Zhongli left in a daze, his steps unsteady.
Hu Tao, however, did not.
At this very moment, the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's director was in the middle of a very serious transaction with Lin Ze.
"Look at my figure. Look at my face," Hu Tao said confidently, holding up her Kamera.
"If I wear your designs out in public, that's free advertising for you."
"No no no, that won't do. Two custom Director Hu Tao exclusives, and ten of those fun little Anemo cores."
"Oh, right—do you have Cryo ones? Qiqi would probably like those."
She wore a sly, foxlike grin—so smug it almost shimmered.
Lin Ze stared at her.
He truly hadn't expected that this anciently mischievous little girl could pull off such a merchant's smile.
Then again… she was raised in Liyue Harbor.
Even if she didn't quite have Ningguang's aura, she'd learned the technique well enough.
"I can tell at a glance that smile's fake," Lin Ze said lazily.
"You're copying the form, but not the soul."
"Director Hu Tao, I suggest you don't try haggling with me.
Not long ago, I just finished negotiating with Tianquan Ningguang."
"You're trying to pressure me with the Tianquan?" Hu Tao raised an eyebrow.
"But I'm on pretty good terms with her too. And she doesn't manage this."
She looked genuinely puzzled.
After all, Ningguang herself loved sky-high opening bids and ground-level counteroffers.
Why would she interfere?
"Ningguang's negotiation skills are terrifying," Lin Ze admitted.
"But I have Black Flag."
"My negotiation proficiency rises in real time, and she ended up completely speechless."
"You won't win against me."
He praised Ningguang first—then smoothly hyped himself.
All this, just to trade for one thing:
👉 A photo of Zhongli losing his composure.
He didn't need to go all out.
But who said this wasn't a form of negotiation?
"…Ah."
Hu Tao gave up trying to argue.
"Fine! I don't care anymore. Today, no matter what you say—
If you want that photo of my consultant, you must agree to my terms!"
"Otherwise—go find someone else!"
She folded her arms, fully embracing her chaotic gremlin mode.
She acknowledged his logic.
She just… refused to accept it.
"Director Hu Tao," Lin Ze said calmly,
"It's only one photo of Zhongli. Rare, sure—but not irreplaceable."
"With my abilities, recreating a similar moment wouldn't be hard."
"I'm just too lazy to bother."
"So if you insist—then forget it. I'll just make my own."
Hu Tao's eye twitched.
And then—
Lin Ze's gaze drifted downward.
"…?"
Hu Tao felt a chill run down her spine.
"Eee—! What are you plotting now?!"
She instinctively hugged herself, glaring at him.
This man was definitely thinking something bad.
Lin Ze cleared his throat, deliberately deepening his voice.
"I must admit—your deliberate unreasonable antics are very cute. Quite powerful, even."
"But what if—purely hypothetically—
I possessed a pill capable of enhancing one's… assets?"
"How would you respond then?"
"Calm down, my Inazuman friend—"
Hu Tao reflexively played along with the meme, then froze.
"…Wait."
"…What did you just say?"
An enhancement pill?!
"HEY!" Hu Tao exploded.
"Are you mocking my figure?!"
"I'm still growing, okay?!
I'll definitely fill out in the future!"
She pulled out Staff of Homa, Pyro energy flaring.
Insult may not be tolerated.
Today, Director Hu Tao was ready to go to war.
Compared to her fury, Lin Ze remained utterly calm.
"Are you sure you don't want it?"
"No! Another word and I'm calling the Millelith!"
"And I'll ask Yanfei to sue you!"
Hu Tao was perfectly satisfied with herself.
She was still growing.
She had time.
That kind of offer had zero appeal to her.
"…Alright, alright," Lin Ze sighed.
"I'll agree."
"Two custom Director Hu Tao outfits.
Ten fun Anemo cores."
"As for Cryo cores—I've never seen one like that.
But Mondstadt's Cryo Regisvine drops Hoarfrost Cores. Will that work?"
Since this was their first meeting, he could afford to lose a little.
And honestly—
Hu Tao really was adorable.
His former-world "daughter bias" kicked in just a bit.
"Good. You're learning," Hu Tao grinned.
"Say that again about my figure and I will sue you."
"Hoarfrost Core is fine. Qiqi will like it."
"Hehe… this time she definitely won't escape going to Wangsheng with me!"
"…You're not reconciling with Qiqi," Lin Ze deadpanned.
"You're planning to kidnap her."
"…You know Qiqi?" Hu Tao asked casually.
"Of course. I know her story too," Lin Ze replied.
"Her true title is Lord Hungry Belly."
"Also known as Lord of Salvation and Deliverance,
the Resurrected Child of the Adepti."
"She's forgetful, sure—but she is technically an adeptus."
Lin Ze had no intention of interfering.
In fact, he was very much looking forward to seeing Hu Tao bury Qiqi,
only for Qiqi to be dug back up again.
That dynamic?
Peak entertainment.
If he had to pick a ship—
Hu Tao × Qiqi.
"Qiqi's an adeptus?" Hu Tao blinked.
"Never heard that one."
Lin Ze had spoken casually.
Hu Tao, however, took it seriously.
After completing the trade, she muttered to herself while sprinting back toward Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
She'd check the ancient records first.
If nothing turned up—
She'd ask Zhongli.
After all, the Geo Archon himself would definitely know whether a
Lord of Salvation and Deliverance ever existed.
And if Qiqi really was an adeptus…
…Then maybe she shouldn't bury her just yet.
Observation first.
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