At the cooking competition site
The competition was now in full swing. The chefs controlled their flames with exquisite precision—all for a small Lantern Rite event.
Yet every chef had brought out their full strength. This was respect for their opponents, respect for the craft of cooking, and respect for the theme of the competition.
The chefs were busy, and so were the host and the crowd.
The host busied himself with commentary, while the crowd busied themselves with discussion. Everyone had their own opinions, but most were favoring Xiangling of Wanmin Restaurant.
Elsewhere
Within the crowded masses of onlookers
"Move aside! Let me through! Let me see!" Bonanus weaved through the dense crowd like an unstoppable force.
In Liyue, auntie-level women were an incredibly powerful force of nature. Whether snapping up bargains or pushing to the front of a crowd, their ability to charge through and squeeze past had been maxed out.
Even a gym-going muscular man couldn't withstand an auntie's crowd-penetrating prowess.
"What's wrong with this person?"
"Exactly, exactly! No restraint at all!"
"I've seen plenty of her type. I remember when I went to buy discounted eggs once, an auntie charged right at me and sent me flying eight meters back!"
Bonanus's determined advance through the crowd drew many complaints, but she couldn't care less.
The chefs had only just begun, but the aroma was already wafting out—and any beautiful girl knew that the scent of delicious food was simply irresistible!
She knew this was a bit unrestrained, but what choice did she have? She was so short! She and Xiao were practically the same height.
And everyone watching was tall and big, blocking her view perfectly.
Bonanus's unrestrained behavior also carved a narrow path in her wake, which Bosacius and Xiao followed closely.
As he walked, Bosacius kept apologizing to those they passed.
"So sorry, our little sister hasn't been the sharpest since childhood. Hope you understand."
"My apologies, sir, please don't be angry!"
"I'll discipline her when we get back. Really sorry about this."
Bosacius apologized with an awkward smile while shooting helpless glances at Bonanus, who was still forging ahead. This little sister... honestly.
Xiao, witnessing this scene, covered his face in secondhand embarrassment. Sister Bonanus, as an adeptus, how could you lose your composure like this...
We need to pull her back quickly!
Those who received Bosacius's apologies looked at him with slight confusion. The apologetic words soothed them somewhat, but complaints still slipped out.
"That's your family member, right? You should teach her some manners!"
"Exactly, exactly! She needs to learn some restraint!"
After grumbling, they finally noticed something odd about the person apologizing to them. There seemed to be an extra pair of arms on his back.
Some people, upon seeing those extra arms, were momentarily puzzled. Then those who realized screamed out:
"It's an adeptus!"
This shout reignited everyone's excitement. What a wonderful day! Watching the competition and seeing adepti!
Hearing this shout, Bosacius facepalmed in exasperation. I knew we'd get surrounded again, but I didn't think it'd happen like this.
People wanted to exchange a few words with the adepti, but no one dared to actually approach.
Everyone assumed that the competition's theme must have attracted the adepti, and many were delighted by this thought.
With this in mind, those near Bonanus took a closer look. They hadn't paid much attention before, but now—
Holy—
That girl bulldozing through the crowd like an auntie was also an adeptus? Well, today was certainly eye-opening!
So adepti were just like mortals sometimes, capable of such unrefined behavior...
But upon learning she was an adeptus, everyone's expressions softened. What was a little shoving compared to what the adepti had done for them?
After all, during the Archon War, these very adepti had sacrificed so much to protect their ancestors.
The crowd might have moved on, but Bosacius and Xiao hadn't. And because they cared, their pace quickened.
Just as Bonanus was about to reach the front, a large hand grabbed the scruff of her neck, hoisted her up, and dragged her out.
"Huh? Hey!" Suspended in the air like a kitten, Bonanus had no power to resist.
She was utterly bewildered. Wait, how am I flying? At least let me see the food up close!
But Bosacius, who had grabbed her, had no intention of respecting her wishes. With a dark expression, he hauled her out of the crowd.
The onlookers didn't stop them—they just watched curiously. So even adepti had the same troubles as mortals!
The trouble of looking after children.
---
Away from the crowd, in a quieter spot, Bosacius stared sternly at Bonanus like a scolding mother and began his lecture.
Beside him, Xiao nodded vigorously with his arms crossed, backing up Bosacius's every word.
During the lecture, Bonanus finally snapped out of it. She realized she'd been completely overwhelmed by the aroma of food and charged in without thinking.
Looking a bit embarrassed as Bosacius went on and on, she rubbed her head sheepishly.
"Sorry, it smelled so good... I couldn't control myself..." Bonanus offered an awkward but still graceful smile. This Lantern Rite wasn't going as smoothly as she'd hoped.
Earlier, everything had been fine. She'd been playing the role of the responsible one—but now she was acting like a total fool.
Bosacius and Xiao were equally puzzled. Was Bonanus just too excited because it was her first festival? And it had only just begun.
"Heh, this is the first time I've seen Sister Bonanus make such a mistake." Xiao chuckled softly.
In the past, Sister Bonanus had always been gentle and composed. She never did anything troublesome.
Sometimes she'd even lecture them about what to do and what not to do. Back then, Bosacius and Indarias had been her usual targets.
Not that her lecturing did much good—one never listened, the other never listened, and they'd always end up teasing her instead.
Thinking about that, then looking at Bonanus now, both of them grew slightly solemn. Could it be that she'd used that ability and it was making her... dim?
Xiao was especially worried. Only he and Bonanus knew that he'd accidentally fallen asleep yesterday, letting her absorb his energy all night.
"Why are you both looking at me like that? I said I was wrong!" Bonanus was puzzled by their expressions.
Bosacius simply nodded slightly. As long as you know you were wrong...
"Little sister, did that ability make you... slow?" Bosacius asked with concern.
"It's my fault," Xiao added, his expression practically saying, I'll take care of you for life.
Seeing their faces and hearing their words, Bonanus froze like a statue. She sighed and explained helplessly:
"I really was just drawn in by the smell! Back in our era, we didn't have this much food!"
"And so many people! Anyone seeing such a lively scene for the first time would get excited!"
For some reason, Bosacius and Xiao found this strangely reasonable.
"Alright! Let's head back!" Bonanus placed her hands on her hips and turned toward the cooking smoke rising in the distance.
"Okay, but little sister—no more shoving through crowds like that."
Bosacius reminded her, ready to keep a close eye on her. If she pulled another stunt like that, the adepti's dignity would be completely ruined.
"Okay..."