The next day!
The sky was just brightening.
Taro and Heulia stepped out together.
Although Heulia had said last night that from now on she would handle all their meals… well, when Xiangling wasn't on duty at Wanmin Restaurant, she would cook herself. When Xiangling was on duty, they'd just go eat at Wanmin.
Today wasn't one of Xiangling's shifts.
But since their kitchen was completely empty, there was no way to cook even if she wanted to. A clever woman can't cook without rice.
So once again, the plan was simply to eat at Wanmin Restaurant.
Yet the moment they stepped outside—
A fiery red figure was already waiting at the door.
"Mr. Taro, Miss Heulia, good morning."
Dressed in red, Yingda smiled brightly as she greeted the two. She had clearly been waiting there for quite some time.
"So it's Yingda."
Seeing her, Taro chuckled:
"We were just heading out. Since you're here, why not join us for a meal at Wanmin? The more the merrier."
He could already guess Yingda's purpose for coming. So he simply invited her along for breakfast.
After all, Liyue was a place of dining culture—big matters and small were often handled over a table.
"With Mr. Taro's invitation, of course Yingda won't refuse."
She accepted happily and fell in step beside them.
"How's Xiao doing?"
As they walked, Taro asked casually.
Yesterday Xiao had been coaxed and egged on by Venti, ending up drinking three whole bottles of wine. By the time he left, he was swaying.
Zhongli hadn't felt reassured, so he had Yingda look after him.
"How is he now?"
"My little brother rarely drinks, so last night he slept peacefully," Yingda said with a soft smile. "I kept watch over him the whole night. This morning, when he woke up, he even had a faint blush—something I haven't seen in a very long time."
Once, Xiao's personality had been more reserved, but not this unapproachable. Seeing him blush had been nearly impossible.
"Also, thanks to you, sir, his condition has improved greatly. His karmic debt isn't gone, but it's far lighter than before."
The torment of karmic debt—none knew it better than the Yakshas. Three of the five had already perished because of it.
Now, with Xiao's burden eased, Yingda was overjoyed as his elder sister.
"That's good to hear."
Taro smiled and nodded. "Xiao's condition isn't urgent. When I have time, I'll study this so-called karmic debt and see if I can completely remove it."
This had already been in his plans.
If it wasn't too complicated, he didn't even see it as a transaction.
He liked Xiao as a person, and if he could help, he would.
"If you're willing to take action, then surely it can be done."
"On behalf of my little brother, I thank you in advance."
Her eyes glimmered with joy. To them, Mr. Taro was the very embodiment of miracles.
What was impossible for them might simply be a wave of his hand.
"Don't praise me too much, or I might start floating away," Taro laughed. His mood was excellent.
Liyue people were wonderful—efficient, generous, and they spoke so sweetly.
He loved it. He wanted more of it.
"..."
Watching quietly, Heulia smiled faintly.
Yes, she had figured it out: as long as you humored the boss and spoke pleasantly, he was easy to get along with. Everything became negotiable.
This was the experience she had gathered in the past few days—an experience that never failed.
"Yo, morning, Brother Taro."
A familiar cheerful voice called from ahead.
Smiling warmly, Tartaglia strode toward them.
"I was just about to head to your place. Didn't expect to run into you here."
"Tartaglia, you seem to have plenty of free time."
Taro smiled faintly.
With such massive changes happening in Liyue, this Fatui Harbinger still had the leisure to come looking for a spar? Truly something else.
"It's not about free or not free."
Tartaglia waved his hand with a grin.
"I'm a man of my word. We agreed yesterday, didn't we? Of course I wouldn't break it. Just thinking about crossing blades with you is exciting."
"Scoundrel!"
Yingda's eyes flared with fire as she glared.
"To show such disrespect!"
That this petty villain dared even think of challenging Mr. Taro—truly, he was courting death!
Someone would dare attack him in Liyue Harbor?
Impossible.
If the Adepti heard of this, they wouldn't rest until his skin was peeled from his bones. Yingda swore it.
"..."
Another master?
Tartaglia blinked, then his heart leapt with joy.
Coming to Liyue really was the right decision.
Following Taro was even better—he kept running into strong opponents. His blood was boiling with excitement.
"Let's eat first~"
"It's still early morning."
Taro waved his hand, breaking the tension.
"My bad, my bad~"
Tartaglia slapped his forehead. "I was too eager. To make it up, how about I treat you all to breakfast?"
"That's fine, you can pay for this one."
Taro nodded and led the way toward Wanmin Restaurant.
Yingda shot Tartaglia one last fierce glare before following.
As for Heulia—she simply ignored him, pretending he didn't exist.
"Hey, wait for me!"
Tartaglia hurried to catch up, eyes narrowing slightly as he smiled.
"Brother Taro, since we're friends now, aren't you going to introduce the two ladies with you?"
"Them? My friends."
Taro gave the shortest possible answer.
"Uh? That's it?"
Tartaglia nearly tripped.
That's your introduction?
He was paying for this meal and all he got was that?
"Nothing more~"
Taro shook his head. "If you want to know who they are, ask them yourself. I can't speak on their behalf."
Whether they wanted to know Tartaglia or not wasn't up to him.
"Uh... fine then. I'm sure we'll get acquainted sooner or later."
Realizing Taro wouldn't budge, Tartaglia dropped the subject.
The Fatui could always dig up intel later.
Heulia and Yingda exchanged a glance and both shook their heads.
With an outsider present, some things were better left unsaid.
And truthfully, neither of them wanted to know this man named Tartaglia.
If not for worrying that openly rejecting him would displease Mr. Taro, they would have already kicked him away.
(End of Chapter)
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