"Two more clients in just a few minutes! Consultant Chen Feng, with you by my side, what grand undertaking can't this Director accomplish? What troubles can Wangsheng Funeral Parlor possibly face in its pursuit of prosperity and growth?!"
After leaving the Adventurer's Guild, Hu Tao clapped Chen Feng on the shoulder, speaking with an air of seasoned authority.
"Where are we going now?"
"A teahouse."
"Alright, Consultant Chen Feng! Let's go!"
Knowing Chen Feng was still unfamiliar with Liyue due to his memory loss, Hu Tao eagerly took the lead.
They quickly arrived at the first teahouse. Under Hu Tao's bright, expectant gaze, Chen Feng returned her a reassuring nod before scanning the lively patrons inside with eyes as sharp as a scanner.
"The group in yellow clothes at the right corner table on the first floor, the man with the green hat on the second floor, and the person asleep at the left table on the second floor—they're all targets."
Hearing this, Hu Tao's eyes flashed with an almost blinding intensity, and her lips curled into an irrepressible grin.
"So many high-quality clients in such a small teahouse! We're rich, we're rich! This Director is going to be rich!"
"Consultant Chen Feng, you truly have a keen business mind! Once we return to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor tonight, this Director will personally reward you handsomely!"
After delivering those words, Hu Tao immediately darted toward the trio, first approaching the man sipping tea on the ground floor.
"Hmm? Director Hu Tao?"
"Strange, what's Director Hu Tao doing here?"
"Oh dear, look at what she's carrying! It's clearly another promotion for Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's services!"
As Hu Tao's arrival caught their attention, the conversation shifted to discussing her.
"This is a bit much, isn't it? Handing out flyers on the streets was already annoying enough—now she's invading the teahouse too?"
One man's face twisted with displeasure, and he even considered asking the owner to kick Hu Tao out.
He'd come to the teahouse to relax, and Hu Tao's blatant promotion of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's services felt incredibly inauspicious.
Expecting agreement, he was surprised to hear a dissenting voice.
"Are you out of your mind?! How dare you speak to Director Hu Tao like that?!"
"Haven't you heard the latest news about Director Hu Tao? Several people she's been targeting have died in the past few days!"
Upon hearing this, the man's mind went blank.
"Are you serious? That's... eerie!"
"Of course it's true! The news has spread like wildfire. Everyone's talking about it."
"It must be a coincidence. Director Hu Tao has never been this extreme before!"
"I heard the problem might stem from the new Consultant at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor... It's probably him."
He pointed to Chen Feng, who was leisurely trailing behind Hu Tao.
The man scrutinized Chen Feng's appearance, finding nothing particularly remarkable about him.
Meanwhile, Hu Tao had already approached the man on the first floor.
"Sir, would you like to learn more about Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's services?"
"We're having a grand opening sale with unprecedented discounts! Would you like to get a tombstone, sir?!"
"Director Hu Tao, hasn't Wangsheng Funeral Parlor been running this 'grand opening' promotion for years?"
This blunt truth made Hu Tao's composure crumble. She inevitably transitioned to her next routine.
"Ahem, ahem, Mr., please take this flyer. Bring it to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor in a week and you can redeem it for 1,000 Mora. Be sure not to lose it!"
"Mr., you can take your time to look it over these next few days. Choose a tombstone that suits you as soon as possible so you can rest easy!"
"What?! 1,000 Mora? The rumors were true after all?!"
Hu Tao's words immediately caused a stir among the teahouse patrons.
While 1,000 Mora wasn't a huge sum, it was still highly tempting for many of them.
"Director Hu Tao, look at me! I want one too!"
"Director Hu Tao, it must be exhausting handing out flyers all by yourself. Let me help you!"
Before long, many patrons abandoned their tea and swarmed around her.
"No, no, This Director only gives flyers to those who are destined to receive them!"
Hu Tao straightened her face, divided the crowd into two groups, and slipped out of the encirclement.
"What does 'destined to receive them' even mean?" someone asked, utterly bewildered by Hu Tao's words.
"Could the rumors from the past few days actually be true? Has Director Hu Tao mastered the art of precise client targeting?"
"Sigh, how could you believe such absurd rumors? Have you already lost your marbles?"
"This rumor is actually true! I've heard about it too."
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible! It must be a coincidence!"
As the crowd gathered to discuss, Hu Tao ascended to the second floor.
"Uncle, I sense a karmic connection between us. Allow me to..."
"No need to say more, Director Hu Tao! I understand!"
