The old director was frantic with worry, striding forward at a fast pace.
Gu Chen said nothing, simply following silently behind him.
They passed through narrow alleys, crossed bustling streets filled with traffic, and soon arrived at the bridge north of Liyue Harbor.
The closer they got, the more pedestrians along the way seemed to be discussing A-Sen.
People lamented how a good man could have such poor fortune—being attacked by monsters while performing funeral rites for others.
The more he heard, the faster the old director walked, his hands unconsciously clenching into fists.
The old director was already past fifty, and though his body had been in good condition, hearing these words seemed to age him another decade in an instant.
[Kaeya]: Sigh… a white-haired man sending off a black-haired one—throughout history, that's always been a deeply tragic thing. (Sigh)
[Tighnari]: Raising a child for decades, watching him grow from birth day by day, teaching him, seeing him reach adulthood and get married… Judging by Hu Tao's mother, she was just a few months away from giving birth, yet something like this happened. I'm really worried about the old director's health. (Tighnari · Shocked)
[Baizhu]: Situations like this aren't uncommon at Bubu Pharmacy. Physically there may not be much wrong, but after such a mental blow, the body will gradually weaken as well—especially at the old director's age. If he can endure it, that's one thing. If he can't… (Sigh)
[Hu Tao]: Sigh. Even for someone used to seeing life and death, scenes like a white-haired man sending off a black-haired one are still painful. (Hu Tao · Spooky)
[Nilou]: The key issue right now is that Aunt A-Xiu absolutely must be okay! If, as the old director said, Aunt A-Xiu already has poor health and is pregnant on top of that—after such a shock… oh my goodness. Setting aside whether Gu Chen and Hu Tao can end up together later, the real problem is how the old director would face Uncle A-Sen after he passes. (Nilou · Thinking)
[Collei]: May Lesser Lord Kusanali bless them… (Praying)
[Nahida]: I'd really like to bless them, but at this point in time I'm still locked up. (Klee · Wronged)
[Azhdaha]: The Cult Leader is awake now. With him around, things should be fine, right? So, let's condemn Zhongli first. (Angry)
[Zhongli]: Fate is unpredictable…
Outside the bridge of Liyue Harbor—
The people of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor were gathered there, every face steeped in grief. The person on the stretcher was covered with a white cloth.
A-Xiu, her belly heavily rounded, was slumped on the ground beside it. She lifted the cloth and looked at A-Sen's face, her sorrow overwhelming.
Knowing she couldn't endure too much stimulation, the people of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor surrounded her, holding back their own grief as they continuously tried to comfort her.
Seeing this, the old director hurried over.
He stopped beside the stretcher, staring wide-eyed at A-Sen, his eyes bloodshot and filled with pain.
After taking a few breaths—he had been in this line of work for far too long, and perhaps had witnessed many such partings—he knew he could not collapse.
If he fell as well, Wangsheng Funeral Parlor would be like a roof without pillars, collapsing instantly.
"A-Sen…"
A-Xiu could not accept this outcome. Her emotions surged violently, and her face turned pale.
"Let's go back," the old director sighed.
"Your health is poor, and you're carrying a child. A-Sen is already gone—you absolutely cannot let anything happen to yourself!"
Gu Chen watched quietly from the side.
A-Xiu's body truly was in poor condition—so fragile it was as though she were made of water. With the pregnancy added on, her life felt as thin as paper.
"I… I…" A-Xiu lifted her head, about to speak, but suddenly fell backward.
"A-Xiu!"
"Madam!"
Seeing this, Gu Chen reached out, placing his palm against A-Xiu's back.
If one were to turn mental state into an abstract concept, A-Xiu's heart was on the verge of death at this very moment.
From this alone, Gu Chen knew she must have loved A-Sen deeply. On a spiritual level, she simply could not accept his death, and coupled with her frail body—
Without immediate treatment, something terrible would surely happen.
"Don't worry."
Gu Chen spoke to reassure them as a gentle power surged from his hand. A soft, warm force entered through A-Xiu's back, spreading from her heart to every corner of her body.
Seeing A-Xiu's breathing gradually steady, the old director—who had been pacing anxiously—finally let out a small sigh of relief.
"Thank goodness you're here…"
After checking her condition again, Gu Chen said, "She's too weak. She still needs a period of quiet rest and observation."
"I understand." The old director nodded heavily.
After waiting a while, and only once A-Xiu had woken up, the old director said, "Take A-Sen back first. Remember to invite several physicians."
The old director and Gu Chen supported A-Xiu as they headed back.
[Baizhu]: It's clear that A-Xiu's body is far too weak. Thankfully Mr. Gu Chen was there. Otherwise, if this left a lasting illness, then when it came time to give birth… A-Xiu might— (Baizhu · Coughing blood)
[Tighnari]: Giving birth is like going through a great trial. If one's body is weak, they may perish during that trial. (Tighnari · Shocked)
[Hu Tao]: @[Zhongli] How did my mother pass away?
[Zhongli]: According to the old director, it was due to difficult childbirth.
