"I was just curious about the title," Qin Yu blurted out, trying to sound casual.
"Fair enough. The title does sound rather indecent. I wonder if the content is any more proper..." Hu Tao flipped open a page with piqued interest.
"Oh?"
She flipped another page.
"Hmm..."
Hu Tao's enthusiasm seemed to wane.
"What a shame."
Huh? A shame? Qin Yu asked, puzzled. "What's a shame?"
"There aren't any really inappropriate scenes."
That's... definitely not good.
Wait, isn't that perfectly normal? If it were too inappropriate, it might not even get published.
But the word "really" implies there's some inappropriate content. How much?
Hu Tao abruptly returned the book.
With that, any suspicion toward Qin Yu vanished. Excellent, she thought, contentedly taking the book back and tucking it onto the shelf.
This spot... hmm, noted.
Having memorized the locations of the two books, Qin Yu nodded inwardly. Meeting Hu Tao at this moment was certainly unfortunate, but where there's a will, there's a way.
First, she needed to confirm one thing.
"Hu Tao, are you here to buy books too?" Qin Yu asked with a smile.
"I came to see you."
Not that I'm happy about it at all, Qin Yu thought.
Evaluation: C+
This System is beyond saving, Qin Yu thought, twirling a strand of hair around her finger.
"To see me? Ahaha, is that so? I thought you were here to buy books. While I'm glad you came to find me, I'll probably be buried in here for a while looking for books..."
"So, why don't you go find someone else to play with for now?"
Hu Tao's face fell with disappointment. "Ehh—what's so interesting about books? If you're just trying to kill time, I have much better suggestions. And if you're trying to learn something, this Director is well-read and knowledgeable—just name a topic, and I can answer it! I can even recite entire texts backwards flawlessly. I'd make a more than capable temporary teacher for you!"
Then, for no apparent reason, she poked Qin Yu's cheek with her finger.
Hu Tao must have connected "more than capable" to "poke-poke" and "fish," Qin Yu thought.
Qin Yu felt a bit awkward about Hu Tao's words.
Killing time... well, sort of?
Learning... a little bit?
You know... knowledge about same-sex relationships? As if! Why would I read a book to understand that?!
Snapping out of her daydream, Qin Yu asked curiously, "What's your suggestion?"
"Come hang out at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Relax, lie down, maybe even take a nap. It's comfortable, peaceful, and serene."
No way.
If Hu Tao presented it normally, Qin Yu might have considered it. But she always phrased it like this. Who would want to go with that kind of pitch?
"I want to read today..." Qin Yu said, delicately expressing her wish.
"Then read today and come back tomorrow! It's settled."
Qin Yu was shocked. She hadn't expected Hu Tao to unilaterally decide her plans for the next day.
What brazenness! What utter unreasonableness! she thought. No way! Even if you've taken it upon yourself to decide, I won't agree to a single word of it!
Qin Yu steeled her resolve.
"Well, you see..." Qin Yu began, her lips parting slightly.
But Hu Tao sighed deeply, "You've already spent a night with Shenhe. Coming to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor for a visit won't kill you."
Don't make it sound like spending a night with Shenhe was some grand affair.
It really wasn't a big deal at all. Hmm.
But if you asked Qin Yu whether she'd be willing to repeat the experience, she would still refuse.
Even though it wasn't a big deal, no.
"You know, I've been really looking forward to your visits."
Eh? Really? Qin Yu was surprised. She'd assumed Hu Tao wouldn't think that way.
"It's always me coming to find you," Hu Tao sighed. "Sometimes I wish you'd come find me to hang out."
Hearing Hu Tao say that made Qin Yu feel guilty. It was true; she hadn't been the one initiating contact most of the time—Hu Tao always came to find her.
Ugh, this sounds terrible no matter how I look at it.
The more Qin Yu thought about it, the more ashamed and remorseful she felt.
"I-I'm sorry... I thought..." Qin Yu said, touching her bracelet.
She paused, realizing she'd misspoke.
"You thought?" Hu Tao pounced on the trailing end of the conversation.
Qin Yu had no choice but to continue. "I thought you... you'd be perfectly happy even without me around."
"Wow, that's quite the bombshell you just dropped."
What?! I was being subtle! I couldn't exactly say, 'I thought you wouldn't feel that way,' could I?
While her words might have sounded heavy, they were still better than being completely tactless.
"But I get it now, hmm. You're right. Even if Fishy Treasure didn't come looking for me, I'd still be perfectly happy," Hu Tao acknowledged with a nonchalant nod.
Her words inexplicably infuriated Qin Yu.
"But if Fishy Treasure is here, it'll be even more fun! Like happiness on top of happiness! So come hang out with us tomorrow—don't worry, we won't make you do anything weird."
