After Albedo and Klee left with Xiangling, Feng Yi and Zhongli also headed towards Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. They hadn't seen each other in days; they wondered if that little rascal Hu Tao had matured at all.
At the entrance of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Hu Tao, who Feng Yi had been thinking about, was sitting on the steps, her Huohuo Polearm beside her. She rested her chin on her hand, gazing into space, bored.
"When will Feng Yi come back?"
Hu Tao kicked a small stone at her feet. She had been incredibly bored during Feng Yi's absence.
Suddenly, she spotted two familiar figures in the distance, looking like Feng Yi and Zhongli.
Hu Tao's spirits immediately lifted, and she hurried to her feet, rushing to meet them.
"Feng Yi, it's really you! I missed you so much!"
With the speed of a hundred-meter dash, Hu Tao launched herself into Feng Yi's arms.
Caught off guard, Feng Yi nearly threw up his dinner from the night before from the impact.
"Cough, cough, I missed you too. Get off me first, let me catch my breath..."
Hu Tao was too enthusiastic. She clung to Feng Yi like an octopus, leaving him feeling helpless.
"No, I won't!"
Hu Tao shook her head. Now that she had finally caught Feng Yi, why would she let go so easily?
What if he ran away after she let go?
"Feng Yi, let's postpone our tea tasting. I'll take my leave for today..."
Zhongli seized the opportunity while Hu Tao's attention was entirely focused on Feng Yi, leaving her no time to settle accounts with him for their tea expenses at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. He quickly tried to slip away.
"Wait, Zhongli! I think I had something to tell you. Huh... what was it again? I suddenly can't remember..."
Hu Tao called out to Zhongli as he turned to leave.
She remembered she had something to tell him, but upon seeing Feng Yi, she became too excited and forgot. She couldn't recall it for a moment.
"Oh, right! Guest Elder Zhongli, what's this about the bill from the Rockside Teahouse? Why is there a sudden debt of 100,000 Mora?!"
Hu Tao thought hard and suddenly recalled the teahouse owner arriving with the bill to collect the debt that day. Zhongli had conveniently disappeared that very day. She had searched Liyue from top to bottom but couldn't find him anywhere.
She never imagined Zhongli would actually leave the country to dodge debts?!
Hu Tao got off Feng Yi, looking sternly at Zhongli. She even used the term "Guest Elder" in her address.
"Ahem, this was entirely an accident. From a rational perspective, deducting this debt from my next month's offerings would be the same..."
Called out by Hu Tao, Zhongli felt a pang of embarrassment. However, the incident at the Rockside Teahouse was indeed an accident. He vowed never to make such a mistake again.
"Alright, just this once!"
Hu Tao was in a good mood with Feng Yi's return today, so she wouldn't hold Zhongli accountable for his spending spree elsewhere.
"Feng Yi, come on, let's go explore the marketplace! During your absence, so many new and interesting gadgets have been introduced. Today, this Hall Master will take you on a grand tour to broaden your horizons!"
Hu Tao grabbed Feng Yi's arm and headed towards the bustling market.
"Feng Yi, Feng Yi, candied hawthorn! I want to try it..."
"Feng Yi, Feng Yi, this looks good too! Do you want to try some?"
"..."
With her spirits lifted, Hu Tao's appetite also improved significantly. She wanted to try every snack she saw. As for finishing them...
Wasn't Feng Yi there?
With Feng Yi around, it was no problem at all!
Only when she was with Feng Yi could Hu Tao truly relax and be a carefree child.
And only Feng Yi would unconditionally indulge her little whims.
By the end of the afternoon, Hu Tao patted her contented little belly. She had eaten her fill.
She hadn't been this happy since her grandfather passed away.
"Feng Yi, are you full?"
On their way back, Hu Tao, walking beside Feng Yi, suddenly asked.
"I'm about three-tenths full."
Feng Yi nodded. He had eaten some of the snacks Hu Tao had left behind, which had served as a mild appetizer.
"Three-tenths full? Hmm... then let's check out Wanmin Restaurant. Let's see what Xiangling has cooked up tonight."
Hu Tao had been slightly surprised that Feng Yi, who had eaten much more than her, wasn't full yet.
Then she suddenly remembered that when Feng Yi had taken her out for breakfast before, he would always order over ten baskets of baozi. Compared to those baozi, these snacks were indeed insignificant.
Speaking of baozi, Hu Tao thought of the owner of that morning tea shop. Whenever Hu Tao passed by, the owner would subtly inquire about Feng Yi's whereabouts and when he would return.
As a businesswoman, Hu Tao could understand the owner's feelings. After all, Feng Yi was a very important major client.
Major clients were rare and precious!
She had been working for so long and hadn't encountered a single major client willing to patronize her business.
Alas... life is tough, and earning money is not easy!
"Great, great! Maybe we can even introduce you to some new friends."
Feng Yi readily agreed. He hadn't had Wanmin Restaurant's signature dishes in a long time.
Moreover, if they were lucky, they might even encounter Albedo and Klee, whom Xiangling had invited. They could then introduce them to Hu Tao.
With their destination in mind, Feng Yi and Hu Tao headed straight for Wanmin Restaurant.
A few minutes later.
"Xiangling, we're here!"
Still a good distance away, Hu Tao waved and called out to Xiangling, who was busy cooking.
"Hu Tao, Feng Yi, you've arrived! Welcome, welcome. Just tell me what you'd like to eat..."
Xiangling greeted Feng Yi and Hu Tao warmly while she continued to cook.
"The usual. Bring us one of everything on Wanmin Restaurant's menu."
Feng Yi smiled slightly. Only children pick and choose; he wanted it all.
"Albedo, Klee, I see you two are here too."
After ordering, Feng Yi then greeted the two at the next table.
"Mr. Feng Yi, if you don't mind, please join us."
Albedo stood up and invited Feng Yi to share their table.
"Then I won't be polite."
Feng Yi readily accepted and brought Hu Tao over to sit with them.
"Brother Feng Yi, where is Yuanbao? Did he not come with you?"
Klee looked behind Feng Yi, not seeing Yuanbao, and asked curiously.
"Yuanbao went out and will probably return tomorrow. If you want to play with Yuanbao, Klee, you can check near the Jade Chamber..."
Feng Yi gently patted Klee's head and replied with a smile.
Shortly after disembarking, Yuanbao had been taken in by Granny Tai. It was highly unlikely he would return tonight.
"Hu Tao, let me introduce you. This is Albedo, the Chief Alchemist of the Knights of Favonius in Mondstadt. And this is Klee, the Spark Knight of the Knights of Favonius..."
Feng Yi then proceeded to introduce everyone to each other.
"Hehe, Klee, is there anything you want to eat? Tell this Hall Master, and this Hall Master will treat. As for the bill, we'll just put it on Guoba's head!"