[The recipe for Bamboo Shoot Soup was simple, but you had your own twist on it. Besides the essential raw meat, ham, and bamboo shoots, you added a concentrated fowl soup for extra flavor. (Talent: Head Chef passive triggered.)]
[The result was a savory, rich, and fragrant Bamboo Shoot Soup with tender meat and crisp bamboo shoots.]
[Ningguang took a bite, and her eyes lit up.]
["This is the best Bamboo Shoot Soup I've ever had!" Ningguang declared. "You truly have a talent for cooking."]
Ningguang had traveled far and wide, so if even she praised the dish, it must have been truly exceptional.
Indeed, the talents given by the system were the strongest.
Even the lowest rarity talents could bring surprises.
Kael, who had initially been indifferent to this talent, now felt a spark of anticipation.
Once he obtained this talent, wouldn't he be able to enjoy top-tier dishes every day?
[Ningguang told you that this Bamboo Shoot Soup was what she had rewarded herself with at Wanmin Restaurant when she earned her first fortune.]
[So, whenever she felt tired, she would come to Wanmin to savor this dish.]
[The rich and fragrant soup reminded her of the joy of earning her first fortune with her own hands.]
[From that day on, you would occasionally see Ningguang at Wanmin just before closing.]
[Whenever she appeared, you would put aside your work and cook her a steaming bowl of Bamboo Shoot Soup.]
[Gradually, she began to share her life with you, sometimes chatting about daily trivialities, other times venting about business difficulties.]
[You were a great listener.]
[Whether it was your gentle comfort or the delicious Bamboo Shoot Soup—or perhaps both—Ningguang found that every time she was struggling, a bowl of your soup would soothe her exhaustion.]
[The two of you grew much closer]
[Age 14: Your father felt that your training was sufficient and began letting you take on some of the head chef responsibilities at Wanmin.]
[This made Xiangling envious. Like you, she was suffering through the trials of Academy and hoped to graduate soon so she could become a capable chef like you.]
[Age 15: You had been working as a head chef at Wanmin for a while now, and your skills were becoming more refined.]
[Your reputation was well-known among the foodies of Liyue Harbor.]
["This soup is both rustic and refined. It must be the Noble Young Master's new creation, right?"]
[Your father looked proud but quickly restrained himself, remembering you were nearby.]
["Yes, it's a new dish my useless son came up with."]
[The man elegantly wiped his mouth with a handkerchief and smiled. "Chef Mao, you're too modest. For your son to have such skill at this age, his future is bright."]
[When the man went to pay, he said, "As usual, put the bill on Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's account."] ( zhongli bruh )
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[Age 16: Xiangling graduated from Academy. She could finally follow in your footsteps and join Wanmin Restaurant.]
[One day, she went out into the wilderness to search for ingredients and returned in the evening with a small monster that looked like a bear.]
["Dad, brother, this is my little friend—Guoba."]
[It took Xiangling several days to convince your father and you to accept the existence of this monster.]
[Mainly because, on the first day Guoba appeared, he breathed a blazing fire and burned down Wanmin's stove.]
[You were strongly against having such a dangerous creature near your sister.]
["Brother, Guoba just wanted to help light the fire. That's why he accidentally burned the stove," Xiangling shook your arm and pouted. "He really means no harm! Even if he's a monster, he's a kind one. Dad has already agreed—you should too!"]
[Looking at your sister, whom you've doted on since childhood, and Guoba, who was bowing to you with his hands clasped, you reluctantly agreed.]
[Compared to staying at Wanmin, Xiangling preferred exploring the wilderness for new ingredients.]
[Having a small monster with her that could fight made you feel a bit more at ease.]
[One evening, as you were preparing to close, Ningguang appeared at the entrance of Wanmin, looking troubled.]
[As usual, you invited her in and served her a steaming bowl of Bamboo Shoot Soup.]
[This time, however, after drinking it, Ningguang didn't smile as she usually did. Instead, she remained deep in thought.]
[You were worried. "Sister Ningguang, did something happen?"]
[Ningguang frowned slightly. "If a treasure you've longed for suddenly appeared within your reach, but obtaining it meant giving up many precious things, what would you choose?"]
["I probably wouldn't take it," you thought carefully and answered. "There's no treasure in this world more important than my dad and Xiangling. No matter what it is, I wouldn't give up what I have now for it."]
["Is that so?" Ningguang murmured.]
["Yes, that's my choice. So I think you should choose what's most important to you. Something you'd want to keep by your side, even if it meant losing everything else."]
[Over the years, Ningguang had confided many things in you.]
[You knew that Ningguang had grand ambitions, and you believed this dilemma and confusion were temporary. She would ultimately make the right choice.]
["I want to rise to a lofty position. I want to amass the wealth of the world. I want to become someone who can change the times."]
[After hearing your words, Ningguang's eyes regained their usual determination.]
["Thank you. I think I know what choice to make now."]
[A few months later, the new Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing appeared before the people of Liyue.]
[It was none other than Ningguang, your acquaintance.]
[Suddenly, you understood what Ningguang meant by "treasure" that night.]
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