"Should?"
Lumine let out a soft sound of surprise, her eyes filled with suspicion as she stared at Paimon.
"Ahaha, right, what sort of housewarming gift should we give Ningguang? Last night, when I was asleep, I dreamt of an incredibly exquisite dessert – Glazed Slime! I have a feeling that she would really like it, given her status as a wealthy tycoon. How about we use that as our gift?"
Paimon felt a prickle of unease under Lumine's gaze and quickly changed the subject.
"Glazed Slime? How do you make something you dream about?"
Lumine withdrew her gaze. She would find out later if Paimon knew how to get to the Jade Chamber. For now, the priority was preparing a gift for Ningguang.
"Just make it with that 'sparkle' feeling! Hurry and gather the ingredients, there's no time to waste, wealth and glory await us!"
Paimon chuckled, relieved that she had successfully diverted Lumine's attention.
The longer she could keep up the charade, the better. Perhaps on the way to gather materials, they might stumble upon a method to reach the Jade Chamber.
Seeing Paimon's expectant expression, Lumine couldn't bear to shatter the little one's innocent fantasy. She decided to humor Paimon and try making the Glazed Slime. Later, she would let Paimon taste it herself to see if it was suitable as a gift.
"Hehe! Let's go!"
Paimon grinned. The food she dreamt of eating surely wouldn't taste bad!
"Oh, look at that Slime over there, it looks so crystal clear, it must be delicious!"
Paimon pointed at a plump Hydro Slime by the riverbank. She believed that Glazed Slime made with Hydro Slime Condensate had the best texture.
Just imagining it made Paimon's mouth water.
Of course, she wouldn't lift a finger. Not only was she unsure if she could defeat these low-level monsters, but it also didn't befit her status.
As a qualified guide, her role was to lead the way. Combat was Lumine's responsibility.
A few minutes later, Paimon had filled a large bottle with Hydro Slime Condensate, enough to make a big bowl of Glazed Slime.
"Hmm? There's a strong sweet scent in the air... And Lumine, do you hear anything?"
Just as Paimon was about to head back to the city with Lumine to make their culinary creation, she suddenly heard a cry for help.
The sound was faint and intermittent. If her ears weren't sharp, she might have thought it was an auditory hallucination.
"Yes, it's a cry for help."
Lumine nodded. Following the direction Paimon pointed, she could indeed hear a faint plea for assistance.
"There's an abandoned ruin over there, the sound is coming from there. Lumine, let's go check it out quickly."
Paimon suggested. They could always eat the Glazed Slime later.
"Mm."
Lumine followed closely behind Paimon. She had the same intention. Helping others within her capabilities when traveling was her consistent principle.
"Ah, it's those Treasure Hoarders. They've locked someone in a cage. Should we help?"
Paimon and Lumine hid behind a large tree, stealthily observing the situation not far away. They spotted the Treasure Hoarders stationed there, seemingly discussing something, and they had imprisoned someone in a wooden cage.
The cry for help they had heard earlier came from the person inside the cage.
"Leave it to me."
Lumine drew her sword and charged forward. Utilizing her elemental power, she made short work of her opponents, effortlessly defeating them in a one-against-many battle.
Paimon: Phew~ What a thrilling battle! So satisfying to watch!
Although she didn't participate in the fight, she had been cheering Lumine on. Paimon felt that Lumine's swift and decisive victory was at least half due to her contributions!
After the battle, the two opened the cage and released the unfortunate captive.
"Thank you for your rescue, otherwise I would have rotted in this prison! Those hateful Treasure Hoarders, when they're in a good mood, they prune those Sweet Flowers. When they're in a bad mood, they 'prune' me..."
The rescued man, named Meng Dan, wondered what he had done to deserve such misfortune.
"Pfft... It's nothing, really. Please don't thank us too much!"
Paimon almost burst out laughing. How could someone be so unlucky? However, out of consideration for propriety, she managed to hold back.
"Haha... I understand, I understand. I will naturally prepare a thank-you gift."
Meng Dan indicated he understood. This was the unspoken rule of the road!
"You really don't have to."
Lumine smiled and shook her head. She knew Meng Dan had misunderstood Paimon's words.
"Don't say that. Thanks to you, I escaped this ordeal. I am Meng Dan, a supplier for 'Mingxing Souvenir Shop' in Liyue Harbor. I usually travel in the mountains, collecting antiques. I didn't expect to covet the same ruin as the Treasure Hoarders this time and ended up... being captured and imprisoned. Alas~"
According to the rules of their world, others might decline, but he couldn't. How could he show his face in Liyue if he didn't offer a gift?
"My benefactor, is there anything you need? Antiques, curios, various decorative items... Just name it, and if I have it, feel free to ask."
As the biggest supplier for 'Mingxing Souvenir Shop', he wasn't short of such items. What Meng Dan valued was the rescuer's superb combat skills.
Those decisive movements, the effortless control of elemental power – it was clear this person was no ordinary individual. Spending a little money to foster goodwill might lead to future collaboration opportunities.
"I truly don't need anything. It was just a small act of kindness, and I appreciate your gesture."
Lumine still politely declined. Why would one expect a reward for helping others?
"Wait, we are actually looking for something!"
Paimon suddenly remembered something and quickly interjected.
"Oh? What is it?"
"Do you have a box for gifts? A pretty one... Hmm, the kind used for desserts!"
Paimon felt that while her Glazed Slime could conquer Ningguang, gifts always looked better with a nice presentation.
"Haha, of course! How can someone dealing in antiques not have gift boxes? 'Mingxing Souvenir Shop' has the finest gift packaging from all seven nations. You wait here, I'll speak to the boss. Whenever you need it, just come to the shop and ask for her..."
Meng Dan chuckled. He had thought it was something more significant, but it was just this small matter, which was no trouble at all.
"That's great! Our 'Glazed Slime' will have a deluxe gift box!"
Paimon grinned. She was truly brilliant!
While Lumine and Paimon were fighting and rescuing, Fengyi was also having a "fight" with Ningguang. Their reunion was passionate, like dry wood meeting fire... The battle was fierce, and the wooden bed in the bedroom creaked rhythmically.
Half an hour later, Lumine and Paimon tasted the Glazed Slime they had made. The indescribable texture and taste rendered them both speechless.
Meanwhile, Fengyi was contentedly drinking a "Ten-Restorative Kidney-Boosting Pig Kidney Soup" prepared by Ningguang's kitchen staff, a reward for her kidneys' hard work.
Life, it seemed, was just this peaceful and comfortable...