Driven by the allure of dessert, Paimon displayed an enthusiasm for gathering fruit that defied common sense.
In no time at all, after several trips back and forth, she had piled up a mountain of fruit on the ground—taller than she was, if stacked.
Wait, does Paimon even count as a "person"? Or is she actually some hidden supreme deity?
Whatever, that question didn't matter. As long as Aether could manage his floating companion, this duo posed no real threat to him for the moment.
"That's enough," Gu Sanqiu finally stopped Paimon from making yet another trip. "We've got plenty; these won't even be the main ingredients today."
"Huh? That's it?" Paimon looked puzzled. "This might not even be enough for me alone!"
Gu Sanqiu was momentarily reminded of the 77th Director of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, whose bottomless stomach and inability to gain weight were the stuff of legend.
Are these two sharing the same manufacturer for their stomachs?
"It's enough. This is just a side dish. The main ingredients are ones I brought myself."
With a flick of his wrist, Gu Sanqiu suspended a bundle of materials in midair, secured with Anemo-formed cords. He began preparing the ingredients according to memory.
"Oh, it smells so sweet! Definitely a dessert!"
Paimon rubbed her hands together in anticipation. "What are you making, Sanqiu? Something traditional from Liyue?"
"In a sense, yes. Now, go tell Aether to stop training and take a break for food."
Paimon hesitated, then flashed an awkward smile. "Hehe… Could I have a little taste first?"
"No. At most, you can sip some sugar water right now. Go."
"Fine, fine. I'll look forward to it!"
Paimon floated off to get Aether, while Gu Sanqiu gathered a ball of water to rinse the apples and Sunsettias. After peeling and coring them, he brought out two large pots, separating the fruit into each and starting to simmer them.
Since time was of the essence, he heated the pots using crimson flames from his Delusion. Restrained from their typical energy-draining properties, these flames served as nothing more than extra-hot fire.
Though if Dottore ever saw this, he'd probably demand an intellectual duel out of sheer indignation.
"Now, how do you make jam again? Never mind. It's just for eating. The natural environment in Teyvat isn't that bad, so I'll skip adding anything unnecessary."
Gu Sanqiu set aside some materials, then condensed a clean chopping board using Geo energy. From the floating cluster, he retrieved a white block and set it on the board.
"Huh? Is this the dessert? It looks… kind of plain."
Paimon, having returned with Aether, hovered nearby and delivered her professional foodie critique.
Aether gently patted her head. "Don't… say that."
Paimon immediately covered her mouth. "Oh, right! Sorry, Sanqiu!"
"It's fine," Gu Sanqiu replied casually. "When I first started working with this, I thought it looked pretty basic too—didn't seem special at all."
He coated his palm in a thin layer of flame and lightly passed it over the white block. In an instant, a rich, fragrant aroma of rice mixed with the faint sweetness of fermented wine wafted into the air.
"Wow, that smells amazing!"
Paimon wobbled midair, her flight unsteady, before she gave up and latched onto Aether. Resting her head against his, she inhaled the scent with gleeful abandon.
"I feel full just smelling it! This is… this is such a waste!"
She clamped her hands over her nose and flew far away. "Let me know when it's ready! If the smell makes me eat less, that'd be such a waste!"
Both Aether and Gu Sanqiu chuckled. The latter gestured upward.
"Don't just stand there. Go fetch the little one from above—she's been playing long enough."
Nodding, Aether carefully grabbed the kite string tethering Klee and began reeling her in, bit by bit.
"Woo-hoo! Klee is coming in for a landing! Except… Klee doesn't want to!"
Arms spread wide, Klee cheered as the tiny wings on her back flapped with determination, trying to resist being pulled down.
But with Gu Sanqiu gradually reducing the elemental power sustaining the tether, Klee's descent was inevitable, no matter how hard she flapped.
Aether gripped the string tightly, his eyes fixed on Klee with concern, worried she might fall.
In reality, Gu Sanqiu was just letting her experience a miniature version of an amusement park drop ride.
"That's enough."
Aether finally brought Klee down safely, though it wasn't long before he found himself chasing after the little knight as she darted about.
Meanwhile, Gu Sanqiu swiftly sliced the white block into pieces about the size of mahjong tiles.
Retracting the flames, he removed the lids from the pots. The apples and Sunsettias had been boiled down into a sticky, natural jam.
Next, Gu Sanqiu poured a slightly dark liquid, speckled with flower petals, into a prepared container. The mingling aromas of floral and sugary sweetness filled the air.
Klee dashed over with stars in her eyes, leaning on the counter with her hands.
"Big brother Sanqiu, can Klee eat now?"
"Yes, go ahead and take a seat."
Gu Sanqiu loaded the completed items onto a large tray. After lifting it, he stomped the ground lightly with his right foot, conjuring a simple table and chairs from Geo energy.
Returning just in time, Paimon slapped her forehead. "I'm starting to think you have a thing for Geo manipulation at home."
"It's practical. Now sit."
Gu Sanqiu pointed to the plate of white pieces. "This is fa gao—you might've had something similar before."
"And that liquid over there is rose syrup water, served chilled. Dip the fa gao in it for a bit, and you've got a refreshing summer dessert."
While Aether and Klee listened intently, Paimon had already grabbed two pieces of fa gao, dunked them in the syrup, and stuffed them into her mouth.
"Mmm!"
Her expression softened into pure bliss.
"They're so soft, fragrant, and not sticky at all. The sweetness of the fa gao intensifies as you chew, and it blends perfectly with the floral and sugary notes of the syrup. It's so simple, yet it fits together so well—amazing!"
Paimon's chopsticks kept darting to the plate, leaving Gu Sanqiu momentarily speechless. Then he picked up a piece, added some jam on top, and ate it himself.
"This is another way to enjoy it. Of course, even plain, it's delicious. Try them all."
At this rate, he thought, there won't be any left for Klee or Aether.
Dessert was a powerful motivator, especially for the two exhausted from training. Even Aether, despite his usual restraint, joined in wholeheartedly.
Item: Chilled Jade Fa Gao
Rarity: Blue
Origin: Wan Frost Palace
Description: A delicacy from Wan Frost Palace, made with premium ingredients. Its icy properties lock in both flavor and nutrients, embodying the unique ingenuity of the new generation of palace disciples.
What began as a balanced arrangement quickly devolved into an all-out skirmish. With Gu Sanqiu staying out of the fray, Klee and Aether had to join forces to fend off the relentless attacks of a certain white-haired, bowl-to-plate thief.
Their foe? Paimon, the seemingly insatiable little demon.
Companion (Paimon) was just too good at eating!
---
...
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