Hearing that there was milk tea in Teyvat, Ling Feng was surprised.
He had expected something like fresh fruit special drinks.
Milk tea was something he never imagined.
"What's wrong? Guest, why are you so excited?"
Kuai Dao Chen was startled by Ling Feng's sudden loud voice.
Kuai Dao Chen: Why are you yelling so loud?
"Cough, cough, nothing, I lost my composure."
Ling Feng also noticed that his behavior was a bit extreme, and coughed twice to ease the awkwardness.
Yun Jin pondered for a moment. She had never drunk milk tea before and didn't know its drawbacks.
She had just finished her opera performance, and there wouldn't be a new one for a while. Trying it wouldn't hurt.
"Milk, fruit juice, and... milk tea? I wonder if it will hurt my throat... but I guess I can try it first, it should be fine."
"Ling Feng, what would you like?"
"Milk tea and fruit juice."
Ling Feng answered very quickly.
He wanted to taste the difference between Teyvat's milk tea and Earth's milk tea.
However, if it tasted good, he would have a dozen cups first.
"Well, then I'll order yours first, and then... hmm... as for drinks, please bring one of each – I want to try them all," Yun Jin said generously.
"Got it – please wait a moment, sirs, it will be ready soon."
Kuai Dao Chen replied, his hands not slowing down at all as he spoke.
Before long, the fresh Grilled Thunder Gu Fish and drinks were all served.
Ling Feng and Yun Jin sat at a table outside the small stall.
"Come on, eat it while it's hot. The temperature combined with the cold drink is just right for the palate."
"Okay, I won't be polite!"
Ling Feng raised his skewer of super spicy Grilled Thunder Gu Fish and took a big bite.
"Spicy and satisfying."
Seeing this, Yun Jin also picked up her skewer of Grilled Thunder Gu Fish and started eating.
After they finished the barbecue~
Yun Jin put down the wooden skewer with satisfaction.
"Mmm, so satisfied. It's just these drinks... I tasted a little of each, and there's still quite a bit left."
Ling Feng had finished eating long ago, and had also drunk his cup of milk tea and fruit juice.
The milk tea tasted alright, but it was still a little worse than Earth's. The fruit juice, however, was quite fresh and tasted good.
Ling Feng looked at Yun Jin and asked, "What about these drinks?"
Yun Jin rested her chin on her hand, thinking.
"...I can still drink more, but after tasting them, I feel like something is missing, and they're no different from ordinary drinks."
"Most likely, they're made lighter to suit the tastes of customers. How about adding some more ingredients..."
"By the way, Ling Feng, have you ever played the hot pot game?"
In response to Yun Jin's question, Ling Feng recalled the rules of the hot pot game and nodded.
"I haven't played, but I've heard of it. What's up?"
"Let's use the leftover drinks to play the hot pot game! I'll add some seasonings according to my taste, and you can guess what I've added?"
Uh...
If I remember correctly, didn't Yun Jin have a little of these drinks?
Doesn't this count as an indirect kiss?
"Yun Jin, are you sure?" Ling Feng asked uncertainly.
"Don't worry, we'll split the mixed drinks equally, and I won't add anything strange."
"No, no, that's not what I meant. I wanted to ask, since you've had a little of these drinks, wouldn't it be a bit..."
Ling Feng didn't finish his sentence, but made a gesture to Yun Jin.
"Ah, this."
Seeing Ling Feng's gesture, Yun Jin immediately understood what he meant, and her face turned red all of a sudden. She stammered,
"But... these drinks can't be wasted. How about we make do?"
"I'm fine with whatever, it's mainly up to you."
Ling Feng shrugged. It wasn't like he was losing anything.
"Then you wait here for me. I'll go to the next stall to prepare some ingredients. When you're ready, come and try."
After saying that, Yun Jin got up and left.
She bought some fruit from a fruit stall nearby and then returned. Seeing Ling Feng tidying up the table a bit, she nodded.
"So, are you ready?"
"Of course."
"Then, get ready – ah, don't peek."
"Okay."
Ling Feng had narrowed his eyes slightly, intending to peek, but after being discovered by Yun Jin, he honestly closed them.
"Alright, I'll taste it first. Hmm... not bad. Your turn."
Yun Jin handed a cup of the mixed drink to Ling Feng.
Ling Feng raised the cup and savored it carefully.
