Keqing soon returned to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. After so much time had passed, she felt much calmer this time.
Before long, Hu Tao appeared before her again, with Chen Feng in tow.
"Keqing, we weren't promoting our business this time!" Hu Tao declared preemptively, cutting off whatever Keqing had been about to say.
"That's right, that's right!" Chen Feng chimed in, nodding vigorously.
Facing the pair, Keqing was momentarily at a loss for words. After a long pause, she finally spoke.
"You two... Liyue truly can't withstand any more of your antics."
"According to our statistics, roughly one hundred households have already left Liyue Harbor to live elsewhere in the past few days."
Hearing this, Hu Tao and Chen Feng exchanged a glance before Hu Tao replied, "Maybe they were just moving house normally?"
"No, I'm certain it's related to your recent activities."
"The Adventurers' Guild, in particular, has been complaining to us for days. Now, hardly any adventurers dare to accept commissions, fearing they'll run into you while on a job."
Keqing's tone was serious.
"Whether they have accidents or not has nothing to do with us. How can they blame us?" Hu Tao said, sounding exasperated.
"Hmph, those people are so unreasonable!"
"Exactly! Exactly!" Chen Feng chimed in from the side.
"Director Hu Tao, you're worldly and experienced, but ordinary people rarely remain calm after learning they don't have long to live."
"As for Consultant Chen Feng, since you possess such an ability, you can't be considered an ordinary person either," Keqing explained patiently to the pair.
"Let me give you a simple example. What if someone who learns of their impending death has malicious intentions? Might they not spend their final moments causing chaos everywhere?"
"Even if they lack that courage, what if that person was about to close a business deal? Knowing they don't have long to live, they might change their mind at the last minute, causing significant financial losses for both parties. The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor would likely be blamed for that."
"You two, the Adventurers' Guild is already severely affected. Countless commissions are going unfulfilled. If this continues, the Guild's entire operation will face serious problems."
After hearing Keqing's analysis, both Hu Tao and Chen Feng wore thoughtful expressions.
"Keqing, you're right. It seems This Director has caused you a lot of trouble recently. This Director apologizes."
Realizing her oversight, Hu Tao immediately admitted her mistake.
"Director Hu Tao, there's no need to blame yourself too much. The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's promotional methods aren't inherently flawed; it's just that very few people can accept them calmly," Keqing quickly offered in comfort.
"Sigh, I never thought promoting the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's business would be this difficult. Just when we were starting to see some progress, now we have to find another way," Hu Tao said, her face clouded with worry.
"And the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor doesn't have much spare cash right now. If I don't secure more business, my staff will be living on air next month."
Keqing was surprised to hear this.
"Is the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's situation really that dire?"
"It is. Consultant Zhongli somehow managed to acquire another Bronze Statue of Rex Lapis from somewhere, and now the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is completely broke."
Hu Tao sighed again. To be honest, she was a little puzzled by this whole affair. In the past, although Zhongli would occasionally purchase antiques, he always left enough operating funds for the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. This time, however, he had completely drained the parlor's accounts.
If that hadn't happened, Hu Tao wouldn't be so desperate to find new clients.
"You can get reimbursed for personal shopping at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?"
Seeing the gleam in Chen Feng's eyes, Hu Tao's heart skipped a beat. She quickly explained, "Consultant Zhongli only gets reimbursed because he's purchasing items for the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
"Oh, so that's how it is."
After hearing Hu Tao's explanation, the light in Chen Feng's eyes gradually faded, replaced by a look of disappointment.
Hu Tao secretly wiped away a bead of sweat. That was close. My Money Tree almost turned into a Money-Losing Tree!
It's all Zhongli's fault, she fumed internally. He almost corrupted Chen Feng! From now on, I have to keep Chen Feng far, far away from him!
Zhongli's love for antiques was no secret. Keqing pondered for a moment before speaking up.
"Director Hu Tao, have you considered selling some of the antiques? I can discuss it with Ningguang and see if she's interested in acquiring them."
"I hadn't considered it before. The antiques Consultant Zhongli brings back are all genuine, rare treasures. But this time, I'm afraid I'll really have to trouble you and Ningguang."
