In Sumeru, pretend to be a scholar!

Chapter 113 Wanmin Hall

"Oh, hello, hello."

Xiangling was still very cheerful. Although she was startled by Wang Yan's sudden voice, she still greeted him warmly: "I am Xiangling from Wanmintang, a chef."

After introducing herself, she handed the photo to Wang Yan: "Take a look."

Wang Yan reached out and took it, glancing at it: "This should have been filmed in Chenyu Valley; the scenery is quite interesting."

After saying that, Wang Yan returned the photo to Xiang Ling: "It probably belonged to that girl who dropped it. We'll return it to her later."

"Okay, sure." Xiangling nodded, took back the photo, and then looked at Wang Yan, "Are you here for dinner?"

"Yes, please arrange a table for me, and bring a few of our signature dishes." Wang Yan nodded.

He knew the story in the photo, of course, but there was no need to tell it now; it was enough to get Xiangling to recognize him.

"Okay, do you eat spicy food?"

"It's alright, just don't make it too spicy."

"Then you can sit here first, there's a seat available."

Xiangling pointed to the spot that Lu Xiangxiang had just vacated. Oh, Lu Xiangxiang was the girl who had been shouting earlier, and she was also the granddaughter of the owner of the [White Horse Inn] where Wang Yan was staying.

It was called an empty seat, but it was actually just one side of a square table, where an elderly person and a middle-aged person were sitting.

There's no way around it; there are plenty of delicious restaurants in Liyue, but few are as good, cheap, and generous in portion as Wanmintang, so sharing a table is normal.

Wang Yan sat down, and Xiang Ling walked into the Wanmin Hall, where the kitchen was located.

After sitting down, Wang Yan didn't stop there. He nodded to the diners next to him and said, "You two were startled just now, weren't you?"

"Haha, who says otherwise? Even I, an old man, couldn't stand it if someone suddenly yelled in my ear like that," the old diner replied.

Another diner immediately said, "Hey, didn't you always say you were still going strong? How come you can't keep up?"

"Get lost! I may be old and strong, but I can't take that kind of scare," the old diner retorted.

The two started exchanging barbs back and forth, and the people around them didn't stop them, just watching the show with smiles.

Liyue is a prosperous commercial region, and its people generally enjoy chatting. Astronomy, geography, business secrets, and even trivial matters on the streets are all topics of conversation.

Lu Xiangxiang's outburst just now will at least be the topic of conversation among the diners here for the next few days.

After the two diners, one old and one middle-aged, had been arguing for a while, Wang Yan picked up the teapot on the table and poured them some tea: "Take a break, you two."

The two didn't stand on ceremony and thanked Wang Yan, saying, "Thank you so much, you're too kind."

After speaking, the middle-aged man looked at Wang Yan: "Young friend, are you a scholar from the Academy of Educational Orders?"

Actually, he had already heard Wang Yan's self-introduction, but that didn't stop him from asking again now to start a conversation.

Wang Yan nodded: "I was lucky enough to be admitted to the Academy of Teachings, and I'm currently studying at the School of Knowledge."

"The Academy of Instruction is wonderful! It's a place where wisdom gathers, and I've heard that people who come from there are incredibly talented," an older diner chimed in, his intention still to praise Wang Yan. "Judging from your handsome appearance, you must be a very accomplished scholar, right?"

Wang Yan smiled and said, "The sea of ​​knowledge is boundless. Who dares to say they are great? They can only say they are alright."

"Hahaha, that's the kind of modesty we Liyue people would say." The old diner laughed, and several other diners listening nearby laughed along.

When they were at Mount Sumeru, Tinali advised the king not to be too humble, but to have the pride of a scholar.

Back in Liyue, although those around him could hear the humility in Wang Yan's tone, their opinion of him improved even more.

Humility is a virtue in Liyue.

It can only be said that different places nurture different people, and each country has its own unique characteristics.

"I've been studying at the Order Academy and haven't been back to Liyue for a long time. Has anything special happened lately?" Wang Yan asked, pouring himself a cup of tea.

"Special things? There are plenty. Liyue is bustling with activity every day," the old diner said, shaking his head.

The middle-aged diner rolled his eyes at him: "He's a scholar, he must want to hear something interesting."