The concentrated fresh flavor surged, carrying the taste of the sea. Floating in the drink were solid crumbs, tender and delicious.
What the heck!
Is this called a drink?
Ling Feng's eyes trembled, and he asked incredulously,
"How could you drink it so calmly?!"
Yun Jin's expression was calm and composed. She rested her finger on her chin and asked, half-questioning, half-answering.
"Hmm? It's just normal expression management."
"Besides, there's nothing too outrageous in it, the taste should... be alright?"
Alright, more than alright.
You turned a drink into a soup.
You call this seasoning?
You must have made it all over again.
But I have to say, it tasted great.
"The taste is okay, but this should be labeled 'soup taste'."
Ling Feng said word by word, a little doubtful of women's culinary skills.
Either they're amazing, or they have no talent at all. It's a complete extreme.
"Hmph, so, can you taste what ingredients were added?"
"Simple, crab roe, tofu, and salt."
Ling Feng said with great confidence.
As a chef, even if not a top-tier one, he could still discern the ingredients added.
"Completely correct. It seems you have quite a talent."
"Let's try a new combination next time."
"Hmm... if I used more traditional tea drinks, like 'Song Jian Lu' or 'Mei Shang Xue' to mix them..."
"What new flavors could I create? It sounds quite exciting to think about."
Listening to Yun Jin's self-centered planning, Ling Feng's eyes twitched wildly.
I feel like my taste buds are under severe threat.
What on earth did you add?
He quickly interrupted Yun Jin's whimsical ideas.
"I didn't expect Yun Jin to be like this off-stage. It's beyond my expectations."
Yun Jin nodded and said her thoughts with a hint of helplessness.
"Many people say that when you immerse yourself deeply into a role, you should highlight and present the aspects of yourself that are similar to the character."
"From that perspective, connecting the actor and the character isn't entirely wrong."
"But I'm not just the few sides I show on stage. What's on stage stays on stage, and what's off stage stays off stage."
"Sometimes, when I receive letters, they describe me as a cold and proud person."
"I have to be extremely careful when replying to them, and I always have to maintain my composure when invited to banquets..."
Hearing this, Ling Feng couldn't help but nod. This was probably what successful people worried about.
What demeanor to maintain in different situations.
Even among relatives and friends.
"A pity, a pity. But the Yun Jin off-stage is more lovable. Those people probably won't see that."
Ling Feng said with a playful smile.
The blush that had faded from Yun Jin's cheeks returned, and she chided,
"Ahem. We just drank something, don't suddenly say strange things."
"Hoo... well, seeing as you're being sincere, Ling Feng, I... I won't hold it against you."
Ling Feng: Heh heh ੭ᐕ)੭*⁾⁾
"In conclusion, people have many faces. If you only focus on one side, you'll easily overlook the person themselves."
"If I hadn't gone out with you tonight and had a good chat, I wouldn't have seen... Ling Feng's mischievous side either."
Ling Feng agreed with Yun Jin's remarks.
If he hadn't gotten to know Yun Jin better.
He would have thought she was always that serious, dignified, and elegant young lady from the stage.
It was just like his teacher.
Serious during class, but wild and playful with them students after class.
"Exactly. If I hadn't truly gotten to know you as you are now and become friends with you, I would still only know the serious you who sings opera."
Yun Jin smiled slightly after hearing this.
"Serious? That's only true when I'm on stage. As for off-stage, just consider me a confidant who can sing a few opera tunes."
"Speaking of which, this is our first time going out to have fun, isn't it? How about we take a keepsake photo? We can look back at it in the future and recall this wonderful time."
Saying this, Yun Jin took out a photo camera.
"Photo camera?! Absolutely! But after you take the picture, can you tell me where you bought this camera? I want to buy one too, to take pictures of scenery."
Ling Feng's eyes lit up the moment he saw the photo camera.
He had been wondering what he could use to take commemorative photos.
"Of course. In that case, let's use the food stall as a background. Here, take the camera, use it like this... yes... and point the lens."
Yun Jin handed the photo camera to Ling Feng and taught him how to use it.
Ling Feng listened attentively.
Although the operation wasn't as simple as a mobile phone, the photos taken by this camera were no less than those taken by a phone.
For professional photography, this camera was equivalent to a high-spec shooting machine.
After teaching Ling Feng how to use it, Yun Jin walked to the left side of the food stall and struck a normal pose.
"Click!"