[Hu Tao]: ...
[Nilou]: Then that must be it. After A-Sen's death, A-Xiu was deeply shaken, worsening her already poor health. When it came time to give birth… In the end, only Hu Tao and her grandfather were left to depend on each other. (Heartache)
[Collei]: Ahhh no, please don't let it be like that! (Klee · Please)
[Kaeya]: I think you're all being too pessimistic.
[Dvalin]: What has already happened in this life can't be changed, but in the video, the Cult Leader is here. This hurdle has already been cleared—now we just have to see whether A-Xiu can make it through childbirth.
[Paimon]: With Boss Gu around, it'll definitely be fine! (Paimon · Easy peasy)
Back at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor—
Funerals were a daily occurrence for the parlor, but those were always for other families.
This time, handling their own funeral—such a thing had not happened in the old director's memory for a very long time.
He had little energy, simply staring blankly at A-Sen's coffin.
"Old Director, the physicians are done examining her," someone reported.
The old director slowly came back to his senses. Approaching was another elderly man, accompanied by two young men carrying medicine chests.
This old man was the most renowned physician in the area, highly skilled in medicine.
"I've heard about what happened," the old physician said. "Thanks to that young man, A-Xiu is fine. Her treatment plan will remain the same as before—prepare more medicinal herbs and let her rest quietly."
"Thank you," the old director said, finally relaxing.
As the physician was about to leave, he paused and said with a sigh, "Old Hu, my condolences. You must also take care of your own health."
"I understand," the old director replied, stunned for a moment before nodding.
The physician departed.
The old director looked at Gu Chen. Thinking of how Gu Chen had saved both him and A-Xiu, he solemnly said, "Thank you."
Gu Chen shook his head. "Though I don't know what happened before I woke up, it must have been you who saved me. A滴水之恩 deserves a gushing spring in return—there's no need to thank me."
"Where do you plan to go from here, sir?" the old director asked.
Hearing this, Gu Chen raised his head to look at the sky. After a long silence, he sighed.
"I've already traveled the Seven Nations. Heaven and earth have become my cage—there's nowhere left to go."
The old director half understood, then said, "If you don't mind, sir, you may stay at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
After pondering for a while, Gu Chen nodded. "Very well."
[Tartaglia]: That Sustainer of Heavenly Principles is ruthless. Teyvat really is a place you can enter but not leave. (Paimon · Shocked)
[Heizou]: Hard to say what considerations led to that. (Thinking)
[Sustainer of Heavenly Principles]: Let me state this first—I'm not as extreme as the me in the video. Second, although that Sustainer looks exactly like me, it's obvious that due to different worldlines, there are differences. You'd better not use that version to slander me! (Nahida · Pointing)
[Gu Chen]: I'm slandering you. (Grin)
[Kaeya]: Let's start a rebellion! The Sustainer is tyrannical—this side suggests the Cult Leader ascend the throne! (Grin)
[Sustainer of Heavenly Principles]: There's actually such a good deal? Come on, then. (Photo of an empty divine throne)
[Gu Chen]: I'd rather be a consultant at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor than sit on a divine throne. (Furina · Amused)
[Nilou]: Speaking of which, isn't Mr. Gu Chen already a consultant at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor now? (Xiangling · Hehe)
[Navia]: Looks like it. Mr. Gu Chen has nowhere to go, and the old director invited him to stay. With the favor he's done, he'll likely serve as a consultant from now on—and can help A-Xiu when it really matters. (Nodding)
[Kaeya]: The old director is farsighted. Just Gu Chen saving A-Xiu alone is worth feeding and housing him well.
[Hu Tao]patted[Gu Chen]
[Hu Tao]: Cult Leader, want to be a consultant? (Hu Tao · Cute)
[Gu Chen]: The kind where I collect a salary but don't work? (Hu Tao · Greeting)
[Hu Tao]: You still have to do at least some work! (Dehya · Eat my punch)
[Osial]: Brothers, I suddenly thought of something! (Hu Tao · Bad grin)
[Kaeya]: Let's hear it!
[Venti]: Leaving one ear here to see what kind of fun this is. (Grin)
[Osial]: If I'm not mistaken, Wangsheng Funeral Parlor will eventually be run by the Cult Leader, with Zhongli as a consultant. If the parlor runs a deficit, can we fire Zhongli? (Grin)
[Azhdaha]: Nice one! (Keqing · Thumbs up)
[Venti]: Good, good! That way the old guy gets one less paycheck! (Venti · Celebration)
[Zhongli]: Even now that you're free, you're still targeting me like this? (Zhongli · Black lines)
[Osial]: I'm just thinking about the Cult Leader's assets. (Zhongli · Dragon King smirk)
[Gu Chen]: Such good labor—he should work 23 hours a day. (Grin)
[Hu Tao]: Strongly agree! (Hu Tao · Cute)
[Zhongli]: 6
Zhongli was drinking tea when he suddenly felt his right shoulder being patted. He turned to look to his left.
