Returning to Liyue Port, Qin Yu could barely move from exhaustion. In contrast, Hu Tao seemed full of energy, which explained her boisterous behavior - she clearly had the stamina to back it up.
"Grandpa, I'm back," the boy said.
Grandpa Wang snorted. "Don't run off again! It's dangerous out there!"
"Okay... Thank you, two sisters."
With that, he took the boy's hand and started to leave. Seeing the quest complete, Qin Yu naturally paid no further attention and prepared to depart as well.
However, Hu Tao appeared thoughtful. "Hey, wait a minute."
"Hm? What is it?" Qin Yu asked.
Don't tell me she's about to spout more nonsense. Spare me. Qin Yu felt a headache coming on.
"It's not you. I'm talking about that old man over there."
Grandpa Wang stopped, puzzled. "What about me?"
Hu Tao planted her hands on her hips. "Ah? She went through all that trouble to bring your grandson back, and you don't even have a proper thank you?"
Is she speaking up for me? Qin Yu was somewhat surprised, but more than anything, she felt it was troublesome.
If people like this could be swayed by such words, then pigs would fly, fish would burrow into the earth, everyone would understand each other perfectly, world peace would reign, we'd enter a new era, aliens would comprehend us, and the universe would enter a golden age.
Rather than arguing with such people, it's better to pretend they don't exist and ignore them.
Of course, if you really provoke her, she won't let it go easily.
Hu Tao speaking up for her did make Qin Yu feel a tiny bit, just a teensy bit, touched. At the same time, she also felt there was no need for it.
So she smiled and said, "Hu Tao, that's enough. I'm very happy with your kindness..."
"I didn't expect you to be so honest. This kind of behavior makes you easy to bully," Hu Tao sighed.
Because you don't even have enough value to be worth noticing.
"You're already quite old. How can you still not understand the most basic principles of being a person?" Hu Tao said, pointing her finger at him.
Grandpa Wang naturally wasn't happy. "How dare you speak to your elders like that!"
"Ah, that's classic. Using your age as a crutch. Your grandson can at least say thank you."
Hu Tao suddenly clapped her hands. "Right, I just remembered a poem: 'Old men may nag, but they're not as old as I, Cold and ungrateful, like a child who can't comply.Face red, heart racing, unsure of what's right,But the grandson, oh, he knows, without a fight.'
Little one, what do you think of your grandpa?"
"Rude!" the boy said.
Qin Yu couldn't hold back and burst out laughing.
"Oh, that's a lovely smile. So cute." Hu Tao leaned forward, bending at the waist as she looked up at Qin Yu with a grin.
Qin Yu's face flushed red, and she turned away. "I wasn't laughing."
[Evaluation: C+]
Huh? Why did it rise again? Is there any hugging element here? Wait? Could my reaction count too? Qin Yu thought, bewildered.
"Aiya, there clearly is~ But now I'm satisfied. Go away, don't disturb us." Hu Tao waved her hand at Grandpa Wang as if shooing away a fly.
Grandpa Wang was furious, his face flushed crimson, eyes bulging as he pointed at her. "Y-you, you... Hah! Young people these days..."
He stormed off with a huff.
Even at the end, he still tries to blame the young. The art of mental gymnastics is truly mastered, Qin Yu thought. Now at least they could have some peace...
Wait, so many people are watching us.
Qin Yu felt uncomfortable under the crowd's gaze and wanted to leave, but Hu Tao had spoken up for her. Leaving without a word wouldn't be proper; at least they should give some thanks.
Buying them something to eat should suffice.
With this thought, Qin Yu tugged on Hu Tao's sleeve. "Thank you for speaking up for me."
"Hm? Oh, it's nothing. I just can't stand those old-timers who think they're so important. Speaking of which, that smile of yours earlier was really lovely. Could you give me another one?"
"I'm not smiling now."
"Still shy, are we?"
Who's shy?! Qin Yu felt a twinge of annoyance. She'd only just started thinking this person—while admittedly a bit odd—wasn't so bad. Now that opinion had shifted; the oddness seemed to outweigh the good.
Suddenly, she didn't want to treat Hu Tao to food anymore.
Still, she couldn't not express her gratitude. Qin Yu put on her customer-service smile. "As thanks, let me treat you to something! What would you like?"
"Shrimp dumplings."
