Yun Jin, seeing Feng Yi agree, was overjoyed and shifted her attention from Yuan Bao to promptly discuss rehearsal schedules with Feng Yi.
Feng Yi and Yun Jin agreed that every two days, Feng Yi would come over to rehearse theatrical performances with her, and that Yun Jin would offer plenty of guidance then.
Afterward, Feng Yi took Yuan Bao with her to Wanmin Restaurant for a free meal.
"Yo, Brother Feng Yi, you're here quite early today. Since there aren't many customers yet, I'll make your order first!"
Master Xiangling looked up and saw that Feng Yi had arrived early that day, so she took the opportunity while the place was quiet to arrange Feng Yi's dozen dishes.
"Thank you, Master Xiangling! By the way, Master Xiangling, are there any good wines here at Wanmin Restaurant?"
Feng Yi was preparing to make snake gall wine, but lacked ingredients and hoped to buy good wine at Wanmin Restaurant.
"Good wine? I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you, Brother Feng Yi. Few of the customers who come to Wanmin Restaurant for meals order wine. Wanmin Restaurant only keeps a few types of common cooking wines in stock for cooking needs..."
Feng Yi's request made Master Xiangling troubled.
There was wine, but it certainly wasn't the good wine Feng Yi was looking for!
"If Brother Feng Yi needs good wine, you can try asking at the Jade Chamber or the Xinyue Kiosk. Those two are the major restaurants in Liyue, and they might have the good wine you need!"
Master Xiangling was self-aware; in terms of fine wine reserves, she was indeed inferior to Liyue's culinary titans: the Jade Chamber and the Xinyue Kiosk.
One representing "Liyue Cuisine," the other "Yue Cuisine," each held half of the Liyue culinary world.
Master Xiangling felt no shame in admitting that her scale was not as grand as the other.
Besides, scale alone did not represent deliciousness; it ultimately depended on the chef.
Master Xiangling had confidence in her daughter, believing she would surely revolutionize Liyue's culinary scene in the future.
"I was just asking casually, not out of gluttony, but thank you for the suggestion, Master Xiangling."
Feng Yi smiled and shook his head. Ordinary fine wine might not be worthy of such precious snake gall.
Feng Yi planned to have dinner and then visit Cloud Retainer to discuss it.
Cloud Retainer, being a seasoned gourmand, might have some high-class immortal wines in her collection.
Such precious snake gall could only be paired with immortal wine!
Ba Jiu: Although it feels strange, I love hearing this!
Only immortal wine could be worthy of steeping my snake gall!
If things didn't work out with Cloud Retainer, Feng Yi would consider a fallback and check the Jade Chamber or Xinyue Kiosk.
Feng Yi handed a cup of freshly made Slime Jelly Milk Tea to Yuan Bao beside him, and then began casual conversation with Master Xiangling before the meal.
Yuan Bao held the milk tea and went to Guoba, who was sitting on the stone steps basking in the sun, sitting beside him and imitating Guoba's posture, savoring a different kind of life.
"Lu lu lu ~"
Guoba: You're here? Cheers!
Yuan Bao clinked the milk tea with Guoba, took a big gulp, and exclaimed, "Refreshing!"
"Guoba? Why is your flame so small?"
Upon closer inspection, Yuan Bao realized that Guoba's flame of life had been burning for a very, very long time, yet the existing flame was extremely weak.
'Guoba is so pitiful!'
Yuan Bao guessed that Guoba must have encountered difficulties, which led to his current state.
Such a dim flame of life was not even as strong as that of a newborn infant, let alone a clear mind.
Yuan Bao decided to help his pitiful friend Guoba!
"Guoba! Be good, eat it quickly!"
Yuan Bao spat out a brilliant golden flame from her mouth. This was a spark split from her flame of life, and only her spark could help Guoba revive, to rekindle his nearly extinguished flame of life.
Yuan Bao didn't know the specific principle, but her intuition told her it would work!
"Eh... Lu lu lu!"
Guoba: Fire can be eaten too? I'm not well-read, don't trick me!
Out of trust in Yuan Bao, Guoba, half-believing, half-doubting, took the brilliant golden flame from Yuan Bao's hand.
"Lu lu la la!"
Guoba: It's not even hot! How magical!
Guoba's eyes widened. It was his first time seeing a flame that wasn't hot, and it actually looked a bit "delicious"!
Under Yuan Bao's firm gaze and encouragement, Guoba summoned the courage of a warrior venturing into the unknown, swallowed the golden flame in one bite, and immediately took a big gulp of milk tea to moisten his throat.
"Yuan Bao, it's delicious, do you have more?"
Guoba smacked his lips, not tasting much but finding it a bit sweet.
His flame of life reignited fiercely, and Guoba could feel his body undergoing some kind of revival.
Past memories, like shattered puzzle pieces, gradually pieced themselves together.
"My name is Marchosias?!"
After many years, Guoba finally remembered his true name, but there were still many things he couldn't recall.
"Thank you, Yuan Bao!"
Guoba knew Yuan Bao had helped him. He put down his milk tea, stepped forward, and hugged her to express his gratitude.
"Guoba, cheers!"
Yuan Bao grinned. Although splitting off a spark had some effect on her, it was not a major problem and she would fully recover in a while.
Most importantly, she had helped her good friend Guoba reignite his flame of life, recall past events, and regain his normal consciousness.
From today onwards, she could communicate with Guoba normally!
"Cheers! Lu la ~"
Guoba raised his milk tea to clink with Yuan Bao, then sat back down on the stone steps, took a sip of his favorite milk tea, and watched the bustling crowds on the street.
The people of Liyue live in peace and contentment, undisturbed by gods or disasters... wasn't this what he had hoped for?
Witnessing the prosperous Liyue with his own eyes, Guoba felt that his past efforts were all worthwhile and he had no regrets!
Guoba smiled, watching the bustling street. In his clear state, it felt different.
At this moment, Guoba thought of many things. The current peaceful and tranquil Liyue no longer needed the protection of the Stove God Marchosias, but Xiangling needed him as a friend!
Guoba enjoyed his current life immensely. If one day Liyue faced a crisis, he would not hesitate to transform into Marchosias and protect Liyue's safety.
Of course, if anyone dared to bully Yuan Bao, he would let them taste the power of the Stove God's fist.
"Yuan Bao, it's time to go!"
After finishing lunch, Feng Yi called out to Yuan Bao, who was sitting on the stone steps, basking in the sun with Guoba.
"Guoba, Yuan Bao is leaving. See you tomorrow, bye-bye!"
Yuan Bao stood up and said goodbye to Guoba beside her.
"Goodbye, Yuan Bao. Tomorrow I'll catch a fresh Slime and make you the most delicious Slime Jelly Milk Tea!"
Guoba grinned, waved goodbye to Yuan Bao, and waved.
Feng Yi looked at Guoba, who was saying goodbye to Yuan Bao, and suddenly noticed that Guoba seemed different today than usual.
Especially his eyes, which had changed from the "wise" dog-like gaze of the past to a clear and profound one, making Feng Yi's heart stir with curiosity.
Feng Yi: Doggo (crossed out)... Guoba, you've changed, you're not the same doggo you used to be!
Feng Yi stopped his wild thoughts, picked up the packed sweets and delicacies, and headed towards Jueyun Karst with Yuan Bao.