Wanmin Restaurant.
Chef Mao had poured all his culinary skills into preparing a feast.
There were so many dishes that even two tables pushed together could barely hold them all.
For Chef Mao, this was the last meal Kael would ever eat.
He wanted to make every dish he knew.
Seeing Chef Mao sweating profusely and considering that he had just been attacked by Karma and hadn't fully recovered, Kael quickly stopped him. "Dad, that's enough. We can't eat this much. Please sit down and rest."
"Alright, alright."
Chef Mao wiped the sweat from his forehead and sat down.
Hu Tao, who had been invited by Chef Mao, also stayed for the meal.
Looking at the spread of dishes, she couldn't help but get excited.
"Wow, so many delicious dishes! And Wanmin's signature Boiled Fish! I love this!"
With that, she picked up her chopsticks and started eating heartily.
On this table, Hu Tao was probably the only one in the mood to eat.
Chef Mao picked up a piece of Boiled Fish and placed it in Kael's bowl.
"Kael, eat more."
"Alright."
Kael put the fish into his mouth.
Unsurprisingly, he couldn't taste anything.
His body was now a corpse, so it was normal for his sense of taste to be gone.
But he still smiled at Chef Mao. "It's delicious. No one in Teyvat can make Boiled Fish as well as Dad."
"That's good... that's good..."
Chef Mao turned his head slightly, discreetly wiping the tears from the corners of his eyes.
Having been a chef for so many years, he was sensitive to the emotions of his diners.
Although Kael looked satisfied, Chef Mao could tell it was just an act.
His son was the champion of the Liyue Culinary Competition.
For a chef with such a bright future to lose his sense of taste...
It was incredibly cruel.
But he couldn't show his sadness. He couldn't make Kael worry anymore.
Chef Mao's eyes were red, but he forced a smile onto his face.
"There's still so much food. Take your time. If there's anything you want, just tell me, and I'll make it right away."
"Right!" Xiangling chimed in. "And me too, Brother. I can cook for you as well."
Xiangling didn't have much of an appetite, but she shared stories about her experiences finding ingredients, occasionally bickering with Hu Tao.
The atmosphere at the table gradually became lively.
Only one person remained silent the entire time.
Keqing.
She kept her head down, eating quietly.
Suddenly, a Golden Shrimp Ball appeared in her bowl.
Kael smiled at her. "Keqing, this is your favorite. Eat more."
Keqing's eyes glistened with tears.
She looked deeply at Kael before lowering her head and putting the shrimp ball into her mouth.
"Mmm, it's delicious."
...
Although Kael had slowed down his eating, the feast eventually had to come to an end.
There was still plenty of food left on the table, but he knew his time was almost up.
Hu Tao put down her chopsticks and stared intently at Kael.
Sigh.
It was time to face reality.
His time was limited. He couldn't stay here forever.
Kael took a deep breath and looked at everyone. "I..."
"Brother, is it time for you to leave?"
Kael was startled.
"This time, you can really leave! You don't need to worry about us anymore."
Xiangling put on a bright smile.
"I'm sorry, Brother. We were worried about you being alone with Hu Tao, so we followed you secretly. We heard everything!"
"I know you came back because you were worried about us. I'm really sorry for making you worry. I won't blame myself anymore. I'll take good care of Dad and uphold Wanmin's reputation. So this time, you can leave in peace."
By the end, Xiangling's tears were flowing uncontrollably.
But she still tried to maintain her smile, hoping Kael would see her determination.
"It's been so wonderful to be your sister."
Kael, his eyes red, nodded. "Alright."
He turned to Keqing.
Keqing gave him a gentle smile.
"I know what you're worried about. Don't worry, I won't let hatred blind me anymore. I'll live on with the memories of you."
Of course, someone as smart as Keqing could see through his worries without him saying a word.
Kael looked into Keqing's eyes and saw that the usual clarity and brightness had returned to her amethyst gaze.
It seemed Keqing had truly regained her composure.
"Keqing, remember, my death wasn't your fault. I was really happy during the time we spent together."
"I know."
Keqing, tears in her eyes, threw herself into Kael's arms.
The pain from the Karma made her let out a muffled groan, but she didn't let go. Instead, she held on tighter.
The pain made her voice hoarse.
She whispered softly into Kael's ear, "Goodbye, Kael."
"Mm." Kael hugged Keqing tightly and whispered back, "We'll meet again."
Chef Mao, Xiangling, and Keqing stood at the entrance of Wanmin, watching Kael and Hu Tao's figures disappear into the distance.
Hu Tao pointed the Staff of Homa at Kael.
"Kael, this time, you must keep your promise."
"Don't worry, I won't come back."
Once this body died, this Life Simulation would end. Even if he wanted to, he couldn't return.
A blinding flash of firelight appeared before his eyes.
Kael slowly closed his eyes, ready to face the impending death.
[Life Simulation ended! Reward obtained: Pyro Vision (includes skills: Flame Dragon's Breath, Raging Fire Burns the Plains, Flaming Sky Fire Rain).]
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