What a surprise. Qin Yu had expected Hu Tao to say something like "slime" or something equally bizarre.
Shrimp dumplings... a bit pricey, but she was rolling in cash right now, so it wasn't a problem.
Wanmin Restaurant.
Qin Yu had been eating here since she first arrived.
The restaurant's dishes were cheap, delicious, and generously portioned—truly excellent value. Though she visited frequently, she rarely interacted with the staff.
She'd heard the owner's daughter Xiangling had gone out to gain experience. Qin Yu remembered Xiangling—a warm and outgoing young girl. It was a shame she wasn't here now.
"Xiangling isn't here. What a pity, I was looking forward to teasing her. But having food is good enough—especially when it's all free. Hmm~ If only there were Fish too."
"...Could we get another portion of Fish?"
Hu Tao smiled brightly. "Wow, you're so good to me! From today on, we're best friends!"
No. Never. Under no circumstances.
But Qin Yu couldn't say that outright. She tried to be tactful: "Well, we should at least start as friends, right? Though technically, we've only met once or twice."
"You're mistaken there," Hu Tao countered cheerfully. "It's not like you can't be friends just because you haven't spent much time together. We're kindred spirits who met too late—like a fateful encounter between a mountain stream and its true companion... Even Rex Lapis would agree we're perfect for each other."
What kind of "kindred spirits" and "fateful encounter" was this? They'd merely had a chance meeting while dealing with some trivial matter.
Qin Yu felt like she was being clung to.
"Ah ha ha, is that so... But personally, I think it's better to take things step by step!"
"But these things can't be forced, you know. Ah, let's just go with the flow."
Exactly. A little carefree attitude would do both of them good.
Those who can get along will do so naturally; those who can't won't be forced to.
Unfortunately, Qin Yu believed she and Hu Tao fell into the latter category, so what would happen in the future...
Perhaps after this, they wouldn't meet again.
Then, the next morning.
Knock, knock, knock... The door sounded. Qin Yu, who had just finished washing up, sighed inwardly. Who's knocking so early? Don't tell me it's a neighbor bringing their son to get acquainted...
"Coming! Who is it?"
She opened the door.
"Hey, Yu, Peachy Treasure's here!"
It was Hu Tao. She stood at the door with an energetic, adorable smile, waving her hand.
Ah...
Can I close the door now? Qin Yu thought helplessly.
How did she know where I live? Qin Yu was certain she'd never given Hu Tao any address information. Could she have been followed?! If that's the case, does that mean she's gay...?
Danger!
Qin Yu forced a smile. "Good morning. I didn't expect to see you here. How did you know where I live?"
"I followed you yesterday."
Major danger! Qin Yu suddenly worried about her chastity. Hu Tao seemed strong - she might not be able to fight her off...
But ignoring her strange personality, Hu Tao was quite cute. If she didn't speak...
Ha! What am I thinking? I'm not that kind of woman! Qin Yu declared inwardly.
"Y-you followed me?" Qin Yu asked, genuinely panicked.
Hu Tao nodded earnestly.
This doesn't look good... Qin Yu immediately prepared to close the door, but in the next moment, Hu Tao suddenly burst out laughing.
"Scared you? Sorry, sorry, I was just joking. You're quite famous around here - I asked someone randomly and they told me you lived here."
Qin Yu deeply sighed in relief. That's a relief.
"Then, may I ask what brings you here?"
If there's nothing, please leave. I need to go find Shenhe next.
"Nothing?"
Just as expected... She does seem quite idle. Though the increasing demand for funeral services is rather unsettling.
Hu Tao smiled. "Can't I visit you just because I feel like it?"
"That's not exactly how it works."
"Then that's settled. I came because I wanted to see you. And remember our previous agreement? I asked 'Can I come visit you?' and you agreed!"
That was only because you played the pity card! Tsk... Qin Yu sighed, no longer wanting to argue. This woman had a thick skin - no wonder she could sell coffins and funeral services to strangers.
But coming just to see me? That's quite a smooth talker.
"Hm? Is your face a bit red?"
"No! Absolutely not! It's completely impossible—you're just seeing things!"
"What a fast-talker you are!"
Well, I guess playing this character is working out well after all. Everyone seems to like it. Qin Yu thought, feeling calmer.
So what should I do next...?