Playing Genshin in Genshin! [3]

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Although in this world, Vision's aren't everything, those who possess one can wield elemental power. If used correctly, their combat ability can catch up with or even surpass that of ordinary people who have trained diligently for decades.

Moreover, Vision holders can see the elemental forces within all things in nature, a world completely different from what ordinary people perceive.

For Lu Shiyuan, a Vision wasn’t something essential—he could live without one. But with so many people around him possessing this gift, it was impossible for him not to feel some envy.

It was precisely because of this envy that he started doing strange things, becoming an outlier in the eyes of others, hoping to meet the criteria for receiving an Electro Vision. Unfortunately, despite his efforts, his attempts had yielded no progress.

If he were to give up on this mysterious phone and pursue a Vision of another element, he wouldn’t even know the criteria for obtaining one. So, he figured it was better to stick with his current course.

“Well, no point wallowing in self-pity. I’d better focus on my spear training."

"After all, you shouldn’t put all your eggs in one basket. This world isn’t as peaceful as Earth. Once you leave Liyue Harbor, there are monsters and bandits everywhere. Without some martial skills, you’re either getting robbed or killed.”

Lu Shiyuan got up, took out his iron-tipped spear, and started practicing in the backyard with precise, disciplined moves. Even his dinner was a quick, simple affair.

He finished his training early that day, so he was in bed by two in the morning, finally getting a decent night's rest. The next day, he woke up early for once.

“I’m too lazy to cook. I’ll go mooch a meal at Xiangling’s,” Lu Shiyuan mused as he lounged in bed, deciding on his plan.

He strolled out and made his way to Wanmin Restaurant. Once again, he ordered his usual dishes and leisurely enjoyed the meal as the morning passed.

By the time Xiangling finally had a break, she pulled up a stool and sat across from him, resting her chin in her hands. “Brother Lu, you eat so slowly. The food’s gone cold. Want me to reheat it for you?”

“I’ve been full for a while now. I was just waiting for you,” Lu Shiyuan said, wiping his mouth and pushing his plate aside.

“Waiting for me?” Xiangling blinked in surprise, then her eyes suddenly lit up as she grabbed Lu Shiyuan’s arm excitedly. “Does this mean you’re about to teach me some new cooking techniques?”

“Mm-hmm,” Lu Shiyuan nodded. He dipped his finger in the nearby tea and wrote the character "Huí" on the table with water. Pointing at the character, he asked with a smile, “Xiangling, do you know how many ways there are to write this character?”

“...Brother Lu, that’s not the character ‘Huí,’” she replied, a little confused.

“Tsk, language barriers are such a pain,” Lu Shiyuan thought to himself, but his expression didn’t change. “Just treat it as the character ‘Huí,’ for now.”

“Oh, okay.”

“You see, this character can be written this way, and also that way,” Lu Shiyuan explained as he wrote out five variations of the character on the table with the tea.

Xiangling sat with her hands on her knees, looking like a student diligently watching her teacher.

“So, what do you understand from this, Xiangling?” Lu Shiyuan asked.

“I... I think I want to make fennel beans,” Xiangling said, her eyes drifting as she seemed to already be imagining the dish.

“Should I call you passionate about cooking or just simple-minded?” Lu Shiyuan sighed, rubbing his forehead.

“Ah, did I guess wrong?”

“No, what you take away from this is your own business.” After calming himself down, Lu Shiyuan continued, “Now let me explain what I really wanted to say."

"Just like how there are many ways to write a character, ingredients should also have variations. The way you prepare them may be different, but the resulting dishes, though fundamentally the same, can have vastly different tastes and textures.”

“Mhm, mhm.”

“Do you know what tofu is made from?”

“Soybeans.”

“And what else can soybeans be used for?”

“Um… you can stir-fry them?”

“What else?”

“Hmm... I don’t know.”

“Soybeans can do much more than that. You can make soy milk, tofu pudding, dried tofu, yuba, tofu skin, and more.”

“Huh!” Xiangling was astonished as she counted on her fingers, muttering, “I’ve never heard of any of these dishes.”

“That’s exactly the point,” Lu Shiyuan snorted, “If you knew about them, Wanmin Restaurant would have a much bigger menu.”

“So, how do you make these things?” Xiangling’s curiosity was fully piqued, and she quickly asked for the details.

“If you want to learn, I’ll teach you.” Lu Shiyuan smiled and began explaining how to make all these tofu-related dishes. Even Master Mao, who was nearby, curiously joined in, listening intently to the young man’s words, his eyes gradually lighting up.

Half an hour later, Lu Shiyuan finished his explanation and asked, “Did you remember everything I told you?”

“I did, I did!” Xiangling said with determination, clenching her fists. “When it comes to ingredients, I don’t forget a thing!”

“Good.”

“Brother Lu, you know so much! How did you figure out how to make all these amazing tofu dishes?” Xiangling asked, wide-eyed with admiration.

