Knock, knock, knock—
"Yoo-hoo, is Mr. Taro at home?"
A playful, mischievous girl poked her head through the doorway, peeking inside.
"Hm? Hu Tao!"
Seeing the familiar head, Taro smiled and waved her in.
"I'm here. Come on in, Director Hu."
"That's great!"
Hu Tao hopped once, straightened up, and clasped her hands behind her as she strolled in.
"Please, have a seat~"
"Yingda, serve the tea."
Taro pointed to the seat nearby.
Yingda silently poured a cup of tea and placed it on the side table beside Hu Tao.
"Please, Director Hu."
"Mm, thank you."
Hu Tao nodded seriously, then turned her gaze toward Taro.
"Mr. Taro, the two sets of burial items you requested have been prepared. The time is set for the evening after tomorrow."
"Also, I'd like to ask—do you plan to attend in person?"
"In person?"
Taro raised a brow.
"Director Hu, is there some special meaning behind that?"
"Special meaning..."
Hu Tao tapped her lip. "Honestly, I'm not entirely sure either. This is the first time I've held funerals for people who died twice and came back to life. Half the rites are unprecedented!"
"Zhongli hasn't shown up these past two days, either. I can't even consult him."
She sighed, tossing back the tea in one gulp.
"So many bizarre, never-before-seen cases, and I've had to decide everything myself."
Taro nodded in understanding.
"I see. Then tomorrow evening, I'll observe from a distance, so as not to break any of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's traditions."
"Got it."
Hu Tao nodded lightly.
"In that case, I'll handle all the arrangements. But if you happen to see Zhongli, please remind him to show up as well. If not, that's fine too."
Taro chuckled to himself. Zhongli was hiding from the adepti—no way he'd just stroll into Liyue Harbor now. Still, aloud he said:
"Alright, if I run into him, I'll let him know."
"Thanks, Mr. Taro. That guy disappears for two days without a word, no trace of him anywhere—how infuriating!"
Hu Tao puffed her cheeks, ranting. "For someone who's usually so steady, he's acting strange lately."
Taro smiled calmly.
"He's not the type to vanish for no reason. He probably has pressing matters, and simply hasn't had time to let you know."
"You're right," Hu Tao agreed with a small nod. "He's too big to just disappear."
Then she stood and dusted her hands.
"Well, message delivered. I'll be off now."
"Wait."
Seeing her about to leave, Taro stopped her.
"You came all this way—have you had lunch yet? The food's almost ready in the kitchen. If you don't mind, stay and eat with us. We're all friends, no need to be formal."
"This..."
Hu Tao rubbed her empty stomach, then smiled sheepishly.
"Alright, then. Thank you, Mr. Taro."
Taro grinned.
"No need to call me Mr. Taro—just Taro is fine."
"Really?" Hu Tao's eyes sparkled. "Then I won't hold back, Taro."
She leaned forward with a mischievous smile.
"By the way, you haven't introduced me to this companion of yours yet."
"Eh... me?"
Yingda blinked. "My true name is Yingda. Nothing worth mentioning—I'm just Taro's secretary."
"Secretary, huh..."
Hu Tao's eyes gleamed with curiosity as they darted between the two of them.
"Tsk, tsk. Taro, isn't there a shop near the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor? I heard the shopkeeper there is stunningly beautiful."
Taro sipped his tea without a hint of panic.
"You mean Liya? She's in the kitchen cooking."
"Liya... Huo Liya?"
Yingda's eyes narrowed.
That temptress—what an intimate nickname.
Hu Tao smirked, sensing the tension. She hadn't even met Huo Liya yet, but Yingda's reaction was plenty entertaining.
"Yingda, the food's ready. Come help me serve it."
The voice from the kitchen rang out.
"Coming!"
Yingda's expression didn't change as she strode to the kitchen.
Hu Tao giggled.
"Taro, this looks dangerous. Your secretary and that shopkeeper don't seem to get along."
"Looks like you're in for trouble."
Taro only shook his head with a calm smile.
"You're hoping for drama, but you won't find it here. They don't have any real grudges. As long as they don't fight, everything's fine."
Hu Tao narrowed her eyes in playful disbelief.
"Well, we'll see about that."
(End of Chapter)
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