Hearing someone call out to her, Lovia subconsciously tightened her grip on the small cloth bag. Then, she turned her head to look.
It was indeed her.
Hu Tao was standing by a roadside stall selling porcelain. Her hands were behind her back, her body was leaning forward slightly, and a high-spirited smile was on her face as she looked at her with great interest.
It was Director Hu Tao of the WangSheng Funeral Parlor. She actually still remembered her?
Lovia's attention was completely captured by the lively Hu Tao, to the point that she neglected that there was someone else beside her.
It wasn't until a steady and gentle voice sounded that her attention was forcibly pulled away.
"Director, please do not frighten this young friend."
This voice... Lovia's gaze shifted bit by bit, finally landing on the tall figure beside Hu Tao.
Long brown braids fluttered gently in the wind, and amber eyes were calm and waveless. Wearing a Liyue-style long robe, his temperament was elegant and noble. Just by standing there, he seemed to be the center of the entire Liyue Harbor.
It was Zhongli!
The Geo Archon himself, who had been written into the dark history of "Seafood Poison Testing"!
Lovia never thought she would meet him in this way. She wouldn't have been too nervous just seeing Hu Tao, but now, she felt like her breathing was about to stop. Immediately after, words from her manuscript like "A divine body testing a hundred flavors," "Testing poison with one's own body," and "Pain like a tide" suddenly popped into her brain.
She unconsciously lowered her head, as if that could block the gaze of the two big shots. Her cheeks under the Hood grew slightly hot, and even the pair of blue antennae hidden under her hair trembled slightly due to nervousness.
Fortunately, she was covered by the large hooded cloak, which shrouded all her subtle unnaturalness in a patch of shadow.
Hu Tao hopped a bit, leaned closer, and then turned to Zhongli and said, "Look, consultant, I told you I didn't recognize her wrong! This is that shy little fellow I told you about last time! I ran into her when she was helping her family deliver things last time, and that's how we met!"
Hu Tao casually glossed over the fact that Lovia had been frightened by her enthusiasm last time.
Then, she turned back to Lovia, her tone lively and brisk: "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid. Our WangSheng Funeral Parlor is a legitimate shop; we don't do forced sales! Let me introduce you: this is our WangSheng Funeral Parlor's most knowledgeable consultant, Mr. Zhongli. He knows everything from astronomy to geography! We just happened to be out shopping and saw you, so we're saying hello, hehe!"
Zhongli's gaze also fell upon Lovia.
That gaze was peaceful and profound, with a calmness at the bottom that saw through the ways of the world. He nodded slightly to Lovia as a greeting.
However, in his perception, this "person" tightly wrapped in a large hooded cloak was somewhat unusual.
Although most of the aura was deliberately covered by something, the unique aura originating from the waters of Fontaine could not be hidden from his perception. Not only that, there seemed to be a trace of the mark of the Hydro Authority's origin remaining on this young friend.
Is she from a special race in Fontaine? And this aura... is related to the Hydro Dragon King? So that's how it is; that person came to Liyue to find her.
A flash of realization crossed Zhongli's mind, but his face remained impassive. He did not expose her, nor did he ask any other questions, only speaking gently to soothe her: "Young friend, there is no need for such formality."
Lovia forced herself to snap out of her guilt. She lowered her head, avoiding Zhongli's gaze that seemed able to see through everything, and also avoiding Hu Tao's overly fervent stare, whispering: "Director Hu Tao... Mr. Zhongli, good afternoon. I am Lovia."
Her voice came out through the Hood, a bit muffled and carrying obvious nervousness.
Hu Tao looked at her appearing as if she wished she could disappear on the spot, and only thought she was too shy, finding it quite interesting.
With her hands on her hips, she tilted her head, trying to see Lovia's expression under the Hood: "Oh, why are you alone again this time? Why isn't your family with you? Where are you going? Would you like This Hall Master to recommend a few fun places in Liyue Harbor? Or... are you interested in our WangSheng Funeral Parlor's discount packages? Buy one, get the second coffin half price!"
Hu Tao's concern and sales pitch sounded extremely sincere, but this string of questions stumped Lovia. She didn't know which one she should answer first.
Hu Tao was too enthusiastic, but she really didn't need a WangSheng Funeral Parlor package! Her identity as an author hadn't been exposed yet, so she wasn't finished just yet (?), but if she continued to linger, she might really be finished.
Moreover, she only wanted to find a Fontaine shop right now, rather than being blocked here by Zhongli and Director Hu.
Lovia wanted to cry but had no tears.
"No need, thank you, Director." Lovia shook her head vigorously, her Hood swaying along with her. "I'm just wandering around and will be going back soon."
Zhongli took in all of her defensiveness and unease, and also saw Hu Tao's intention to deliberately tease her. He spoke calmly, bringing an end to this unexpected encounter: "In that case, we shall not disturb your leisure, young friend."
Hearing this, Lovia quickly followed the lead and responded in a weak voice: "Yes, yes... I won't disturb you two further. I, I'll take my leave now."
She hurriedly gave a quick and slight bow toward the two of them (the movement was so fast she almost shook off her Hood), mumbled a "goodbye," and after receiving their replies, immediately turned and dove into the nearby crowd. The large hooded cloak traced a somewhat hurried path behind her.
Under the gaze of the two, the white figure vanished after a few flickers.
Looking at Lovia's back as she practically fled in panic, Hu Tao stood up straight and stroked her smooth chin, her plum blossom pupils sparkling with curiosity: "Still so shy... but she ran even faster than last time. Do I look particularly scary today?"
Hu Tao watched Lovia's back as she almost jogged away and couldn't help but burst into a laugh, lightly nudging Zhongli beside her with her elbow: "Look, consultant, am I that scary? Every time she sees me, she runs faster than a rabbit."
Zhongli's gaze drifted distantly past the street corner where Lovia had disappeared. He didn't directly answer Hu Tao's question, only saying calmly: "This young friend seems to have urgent business at hand."
Hu Tao nodded, indicating she understood, and then asked with a grin: "consultant, consultant, what do you think of this child? Isn't she a bit special? I feel like there's a... well, an indescribable feeling about her?"
Zhongli pondered for a moment and said slowly: "A chance encounter, each has their own fate. However, she is indeed different from the people of Liyue; she seems to be from Fontaine."
He did not mention that wisp of the Hydro Dragon King's aura, only pointing out the region.
"Fontaine?" Hu Tao raised an eyebrow and then laughed. "So she's a guest from the Nation of Hydro. No wonder she's a bit mysterious... Hehe, if I meet her again next time, maybe we can talk about the possibility of international funeral business?"
Her tone was full of imagination, and her eyes were filled with the excitement of discovering a new continent.
Zhongli glanced at her and did not respond, simply stepping forward: "Director, the incense and candles you mentioned purchasing earlier still need to be settled soon."
"Ah, right! Let's go, let's go. consultant, you have to help me pick them out properly." Hu Tao immediately followed, temporarily tossing her thoughts about Lovia to the back of her mind, returning to her high-energy self.
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