"Spicy? But Tok doesn't eat spicy..."
In contrast to spice, people from Snezhnaya prefer sweeter foods. Tok usually had dishes with lots and lots of sugar added, and the oil used was always extra virgin olive oil.
"That's a real shame. People who don't eat spicy miss out on more than half the fun in life."
Chef Mao tutted. Those who didn't eat spicy would never understand the exhilarating joy of devouring a hearty, spicy meal.
"Then let's order some non-spicy dishes. Tok, Wanmin Restaurant's flavors are very accommodating, there's sure to be something you'll like..."
Feng Yi ordered all the non-spicy dishes on the Wanmin Restaurant's menu and tasted them one by one, refusing to believe Tok wouldn't like any of them.
"Haha, just as Brother Feng Yi said, Wanmin Restaurant is called Wanmin Restaurant precisely because we aim to make dishes that please everyone. If I, Chef Mao, can't even achieve that, I have no face to be in the culinary world."
Chef Mao asked them to find a seat and wait briefly, as the dishes would be out soon.
"By the way, Chef Mao, why don't I see Xiangling and Guoba today? Where did they go?"
While waiting for the food at the dining table, Feng Yi struck up a conversation with Chef Mao.
"Them? Xiangling is in her room developing some new dishes. Guoba said he was going to meet friends at Heyu Tea House. After spending so much time with Guoba, I really don't know what friends he has..."
A chef of Chef Mao's caliber, even while chatting incessantly, didn't affect his cooking speed at all.
"Guoba? Brother Feng Yi, is that something to eat?"
Tok vaguely recalled hearing the name somewhere. There was a snack in Liyue called Guoba that was very crunchy.
"No, Guoba is a friend. He has thick eyebrows and big eyes, very interesting. If you'd like to meet him, I can take you to Heyu Tea House after we finish eating..."
Feng Yi patted Tok's head and replied with a smile.
As for Guoba's friends, especially in a place like Heyu Tea House, it was almost certain to be Zhongli.
"Haha, the food is here, eat it while it's hot..."
"Uncle Chef Mao, do you have any sugar here? Tok wants to dip some in sugar to eat."
Tok took a bite and found the taste quite good. If he added a spoonful of sugar, it would be perfect.
"Yes, I'll get it for you right away."
"Mmm... it's a bit too sweet, so cloying..."
Paimon curiously tasted Tok's way of eating and felt she would never eat sweets again in her life.
Tok, however, found it just right, exactly the same as what Auntie Tonya made.
After eating their fill, they headed to Heyu Tea House. Feng Yi, familiar with the place, led them to the private room where Zhongli was.
"You've arrived, please sit."
Zhongli nodded at them as they entered. Four extra cups of tea had already been poured on the table, as if he had expected them.
"Wow, is this the legendary Liyue tea? Uh... it tastes bitter..."
Tok took a sip and couldn't understand why such a beverage was sold at such a high price in Snezhnaya.
It was bitter and astringent, not tasty at all.
"Tea is like life. One must sit down and savor it quietly. Isn't the sweetness after the bitterness and astringency even more precious?"
Zhongli smiled slightly. Tok was still young and it was normal that he didn't understand the joy of tea tasting.
Seeing everyone sitting on stools, including the friend Feng Yi mentioned, Guoba, all watching the play and holding tea, occasionally taking a sip with a look of contentment, Tok realized this was the correct way to taste tea.
Tok decided he had learned something.
He imitated Mr. Zhongli, taking a gentle sip and letting the tea linger in his mouth for a moment. Indeed, the sweetness after the bitterness and astringency made Tok's eyes light up.
This sweetness was entirely different from the sweetness of a spoonful of sugar, with an indescribable feeling that calmed his mood considerably.
He decided that when he returned to Snezhnaya, he would definitely bring a box of tea back for his family to try.
Even Tok himself didn't expect time to pass so quickly while tasting tea. Before he knew it, an entire afternoon had gone by.
When they were leaving, Zhongli was very generous and gave Tok a box of tea as a welcome gift.
Tok was overjoyed and took out a heavy bag of Mora as a return gift.
Both parties felt they had gotten the better deal.
Leaving Heyu Tea House, Tok was impatient to share this box of tea with his brother and asked Feng Yi to take him there.
Following the address left by Tartaglia, Feng Yi and his group arrived by the river near Qingxu Pool. Indeed, they saw Tartaglia under a tree, talking to a group of Treasure Hoarders.
"You... should know my intentions, right?"
"Such a big mouth, you expect us to guess? If you want to join us, I'll be blunt: someone with your foppish appearance will never be welcome."
The Treasure Hoarders looked at the young man before them and, outnumbering him, surrounded him, ready to teach this kid a lesson. This area was their territory.
"Heh heh... Your imagination is quite good..."
Tartaglia sneered.
"In the name of Her Majesty the Tsaritsa, I forgive you country bumpkins for your lack of insight. Now, heed my name—"
"Brother!"
Just as Tartaglia was about to reveal his great name to shock these Treasure Hoarders, he was startled by his brother Tok's voice.
"Brother, are you trying to sell them toys?! That's amazing! I've always wanted to see you at work!"
Tok, holding a box of tea, ran up to his brother, full of admiration and excitement.
"I... My name—is... Hmm... Snezhnaya's greatest toy salesman!"
"Pfft..."
Paimon: Is this the Fatui? It's so hard to hold back laughter.
What's more, Tartaglia even applauded himself as he introduced himself. Lumine turned her head away, afraid she would burst out laughing.
Feng Yi finally witnessed a legendary scene from the story. Tartaglia, utterly embarrassed, was actually quite cute.
"So cool~!"
Tok's admiration grew even stronger.
"Uh..."
The Treasure Hoarders, having thought he was some big shot from the first half of his introduction, now felt inexplicably looked down upon.
"So, are you buying or not? Toys produced in Snezhnaya three months ago. The price is... hmm... six hundred thousand Mora, payable in full."
With Tok present, Tartaglia had to find a different way to collect his debt.
"W-what toys? H-how much???"
"Do you want to use this money to get your brain fixed?"
"Hahaha hahahaha..."
The Treasure Hoarders burst into unrestrained laughter, completely unaware that they were dancing on the edge of a cliff.