Hu Tao popped up, her little face serious.
"Consultant Zhongli, isn't it about time you did some work? Once my second consultant arrives, competition will start—and your rice bowl won't be safe anymore."
"Hahaha." Venti laughed uncontrollably as he watched the scene unfold.
"We'll talk about it when the time comes," Zhongli said with a faint smile.
Whether she'd even be willing to let the Cult Leader work at all was another matter entirely.
Shaking his head with a wry smile, Zhongli felt something strange in his heart.
Having watched Hu Tao grow up, he felt like an old father. Suddenly, the day had come when his "daughter" was grown and about to marry—such a feeling left even Zhongli somewhat wistful.
…
A-Sen's funeral was conducted very quickly.
It clearly didn't follow all the proper rites, but the old director did it anyway.
He couldn't let a pregnant A-Xiu remain steeped in grief every day. The sooner A-Sen was laid to rest, the better.
He even endured the pain of clearing away the things A-Sen had used in life, to prevent A-Xiu from being reminded of him.
He didn't know whether it would help, but for the sake of his daughter-in-law's health not being dragged down by sorrow, he did it regardless.
Gu Chen gradually became familiar with the responsibilities of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
For this mysterious young man whom the young director had once picked up from a pit—and remembering his miraculous methods—everyone held Gu Chen in great respect.
Gu Chen settled down at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, taking on the role of a consultant.
A-Sen had been buried yesterday, and today the parlor felt much quieter.
Leaning against the doorframe, Gu Chen raised his palm. Blood-red lines ran across it.
"To live forever within a cage—how is that any different from a bird forever trapped behind bars?"
Murmuring softly, Gu Chen slowly calmed himself.
What could not be resisted had already become reality. Even he was powerless to change it.
Time passed quietly, and in the blink of an eye, more than half a month went by.
Wangsheng Funeral Parlor gradually emerged from its sorrow.
Though A-Xiu looked haggard, she understood that the dead could not return.
"The young madam's condition is fairly stable," Gu Chen said after examining her.
"That's good," the old director said, much more at ease.
"Thank you for troubling yourself, Mr. Gu Chen," A-Xiu said softly.
"It's no trouble at all." Gu Chen shook his head and advised, "Madam, try to keep your spirits up. If possible, take some walks now and then—your body comes first."
"I understand." A-Xiu nodded.
She gently stroked her belly. She had a reason to keep living.
Another half month passed.
Zhongli returned.
Upon hearing of A-Sen's death, Zhongli let out a sigh.
"Mr. Gu Chen, allow me to introduce you," the old director said with a smile. "This is also a consultant of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor—Mr. Zhongli. Mr. Zhongli, this is Mr. Gu Chen. He'll be staying at the parlor from now on."
Gu Chen and Zhongli looked at each other.
After a long moment, Gu Chen smiled and cupped his hands.
"Mr. Zhongli, I look forward to your guidance in the future."
Zhongli looked deeply at Gu Chen and replied,
"Guidance would be too much. We should learn from each other."
The old director stroked his beard as he watched the two of them.
Zhongli's origins were mysterious—he knew astronomy and geography, understood all things under heaven.
Gu Chen had fallen from the sky, clearly someone extraordinary, with abilities even more arcane.
For Wangsheng Funeral Parlor to have these two as consultants was truly a blessing.
After a sigh of emotion, the old director said, "You two have a chat. I'll go see how the newly recruited apprentices are doing."
After the old director left—
Gu Chen and Zhongli sat down in the courtyard.
They drank tea together.
On the way back, Zhongli said, "I've already heard that Mr. Gu Chen possesses great divine abilities."
"Merely unorthodox tricks—Mr. Zhongli is too kind," Gu Chen shook his head.
"Why be so modest? I heard it was the young director who brought you back from a deep pit. That day, people in Qingce Village even saw you descend from the sky."
"They're all matters of the past. People should look forward—walk forward."
"What Mr. Gu Chen says is most true."
[Collei]: Why can't I understand what these two are talking about? (Dazed)
[Nilou]: Me neither. One sentence feels like it's up in the heavens, the next is back on the ground. (Paimon · Shocked)
[Xiao]: When the Rex Lapis and the Cult Leader speak, there is deeper meaning. (Nodding)
[Cloud Retainer]: What deeper meaning? Aren't they just chatting nonsense here? (Confused)
[Kaeya]: It's obvious. The Cult Leader knows Mr. Zhongli isn't simple, and Mr. Zhongli knows the Cult Leader isn't simple either. But neither is laying their cards on the table—or rather, both already understand, so there's no need to say it aloud.
[Venti]: According to the old man's words, it's clear that because the Cult Leader fought the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles, some things changed. Otherwise, how could a single contract take that long? Obviously, something was plotted. (Heizou · Insight)
[Sustainer of Heavenly Principles]: Plotting rebellion.
[Osial]: Zhongli, conspiring against our great Sustainer—do you know your crime?! (Grin)
[Furina]: Drag them to the Opera Epiclese for trial! (Furina · Amused)
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