The group was startled by Hu Tao at the entrance of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
"Hahaha, Xiangling's reaction is still as entertaining as ever."
"Don't play around like this every time..."
After teasing Xiangling, Hu Tao greeted Lumine and Paimon. "Hello, you two."
"We came to hang out with you, Hu Tao!"
"To hang out?" Hu Tao rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "But from what I just overheard, it sounds like you need my help with something, right?"
Since Hu Tao had already caught on, Xiangling didn't hold back. After all, Hu Tao was her friend and one of her legendary taste-testers.
"Hu Tao, let me ask you—what kind of dishes do you like to eat?"
Hu Tao's expression shifted. Though Xiangling often roped her friends into taste-testing her experimental dishes, she had never asked such a straightforward question before.
Oh no, is she planning something big this time?
Hu Tao had no idea what Xiangling was scheming, and the sudden question left her momentarily speechless.
"What kind of dishes...? You caught me off guard with that. I can't think of an answer right away."
Lumine teased, "Even the great Director Hu has moments where she's at a loss for words?"
Paimon chimed in, "Yeah, who would've thought?"
Hu Tao didn't mind their playful jabs and responded with a smile, "Even the most eloquent birds need to rest and close shop sometimes, right? It's the same for me."
"Since when do birds 'close shop' to rest...?"
Lumine told Hu Tao not to overthink it and just share what she liked to eat or her preferred flavors.
Xiangling added, "Yeah, no need to be too detailed. Just tell me what dishes you enjoy. I'm doing a survey."
Hearing that Xiangling didn't seem to be plotting anything weird—and was actually seeking their opinions this time—Hu Tao let out a sigh of relief.
"Ohhh, so you're working on a new dish!"
"But let's get one thing straight—no overly bizarre creations! Something like boiled fish with shrimp dumplings is plenty!"
[Hahaha, Hu Tao sounds a little traumatized.]
[Check her character voice—Qingce Stir-Fried Slime Condensate. You scared yet?]
[Honestly, I kinda wanna try what slime tastes like now.]
Xiangling was surprised that Hu Tao's answer was so... normal.
Is this really Hu Tao?
Then, the "Dark Poet of the Alleyway" began her nonsense:
Normal, yet not normal.
Think about it—boiled fish is spicy and aromatic, a dish full of 'movement.'
Pair it with shrimp dumplings, and the dumplings become the 'stillness.' Get it?
After her spiel, Hu Tao struck a pose, looking profoundly wise.
Xiangling pondered for a moment. "Movement? I can make moving dishes! Like Slime Slid—"
Hu Tao immediately took a step back, putting distance between herself and Xiangling, and cut her off.
"Not that kind of movement! Even dishes have their own unique atmosphere."
"Take boiled fish—red and spicy! It stimulates the eyes, ears, mouth, and nose. That's 'movement.'"
Hu Tao continued her "philosophical lecture."
"Shrimp dumplings, on the other hand, are crystal-clear, delicately fragrant, and elegant—that's 'stillness.' The pairing of movement and stillness is like a perfect match, just like talented scholars and beautiful ladies!"
[Shrimp Dumplings (suddenly alert)]
[Ba↗o↘ Sheng↗ Yong↘ Meng↗!]
Paimon was completely lost. "I have no idea what kind of nonsense this is... but it somehow makes sense?"
Xiangling, however, diligently noted everything down.
Movement and stillness complementing each other...
"I think what you really mean is balancing meat and vegetables, or pairing salty and sweet flavors, right?"
Hu Tao snapped her fingers. "Exactly! But since desserts aren't always part of the main course, I—being the cautious one—decided to skip the sweet part."
Xiangling didn't hold back with her friend. "So it was just nonsense, but somehow still inspiring."
"That's our Hu Tao for you. Thanks!"
[Inspired by nonsense that was still nonsense.]
[LMAO, she really can talk her way out of anything.]
Paimon sighed. "Even professional storytellers can't out-bullshit Hu Tao."
Faced with Paimon's blunt remark, Hu Tao proudly placed her hands on her hips.
"Oh? Well, I'll take that as a compliment!"
After Paimon's roast, Lumine balanced things out by praising Hu Tao.
"Hu Tao, you sound like a true philosopher."
Hu Tao was visibly pleased. "Ooh—now you get it!"
She turned around, striking another profound pose.
"All things in heaven and earth—birth, aging, sickness, death, salty, sweet, fragrant, spicy—each follows its own natural order."
Though she didn't fully understand, Xiangling still wrote it all down for future reference.
"That's all I needed to ask. Thanks, Hu Tao!"
"No problem. So, where are you off to next?"
When Paimon mentioned their next destination—Bubu Pharmacy—Hu Tao's expression turned slightly peculiar.
"Bubu Pharmacy... Hmm, I'm sure the people there will give you some very interesting answers. Hehe..."
[Hu Tao's plotting something against my wife Qiqi again, isn't she?! (Angry emoji)]
[Why does Hu Tao's expression change when Bubu Pharmacy comes up?]
[Well, duh—Bubu Pharmacy tries to save lives, Wangsheng deals with the dead. Of course they don't get along.]
[So it's a business rivalry? (Laughing emoji)]
On the way, Lumine found it odd.
Why did Hu Tao react like that when Bubu Pharmacy was mentioned?
Xiangling said she didn't know the backstory either.
Soon, the group arrived at Bubu Pharmacy.
Behind the counter, Qiqi—only half her face visible—greeted them. "Ah, it's you. What's wrong?"
She probably assumed they were here to pick up medicine because they were sick.
Before anyone could answer, Baizhu emerged from the inner room.
"What a pleasant surprise. Greetings, everyone."
Lumine replied, "If possible, I'd rather not become a regular here..."
Baizhu smiled gently.
"Then you'd better be careful. The weather's getting colder, and the temperature swings between day and night are quite sharp."
Baizhu didn't speak, yet the voice that followed was distinctly feminine.
Those words, of course, came from Changsheng.
Finally, Baizhu spoke. Whether they wanted to visit the pharmacy or not, they were already here.
"Are you here to pick up medicine today?"
"No, no. We just wanted to ask you about your food preferences. It won't take long."
Lumine glanced around—no one was waiting in line for a consultation.
"Just a quick answer is fine. We won't disturb you for too long."
Baizhu assured them it was no trouble and encouraged them to speak freely.
Xiangling said, "I'm participating in a cooking competition and wanted to ask you two—no, three!"
"Could you tell me what kind of dishes you like?"
Xiangling was sharp—Changsheng could talk, so she definitely wasn't ordinary. Of course, her opinion mattered too.
"Not bad, kid. You've got a sweet mouth. I'll help you out."
Changsheng was pleased. At the very least, Xiangling's words were far more agreeable than Paimon's.