[It isn't opulent. It isn't elegant. Even the word clean is a bit of a stretch for this space. It's just so... unremarkable. He would have much preferred to rent out the back room in that one buffet restaurant, but then the food would have been... not quite up to his standards. And he probably would have been overruled anyway, seeing as suddenly he's been accused of not really knowing how to handle money.
... Well, it wasn't so much of an accusation as the truth, but he has money. Somewhere. He just can't keep track of it in a manner that is acceptable to strangers. It's like everyone else in the Black Order had suddenly become a financial advisor overnight. What was it that people here had against comfort and quality?
Cooking is a great way to get to know someone, though, and he couldn't argue that. He's always open to new gastronomical exploits (spoiled as he is by Wanmin Restaurant's cooking), and so he's done his level best to set everything up for a proper potluck. No one can fault him for trying, though Fugo and Morgan have also assisted him with a great deal of the prep work (i.e., shopping).
Rather than a soup, he decided to bring Lion's Head meatballs. They sit nice and warm on a bed of perfectly-sliced bok choy, with the salty-sweet sauce in a nearby container ready to be scooped out. There's also Yangzhou fried rice to go with them. All in all, not a bad showing from a guy who prefers to cook things slowly and methodically—as always, it's in the preparation. None of it should be too spicy, either.
... He really would have preferred the restaurant, though.
Before everyone settles down and begins eating in earnest, Zhongli busies himself with making so much tea. He'll even pour it for people who want some. It's oolong today, his favorite, and it's uh... stronger than usual.
There's a reason for this. Because eventually, he'll be ducking out of the room for a second so that he can invite Xiao in to have a seat. He's hopefully not the only person who brought a guest, right? Right?]
Xiao, these are the people I've been working with recently. [And, as if it's absolutely routine, he continues:] Everyone, this is Xiao. Please treat my son well.
no subject
... Well, it wasn't so much of an accusation as the truth, but he has money. Somewhere. He just can't keep track of it in a manner that is acceptable to strangers. It's like everyone else in the Black Order had suddenly become a financial advisor overnight. What was it that people here had against comfort and quality?
Cooking is a great way to get to know someone, though, and he couldn't argue that. He's always open to new gastronomical exploits (spoiled as he is by Wanmin Restaurant's cooking), and so he's done his level best to set everything up for a proper potluck. No one can fault him for trying, though Fugo and Morgan have also assisted him with a great deal of the prep work (i.e., shopping).
Rather than a soup, he decided to bring Lion's Head meatballs. They sit nice and warm on a bed of perfectly-sliced bok choy, with the salty-sweet sauce in a nearby container ready to be scooped out. There's also Yangzhou fried rice to go with them. All in all, not a bad showing from a guy who prefers to cook things slowly and methodically—as always, it's in the preparation. None of it should be too spicy, either.
... He really would have preferred the restaurant, though.
Before everyone settles down and begins eating in earnest, Zhongli busies himself with making so much tea. He'll even pour it for people who want some. It's oolong today, his favorite, and it's uh... stronger than usual.
There's a reason for this. Because eventually, he'll be ducking out of the room for a second so that he can invite Xiao in to have a seat. He's hopefully not the only person who brought a guest, right? Right?]
Xiao, these are the people I've been working with recently. [And, as if it's absolutely routine, he continues:] Everyone, this is Xiao. Please treat my son well.
[✨SURPRISE!!!!✨]