"Mmm—haa~"
Stretching lazily, Lin Ze rolled out of bed and loosened his stiff shoulders.
A wooden bed was still a wooden bed. No matter how many quilts you stacked on it, it was hard—unforgivingly so.
He'd thought he'd be able to enjoy himself for a few days before missing the comforts of his old world. Instead, this was the first thing he couldn't stand.
After all, he was used to spring mattresses. Not luxury ones, sure—but still leagues better than a plank of wood with padding.
"If those old transmigration novels were accurate," Lin Ze muttered to himself while washing up,
"how did those seniors endure this kind of bed… and even enjoy it?"
"Or is it just that Keqing's a workaholic who doesn't know how to enjoy life, so this bed doesn't even count as high-end wood?"
"…Yeah. That actually sounds possible."
Finished with his morning routine, Lin Ze left the luxurious villa and headed straight for Wanmin Restaurant.
Even if Xiangling wasn't around, Chef Mao's cooking was still top-tier.
Halfway through breakfast, Lin Ze noticed two familiar figures.
At the same time, those two also noticed him.
Zhongli—wearing a new set of clothes.
And Hu Tao—also in a new outfit.
It had to be said: even though Hu Tao being "Teyvat's No.1 Pyro A" was a bit… unfortunate, it did nothing to diminish her charm and liveliness.
At first glance, Lin Ze almost froze.
He quickly steadied himself.
Relax. She's just a beauty. It's not like I haven't seen any.
Ningguang, Keqing, Ganyu, Yelan—none of them lost to Hu Tao in looks.
"Hmm~?"
As Lin Ze noticed them, Zhongli also glanced his way—lingering for a few seconds.
That alone was enough to pique Hu Tao's curiosity.
She knew Zhongli well. If he paid attention to someone without speaking, that person was definitely not ordinary.
Her eyes spun once.
Idea formed.
She hopped over.
Zhongli, seeing this, merely sighed softly and walked toward Chef Mao to order first.
"Hello, hello~"
Hu Tao plopped down across from Lin Ze with a bright grin.
"What were you just looking at, mister?"
Selling Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's discount packages all across Liyue wasn't something a shy person could do.
Hu Tao wasn't socially awkward.
She was a social menace.
"Well, of course I was looking at Mr. Zhongli," Lin Ze replied with a smile,
"and at the adorable Director Hu."
He set his chopsticks aside and casually bantered back.
A social menace?
Please. He was one too—in his previous life, at least.
"Huh? You know me?"
Hu Tao blinked. "But you look very unfamiliar."
She knew practically everyone in Liyue Harbor.
Lin Ze was definitely a new face.
Not from Liyue—yet knew both her and Zhongli?
Rare.
Very rare.
A delighted smile spread across her face.
"Wait—don't tell me. Let me guess!"
She wagged a finger, rocking her head as she spoke.
"You don't look like a local, but your features are very Liyue-style.
That means one or both of your elders must be from Liyue, right?"
"I don't recognize you, but you know me…"
"I get it!"
"An elder in your family wants to return home—to rest their roots in Liyue. Am I right?!"
Her eyes sparkled as she looked at Lin Ze expectantly.
At some point, a coupon had appeared in her hand.
"Here! A Wangsheng Funeral Parlor discount coupon!"
"With this, your second burial plot is half price!"
"And don't worry about overseas transport fees—I'll waive them!"
She waved the coupon proudly.
Lin Ze was speechless.
[Of course it's you, Hu Tao.]
[Selling coffins the moment we meet—and even assigning me a tragic family background.]
[That imagination really is something.]
[If Hu Tao has a diary replica too, I wonder what her reaction was when she found out who Zhongli really is.]
After jotting down today's diary opener, Lin Ze was about to explain—
When Hu Tao suddenly spoke again.
"Of course my feelings are complicated~"
"So you're Lin Ze. If I remember correctly, you're the one who can turn leaves into clothes, right?"
She tugged lightly at her sleeve.
"I think I'm wearing one of yours! Is that true?"
"Can I watch you do it on the spot?"
She'd gone straight to the point.
Rather than messing with Lin Ze using information gaps, Hu Tao was far more curious about how he'd done it.
"Not surprising," Lin Ze chuckled.
"I should've guessed. The diary doesn't have much subtlety to it."
"Anyone I can name probably has one."
Hu Tao was clever—tricksy enough that even Zhongli struggled with her sometimes.
And even after revealing her identity, she didn't put the coupon away.
She slid it right in front of him.
Clearly, she was determined to give it to him.
"As for turning leaves into clothes—if you're free sometime and not busy," Lin Ze said,
"it's not impossible."
"You know where I live. You can come by tonight if you want—assuming I haven't gone to bed yet."
"Turning leaves into clothes?"
Zhongli's voice came from beside them.
He had finished ordering and pulled up a chair, sitting down calmly.
"Such a miraculous craft… is it from your homeland, Mr. Lin Ze?"
His gaze flicked subtly between Hu Tao and Lin Ze.
After yesterday, Zhongli had deliberately kept an eye on Lin Ze.
He knew Lin Ze had gone to the Jade Chamber, stayed a long while, then moved on to Liuli Pavilion.
He hadn't listened in—there was no need.
If something important happened, it would be reported.
But Hu Tao had just been guessing Lin Ze's identity moments ago.
Now she spoke as if she already knew everything—mentioning leaves turned into clothing.
That abrupt shift, coupled with such an unheard-of technique, had fully captured Zhongli's attention.
Their clothes… made from leaves?
Was that even possible?
Could leaves be turned into fabric—and then into clothing?
Should he… draft a contract to acquire this method?
"It's nothing special," Lin Ze replied casually.
"Just a minor ability. Only I can do it—others can't learn it."
To read advanced Chapters, head over to p@treon:
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