fu Xuan, her small face impassive, gave a slight shake of her head. Her gaze fell on Luocha as he went upstairs with the innkeeper, and her fine brows furrowed slightly. She casually made a calculation with her fingers, but the divination revealed nothing unusual.
"Uhm... Uncle Welt, why do you look so strange?"
March had just finished complaining about Dan Heng's embarrassing monts with Sushang when she turned to see a grim-faced Welt sitting behind her. His eyes were locked on the inn's staircase, the hand gripping his cane trembling slightly.
"Uh... that man from just now, do you know him, Uncle Welt?"
"I do not."
Welt shook his head, indicating that he was fine.
"Er... then I won't disturb you, Uncle Welt."
Looking at Welt's state, little March didn't know what to say. She took Sushang and headed toward the back kitchen.
"Sniff, sniff... Wow! What an amazing sll!"
Sushang's delicate nose caught the aroma wafting from the kitchen, and she looked toward the source in astonishnt.
"Hehe, you'll be even more shocked when you taste it! Wende's cooking is, what do you call it, utterly captivating!" March boasted proudly to Sushang, as if the praise for Wende was praise for herself.
"Gulp... Uwah, I can't stop my mouth from watering!"
Wiping the corner of her mouth, Sushang suddenly felt ravenous!
"March? And Sushang?"
Dan Heng, wearing an apron, suddenly erged from the kitchen, holding a steaming hot dish.
"Don't just stand there like fools, co and help us bring out the food," Wende said, unable to stifle a laugh at the two silly girls frozen in place.
"Oh, oh! Coming, coming! Quick, quick! I'm about to starve to death!"
March imdiately pulled Sushang into a frantic rush toward the kitchen. Then, with extre care, as if carrying priceless treasures, they brought the dishes out.
"Didn't you just eat a whole bunch of dessert?" Wende teased little March.
"A pretty girl has two stomachs, you know! My snack stomach is full, but my al stomach is still empty!" little March declared with a perfectly straight face as she walked ahead of Wende with a dish, making one think she might actually have two stomachs.
"Alright, alright. I'll be sure to keep that in mind next ti and try to fill both your stomachs at once," Wende said with a helpless laugh.
Behind them, Dan Heng listened to their interaction, and a rare smile touched his usually cold face.
---o---
"Co on, co on! Everyone take your seats, I'm taking a picture now!"
Looking at the group gathered around the table, March took out her cara, explained the settings to the innkeeper, and, with the innkeeper's help, sat down next to Wende and flashed a peace sign at the cara.
Seeing Stelle and March flanking him, Wende felt a bit helpless but still smiled for the cara.
Welt's face was grim, showing no obvious emotional fluctuations.
Sushang sat next to Luocha, happily striking her signature pose for the lens.
Dan Heng had his arms crossed, a smile so faint it was barely there curving his lips.
Luocha sat in the spot furthest from Welt. Although he didn't know what was going on, he had a feeling this was definitely the right choice.
Tingyun, Fu Xuan, and Qingque sat together. Qingque held a Qiongyu tile, not yet recovered from the pain of her losing streak. Fu Xuan's posture was dignified and majestic, looking like soone frequently photographed at formal occasions. Tingyun still held her fan, half-hiding her face in a coy, bashful manner.
"Okay... get ready! Three, two, one!"
"Click!"
With the innkeeper's voice and the flash of the cara's light, the welco dinner for Dan Heng officially began.
"Your culinary skills have improved significantly," Dan Heng comnted, holding his chopsticks and seriously evaluating the delicacy in his mouth.
"Huh? Why is Sushang crying?"
"Wuwuwu... This tastes exactly like my mom's cooking!"
"Ah, this..."
"Luocha? Why are you getting a takeout box?"
"Oh, it's a custom in my line of work. Whenever there is a feast, we must make an offering to the deceased..."
"Oh, oh, so that's how it is..."
Welt stared at that face, struggling to taste the food today... ah, alright, it was still delicious.
"Mm... I wonder if Doctor Wende has any intention of..." Having tasted Wende's cooking, Fu Xuan decisively began trying to poach him, casting her status aside.
"Hey, hey! Lord Diviner! Wende belongs to our Astral Express!"
"Sigh... so be it..."
---o---
[Real World]
The official Honkai: Star Rail social dia account suddenly posted an update. There was no caption, only a group photo.
In the picture, everyone had different expressions, each perfectly capturing their character traits. The official account even mischievously photoshopped a picture of Hiko off to the side.
[Holy crap, guess who didn't get to eat?]
[Catching the official account!]
[Wow, what a huge piece of art... how many artists died to draw this...]
[Look at Welt's expression. I get the feeling he wants to knife Luocha.]
[Remove 'I get the feeling'. Who wouldn't have that impulse seeing that face?]
[How co my Jing Yuan didn't co to freeload? And why is the three-foot-five diviner sitting there?] Follow current novᴇls on n͟o͟v͟e͟l͟f͟i͟r͟e͟
[Fu Xuan: Disrespectful!]
[Jing Yuan is probably still working overti.]
[anwhile, Bailu is still grounded.]
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