"So it responds to voice commands?"
"Does that mean it can use the tornado move from the manga?"
Hu Tao's eyes immediately lit up with excitement.
While reading Let's & Go!!, the thing she loved most about Hurricane Sonic...
was its signature tornado technique.
When she first saw it, she was completely blown away.
A toy race car... could actually do something like that?!
It was unbelievably cool.
At first, after receiving the reward, she had examined it carefully and assumed it was just an ordinary Mini 4WD.
Who would've thought...it was exactly like the one in the manga!
Voice-controlled and everything!
The surprise had come completely out of nowhere.
"Of course."
"When you and Qiqi head out later, you can give it a try."
Han Feng smiled and nodded.
"Qiqi? She's here?"
Hu Tao's eyes brightened.
She immediately looked around the shop.
She'd been too distracted by her reward earlier to notice anyone else.
It didn't take long before she spotted the familiar little figure.
"Hehe..."
"Then I'll wait until she's finished reading."
"After that, we'll head out into the wilderness and test it!"
Hu Tao grinned.
The open countryside was perfect for racing Mini 4WDs.
"Hu Tao, I'll be heading back first."
Seeing that her friend already had plans, Yun Jin spoke up.
Now that she possessed the original Return of the Condor Heroes novel, she couldn't wait to begin studying it.
Her enthusiasm for writing had reached an all-time high.
...Though first, she still intended to visit Wanmin Restaurant and sample the famous new dishes.
"Go on!"
"I'll be waiting for your good news!"
Hu Tao waved cheerfully.
"Mhm."
Yun Jin nodded.
When the opera was complete, she planned to invite not only Hu Tao, but also the Boss,
Mr. Zhongli, and everyone else.
She was determined not to disappoint them.
After saying goodbye to Han Feng, she left the manga shop carrying the novel in her arms.
After finding a seat beside the counter, Hu Tao coughed awkwardly.
"Um..."
"Boss..."
"Could I have another cup of that drink?"
"I'll pay for it."
She tried to sound casual.
After drinking it earlier, she'd found it surprisingly delicious.
Well...that was all.
As for all that nonsense about Saints and Demon Kings... she had absolutely no interest in understanding it.
Unfortunately, even if she didn't want to know, Noelle certainly hadn't forgotten.
The little maid immediately grew anxious.
"Director Hu!"
"That drink will make you fall from your Saintly status!"
"You carry the future of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor on your shoulders!"
"You absolutely mustn't fall and become a Demon King!"
Hu Tao: (⊙_⊙)
...Huh?
She understood every individual word.
But put together...what in the world was that supposed to mean?
She did shoulder the responsibilities of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Otherwise she wouldn't spend every day trying to drum up business.
But what did that have to do with Saintly status...
or becoming a Demon King?
Unable to endure the confusion any longer, Hu Tao looked toward Han Feng.
"Boss..."
"What exactly do you mean by this 'Saint' and 'Demon King'?"
Originally, she'd intended to avoid asking.
But now that things had come this far, she figured she'd better clear things up.
"You'll understand..."
"after you've had enough of it."
Han Feng smiled mysteriously.
Then, using the Gourmet Tablecloth, he produced another cup of the drink and handed it to her.
"So mysterious..."
Hu Tao blinked curiously.
Still, she didn't dwell on it.
After placing 200 Mora on the counter, she happily accepted the drink.
"Mmm..."
"It still tastes amazing."
Hu Tao smiled in complete satisfaction.
From now on...this is what I'm drinking.
Watching Hu Tao happily sip away, Noelle sighed inwardly.
"Director Hu is really going to fall..."
There was nothing she could do.
She'd already warned her.
She could only hope...
it wouldn't somehow affect Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Not long after Hu Tao finished her drink, Qiqi came running over with her manga in her arms.
"Hu Tao..."
"Have... have you finished your manga?"
"Yep!"
"I've been waiting for you."
"Once you're done, we're going to catch pets together."
Hu Tao smiled as she gently rubbed Qiqi's head.
After spending yesterday together, the two had grown quite close.
Qiqi no longer resisted these small affectionate gestures.
"Okay."
At the mention of catching pets, Qiqi's eyes sparkled.
Today...
I'm definitely catching a little finch.
Seeing this, Han Feng smiled inwardly before looking at the system panel.
The reward information had refreshed.
Customer Qiqi has finished reading Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
Reward obtained — Flying Car.
Flying Car: A magically modified automobile created by Arthur Weasley. Capable of flying through the air.
"...This reward?"
Han Feng's expression became rather strange.
If she'd received a flying broom, that would've seemed perfectly normal.
Qiqi was an adeptus after all.
Learning to ride a broom probably wouldn't be difficult.
But...
a car?
Granted, it was certainly convenient.
But...
could Qiqi even drive?
She probably couldn't even reach the pedals while sitting in the driver's seat.
"Boss..."
"What's Qiqi's reward?"
"It looks pretty special."
Seeing Han Feng's odd expression, Hu Tao couldn't help asking.
"You'll see in a moment."
Han Feng simply smiled and shook his head.
As soon as he finished speaking—
Buzz—
A brilliant pillar of light descended,
surrounding Qiqi.
Moments later, the light faded.
A card appeared in her hands.
Printed on it...
was the image of a car.
"Boss..."
"What... is this reward?"
Qiqi looked thoroughly confused.
At the moment, she could only remember the general plot of the manga.
The smaller details were still difficult for her.
Fortunately, as she continued cultivating the zombie cultivation technique, her memory would gradually improve.
"It's a flying car."
"The same one that picked Harry Potter up at the beginning of the story."
Han Feng explained with a smile.
"...I think..."
"I remember a little."
Qiqi scratched her head adorably.
Soon, however, a troubled expression appeared on her face.
"But..."
"Qiqi doesn't know how to use it."
With her little head, there was simply no way she'd figure out how to drive.
Not to mention… her height alone made it practically impossible.
"You can't drive?"
"That's what I'm here for!"
Hu Tao's eyes immediately lit up.
"Just leave the car with me for now!"
"I'll drive over and pick you up every day when it's time to come read manga!"
She was positively bursting with excitement.
She'd already learned about automobiles while reading various manga.
Back then, she'd become quite interested.
She'd always wanted to experience driving one herself.
Unfortunately, there weren't any cars in Teyvat.
And she hadn't received one as a reward either, so she'd eventually given up on the idea.
Who would've imagined...
Qiqi would be the one to draw it?
Which meant...the opportunity had finally arrived!
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