Chapter 626: Has Ei Started Playing Mind Games?

Now that the fifth act has been released, everyone is still gathering in Fontaine. The Opéra Epiclese is considered the largest cinema in the world today.

Other nations also have screening locations, but if one had to say, the one in Fontaine is still the most comfortable.

Arlecchino sat quietly in her chair. The last time she came here to watch a story, it was about Peruere—that was her own story, and it indeed broke through her defenses.

This time, what they were watching was not her own story, so she thought she probably wouldn't break down.

Even if she did break down, it wouldn't matter, because just like last time, several gods were sitting behind her.

It was as if she were being stared at by several JOJO-faced "tough guys"—even if she broke down, she wouldn't go berserk.

"This guy Lucian isn't thorough when treating us—how can he not provide alcohol?" Venti pouted and complained in a low voice.

"Lucian guessed you would say that." Ei took out a plate of dango that looked like Tricolor Dango, the difference being that these dango were all one color.

Venti's nose was very sensitive; he immediately smelled the alcohol on them.

"Lucian taught me how to make these wine-brewed rice balls. He said if you mention alcohol, give you these." Ei revealed a barely noticeable smile.

She seemed quite proud, because this was a dish that Lucian had taught her hands-on, and it rarely looked edible.

But it was only in appearance. Venti didn't dare test it with his body; he smiled bitterly in his heart. Lucian, oh Lucian, you even predicted this?

But why are you scheming against me? I wasn't among the people who complained about you a few days ago.

I'm not playing with you, this prophet, anymore! You've seen right through me!

Venti hurriedly waved his hands in refusal: "No need, no need. I actually don't love drinking that much; I can hold it in."

"Snort..." Zhongli couldn't hold back his laughter. Venti saying he doesn't love drinking.

Who knew that with Zhongli's laugh, Ei would pull out another dish—tea-flavored shrimp.

"Morax, don't you love drinking tea? Lucian also told me to prepare this for you."

Looking at the dish in front of him, even Zhongli, who loved freeloading meals, couldn't help but lean back.

This must be intentional on Little Friend Lucian's part—putting what he likes and hates together? Just because we sparred once before, the little friend holds a grudge.

"Cough, no need. Such fine cuisine should be left for Little Friend Lucian to savor." Zhongli waved his hand, his body still slightly leaning back.

Nahida was a bit curious beside them. Why were the seniors so resistant? Tea and alcohol should be their hobbies.

One could only say Nahida was still "young." As a new-generation god who had been imprisoned all along, she didn't understand Ei well enough.

Alhaitham had once said that curiosity is the most dangerous thing in Sumeru. At this moment, curiosity arose in Nahida's heart—why was everyone so resistant?

Raiden Ei saw Nahida's curiosity at a glance and pulled out—brown sugar rice cake.

Soft and chewy sweets—if this dish hadn't been made by Raiden Ei, it would truly be perfect for Nahida.

But since it was made by Raiden Ei, if she really ate it, Nahida might join Greater Lord Rukkhadevata a step earlier.

"Lucian told me that you like sweets just like Furina. This is what I prepared for you."

Ei wasn't someone who loved cooking, but she could use learning to cook as an excuse to avoid her sister's lessons for a while, so she really did make a few dishes.

Raiden Makoto naturally knew her little sister's cooking skills—that couldn't be called masterful; it could be said to anger both gods and men. Saying it was to learn cooking was definitely an excuse.

But who told the teacher to be Lucian? Raiden Makoto definitely had to give Lucian face.

As a result, those few days were supposedly Ei learning to cook, but what Lucian ate at the Tenshukaku was all made by Raiden Makoto.

However, Ei's food couldn't be wasted either. This food is still warm—quick, send it to Cloud— no, quick, send it to Scaramouche, and don't let it cool on the way!

Now you know why Scaramouche was among those who participated in the sparring.

And at this moment, Nahida looked at the delicious delicacy in front of her and showed a gentle smile, clasping her small hands together and saying, "Thank you, senior."

Her fair, tender little hands took the plate, and green energy lifted the rice cake into her mouth.

Her delicate little mouth was about to bite down, and her pure white teeth had already touched that "forbidden knowledge."

For a moment, the world seemed to slow down, and the other gods widened their eyes watching.

Furina's black-and-white gloved little hands covered her mouth together—she couldn't bear to watch.

Don't ask why she covered her mouth if she couldn't bear to watch—because she was really curious! You're actually eating it?

This is a film exclusively for the Dendro Archon and the Tree King—if you really eat it, wouldn't it turn into "Dendro Archon gets poisoned, lock down the venue"?

Nahida bit down in one bite and closed her eyes.

Everyone couldn't bear it—what a young life, alas.

Who knew Nahida would actually open her eyes again, with light seeming to shine in them.

"Very delicious, thank you." Nahida said while chewing like a hamster.

The gods and everyone else were greatly shocked. Although they guessed the Dendro Archon wouldn't die so easily, they didn't expect the Dendro Archon to actually like it!

Is the Dendro Archon's taste this exotic? This is already beyond "clean and hygienic," right?

Ei said blankly, "No need to thank me. This was made by Lucian, not me."

Case closed! No wonder—if it were made by Raiden Ei, Nahida wouldn't be able to open her eyes for a while.

Being able to open her eyes before the film ended would mean she had resistance.

"Wait! So the previous ones too?" Venti suddenly realized something.

Ei nodded, "That's right. Mine failed; these were made by Lucian."

As mentioned before, Lucian taught hands-on, mainly because Lucian also made a portion together with Ei.

Ei's failed and were fed to Scaramouche; these were made by Lucian.

Venti was speechless. Lucian, you're too despicable!

You deliberately had Ei bring them out just so we wouldn't dare eat them!

No wonder these dishes look edible—I even smelled alcohol, and they seemed pretty good. So that's how it is!

It has to be said, Lucian's cooking skills are still quite good, and Venti was craving alcohol too. That was alcohol! A dish made with a kind of alcohol he'd never seen!

"I want to eat it now. Is that okay?" Venti said.

Ei didn't refuse and handed the wine-brewed rice balls to Venti, who started eating directly.

Then Venti's face changed abruptly, his body leaned back, and he closed his eyes.

Hu Tao hadn't expected this either—coming all the way to Fontaine and still gaining a +1 client.

However, Hu Tao wouldn't handle Venti's funeral because Venti hadn't purchased the package service, and she figured Venti couldn't afford it anyway.

"This dish—Lucian asked me to help with a little something." Ei revealed a barely noticeable smile.

So this is what it feels like to play mind games with people. I love it, love it. Worthy of being my external brain.

Lumine, peeking from afar, could fully understand Ei's thoughts at this moment. We two are indeed people whose names even sound similar—our thoughts are so alike too!

Everyone else breathed a sigh of relief instead. Good thing Ei only helped a little—the Anemo Archon should not die.

===✧✦✧===

Character Voice Lines · Venti: About Wine-Brewed Rice Balls

"The taste is pretty good..."