Genshin Impact: I, the Winter's Executor, am forced to work.

Never mind, the boss has spoken, so I'll just do as he says.

Qin Ye raised the corners of his mouth.

In this way, the initiative is completely in his hands.

A great writer once said: "For example, if you say that this room is too dark and we need to open a window here, everyone will definitely not agree. But if you advocate tearing down the roof, they will come to mediate and agree to open a window."

In other words, after initially taking a high-handed approach and temporarily clouding the other party's judgment, extending an olive branch instantly livens up the atmosphere. Now he can talk however he wants, and as long as he doesn't go too far, the other party will believe him and compromise.

The tense atmosphere suddenly became cheerful and relaxed because of the speaker's relaxation.

Tatiana knew that Qin Ye was definitely planning something big, so she deliberately sat down with Ayaka and took the initiative to get to know her.

Columbia, meanwhile, sat close to the two of them, listening in and occasionally chiming in with a few words.

Although Thomas was still a bit dazed, he knew he shouldn't disturb them, so he pulled D'Artagnan aside to chat.

On either side of the hot pot, facing each other, were Qin Ye and Ayato Kamisato.

"My Lord Fool..."

"Brother Lingren, you're too kind. There's no need for so much scheming at the dinner table. Just call me Qin Ye."

"Alright, Brother Qin Ye. Shall we start with the hot pot right away, or perhaps chat for a bit?"

Qin Ye smiled and said, "Actually, I'm starving."

Ayato picked up the base ingredients and put them directly into the pot in front of him: "You're a straightforward person, so let's get started."

Qin Ye also picked up the extremely spicy broth and threw it into the other side.

"please."

"please."

The two extended their hands to each other, much like chess players exchanging pleasantries before making a move.

Seeing the broth gradually dissolve, Ayato spoke first: "I wonder how much Brother Qin Ye knows about this hot pot?"

"I wouldn't say I'm an expert, I just know a little bit, but I'm sure I don't know as much as you do."

The hand holding the chopsticks paused, and Ayato's smile froze for an extremely brief moment, unnoticed by anyone else.

“I can tell you like spicy food, but I prefer milder flavors. After all, I’m busy with work and have a lot to pay attention to, you see.”

He picked up the spicy seasoning and dipped himself in it slightly.

"If even a tiny bit is added, it will ruin its aroma and cause me great pain, not to mention your color, which makes me want to stay away from you."

"Haha, Ayato-nii, I love this flavor. And although you prefer lighter tastes, just like Shifu, everyone has their own preferences, right?"

"I understand that, but if you force others to do the same just because it's your hobby, isn't that a bit too domineering?"

Qin Ye picked up a piece of Jueyun pepper and threw it into the pot: "Of course, that's why I asked you to prepare a half-and-half pot so that everyone can be satisfied."

The Jueyun pepper was only rinsed once before being put into Qin Ye's mouth. The taste, which should have been unacceptable to ordinary people, seemed bland and ordinary to Qin Ye.

"I see. But if you're used to spicy food, will you find it hard to adjust to such a bland flavor?"

“You underestimate me. I’m not picky about anything. If this hot pot is turned upside down, Ayato might not be able to handle it, but I can accept it perfectly well. I don’t find it bland at all; I just enjoy it as a different flavor.”

Have you ever tried a lighter flavor?

Qin Ye closed his eyes briefly, shook his head, and looked somewhat helpless: "Liyue's cuisine is much more complicated than this hot pot."

"Yeah, yeah, my friend, I only went to Liyue for two days last time, but I ate so much that I still miss the taste."

The young master directly interrupted the conversation.

"Oh? Really? I happen to have a gift for you."

"Really? Buddy, you're being too polite. What's the gift?"

D'Artagnan's hand was already outstretched.

Qin Ye reached into his pocket and pulled out a rectangular gift box.

The man eagerly took it and immediately opened it to check.

"Hey...buddy, why are there two wooden sticks?"

Qin Ye seemed somewhat annoyed.

“These are chopsticks, okay? Didn’t you see that Brother Ayato is using them too? These are classic styles worth 17 Mora, which my good brother Zhongli and I picked out together.”

"How many?"

The young master suspected there was something wrong with his ears.

"So you have to understand my intentions. Today's hot pot... you have to keep eating it, right?"

"Forehead..."

He picked up the chopsticks and fiddled with them in his hands for a while.

"?"

How do I use this?

She looked to her companion with pleading eyes, only to find that the other person's attention was once again focused on Ayato Kamisato.

???

Qin Ye gave a soft "heh".

It makes you forgetful and interrupts other people's important conversations.

