Chapter 1: Anyway, She's Just Very Cute
[Genshin Impact Cultivation System]
Host: Jiang Chen
Level: Lv9 (Initial)
Elemental Mastery: Anemo, Geo
Skills: Anemo Wave Slash Lv1, Invisible Air Lv1, Rock Wall Lv1, Geo Dragon Vein Lv1.
Current Assets: Good Hunter Restaurant
Cultivation Targets: Fischl (Lv20)
Cultivation Rewards: None (Host must help Fischl achieve Ascension 1.)
Leveling Rules: For every Ascension a cultivation target achieves, the Host’s level increases by 1.
The second-floor loft of Good Hunter.
Ever since the original owner of Good Hunter transferred a majority stake to Jiang Chen, this place had naturally become his residence in Mondstadt.
Jiang Chen, nineteen years old.
A total hunk. At least, according to himself!
“Well, I was pretty popular with the girls back in my freshman year, so I can’t be that far off.”
Jiang Chen stretched as he walked out of the loft.
Adhering to the principle of an open kitchen to attract customers, Good Hunter’s kitchen had always been situated outside. The people of Mondstadt preferred eating at the outdoor tables anyway. Consequently, there were usually fewer guests dining inside the restaurant itself.
However, even for lunchtime, the restaurant shouldn’t have been this desertedcompletely empty without a single soul.
“Stormterror has been getting more restless lately.”
Jiang Chen muttered to himself, his voice tinged with a subtle hint of anticipation. “She should be arriving soon, shouldn’t she? The Traveler from another world.”
As his words fell, a voice drifted over from a table for four behind him.
“Who’s arriving soon? Isn’t big brother Jiang Chen a traveler from another world himself?”
“?”
Jiang Chen turned around.
A girl with flaxen hair tied in twin tails, wearing a pure white deacon’s dress and a liturgical hat, was sitting on a long wooden bench with her knees pulled up. Her small black dress shoes were neatly placed to the side. Her feet, clad in warm white silk stockings, rested on the bench as her hands massaged her calves.
Her cute, delicate face occasionally winced with a look of pain whenever she kneaded a particularly tight tendon.
“Barbara?”
Jiang Chen blinked, his morning grogginess instantly replaced by a bright mood.
Don’t ask why! The answer was simply that she was incredibly cute!
“When did you get here, Barbara?”
“Just now,” she said, still rubbing her legs. “Big brother Jiang Chen, waking up at high noon is very lazy! That won’t do.”
“Isn’t that a bit of a high standard for an ordinary citizen?”
“You are someone recognized by both the citizens of Mondstadt and the Knights. You should work harder to be a role model.”
“Yes, yes, of course.” Jiang Chen gave a helpless wave of his hand. “I expect things are about to get very busy soon.”
“Are you talking about Stormterror?”
Barbara’s blue eyes, as clear as lake water, gazed at him with expectation. “Have you found a way to deal with Stormterror, big brother?”
“It’s not up to me,” Jiang Chen shook his head, avoiding a direct answer.
The fact that Stormterror was becoming more violent proved that the Abyss Order’s activities were increasing. The “Prince” or “Princess” should be in position by now. Whichever twin remained was the key to solving the problem.
Jiang Chen had been waiting here for a year. He couldn’t control when he transmigrated; what was he supposed to do about being early? He felt pretty helpless about it too. If it weren’t for the presence of familiar faces like Barbara, Jean, Kaeya, and Diluc, he wouldn’t have known how to pass the time.
“Speaking of which, aren’t you afraid Sister Rosaria will scold you for running over here in the middle of the day?” Jiang Chen asked.
“Ah! Please don’t tell Sister Rosaria!” Barbara waved her hands in a panic.
“So you’re risking her wrath just to be here?”
“Well... the lunch at the Cathedral today was a bit too light...” Barbara twiddled her fingers, her eyes involuntarily drifting toward the independent stove on the second floor. She swallowed hard.
Jiang Chen smiled and gave her a headpat. “What do you want to eat?”
He had commissioned the blacksmith Wagner to build that stove after moving in. He couldn’t exactly go downstairs and cook for himself in front of all the pedestrians and guests every time he wanted a snack.
“I won’t grow taller if you keep doing that,” Barbara grumbled, but Jiang Chen’s offer was far more interesting to her. “Mapo Tofu!” she said immediately.
“And the payment?” Jiang Chen prompted.
Barbara pressed her delicate lips together, reluctantly pulling ten Mora from her pocket.
“Hahaha!” Jiang Chen burst out laughing. “You’re so stingy.”
A basic Teyvat Fried Egg at Good Hunter cost at least two hundred Mora, let alone a dish like Mapo Tofu that wasn’t even on the menu.
“That’s all I have! I’ll treat you to a meal at the church next time!” Barbara shouted, her face flushing red. Any more than that, and she wouldn’t be able to bring herself to eat it.
“Alright, alright.” Jiang Chen took the money.
From what he knew, Barbara, coming from a noble family, was definitely a “little rich girl.” He really wanted to see her piggy bank.
Jiang Chen went over to light the fire. While the stove was heating up, he opened the window and shouted down, “Sara, bring up some tofu!”
“Right away, boss!” Sara replied from the stall.
She hurried up with a box of tofu, complaining as she arrived, “Boss, there are so few travelers and merchants lately. Business has really taken a hit.”
Good Hunter primarily served outsiders; locals only came by occasionally.
“It makes sense. With Stormterror active near Mondstadt, merchants and travelers are afraid to come,” Jiang Chen said understandingly.
As he spoke, he deftly chopped up some Jueyun Chilis, their pungent, spicy aroma filling the air. Barbara sniffed the scent, her eyes lighting up. She couldn’t help but run over to watch him cook. With her hands behind her back, she stood on her tiptoes, her white silk-clad feet light on the floor. Her skirt fluttered slightly as she began to hum a pleasant tune.
