vrcanaries Chapter 137 The sky is falling
Chapter 137 The sky is falling
Compared to Boss Zhu's inn, Wangshu Inn is practically overflowing with people.
The group took their seats on the lower level, and since they didn't need accommodation, they didn't climb the stairs. Of course, they could also take the water-powered elevator up.
"Since Mona is treating, we can order whatever we want, right?"
Paimon asked tentatively.
Mona nodded matter-of-factly, completely unaware of the impending disaster.
"Of course, I'm very generous. But the condition is that you can finish it; wasting food is not good."
Twenty thousand Mora is enough for three days' worth of food for others, but in Paimon and Hunyuan, twenty thousand Mora might not even be enough for a single meal.
Huiyuan looked at the confident Mona and silently mourned for her for a second.
(Hopefully your wallet has enough.)
Just then, the inn's waitress, Yu Hua, respectfully walked over with the menu in her arms.
What would you like to order?
Ying looked at the menu, randomly pointed to one of the dishes, and tentatively looked at Yuhua, asking for a description.
"These 'Golden Shrimp Balls'..."
"Using large, plump shrimp, wrapped in crispy fried potatoes, creates a truly unique texture."
"This 'vegetarian abalone'..."
"As the name suggests, it's vegetarian abalone, and it's just as good as real abalone."
"This 'crab roe tofu'..."
"Although tofu is a very common ingredient, it is a perfect match with crab roe and is one of our signature dishes."
"This 'Yan Du Xian'..."
"This is a dish that our regular customers especially like. Bamboo shoots, meat, and ham are cooked together to create a rich and flavorful broth."
After hearing the introduction, Ying couldn't help but drool.
Wiping away her drool, Ying pondered for a moment and decided to utter that famous line, just like Zhong did.
(Only Paimon makes choices, me...)
"...I want them all."
Upon hearing those three words, Mona's eyes widened.
"All of them?! We only have four... no, three and a half people? That's too many!"
Mona glanced at the smaller Paimon and realized that she hadn't taken her appetite seriously, and had even counted her as only half a person.
However... "Paimon doesn't count like that!"
Paimon stomped his foot angrily, saying that Mona didn't consider him a complete person.
Mona looked at Paimon in horror, sensing something was wrong.
Sure enough, Paimon naturally put his hands on his hips and started ordering.
"And I haven't even ordered the dishes I want yet! 'Squirrel Fish,' 'Tender and Spicy Chicken,' and 'Pearl Jade and White Jade Soup'!"
Mona was expressionless and completely stunned.
(How many times has she been in a daze? I've forgotten to count. Oh well, it doesn't matter anymore.)
Thinking this, Huiyuan took the menu and pointed to the dishes, saying, "This is the 'Hot Braised Noodles with Mountain Delicacies,' 'Almond Tofu,' and 'Matsutake Mushroom Stuffed Rolls.'"
Mona remained expressionless, her eyes unfocused, trying to appear calm.
If Huiyuan could read minds, Mona would probably be thinking: (This isn't ordering food, it's like the King of Hell calling in the roll! Even if a gluttonous beast came, it wouldn't be as big as the three of you combined!)
Yu Hua nodded, then turned her gaze to Mona and asked her a question.
"Okay—would this guest like to order anything else?"
Mona looked worried and tentatively asked, "I... I just wanted to ask, how much are the dishes we've ordered in total, approximately in Mora?"
"Hmm, around 30,000 Mora."
"Then...uh—I...uh...I guess I won't order it..."
"Okay. Please have a seat for a moment, and we will serve you your food shortly."
The dishes were served, and Ying, Huiyuan, and Paimon began to eat heartily. Mona, however, did not touch her chopsticks, but simply watched the three of them in despair.
Mona grew hungrier the more she looked, so she simply stopped watching and closed her eyes to rest.
(Calm down, calm down—30,000 Mora... Even if I include the Mora I have left, it's still not enough! What to do, what to do, should I wash the dishes? No, I'd be too embarrassed... No, I need to calm down... I can't calm down!!!)
The Wangshu Inn was very lively, and this lively atmosphere made it impossible for Mona to calm down.
(What should I do?! Maybe I should find an excuse to go to Mondstadt alone... to get rid of them and then secretly wash dishes here. No, no, this is Wangshu Inn, how could they be short of dishwashers? Or... to work as a waitress here... but they probably wouldn't want me. Then... then... sell... sell, sell...)
Just as Mona was in despair and almost made the choice to sell herself, Paimon and Ying whispered to each other.
"Actually, I have a strange way of eating..."
Ying nodded slightly and replied, "Why isn't she eating anything?"
Paimon stroked his chin and gave his answer.
"Is it because...she actually has no money?"
Mona, who values her image, would never let others think she's short of money.
Hearing the whispers, Mona angrily opened her eyes and looked at Ying.
"I heard everything! I said it was my treat, how could it be for such a vulgar reason as Mora! Astrologers should focus on studying the stars; if their minds are disturbed by worldly things, their judgment will be impaired. Especially using Mora to excessively satisfy physical desires is vulgar..."
Before she could finish half a sentence, a clear and loud voice came from Mona's belly again.
"Cuckoo-"
Mona's stomach made a rumbling sound, and the moment before she put on a serious expression, she lowered her head in embarrassment.
"...and dangerous."
Paimon turned away, unable to bear the sight, and said to Ying, "So, not eating the food we ordered is part of an astrologer's dignity? It's really hard to understand. But isn't it a bit inappropriate for us to be the only ones eating and drinking so much?"
After glancing at the pitiful Mona, Ying rolled up her non-existent sleeves and stood up.
"Let me show you what I can do."
"Oh, right, that's one way to do it! Wait for us a minute!"
After saying that, Ying and Paimeng went upstairs to borrow the kitchen of Wangshu Inn.
Huiyuan continued eating, and seeing Mona's indifference, a thought formed in her mind.
"Wow—there are water boxes floating there. They say those water boxes contain Mora..."
Upon hearing this, a glimmer of hope ignited in Mona's despair, and she stood up alertly.
"Where where?"
Then, without looking back, she plunged into the water to search for the so-called water box.
Seeing Mona leave, Huiyuan took out a gem worth 50,000 Mora from the Eye of God space and placed it under her chair.
(Although I'd love to see Mona working here, I hope she doesn't do anything unethical.)