The next day.
Many citizens of Liyue Harbor saw Keqing leading a unit of the Qianyan Army out of the city, looking fierce as they went, as if they were carrying out some urgent mission.
Some of the people who had been waiting at the Divination Pavilion to watch the show were disappointed to learn of Keqing's departure and dispersed. Still, no one came to have their fortune told.
Yun Yan didn't mind, just sat at the tea table and slowly brewed a pot of Spirit Tea, as if waiting for someone.
"Yueyue." Yun Yan called out to the upstairs.
"Thump, thump, thump."
A small head peeked out from the stairs.
"Master, is there something you need?"
"Bring out four of the teacups I bought yesterday."
"Yes, Shizun."
At this moment, a figure slowly approached from the corner of the street.
The person walked directly towards the Divination Pavilion and then entered.
"We meet again, Mr. Zhongli, and Miss Hu, it's a pleasure to meet you," Yunyan said with a smile, looking up at the newcomer.
The newcomer was none other than Zhongli.
Suddenly, a head popped out from behind Zhongli. This person had red-brown gradient twin tails, wearing a Qiankun Tai Gua Hat with a black bow at the back. The material of the hat was quite stiff, and the front was decorated with the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's emblem.
Her eyes were Plum Blossom Eyes, and her slender fingers were painted with black nail polish; she wore a Chinese-style top with patterns and a long back, a black robe reaching her waist, with patterns of Spider Lilies and lilies on the back; she wore shorts, short socks, and black shoes, with red knots tied on the white socks, and a Crimson Vision hung on her back.
"Hey, Guest, you were right! She actually knew we were coming."
A lively voice rang out.
"It should be so, Hall Master," Zhongli said, his voice laced with resignation.
"Hello, I'm Hu Tao, the seventy-seventh Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Hu Tao, Hu from Hu, Tao from Tao!" Hu Tao giggled.
"Hello, Director Hu. You can call me Yunyan. This is my disciple, Xueyue." Yunyan smiled, "Please, both of you, have a seat."
"Y-you… hello, I'm Xueyue." Xueyue still seemed a bit shy.
Yunyan shook her head and picked up the teapot, pouring tea directly. She said, "Don't mind her, she's a bit shy."
Hu Tao, however, saw Xueyue's eyes light up, and, acting as if they were already close, she pulled Xueyue to the side to chat.
"Miss Yunyan, the堂主 is a bit lively, please excuse her," Zhongli said with a hint of helplessness.
"Ah, I understand," Yunyan said, glancing at Hu Tao and Xueyue, indicating her understanding.
Yunyan and Zhongli exchanged glances, both seeing the other's helplessness.
"I heard that Mr. Zhongli enjoys tea. Would you like to try mine?" Yunyan gestured invitingly.
"Certainly," Zhongli nodded and picked up a teacup, taking a sip.
"Hmm…" A hint of surprise flashed in Zhongli's eyes.
"This tea… it's fragrant upon entry, with spiritual energy lingering, and even has a nourishing effect on the spirit," Zhongli praised.
"You're too kind. This is Spirit Tea, one of the teas I've carefully cultivated," Yunyan said, without changing her expression, passing off the system's gift as her own.
"Good tea."
"If Mr. Zhongli likes it, I can give you some to take back with you?" Yunyan said with a smile.
"That would be excellent, then I shall accept." Zhongli nodded; it seemed he really liked the tea.
After that, Yunyan and Zhongli began to chat while enjoying the tea, talking about Liyue's history and strange stories from ancient to modern times…
In the blink of an eye, the morning had passed.
"Then again, Mr. Zhongli, did you come here with a request?" Yunyan asked.
Zhongli glanced at Hu Tao and said, "This trip wasn't my intention; the Director seems to have something to discuss with you."
"Director." Zhongli called out to Hu Tao, who was whispering to Xueyue over there.
"Coming!" Hu Tao answered, and after saying a few words to Xueyue, she walked over.
"So, Hu Tao, do you have something important to discuss?" Yunyan looked at Hu Tao.
"It's like this. This Hall Master heard that your Divination Pavilion can foresee everything, so I want to talk to you about a big deal, oh no, it should be a partnership," Hu Tao said seriously.
"You might as well tell me," Yunyan looked at her with interest.
"I don't need to say much about our Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's business. As long as you help us figure out where our clients are, we'll be responsible for negotiating the business. If it works out, we'll split the profits fifty-fifty, how about that?" Hu Tao suddenly looked at Yunyan with a smile.
"Uh?" Yunyan was a little speechless. This was indeed a trick that Hu Tao could come up with. Was she crazy?
"How about it? Consider it?" Hu Tao looked at Yunyan with a grin.
This kind of fortune-telling is not really revealing the secrets of heaven; it's just like pointing the way for people, and there's nothing wrong with it.
Yun Yan pondered for a moment, then said, "Every divination has a cost. This is the Way of Gains and Losses. If you can accept that, then we can cooperate."
"I understand, I understand. Balance, right? Then it's settled. Haha, I hope we have a pleasant cooperation." Hu Tao was delighted that she agreed.
"Oh, right. You're surnamed Yun, and Mr. Yun is also surnamed Yun. Are you two related?" Hu Tao suddenly asked curiously.
"Hu Tao, we just share the same surname; we're not related," Yun Yan said with a wry smile, knowing who she was referring to.
"Oh, I see. Right, you can just call me Hu Tao from now on. No need to keep calling me Hu Tao."
"Guest, we should go," Hu Tao said, looking at Zhongli.
However, Zhongli took a sip of tea and remained calmly seated there, slowly saying, "You should go back first, Hu Tao. I still have some things to discuss with Miss Yun Yan."
"Alright then, suit yourself. Bye-bye, Yun, uh... boss?" Hu Tao didn't say anything, waved her hand, and left.
Looking at the direction Hu Tao had gone, Zhongli spoke slowly, "Is it alright for Miss Yunyan to do this?"
Yunyan knew he was referring to the fortune-telling. She said directly, "What is already done cannot be changed, but I can clarify her direction and give her peace of mind, so it's fine. Also, Mr. Zhongli, you don't need to call me Miss Yunyan, just use my name."
"That's good." Zhongli nodded slowly.
Then he shook his head, "It's not very good to call you by name directly. I'll call you Boss Yun then."
After taking another sip of tea, Zhongli stood up and said, "The tea is good."
"These teas are a gift for Mr. Zhongli." Yunyan also stood up and handed him a packet of tea leaves.
Zhongli wasn't polite and took it, saying, "Thank you, no need to see me out."
After saying that, he turned and left.
Having put away the tea set, Yunyan glanced at the sky outside and said, "It should be about time."
Xueyue walked over, a little curious, and asked, "Master, what's about time?"
"Nothing much, just that we'll have guests again soon. But, you and Director Hu seemed to be getting along quite well just now." Yunyan smiled.
"Hmm…" Xueyue's face was a little flushed.
After a while, a noisy sound came from outside.
....
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(End of Chapter)