Time rewound to midday.
Qin Yu wasn't sure if Hu Tao had eaten lunch yet, but she packed an extra meal into her bag just in case and headed to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
At the entrance, a woman in Wangsheng Funeral Parlor uniform noticed her and said, "I'm sorry, but Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is closed to the public during the day today. If you have any business, please check the wooden board over there... Oh, could you be a friend of the Director?"
"Yes! Is Hu Tao here?"
"The Director has been waiting for you. Please come in."
This was Qin Yu's second time visiting Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
The first time was shortly after she turned eighteen, when she had come to attend her foster mother's funeral and handle the associated arrangements.
The second time was now.
To be honest, her memories of that first visit had grown hazy. She only remembered being overwhelmed with errands, so busy she barely had time to grieve.
Yet, seeing the interior decor of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, a sense of familiarity stirred within her.
"Oh, Fishy Treasure, you're here! I didn't think you'd actually come," Hu Tao said with a grin as she approached.
Well, I couldn't really back out, Qin Yu thought with a faint smile. "We made a promise, after all. By the way, Hu Tao, have you had lunch yet?"
"Nope! Let me guess... you're asking because you brought me some, right?" Hu Tao said, leaning closer and sniffing around like a puppy.
Stop sniffing! Don't you feel embarrassed? Qin Yu sighed inwardly but pulled out a lunchbox from her bag.
"Here, help yourself if you don't mind."
"Wow, you actually did!" Hu Tao exclaimed in surprise. "You're practically the kindest woman on earth!"
Evaluation: D-
Qin Yu didn't dislike being praised; in fact, she secretly enjoyed it, though she'd never admit it.
But if Hu Tao insisted on complimenting her, Qin Yu wished she'd do it more normally.
And please, no more compliments about kindness.
Being nice to friends was only natural, and part of her carefully crafted persona. Rather than being praised for kindness, Qin Yu would much rather be complimented on her looks: "beautiful," "pretty," "cute," things like that.
Why always about looks? Because my outward appearance is the only thing I can truly call "decent" about myself.
Qin Yu smiled faintly. "It's nothing, really. Cooking for one more person is no trouble at all. The journey here took a while, though, so it might be a bit cold by now. Hu Tao, you should eat it while it's still warm, okay?"
"But I also wanted to show you around Wangsheng Funeral Parlor," Hu Tao said, conflicted.
"We can do that after you finish eating."
Hu Tao's eyes lit up. "Are you saying you have plenty of time today and can keep me company?"
As if! Don't jump to conclusions.
To be fair, Qin Yu did have some free time, but casually spending it with Hu Tao... that sounded exhausting.
"Not exactly casually..."
"Is that so? But I've always wanted Fishy Treasure to play with me longer. You rarely come to our side, so don't leave so soon, okay?" Hu Tao tugged at Qin Yu's hand.
Evaluation: D
Are you a child? Qin Yu thought, then felt a pang of guilt. She rarely initiated contact with Hu Tao, and whenever the other girl brought this up, Qin Yu's resolve softened.
Forcing a smile, Qin Yu agreed, "Alright, I'll stay until evening."
"Can't you stay even longer? Director knows lots of fun places to go at night!" Hu Tao grinned, pushing her luck.
Absolutely not! It's probably some ghostly place.
"That won't work. I need to return to the Jade Chamber tonight."
Hu Tao sighed regretfully. "Ah, well, alright then. If I'd known earlier, I would have lured you... I mean, invited you to work at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
"Ahahaha..."
No matter what Hu Tao did, Qin Yu would never work at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
The initial impression Hu Tao had left on her hadn't been good at all. Even though she knew Hu Tao was a good person, she still found her very odd. Besides, she had already promised Ningguang to stay.
"Hmm, do you think I could poach you?" Hu Tao mused thoughtfully.
Impossible, because I don't want to, Qin Yu thought to herself. But before she could reply, Hu Tao suddenly gave up, shrugging her shoulders.
"But Tianquan Ningguang doesn't seem like someone who'd let go easily. Never mind."
"Is that so?" Qin Yu asked, puzzled.
