Chapter 42 – The Childe is Friend-zoned

Liyue Harbor, Wanmin Restaurant.

At this moment, Xiangling was busy cooking in the kitchen, while Tartaglia, Qiu Bai, and Qiu Yue sat on chairs, hands resting on the table, waiting for Xiangling to finish preparing the meal.

Xiangling wiped the sweat from her face with one hand while stir-frying with the other.

“When I came back earlier, Dad really gave me an earful.”

“Thankfully, Mr. Qiu Bai stepped in to explain.”

“Otherwise, I might not have been allowed out for a while.”

Thinking this, Xiangling cast a grateful glance at Qiu Bai sitting outside on the chair.

Then she focused intently on preparing each dish.

Childe watched Qiu Yue sitting beside Qiu Bai, lost in thought.

“A younger sister, huh? I wonder how Teucer is doing.”

“It’s been a while since I last returned to Snezhnaya.”

“But Mr. Qiu Bai’s sister is truly beautiful.”

Childe stared at Qiu Yue in front of him, momentarily lost in thought.

Qiu Bai, meanwhile, smiled warmly as he looked at Tartaglia, his eyes radiating a harmonious kindness.

Qiu Yue, who had been stared at by Tartaglia for some time, blushed slightly, lowering her head and clutching her skirt tightly.

“Mr. Tartaglia, is there something on my face?”

Only then did Qiu Yue speak up shyly, still looking down.

“Hey, Tartaglia, it’s quite rude to stare at a girl like that.”

Qiu Bai clasped his hands together, resting his elbows on the table as he smiled at Tartaglia.

“Ah, sorry, Miss Qiu Yue. I was just reminded of something.”

“Seeing you made me think of my younger brother back in Snezhnaya.”

Childe quickly defended himself. After all, who would want to be seen as a creep in front of such a beautiful girl?

Teucer: “Brother, you’re always right.”

Then he turned to look at Qiu Bai, shivering slightly under the latter’s harmonious smile.

“Strange. Even though Mr. Qiu Bai is just an ordinary person without a Vision…”

“Why do I get such a particularly dangerous feeling from him?”

Childe wondered curiously to himself. How thrilling! He really wanted to have a proper match with him!

“Three guests, the food is ready!”

Xiangling’s voice rang out from the kitchen.

Then, with some kind of sleight of hand, Xiangling emerged balancing a plate of food on her head.

She held a plate in each hand, while Guoba carried another plate in its hands.

The dishes emitted a delicious aroma as they were placed on the table.

“Please enjoy, Mr. Qiu Bai, Miss Qiu Yue, and Mr. Tartaglia!”

“This meal is on me, Xiangling.”

With that, Xiangling sat down as well, while Guoba stood on a stool because it was simply too short.

“Then let’s dig in.”

Qiu Bai picked up his chopsticks, picked up a piece of meat, and ate it.

“Mmm… As expected of Xiangling.”

Qiu Bai chewed a few times, then closed his eyes slightly, savoring the taste.

“The beast meat is fried crisp in hot oil, then sugar and fruit sauce are added to the pan in sequence. Once the sauce thickens, it’s set aside.”

“Then the crispy fried meat is returned to the pan, the prepared thick sauce is poured in, and everything is stir-fried until the sauce is absorbed.”

“Beyond the masterful technique, there’s also the chef’s confidence in herself.”

Qiu Bai slowly opened his eyes and praised Xiangling warmly.

“Hehe, Mr. Qiu Bai, you’re making me blush.”

Xiangling scratched her head, feeling a bit embarrassed as she spoke.

These words truly touched Xiangling’s heart.

Who would have thought that this Mr. Qiu Bai would be so much like Mr. Zhongli, even speaking in the same manner.

She still remembered when Zhongli came to eat, he was just like Mr. Qiu Bai.

Hmm… except Mr. Zhongli always forgot to bring money.

“Hehe, just telling the truth.”

“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. If you don’t believe me, ask my sister here.”

“And Childe Tartaglia.”

Qiu Bai looked at Tartaglia, who seemed somewhat familiar with the chopsticks, and said to his sister beside him.

“Mhm! Brother is right.”

“It’s really good! Xiangling.”

Qiu Yue gave a thumbs up.

Her usually quiet face was puffed up with food, making her speech unclear.

She had completely lost her ladylike demeanor, which was enough proof of how delicious Xiangling’s cooking was.

However, seeing this, Qiu Bai’s mouth twitched fiercely. He never expected his sister,

who usually appeared so gentle and quiet, to eat like this.

Tartaglia also gave Xiangling a thumbs up.

“Miss Xiangling, the food you make.”

“Is even better than what I’ve had at Liuli Pavilion and in Snezhnaya.”

If not for political reasons, he might have really grown fond of Liyue.

“Hehe, thank you, Sister Qiu Yue and Mr. Tartaglia.”

Xiangling smiled and thanked them, feeling very happy inside.

Beside Xiangling, Guoba was also eating vigorously, with one foot on the chair, trying hard to reach the dishes.

Seeing this, Xiangling picked Guoba up.

“Guoba! You’re getting heavier and heavier.”

Xiangling held Guoba and helped it get the dish.

Then, using all her strength, she placed Guoba back on the chair, panting.

“Lu lu lu (＾ω＾)”

Guoba looked at the dish in front of it, showing a happy smile, and then started eating.

Xiangling had prepared large portions for every dish precisely because she was afraid something like this might happen.

Half an hour later, Qiu Bai stood up, stretched, and picked up a handkerchief to wipe his mouth.

Xiangling also began clearing the plates from the table.

Behind him, Qiu Yue had oil all over her mouth, looking at Qiu Bai with a quiet, dazed expression.

This made Qiu Bai unable to hold back.

“Hahahaha.”

“Hahahahahaha.”

Qiu Bai clutched his stomach, laughing so hard he almost spat out the food he had just eaten.

Qiu Yue stood up angrily, looking at her brother in front of her, not understanding what was so funny.

“Um… Miss, the oil on your face.”

“Here, this is a handkerchief for wiping your mouth.”

Beside her, Tartaglia, seeing Qiu Yue’s adorable appearance, handed her a new handkerchief.

Qiu Yue took the handkerchief offered by Childe and, imitating her brother, wiped her mouth.

“So that’s how it is…”

Qiu Yue murmured, feeling like she had learned something.

She then gave Tartaglia a sweet smile.

“Thank you! Mr. Tartaglia.”

“You’re such a good person!”

Qiu Yue smiled like a flower, looking at Tartaglia with a sweet expression.

And she handed Tartaglia a “good person card.”

After saying this, Qiu Yue extended her jade-like hand. The confused Tartaglia thought she wanted to shake hands.

As soon as their hands touched, a faint white light emanated from Qiu Yue’s hand, flowing through her into Tartaglia’s body.

Childe’s body immediately felt a warm sensation, very comfortable, as if he had just taken a bath.

The fatigue he had accumulated over the past few days also vanished.

The side effects from using the Delusion these past few years have also vanished, and even a faint light has returned to his eyes.

“I feel as though my current strength is like it was before I ever used the Delusion.”

Qiu Bai, meanwhile, swept a glance over Tartaglia with his Divine Power, observing his physical condition.

“Did my sister use the Authority to extend his lifespan?”

“Who would have thought Tartaglia would be so fortunate.”

But my sister’s way of showing gratitude is truly unique, Qiu Bai thought, his lips twitching slightly.

After all, who shows their thanks by extending someone’s lifespan?

The author just finished the latest 3.2 storyline, and my Nahida got lost! No!!