That evening, Hu Tao, Amber, Nicole, Billy, Rin, and Zhe gathered on the fourth-floor private residence of the still-under-renovation Wang Sheng Funeral Parlor with their late-night snacks.
However, the atmosphere among them was a bit subtle.
It turned out that when Hu Tao returned to the house with the videotape at noon, she awkwardly discovered that apart from basic facilities like tiles and lights, there wasn't even a plastic stool, let alone a TV!
So, she ran back to the video store and asked the two to help her go to the furniture store to buy some modern furniture. Then, Amber called Nicole and Billy to help with the selection.
At the same time, everyone else, except Hu Tao, also paid for and selected some decorations as gifts.
Thus, that evening, this scene unfolded:
Billy held up a giant portrait of the Star-Emblem Knight, the image almost touching Hu Tao's face: "Hu Tao, listen to me, as long as you hang this painting above the TV and stare at it every day, the righteous spirit of the Star-Emblem Knight will surely bless you!"
Nicole pushed Billy aside with one hand: "Get out of the way, Billy, you can keep that painting for yourself!"
With her other hand, she held up a golden but slightly dim Lucky Cat: "Hu Tao, look, I specially found this for you at the flea market. You must place it on top of the TV, and it will guarantee your wealth."
Amber came closer, holding a light small shelf: "Hu Tao, don't listen to Nicole. Hang my storage shelf above the TV. You can hang keys and badges, and even store videotapes."
Zhe poked his head out from the other side, holding a bag: "Hu Tao, Amber's suggestion is good. You can also put these videotapes of mine. They are all documentaries and art films about the old era that I personally selected."
Rin, holding a doll, squeezed Zhe aside: "Seriously, big brother, who gives retro art films to a girl?"
"Hu Tao, Hu Tao, isn't my Bambou doll cute? Put it on the sofa, so the new home won't be boring!"
Hu Tao: (￣～￣|||) Who should I listen to?
...After some 'discussion', everyone finally reached a reconciliation. After all, there's nothing a late-night snack can't solve.
At the dinner table, Hu Tao took the opportunity to ask them for help in promoting the opening of the Wang Sheng Funeral Parlor on the streets and Rope Net.
After receiving the one-time payment for promotion from Hu Tao, everyone readily agreed, and the gathering ended in laughter... A week later, the Wang Sheng Funeral Parlor successfully completed its renovation and announced its grand opening!
On the opening day, Hu Tao stood at the entrance, dressed in her signature black attire, smiling cheerfully at everyone. Many people gathered around, including curious residents from Sixth Street who came to watch the excitement, and Rin and Zhe, who genuinely came to offer congratulations.
Of course, there were also staff members dispatched by Conrad, as not many people were genuinely willing to work in a funeral parlor.
As for the three from the Cunning Rabbit House, they were currently working as temporary staff to attract customers.
Just then, a commotion broke out. It turned out to be several elderly people, frowning and accusing Hu Tao of opening a funeral parlor in Sixth Street, calling it extremely inauspicious.
Just as Nicole and the others were about to retort, Hu Tao stepped forward and unhurriedly began to cite classics, expounding on the principles of the cycle of life and death and the balance of Yin and Yang. The elderly people's expressions gradually softened, and they stopped arguing.
Just as Hu Tao successfully persuaded the elders, a middle-aged neighbor squeezed out, his face full of sorrow: "Hall Master Hu Tao, I want to arrange a funeral for my father."
Hu Tao's eyes lit up, and she immediately became energetic: "No problem! Please follow me to the mourning hall, and I will handle it for you right away."
She then enthusiastically led him to the mourning hall, and with his permission, also invited the neighbors to witness this Rite of Parting.
During the funeral arrangements, Hu Tao displayed professionalism and thoughtfulness, handling every detail from setting up the mourning hall to arranging the ceremony process in an orderly manner.
The neighbors watched the well-organized process and listened to Hu Tao's warm yet solemn eulogy, nodding in praise. Some marveled at the traditional etiquette, while others whispered about the professional procedure.
After the funeral, Hu Tao received many compliments.
At this moment, at the other end of a smart glasses' camera signal in the crowd, Conrad smiled contentedly: "Good, she didn't disappoint me after all."
...In the following two weeks, Hu Tao successfully handled several more funerals, gradually making the Wang Sheng Funeral Parlor somewhat famous. Other staff members also gradually became familiar with the operational procedures, and she seemed to be slowly getting used to this kind of life.
Of course, "seemed" is ultimately just "seemed." In her leisure time, Hu Tao often thought of everyone in Teyvat.
However, since nothing special had occurred in the Hollow, and no other transmigrators like her had appeared, even the highly skilled Phaethon siblings couldn't help her find her way home.
Nevertheless, the trio's special background was like surging waves beneath winter sea ice, destined to break through the calm ice layer of everyday life above.
On an ordinary afternoon, as Hu Tao was selecting videotapes to rent at the video store, the news playing in the store caught the attention of her and the two store managers, Rin and Zhe:
"Let's return to the scene at Fourteenth Street. Shortly after the accompanying Hollow Disaster, an explosion occurred in a high-rise room of a nearby residential building."
"It is reported that the explosion was caused by the Public Security Bureau..."
"...allegedly fell into the Hollow..."
"The bomb disposal unit is rushing to the scene. All citizens are advised not to approach Fourteenth Street! We will continue to—"
Just then, the store door was suddenly pushed open, and Nicole rushed in frantically, shouting: "No need to watch anymore! I was a party to the explosion mentioned in the news!"
She abruptly turned off the TV, then hurriedly said: "The situation is urgent! Billy, Amber, and my target, they all fell into that Hollow! I urgently need the Ropemaker's help—this is my life's request!"
From this moment, the protagonist of the story truly entered the main plot.