At Lucian's home, Keqing and Ganyu paid a visit. The two were very polite and were currently knocking on the door.
A series of hurried footsteps could be heard—it seemed the person inside was quite lively in temperament.
Keqing thought to herself, If Lucian is a cheerful person, he might be easy to get along with.
But when the door opened, the charming face of the Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor came into view.
In their eyes, Hu Tao's lips were curled into a smile, her eyes blinking playfully, her plum blossom pupils flickering in and out—utterly lively and adorable.
Lively, yes—but the wrong person!
"Director Hu?" Keqing hadn't expected Hu Tao to be here.
The two had rushed over immediately after hearing that Lucian was home. They'd been in such a hurry that they hadn't even waited for their subordinates to finish reporting.
There was no helping it—Lucian was an elusive figure. One moment he'd be in Liyue, and the next, he might dash off to Fontaine.
Now that they'd finally caught wind of his whereabouts, they couldn't afford to delay.
"Well, well, if it isn't the mighty 'Yuheng'! What a rare guest! Please, come in, come in!" Hu Tao led the two inside.
"To what do we owe the pleasure of the 'Yuheng' visiting our Wangsheng Funeral Parlor? Planning to buy our services? Bulk orders get discounts, you know!" Hu Tao said with a grin.
"Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?" Keqing looked left and right, confirming that this was not the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Ganyu also blinked. Though I can be a bit absentminded at times, I definitely know where the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is—and this isn't it.
"What you may not know is that this prophet, Lucian, is actually my subordinate. So naturally, his home is also a branch of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor!" Hu Tao swayed her head, her index finger drawing circles in the air, putting on the airs of a scholar.
"That's not right. I'm Lucian's boss now, so this should be a branch of the Spina di Rosula," Navia said as she walked over calmly.
Unlike Hu Tao, she hadn't rushed to open the door, but now that Hu Tao had already brought the guests inside, she'd naturally overheard their conversation.
"It's a branch of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor!"
"It's a branch of the Spina di Rosula!"
Ganyu and Keqing exchanged glances. Who is this new young lady?
"It's my house," Lucian interjected.
I paid real money for this place—you can't just freeload off it!
Hu Tao was doing this on purpose. She'd noticed how serious Keqing was and wanted to tease her to see how she'd react.
She didn't even hit me with her sword. Seems strict but not entirely inflexible.
Navia, on the other hand, hadn't grasped the situation and thought Hu Tao was trying to monopolize Lucian's home, so she jumped in.
We're both bosses—you can't hog everything for yourself.
Lucian sighed inwardly. Both of his bosses were rather eccentric and lively—the only difference was that Hu Tao was more mischievous.
As a subordinate, I have to keep my bosses in check. I really deserve a raise for this.
"Mr. Lucian, I am Keqing, the 'Yuheng' of Liyue's Qixing. It's a pleasure to meet you," Keqing said formally.
"Ganyu. Nice to meet you."
After that, Ganyu fell silent. Officially, she was just a secretary, while Keqing was one of the Qixing—so Keqing was the main spokesperson.
"Chef Keqing, I've heard so much about you," Lucian said, shaking her hand.
"Little Ganyu, nice to meet you," he said, shaking Ganyu's hand.
He'd lived in Liyue for about a year but had never interacted with high-ranking figures like the Qixing before.
Keqing was puzzled by Lucian's address. Why did he call me 'Chef Keqing'?
"Eh? Is 'Little Ganyu' referring to me?" Ganyu was stunned.
What part of 'Little Ganyu' even relates to me?
But now wasn't the time to dwell on that. Keqing got straight to the point.
"Mr. Lucian, regarding the matter of the Geo Archon—could you share what you know with us?"
"The compensation will be substantial—I swear on my title as one of the Qixing!" Keqing declared.
"About that... it's not the best time to discuss it," Lucian replied. I've already exposed the old man's secret identity. If I disrupt his plans any further, that'd be too unfriendly.
At the very least, he'd have to wait until after the Rite of Descending.
"But I can give you a little hint."
Lucian pointed at Ganyu.
"When everything's over, if Little Ganyu takes a nap, she'll probably learn the truth before my book does."
"Mr. Lucian, my name is Ganyu," she said gently.
"Oh, right—Little Yu."
"..." Humans... really are a bit hard to understand sometimes...
Navia listened to the conversation in silence. As a Fontainian, it was best she didn't involve herself in Liyue's internal affairs.
Hu Tao, however, was eager to jump in.
Just knowing this piece of information wasn't enough for Keqing.
The Geo Archon she revered so much was about to die! Not knowing the truth was making her restless.
But the Qixing couldn't afford to wallow in grief. No matter how heartbroken Keqing was, she had to pull herself together.
As one of the Qixing, as the Yuheng, as a person—she had to secure a future for Liyue Harbor.
"Mr. Lucian, are you sure you can't share anything?" Keqing pressed.
"Aiya, since my little Lucian here says he can't talk about it, he must have his reasons."
"I'm also deeply saddened by the Geo Archon's passing, but my consultant handled the funeral arrangements quite well, didn't he?"
"I'm sure His Majesty will have no regrets in the afterlife," Hu Tao said.
Knowing Lucian's reluctance stemmed from complicated circumstances, Hu Tao stepped in to help him out.
"Oh! Right—my consultant is Zhongli! Why don't you ask him instead?"
"He's a man who knows everything under the sun—he might even know more than little Lucian here!"
Lucian gave a thumbs-up. Hu Tao, you've recommended the perfect person!
"Mr. Zhongli?" Keqing pondered.
It was true—Zhongli's erudition was renowned far and wide. Moreover, he seemed quite composed regarding the Geo Archon's death. Perhaps he did know something?
Come to think of it, this prophet is a subordinate of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, and Zhongli is their consultant... Is the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor about to rise to prominence?
Keqing glanced at Hu Tao. This ever-smiling girl was truly enigmatic.
What kind of charm does she possess to have these two as her subordinates?
"In that case, we won't disturb the three of you any further," Keqing said, preparing to leave.
"Next time we meet, I'll treat you to Golden Shrimp Balls," Lucian waved goodbye.
At the mention of Golden Shrimp Balls, Keqing visibly stiffened. This prophet... has already figured out my 'weakness'!
But he didn't seem like a bad person. Sharing a meal with him should be fine...
Mhm, socializing with a prophet is also part of the Qixing's duties.
I'm usually too busy with work to eat well, but since this counts as work, it's fine, right?
Golden Shrimp Balls... Golden Shrimp Balls... hehehe.
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice-Over: Keqing — About Lucian
"Surprisingly easy to get along with. Hmm... His thinking is quite unconventional, and he's very opinionated. I wonder if I can recruit him to work under me?"