[Your father asked puzzledly, "And who might you be?"]
["I'm a merchant from Liyue. My name is Ningguang, and I'm also a loyal customer of Wanmin Restaurant," the white-haired girl smiled at your father. "It would be such a shame if a restaurant as humble and beloved as Wanmin were to close down."]
It was Ningguang!
At this time, Ningguang wasn't yet the Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing but just a merchant.
Kael knew that Wanmin Restaurant was eventually supported by Ningguang, but he hadn't realized they'd made contact this early.
["Miss Ningguang, I'm grateful for your offer, but..." Your father hesitated. "As you can see, Wanmin is being targeted. I'm worried that if you help us, you'll get into trouble as well."]
[Ningguang chuckled softly. "I've already guessed who's targeting Wanmin. It's a battle of interests, and they're being ruthless. Don't worry, since I've decided to do business with you, I've already thought of a solution."]
["Besides, merchants are profit-driven. I'm only helping because I see something valuable in Wanmin. Chef Mao, you don't need to feel burdened."]
["Well, alright then. I'll have to trouble you, Miss Ningguang." Though reluctant to drag this young woman into the mess, your father was at his wits' end and willing to try anything. "I'll write down the list of ingredients we need."]
[While your father went inside to write the list, Ningguang turned her gaze to you.]
[Suddenly being stared at by a beautiful older sister, you felt a bit shy and greeted her. "Hello."]
[Ningguang's eyes swept over the Vision hanging at your waist, and she smiled. "To have such unwavering conviction at such a young age, to have caught off guard by the sudden attention from such a beautiful girl, you felt a little shy and greeted her. "Hello."]
[Your face flushed. "I... It's nothing, really."]
[Xiangling, standing beside you, puffed out her little chest proudly. "Of course! My brother is the best!"]
[Ningguang was amused by Xiangling's cuteness and turned to you. "You're also one of the reasons I'm willing to help Wanmin. Don't let your father and sister down."]
[You nodded earnestly.]
[Age 12: With Ningguang's help, Wanmin Restaurant resumed normal operations. Soon, business became as bustling as before.]
[At noon, as usual, you and Xiangling were eating the lunchboxes your father had prepared in the hills behind the school.]
["Dad's stir-fried lotus head is so delicious!" Xiangling's cheeks were stuffed as she mumbled. "I wonder if adding Slime Condensate as a thickener would make it even better."]
[You were already used to Xiangling's wild ideas and calmly ate your lunch.]
["What's Slime Condensate? That sounds disgusting," a girl with light purple hair, who seemed to be your age, stepped out from behind a tree.]
[The girl was dressed in an exquisite and adorable dress, with black stockings on her legs.]
[For some reason, the moment you saw her, your eyes couldn't look away. (Talent: Black Stockings Fetish passive triggered.)]
Seriously? This talent could trigger for a girl who's only 12 or 13?
System, you're pushing it!
["It's not disgusting! Any ingredient can make delicious food!" Xiangling shouted angrily.]
["Alright," the purple-haired girl was about to retort but seemed to remember something and stopped herself.]
[She turned to you. "Your food looks good. Let me try it?"]
[The girl's tone wasn't particularly polite, but you, influenced by your father's kindness, invited her to sit and eat with you.]
[During the conversation, you learned that the girl's name was Keqing. She had always been tutored at home but was suddenly sent to Academy by her family this year.]
["I really don't understand why they're making me go to school. The things they teach here are so simple—there's nothing worth learning."]
[As you ate, hearing these words, you suddenly didn't feel like enjoying your meal anymore.]
Keqing, as expected of you, great conversationalist.
Kael now strongly suspected that Keqing was sent to school because her social skills were so bad that her family wanted her to interact with more peers.
[From then on, your lunchtime with Xiangling included one more person.]
[Age 13: You were finally free! You graduated from Academy!]
[Your father wanted you to continue to higher education, but you vehemently refused.]
[You were never cut out for studying. Compared to academics, you loved cooking. When you cooked, everything came naturally to you. (Talent: Head Chef passive triggered.)]
[Your control over ingredients and heat often left even your experienced father in awe.]
[When Keqing found out you weren't continuing school, she also dropped out of Academy.]
["There's nothing useful to learn at school anyway. It's time for me to return to my family and learn how to manage the business."]
[You recalled the times you'd seen Keqing alone at school.]
[It seemed that apart from you and Xiangling, Keqing had no other friends at academy.]
[You couldn't help but feel a little sad for this sharp-tongued but kind-hearted girl. You smiled and said to her, "Even though we won't be going to school together anymore, we're still friends. You're always welcome at Wanmin Restaurant—I'll cook whatever you want!"]
[Keqing smiled faintly at your words. "I know."]
[The smile was fleeting but sincere and pure.]
["Meeting you and Xiangling was the best thing that happened to me at Academy."]
[After graduation, you officially joined Wanmin Restaurant.]
[Since you were still inexperienced, you didn't get to work in the kitchen right away. Instead, you did odd jobs and served customers.]
[Thanks to your Vision, your body was enhanced, and your stamina far surpassed that of an ordinary person. Even after a full day's work, you didn't feel tired.]
[Thus, the closing tasks at the restaurant were always left to you.]
[One night, as usual, you let your exhausted father go home early while you stayed behind to finish up.]
[A girl in a fitted qipao appeared at the entrance of Wanmin Restaurant.]
[Seeing that the lights were off, she sighed.]
["Miss Ningguang, you're here?"]
["Yes. I suddenly craved Wanmin's Bamboo Shoot Soup today, so I rushed back from Mondstadt. Unfortunately, I was too late."]
[Seeing the disappointment on Ningguang's tired face, you blurted out, "Miss Ningguang, wait. I can make Bamboo Shoot Soup for you."]
[Ningguang looked surprised.]
[You scratched your head shyly. "If you don't mind that I'm still learning."]
[Ningguang smiled gently. "Then I'll trouble you."]