But upon closer reflection, it did seem like Ningguang was indeed that kind of person...
"Yeah, if you tried to run away, she'd go to great lengths to bring you back. Especially someone as likable and capable as Fishy Treasure here. Heh, poke!"
While Qin Yu was still pondering, Hu Tao suddenly poked her in the side.
Uwaa!? Startled by the strange sensation, Qin Yu hastily stepped back, clutching her side with a slightly flushed face.
She wanted to glare at Hu Tao, but all she managed to say was:
"Please don't suddenly poke me in such a place."
But Hu Tao seemed not to hear, her gaze fixed thoughtfully on Qin Yu's waist.
An answer, please? Qin Yu felt a pang of annoyance and called out, "Hu Tao?"
"Ah, sorry, I was lost in thought."
Ever since reading the book Qin Yu wanted to buy yesterday, Hu Tao had become preoccupied with her.
More precisely, with Qin Yu's body.
But this wasn't driven by impure thoughts. It was pure curiosity.
Hu Tao poked her own side.
What is she doing? Qin Yu felt utterly bewildered. She found it increasingly difficult to understand Hu Tao's thoughts and intentions.
"Hmm... yours feels a bit... fleshier, Fishy Treasure?"
Ha? Who's gained weight?! Qin Yu couldn't help but retort, "That's not true at all! My body measurements are pretty much the same as before, if anything, I've lost weight!"
"Then let me feel again to make sure."
No way!
Evaluation: C-
Get lost.
The conversation had veered off track again. Talking to Hu Tao was always like this—one moment of inattention and you'd find yourself miles away from the original topic.
"Anyway, there's no rush with the tour. You should eat first, Hu Tao. Besides..."
"Besides?"
Qin Yu said, "I've actually been to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor before."
"Hmm? Could it be... you're actually a ghost?" Hu Tao mused, stroking her chin.
A ghost?! As if!
"I came here to arrange my family's funeral," Qin Yu explained.
"Oh? You're a returning customer! Perfect timing! We have special discounts for our loyal clients right now!"
This is exactly what I dislike about places like this, Qin Yu sighed inwardly. Hu Tao probably didn't remember, and Qin Yu had already expressed her gratitude back then. But since the topic had come up, another thank you wouldn't hurt.
"I wanted to thank you, Hu Tao."
"Huh? Why are you being so formal?" Hu Tao asked, puzzled.
"Well... it just felt natural?"
"Natural, huh? Hmm, you're welcome! We get paid to do our job, and since we took your quest, we're gonna do it right!" Hu Tao said earnestly.
If only Hu Tao could always stay like this, Qin Yu thought wistfully.
Sure enough, Hu Tao quickly reverted to her usual cheerful self, grinning mischievously. "But who would have thought? You're a returning customer! We're truly destined to meet!"
"Ahahaha..."
Maybe... But Qin Yu would never admit it.
Hu Tao then announced she wanted to go back to her room for lunch and invited Qin Yu to join her.
Going into Hu Tao's room? Could something... inappropriate happen? Qin Yu's mind flashed back to her experience in Ningguang's bedroom—the qipao, the neck kisses... An uneasy feeling settled in her stomach.
Hu Tao wouldn't be like Ningguang, right? She wouldn't make me wear a qipao or try to kiss me...
At least, that's what Qin Yu desperately hoped.
After a moment's thought, Qin Yu agreed. She was genuinely curious to see what Hu Tao's room would look like.
"Here we are! Come on in."
Stepping into Hu Tao's bedroom, Qin Yu glanced around. To her surprise, it was rather plain and a bit messy.
"I don't have any extra chairs. You can sit on the bed for now."
Sit on the bed... A fleeting memory of touching Ningguang flashed through Qin Yu's mind, her ears warming slightly.
Wait, what am I even thinking?! Qin Yu shook her head gently, banishing the stray thoughts as she settled onto Hu Tao's bed.
"Heave-ho!" Hu Tao plopped down beside her with a cheerful bounce.
Doesn't the desk have a chair? Why did she have to sit here?