Before Hu Tao could finish her opening line, the middle-aged man with the green hat snatched the flyer from her hand, his face lighting up as he tucked it securely into his pocket.
Seeing this, Hu Tao nodded in satisfaction.
"Excellent, excellent! This is exactly the attitude we need!"
"Earlier, I tried to give a flyer to someone, but he ran away immediately! Luckily, I'm quick on my feet, or I would have missed out on this sale!"
"Hahaha! Turning down a deal that's practically handed to you? That guy must be an idiot! Hahaha..."
The green-hatted uncle roared with laughter at Hu Tao's words.
"Alright, this Director is off to find the next karmically aligned soul."
Hu Tao waved goodbye to the green-hatted uncle and was about to seek out her final prime client when she noticed Chen Feng had already woken the man and successfully persuaded him to eagerly accept a flyer.
Seeing Hu Tao's gaze, Chen Feng immediately nodded in acknowledgment, and Hu Tao smiled and nodded back.
"Let's go, Consultant Chen Feng! On to the next location!"
The pair quickly left the teahouse, but their departure did little to quiet the clamor. If anything, the chatter grew even louder.
Most of the patrons had only heard rumors, and the Adventurer's Guild's latest announcement hadn't yet reached this area. As a result, few took the recent whispers seriously, instead marveling at the three lucky recipients of the flyers who had inexplicably pocketed a thousand Mora each.
The three recipients, meanwhile, wore smug expressions, basking in the newfound respect they felt within the teahouse.
"Ah, I get it now! It all makes sense!"
The man who had previously voiced his discontent to Hu Tao suddenly had an epiphany, nodding repeatedly.
"What do you think you understand now?" his companion asked, confused by his sudden outburst.
"It's obvious! This is Director Hu Tao's latest marketing scheme!"
"Think about it," one man said. "Director Hu Tao only spent 3,000 Mora and achieved a promotional effect that would have cost 30,000 Mora in the past. We're still discussing the incident even now, and we're not as resistant to the idea as we used to be!"
"The news has spread like wildfire these past few days. This promotional method is incredibly effective—brilliant, absolutely brilliant!"
"This strategy likely wasn't Hu Tao's idea. It must be the young Consultant's doing. Director Hu Tao has truly found a talented individual!"
Hearing this analysis, many faces lit up with sudden understanding.
"So that's it! No wonder Director Hu Tao kept mentioning 'fated individuals.' Ah, they just got lucky!"
The crowd's gazes toward the trio grew even more envious and resentful, while the trio themselves grew increasingly smug.
Meanwhile, Hu Tao continued taking Chen Feng to several more teahouses.
Zhongli, who was sipping tea in one of the teahouses, spotted that familiar fiery red figure on the street again, causing his hand to pause momentarily.
Then he saw Hu Tao dragging Chen Feng along, and a faint sense of unease stirred within him.
Finally, under Zhongli's watchful gaze, Hu Tao and Chen Feng entered the teahouse. Zhongli's heart skipped a beat.
Oh no... my peaceful days are over!
Soon, the pair's figures appeared in the teahouse's main hall. After exchanging a few words, Chen Feng's eyes began to scan the room.
Zhongli briefly considered hiding, but quickly decided it would look too suspicious. He feigned composure and continued sipping his tea.
"Consultant Chen Feng, this place is packed! Whether we can open five more cases depends on you!" Hu Tao urged.
"Director Hu Tao, don't rush me. Let me take a look," Chen Feng replied, his eyes sweeping across the room. Suddenly, his eyes narrowed, and he pointed to Zhongli, who was sitting by a window on the second floor.
"Consultant Zhongli!"
"What? Why Zhongli?" Hu Tao froze, completely stunned. She never imagined that this time, the target for opening a case would be none other than their own Consultant, Zhongli, from the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
After a moment's hesitation, Hu Tao swiftly approached Zhongli. Her expression was a complex mix of emotions as she meticulously examined him from head to toe, sighing softly as she did so.
Hu Tao's intense gaze made Zhongli's skin crawl. He slowly set down his teacup and asked, "Director Hu Tao, why such a solemn expression?"
"Consultant Zhongli, we've known each other for a while. Though I'd always anticipated our eventual parting, I never imagined it would come so soon."
"Rest assured, as a Consultant of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, your funeral will be a grand affair!"
"Go in peace!"
Zhongli: "???"
Huff... huff...
At that moment, Chen Feng finally arrived, panting heavily with his hands braced on his knees.
