After that, Orion did his best to help Hu Tao.
He even vomited blood many times, which scared Hu Tao greatly.
That's when she started seeing him as a genuine person.
Her trust and dependence on him quietly grew.
Hu Tao was usually a cautious character.
But she never once suspected Orion might be an internal ghost.
She had already treated him as one of her own.
---
The plan to kidnap Qiqi wasn't finalized until that evening.
Originally, Hu Tao calculated that the best funeral time was during the hour of the child.
But to accommodate Orion—someone who needed to sleep early—
She arrived before 8 PM and knocked on his door.
"Hey, did you sleep? It's time to act!
Right now."
Orion had been waiting inside all along.
He quickly responded to the call.
When he opened the door—
Hu Tao stood there, without her signature large hat.
She had even changed into a black night outfit.
Clearly, she took Qiqi's funeral very seriously.
---
That hat—the seventy-fifth generation Hall Master's hat—
Was passed down to Hu Tao by her grandfather.
It carried all her thoughts about him.
Ever since his passing,
No matter the time or weather,
She always wore it.
She would even tell others,
"This is a hat that slays demons and destroys evil—righteous and awe-inspiring."
But the hat had originally been too large.
The previous hall master was a burly man—his head much bigger than Hu Tao's.
Hu Tao had many ideas.
She spent a full day resizing it for herself.
Orion had seen the whole process with his own eyes.
She even added a handle to the side.
Eventually, Orion felt the hat still looked bare.
So he plucked plum blossoms from the tree outside his door, dried them, and gave them to Hu Tao.
Sure enough—Hu Tao loved it.
She colored and painted them herself.
After drying them in the sun for three days,
She pinned them to her hat at the perfect spot.
---
Now, seeing Orion staring at her head,
Hu Tao immediately understood.
She turned around, revealing the large black bundle on her back.
"Too conspicuous," she said seriously.
"So I'm wearing it differently for now."
Orion smiled bitterly.
So she hadn't taken it off—just tucked it away.
---
"No time to waste, let's hurry."
"It's a shame I can't tell too many people about this."
"Otherwise, I'd give Qiqi the grandest funeral possible."
"But it's fine.
I'm the most professional ritualist in Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
"And I'll be presiding myself as the hall master."
That was already a great honor.
---
Normally, past hall masters only focused on planning,
Dealing with wandering spirits,
And expanding Wangsheng's business.
Hu Tao had her own ideas.
Since funerals were considered taboo,
Only she—with her quirky brain—thought of handing out flyers, offering half-price monuments,
And personally serving as priest for ceremonies.
Even her grandfather's funeral had followed this approach.
This showed Hu Tao truly loved Qiqi.
She gave her a level of treatment only the hall master would receive.
Sadly, Qiqi didn't understand it.
---
"I must use the death seal Grandpa taught me."
"He said this seal helps surpass the soul."
"As long as it's not a wicked person—after death, they'll be peaceful and happy."
---
On the way to Bubu Pharmacy,
Hu Tao kept talking excitedly.
It was normal for her—
Funerals always made her animated.
But around the deceased's loved ones,
She became solemn and composed.
---
In just half a month,
Everyone at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor stopped doubting Hu Tao's professionalism.
They only had complaints about her playful nature.
"If Hall Master Hu were more stable—like the old master…"
Every time Orion heard that,
He would defend her.
"Children should be playful.
As long as it doesn't affect the job, there's no issue."
---
Hu Tao often asked Orion to lecture her staff.
They admired his knowledge.
When Orion spoke,
The others nodded earnestly.
"That's true. Besides, Hall Master Hu has Mr. Orion to guide her."
"There'll be no problems."
But Orion didn't want to gain too much prestige.
He was sick.
He never knew when his time would come.
If his reputation grew too much,
He might overshadow Hu Tao.
That would only cause her trouble.
So later,
He used his illness as an excuse to stop lecturing.
Let Hu Tao speak instead.
He listened from outside.
And whenever Hu Tao got stuck,
He'd subtly bring it up later—
As if by coincidence—
And explain the point thoroughly.
Hu Tao, still young, didn't notice the trick.
She only grew more impressed with Orion's knowledge.
---
While thinking, they arrived at Bubu Pharmacy.
Bubu Pharmacy was open 24/7.
During the day, the clerks managed the shop.
At night, it was Qiqi and Baizhu who took over.
Even Atractylodes usually rested by then,
Leaving Qiqi to man the front alone.
As a zombie—Qiqi didn't need sleep.
And she also loved looking after the store.
Of course, Atractylodes had left Changsheng to take care of Qiqi.
You couldn't exactly sleep with a snake wrapped around your neck.
Atractylodes was willing.
Changsheng was not pleased.
Plus, Qiqi had a bad memory.
If someone came seeking a doctor late at night,
Changsheng could help call Baizhu over.
---
It was now the hour of the rooster.
Atractylodes was still present.
At the storefront, Hu Tao hid quietly in the grass nearby.
Orion walked in through the front door.
Atractylodes saw this and immediately greeted him.
Smiled and said:
"It's not the day of your follow-up—why show up at this hour? Is your condition getting worse again?"
As he spoke, he observed Orion closely.
"Hmm... doesn't look like it."
Baizhu frowned slightly, puzzled.
"Could it be something else?"
---
"It's not," Orion replied softly.
"I've been feeling chest tightness lately. Still coughing. I don't know what's going on."
"I wanted to ask Mr. Bai for a diagnosis."
"Just to see if there's a new illness."
As he spoke, he covered his chest with exaggerated motion—
Clutching his heart with dramatic flair.
It was a heart-wrenching display.
Pretty pompous, actually.
Not like his usual, indifferent self.
---
Baizhu's frown deepened.
Due to this mysterious illness,
Orion visited every few days.
He'd become quite familiar to Baizhu—
Even Qiqi recognized him at this point.
-----------------
End of chapter.