Ling Feng felt the moment and pressed the shutter. A photo slid out of the camera.
Picking up the photo, Ling Feng glanced at it, nodded with satisfaction, and handed it to Yun Jin.
Yun Jin took the photo, examined it carefully, and was also very satisfied.
"The atmosphere is perfectly captured. I hope when you see this photo in the future, you'll remember this moment."
"Me?"
Ling Feng quickly caught the key word in Yun Jin's sentence.
"Of course. Since it's a memento, why would there be only one copy? Everyone should have one, so we can commemorate each other, right?"
"Hiss, that makes sense. How about I give you this one, and I take another one of you?"
"No, you keep this photo for now. I'll take one of you too."
"Alright."
Upon hearing this, Ling Feng nodded, handed the photo camera to Yun Jin, and was about to stand in front of the food stall and strike a pose he considered handsome.
"Wait, let's go somewhere else, to Feiyun Slope. I know a place with a beautiful scenery that's perfect for taking photos."
Afterwards, about an hour later, Yun Jin took Ling Feng back to Feiyun Slope.
Before leaving, Ling Feng bought all the remaining milk tea and fruit juice from Kuai Dao Chen and put them into his spatial storage.
As it was getting late, Feiyun Slope was no longer as lively as it was during the day or evening.
However, there were still quite a few people, just a bit quieter.
Yun Jin pulled Ling Feng to the area below the Heyu Tea House. She looked around and compared it.
"This is it. The scenery is beautiful, the lights are dazzling, and the buildings are lined up. It's truly a great place for photos."
"Come, strike a pose, and close your eyes."
Ling Feng: ??? [・_・?]
Why do you need to close your eyes for a photo?
However, Ling Feng didn't refuse and obediently closed his eyes.
But even though his eyes couldn't see, he still had his spiritual sense.
The corners of his mouth curved slightly, with a devilish smile.
He wanted to see what Yun Jin was up to.
His spiritual sense detected Yun Jin seemingly fiddling with something, and the creaking sound he heard made Ling Feng utterly confused.
Accompanied by faint footsteps, Ling Feng's spiritual sense detected Yun Jin stealthily standing behind him.
What was she trying to do?
Then Yun Jin's voice sounded in the bewildered Ling Feng's ear.
"Get ready, three, two, one! Open your eyes."
As Yun Jin instructed, Ling Feng opened his eyes, wanting to know what Yun Jin was up to.
As soon as he opened his eyes, Ling Feng felt Yun Jin suddenly pounce onto his back. She was soft, and a faint fragrance wafted into Ling Feng's nose. His body instinctively leaned forward.
"Click!"
At the same time, the photo camera captured this moment forever.
A photo slid out of the camera.
A moment later.
Ling Feng, touching his cheek that had made contact with the ground, looked at Yun Jin, who was smiling gleefully, holding the photo, in a daze.
Only three questions remained in his mind.
Who am I, what am I doing, what just happened?
"Yun Jin, let me see the photo too," Ling Feng reached out to ask.
"No!"
To his surprise, Yun Jin refused without hesitation, directly storing the photo in her Vision's space, seemingly afraid that Ling Feng would snatch it.
Uh...
Is that necessary?
"Ling Feng, thank you so much for accompanying me out tonight."
Yun Jin covered her mouth and smiled.
Ling Feng took out a bottle of juice and smiled.
"It should be me thanking you. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been able to drink these beverages."
"So... goodbye for today?"
Ling Feng asked tentatively.
"Um... Ling Feng, do you have time in a month?"
Yun Jin asked with some hesitation.
"I don't know. If I don't, I can take a day off. What's wrong? Are you asking me to help you escape?"
Ling Feng joked.
"No... you guessed right. In a month, I want to go for a walk in the western suburbs of Tianheng Mountain. Could I invite you to be my temporary bodyguard?"
Yun Jin wanted to refute, but unfortunately, Ling Feng had guessed correctly.
"I'd be delighted. Notify me when the time comes, and I can secretly take you out of Liyue Harbor."
"Okay, then it's settled. A date at Tianheng Mountain in a month."
"Goodbye then."
"Mmm, good night."
After settling the matter, Yun Jin was clearly happy.
After bidding farewell to Ling Feng, Yun Jin returned to her boudoir and jumped onto her bed.
Then she took out the photo from that night, examined it carefully, a smile on her face, and finally slowly closed her eyes and fell asleep.