As little Hu Tao grew older, she became increasingly clever and sharp-witted.
She had long since mastered reading and writing. Now, under the strange gazes of Gu Chen and Zhongli, she was reciting texts upside down.
Gu Chen and Zhongli looked at each other, speechless, and both let out a sigh.
Little Hu Tao was developing more and more in a mischievous, eccentric direction. While this wasn't necessarily a bad thing, the two guest retainers—whose mindsets had grown rather old—felt an unmistakable sense of fatigue.
Gu Chen was still holding up fine, but Zhongli was being tormented quite badly.
The only consolation for Zhongli was that Hu Tao preferred clinging to Gu Chen and tormenting him instead.
"Yay~"
"I'm done reciting!"
Hu Tao flipped back upright, clapped her hands, planted them on her hips, and said proudly, "Well then, two guest retainers—how was that?"
"Impressive," Zhongli thought for a long time before finally squeezing out a compliment.
Gu Chen smiled and nodded. "As expected of the little hall master—truly gifted."
At just three years old, she could recite texts while inverted and had read through famous collected works. Once the neighbors heard of this, they all praised the Hu family for producing a prodigy.
Hearing Gu Chen's praise, Hu Tao was especially delighted. She giggled and said, "Hehe, it's all thanks to the teaching of the second retainer!"
Gu Chen only smiled without replying.
Zhongli glanced at the sky, silently calculated the time, then said, "It's time for my lesson with the ritual attendants and apprentices. Please excuse me—you two continue chatting."
"Go on, go on~" Hu Tao waved her hand, then skipped over and tugged at Gu Chen's pant leg. Her plum-blossom eyes were full of expectation. "Second retainer, take me out to play, okay?"
Although Wangsheng Funeral Parlor was not small, it clearly couldn't contain this lively little hall master.
Gu Chen thought for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, let's go."
"The second retainer really is the best!" Hu Tao beamed, her eyes curving into crescents.
Gu Chen took Hu Tao out.
Once outside, Hu Tao was like a horse freed from its reins, running around and looking everywhere.
Things that ordinary people would find utterly boring turned into great fun in the eyes of this lively little hall master.
Gu Chen laughed helplessly, following behind her while reminding her to watch her step.
Liyue's security was excellent. Gu Chen wasn't worried about someone hurting Hu Tao—he was worried that Hu Tao might crash into someone else.
After all, three years old was an age full of mischief.
From what Gu Chen knew, some of the old hall master's friends also had children around Hu Tao's age.
As he was thinking this, he unknowingly arrived near Wanmin Restaurant.
Chef Mao was stir-frying dishes, and beside him stood a little girl with blue hair tied into braids, watching intently.
Hu Tao's eyes rolled. She tiptoed closer, then suddenly patted the little girl on the shoulder.
"Wah—!"
The little girl jumped in fright.
Chef Mao froze for a moment, then turned around and laughed helplessly. "Mr. Gu Chen, your little Hu Tao is really mischievous—look how badly she scared Xiangling."
Gu Chen rubbed his forehead. "Sorry about that. Xiao Tao… I don't even know how she grew up to be like this."
Hu Tao was already busy comforting Xiangling.
Children were easy to console. Soon enough, the two little girls decided to go play together.
Seeing that Gu Chen was around, Chef Mao wasn't too worried. He only reminded Xiangling to come home early for dinner.
Just like that, Gu Chen picked up another babysitting duty.
He silently calculated—today, he'd probably be watching these two little girls all day long.
[Yoimiya]: Mr. Gu Chen has been forced into becoming a babysitter! But these two kids are so cute! (Yoimiya · nice)
[Xingqiu]: You can tell little Hu Tao and little Xiangling are having a great time. Huh? I even have a role here?
[Chongyun]: That's childhood Xingqiu. He looks pretty good—clearly fascinated by the rattle drum, yet pretending to be calm. Mr. Gu Chen has already seen through you. (slippery grin)
[Xingqiu]: Who didn't have a few embarrassing moments as a kid? (Xingqiu · pressure)
[Hu Tao]: Long live understanding! (Hu Tao · acting cute)
[Nilou]: Today's summary: A day of Mr. Gu Chen taking care of kids.
[Kirara]: Hehe, these kids are really adorable—each one looks like a porcelain doll. (Collei · longing)
[Collei]: I'm getting more and more excited for little Hu Tao to grow up! (excited)
[Hu Tao]: You'd better not. (Hu Tao · startling)
[Paimon]: Auntie Axiu isn't in good health, and the old hall master is already quite old. If little Hu Tao grows up quickly, that means they'll be getting closer to… (heartache)
[Collei]: Ah! Then little Hu Tao should grow up more slowly. (downcast)
[Hu Tao]: Yin and yang have their order, fate is impermanent… (muttering, 8s voice)
Time moved forward at an unchanging pace.
In the blink of an eye, little Hu Tao was already six years old.
At six, Hu Tao had begun attending school.
She was very smart—much of what the teachers taught, she had already learned long ago.
