Tubby's Notes:

Name: Xiangling

Occupation: Chef

Profile: Bright, cheerful, she wouldn't pose any real problems. Except she's way too daring with her cooking. Keep a close eye on her because she will try to make anything—and I do mean anything—into a meal.

Aether can't say no to a beautiful woman. If she asks him to taste one of her more unconventional dishes, contact Baizhu, Sigewienne, and Barbara as soon as possible. In fact, have them on standby whenever Xiangling's in the kitchen.


Sumeru Mishaps Article by Charlotte

For her date, Xiangling asked Aether to take her to other nations so she could hunt for new ingredients. First, he brought her to Sumeru. Once she reached Avidya Forest, in a matter of hours, she decimated the nation's ecological wildlife.

As a result, several creatures have been put onto the endangered species list including Fungi, Shroomboars, Rishboland Tigers, Spinocrocodiles, the Jadeplume Terrorshroom, the Electro Regisvine, Consecrated Fanged Beasts, Consecrated Flying Serpents, Consecrated Horned Crocodiles, Consecrated Red Vultures, Consecrated Scorpions, Ruin Drakes, Aranara, and Apep the Dendro Dragon.

The Forest Rangers were aghast by the destruction. Many had no words, except for Tighnari. He could be heard saying, "Wasn't enough that glutton destroyed the Spiral Abyss, now she has to go destroying my home?!" He estimates the wildlife should recover in due time, but Sumeru residents may have to limit their meat consumption.

Feeling guilty, Xiangling personally prepared food for all of Sumeru using those ingredients. The immaculate flavors, hitherto undreamed of, impressed everyone. They agreed to forgive Xiangling who provided them with more than enough food to last a while. Several chefs believe her culinary innovation has advanced Sumeru's culinary arts by centuries, even millennia.

Not everyone proved so forgiving. Apep filed a restraining order against Xiangling. Once it goes into effect, she will not be allowed to visit Sumeru Desert. Apep explains, "I am not food, damn it! Give me back my tail, you brat!"

Apep and Xiangling settled their dispute in a court settlement. The exact nature of this dispute remains unknown. Following it, Apep crawled into his tunnel and refuses to ever leave.

Fontaine Mishaps

Xiangling is no longer allowed to ride the aquebus. Upon arriving at the transport, she approached Aeval. She drooled, looking very, very hungry. The Melusine immediately jumped overboard and swam away, causing a massive transit delay. It took hours for the Marcheusse to track down their missing bus operator. She hid inside a shoal, shivering and sniffling. She kept saying, "I never should've followed Neuvillette to Fontaine!"

To apologize, Xiangling prepared Aeval a special dish. The Melusine accepted her gift, marveling in how excellently it catered to the Melusine tongue. Xiangling taught Aeval how to prepare the dish herself. Now, Aeval calls Xiangling, "Big sister Ling-ling." It's objectively very cute.

Xiangling sampled several Fontaine dishes. There, she learned several new recipes and collected a multitude of ingredients. While cooking for some children, she overheard the song "Hydro Dragon, Hydro Dragon, Don't cry," and loudly asked, "Ooo, can you eat a Hydro Dragon? What does he taste like?"

Fontaine immediately experienced a torrential downpour.

Inazuma Mishaps

Xiangling traveled to Inazuma. Once arriving, the Raiden Shogun personally greeted her. Ei said, "Ah, it's you. Is it time for us to destroy the Spiral Abyss again? Where's Bennett and Xingqiu?" Upon learning the Abyss had not yet reset and that this was simply a visit, Ei told Xiangling to make herself at home in Yashiori.

Xiangling got into a scrape with local delinquent Arrattaki Itto when she tried cooking his subordinate Ushi. Thankfully, Aether managed to make peace between the two parties. To apologize, Xiangling prepared a super special dish for Itto. He really liked it and forgave her on the spot.

In her search for new ingredients, Xiangling stumbled upon the skeleton of Orobashi. She raced to Kokomi and demanded to know where she could find another giant serpent. Upon learning there was only one Orobashi, Xiangling grew quite disappointed. Thankfully, she found new ingredients: unagi eels and Specters.

Many know Watatsumi Island has poor soil, making it unsuitable for farming. The vegetables grown there, typically come out shriveled or malformed. Remarkably, Xiangling found a use for the vegetables. She showed the people how even shoddy vegetables could be prepared into a delicious and simple meal if mixed judiciously with unagi, seaweed, and lots of Specters. Her discovery provided Watatsumi a sustainable food source for the foreseeable future. Moreover, the island now has a special good that can be exported across the world. Experts predict the island will soon experience a sharp increase in GDP as they finally shift towards exportation.

For her contributions, Divine Priestess Kokomi conferred Xiangling the title of Divine Chef. She promised Xiangling she would always be welcome in Watatsumi. Moreover, she said Xiangling could go to Enkanomiya and hunt down all the vishaps and manta rays she liked.

These creatures join their Sumeru brethren on the endangered species list.

Mondstadt Mishaps

Upon setting foot in Mondstadt, Xiangling greeted her old cooking rival. The chefs spent some time reminiscing before Xiangling asked about rare ingredients. Unfortunately, she learned about Dvalin.

She got into a spat with the dragon. Although the details of this argument remain unknown, we have eye witness confirmation that Dvalin told her, "I'm okay with giving you a few scales, but kindly stop tasting me!" In apology, Xiangling used the ingredients she collected from Inazuma and prepared Dvalin a special dish fit for a dragon. The dish proved so suiting of his tastes, that Dvalin not only forgave her but also granted her a ride around the Land of Freedom.

With Dvalin's help, she collected all of Mondstadt's specialty ingredients in record time, including ingredients from Andrius, the Anemo Cube, and the Snowboar King. Dvalin personally flew her and Aether back home so she could prepare a meal using everything she gathered.


Xiangling purred as the flavor hit her tongue. It was savory with spiced meats of Sumeru, fresh and wild with Monstadt Calla Lillies, with a dash of sweetness from those Hydro Eidolons she hunted in Fontaine, and some Inazuma seaweed to garnish it all off.

Aether also grinned as he stuffed down the meal. His enjoyment made her super happy.

"You've outdone yourself this time," he said between mouthfuls. "Definitely worth all the headaches. Mostly."

"Sorry," she said. "I can't stop searching for new ingredients. Food is the one thing that brings everyone together! It doesn't matter if you're human, Melusine, Youkai, or dragon! Everyone loves a good meal."

Aether chuckled. "You definitely convinced me on that much. For all the trouble we got in today, your cooking got us out of it all. That's the power of good cooking."

She scarfed down the rest of her meal, licking her lips at the wondrous aftertaste. Soo good~~ This would make a great snack for the other girls when they had their next senate meeting. Xiangling rubbed her belly, full and content.

"Thanks for helping me," she said.

"I like cooking as much as the next guy," he replied. "We're fellow culinary crusaders, embarking on a search for never-ending deliciousness."

"And we won't stop until we achieve culinary heaven on earth!"

Aether finished his meal. The sun had begun setting. He yawned, exhausted by their international romp. Honestly, she was tired too. It had been one heck of a day. Of course, it wasn't over just yet.

"Hey," she said suddenly. "You know, there's actually one other thing I'd really like to taste."

Aether feigned ignorance. "And what might that be?"

Beaming, she grabbed his hand and pulled him into a kiss.

This, this was the best thing she ever tasted. Best of all though, she'd never be full no matter how many times she ate. They retired to her room. There, they indulged in the greatest dessert of all.