I originally intended to present it to you later, so you could have some fun... no, I meant to help you achieve mastery of all martial arts.

I never expected you to walk right into the line of fire, my good friend.

"Liyue's culture is profound and extensive, certainly beyond what my humble Inazuma can compare to. Yet, it possesses its own unique charm..."

Seeing that the other party had brought the focus back to the conversation, Ayato spoke up at the opportune moment.

Qin Ye waved his hand and pointed to the two sides of the hot pot: "Whether one side gets mixed with the other, it will ruin the original flavor of the hot pot, which is something neither of us wants to see, right?"

The other person smiled knowingly, picked up the food, and put it in their mouth.

"Hehe, that's exactly what you said."

The two stopped talking and silently started eating.

The others around them were also chatting enthusiastically, and began to keep throwing ingredients into the hot pot.

No one knew that a defensive alliance had been formed in such a short time, during a meal.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

[Notes]

[The dinner table is more important than the negotiating table: Discussions at the dinner table are always more reassuring than backstabbing and intrigue at the negotiating table. This implies you shouldn't worry your sister.]

[Let's start by wondering how much Brother Qin Ye knows about this hot pot.]

Ayato: I wonder how much Brother Qin Ye knows about Inazuma?

Qin Ye: Although I certainly don't know as much as someone who was born and raised here, it's enough for me.

Ayato: I can see that we have different personalities and different ways of handling things. I'm trying my best to maintain the fragile balance of Inazuma, but even the slightest unexpected factor can make the situation unclear and chaotic, which would be a big problem for me. Not to mention someone as brilliant as you, who would only make the situation more difficult to control.

Qin Ye: Indeed, as you said, I am fundamentally different from you. But just like my Winter Kingdom, although you and I are both trying to maintain a balance, there will eventually be fellow countrymen who disagree with you, won't there?

Ayato: I understand what you're saying, but I can handle Inazuma's matter. However, if you want to tie me to the warship because of your own selfish desires and your wishful thinking, isn't that a bit too domineering?

Qin Ye: Of course, that's why I took the initiative to negotiate with you.

(Eating Jueyun peppers demonstrates one's determination and attitude.)

Ayato: I see. But now that you've lived through winter, are you able to adapt to Inazuma's situation and come up with a corresponding solution?

Qin Ye: You underestimate my abilities. I'm confident I can handle any situation. You might find it difficult to move an inch in Zhidong because you've become accustomed to the mundane life in Daoqie, but for me, Daoqie is a piece of cake.

Ayato: What is your basis?

Qin Ye: The intrigue and backstabbing in Liyue is far more ruthless than this.

[After finishing my conversation with the young master.]

Ayato: Inazuma is indeed inferior to Liyue, but while she may be younger, the Seclusion Order and the Eye Hunt Order are things that are unlikely to happen in Liyue. If...

Qin Ye: You don't need to worry. You don't want Daozhi to be interfered with too much by Zhidong, and so do I. Neither of us wants a rift to appear between our two countries, and that's the real reason I came to you.

Ayato: Hehe, that's true.

Chapter 62 scum

The hot pot game, filled with laughter and joy, came to an end.

Two innocent, kind-hearted, guileless, upright, and righteous men stood outside the courtyard.

"Brother Qin Ye, this meal was very enjoyable. You can stay at our office for the time being. As for the documents for your trip to Inazuma City, I will also prepare them for you."

"Oh, Brother Ayato, you're too kind. We hit it off immediately, and after the meal, we're even closer than brothers. It's just a pity I can't stay long and explore more novel ways to eat. I'm so ashamed."

Ayato laughed even harder when she heard this.

I originally thought the other party wanted to use this opportunity to stay at the Magistrate's Office and keep track of Inazuma's every move.

The longer he stays, the easier it will be for the magistrate's office to be tied to the warship.

Now it seems that Qin Ye has other plans, and he even specifically told me to rest assured.

The image of a young man in a red scarf came to mind.

It seems the ranking of the Fools is quite complex.

"That's a real pity. If you have any financial needs, I can personally provide assistance. I have too many things to worry about on a daily basis, so this is all I can do."

You old bastard, you've covered your tracks pretty well. You harbor resentment towards the general, you privately oppose the general's decisions, and you're allied with the executors of the Fools, but on the surface you're still a perfectly law-abiding citizen, right?

After the two reaffirmed their positions and attitudes, Qin Ye changed the subject to casual conversation.

"No problem, no problem at all. You're so kind. I regret not bringing one of my brothers from Liyue with me."

Ayato understood what the other person meant, and stopped beating around the bush.