"Wow, this is Liyue Harbor? It's so lively!"
"I can't believe it's already evening and Liyue Harbor is still this bustling. I remember that in Mondstadt, only the areas near the taverns get this crowded at night."
Seeing Lumine and Paimon so impressed, Su Bai felt proud. Although Liyue Harbor was a port city, its various commercial streets and food alleys crisscrossed throughout, making it far more than just an ordinary port town.
As Teyvat's trading hub, countless foreign merchants conducted business here daily. Not only could one buy Liyue's specialties in Liyue Harbor but also goods from other nations as well.
"Alright, now that we're in my territory, let me show you our base of operations—Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. If you're not too tired, I'll take you to explore the night market later."
Lumine and the others had no objections to Su Bai's plan. They were eager to settle into their accommodations and also curious to meet this Director Hu that Su Bai had mentioned.
---
Inside Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Hu Tao was idly playing with the little ghost attached to her ring. Another day with no business. Thankfully, Zhongli's bills hadn't been arriving at the funeral parlor lately. She wondered who had been footing the bill for him.
"Well, as long as the creditors don't come knocking at Wangsheng's door, I don't care who's paying. Besides, it's not like Zhongli's going to be in any danger."
"I wonder how Su Bai's been doing in Mondstadt. I heard the dragon crisis there has been resolved, so he should be coming back soon."
"Oh, someone's been missing me the moment I return. Looks like I picked the perfect time to come back."
Su Bai's voice came from outside the funeral parlor. Hu Tao's grip on the little ghost's tail loosened, and she dashed toward the door. The poor little ghost shot out like a rocket, crashing headfirst into the stove. Fortunately, the stove wasn't lit, or the little spirit would have gotten a taste of fire.
Pushing open the door, Hu Tao gave Su Bai a thorough once-over. Satisfied that he was safe and uninjured, she finally relaxed.
"Thank goodness. No missing limbs. Su Bai, you really should have written to us after all that time in Mondstadt."
"I was actually thinking that if you didn't come back soon, I'd have told Old Meng to prepare a box for you. Don't worry, I'd have made sure they used the finest wood."
"Oh dear, after all my hard work in Mondstadt, not only did I find a playmate for you, Hu Tao, but I also brought back a new employee. Yet you, Hu Tao, are already preparing a box for such a deserving person? How heartbreaking."
With that, Su Bai turned his head away to show his displeasure. Only then did Hu Tao notice the women beside him. Being naturally sociable, she cheerfully greeted them.
"Which one of you is our new employee? Step forward and let your Director have a look!"
"That would be me. Director Hu, my name is Astrologist Mona Megistus. I specialize in astrology. Please take care of me."
Faced with such an enthusiastic Hu Tao, Mona reluctantly stepped forward. After sizing Mona up, Hu Tao pulled Su Bai aside, asking Ferrylady to entertain Lumine and the others first.
"Su Bai, be honest. Did you give this astrologist some irresistible offer?"
"If you sacrificed something important for Wangsheng's sake, I won't let her become an employee here. Even if she is an astrologist."
Seeing the rare seriousness in Hu Tao's expression, Su Bai was genuinely touched. He hadn't expected the carefree, always-joyful Hu Tao to have such considerations.
"Don't worry. I'm not the type to get the short end of the stick."
"I've already talked it over with Mona. As long as you provide room and board and pay her around a hundred thousand Mora a month, she'll join Wangsheng right away."
Hearing that Su Bai hadn't given up anything important, Hu Tao breathed a sigh of relief. She wouldn't want to be the reason Su Bai lost something valuable—though his dignity didn't count. She was counting on his fluffy tails to help sell packages. After all, those packages were incredibly profitable. If every young woman in Liyue Harbor bought one, she'd be on Liyue's rich list.
But just as she relaxed, something seemed to dawn on her. Her plum-blossom eyes gleamed with a strange light as she lowered her voice.
"Su Bai, an astrologist's job is pretty much the same as fortune-telling, right?"
Su Bai paused, never having considered that. The two professions seemed completely unrelated, but on closer thought, they were quite similar.
"Hmm, from a general standpoint, there's not much difference. But Mona might not agree to use astrology to help you. That depends on your own efforts. By the way, I recall Mona really enjoys meat dishes. Maybe you could start there."
"Go away. You're starting to sound like Zhongli. Oh, since you've been away from Liyue, you probably don't know—Zhongli brought back an adeptus child a few days ago. Absolutely adorable."
"As for Mona, she'll definitely help me. With my connections to Xiangling, I can ask her to cook for me personally. Once Mona tastes Xiangling's cooking... hehe."
Imagining Mona's abilities, Hu Tao couldn't help but chuckle. Mona was perfect for Wangsheng. She could use her astrology to predict who would soon pass away, and Hu Tao would be waiting at their doorstep at just the right moment. As soon as someone died, she'd knock and offer her packages. With such precise marketing, surely someone would buy.
"Oh, and that blonde girl and the one in the red hat will be staying at Wangsheng for a while. That's fine, right?"
"No problem. A couple of rooms is no big deal. Though I wonder why so many adeptus children have been appearing in Liyue lately."
"Zhongli brought one back a few days ago, and now you've brought yours. Don't worry, I'll keep it a secret from Shenhe."
Hu Tao stood on a stool, draping her arm over Su Bai's shoulder like a comrade. Su Bai just looked confused as he lifted her down. Adeptus child? His child? What was she even talking about?
He glanced at Lumine and the others snacking, then his gaze landed on Paimon's white hair. His eye twitched, and he flicked Hu Tao's forehead.
"What are you thinking, Hu Tao? That little one is Paimon, Lumine's companion. She's a fairy."
"Instead of daydreaming, go build a better relationship with Mona."