Chili Times

Meatballs and a Qingxin Flower's Spirit of Adventure

Within the heart of Liuli Pavilion's culinary specialty's, tasting the wonders of Li-style cuisine...

   'Have you ever seen a Glaze Lily? Its enchanting crystal blue color is such a staple, um...'
As with the greatest delicacy of his impeccable gestures, Zhongli consumed another portion of his 'Wild Flower's Plate'. The Liuli Pavilion's specialty dish he had ordered must have provided him with the finest taste he could ever expect from such a renowned culinary oasis, for he ceased not but to continue with a blissful sense of delight on his face, 'or have you ever wondered why a Qingxin flower grows only on the highest of peaks?'

   'Highest of peaks?'
Being so far Zhongli's every feast's companion during his sojourn in Liyue Harbour, Childe barely lifted his sight. As if entirely absorbed in a hopeless struggle with Liyue's traditional chopsticks, a young man sitting in front of Zhongli needed a moment to realize that had already lost track of the conversation.
   'O-oh, excuse me, my friend, those ones just give me such a challenge, ha-ha! Anyway, you were asking me whether I ever wondered why... wait, but you do know the reason already, don't you?' His eyes flashed and widened as he started to listen.

   'Some say it's because of its nature and origin,' almost ignoring Childe's last remark, carried on Zhongli. 'But if so, then what is its true nature and origin?'

   'Hmm... As you might probably sense, bet you rather do, of course I have no idea... while you on the other hand, which makes me realize it once again, seem to have an immense knowledge of things.' Childe couldn't stop looking at him, so intrigued with what he was saying.

   'Well... I believe that the Qingxin flower has a mind of its own, just like any living creature with an adventuring spirit. Cause just like an adventurer, they wish to reach the highest of peaks, where no other mortal has ever gone before. These very summits, unmarked by any devastating mortal presence, for Qinxin Flowers they are as raw and inviting as innocent are Glaze Lily's blue shades,' gently explained Zhongli - the man in black, a Wangsheng's Funeral Parlor's consultant, whose every parole, if listened carefully, always successfully attracts Childe's attention. 'That is what I think,' he continued, 'is the reason why a Qinxin flower, as bound to its nature, always grows on the mountain peaks.

'That is ...'

   'Now, let me point out that...'

'... the most beautiful, ekhem, possible explanation I have ever heard...'

   '... you're using your chopsticks wrong.'

They spoke up almost simultaneously, and realizing that, both ended up on murmuring the last words, as they came to understand each other's meanings.

   'Ykhm, I just, um, grab some random idea and make my own theory, that's all.'

Childe though, still at his previous observation, made an "ugh" reaction, and just carelessly, by accident, dropped a meatball back into his Jueyun Chili Balls bowl.
   'You... you just keep on intriguing me more and more!' he chuckled suddenly, as if not noticing the meatball's falling, and freely bent backwards on the chair.

   'Please do not waste food, a talented person put there hard work and effort into making us smile with delight.'

   'Ahh ahh, ya right, okay, okay.' he smiled innocently and quickly grabbed the meatball. It was gone just equally as fast as it appeared.'

Zhongli observed his actions attentively, then concluded.
   'Well, at least you finished your meal.'

Childe just chuckled again in response, and out of the sudden took a deep breath in.
   'Wait, I've just realized - you have not brought any money with you, haven't you?' His eyes got funnily focused on him, like he was already expecting the answer.

   'Ah, right, right, mind if you pay the bill?'

   'Ha-aha-ha!' As he began to laugh, he also instantly blushed. Still, Childe somehow managed to restrain it from covering his face entirely, just as fast as it appeared in the first place.
   'Of course, man!' he swiftly continued, 'I came here both to have a nice meal, as to have a greatest time with you, my friend - as we always do together - so it's all on me!'

   'Mmm, thank you for paying. Ah, and please give the chef a hefty tip too. They deserve a reward for their hardwork.'
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