While the onlookers pondered whether a week's worth of free lunch was worth the risk of an adventurous experiment, Feng Yi had already pushed through the crowd.
"Thank you all for giving me this opportunity. I shall be the one to taste Wanmin Restaurant's new dish!"
Seeing Feng Yi's polite demeanor, the few people he had pushed aside no longer minded his earlier actions and happily watched the unfolding spectacle.
"Chef Xiangling, Master Mao, hello. I am Feng Yi, a traveler from a foreign land."
"For a week's free lunch, forget tasting new dishes, he wouldn't even flinch if you asked him to take a laxative on the spot!"
"A traveler from a foreign land, is it?! I hope you enjoy this special dish!"
Upon hearing that Feng Yi was a traveler, Xiangling's eyes lit up. She, too, wished to travel and find more ingredients to create even more novel dishes.
Xiangling had made up her mind. Once she had fully mastered her father's culinary skills in the next two years, she would find an opportunity to venture out.
Xiangling presented a plate of Slime Condensate Mushroom to Feng Yi, along with a pair of chopsticks.
Feng Yi picked up a piece of mushroom, put it in his mouth, and savored it carefully.
"This taste..."
Xiangling had used Aqua Slime, which had a mild and refreshing effect, paired with fresh wild mushrooms.
"The texture is beyond words!"
While it preserved the tenderness of the mushrooms and the refreshing quality of the slime condensate, as a cold dish, it felt like something was missing...
The onlookers and Xiangling, seeing Feng Yi's expressions of joy and then frustration, were more nervous than Feng Yi himself! Read here!
"Young man, how does this dish taste?"
"Feng Yi? Do you have any valuable suggestions?"
The crowd and Xiangling spoke simultaneously, asking for Feng Yi's opinion on the dish.
"This dish is excellent. It retains the tenderness of the mushrooms while pairing it with the smooth and delicious slime condensate, elevating the Slime Condensate Mushroom to a new level, making it refreshing and juicy!"
"Everyone can try it with confidence. It's a delicious cold dish!"
Feng Yi smiled at the onlookers, recommending the dish and subtly earning some favor with Xiangling.
This was directly related to the quality of his lunch for the next week. Although Master Mao had promised him a week's worth of meals, the quantity and quality were not specified.
Becoming friendly with Xiangling would greatly benefit the quality of his lunch.
After finishing his recommendation, Feng Yi turned to Xiangling.
"Valuable is perhaps too strong a word, but I do have a few small suggestions!"
"Please tell me!"
"The aqua slime condensate is as smooth as jelly. While it preserves the tenderness of the mushrooms, I personally prefer a spicier taste."
"Therefore, my suggestion is, you could try using Pyro Slime to add some spiciness, or Electro Slime for a slightly numbing sensation. But ultimately, it's up to your own consideration!"
He had said what he needed to say. Whether Xiangling would listen was not up to Feng Yi!
He simply felt that different combinations could capture different palates.
"Thank you very much for your suggestion! This is very valuable to me! I will consider it carefully!"
Xiangling bowed respectfully, while Master Mao smiled knowingly beside her.
This made Feng Yi, the one involved, somewhat flustered, as he was only doing this for the free lunch!
The tasting incident concluded. The onlookers dispersed, and those who wanted to order dishes did so.
Feng Yi also walked to the counter of Wanmin Restaurant. It was time for him to use his privilege!
"Feng Yi, what would you like to eat?"
Seeing that Feng Yi hadn't left and had instead approached the counter, Xiangling guessed that he intended to order and came to serve him personally.
Xiangling also hoped to learn about things outside of Liyue from Feng Yi.
"Bring me one of each of your signature dishes!"
Having just eaten the appetizer, Feng Yi's appetite was wide open. He felt he could eat a whole cow right now!
"Feng Yi, are you sure? Wasting food is a shameful act!"
Xiangling frowned. Although she had a good first impression of Feng Yi, she still hoped he would show respect for food.
"Don't worry, even if I stuff myself to death, I won't waste a single bite!"
Feng Yi winked at Xiangling. He wasn't worried about not finishing; he was worried about not having enough!
"Then you wait!"
Xiangling, with a half-believing attitude, prepared three signature dishes first to test Feng Yi's appetite.
Crystal Shrimp, Tender Jian Chicken, and Grilled Fish were devoured by Feng Yi in a whirlwind as soon as they were served.
This left Xiangling and Master Mao stunned. The plates were licked cleaner than they had been washed!
"Are you sure you weren't a starving ghost reincarnated?"
Putting aside her doubts, Xiangling brought out another three signature dishes: Sweet Madame, Squirrel Fish, and Poached Butterflyfish.
"Xiangling's creations are always exquisite!"
The taste was impeccable, but the portions were still a bit small. He was only about seventy percent full.
"Feng Yi, are you satisfied with the taste?"
Xiangling blinked her bright eyes, looking at Feng Yi with anticipation.
"Satisfied, very satisfied! I hope you can create even better new dishes tomorrow!"
Feng Yi casually encouraged her, finding it difficult to say he wasn't full yet, especially since it was a free lunch.
But if Xiangling developed new dishes tomorrow, wouldn't he be able to eat even more?
Feng Yi's little calculations were ticking away merrily.
Feng Yi bid farewell to Xiangling. It was time to get down to business!
Taking the gift box containing Qingxin petals, he headed towards the Ministry of Civil Affairs where Ganyu was.
Inside Wanmin Restaurant.
"Xiangling! Mr. Feng Yi is your benefactor! Work hard and develop more dishes to bring glory to Wanmin Restaurant!"
Master Mao encouraged Xiangling. Ever since he saw Feng Yi's gluttonous maw, he knew Xiangling's opportunity had arrived!
For a long time, few people were willing to try Xiangling's new dishes, which, to some extent, limited the speed of her culinary progress.
But Feng Yi was different. That insatiable appetite was such an excellent tool for testing dishes!
Feng Yi: "Me = a tool?"
"Master Mao, I understand! Guoba, let's work hard together!"
Xiangling instantly understood her father's thoughts, which were no different from her own. Her passion had been completely ignited by Feng Yi!
Guoba tilted his head, watching the passionate Xiangling and her father. What was going on?!
Ministry of Civil Affairs.
Feng Yi was stopped by the guards at the entrance.
"Please inform Lady Ganyu. A traveler from a foreign land has come to apologize!"
Feng Yi held up the gift box and said to the two guards.
"Please wait!"
One guard went to inform her, leaving the other to watch Feng Yi.
"I hope Ganyu doesn't refuse my visit!"
Feng Yi muttered to himself. If Ganyu refused his visit, then all his plans would be in vain.
He didn't want it to end before it even began!
Soon, the guard who had gone to inform returned. Feng Yi looked at him nervously.
"This is more nerve-wracking than scratching a lottery ticket!"
"Lady Ganyu is waiting for you in her study. Please follow me!"
Fortunately, Feng Yi's worries did not come true.