Early on the rest day morning, Qin Yu dragged herself sleepily to the entrance of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
I have to be here so early... Qin Yu yawned again, grumbling to herself.
If it were Shenhe, she would undoubtedly rise at dawn without complaint. But for Qin Yu, unless someone woke her, she would typically sleep for several more hours.
Reluctant to trouble Baishi to wake her, Qin Yu had her Machine Companion set an alarm. If she snoozed it, it would ring again in five minutes, repeating until she finally got out of bed.
After about five alarms, Qin Yu finally woke up, thoroughly annoyed.
The reason for her early morning visit to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor stemmed from Hu Tao's request two days prior.
"Are you free on your day off? If so, please come to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. I have something I'd like you to participate in!" Hu Tao had said.
Technically, Qin Yu was free, but she suspected it would be some kind of troublesome task and hesitated to agree.
However, a blunt refusal would be out of character, so she reluctantly inquired about the matter.
"Aiya, what else would it be when I ask you to come to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor? Of course, it's to send someone off!" Hu Tao waved her hand dismissively.
"Huh? Did someone I know pass away?!" Qin Yu thought, her mind racing. "If that's the case, I absolutely have to go... but logically, I should have received some kind of notification by now."
Confused, Qin Yu asked whose funeral it was. Hu Tao named someone she didn't recognize.
"I don't know them..." Qin Yu said, even more perplexed.
"I know, I just wanted you to experience what it's like to work at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
Work? Like a social internship?
It's true that working under Ningguang requires a wide range of knowledge, but did she really need to experience work at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?
It doesn't seem necessary.
Besides, Qin Yu isn't particularly fond of funerals, even lively, joyous ones.
Speaking of which, why did Hu Tao suddenly invite me to do this?
"Is that so? But why are you suddenly inviting me to do this?" Qin Yu couldn't help but ask.
Hu Tao adjusted her hat and grinned. "I wanted you to get to know me, the Director, better! To witness my cool and charismatic work persona! How's that for a reason?"
No. At least, not the second part.
Qin Yu understood Hu Tao's intentions, but attending a stranger's funeral... she still felt reluctant.
"I'm sorry, I just..."
Just as she was about to tactfully refuse, Hu Tao said earnestly, "I'd be so happy if you came!"
"And if I don't?" Qin Yu asked curiously.
"I'll think you hate me, and might just camp outside your house crying for three days and three nights!"
Alright, I guess I have no choice but to go.
Qin Yu didn't really believe Hu Tao's promise. Crying for three days and three nights? Highly unlikely.
More likely, she'd persistently knock on the door for half an hour.
That would be just as annoying, and it might even start unnecessary rumors.
But the main reason Qin Yu agreed was because Hu Tao's expression was so earnest. Besides, Qin Yu didn't have any special plans for her day off.
Using a meaningless lie to brush off Hu Tao's sincere invitation... that would make Qin Yu feel like she was being even worse than she already was.
She wasn't exactly great to begin with, but if she couldn't improve, she at least shouldn't get worse.
Still, Qin Yu didn't want to appear too willing.
"Hu Tao, if you're insisting I go, then I'll go," she said, handing the decision-making power back to Hu Tao.
Hu Tao looked puzzled for a moment. Why hand the decision to me? But after a moment of contemplation, as if she'd suddenly understood something, she nodded emphatically several times.
"Alright! Come to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor early on your day off. It's settled then!"
If she was being insisted upon, there was no way out.
But how could someone like Qin Yu, who wasn't a relative or close friend, participate? When Qin Yu asked, Hu Tao suggested she simply work as a Wangsheng Funeral Parlor employee for the day.
"After all, I'm the Director. No one will question my arrangements."
"Me? But I'm not familiar with the job."
If there were written records, I could use the Brain-Machine Connection to directly transfer the knowledge into my memory.
But memories are just memories. To truly excel, I need the experience that comes with long practice. To participate in such a crucial funeral for someone else as a staff member...
Ugh, the pressure is immense.
Hu Tao had already considered this, patting her chest reassuringly. "Don't worry, I won't ask you to do anything difficult. Just some simple tasks like carrying things. Just put on our uniform and follow my instructions!"
Qin Yu finally relaxed.
Snapping out of her reverie, Qin Yu knocked on the door of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. A moment later, a female employee she recognized opened the door.
"Ah, it's you! The Director has been expecting you. Please come in."
"Ah, okay. Thank you."
Compared to Qin Yu, who was still half-asleep, Hu Tao was bursting with energy.
"Good morning! Did you get enough sleep? Today we have a funeral and need to bury a client's deceased family member, so it'll be quite time-consuming. You'll feel awful if you're not well-rested."
"Ahahaha, I'm fine."
Even if she wasn't feeling her best, Qin Yu didn't want others worrying about her, so she secretly mustered her energy.
Hu Tao circled Qin Yu once. "Hmm~ is that so? Good. Come over here and take your uniform."
Hu Tao handed Qin Yu a neatly folded Wangsheng Funeral Parlor uniform.
"I've already informed the others. Go change into this in the dressing room over there now."
The size... probably won't fit perfectly, right? After all, Hu Tao doesn't know my measurements, Qin Yu thought as she headed to the dressing room to change.
"Hmm?"
The chest area felt a little tight.
She adjusted it again—definitely snug.
I can't believe it! Qin Yu's heart skipped a beat. Could it be... have I grown?
After calming down, Qin Yu realized the uniform still didn't fit properly. Since she was already an adult, her chest shouldn't be growing noticeably anymore, meaning Hu Tao must have simply gotten the wrong size.
She changed back into her original top and explained the situation to Hu Tao.
"You've actually grown!" Hu Tao exclaimed in surprise.
"That's impossible."
"Then... it shrunk?"
"That's even more unlikely, right?"
Qin Yu received a new uniform, tried it on, and found it fit reasonably well. Satisfied, she returned to Hu Tao's side.
"Hmm, perfect fit. Why not come work for me at the Funeral Parlor?" Hu Tao praised.
"I'm sorry, I appreciate the offer, but I'll have to decline."
Hu Tao shrugged. "What a shame. I was going to say that I could even be your girlfri—"
I don't need that!
Caught off guard by Hu Tao's boldness in front of others, Qin Yu panicked. She forced a smile, grabbed Hu Tao's hand, and cut her off.
"Even if I don't work at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, I'll still be your good friend, Hu Tao!"
Evaluation: D
Hu Tao blinked, then feigned shyness and whispered, "Aiya, I wouldn't mind a deeper relationship either..."
Ha? Is she deliberately teasing me? Qin Yu's irritation deepened, but the nonexistent scenario that flashed through her mind made her cheeks flush slightly.
Deeper relationship... Lips... No, what am I even thinking?
"Please don't say things like that," Qin Yu said, feeling uncomfortable.
"Hehe, I just wanted to tease you a little. Sorry!" Hu Tao said with a cheerful smile.
As expected.
Qin Yu sighed inwardly, her annoyance melting into resignation.
"Ready to go?" Hu Tao asked again.
"Yes, but I still don't know where we're going."
Hu Tao nodded gently. "Oh, I haven't told you yet, have I? We're holding the funeral at Wuwang Hill. It's quite a journey, which is why we need to leave so early."
Wuwang Hill... That's where Teacher was buried, Qin Yu suddenly remembered.