The lazy, gentle sunlight of the afternoon bathed Wanmin's back courtyard.
Keqing sat quietly on a stool, showing none of the Yuheng's airs, watching Ken and Xiangling's contest with curiosity.
People often say gentlemen keep their distance from the kitchen, and Keqing had rarely seen someone as refined as Ken so devoted to the culinary arts.
Seeing Keqing so easygoing, the Wanmin staff relaxed too.
"Hehe, Mr. Ken, shall we do Mora Meat first? These two cuts are prime tender wild boar from the outskirts."
Xiangling handed one piece to Ken.
These were rare cuts—the most tender from the Boar King.
"Okay."
Ken efficiently washed the boar meat, cut it into small pieces, and set it to braise with seasonings.
The braised filling inside the bun was the essence of Mora Meat.
While the meat simmered, he calmly started kneading dough for the buns.
This dish was common in Liyue; many could make it.
But to get a bun that's crisp outside and chewy inside, you had to work on the dough.
"Mr. Ken's kneading is skillful."
Chief Mao's sharp eyes spotted his practiced technique at once.
"Mm? How does he compare to you?" Keqing asked, curious.
"To be modest, in kneading he's at least my equal," Chief Mao said sincerely. "I've made noodles for decades. I can tell his touch and force are just right. Looks like my girl's met her match."
"You can tell so much just from kneading?" Keqing didn't quite get it.
Chief Mao laughed. "The Yuheng may not know, but after decades at the craft, some things are obvious at a glance."
Keqing nodded, still a bit puzzled.
Chief Mao didn't press it. To an outsider, it's all murky anyway.
People think cuisine is just about taste, but beyond flavor, a good chef's fundamentals alone leave others far behind.
Xiangling was nearly unmatched in Liyue Harbor's culinary circle.
But today, Chief Mao suddenly felt her rival might be right here.
"With the same ingredients and seasonings, will the taste really be different?"
Paimon glanced at Xiangling's braising method, then at Ken's seasoning ratios, scratching her head.
Lumine's eyes, however, followed Ken the whole time.
Sunlight streamed through the wooden lattice windows onto him, gilding him in pale gold.
His profile as he cooked grew even more striking—clean-cut and handsome, shining when focused.
"Traveler, are you very close with Mr. Ken?"
Seeing Lumine's look, Keqing leaned over to ask.
"Uh… Not close… not close." Lumine snapped out of her daze, afraid to reveal her ties with Ken. "We haven't interacted much. As fellow outlanders, we're friends, I guess."
Keqing was silent a moment, then looked enlightened.
"I see."
She felt she'd discovered something big.
A crush.
It must be a crush.
She couldn't have mistaken that admiring gaze.
"What do you see?" Lumine had a bad feeling.
"Nothing," Keqing said, chin in hands, very serious. "I was just thinking that liking someone like Mr. Ken is perfectly normal."
Lumine: "???"
Keqing's dead-serious expression saying such unserious words made Lumine blush to her ears.
"Was it love at first sight? Very popular in light novels."
Keqing mused. Since both said they weren't close, it had to be love at first sight.
"Ah… y-yes, yes…" Lumine forced it out, face red as an apple. "Miss Keqing, let's just watch them cook."
…
As time passed, the braise was done.
Just lifting the lid and catching the aroma was enough to make one salivate.
"Sizzle…"
To everyone's surprise, Ken didn't chop the braised meat fine, but spread chopped onions in a skillet, set the meat on top, and pan-seared it.
From here, his method diverged clearly from traditional Mora Meat.
"Braising first, then searing on a bed of onions—finally removing the seared meat. You get a crisp exterior and tender interior, and the onions cut the richness."
"Of course, the heat is crucial. It's easy to overbrown and ruin the appearance—this step looks simple but is the hardest."
Chief Mao was impressed by Ken's technique.
Who knew a simple dish like Mora Meat could yield a new flavor?
"That's about right."
Ken brought out the baked buns—lightly golden and crisp outside, soft and fine inside. He stuffed them with chopped braised meat, added a dusting of spice, then topped with blanched Jueyun Chili bits and chopped scallions.
With color, aroma, and flavor all perfect, the staff watching all swallowed involuntarily.
They'd just finished the lunch rush and hadn't eaten yet. Starving, the smell made their stomachs growl.
"I'm done too!"
Xiangling came out from the next kitchen with her Mora Meat, her face full of confident joy.
She was very good at these common dishes.
She could make their flavors sing even with her eyes closed.
"Let Xiangling go first," Ken said.
Xiangling didn't stand on ceremony. She cut her Mora Meat and distributed slices to each judge.
"Waaah…"
Paimon dove in, stuffing half a slice in her mouth.
The bun was crisp with a hint of sweetness; the braised filling was juicy; the scallions added fragrance—mouthwatering and lingering.
Lumine closed her eyes in enjoyment.
As expected of Chef Xiangling—quite superb.
Compared to the Mora Meat Lumine had made before, this was leagues better.
"What do you think, Lady Keqing?"
Rather than her father or Lumine, Xiangling watched the noble girl closely.
With her light purple twin-tails falling down, Keqing took a small bite unhurriedly, her pink-violet eyes calm. "Mm, it's good."
Eh?
Xiangling was surprised.