Hu Tao thought it over. If they didn't run any promotional campaigns, new clients would dwindle, and their current funds wouldn't be enough to cover next month's salaries. She felt she had no other choice.
"Director Hu Tao, you don't have to sell the antiques, right?"
Chen Feng looked at Hu Tao, speaking with a puzzled expression.
"Can't we just secure a few more clients to get the money?"
Keqing and Hu Tao: "?"
"Consultant Chen Feng, did you not understand Keqing's explanation earlier?" Hu Tao asked, confused.
"I understood perfectly! She said our current activities are causing quite a stir in Liyue Harbor!"
"Oh, Director Hu Tao, avoiding this problem is simple! We just need to stop looking for new clients in Liyue Harbor!"
"Huh?!"
Hu Tao's eyes lit up, a sudden realization dawning on her.
That's right! How could I have forgotten that?
"Director Hu Tao, don't forget what you told me before! The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's goal is to open branches in every corner of Teyvat! How can we limit ourselves to just Liyue Harbor?!"
"Consultant Chen Feng, you're absolutely right! This Director's vision was too narrow!"
"As expected of the person This Director chose! You're truly a pillar of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor!"
"With you here, how could the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor possibly fail to grow bigger and stronger?!"
Seeing the extremely excited Hu Tao, Keqing quickly cleared her throat.
"Ahem, you two... it would be best not to do this in Liyue's other cities, villages, or even on the main roads."
"Miss Keqing, don't worry! How much 'profit' could there be in those places? They're not even worth our time!"
"'Pro-profit'?!"
Keqing repeated the word, dumbfounded. She felt more and more that these two together were becoming completely lawless.
Though she desperately wanted to correct Chen Feng's choice of words, Keqing ultimately gave up. As long as these two didn't cause any major trouble, she should be grateful. She decided to pretend she hadn't heard that little detail.
"Anyway, as long as you don't promote your business in these places, it'll be fine."
Keqing thought about it again and realized that besides those locations, there weren't many other opportunities for business expansion anyway.
"Oh, and you can't go to The Chasm either."
Finally, Keqing added a few more locations where high-risk occupations were common. After receiving Chen Feng's solemn assurances, she felt relieved and prepared to take her leave.
"Miss Keqing."
Just as Keqing was about to depart, Chen Feng suddenly called out to her.
Keqing turned around, her eyes questioning.
"Miss Keqing, would you like to shake my hand this time?"
At his words, a faint, almost imperceptible blush crept onto Keqing's face before she quickly regained her composure.
"No, thank you."
Upon hearing her refusal, Chen Feng immediately followed up.
"Miss Keqing, have you been facing financial difficulties recently?"
"No, I haven't. Consultant Chen Feng, why would you ask such a thing?" Keqing replied, looking puzzled.
"If you're not facing financial difficulties, then why did you offer to shake my hand when we met before, but not now?"
"Could it be that the handshake back then had some special purpose?"
Faced with Chen Feng's suspicious gaze, Keqing felt a wave of embarrassment.
I was testing if you were a normal person last time—she couldn't possibly say that out loud. And she couldn't think of any other excuse on the spot.
In the end, Keqing decided she could use this opportunity to reconfirm her earlier judgment. She extended her hand.
It's just a handshake, she thought, expecting to feel nothing special. But she was wrong.
The moment Chen Feng's warm right hand enveloped hers, her heart began to pound, and her mind uncontrollably replayed the memory of their previous embrace.
"Here, take the money!"
Snapping back to reality, Keqing felt her face burning. She quickly lowered her head, shoved 100 Mora into Chen Feng's hand, and hurried away, her figure looking slightly disheveled.
"Miss Keqing, come visit often!"
Chen Feng stared at the 100 Mora in his hand, an unstoppable grin spreading across his face. He shouted after Keqing's retreating figure, which only made her footsteps quicken. Soon, she vanished from their sight.
Seeing Chen Feng's eyes still fixed on the direction Keqing had gone, Hu Tao felt a pang of jealousy. She generously wrapped her arms around him in a hug and pressed 1,000 Mora into his other hand.
"Consultant Chen Feng, who's better—Keqing or This Director?"
"Of course, Director Hu Tao is better!"
Chen Feng glanced at the 100 Mora in one hand, then at the 1,000 Mora in the other, and answered without hesitation.