So, Hu Tao simply skipped school. Under Gu Chen's gaze, she grinned mischievously, ran back to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, picked a coffin, and lay down inside for a sound nap.
Gu Chen, who had been reading, shook his head with a smile. After taking a sip of tea, he said, "It's about time to give this child some responsibilities."
"Oh?"
Zhongli, who had just walked over, asked, "What responsibilities?"
"Just a joke," Gu Chen shook his head, then continued, "She's the sole heir of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. In the future, she'll inherit it—so it's time for her to study funeral rites."
Zhongli nodded in agreement. "That makes sense."
"I don't understand these things. It'll still be up to the hall master and you," Gu Chen said.
Zhongli nodded, then added, "Aside from funeral rites, at her age she should also start learning Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's secret spear techniques. The hall master is preparing to pass them on to her soon."
The Wangsheng secret spear art was an ancient inheritance, passed down exclusively within the parlor.
With just one look, Gu Chen and Zhongli could grasp its core principles, though neither bothered to study it deeply.
Zhongli thought for a moment. "Should we also teach her a few more techniques?"
"Learning lies in refinement, not quantity," Gu Chen said with a smile.
Zhongli suddenly realized. "I was overthinking it."
Watching Hu Tao grow up, Zhongli had grown especially fond of her, naturally wanting her to learn more.
After realizing this, Zhongli laughed. "I'll leave this matter to you to worry about more."
Gu Chen poured more tea and returned to his book. "Let the hall master worry about it."
"Then we'd really be slacking off," Zhongli laughed.
"What's wrong with that? It's all about letting the little hall master enjoy a happy childhood. Once she grows up… there'll be plenty she has to learn."
"That's true."
The old hall master doted greatly on his granddaughter.
Though Hu Tao was mischievous, she was also exceptionally intelligent, leaving the old hall master both exasperated and proud.
With the approval of Gu Chen and Zhongli, the old hall master simply stopped sending Hu Tao to school. Instead, she studied funeral rites directly at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
At six, Hu Tao was at an age of playfulness—but when learning funeral practices, she displayed a completely different side.
She studied earnestly.
Gu Chen and Zhongli felt much more at ease.
Two years passed in a flash.
Hu Tao often followed the old hall master, learning while also observing how the knowledge she studied was applied in practice.
The old hall master proudly praised her often, saying that she would surely surpass him in the future.
With her daughter so gifted, Axiu was naturally delighted as well.
Another spring arrived.
Hu Tao was now ten years old, dressed in brown garments, her long brown hair tied into twin ponytails.
When she had free time, she liked to clasp her hands behind her back and wander around outside.
Whenever neighbors talked about Hu Tao, their feelings were complicated.
They praised her intelligence, yet were also wary of her boundless and strange ideas.
Hu Tao's schemes had already reached the level of wild imagination.
Under the guidance of Gu Chen and Zhongli, Hu Tao was quite well-read. She could compose poetry and proudly called herself a "Back-Alley School Ballad Poet."
Her poems didn't seem refined at first glance—more like catchy nursery rhymes—but upon careful reading, one could find subtle meanings hidden within.
Hu Tao was growing more and more eccentric.
"For such a solemn Wangsheng Funeral Parlor to produce a girl like this…" Zhongli laughed helplessly.
Gu Chen shook his head. "You and I bear great responsibility."
"How so?"
Zhongli immediately denied it. "You account for sixty percent, the hall master thirty percent, and Axiu and I five percent each."
"How do I get sixty percent?" Gu Chen froze.
"Because she's always clinging to you. If you count it carefully, over these ten years, she's spent six years following you every single day," Zhongli replied.
"Fine, fine—then it's my responsibility," Gu Chen said with a wry smile.
After the banter, Zhongli sighed. "That little girl we saw walking from Yaoguang Shoal to the South Wharf back then has now become a big figure."
Gu Chen raised an eyebrow, admiration in his eyes. "That girl grew tougher through hardship. From selling goods barefoot to running small businesses—now her trade must be close to covering all of Liyue Harbor, right?"
"More than that."
Zhongli shook his head. "Among the new generation of merchants, there are very few who can match her. She's even reached the level of the older generation. I also heard she once picked up a Geo Vision—she intended to sell it as merchandise, but it unexpectedly recognized her as its master. Quite an interesting story."
"First Retainer! Second Retainer!"
The two were chatting when they heard a call.
Hu Tao's voice was as clear as a yellow warbler's.
The moment her voice appeared, the peaceful atmosphere was shattered, as if wrapped up by a flock of sparrows.
Hu Tao had a special trait.
Even if Gu Chen and Zhongli didn't respond, she could chatter on by herself for quite a while. If they did respond, she only became more energetic.
Hu Tao hurried over, grabbed Gu Chen's teacup, and drained it in one gulp. "Whew! Running back from the docks was exhausting!"
"What happened?" Gu Chen asked as he refilled the cup.
"Nothing~"
Hu Tao waved her hand. "Can't it just be that I missed you guys?"
Zhongli immediately laughed.
Gu Chen shook his head with a smile.