She'd seen countless diners' reactions to good food. Even Ganyu, who ate vegetarian, would quietly finish everything here.
But Keqing merely tasted and remained placid. That said a lot.
"Mm… I don't have much desire for food. But for me, this Mora Meat is indeed quite good."
Sensing Xiangling's doubts, Keqing explained.
"I see… As expected of the Yuheng," Xiangling said sheepishly. She'd long heard Keqing was exceptionally self-disciplined, hardworking, austere. It seemed true— even good food couldn't stir her desires.
"Quick, quick—Mr. Ken's turn, right?"
After cleaning her plate of Xiangling's Mora Meat, Paimon urged Ken impatiently.
The Wanmin helpers all fell speechless at the sight.
It didn't feel like the floating thing was judging in earnest—just mooching a free feast.
"Mr. Ken, I'm really looking forward to yours too," Xiangling said, winking.
Ken smiled and cut his Mora Meat into four portions, which the helpers served to the judges.
"You added Jueyun Chili?" The bright red chili bits caught Xiangling's eye. She was surprised.
Jueyun Chili in Mora Meat—wouldn't that be too spicy?
Ken arched a brow and didn't answer.
Chief Mao's expression was answer enough.
"Delicious… The bun is crisp outside and soft inside. The real marvel is the braised meat—after pan-searing on onions, the surface is lightly crisp while the inside stays juicy. Each bite is crisp outside, tender inside, juices bursting yet not greasy…"
"And the stroke of genius is the Jueyun Chili—nowhere near as spicy as expected, with a slight crunch. Paired with a little cumin and pepper, you get the char of grilled meat and the savor of braise."
As Wanmin's boss, Chief Mao quickly summarized the strengths.
Even Keqing, expressionless before, couldn't help taking a second bite.
She rarely craved food; her only favorite was Golden Shrimp Balls. But this simple, common Mora Meat truly stirred her appetite.
The heat of the Jueyun Chili made Keqing's thighs press together slightly.
Still elegant, she nonetheless finished Ken's portion quickly.
The Yuheng who had just been all stiff-jawed found her mouth going soft as she ate.
Paimon was shouting, "Is there more? More? Bring it all here! Once we're full, we'll take the rest to Cloud Retainer!"
"Paimon!" Lumine covered her face helplessly. So greedy… how embarrassing.
But seeing everyone's reactions, the outcome needed no more words.
Xiangling suspiciously took a bite of Ken's and her eyes lit up. "You used onions… pepper… a little cumin… and you seared the meat. Most importantly, the Jueyun Chili isn't as hot."
She took another, savoring it. A nearly imperceptible tang came from the chili.
Xiangling's eyes brightened further.
"I get it… Soaking Jueyun Chili in fruit vinegar first reduces the heat. Then you rinse and blanch it to remove leftover vinegar—the resulting chili is moderately spicy and perfectly cuts the rich fattiness…"
As a top chef, Xiangling's tongue was exceptionally perceptive.
That barely-there acidity is undetectable to most, but she sensed it with careful tasting.
Ken smiled. "As expected of Liyue's great chef—what a discerning tongue."
Even Chief Mao hadn't caught that nuance; Xiangling did. And that faint acidity didn't harm the taste—paired with the bun's crispness, it was even more delightful.
"No need to continue—I've lost."
Ever the optimist, Xiangling wasn't dejected; she was more fired up.
Clearly, she needed to study each ingredient more deeply.
"Mr. Ken, please guide me more from now on," Xiangling said with a smile.
Having met someone above her skill for the first time, she wouldn't miss the chance. Only by discussing with excellent chefs could she improve.
"Of course."
Ken didn't refuse. He then finished the other two dishes, portioned out servings to store along with the Mora Meat, and shared the rest with everyone.
"Ungh…"
Keqing leaned back, rubbing her slightly rounded tummy, a little embarrassed.
Just a moment ago, she'd claimed she had little appetite. That stiff, serious act was still fresh in mind.
Yet now she'd cleaned every dish Ken made… even overate.
The ever work-focused Yuheng experienced, for the first time, being conquered by cuisine.
Realizing she was rubbing her belly, she quickly stopped and sat up straight again.
That behavior was unladylike.
"Didn't expect the Yuheng to enjoy such common fare so sweetly," Paimon grumbled. If Keqing hadn't eaten so fast, she could've had more.
A blush rose to Keqing's face. "Though I come from a good family, I don't have many picky demands in food, clothing, or use."
"Yes, the Yuheng has given much to Liyue—we admire you," Xiangling said, eyes smiling.
"No, no…" Keqing was a bit embarrassed.
Only she knew she wasn't exactly likable.
Her assistants had churned through batches, unable to bear working with her.
Xiangling and the others' admiring looks made Keqing bashful. She hurried on, "All right, let's discuss business…"
"We'll give you privacy," Xiangling said sensibly.
Matters of Liyue's fate weren't for them to hear.
"Mm… Thank you." After Xiangling left, Keqing looked to Ken. "As the saying goes, 'walls have ears.' If possible, please come to the Jade Chamber."
Ken didn't speak; a current of Anemo rose around him.
Like a shield, it formed a barrier in the room.
"If we can talk here, let's do it here," Ken said. He couldn't be bothered to go back and forth.
…