After noon, three people with the mindset of children walked along the road.
After walking a short distance, they sat down under the shade of a tree.
This midday heat was really something...
The three who had just eaten a full meal and were brimming with yang energy felt only a lazy drowsiness.
"Old uncle, it's so hot. Make a breeze, please."
Little Hu Tao rested her head on the old uncle's lap. An energetic child recovers quickly but also tires quickly.
Cid the old uncle activated his Anemo elemental infusion. At first, he didn't control it well and the wind was a bit too strong, but after adjusting, he became a qualified electric fan.
"Whoosh whoosh~" Little Hu Tao let out a satisfied sound and fell asleep right there with her head on the old uncle's lap.
"Eula, tell me—why do I, the old uncle, always feel like the roles are wrong? Why do I keep feeling something's off? Isn't a lap pillow supposed to be a girl's specialty?"
Why is it that I, a grown man, am giving a lap pillow to a little milk dumpling?
What little Eula thought of was something else entirely.
"Old uncle... are you hoping that I give you a lap pillow?"
Little Eula was very shy, and her hands unconsciously fidgeted with her hair.
"After all, you've helped me so much. If you really want it... it's not impossible..."
The last words were spoken so softly that the old uncle almost couldn't hear them.
But precisely because he did hear them, the old uncle fell into hesitation.
Little Eula's lap pillow—I want it!
No, little Eula is still a child!
I want it! What's there to fear—she already agreed!
Hey! A mature old uncle would never flirt with an underage girl!
The old uncle waved his hand and chose to refuse. "Let's talk about it after you've grown up~ Hmm, at the very least when you're no longer confused."
The current little Eula was in her girlhood phase, still retaining that tender, pinkish childishness belonging to a child.
Though very cute and heart-moving, an excellent adult man would say no to such temptation.
"Grown up, huh..."
Little Eula looked at the blue sky, feeling that time was truly very long.
How much longer would it take to grow up?
Little Eula leaned against the old uncle's side, slightly drowsy, feeling that the wind belonging to the old uncle was dispersing the midday heat...
In the end, during this afternoon nap time, only the old uncle did not fall asleep.
If he slept during the day, he might not necessarily be able to sleep at night.
So most of the time, even if he was very sleepy during the day, the old uncle chose to sleep at night.
Little Eula only slept for half an hour before waking up.
Little Hu Tao slept much more deeply. Even as the sun in the sky had begun to set, there was no sign of her waking.
The old uncle skillfully rolled little Hu Tao up and carried her on his back.
"Let's go, Eula. It looks like little Hu Tao could sleep the whole afternoon. We'll head back to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor first."
"Mm, okay." Little Eula reached out and placed her hand on Cid the old uncle's arm.
And so, in the afternoon, the three returned to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
"You're back, Cid."
Director Hu looked at his sleeping daughter and smiled, his voice lowering.
"Mm, we're back. Where's the old parlor director Hu?"
"My father went to handle some matters. Tonight, he and I have to perform a major ritual for the Rite of Descension. At that time, we'll probably need to trouble you to help look after Hu Tao."
He's probably referring to burning away the dead qi.
"Mm, don't worry. I'm very good at taking care of children."
The old uncle directly agreed to Director Hu's request.
"But speaking of which, is there anything else I can help with? I've been staying here for so long—I'd like to contribute some effort too."
Cid deliberately shook the Vision at his waist.
"Hmm... The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor has a set of secret purification arts that can incinerate impure objects..."
Director Hu looked at little Hu Tao.
"Cid, you should learn this technique. It might come in handy for adventures later."
"Giving me the secret arts... won't it be too valuable?"
"No, it won't. This secret art is actually something every staff member of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor can learn. It's only kept somewhat confidential as a secret art because impure objects are very dangerous—to prevent someone from learning just the basics and then recklessly adventuring. Cid, after settling Hu Tao, come learn it."
The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor originated from a plague during the Archon War era. At that time, people discovered that purifying the air and incinerating corpses could stop the spread of the plague.
The first group of people who did this became the initial founders of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Ever since then, the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor has been dedicated to maintaining the balance between life and death in Liyue.