The world is so beautiful, yet I'm so irritable. This isn't good, this isn't good.
The daily life at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor that Cid, the old uncle, has begun feels quite different from his previous time at the parlor.
As for the main reason...
Last time, the old uncle came strolling alone, but this time, the old uncle brought along a little child, Eula.
"Old uncle, I'm taking Eula out to play!"
Hmm, the old uncle doesn't understand at all. Clearly, he arrived first, but...
But why, little Eula, have you progressed so quickly in your relationship with little Hu Tao?
You only just met yesterday—how come today you've already stolen the spot as my and Hu Tao's playmate?
"Fine, go ahead. Eula, keep an eye on Hu Tao. Don't let her climb onto the rooftops again. Be safe."
"Okay, old uncle." After little Eula agreed, she was immediately pulled away by little Hu Tao.
"It's wonderful. Hu Tao has finally made a friend." The old parlor director Hu, standing beside the old uncle, looked very relieved.
The old uncle, sitting bored on a chair by the tea table, tried to strike up a conversation. "Are you sure about that? The age gap between these two is way too big. One is a young girl, and the other is still a little milk dumpling."
"Aren't they just good sisters? The age difference is only that much. When they grow older, it won't seem so big anymore.
And the situations these two children face in their respective cities are quite similar. When I was young, I didn't have such good friends."
The old parlor director Hu wasn't wrong about that. Hu Tao is seen as bad luck in Liyue Harbor, while Eula is regarded as a sinner in Mondstadt.
Hu Tao can still accept it with a giggling smile, but little Eula seems more confused.
But to be honest, what does such a young child like Hu Tao even understand?
What if deep down she's actually very sad and just forcing a smile?
What if the scars in both children's hearts get triggered at the same time—what then?
"Old man, I'm worried. With the Rite of Descension happening soon in Liyue Harbor and so many out-of-town visitors, it's too easy for something to go wrong. I need to go keep an eye on them."
With that, Cid the old uncle strolled out.
The old parlor director Hu didn't stop him and just watched as Cid walked out the door.
"Young people are so impatient. The Rite of Descension is coming soon, and Rex lapis is watching over Liyue Harbor right now. What thief would dare be so brazen? Don't you think so, Consultant Zhongli?"
"What Director Hu says is true, but Rex Lapis is probably quite busy as well. We should still remain vigilant." At that moment, the elderly Zhongli was drawing a family portrait belonging to little Hu Tao.
"Do everything within human power and leave the rest to heaven's will. That child left behind so many things—this journey ahead is probably going to be difficult. I hope Rex Lapis won't blame me for choosing this timing."
"Director Hu's paternal love is profound, and the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor has made contributions to Liyue's border between life and death for generations. Rex Lapis will not sit idly by." As Zhongli said this, he was drawing Cid in the portrait.
"What you say is true, but we can't trouble Rex Lapis with everything." The old parlor director Hu began wiping his Homa staff.
...
The wind will tell me where the path lies.
Hmm? There's actually a thief following little Hu Tao and the others!
The old uncle directly snuck up behind the "thief" and then realized they looked a bit familiar.
"Director Hu?"
Shh~
Director Hu quickly waved his hand to signal for quiet.
"It's you, Cid." After seeing it was Cid, Director Hu hurriedly beckoned, "Quick, come look at them!"
Cid the old uncle followed Director Hu's palm and looked toward little Hu Tao's position.
He saw that little Hu Tao was currently standing with her hands on her hips, laughing very arrogantly, while little Eula beside her was imitating the pose with her hands on her hips. Unfortunately, she couldn't replicate Hu Tao's arrogant smile, so her hip-posing looked a bit stiff.
"What happened here?"
"Just now, some brats were bullying Hu Tao, and your child sorted them out with her fists and feet. When the little ones got beaten, the big ones came too—and she sorted them all out together."
Ah, that's right—I almost forgot. Even without a Vision, this old uncle couldn't beat little Eula.
Safety issues aren't something this old uncle needs to worry about.
Watching the two children playing together, the old uncle and Director Hu smiled.
"Speaking of which, I know a merchant who sells Morax-themed merchandise. Why don't you come with me to check it out?"
"Merchandise of Rex Lapis —locally made?"
"Yeah, peripherals produced by Liyue people themselves."
"Then let's go. I'll take a look and buy some as a gift for Hu Tao."
Today Rex Lapis is also working hard watching over the children.
Not a single child in all of Liyue Harbor went missing.