Qin Yu felt a flutter of nervousness. She was used to the comfortable familiarity of Shenhe's and Ningguang's rooms, but Hu Tao's? She hadn't adjusted to it yet.
Exhaling softly, Qin Yu suddenly felt a gaze upon her.
She turned her head and met Hu Tao's eyes.
"Hmm..." Hu Tao hummed inexplicably, her gaze wandering across Qin Yu's face—eyes, nose, lips, cheeks. This made Qin Yu feel deeply uneasy.
Why is she staring so intently? Qin Yu asked nervously, "Hu Tao? What's wrong? Aren't we eating?"
"Of course we're eating! But I need to think for a moment."
Do you really need to think about eating? Qin Yu couldn't understand at all and just hoped Hu Tao would stop staring at her so intently.
Hu Tao leaned closer, propping herself up on her elbows.
"Fishy Treasure, you're so pretty!"
"Eh? Ha ha, no way."
Evaluation: C
I don't quite get why Hu Tao suddenly said that, but it doesn't feel bad.
Hu Tao resumed studying Qin Yu intently.
She just complimented me. Does she find me pretty and want to look at me more? If that's the case, it wouldn't be a problem, but is Hu Tao really like that? It doesn't seem like it.
Besides, her gaze seemed to convey intense curiosity and interest.
"Fishy Treasure, have you ever kissed anyone?"
Wh-what kind of question is that?!
Qin Yu's face flushed. "No, I haven't."
Duh, of course not.
Could it be that Hu Tao wants to talk about romance? But why would she suddenly ask that? Shouldn't she start with something like "Do you have a crush on anyone?"
Qin Yu grew increasingly flustered.
Hu Tao nodded. "Oh, you haven't."
"Yeah, I haven't... Why are you asking?" Qin Yu desperately wanted to change the subject, but she was also curious about Hu Tao's reason for asking.
"Curiosity."
I see, just out of curiosity. That makes sense, otherwise why would she ask such a question? If it weren't out of curiosity, it would feel like she was... checking something.
Qin Yu felt a slight sense of relief.
But then, Hu Tao reached out and touched her lips.
Evaluation: B-
The sensation was different from when Ningguang had touched her. Qin Yu nearly jumped out of her skin, her heart pounding wildly, her mind spiraling into further chaos.
"Hu Tao? What are you doing?"
"I'm thinking."
You're thinking with your fingers?! Seeing Hu Tao about to touch her again, Qin Yu hastily grabbed her arm.
"D-don't you want to eat lunch?" she asked, forcing a smile.
"We can eat later, right? More importantly, Fishy Treasure, your lips feel like this... Hmm, they're just as soft as mine."
Aren't everyone's like that?
If there were physically hard lips, I'd actually be curious to see them.
So Hu Tao was just curious when she touched me... Qin Yu felt her body temperature rising. Is Hu Tao's curiosity really that strong?
Since she's satisfied her curiosity, everything should be fine now, right? Qin Yu wondered.
Hu Tao recalled the novel she'd read the previous day. One of her questions had been answered, but another remained.
At that thought, Hu Tao's face flushed crimson.
"Aiya, after all, I am a young girl in her prime," Hu Tao murmured to herself.
Why is she suddenly saying that? And why is her face flushed? Qin Yu vaguely felt that their combined body heat had raised the room's temperature by a degree.
No, I have to change the subject.
"Speaking of which, there's something I've been meaning to ask you about Wangsheng Funeral Parlor—"
Yes, just say it like that. Since Hu Tao is always so focused on her work, she'll definitely take the bait!
Perfect.
"Sure! I'll tell you whatever you want to know later."
Huh? Later?
"Right now... there's something else I'm really curious about."
I want to know. If she were a guy, Hu Tao would never dare do this, but since they're both girls, she figured it wouldn't mean anything special, even if they did it.
Still, I'd probably feel a little shy.
Hu Tao exhaled a warm breath, giving in to her impulse. As her heart raced, her eyes sparkled with a flickering light as she whispered:
"Fishy Treasure... should we try kissing?"
Ha!?
Evaluation: B+