"Local specialties and all that… if I bring something back, you're not allowed to say you don't like it."
Hearing that, Hu Tao lifted a brow and huffed indignantly.
"Heh, you really don't get it at all."
"Do you even know what 'it's the thought that counts' means?"
"As long as the intention is there, who cares what the local specialty actually is?"
"…."
Taro didn't argue. He just glanced at the plum blossom on Hu Tao's hat.
"Uh…!"
Noticing where his eyes were going, Hu Tao immediately puffed out her cheeks.
"That doesn't count! That's not a local specialty!"
"Mm." Taro nodded to show he understood. "Got it. Then I'll bring back a little dirt from some faraway place."
"I'll package it in the fanciest gift box."
"…."
Hu Tao suddenly felt like biting someone.
Who even thinks of gifting dirt?
He's doing it on purpose, isn't he?
Nope. Not falling for that.
"…Fine. I won't bother exposing you." Hu Tao put on a regretful sigh. "Yin and yang have their order, fate is ever-changing. If you want to gift dirt, that works too."
"I'll definitely accept it happily."
"It's just a shame that if there's an answer from the start, then there's no surprise anymore."
A surprise?
Easy.
"Then I won't give you dirt. I'll switch to something else." A faint smile rose at the corner of Taro's mouth. "That way, it'll be a surprise when the time comes."
"Happy? Unexpected? Like it?"
You devil.
Hu Tao rolled her eyes and couldn't be bothered to respond.
There's definitely a "surprise," but that doesn't mean she's looking forward to it.
And don't underestimate her, Hu Tao.
She might not have gone abroad, but she knew a fair bit about foreign styles, customs, and even certain weird things.
As for why she knew…
Don't ask. If you ask, the answer is curiosity.
"Two Mischievous Eggs don't fill you up~" Hu Tao decisively changed the subject. "How about this—since there's no one at home making you food today…"
"Let's go to Wanmin Restaurant across the street."
"Xiangling's on shift today."
"Hm?" Taro blinked.
He didn't even know Xiangling was back, and Hu Tao already did?
"Hehe~" Seeing his surprised expression, Hu Tao grinned. "I came back with her."
"From Qingce Village."
Oh.
Got it.
Qingce Village was right next to Wuwang Hill.
Xiangling must've gone out there to hunt wild boar and pick bamboo shoots. Running into Hu Tao was pretty normal.
After all, those two were close.
Liyue's new-generation prodigies—friends since they were kids. Their relationship was never anything but good.
"Alright." Taro nodded decisively. "But I'll treat this meal."
"After all, you just treated me to a Mischievous Egg."
"You're serious…" Hu Tao stared at him with a deeply strange look.
Come on—every ingredient for that Mischievous Egg came from your house.
The seasonings, the pots and pans, the stove, even the kitchen firewood—also yours.
"What?" Taro asked.
"Nothing. A fool's got a fool's blessings."
She didn't know if he was doing it on purpose or genuinely hadn't thought of it.
But all of a sudden, she felt like there was a bit more human warmth to him now.
Not like before—standing in the mortal world, yet drifting outside it, out of place with everything around him.
So…
He had a home now.
Hu Tao pressed her lips together, clasped her hands behind her back, and walked out first.
If he hadn't blended into Liyue Harbor…
Maybe those rumors she'd heard before would've come true.
No attachments meant he could leave easily.
Whether he came back or not would depend entirely on his mood.
Duang!
"Ow~!"
With her head lowered as she walked, Hu Tao seemed to smack into something very springy around the corner.
Already distracted, she promptly fell straight onto her butt.
"Hu Tao… you okay?" Keqing, who had been knocked back a step, was fine—plenty of padding, after all. She just looked at Hu Tao in surprise.
"Uh…" Hu Tao rubbed her head, then looked up. "Ah! Isn't this Lady Keqing-sama, the Yuheng?"
"Sorry about that—my mind wandered. I didn't hurt you, did I?"
"I'm fine." Keqing shook her head slightly. "Your butt doesn't hurt, right?"
"Just call me Keqing. No need for the '-sama.'"
"I'm fine, I'm fine~" Hu Tao hopped up, not caring much as she dusted herself off.
But the moment she turned her head, she froze again.
"Lady Ningguang-sama, the Tianquan, is here too?"
"Surprised?" Ningguang chuckled softly. "Like Keqing said, just call me Ningguang."
"That's great~" Hu Tao tilted her head up and smiled, though she looked a bit stiff. "Um… are you two here to find… Taro?"
The Tianquan oversaw law and taxation.
Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's business fell under that scope too.
"Looking for me?" Taro walked out through the doorway. Seeing the two Qixing standing side by side, he was genuinely surprised. "Honored guests at my door."
"Perfect timing—Hu Tao and I were just about to go eat at Wanmin Restaurant."
"If you don't mind, I'll treat. Want to join us?"
Whether it was official business or personal matters…
They could talk slowly over food.
Whatever else could be delayed, eating couldn't.
Xiangling hadn't been back for a while—he couldn't miss today.
Taro-sensei treating them to a meal?
They had to go.
Ningguang and Keqing exchanged a glance and nodded in unison.
"That would be wonderful."
"Since Taro-sensei is inviting us, of course we're willing."
"Alright." Taro nodded. "Then let's go."
"Uh, um…" Hu Tao suddenly wanted to slip away. "You two probably have serious business to talk about. Maybe I should just—"
"Hm?" Taro narrowed his eyes. "Oi, Tao. You promised I was treating."
"You're not planning to ditch us halfway, are you?"
"Not exactly…" Hu Tao hesitated, glancing at Ningguang and Keqing.
"Come along." Keqing smiled. "Taro-sensei mainly wanted to treat you."
"We're probably just tagging along."
"If you run, we likely won't get to eat either."
"That's true." Ningguang nodded as well. "Hu Tao, don't worry. It's nothing particularly important."
"There's no harm in listening. Who knows—maybe you'll offer a suggestion that opens my eyes."
Now that Taro-sensei had settled down in Liyue…
Aside from the adepti, he really didn't have many friends.
Hu Tao was one of them.
This meal couldn't just fall through.
Sigh. The timing really was a bit off.
"…" Hu Tao's eye twitched. She knew she probably wasn't escaping.
So she adjusted her hat, straightened her expression, and extended a hand politely.
"Alright then. Two honored guests, please, after you~"
"…."
Taro smacked his forehead.
For no reason at all, he remembered a certain dinner gathering from his memories.
A few people who understood everything sat at the table, awkward enough to want to dig at the floor with their toes…
While some drunkard was having the time of his life.
That kind of historic incident wasn't going to replay here today, was it?
Just thinking about it made his stomach hurt.
(End of Chapter)
[100 Power Stones = 1 Extra Chapter]
[Check out my Patreon to read more!]
[[email protected]/Zukooo]
[Thanks for your support!]