Feiyun Slope.
This was the most central area in Liyue, besides Yujing Terrace.
Delicacies, fine wines, cultural artifacts, jade articles, chess, and entertainment venues—everything was available, and the foot traffic far surpassed that of the political center, Yujing Terrace.
However, in such a bustling place,
there was a quiet spot that even locals would avoid.
After crossing the wooden bridge,
and following the main road to the left, there was a secluded courtyard.
Above the courtyard,
the three characters "Hall of Wangsheng" stood starkly.
Even in broad daylight, passersby would feel a chill down their spine after a glance.
After bidding farewell to Xiao, Jack was led by Zhongli to this place.
He had entrusted the Ice Dragon to Xiao, to accompany him in sweeping away the current demonic creatures across Liyue.
When the time was right, Jack would then go to the heavily afflicted areas and change the game difficulty to peaceful.
"Mr. Zhongli, you're back."
Upon seeing the two approaching, the ritual master sister jogged over and greeted them proactively.
"Yes, I've brought an old friend to visit the Hall."
The ritual master sister looked at Jack curiously.
Jack returned her a gentle smile.
However, his divine appearance was too impactful; the ritual master sister blushed deeply and lowered her head.
Her thoughts seemed to have flown elsewhere.
"Ahem! Traveler, please come this way."
Zhongli suddenly felt a little unsure if bringing Jack to the Hall of Wangsheng was a good idea.
Looking at him,
it was certain he was often flirting outside.
Whether it would be good or bad for Hutao, this child, to marry him was still unknown.
The two walked into the inner courtyard of the Hall of Wangsheng.
After passing a pile of "ritual tools" drying for exorcism, they walked for several minutes before finally reaching the living quarters.
Before even entering the door,
a voice that sounded utterly spiritless drifted out.
"So boring, so boring! Xiangling isn't here, Xingqiu and the others aren't here, and even Zhongli has gone off to slack somewhere! Sigh, why does a day have day and night? It would be so much better if it was always night! That way, the little souls could play with me all day."
Even her daily routine was filled with such complaints.
It seemed Zhongli's slacking was even more severe than he had imagined.
Jack looked at Hutao with a hint of sympathy.
Zhongli's expression remained unchanged, and he spoke in a steady tone.
"Director Hu, look who I've brought."
"Huh?"
Hutao, sitting improperly on a chair, tilted her head back and looked at the newcomers upside down.
"Eh? Traveler?!"
The plum blossoms in Hutao's eyes instantly bloomed, and with a large movement, the chair lost its balance and flipped straight over.
"Ouch!—Oh, it doesn't hurt~"
Opening her eyes,
Hutao saw a face that was both familiar and unfamiliar.
So handsome! He was a perfect match for her, Director Hu!
"Hehehe, as expected of my close friend, seeing me fall and immediately coming to help! Unlike a certain consultant, who doesn't even bother to boost the Hall's business and instead sends bills home every day, how utterly detestable!"
Hutao's resentment towards Zhongli visibly transformed into black mist.
Jack righted Hutao's position, then found a seat for himself.
However, as soon as he sat down, the mischievous Hutao left her seat and came before him, staring at him with wide eyes.
Jack put down the teacup he had raised to his lips and asked, "Director Hu, why are you looking at me like that? Do I have flowers on my face?"
"Yes! I see a very beautiful flower in your eyes!"
In the reflection of Jack's pupils,
Hutao indeed saw a flower.
A plum blossom with slightly flushed cheeks, vibrant and delicate.
"Is that so? But you're standing so far away, how can you see clearly?"
"Eh? Is this still… far?"
Hutao gestured at the distance between them.
It was almost less than an arm's length away.
"Yes, too far."
Jack gently pushed the wind behind Hutao, making her move forward a tiny step, then smoothly took her hand and spun her around, pulling Hutao into his embrace.
Their positions changed from Hutao squatting and looking down at him, to him looking down at Hutao.
"!!"
Hutao's small mouth slightly parted.
She looked in surprise at Jack, who was about to kiss her.
Her usually lively heart felt like it was about to stop.
Rarely, she closed her eyes in fear.
However, after more than ten seconds passed,
the anticipated kiss did not come; Jack merely shifted her position and continued to hold her in his arms.
Hutao quietly looked at him.
Contrary to her usual self, she displayed a demure, clingy demeanor, completely disregarding the feelings of the 'old father' beside them, whose 'cabbage' was being 'piggishly rooted'.
"…"
Zhongli's hand, holding the teacup, trembled slightly.
This Traveler fellow… are his flirting skills a bit too practiced… Hold it in, he's my superior, I must hold it in…
"Ahem, Traveler, men and women should not touch each other intimately after all. You and Hutao are still just ordinary friends."
"Since Mr. Zhongli says so, then… Director Hu, do you mind being held by me like this?"
Facing Zhongli's dissuasion, Jack directly asked the person in his arms.
Hutao pouted, "You're asking the obvious… And, you're still calling me Director Hu?"
"Then what should I call you?"
"Call me Xiao Taotao~"
"Uh… Xiao Taotao?"
Suppressing the awkwardness, Jack called out the nickname Hutao requested.
Hutao's plum blossom eyes lit up, and she suddenly launched a sneak attack on Jack's face.
"Hehehe, not bad, you actually agreed to call me that. Then I, Hutao, will reluctantly acknowledge you as my boyfriend!"
This Hutao, her aggressiveness is a bit strong!
Jack felt as if he had been flirted back at, so he turned his head and also kissed Hutao's face.
"Oh, you! Taking advantage of this maiden, no! I'm going to kiss you back!"
Hutao, in a playful mood, pouted and planted a mark on Jack's right cheek as well.
Then, with shifty, thievish eyes, she awaited Jack's next counterattack.
Jack, as she wished,
counterattacked her forehead.
The two went back and forth,
engaging in a PK as if no one else was around.
Crack!
The fine ceramic teacup was cracked by Zhongli's grip.
His tightly furrowed brows could even trap a fly.
"I just remembered I have matters to attend to in the Hall, so I won't disturb you any further."
Fearing that he might not be able to resist drawing his Staff of Homa if he watched any longer, Zhongli chose to leave.
Children and grandchildren have their own fortunes.
Since Hutao liked the Traveler so much, let her like him; if someone could keep Hutao in check, he would be happy for the peace and quiet.
Smack.
Because Jack hadn't looked up,
Hutao's sneak attack landed directly on his mouth.
Lips met, and the two fell into an ambiguous silence.
Jack raised his head, breaking the silence.
"Alright, Zhongli has gone far away. No matter how much you want to tease him, it's useless."
"Ehehe, you found out?"
Hutao laughed, as if to cover up.
"Seeing one's daughter being trifled with by a scumbag who's dating multiple people, if it were me, I'd probably break that person's legs."
"Oh, someone has self-awareness! But protecting one's daughter, I totally agree with that."
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