“These are just things passed down by others. I’m merely a messenger,” Lu Shiyuan replied with a smile. “Xiangling, when it comes to cooking talent, I doubt anyone in all of Liyue could surpass you. So, besides finding new ingredients, remember to explore more ways to work with common ingredients, like noodles, or certain types of rice.”

“Got it!” Xiangling nodded enthusiastically. “I understand what you mean, Brother Lu!"

"But, I still have one question...”

“What question?”

“Why are you teaching me all these valuable things, Brother Lu?” Xiangling plucked up her courage to ask. “Is it because you recognize my talent and want to help me grow?”

“Nope. My reason isn’t that complicated,” Lu Shiyuan shook his head.

“Then, what is it?” Xiangling was puzzled.

“I just...” Lu Shiyuan answered calmly, “want you to willingly let me mooch off you.”

“...” Xiangling and Master Mao were both stunned into silence. What could they even say to that?

“Well, I’ve said what I needed to say, so I’m off. Oh, and you can just pass these tofu-making methods to Dongsheng at the Rongfa Grocery. He can make them for you, and you can pick up the finished products."

"Making these things is a hassle, so don’t let it take up too much of your time.” With that, Lu Shiyuan stood up, dusted himself off, and prepared to leave. “Oh, and don’t tell anyone that I taught you this stuff. I still have a reputation to maintain.”

“I understand, Brother Lu!” Xiangling quickly replied.

Watching him leave, Xiangling couldn’t help but remark, “Brother Lu really knows a lot of things.”

Master Mao chuckled, “That boy is humble and free of greed. He’s got good character. Just remember not to charge him when he comes to eat in the future.”

“Of course!”

As soon as Lu Shiyuan stepped out of the door, he saw a little brown bear flipping somersaults at the entrance. This was Guoba, a highly intelligent animal and Xiangling’s trusty companion.

After greeting Guoba, he hadn’t walked far before someone stopped him. Looking up, he realized it was Tian Tiezui.

“Mr. Lu, do you have some free time today?” Tian Tiezui asked with a grin. “How about coming over for some tea at my place?”

“Sure,” Lu Shiyuan nodded casually and followed him to "Third-Round Knockout." The teahouse was quiet at this hour. After they sat down, Tian Tiezui personally brewed a pot of tea and sat beside him, waiting expectantly.

Lu Shiyuan sipped the tea for a moment, feeling a bit uneasy. Finally, he waved his hand impatiently. “Alright, alright. You want me to tell you a story, right? Just say it already.”

“Exactly,” Tian Tiezui responded quickly, jumping on the opportunity. “Since you’re in a good mood today, why not tell me more? Not only are the listeners eager, but even I am dying to know what happens next in Journey to the West.”

“Where did I leave off last time?”

“You left off with the four pilgrims departing from Wuzhuang Temple.”

“Oh, then let me tell you the story of The Three Battles with the White Bone Demon."

"In the wilderness, where clouds and mist shrouded the mountains, there was a deep, eerie presence. A demoness lived there, known as the White Bone Spirit. She was a bone demon who had taken human form, cruel and bloodthirsty. Every day, she devoured large quantities of flesh to fuel her cultivation. Just a few days ago, she had wiped out a poor family of three, and now, she was looking for new prey. Upon learning that Tang Sanzang and his disciples were passing through...”

After telling the entire tale of the Three Battles with the White Bone Demon, Lu Shiyuan finally paused. Tian Tiezui, still caught up in the story, took a while to snap out of it.

“Mr. Lu, you are truly talented. That story was absolutely brilliant! Just by retelling the stories you’ve shared, my income has doubled, at least. I don’t even know how to thank you.”

“Just spread the story far and wide,” Lu Shiyuan said, waving his hand dismissively. “I believe that great stories shouldn’t be kept to oneself. No need to thank me, just let me mooch in peace.”

“No problem, no problem.” Tian Tiezui nodded repeatedly, giving Lu Shiyuan a thumbs up. “There aren’t many men of such noble character in Liyue Harbor like Mr. Lu.”

Lu Shiyuan casually acknowledged the praise and headed back home.

Perhaps, as Xiangling and Tian Tiezui had said, the things he casually shared could easily be exchanged for a great fortune. But he had no intention of doing so.

After all, these things weren’t his inventions. He was merely a messenger. He had no right to profit from them.

Back when he was poor, he had considered selling his knowledge, but at the time, he was too weak to expose himself. Now, however, he no longer needed to make money that way.

So, for Lu Shiyuan, it was more about sharing these things with the people of Liyue—and making it easier for him to mooch off them.

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Four days had passed in the blink of an eye. In the daylight, Lu Shiyuan, sporting heavy dark circles under his eyes, suddenly sat up in bed, his face filled with anxiety and frustration.

“Four days. Qianzhi has been gone for four days and hasn’t come back. She hasn’t even sent a letter. This isn’t right, something’s definitely wrong!”