hu tao can't cook. it's a well-known fact throughout liyue harbor that any food the seventy-seventh director of wangsheng funeral parlor decides to make will turn out suspicious at best. it is also the reason xiangling, liyue's teyvat-famous chef, could be sometimes seen shooing the mischievous director out of her kitchen.
however this little fact failed to reach the ears of the conqueror of demons. he didn't know what he had gotten himself into when he allowed hu tao to make his favorite mortal delicacy for him.
as he stares at the monstrosity of the supposed almond tofu in front of him, xiao briefly wonders if this is the day his karmic debt catches up to him. hu tao watches in excitement beside him, hands balled into fists as she waits for him to take a bite.
"well?" she prompts, unable to wait any longer. "go on!"
The guardian yaksha sighs. steeling himself, he picks up the spoon beside the bowl, scooping up a portion of the meal and quickly shoving it into his mouth. if he swallows the thing whole, would he be able to taste it?
hu tao lets out a tiny squeal as she watches the yaksha finish his meal. quite frankly, she was surprised. nobody, not even zhongli, had ever stomached her cooking before. this must be the feeling of satisfaction xiangling feels whenever a customer feels satisfied after eating one of her meals.
it reminds her a lot of being able to successfully help the departed to cross over to the other side.
"so what do you think?" she asks, blossom orbs alight with her usual mischief. "i had to force xiangling to teach me! i had to promise her a whole stock of ingredients for that!"
the yaksha blinked at the words. why did this mortal have to go through all that to learn a simple recipe?
as if reading the question in his mind, hu tao answers: "i just want to thank you."
she was met with a raised brow. the director huffs.
"sheesh. do you have to make me say it?" she grumbles. "i just want to thank you for being the only person in liyue to you know… hang out with me. and for being the only person who appreciates my jokes."
suddenly the taste of the almond tofu doesn't bother xiao anymore. all that matters is that this mortal doesn't feel alone. nobody, especially this mortal, deserves to feel as alone as he does.
the yaksha reaches out, giving hu tao a small pat on the head. it seems his feelings have been conveyed as the director gives him a grateful smile in return. behind them, the sun sets below the horizon, basking wangshu inn in the brilliant reddish orange of the setting sun.
hu tao never knew how to cook. her dishes always came out suspicious looking at best. but as xiao stares at the perfect almond tofu sitting in front of him, he can't help but wish that he could have hers instead.
It's been decades, yet the taste of her almond tofu still lingers in his mind.