Under Hu Tao's lead, Ryan quickly arrived outside Chunxiang Kiln.
However, just by approaching, Ryan smelled a strong scent of balm, as his fox nose was still very sensitive.
This caused his nose to feel a bit itchy, so he could only raise his hand and rub it slightly.
"Sister Ying'er~!"
Arriving outside Chunxiang Kiln, Hu Tao called out inside first, then led Ryan in.
"Oh, it's Director Hu, what a rare guest~"
Inside Chunxiang Kiln, after Lumine and the others left, Ying'er, who was still busy with balms, turned around.
After all, a balm of the same style offered to Lord Rex Lapis at the Rite of Parting could bring in a lot of business.
It was because of this plan that Ryan smelled the strong balm scent as soon as he approached.
However, Chunxiang Kiln was actually a porcelain shop... "Huh..."
Upon seeing Ryan following beside Hu Tao, Ying'er was clearly surprised.
"Oh my, so Director Hu is in love, what a handsome young man, Director Hu's good fortune is truly enviable~"
Ying'er scrutinized Ryan up and down, and after noticing his extraordinary bearing, she couldn't help but tease Hu Tao like this.
"What are you talking about~ Sister Ying'er, don't play matchmaker randomly, Ryan is thin-skinned."
Hearing Ying'er's misunderstanding, Hu Tao immediately retorted with a chuckle, then looked at Ryan.
"..."
Ryan indeed scratched his cheek, a bit embarrassed.
"Look at this shy demeanor, Director Hu still won't admit it... Alright, alright, I won't tease you two anymore. Director Hu, have you come to my Chunxiang Kiln to order porcelain?"
Ryan's reaction made Ying'er cover her mouth and chuckle, but she didn't let Ryan get too embarrassed, instead asking Hu Tao.
"No, This Master brought him here to buy balm."
Seeing Ryan's unpromising look, Hu Tao had no choice but to explain to Ying'er herself.
"Oh my, so it's for balm, I knew it, girls in love love to dress up the most~"
"Wait, I just made some, I'll go get it for you."
"?"
Noticing that Ying'er seemed to have misunderstood even more deeply, Hu Tao could only turn back to look at Ryan, and then saw him looking at her with an innocent expression.
"Ryan, if you handle the Rite of Parting well... This Master will give you a chance to pursue This Master herself."
Seeing Ryan's innocent look, Hu Tao's eyes darted around, and she leaned in with a mischievous smile, whispering into Ryan's ear.
Of course, Hu Tao was standing on tiptoe, aiming at the fox ears on Ryan's head.
"Eh?"
"No, no, no, no need!"
The fur on Ryan's tail suddenly bristled, and he frantically waved his hands in front of him in fright, leaning back slightly and rejecting Hu Tao with a look of horror.
"Pfft... This Master was just teasing you, your reaction is too exaggerated."
"Besides, pursuing This Master is not that simple~"
Seeing Ryan's reaction, Hu Tao covered her mouth and laughed out loud. Ryan's current reaction and his previous fear of ghosts seemed quite amusing to her.
When she used to scare Xiangling, if she went too far, Guoba would chase her with a pot ladle to hit her head, but Ryan was different; he didn't have Guoba to vent his anger.
"..."
"Alright, alright, while you two are flirting, remember that your single Sister Ying'er is still here. Here, these are the balms I just made today, see what you think."
Just as Ryan breathed a sigh of relief but also felt inexplicably a little resentful, Ying'er suddenly interrupted their conversation, walking over with three types of balm she had just made today.
These three balms were named 'Golden House Hidden Beauty,' 'Shanyin Brocade Cluster,' and 'Ethereal Immortal Fate.'
Among them, they were popular with young girls, rich young ladies, and mature women, respectively.
Ying'er didn't know why Hu Tao and Ryan were buying balm, but she knew that Hu Tao was still a young girl, so she first recommended "Golden House Hidden Beauty."
This balm had a sweet and dreamy scent, most loved by young girls.
After listening to Ying'er's introduction, Hu Tao looked at Ryan, and he shook his head.
Ying'er was a bit puzzled but had no choice but to introduce the second balm, Shanyin Brocade Cluster.
This balm gave a noble and overbearing feeling, deeply loved by rich young ladies.
So Hu Tao looked at Ryan again, and he shook his head again.
Ying'er was even more confused; these balms became less suitable for Hu Tao the further they went... The last balm, Ethereal Immortal Fate, had a soft yet long-lasting fragrance, like dim light and misty fog, most loved by mature women.
Hu Tao looked at Ryan again, and he thought for a moment, then quickly nodded his head.
"This one, this is it!"
"Wait... Young man, let me remind you, this kind of balm doesn't really suit a lively girl like Director Hu."
Noticing that Ryan really chose the last balm, Ying'er couldn't help but remind him.
"No, this balm isn't for Director Hu."
Hearing Ying'er's words, Ryan subconsciously replied.
He planned to offer it to Lord Rex Lapis for protection when he looted corpses tonight.
"?"
"Sister Ying'er, I already said you misunderstood! This balm is for worship to Lord Rex Lapis. Ryan wants to keep a portion to use when he worships Lord Rex Lapis himself in the future."
As Ying'er slightly raised an eyebrow because of Ryan's words, Hu Tao spoke again to explain to Ying'er.
"Oh my, it's that excuse again."
"Never mind, never mind, young people nowadays like some special interests. I'll give you this balm, it's a sample anyway, and it hasn't gone on sale yet."
Ying'er had already heard the excuse of balm being offered to Lord Rex Lapis from a blonde traveler and a white-haired flying creature today.
"Hehe~ How can we accept it~ Ryan, quickly thank Sister Ying'er~"
Hu Tao put the balm into Ryan's hand and reminded him.
"Oh, oh, thank you, Sister Ying'er!"
Ryan, coming to his senses, immediately thanked her and put the balm away.
After obtaining the desired balm, Ryan and Hu Tao bid farewell to Ying'er and then left Chunxiang Kiln.
"Ryan, now that we have the balm, I'll have to trouble you to help a lot with the Rite of Parting. Although the Guest Elder is reliable, he likes to spend money carelessly. Although he told me he found a rich sponsor, I'm worried he'll spend too much and we'll run out of funds. Please keep an eye on him for me."
Leaving Chunxiang Kiln, Hu Tao and Ryan walked together on the streets of Chihuo Rock. Hu Tao turned her head to look at Ryan's profile and instructed him.
"Alright, Director Hu, I guarantee to complete the mission."
Ryan felt that the preparations for the Rite of Parting should be almost complete, so he immediately agreed seriously.
"That's good. This Master also has other things to be busy with. When the Rite of Parting begins, This Master herself will go to help the Guest Elder preside over it. See you then~"
Receiving Ryan's assurance, Hu Tao nodded with satisfaction, then waved to Ryan and left first.
"Paimon and the others should be almost ready, it's time to go back and check..."
Ryan muttered to himself, then returned to the square of Yujing Terrace...