Hu Tao's words made Qin Yu inexplicably embarrassed.
Evaluation: B
...Alright, I guess I'll go take a look then.
But if they try to make me do anything weird, I'm flying right out of there. After a brief hesitation, Qin Yu slowly nodded.
"Understood. What time would be best to visit tomorrow?"
"Around noon. We have morning lectures at the parlor. But if you're interested, you can come earlier," Hu Tao said with a bright smile.
"Lectures?"
"Mm-hmm. At Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, we believe in providing top-notch service. Proper demeanor, extensive knowledge—that's what ensures everyone passes peacefully, happily, and with complete satisfaction! That's why I, as Director, need to train them well."
It would have been so much simpler if she'd just skipped that middle sentence.
Qin Yu pondered for a moment. She was somewhat intrigued by the lectures, curious about what internal training at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor might entail. Yet at the same time, she felt a reluctance to attend.
After some deliberation, Qin Yu ultimately decided to decline.
"Then I'll go again at noon!"
Hu Tao winked. "I'll be waiting for you."
Humming a little tune, Hu Tao skipped away, leaving Qin Yu sighing inwardly, feeling a bit helpless.
I ended up agreeing after all.
Should I have been so quick to say yes? But Hu Tao put it that way... Oh well, I'll leave tomorrow's problems to tomorrow's me.
The most important thing was that Hu Tao was finally gone! Now Qin Yu could finally buy the books she wanted.
Her mood brightened instantly, but she still discreetly scanned her surroundings to make sure it was safe before confidently pulling out Phantom Thief White Cat and Her Strawberry Mark.
Hmm... I might as well grab a copy of the Millennial Liyue Rulebook while I'm at it.
I could just mention it to Ningguang, and she'd give me one for free. But then she might expect me to understand and master the game, to improve my chess skills.
Never mind. I don't want that kind of pressure.
Besides, if I secretly learn it, I might surprise Ningguang next time we play!
"I never imagined you'd secretly master Millennial Liyue... For me? Heh, thank you, I'm truly delighted."That's probably what she'd say, right?
Alright, I'll give it a try in my spare time.
Suddenly, Qin Yu spotted Hand-in-Hand Guide to Deepening Same-Sex Relationships, Vol. 5! on the shelf, and she froze in silence.
This series is still going on?
Who in the world would buy such trash?
Snapping out of her daze, Qin Yu realized she was already holding it.
Ah, it's me.
Might as well buy it, Qin Yu thought. I'll just read it before bed.
Afterward, Qin Yu stopped by to purchase a chess set and pieces specifically designed for Millennial Liyue. Pieces representing Yuheng Star Keqing and Tianquan Ningguang were available, though quite expensive.
However, Ningguang's generous salary and substantial bonuses made the purchase feasible.
If only they had a Shenhe piece, Qin Yu thought wistfully.
Just as Qin Yu was returning home, feeling satisfied with her purchase, Hu Tao reappeared at Wanwen Bookhouse.
"I remember Fishy Treasure's book looking like this..."
Hu Tao's sharp eyes had noticed the discrepancy between the book Qin Yu initially held and the one she later gave her. After all, Qin Yu's arm couldn't completely conceal the cover. Yet, seeing no need to confront Qin Yu, Hu Tao played along, pretending ignorance.
Still, curiosity gnawed at her. What book was Qin Yu really after?
Her curiosity piqued, Hu Tao tapped her chin thoughtfully as she scanned the shelves in the romance novel section.
Romance novels... romance novels... oh? This one, perhaps? Hu Tao pulled out a book, and a glance confirmed it matched her memory perfectly. This must be it.
"[ Phantom Thief White Cat ], so it's a romance novel. Since the protagonist is a phantom thief, their lover must be a handsome constable or something, right? I didn't expect her to be so sentimental."
Hu Tao bought the book, took it back to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, and began flipping through it in her bedroom.
After a while, Hu Tao closed the book, her face flushed.
"Whoa."
She hadn't expected it to be this kind of book.
"Fishy Treasure, your taste is truly unique! Just one more peek..."
As she continued reading, Hu Tao couldn't help but touch her own lips with her finger. They felt so soft. Suddenly, she wondered what Qin Yu's lips would feel like compared to hers.
The book described the sensation of such soft lips pressed together as incredibly pleasant.
Would it really be like that in real life?
The more Hu Tao thought about it, the more curious she became. Naturally, she had never been in love, let alone kissed anyone.
Not only was she a young girl in her prime, but her curiosity burned fiercely. Once she became fixated on something, she was determined to understand it.
And so, the very next day at noon, shortly after Qin Yu arrived at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor as agreed, she found herself "in hot water."
"Fishy Treasure... should we try kissing?"
Ha?!