[Genshin Impact] Water, Ice, and Everything Nice

Xiangling's Shing-a-Ling

The journey back to Liyue Harbor was almost uneventful.

Well, maybe except for a few fights with treasure hoarders that made camp near Mount Tianheng. They gave Chongyun a big headache because he wasn't as fast as Xingqiu when it came to dodging the dirt the hoarders would splash around their faces.

And maybe except for the hilichurls that, for some reason, were now dotting the shoreline of the marshes from the Wangshu Inn, all the way to ruins scattered across Guilli Plains. They weren't particularly difficult to handle, not when you have Xingqiu's martial arts genius. It was just that Xingqiu would let Chongyun handle the bigger hilichurls and Chongyun would often find himself thrown fifty feet away whenever those gigantic monsters would come charging.

Xingqiu, who's supposed to be his friend, shouldn't be laughing. But he would. He would laugh and laugh as Chongyun took longer time to handle the bigger hilichurls.

And then there were the abyss mages, too. Most of them were surprisingly attuned to both hydro and cryo elements, making it especially difficult for him and Xingqiu to fight. But then again, one shouldn't always rely on one's vision. Personally, Chongyun always thought it better to trust more in thaumaturgy and martial arts. The problem was that Xingqiu would splash around his raincutter, making Chongyun wet and a very easy target for the abyss mages to freeze.

And frozen he was, as if by his own power. And Xingqiu would not bother to break him free. Instead, his blue-haired friend would sit on a nearby stone and read books while Chongyun melted.

I swear that once we arrive in Liyue, I'm going to formally establish the Victims of Xingqiu Alliance! Chongyun thought to himself. Surely, I'm not the only victim of this evil master, aren't I?

"You were saying something?" Xingqiu asked as they began the infamous climb towards Liyue Harbor. Chongyun could see the Guizhong ballistas that were no longer in use for the past millenia.

"Oh, nothing," he lied. "You know, I just remembered Xiao. I've read about him from my family's library. The Conqueror of Demons himself has defended Liyue side by side us, exorcists, for generations now. I've always admired his tales. But I guess the stories about him were true. He was disparaging about us, wasn't he?"

"Indeed." Xingqiu commented. "Plus the fact that he tried to kills us both."

Chongyun laughed. "At least we showed him what we were made of."

"Uh huh," Xingqiu nodded. "And you, my friend, are yet to show me what you're made of! Ready for the challenge?

Chongyun followed Xingqiu's finger as it pointed out towards the far end of the street: Wanmin Restaurant. Chongyun groaned. He had a lot of memories of Wanmin Restaurant. Missing memories, to be precise. All he knew was he did a lot of embarrassing things there that he's no longer sure if he can show his face to the owner and his daughter again.

"Come on!" Xingqiu dashed towards the restaurant and Chongyun reluctantly followed suit. It was alright for him to run around now. Liyue Harbor was quite cool at night. The open mountains never blocked the cool breeze that blew from the sea.

"Welcome, welcome!" greeted the owner.

"Good evening, Chef Mao!"

"Oh hoh! If it isn't the young master of the Feiyun Commerce Guild!," Chef Mao exclaimed as he recognized Xingqiu. "Is the young master not eating at his place tonight?"

Xingqiu shook his head. "We're here for your specialties, Chef Mao. It's a special day for myself and my friend here."

Chongyun allowed himself to be dragged in front of Chef Mao.

"Oh hoh! Master Xingqiu brought a friend, eh? Guess what, young master? My daughter is coming very soon. She's more fit to serve you, young master. What do you say, eh?"

Chongyun's eyes widened in shock at the mention of Chef Mao's daughter. It seems that Chef Mao have forgotten all about Chongyun, but he was absolutely sure that his daughter, the famous Xiangling, would never forget.

Afterall, it took Chongyun a whole year's worth of crimping to pay off everything.

"Wow! Of course, Chef Mao! We'll wait. Why don't you give us some Chicken-Mushroom skewers while we wait? We are starving."

"Of course, young master. Chicken-Mushroom skewers, coming right up!"

Xingqiu sat excitedly at the front of the store while Chongyun relunctantly sat himself beside him.

"I'm starting to think that this is not a good idea," Chongyun began.

"Why's that?" the other boy asked.

"You see," Chongyun wondered where to begin his story. "Our exorcist clan had a successful séance one day, and we came here to celebrate."

"Uh huh," Xingqiu said, munching on the newly served platter of skewers. "Go on."

"And Chef Mao's daughter..." It was really becoming more and more difficult for Chongyun to continue. "Xiangling – you have no idea what kind of food she cooks!"

"Yes!" Xingqiu said, swallowing a particularly big portion of chicken. "I've heard about her – this Xiangling you speak of. Our guild members speak highly of her skill in the kitchen. Some even say that she has already surpassed her father! Personally, I am excited to taste whatever exotic recipe she serves us tonight!"

"You don't understand," Chongyun replied. "She cooks things that are—"

"Hello," came the high-pitched voice that Chongyun had dreaded for years. "Oh, it's you! It's been such a long time. Have you been well?"

Chongyun could already feel his body heat rising up. He kept his head down before replying to the young lady who just came.

"Hello,"

"Pleased to make your acquaintance, Chef Xiangling. My name is Xingqiu from the Feiyun Commerce Guild."

"Hello Xingqiu, it's a pleasure to meet you. Are you friends with Chongyun?"

"Yes," Chongyun could hear the excitement in Xingqiu's voice. "We're here to taste your famous dishes."

"Are you sure?" Xiangling asked. "From what I remember, your friend can't seem to take my recipes."

"Huh? Whatever do you mean, Chef Xiangling?"

Chongyun was so embarrassed at the conversation that he had to keep his head down.

"Well... let's just say that he becomes a totally different person after eating a bunch of Jueyun chillies."

Chongyun could feel Xingqiu's ear-to-ear smile without having to look at the other boy.

"Anyway, I'm here now. And I have just the very ingredient to make this night extra special for the both of you!"

Xingqui clapped his hands in delight. "My mouth's already salivating! I can't wait!"

Chongyun, on the other hand, is ready to take his shirt off in fear of what's to come.

"I'm serving you my very own Shing-a-Ling!"