"Finally, it's settled."
Seeing the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor return to its normal, silent state, Hu Tao let out a long breath. The crisis was averted.
She hadn't expected the solution to be so incredibly simple.
"Director Hu."
Keqing fixed her with an icy, expressionless stare. "Next time, please exercise some self-control."
This wasn't the first or second time Keqing had been called to the parlor. Every single time, it was because of some massive commotion.
"Hehe, I know, I know!" Hu Tao replied, flashing a cheeky, unapologetic grin under Keqing's piercing gaze.
Seeing her reaction, Keqing's eyelid twitched. She severely doubted Hu Tao had actually listened to a word she said.
"Well, I should be heading back."
With the parlor pacified, Felix knew there was no reason for him to linger. He shot Hu Tao a speechless look. If there weren't so many people around, he would have definitely pinched her cheeks. This girl was a walking disaster hazard.
"Eh?"
Noticing Felix preparing to leave, Hu Tao raised her voice. "Shopkeeper! I'm coming over to open jars in a bit! Don't close the door on me!"
It had been exactly a week since she last opened jars at the shop. The cooldown was over. She just needed to deal with the aftermath here first.
"Understood." Felix waved a hand without looking back, acknowledging her request.
A few moments later, Ningguang stepped out of the parlor to address the lingering crowd.
"Everyone," her voice carried clearly through the rain. "Wangsheng Funeral Parlor has returned to normal. The spirit has dispersed. There is no longer any need to gather here."
"This incident was caused by an operational error on Director Hu's part. Please rest assured, there is no danger. Furthermore, I ask that you refrain from spreading rumors about this event. Discussing it privately in Liyue is fine, but please do not spread exaggerated tales to the outside world. I appreciate your cooperation."
It was one thing for the locals to gossip, but it would be troublesome if rumors of a "talking house" reached Mondstadt or Inazuma. Liyue saw a massive influx of foreign visitors every day. While impossible to suppress entirely, damage control was necessary.
"Understood!"
"Don't worry, Lady Ningguang!"
"If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't have believed it anyway."
"Yeah, the soul is gone now. Even if we told people, they'd think we were crazy."
"Director Hu is truly amazing though, managing to knock the soul out of a building..."
The crowd responded enthusiastically.
Just as Ningguang predicted, most realized that spreading the story would only make them sound insane.
With the spectacle over and the heavy rain continuing to pour, the crowd quickly dispersed. Those without umbrellas hurried home or sought shelter. Before long, the entrance to the parlor was completely empty.
Inside, Keqing gave Hu Tao one last serious look. "That staff in your hand. You absolutely cannot use it recklessly."
"Don't worry! I won't," Hu Tao nodded earnestly. "You can trust me!"
Keqing: "..."
Ningguang: "..."
That was exactly why they couldn't trust her.
After a few final warnings, Ningguang and Keqing departed, taking the patrolling Millelith with them.
Once the officials were gone, Mona turned to Hu Tao with a hesitant expression. "Director Hu... I think I will be leaving for Mondstadt in a few days."
"I've stayed in Liyue for quite a while now. Thank you for taking such good care of me these past days."
"Eh?" Hu Tao's eyes widened in surprise. "You're leaving so soon? It hasn't even been that long!"
"It has," Mona nodded. "My manuscript fee from the Steambird should arrive in a couple of days. Once I organize my things, it will be time to go. I've delayed my journey long enough, and I have business in Mondstadt."
"There's no need to rush!" Hu Tao grinned, wrapping an arm around the astrologist. "The Lantern Rite is in two days! You absolutely have to stay until the festival is over. Everyone in Teyvat wants to see Liyue's Lantern Rite!"
"Once the festival is over, Xiangling, Yanfei, and I are heading out of the city anyway. We can leave together, and we'll even see you off! The Lantern Rite only happens once a year. What do you say?"
Hu Tao looked at her with wide, expectant eyes.
If Mona missed the festival, it would be a real shame. Plus, Hu Tao could pawn off some of her parlor duties onto Mona for two more days. A flawless plan!
"Alright," Mona agreed after a moment's thought. "I will stay for the Lantern Rite."
She had never experienced the festival before. Since she had already delayed her trip, a few more days wouldn't hurt.
"Hehe." Hu Tao beamed.
Meanwhile.
Felix walked leisurely through the torrential downpour, sheltered by his umbrella, heading back to the Jar Shop.
The heavy rain had emptied the streets. The roadside stalls were packed up, and most shops had shuttered their doors early. The path leading to his shop was completely deserted.
As he strolled through the rain, his footsteps suddenly came to a halt.
Not far ahead, huddled beneath the narrow eaves of a building, sat a tiny figure.
It was a little girl wearing white stockings and a blue hat. She sat on the damp ground, hugging her knees tightly to her chest, her head bowed.
Even with her head down, Felix could see a yellow talisman plastered to her forehead, fluttering wildly in the stormy wind.
She seemed to be trying her hardest to hide the talisman, curling into a ball so no one would see it, and trying to keep it from getting soaked.
She didn't seem to care that the splashing rain was soaking her clothes. The damp ground beneath the eaves was simply better than the flooded cobblestones of the street.
Seeing that familiar silhouette, Felix raised an eyebrow.
Shouldn't Qiqi be at Bubu Pharmacy? What is she doing out here?
He walked over. Within a few steps, he stood before her, the canopy of his umbrella extending to shield her small form from the driving rain.
Qiqi sensed someone approach.
She didn't look up. Instead, she buried her face deeper into her knees. She didn't want the stranger to see her talisman.
When the person stopped right in front of her and didn't leave, she spoke in a soft, quiet voice.
"Qiqi... will only stay a little while. Just a little while... then I will go."
Felix: "..."
Receiving no response, Qiqi instinctively raised her little face.
The cold wind blew, lifting the yellow talisman from her forehead to reveal a pale, delicate face. Her eyes, the color of beautiful purplish-red gems, looked up at him, surprisingly full of life.
"Hello, Qiqi," Felix said with a gentle smile. "What are you doing out here? Didn't you go back to Bubu Pharmacy?"
"Ah?"
Qiqi blinked up at him. "Qiqi... forgot her umbrella. Today... I shouldn't have gone out."
There was confusion in her eyes. Usually, when people saw her, they ran far away. They didn't dare come near, let alone speak to her.
Why wasn't this person afraid?
"It's on my way. Do you want to come sit in my shop for a bit?" Felix chuckled. "The eaves might block the worst of it, but the splashing water and wet ground can't be comfortable."
"Qiqi... will scare people. No... it's okay."
Qiqi shook her head, looking out at the rain. "I will wait. Wait until it is late, and everyone is asleep. Then... I will run back. That way, Qiqi won't scare anyone."
"My shop is empty right now. It's just me. You can take shelter there."
Hearing her logic, Felix shook his head with a fond smile. Seeing her indecision, he simply reached down and gently took her hand.
"Meeting is a stroke of fate. Waiting in my shop is much better than sitting on the wet ground."
As he held her hand, Felix noticed something. Her skin was freezing cold, but it wasn't stiff. It was incredibly soft, just like a normal person's hand, only lacking body heat.
Being pulled gently by Felix, Qiqi looked up at him. She didn't shake off his grip.
Instead, she allowed him to lead her up.
Felix guided her away from the damp eaves. He kept a close eye on her. He knew that if Qiqi truly didn't want to move, he wouldn't be able to force her. Her tiny body housed a terrifying amount of Cryo energy and Adeptal power.
But she followed him obediently. As they walked, she pressed her small body close to his side, keeping her head bowed, using her free hand to carefully shield the yellow talisman on her forehead from the wind.
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