Indeed, as the 77th director of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Hu Tao was still a young girl. She did not concern herself with things like erosion. Only immortals and gods had to worry about that. What Hu Tao cared about was how to make Wangsheng Funeral Parlor bigger and stronger, how to achieve new glories, and how to turn every single person in Wangshu Inn into her customer.
Others came to the inn mainly to listen to the storytelling, with tea as a secondary pleasure. But Director Hu Tao's main purpose was to develop new clients. Listening to the stories was secondary. In fact, while others listened, she had been noting down the characteristics of every person in the inn. According to Liyue's customs and Wangsheng's rules, she had already designed a future funeral for each of them. The moment anything happened to anyone, the funeral parlor would be on the scene to arrange the burial.
But to her disappointment, after two days of promoting at the inn, she had not found a single new client. Did people no longer care about funerals? It seemed that relying on her own efforts was not enough. She would definitely have to drag Zhongli along to help her promote.
Looking at the frozen images above the inn, an idea struck her.
"I wonder how Inazuma's funeral customs differ from Liyue's. If we expanded Wangsheng Funeral Parlor to Inazuma, would we gain a large number of new clients?"
At this thought, she glanced at the Raiden Shogun in the corner, already envisioning her as a future customer.
Qiqi said slowly, "Hu Tao is bad. Always thinking about burying people."
Keqing said seriously, "I've heard their funeral customs are indeed very different from Liyue's. But with Wangsheng's current strength, it might be worth a try."
However, in Inazuma, funerals were often tied to shrines. If Wangsheng expanded there, it would clash directly with Inazuma's shrines. It would be difficult to gain an advantage.
Hu Tao was fearless. She thought for a moment. "Zhongli knows everything, and he seems quite familiar with Inazuma's Shogun. If he helped expand into Inazuma, we might have unexpected success."
Without hesitation, she rose from her chair and went to find Zhongli.
"Zhongli, come here for a moment."
Zhongli looked at her with his usual indifferent expression. "Director, what is it?"
Hu Tao repeated, "Just come here. I have something important for you."
Zhongli: "…"
Though reluctant, he followed her outside the inn.
"What is it?" he asked.
Hu Tao lowered her voice conspiratorially. "The person sitting across from you—is she the Shogun of Inazuma?"
Zhongli said flatly, "Yes."
Hu Tao's heart leaped with joy. "I saw you talking with her. Are you two quite familiar?"
Zhongli said flatly, "So-so."
Indeed, they had not seen each other for centuries and rarely spoke. They were not particularly close.
Hu Tao was delighted. She knew they were acquainted. She said seriously, "I'm giving you an important mission. Find a way to win over the Shogun and expand Wangsheng Funeral Parlor into a new market."
Zhongli's expression finally shifted. "Expand into a new market?"
Hu Tao patted him on the shoulder earnestly. "Zhongli, I believe in you. I know you can do it. Go ahead. I've got your back."
With that, she turned and walked back inside, leaving Zhongli standing there dumbfounded.
When Zhongli returned to his seat, Barbatos asked curiously, "Old man, that little girl is the director of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor? Your boss?"
He had heard rumors about Zhongli's situation.
Zhongli said flatly, "Yes."
Barbatos pressed, "You two looked very secretive. What were you discussing?"
As the Anemo Archon, Barbatos could eavesdrop from great distances. But Zhongli, also one of the Seven, had ways to counter that. Still, it was a small matter. There was no need to hide it.
Zhongli said slowly, "Director Hu wants to do business with the Raiden Shogun. Business in Inazuma. She asked me to help. Ei, do me a favor."
He turned his gaze to the Raiden sisters. But his expression remained indifferent, with no hint of pleading.
Ei was taken aback, then could not help but laugh. So the great Morax took orders from a mortal girl?
"Do business with me? Do business in Inazuma? That's not impossible. Tell me about this business. If it's sweets, I'd be very welcoming."
Out of respect for a fellow archon, Ei did not refuse outright.
But then Zhongli spoke again. "It's not sweets. It's funeral services. For the Raiden Shogun, Director Hu will probably give you a thirty percent discount."
Ei's smile froze. So that was what he meant.
"You—Zhongli—you—"
"Don't even think about it—"
"Don't even think about setting foot in Inazuma—"
She was furious. Her hand went to her chest, as if about to draw her blade.
Zhongli said calmly, "I see. I'll convey your answer to Director Hu."
With that, he picked up his birdcage and began playing with his thrush, as if nothing had happened.
Ei: "…"
Faced with Zhongli, she felt utterly helpless. She truly did not know what this most ancient of archons was thinking.
...
Meanwhile, Hu Tao had returned to her seat. But no sooner had she sat down than she noticed something very interesting.
Shenhe, the main character of the fifth life, had not said a single word after hearing the story of the sixth life. Had she not been moved?
When Hu Tao approached her, she saw that Shenhe's gaze was fixed on the stage, looking at the storyteller with eyes full of tender affection.
Hu Tao: "???"
What was this? Had this disciple of the adepti, untouched by the mortal world, fallen for this strange storyteller?
"Shenhe—that life is over. What are you still staring at?"