Wanmin Restaurant
Zhongli took Hu Tao for a stroll around the harbor. After purchasing everything he wanted, he brought her to Wanmin Restaurant.
During their shopping trip, Hu Tao had also picked out some useful items for herself. Since it wasn't her Mora being spent, freeloading felt great.
As for whose tab it went on? Naturally, it would be Mr. Zhongli's business associate, Tartaglia!
Hu Tao really liked coming to Wanmin Restaurant—or rather, she liked Wanmin's head chef, Xiangling. Xiangling was Hu Tao's favorite person to tease.
Fortunately, Xiangling had Guoba to stick up for her. Because of Guoba, Hu Tao couldn't do whatever she wanted, but that didn't matter.
There would always be opportunities~ (Hu Tao smirked evilly)
The meal didn't last long. It was still early, so Zhongli and the others didn't need to eat too much.
Rather than stuffing themselves silly outside, it would be better to return to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor and have a proper meal with everyone. The Parlor had recently gained a few new employees.
This would be a good opportunity to bond with them. After all, employees were also potential customers.
...
A few minutes later...
The two returned to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
"Mmm~ I'm back!" Hu Tao stretched lazily and walked straight through the Parlor's entrance.
But the moment she stepped inside, she noticed something interesting. Two new guests had arrived at the Parlor, and she recognized them.
They were the two young-looking Adepti who had been present when she was handing out discount coupons at Wanmin Restaurant.
"Big Brother Bosacius! We have guests!"
"And also, what's that on your face? Is it a little turtle?"
Hu Tao ran over, pointing at Bosacius's graffiti-covered face. He looked utterly ridiculous right now, but Hu Tao had undergone professional training—she usually wouldn't laugh out loud.
"Ah, just had bad luck today." Bosacius pointed at the playing cards on the table, his expression utterly defeated.
Hu Tao gave him a little smile, then turned her attention to the other two Adepti.
"Hehe, hello! I didn't properly introduce myself before. I'm Hu Tao, the 77th Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor." Hu Tao introduced herself to the two Adepti.
She didn't find these Adepti strange; after all, Bosacius had told her about their past just yesterday.
But it was probably better not to know too much about Adeptal matters. Some things shouldn't be revealed! Who knows, it might cause trouble later!
However, getting to know them a bit? That should be fine!
"I'm Bonanus. You can call me Sister Bonanus." Bonanus said with a smile, one hand covering her face.
After speaking, she gestured for Hu Tao to sit beside her. Hu Tao didn't hesitate and cheerfully took the seat to Bonanus's right.
"The Adeptus—Xiao." Xiao, seated on Bonanus's left, spoke calmly.
He had no particular connection with Hu Tao. They only knew of each other's existence in Liyue. Of course, Xiao occasionally heard Mr. Zhongli mention her.
This lively girl seemed like a headache. Xiao felt they might not get along well. Besides, he rarely interacted with mortals, so he'd only heard of her without really knowing her.
"You all seem in high spirits today!" Zhongli remarked calmly as he walked over and sat down among them.
Once seated, Zhongli brought out his tea-making implements, preparing to brew the finest tea for everyone present.
"Judging by Mr. Zhongli's demeanor, you must have bought quite a lot outside?" Bonanus asked curiously.
"Indeed. The quality of goods the merchants are offering this time is far better than usual." Zhongli nodded in agreement.
Bonanus nodded. That was just how Mr. Zhongli was—if the quality was good, he'd buy it regardless of whether it was useful to him.
Mr. Zhongli's shopping instincts were sometimes better than hers as a woman. That was undeniable.
"Sister Bonanus, why are you covering your face?" Xiao wore a mischievous grin, reaching out to pull her hand away.
"Xiao! Don't you dare!" Bonanus shot him an angry look. On the surface, she seemed upset, but everyone knew it was an act.
To this, Xiao merely shook his head. He had drawn so carefully! Why couldn't she show it?
"Little sister, you should learn from your big brother. Look at me, I'm not covering anything at all!" Bosacius laughed heartily.
"No way!" Bonanus refused without hesitation.
Hearing the Adepti's exchange, Hu Tao, seated beside Bonanus, grew curious. She asked with confusion,
"What kind of ink did Big Brother Bosacius use? It wasn't the one I gave you this morning, was it?"
Hearing this, Bosacius nodded. He did indeed use the ink Hu Tao had given him.
"Oh! Then it's hopeless." Hu Tao covered her face, speaking with a mix of laughter and dismay.
Everyone was puzzled by her reaction. What was hopeless? Was there something wrong with that ink?
"Little Hu Tao, just tell us straight." Bonanus was getting curious too. For Hu Tao to make such an expression, that ink must be something special.
It wasn't specifically for funerals, was it? If so, that would be terrible.
"It's my fault for not explaining clearly to Big Brother Bosacius. This ink can't be washed off with water. You have to wait for it to naturally flake off..." Hu Tao explained, barely suppressing her laughter.
Upon hearing this, lightning seemed to strike Bonanus and Bosacius's minds.
What?! Can't wash it off?! Have to wait for it to flake off naturally?! That was pure torture!
Compared to the thunderstruck pair, Zhongli and Xiao simply chuckled softly. Zhongli was pleased by the atmosphere.
Xiao, meanwhile, was glad he hadn't lost a single game earlier. Otherwise, he'd be the one stuck with a graffiti face for everyone to see.
"Little Hu Tao, how long exactly does it take to flake off completely?" Bonanus asked nervously.
"The exact time... at least a week! I accidentally got this ink on myself once before, and it took forever to get off." Hu Tao touched her chin, recalling the time she'd accidentally spilled it.
Crack! Crack!
After Hu Tao's words, the space suddenly fell silent. If you listened closely, you could almost hear two things shattering.
Beside her, Bosacius clutched his graffiti-covered face, utterly speechless. He never thought he'd see the day...
As for Bonanus, she was frozen in place. This was an affront to an Adeptus's dignity! If outsiders saw her like this, it would be instant social death!
Worse still, she might become the talk of the town over dinner.
"Isn't there any other way?" Bonanus and Bosacius asked in unison.
To this question, Hu Tao simply spread her hands, indicating there was no other way. They'd just have to tough it out for a week!
"By the way, Sister Bonanus, what pattern did he draw on you? Is it really that bad? Why cover it?" Hu Tao looked at Bonanus, still shielding her face with her large hand, somewhat puzzled.
"It's not an ugly pattern, I just feel a bit embarrassed." Bonanus said shyly.
Xiao hadn't drawn any random patterns on her face. He'd simply painted a few cat whiskers.
That wasn't the main issue. The main issue was that after finishing, Xiao had commented that it looked "cute." How embarrassing!
"Sister Bonanus, believe me, it really is cute." Xiao wore a pained expression. His drawing wasn't ugly, so why be so shy!
"Xiao, don't speak." Bonanus glared at Xiao's restless hand, which seemed eager to pull her own away from her face.
Just then, Hu Tao suddenly spoke up.
"Sister Bonanus, I want to see!"