"Director Hu Tao, you ran too fast!"
"What's the situation with Consultant Zhongli?"
"Consultant Chen Feng, this Director will personally oversee Consultant Zhongli's final arrangements."
A wave of sorrow surged through Hu Tao's heart, but she forcefully suppressed it, determined to ensure Zhongli's peace even in death.
"How much time does he have left?"
"Ah, is Consultant Zhongli dying?" Chen Feng asked, puzzled.
Hearing this, Hu Tao stared at him with even greater bewilderment. "You're asking me?"
"I didn't say anything!"
"Didn't you just point at Consultant Zhongli?"
"Oh, I was just wondering... isn't it work hours? Why is Consultant Zhongli drinking tea at the teahouse?"
"Director Hu Tao, you ran off too quickly! I was about to ask you myself, but you vanished before I could."
"Ah... um..."
A wave of embarrassment washed over Hu Tao's face. Had she just made a fool of herself?!
"Director Hu Tao, this isn't fair! We're both Consultants at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, but I've been working since dawn!" Chen Feng said, his voice tinged with frustration.
"Wait, is today actually a rest day? Does that mean I'm working overtime?!"
"The Consultant Contract we signed didn't include any voluntary overtime clause, Director Hu Tao! You can't skimp on my overtime pay!"
"According to Liyue Law, overtime pay should be double the regular rate. When we get back to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Director Hu Tao, you'll need to give me Consultant Zhongli's work schedule so I can calculate my overtime pay accurately."
Hearing Chen Feng's words, Hu Tao's body shuddered violently.
If overtime pay were calculated based on Zhongli's actual working hours, forget expanding Wangsheng Funeral Parlor—it might not even survive!
No, she had to save Wangsheng Funeral Parlor!
Hu Tao promptly split the flyers she was holding, stuffing half into Zhongli's arms before patting Chen Feng's shoulder and declaring, "Hey, Consultant Chen Feng, as Director of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, I'd never make you work overtime! Do I look like that kind of person?"
"Today is definitely work hours. Consultant Zhongli is skipping work, and I'll dock his pay when we get back. From now on, he's sticking with us!"
"So that's the case! I never imagined Consultant Zhongli was like this!"
Zhongli glanced at the stack of flyers in his hand and fell silent.
I heard Yelan has flexible work hours... maybe I should just go work with her instead.
"Consultant Zhongli, hurry up and catch up! If you do well today, this Director won't dock your pay!"
Seeing Hu Tao winking at him, Zhongli sighed softly and finally resigned himself to fate. He drained his teacup, had the bill sent to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, grabbed a stack of flyers, and trailed after the pair, watching them wreak havoc in the teahouse.
Zhongli couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for those who thought they were getting a great deal. After today, he suspected the teahouse would likely ban Wangsheng Funeral Parlor staff from ever setting foot inside again.
"Consultant Zhongli, hurry over! This client is all yours. You need to get involved!"
Zhongli snapped out of his thoughts and saw Hu Tao pointing to someone watching the commotion nearby. He couldn't help but feel a little exasperated.
I'm the Lord of Geo, not King Yama! Is this even appropriate?
Despite his extreme reluctance, Hu Tao practically shoved him into closing the deal. Watching the man's overjoyed reaction to receiving the flyer, Zhongli felt a strange numbness creeping over him.
Before long, Hu Tao, having secured another six deals, was grinning so wide her mouth nearly stretched to her ears!
Finally stepping out of the teahouse, Zhongli let out a sigh of relief. He had almost considered making a run for it earlier.
But doing so would have all but revealed his true identity.
Of course, he knew he couldn't keep up the charade for much longer. Chen Feng's sudden appearance was particularly intriguing. As Rex Lapis, he had never heard of such a person before.
As Zhongli watched the two figures walking side-by-side ahead, their camaraderie almost sickeningly sweet, his gaze gradually deepened.
"By the way, Consultant Chen Feng, you haven't even familiarized yourself with Liyue's layout yet, so how are you so well-versed in its laws?"
On the way to their next destination, Hu Tao couldn't resist asking.
"Of course, you need to be familiar with Liyue's laws!"
Chen Feng raised a finger mysteriously and said, "The key to making money lies within!"
Hu Tao and Zhongli exchanged bewildered glances.
So that's what you're after!
Hu Tao clapped Chen Feng heavily on the shoulder. "Consultant Chen Feng," she said, "this Director has a friend who would be thrilled to meet someone as 'criminal' as you. I'll introduce you next time."