"Then Paimon and I will go get breakfast first."
Seeing this, Lumine nodded to Qiu Nian and Zhongli.
"See you tonight!"
"Bye-bye, Qiu Nian! Zhongli!"
Paimon waved cheerfully.
"See you tonight."
Qiu Nian replied with a smile.
Soon after, Lumine and Paimon left Yujing Terrace.
"Wait, why can't I go back to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor with them?"
"I want to go too!"
"Qiu Nian rejected me but went with Zhongli!"
"There's definitely something going on between those two!"
Xuehua complained in disbelief, already wearing the expression of a full-blown fangirl.
[Zhongli: I have something good at home]
[I can already picture it]
"Let's go as well, old friend."
Zhongli gestured calmly.
Qiu Nian nodded, and the two of them headed toward the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Since it was just after dawn, only a few early stalls were open along the streets, though quite a few pedestrians were already moving about.
Along the way, Qiu Nian quietly observed everything around him.
The fresh morning air, the occasional leaves drifting down from the green birch trees—
Everything carried a lively, vibrant feeling.
"How does it compare to Liyue of the past?"
Zhongli asked as he noticed Qiu Nian surveying the surroundings.
"Haha… the difference is enormous."
"Liyue today is incredibly prosperous."
Qiu Nian shook his head lightly.
Liyue had once suffered the most during the era of the gods.
Yet now it had become the most peaceful and stable nation.
Far fewer problems than other regions.
Three thousand years ago, Liyue Harbor was nowhere near this large.
The buildings were entirely different, and the population was less than one percent of what it was now. Even food and clothing were far inferior.
"Hmm…"
Hearing his old friend's evaluation, Zhongli allowed a faint smile to appear.
"Oh right."
"The Director's personality is… somewhat unique."
"You'll understand when you meet her."
Zhongli hesitated before offering the warning.
Qiu Nian pretended to look puzzled.
"That child is difficult for me to deal with."
Zhongli sighed.
"Someone even you struggle with?"
"Now I'm truly curious."
Qiu Nian chuckled.
In truth, he was extremely familiar with Hu Tao.
In his previous life, she had been the first character he fully maxed out.
"Oh, right, Morax."
"There's something I need to discuss with you."
Qiu Nian suddenly turned to him.
"Hmm?"
Zhongli nodded slightly.
Being addressed by his divine name meant the matter was serious.
"Let's talk about it when we reach the funeral parlor."
Qiu Nian smiled faintly.
After walking for a while, the two finally arrived at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, located in the southern part of Feiyun Slope in Liyue Harbor.
A tall building stood before them.
There was a notice board at the entrance filled with posted messages.
A small white cat wandered over and rubbed affectionately against Qiu Nian's leg.
"Come with me, old friend."
Zhongli pushed open the door and walked inside.
The interior was neat and orderly.
A large counter stood against the wall, with bookshelves behind it and many antique objects displayed.
In the center was a wooden table with a teapot and teacups.
A smiling young girl sat on a chair backwards, her arms resting on the backrest and her chin leaning against them.
Her legs swung lazily as she basked in the sunlight streaming through the window.
She had beautiful plum-blossom eyes and brown twin tails with a soft gradient.
She wore a long traditional coat with floral patterns, along with shorts and white socks.
On her head sat the Qian-Kun Taigua hat, decorated with a black ribbon and plum blossoms.
Her slender fingers were painted with black nail polish.
Overall, she looked absolutely charming.
Though… her chest seemed somewhat underdeveloped.
Yes.
This lively girl was none other than Hu Tao.
Hearing the door open, Hu Tao turned toward the entrance.
"Oh! Our Consultant Zhongli is back!"
"How are the preparations for the Rite of Parting going?"
She hopped down from the chair and walked over.
"Oh? And who is this?"
Hu Tao looked curiously at the handsome young man beside Zhongli.
His looks were practically on par with Zhongli's.
Was he a new client?
"The preparations are nearly complete."
Zhongli first gave a brief report.
"As for this gentleman, allow me to introduce him."
"This is Qiu Nian, an old friend of mine who lives near Jueyun Karst."
"Ah, so you're Zhongli's old friend."
Hu Tao nodded.
Then she extended her hand with a cheerful smile.
"Nice to meet you! I'm Hu Tao, the seventy-seventh Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
Qiu Nian looked at the lively girl before him and shook her hand with a smile.
"Director Hu, I have a small request."
"Could my friend stay at the funeral parlor for one night?"
"Jueyun Karst is quite far away."
"And he has helped a great deal with preparing the Rite of Parting."
Zhongli explained.
"Oh! What a nice guy!"
"Sure, sure—of course!"
"If he's your friend, then I trust him."
Hu Tao nodded happily.
Qiu Nian thanked her politely.
"No need to be so formal."
"But Jueyun Karst, huh?"
"That's a pretty remote place to live."
"Could it be you're some kind of hermit adeptus?"
Hu Tao asked curiously.
"You flatter me, Director Hu."
"How could I possibly compare with the adepti?"
"I'm merely an ordinary citizen of Liyue."
"As for why I live in such a remote place… my ancestors left a house there."
"If I weren't so short on Mora these days, I wouldn't choose such an isolated residence."
Qiu Nian explained with a smile.
"I see…"
Hu Tao nodded thoughtfully.
As expected of Zhongli's friend.
Even the way he spoke sounded refined and scholarly.
Though at least he didn't sound quite as ancient as Zhongli.
"Well then, let's go get breakfast."
"Qiu Nian, you should join us too."
"Since you're Zhongli's old friend, it's only right that I, the Director, show some hospitality."
Hu Tao said with a bright smile.
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