Kael saw Xiangling sitting by Chef Mao's bed, constantly wiping her tears.
"Brother... where are you... please come back. Xiangling won't run off anymore. I'll stay at Wanmin and take care of you and Dad."
Xiangling's swollen eyes and tear-streaked face pierced Kael's heart. He couldn't stay in the room any longer.
As a spirit, Kael could pass through physical objects.
He walked out of Wanmin.
Today, Liyue was bathed in sunlight, the weather perfect.
It was a stark contrast to the cold, gloomy atmosphere inside Wanmin.
Kael's current range of movement was within a 100-meter radius of Wanmin. While he couldn't go far, he could at least get some fresh air by the roadside in Chihu Rock.
As soon as he stepped out, he saw a few Liyue locals chatting in front of Wanmin.
"Why isn't Wanmin open at this hour? I was planning to bring my friend here for dinner tonight."
"Haven't you heard? Something happened to Chef Mao's son!"
"What? The one who just won the Culinary Championship this year?"
"Yes, I heard all the Adventurers' Guild members who went with him died. Their bodies were brought back last night. Although Kael's body wasn't found, I think it's unlikely he survived."
"I often saw him with the Yuheng Star. Were they..."
A girl with reddish-brown twin tails, wearing a patterned Chinese dress with a long hem and a Qiankun Taiyi hat, passed by.
Hearing the conversation, the girl said to her companion, "This is our future client. Keep an eye on Wanmin these next few days." (fk)
Hearing her words, the crowd was outraged.
"Hey, Hu Tao, that's too much!"
"Yeah, normally it's fine, but you know Wanmin's in trouble right now. How can you say something like that?"
"And the body hasn't been found yet! Maybe he escaped?"
"Escaped?" Hu Tao rubbed her chin, then turned her gaze directly at Kael.
Kael, meeting her eyes, was startled.
Right, the system said I'm in spirit form now.
Hu Tao can see things normal people can't!
Could she really have noticed me?
Hu Tao smiled at Kael, then said to the crowd, "Life and death are unpredictable. Everyone should prepare for their final arrangements in advance. By the way, Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is having a promotion. If you register now..."
The crowd, hearing Hu Tao's words, quickly scattered, not wanting to be associated with such ominous talk.
Hu Tao, used to this, shrugged. "If you don't prepare in life, you'll only leave regrets in death. Even as a spirit, you won't want to leave, right?"
After saying this, Hu Tao glanced at Kael again.
!!!
Kael was now certain—Hu Tao could see him!
Hu Tao's companion thought she was talking to him and quickly replied, "You're right, Director."
"Alright, let's go. We need to prepare the ritual items. We'll have work in a few days!"
-----
Inside Wanmin Restaurant, Chef Mao sat like a statue in the center of the main hall.
"Dad, I made a bowl of vegetarian noodles. Please eat something."
"I'm fine."
Xiangling's voice was hoarse as she pleaded, "You haven't eaten much these past few days. If this goes on, your body won't be able to take it. Brother will be heartbroken when he sees you like this."
Hearing Xiangling's words, Chef Mao's frozen eyes finally moved.
"Leave it. I'll eat it."
It had been three days since Kael went missing.
Chef Mao's once jet-black hair was now streaked with silver, and his condition was deteriorating.
In just a few days, he seemed to have aged significantly.
Xiangling forced herself to stay strong and take care of Chef Mao, but when no one was around, she would cry silently, whispering, "Brother..."
The once vibrant and joyful Wanmin Restaurant was now shrouded in darkness.
Seeing Chef Mao and Xiangling like this, Kael had also been deeply tormented these past few days.
Just then, there was a knock at the door of Wanmin.
Startled, Chef Mao quickly stood up and ran over with surprising speed.
When he opened the door, he found that it wasn't the person he longed to see standing outside.
It was Keqing.
"Keqing, why did you suddenly..."
Seeing Keqing's expression, Chef Mao's throat seemed to tighten.
Keqing's bloodshot eyes were filled with tears. As soon as she spoke, tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Uncle Mao... the Millelith just sent word... they found Kael. He's... he's..."
Keqing couldn't continue. She bit her lip, enduring immense pain.
Seeing Keqing's state, Chef Mao and Xiangling's faces turned deathly pale.
Xiangling collapsed into Chef Mao's arms, sobbing uncontrollably.
Chef Mao cried out hoarsely, "Why?! Why did this happen?! Kael was just a chef! Why would anyone want his life?!"
Indeed, Kael had always been kind to others and had an excellent reputation in Liyue. Why would anyone want his life?
Keqing knew the answer to that question.
It was all because of her.
Although there was no evidence yet, Keqing had already guessed that this was the work of the Fatui.
Recently, relations between Liyue and Snezhnaya had been tense. She, along with the other Liyue Qixing, had planned a series of strategies to counter the Fatui.
The Fatui's influence in Liyue had been severely weakened.
That was why the Fatui had killed Kael—as a warning to the Liyue Qixing and as a provocation against her.
She hadn't expected the Fatui to use such methods against her.
The moment she learned of Kael's death, her soul was shattered.
It was all her fault!
She should never have gotten close to Kael!
If she hadn't been so greedy, wanting both power and Kael's warmth...
Kael would never have died!
Keqing's body swayed, and a trickle of blood spilled from the corner of her mouth.
----
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