The old customer glared, about to start arguing again, but Wang Yan quickly spoke up: "Anything interesting is fine. You haven't been back for a long time, it's always good to listen to more."

"That makes sense." The old diner nodded in satisfaction, then glanced at the middle-aged diner, as if declaring victory.

The middle-aged diner wanted to argue, but seeing Wang Yan's pleading look, he shook his head helplessly and said, "Alright, alright, then tell me, has anything special happened lately?"

"Hmph, if we're talking about something special, the most exciting thing is that the Lantern Festival is coming soon, and every household is getting ready," said the old diner.

A diner nearby started grumbling: "Everyone knows about the Lantern Festival, what's the big deal?"

Even if it's just to join in the fun, everyone wants to hear something that outsiders don't know. The Lantern Festival is like someone telling you, "I know a secret, that is, the Chinese New Year is coming soon"—what kind of secret is that?

The regular diners, caught off guard by this commotion, were a little embarrassed: "So, what's the matter that you have here?"

"Hey, I actually know one," one of the diners who had just started the commotion chimed in. "Did you know that the Thousand Rock Army has been clearing out the outer seas recently?"

"Are you dealing with monsters?"

"Hmm? I've heard a little about it, but it's nothing special," the old diner said sarcastically.

The diner didn't seem to care, and asked mysteriously, "Do you know why we need to clear out the monsters from the outer sea?"

This piqued the curiosity of those around them.

However, the others didn't indulge him and urged him one by one, "What are you keeping me in suspense for? Tell me already."

"Hey, don't rush me, don't rush me," the diner said hurriedly. "This is first-hand news. I heard that Seven Stars is preparing to expand into the Nordkalai area, which is why they've started clearing out the monsters in the outer sea lanes."

"Huh? 'Develop, develop'? What do you mean by that?"

"Hey, that's all I'll say. If you don't understand, just pretend I didn't say anything."

"Nordkare—that's a bit far."

"I do have a friend who runs routes in Nordkal, but I've heard there are a lot of unruly people there."

"It's precisely because they break the rules that they make money, isn't it? Besides, are we afraid of others breaking the rules?"

The diners chatted amongst themselves, clearly very interested in the news.

Wang Yan listened from the side, and he also had some thoughts in mind. He was also interested in the place called Nordkalai.

The blessing of the goddess of flowers gave him a very keen perception of the lunar torque.

The power of the moon is likely related to the power of the goddess of flowers. Whether it is out of a desire to explore the goddess of flowers' blessings or to strengthen his own power, Wang Yan should make a trip to Nordkalai.

The diners chatted about Nordkalai for a while, and then one of them brought up new information, saying that the price of tea exported from Qiaoyingzhuang has been rising continuously in recent years. Everyone started talking about stocking up on some tea to see if they could make a difference.

Wang Yan realized that these diners were no different from his friends who used to eat skewers at barbecue stalls before he transmigrated.

They talk about international affairs all the time, and about making money all the time; they're just bragging.

However, Wang Yan felt no discomfort whatsoever; on the contrary, he felt a sense of familiarity.

Although the members of the gilded guild and the disillusioned scholars were pretty much the same when they got drunk and started shouting at the Lambad tavern, Wang Yan felt particularly close to them at this moment.

"The food is here."

Xiangling's voice broke Wang Yan's concentration. She was carrying a wooden tray with three dishes and a bowl of rice on it.

"Boiled Black-backed Bass!"

"Tender and flavorful spicy chicken!"

"And this mint salad is complimentary."

"One bowl of rice, you can ask for more if it's not enough."

Xiangling placed the food in front of Wang Yan, and the aroma immediately filled Wang Yan's nose.

"Mmm—it smells so good!"

"Haha, then eat more. Call me if you need anything, I have to go now."

Xiangling was delighted to receive praise for her work. She smiled and said something before hurrying off to the shop.

Even though it's past lunchtime, the restaurant is still packed with people.

No wonder the people of Qingquan Town wanted Xiangling to help sell Lin pork after they learned about Xiangling's identity.

Given the popularity of Wanmintang, if Xiangling says that Lin pork is good, many gourmets and restaurants will definitely go and buy it.