After several rounds of drinks, Su Han was already drunk. In fact, by the time he drank the third cup, his mind was already foggy, he was only holding on through sheer willpower.
Hu Tao seemed to have discovered a new continent, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "Didn't expect our big boss to be someone who can't hold his liquor."
Beside her, Xiangling put down her chopsticks, worry written all over her face. "Should I make some sobering soup for Brother Su? I really didn't know he couldn't drink."
In her eyes, Brother Su was omnipotent, he could make money, run businesses, maintain good relations with Liyue's influential figures, and even occasionally teach her recipes she had never heard of before.
But who could have imagined that such a person couldn't handle alcohol?
Zhongli checked briefly and said, "Brother Su is merely drunk. Miss Xiangling, please prepare some sobering tea."
"Mm, alright, Mr. Zhongli. Please wait a moment."
Xiangling left through the door.
Seeing her go, Hu Tao sneakily leaned closer to Zhongli and whispered, "Hey, do you think I could get him to talk while he's drunk?"
Zhongli looked surprised. "Oh? What does the Hall Master wish to ask Brother Su?"
He didn't know what kind of trick this mischievous Hall Master was planning again, but judging by her expression, it was surely nothing good.
Hu Tao sighed helplessly. "Su Han's great in every way, except he's too clever. He promised to help me expand my business, but he keeps slacking off with you all day. I just want to grow the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor! Otherwise, how will I face Grandpa in the afterlife?"
Seeing that she wasn't trying to pry into secrets, Zhongli no longer stopped her. "I see. Then you may as well give it a try."
Encouraged, Hu Tao crept up to the drunken Su Han and lightly nudged him.
Su Han's eyes were hazy, his words slurred. "Hm? What is it…"
"It's me, Hu Tao! Wake up. Two months ago, didn't you promise to help me expand the funeral parlor's business? Did you forget?"
"But… Hall Master… your business in Liyue is the only one of its kind… hic."
Though drunk, Su Han's mind still clung to some sense of awareness, he hadn't forgotten that the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor held a monopoly in Liyue.
Seeing that she wasn't getting anywhere, Hu Tao rolled her eyes and threatened, "I don't care! You must give me some answers today, or I won't pay your salary!"
Su Han hesitated for a while before mumbling, "Uh… alright. It's not that there's no way… mainly… your business can't grow in Liyue. Why not consider Mondstadt or Sumeru instead?"
At those words, Hu Tao's eyes widened. Of course, why hadn't she thought of other nations?
Mondstadt and Sumeru were neighboring countries. While her funeral parlor held a monopoly in Liyue, there was untapped potential elsewhere.
"Then tell me! What should I do? Once we make money, I'll give you a share."
"Hic… well… it's not difficult… Mondstadt values freedom, so funerals there should be more… free and diverse. If they like flowers, make a coffin filled with blossoms…"
Su Han stammered as he revealed his buried thoughts, his speech slow and slurred from the alcohol.
Hu Tao grew anxious. "Ugh! Stop stuttering and just say it! Please, Master Su Han, I'm begging you!"
In her urgency, her form of address even changed.
But before she could get more out of him, Su Han's head tilted, he'd completely blacked out.
Great.
Forget getting answers, he was out cold.
Hu Tao nearly burst into tears. "How could this happen? Why'd you have to pass out right when it mattered most?!"
Had she known this would happen, she wouldn't have rushed him.
Beside her, Zhongli stroked his chin and mused, "Don't worry, Hall Master. I believe Brother Su's idea was this: every nation has its own customs and traditions. To win favor, funerals must be designed according to local culture.
"Just as in Liyue, where white symbolizes purity and innocence. Hence, black and white are our main mourning colors. But in other lands, customs differ, and funeral practices vary as well. Brother Su must mean to adapt accordingly. However, as for how to gain an advantage… I cannot guess his full intention."
With that explanation, Hu Tao finally understood Su Han's idea and admired him all the more.
"Wow, so that's it! Su Han really is amazing. But why didn't he just tell me? We could've expanded already! I'd even share profits with him!"
"No, Hall Master. I believe Brother Su has other considerations. Besides, the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor can't do without you. If we plan to expand abroad, perhaps it's best to send the guest consultant instead. What do you think?"
"Hmm, you're right. The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor can't do without its Hall Master. Still, once he wakes up, I'll discuss it with him properly. At least we'll have a plan."
"Indeed."
About a stick of incense later, the sobering tea was ready. Under Xiangling and Hu Tao's care, Su Han drank a large bowl before being sent to his room to rest.
On the way, Hu Tao recalled something and asked, "Xiangling, I remember you went to Mondstadt recently, right? How is it there now? Anyone familiar with you, or any Mondstadt gentlemen you know from Liyue Harbor?"
"Mondstadt? Why do you ask all of a sudden? Things are chaotic there. I was in Springvale, but then a dragon calamity struck. For safety, I brought Guoba back with me."
"Dragon calamity?! What's that?"
"I'm not too sure. Apparently, a demonic dragon's rampaging, and many people have been injured. Lots of businesses were affected too."
"That serious?! Wait a minute, if there's a dragon calamity, doesn't that mean my funeral parlor can open for business there?!"
Perhaps from spending too much time with Su Han, Hu Tao's business sense had sharpened, while others saw disaster, she saw opportunity.
Where there were deaths, there was business. Heaven itself was helping her!
"Huh? You're going to Mondstadt? But it's dangerous there!"
Xiangling was shocked. Sure, the opportunity was big, but wasn't Hu Tao afraid of dying?
"Come on, this Hall Master has some skill! Besides, it's too dangerous to send others. Only by investigating personally can I seize the opportunity perfectly!
"Alright, that's decided! Once Su Han wakes up, I'll discuss it with him. I can even sell some comics along the way, he might thank me for it!"
Seeing her delighted Hall Master, Xiangling knew there was no stopping her. "Fine then… shall we go together? We can keep each other company."
"Sure! That'll save me food money."
The two chatted for a while and decided to join a merchant caravan.
After all, traveling alone was risky.
At the same time, Hu Tao planned to promote Su Han's comics along the journey, it would be safer and more productive that way.
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