"We were talking about Ningguang," Gu Chen said.
"Ningguang?"
Hu Tao thought for a moment. "Oh, I've heard of her! I heard she's going to run for Tianquan Star!"
"Tianquan Star?"
Gu Chen and Zhongli were both taken aback, then understood.
"With her abilities, becoming the Tianquan Star should be a sure thing," Zhongli said.
Gu Chen nodded. "Another step up. Her business will probably become even more prosperous."
Seeing the two admiring her so much, Hu Tao grabbed one wrist each. "Come on—you definitely don't know what I ran into today."
Gu Chen and Zhongli were pulled to their feet, following her helplessly and with amused smiles.
Gu Chen asked, "What got the little hall master so excited?"
"Heh heh."
Hu Tao stopped, turned around, and said mysteriously, "I found a zombie!"
"A zombie?"
Zhongli raised an eyebrow. Gu Chen was stunned.
Following Hu Tao, they indeed found a small zombie.
That little zombie was named Qiqi, adopted by Baizhu of Bubu Pharmacy as an apprentice for gathering medicinal herbs.
Raised on Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's philosophy, Hu Tao very much wanted to bury the little zombie.
"First retainer, second retainer—quick, think of a way! We can't let her physical body remain in the world. That's disrespectful to death!" Hu Tao said sternly, her little face serious.
[Qiqi]: Hu Tao really isn't a good person! (Qiqi · collapse)
[Hu Tao]: I didn't know before! Qiqi, come play with me! (Hu Tao · acting cute)
[Qiqi]: Don't want to. (shaking head)
[Hu Tao]: Come on, come on~ (Hu Tao · waving)
"Little hall master, I think we should understand the full background before making a decision," Gu Chen said earnestly.
Zhongli nodded in agreement. "Indeed. It's best to understand the underlying reasons first—then it won't be too late to decide."
Hu Tao smacked the back of her head, suddenly enlightened. "You're right! I'll investigate this thoroughly in a few days!"
With something serious to do, Hu Tao vanished for several days straight.
One day, the old hall master finally had some free time.
In the courtyard, only Gu Chen and Zhongli were present, playing chess.
The old hall master walked over, sat down, and sighed.
Gu Chen and Zhongli stopped and turned to look at him.
"The past couple of years were still manageable, but this year it's especially obvious. I really have to admit old age," the old hall master said with emotion.
His hair had long since turned white.
After Asen's accident, the old hall master had suddenly aged more than ten years. Only after Hu Tao's birth had things improved somewhat.
But now, Hu Tao was already ten.
Having stayed at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor for so long, Gu Chen knew many past details.
The old hall master married late—only in his thirties did he wed and have Asen. Asen married at twenty-three, and Axiu became pregnant at twenty-five.
By calculation, the old hall master was already in his seventies, close to eighty.
At such an age, still managing all the affairs of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, he was utterly exhausted in both body and mind.
"Hall Master, I have a method to extend your lifespan," Gu Chen said without hesitation.
The old hall master smiled and waved his hand. "This old man has long since seen life and death clearly. The heads of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor throughout the ages have all faced death calmly—I'm not willing to break that precedent. It's just that Axiu's health is poor, and Xiao Tao is still young. In a few years, when this old man is buried, Wangsheng Funeral Parlor will have to rely on the two of you."
Gu Chen and Zhongli both sighed.
Though there was a method to extend his life, the old hall master refused it.
One could say he was stubborn—or that his mind was clear and he had already seen through everything.
His only regret was probably that he wouldn't live to see Hu Tao reach adulthood. But with two extraordinary guest retainers present, the old hall master felt at peace.
"Wangsheng Funeral Parlor doesn't treat me as an outsider. This place is naturally my home," Gu Chen said.
Zhongli pondered for a moment, then said, "When I grow old in the future, I'll travel the world. By then, the little hall master should already be able to hold up the sky on her own. Hall Master, you can rest assured."
The old hall master smiled and nodded. Then he said, "While these old bones can still move—come on, let's go have a good meal."
[Nilou]: The old hall master is making arrangements in advance, isn't he? (Sangonomiya Kokomi · energy low)
[Kirara]: They say elderly people know how much time they have left. The old hall master probably knows he doesn't have many years remaining. (uncomfortable)
[Collei]: Ahh! Auntie Axiu isn't healthy enough to support Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. If the old hall master passes, that burden will fall on little Hu Tao's shoulders! (Hydro Fungus · crying)
[Nahida]: A young girl's tender shoulders are about to bear the rise and fall of an entire organization? (Nahida · deep in thought)
[Zhongli]: The old hall master was open-minded and free-spirited by nature. It's just that Hu Tao will have to suffer for it. (sigh)
[Hu Tao]: Grandpa… I didn't understand before, but now I do. As long as Grandpa leaves without regrets, that's enough.
――[Yuan Xiao][AABB][Void IX][Gar-devoir]
◇ I'll be dropping one bonus chapters for every 10 reviews. comment
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ You can read 60 chapter ahead on P@treon if you're interested: patreon.com/SwipeSage