It was still nighttime at Wangshu Inn, and the warm glow of lanterns illuminated the place, adding a splash of red to the picturesque Dihua Marsh.
Qiu Bai, Lumine, and Paimon made their way toward the inn's head chef, Yanxiao. They found him only after reaching a rooftop terrace.
Qiu Bai strolled over at a leisurely pace, while Lumine and Paimon greeted Yanxiao.
"I'm on break. No interruptions," Yanxiao grumbled, his brows furrowing as he gave them a cold, unwelcoming look.
Lumine hesitated before speaking. "Uh… Almond Tofu?"
"I. Said. No. Interruptions."
Arms crossed, Yanxiao repeated himself, enunciating each word as he stared at Lumine.
Paimon couldn't help but comment, "Wow, what an enthusiastic chef."
"He's on par with Wagner, the blacksmith from Mondstadt."
Qiu Bai glanced at Yanxiao in slight surprise before stating, "The order is from Boss Verr Goldet."
He could sense something off about Yanxiao—his demeanor wasn't just gruff; he seemed genuinely shaken, as if something had scared him.
"I see."
Yanxiao's expression shifted instantly, his previous coldness melting into a cheerful smile. His tone became noticeably friendlier.
"If the boss placed the order, then I guess I have no choice."
The sudden change left Lumine and Paimon stunned.
"Wow, way to switch gears" Paimon murmured.
Yanxiao sighed, shaking his head. "Unfortunately, I don't have the strength right now."
"I can't make delicate desserts like Almond Tofu."
"Huh? Why not?" Paimon asked, curious.
Yanxiao shot her a look as if she were clueless.
"A swordsman needs steady hands, and so does a chef."
"But right now, my hands… well, let's just say they're not so steady."
"The reason? Some guests have been spreading rumors… that the inn is haunted."
At this, Yanxiao's voice wavered, his face paling.
"And just now! Just now, in the kitchen—I saw something very wrong!"
Paimon crossed her arms and muttered to herself, For someone who looks so fierce, he sure turns weak the moment ghosts are involved.
Lumine, on the other hand, stared at him in disbelief. Were ghosts even real in this world?
Qiu Bai, however, found it amusing. After all, wasn't there someone very familiar with such matters standing right here?
"Just the thought that even Wangshu Inn isn't safe…" Yanxiao sighed dramatically.
"My hands just won't stop shaking—I can't grind the sweet almonds properly."
Paimon turned to Qiu Bai and Lumine. "Alright, Qiu Bai, Traveler."
"For the sake of the perfect Almond Tofu, let's check out the kitchen."
Qiu Bai smiled at Yanxiao. "Don't worry, leave this to us."
With that, he followed Lumine and Paimon to the kitchen.
…
When they arrived, Paimon waved her hands dismissively. "See? There's nothing here—"
"AHH!"
Before she could finish her sentence, she let out a terrified scream.
A small, translucent, glowing girl darted past the stove.
Paimon instantly shot behind Qiu Bai and Lumine, clutching her chest in fright.
Lumine, wide-eyed, stared at the spot where the little girl had just run past.
Meanwhile, a faint smile played on Qiu Bai's lips. He calmly raised a hand, and a misty black-and-white aura spread from his body, engulfing the entire inn.
The mysterious aura revealed the little girl's figure.
She stepped out from behind the vegetable rack, hopping around as she gazed curiously at Qiu Bai.
Paimon and Lumine were still stunned by the aura Qiu Bai had released when they saw the girl materialize.
Immediately, they bolted to what they considered a safe distance—behind Qiu Bai.
Then, in a crisp voice, the little girl began to sing a strange nursery rhyme:
"One Hilichurl falls ill, two Hilichurls watch~"
"Three Hilichurls gather herbs, four Hilichurls brew~"
"Five Hilichurls perish, six Hilichurls carry them away~"
Qiu Bai rubbed his forehead. Judging from the eerie rhyme, this little girl must have met Hu Tao before she passed away.
"Being a ghost isn't a good thing, you know that, right?"
Paimon finally snapped out of her shock and spoke in a lecturing tone.
But the little girl just kept hopping around.
Frustrated, Paimon stomped her foot. "Are you even listening?!"
The girl suddenly stopped, tilting her head at them.
"Okay~"
"Xiaoming won't play pranks on the guests anymore."
She then turned her bright eyes toward Qiu Bai.
"Big brother, you smell nice. Next time, let you play with me instead."
"If you don't come… Xiaoming will come find you."
Paimon and Lumine's eyes widened as they stared at Qiu Bai.
He wasn't… terrified?
Qiu Bai simply smiled. "I promise I'll play with you next time."
"But from now on, no more scaring the guests."
Paimon and Lumine stood frozen in place.
Wait… did he not find that terrifying?!
Playing with a ghost?
Just the thought of it was horrifying!
Xiaoming gleefully jumped up.
"Xiaoming understands! Thank you, big brother!"
With that, the little girl's figure vanished.
Qiu Bai turned to Lumine and Paimon with a smile. "And with that, the matter is resolved."
"Let's report the haunting situation to the boss first."
Paimon waved her hands in amazement. "I really didn't expect you to have a talent for ghost-catching."
"Looks like even if that little girl comes back to find you, you'd have no trouble handling it."
Lumine, too, eyed Qiu Bai curiously. She still didn't quite understand how he had made the little girl appear.
...
After a while, the three of them returned to the counter.
Verr Goldet greeted them as they approached.
Qiu Bai briefly recounted the events that had just transpired.
Goldet was taken aback. "I never expected Mr. Qiu Bai to be capable of catching spirits."
"On behalf of the guests at Wangshu Inn, I sincerely thank you."
That little ghost had been left in her and the innkeeper's care at Xiao's request.
But she had constantly played pranks on the guests, much to Goldet's frustration.
Now that Qiu Bai had handled the matter, she couldn't help but feel relieved.
Qiu Bai smiled. "No need to thank me. I've already left my aura around the inn."
"You won't have to worry about any more spirits causing trouble."
Paimon suddenly realized something. "Oh! So that black-and-white aura from earlier was to ward off evil spirits!"
"I really didn't expect you to have this kind of ability, Qiu Bai!"
Lumine, however, wasn't particularly surprised.
After all, she had already witnessed plenty of things from Qiu Bai that had left her in shock.
Just his ability to send people flying with a casual wave of his hand, or to teleport instantly to Wangshu Inn—both were feats beyond her comprehension.
This mysterious guest consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor… just how many secrets did he have?
Goldet quickly added, "Then allow me to express my gratitude again, Mr. Qiu Bai. I truly didn't expect you to possess such abilities."
Lumine thought to herself, If you saw him casually send someone flying, you'd be even more shocked.
At this point, Goldet was almost certain—this man, Qiu Bai, must be an Adeptus.
After all, even those with Visions could only prevent spirits from getting too close.
Paimon clapped her hands together. "Alright then! Now we should finally be able to find that chef!"
"And get him to make us some delicious Almond Tofu!"