Hearing this, Hu Tao nodded in satisfaction and eagerly asked, "Now that Keqing's gone, hurry up and tell This Director your idea!"
"Are we really expanding our business to other nations already? Isn't it too soon?" Hu Tao mused, then added, "But This Director heard something big happened in Sumeru. A lot of people died unnatural deaths. If we talk to them, we might be able to secure a contract to perform last rites for the deceased."
"Director Hu Tao, we don't need to promote our business in other nations. We can do it right here in Liyue."
"Don't forget, besides adventurers, there's another group of premium clients!"
"And no matter how we promote the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's services to them, no one will object. In fact, they'll cheer us on!"
The more Hu Tao listened, the brighter her eyes grew.
"Alright, Consultant Chen Feng, stop keeping me in suspense!" she exclaimed. "Hurry up and tell This Director where to find these new clients!"
"The Treasure Hoarders."
Upon hearing the name, Hu Tao and Chen Feng exchanged a knowing smile. Then, she immediately rushed back to pack her things.
-
Lumine struggled to open her eyes, once again finding herself staring blankly at an unfamiliar ceiling.
Her head was buzzing, and her body ached even more than before.
"Awake?"
"Hmph. As expected of No. 2. Even with your abilities sealed, your body is still remarkably tough."
Seeing Lumine regain consciousness, the doctor beside her decisively packed away the various medical instruments.
The treatment had been purely out of humanitarian concern—just enough to keep her from dying. Healing her completely might just help her escape.
Lumine wanted to explain that she wasn't No. 2, but after countless failed attempts, she gave up. No one ever believed her anyway.
It doesn't matter, she thought. Once I see Neuvillette, everything will be cleared up!
Soon, Lumine was escorted to a prison cell, where Paimon was already waiting.
"Traveler!"
Seeing Lumine, Paimon flew over excitedly.
"Traveler, I'm so glad to see you! They took you and Enjou away... They didn't do anything bad to you, did they?!"
Lumine simply shook her head.
Enjou hadn't been brought over yet. It seemed he was still receiving medical treatment.
The chain explosions earlier were brutal, Lumine thought. Even I was knocked unconscious by the shockwaves. Enjou's injuries must be at least Stage Two by now.
Among them, only Paimon was unharmed. The moment things went south, she'd burrowed into Lumine's arms, leaving the Traveler to bear the full brunt of the blast.
"That's a relief!" Paimon sighed, then turned to the Maison Gardiennage officer escorting Lumine. "We're innocent! Can you please let us out?"
"Cut the crap and stay put!" the officer snapped, shoving Lumine into the cell before slamming the iron door shut.
Paimon flew to the bars, gripping them with both hands and pleading with the officer again. "We really are innocent!"
"That's what every criminal says."
"Why won't you believe us?! The Traveler isn't No. 2! We met No. 2 in Sumeru before—he's a man! Can't you see the Traveler is a woman?! Besides, No. 2 doesn't have an adorable, brilliant little spirit like me following him around!"
Paimon said all this without the slightest hint of shame, and Lumine couldn't stop herself from rolling her eyes.
The Maison Gardiennage officer scoffed. "Do you take us for fools? With No. 2's power, a disguise like this would be child's play. But no matter what shell you wear, the unique ability to wield multiple Elemental Powers without a Vision belongs to you and you alone."
Another officer interjected, "Why bother explaining? The official trial is in two days. We'll find out then whether you're innocent or not."
At the mention of a trial, Paimon's eyes lit up. "A trial?! Monsieur Neuvillette will be there, right?! Just you wait! Monsieur Neuvillette will prove our innocence!" she declared, planting her hands on her hips with brimming confidence.
The officer merely sneered at her words. "Don't think we don't know what you're up to. With your intelligence network, you must have already learned that Monsieur Neuvillette has left Fontaine."
"So you're trying to stall for time, hoping someone who isn't even here can testify for you?"
"In your dreams! The righteous Judgment won't give you the slightest opening to exploit!"
With that, the Maison Gardiennage officer turned and left without another word.
Lumine and Paimon stared blankly at their retreating figures. The realization that Neuvillette was currently away from Fontaine suddenly filled them with panic...