"How about a 10% discount? Pretty good deal, right?" Hu Tao continued promoting the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's services.
"Thank you for your kindness, Director, but unfortunately, we Fatui probably won't be needing it," Childe politely declined.
"Huh? Why not? Your Fatui work sounds like it's super easy to die from."
Hu Tao was puzzled, speaking as if delivering auspicious words.
To Hu Tao, death was merely a necessary stage of life, nothing to be avoided.
In her eyes, both the Fatui and adventurers could be considered premium clients—anyone who might need their services at any moment.
"Our work in the Fatui is indeed dangerous, and every one of us is prepared to face death," Childe replied, unoffended.
For an Executive tasked with seizing the Geo Archon's Gnosis, death was well within expectations.
"However, when carrying out missions, we don't go seeking death. We hold onto the belief that we must survive."
"Moreover, after our deaths, the Tsaritsa will arrange our burials, so we won't be needing the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's services."
"I see." Hu Tao nodded.
She respected anyone who respected life and death.
Originally, she hadn't harbored much goodwill toward this Snezhnayan Executive—she just didn't want to restrict Zhongli's social circle.
But now, her impression of this "Childe" had improved somewhat. Perhaps this was why Zhongli was willing to befriend him?
"Director, may I ask what brings you here?" Zhongli spoke up only after their conversation ended.
"Oh, right! Almost forgot."
Hu Tao pulled a book from her Vision, its cover still bearing the title Teyvat's Strange Tales.
"Ta-da!" She even added sound effects to the book-pulling motion.
Childe was puzzled. Wasn't this the very novel they'd just been discussing?
He'd already read it—why was she bringing it out now?
Zhongli, however, seemed to realize something, his gaze fixed intently on the book in Hu Tao's hands.
Hu Tao smirked mysteriously, her little head tilting up slightly with a hint of pride.
"Hehe, this is Act II of the novel! That little scoundrel of an author specially sent it to me."
Turns out, she had recently received a letter from Lucian, which included an advance copy of the unpublished Act II.
Before Zhongli's own copy could arrive, Hu Tao rushed all over to find him just so she could flaunt it first.
"Oh?" Childe's interest was piqued, wondering if Act II would focus on Liyue.
He didn't pay much attention to Hu Tao's nickname for the author.
Since Zhongli knew the author, it wasn't strange that Hu Tao, as Zhongli's superior, would also know them.
"Director Hu, might I take a look as well?" Childe asked.
"Hehe, of course! It's more fun when everyone reads together," Hu Tao readily agreed.
For someone as sociable and excitable as her, the more people, the merrier.
Besides, she'd come here to show off, what could be better than having one more person to flaunt to?
The three sat closer together, with Hu Tao sandwiched between two men. Unfazed, she began flipping through the book.
'Prologue: Act II - For a Tomorrow Without Tears'
["So, this is our stance," Anastasia said to Jean.
"If you cannot immediately quell the rampaging dragon, why not hand over Mondstadt's defense to the Fatui?"
"The dragon calamity in Mondstadt can be resolved—as long as we deal with that beast."]
So, in the original timeline, when Stormterror attacked the city, the Knights of Favonius failed to mount a swift defense.
Thus, the Fatui seized the opportunity to pressure them.
Hu Tao's gaze shifted to the sole Fatui present—none other than the Eleventh Harbinger, Tartaglia, "Childe" himself.
"Ah… Ahem… How should I put it? We were just looking out for Mondstadt's citizens, weren't we?"
Childe laughed it off.
"After all, without knowing the future, the Knights of Favonius couldn't protect Mondstadt properly."
Hu Tao neither agreed nor disagreed. Handing over a nation's defense to the Fatui? That was absurd.
It'd be like disbanding Liyue's Millelith and outsourcing the nation's security to the Fatui—utter nonsense.
Though the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor was a private enterprise, it had official backing.
If the Fatui ever tried pulling that in Liyue, Hu Tao would be tempted to "liberate" them with her Staff of Homa.
Zhongli also shook his head. The Fatui's diplomats in Mondstadt had grown far too accustomed to bullying others.
With the Knights of Favonius' main forces away on an expedition, Mondstadt was severely undermanned.
Coupled with the Anemo Archon's centuries-long absence, it was no wonder the Fatui treated Mondstadt with such arrogance.
In Liyue, the Fatui were far more restrained—at most, they engaged in minor schemes, all under Zhongli's watchful gaze.
In Liyue, forget a mere Fatui diplomat—even an Executive like Tartaglia wouldn't dare suggest handing over the city's defense to Ningguang.
The Geo Archon wasn't dead yet! Push too far, and not even the Tsaritsa could save you.
Yet, even understaffed and without their Archon, Mondstadt would never yield to the Fatui.
["Beast?"
"Sigh…" Jean exhaled, as if suppressing anger.
"I hope your diplomats can adopt a more professional attitude. You wish to 'handle' one of Mondstadt's Four Winds?"
"I'd advise against anyone uttering such madness before the Knights of Favonius."]
The Fatui diplomat remained unfazed by Jean's warning.
["Heh, is it really so mad?"]
To the Fatui, a Mondstadt without its Archon, Grand Master, or elite knights warranted no reverence.
["Very well. Let us conclude this discussion here."
"The outcome shall be recorded as 'both parties engaged in a candid exchange of constructive opinions.' Agreed?"
With that, the Fatui diplomat left.]
Zhongli nodded in approval. He was quite impressed with this Jean—a leader of both caliber and resolve.
It reminded him of Keqing, another decisive figure, one even bold enough to critique her own decisions.
Zhongli admired such people, for they exemplified the potential of humanity.
Hu Tao, however, had little interest in such diplomatic language and quipped:
"'Constructive opinions'? That was just arguing."
"Might as well have a full-blown fight if it comes to that."
Childe shrugged, seemingly equally disinterested in such formalities.
As the head of a private business, Hu Tao could afford to ignore such things.
But as a high-ranking official, Tartaglia had no choice but to engage in diplomatic rhetoric—whether he liked it or not.
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice-Over: Zhongli - About Jean
"She reveres the gods yet holds her own convictions. Even after that drunken bard's long absence, his people continue to uphold the ideal of freedom."