Yanxiao let out a sigh. "Sigh... I knew it."
Yanfei stepped forward to wrap up the competition.
"After an intense showdown, this year's champion has been decided!"
"Contestant Xiangling from Liyue Harbor has narrowly defeated contestant Yanxiao from Dihua Marsh—by a single vote!"
She turned to the two chefs. "Though there is a winner and a runner-up, the close vote shows that both of you are outstanding chefs beloved by all! Thank you for your dedication."
As the notary, she then declared the results fair and valid, officially concluding the Masterful Chefs Competition.
The audience began filing out in an orderly manner.
Meanwhile, Mu Yang brought Lumine and Paimon to the stage.
Xiangling was currently asking Yanxiao if she could try his dishes.
Yanxiao, in turn, expressed his desire to sample Xiangling's cooking.
[Is Keqing holding back out of pride? There are still Golden Shrimp Balls left! (lol)]
[Good news: Her character remains intact. Bad news: It's intact in the wrong way.]
The two exchanged tastings...
"Whew... Truly a delicacy. I concede defeat wholeheartedly."
"Sniff... This Immortal's Delight is amazing—so rich it's bringing tears to my eyes."
They engaged in some mutual admiration.
Yanxiao said he'd love a rematch someday, then took his leave.
"Mu Yang, Lumine, Paimon—sorry to keep you waiting."
Mu Yang: "Congratulations, Xiangling."
Lumine gave a thumbs-up. "I knew you'd win."
Paimon clapped. "You were incredible, Xiangling!"
Their praise made Xiangling a little bashful. "I couldn't have done it without your help. Thank you."
"Oh, right—the organizers asked Yanxiao and me to register our delivery addresses. They're sending the prizes and prize money directly. I'll have to step away for a bit."
The money was secondary.
What Xiangling was really looking forward to was Mu Yang's recipe.
"She's gone. She looks so happy—that's great."
Mu Yang turned to Lumine. "Earlier, when the Yuheng was leaving, she kept glancing our way. She might have something to say about the statue."
"I noticed too. Let's follow her."
They trailed after Keqing and found her sighing by the lotus pond.
"Keqing—! There you are!"
Keqing turned around. "Oh, it's you."
The trio noticed something off about her expression.
Their friend Xiangling had just won—why was Keqing here alone, looking troubled?
Lumine and Paimon exchanged glances.
The "Mouth of the Divine" spoke up. "You seem preoccupied. What's wrong?"
Keqing was troubled. After a long silence, she admitted, "I've run into a dilemma..."
Mu Yang feigned ignorance. "Is it about the Stove God statue?"
Keqing shook her head. "It's about the competition. I... voted for Yanxiao."
Lumine realized Keqing was upset because she hadn't voted for Xiangling.
But Keqing clarified—that wasn't it.
As a judge, she had to be fair. Her vote was carefully considered, and she stood by it.
Mu Yang remarked, "Well, you do love Golden Shrimp Balls. Xiangling will understand."
[Hahaha, Mu Yang sees right through her.]
[Called it the moment Yanxiao mentioned them—instant Keqing vote.]
[She just can't resist them.]
As the saying goes, "Three strikes and you're out"—this was already the third time Mu Yang had exposed Keqing's weakness.
Keqing was struggling.
But Mu Yang's observational skills were truly sharp.
He pinpointed the real reason for Keqing's distress.
The votes were anonymous—no one knew who Keqing had voted for.
But Xiangling was her friend, and she felt obligated to confess that she hadn't voted for her.
"Will she really not mind? I... don't know how to bring it up."
Lumine: "So that's what's bothering you? Just explain it in your own way. The wording doesn't matter."
Paimon: "Yeah! Xiangling's the type who wouldn't care, and she won anyway!"
Xiangling's voice came from above. "There you are! I've been looking everywhere for you."
Under the encouraging gazes of Mu Yang and the others, Keqing finally spoke.
"Xiangling, there's something... I need to tell you."
Xiangling was taken aback by Keqing's solemn expression. Was something wrong?
"What is it?"
Keqing cleared her throat. "My grandfather once said, 'If food becomes a competition, one must follow their heart.'"
"That is, when disputes or contests arise over food, one should vote for the side they truly prefer—free from external influences."
"Of course, this is just his personal view, but I find it quite reasonable..."
Mu Yang silently groaned.
You're the Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing, not some bureaucrat. Why make it so complicated?
Keqing massaged her temples. "So... even though we're friends, I voted for Yanxiao's Immortal's Delight..."
Mu Yang stared at her. Still not being honest? Fine, I'll say it outright.
"Lady Yuheng, you ate most of the Golden Shrimp Balls but only took one bite of the Immortal's Delight. So... you voted for the shrimp balls, right?"
Lumine and Paimon stifled giggles. "It was the shrimp balls, wasn't it?"
——————
Guinaifen was dying at this scene.
"Hahaha! Public execution!"
"So what was Mu Yang looking at? Just staring straight at Keqing, huh?!"
[Mu Yang dropping truth bombs the moment he opens his mouth.]
[Secondhand embarrassment is killing me hahaha.]
[This is too funny.]
[Keqing's desperately looking for a hole to crawl into.]
[Just teleport away with Stellar Restoration—this is too humiliating.]
——————
Xiangling couldn't hold back her laughter.
Keqing turned her face away. "S-So what if I did! I just like Golden Shrimp Balls, okay?!"
The others quickly assured her, No, no, of course.
Xiangling laughed until tears welled up. After composing herself, she said gently,
"You looked so serious—I thought something was wrong! It's fine, I really don't mind."
Even though Mu Yang and the others had said Xiangling wouldn't care, hearing it from her directly still surprised Keqing.
Xiangling continued, "You just voted for what you preferred—that's completely fair. Otherwise, the competition wouldn't be just."
She pondered. "You told me because you were worried about being a bad friend, right?"
Keqing had been thoroughly seen through.
"Ahem! Of course not..."
But this was exactly why Xiangling liked Keqing—she took everything seriously.
Too seriously.
With friends, there was no need to rigidly apply the Yuheng's rules.
"You know Ningguang's like this, right? Beidou's told me—she and Ningguang are close. They even gamble on chess games aboard her ship."
"Ningguang really lets loose—no airs or graces. You should learn from her and relax when it's time to relax."
[Wait, what did I just hear? "Lets loose"? "Gambling on her ship"?]
[Who's letting loose and gambling on the bed? Ningguang?!]
[Elaborate on "letting loose" (tongue emoji).]
[If we're talking about this, I'm posting my stash.]
[Send it to me for verification.]
With everyone's encouragement, Keqing finally came around.
What a heartwarming resolution.
Truly, a joyous occasion.