Time passed slowly, and in a flash, it was dusk.
Lazy twilight poured down, bathing the entire Liyue Harbor in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility. Curling wisps of cooking smoke rose continuously, especially from Chihu Rock, which was currently bustling with activity.
At this moment, in a small tea house opposite Wanwen Bookhouse, at a table by the street.
Yanfei was sitting at the desk, savoring the book in her hands. After buying books this afternoon, she hadn't chosen to return to her firm but decided to find a small building to rest for a while. Originally, she wanted to find a spot by the sea, which would be relatively quieter. However, the entire tea house was fully occupied, without a single seat left. This spot by the street had only just become available as someone was leaving.
"Not bad, written really well."
Yanfei put down the book in her hand and cast her gaze toward the stack of several books lying on the side of the desk. These books were Your Lie in April, The Eternal, Sword and Fairy, and the Mondstadt Legal Code.
According to the shop assistant who fetched the books for her, Fang Qiu's books prior to Your Lie in April had already stopped printing. Wanwen Bookhouse didn't have her earlier books either. They had become rare, out-of-print editions. It was somewhat of a pity.
"It seems that after dealing with my cases these days, things won't be boring."
Yanfei smiled, and after speaking, she couldn't help but touch her stomach.
"Let's find a place to eat. I'll order a portion of White Tofu," Yanfei muttered to herself.
Speaking of tofu, she couldn't help but recall the white-haired woman holding a white cat she had seen in the morning. Just as she shook her head and packed up her things, intending to get up, she suddenly noticed a young girl on the street downstairs pulling a small cart, lining up in the long queue below Wanwen Bookhouse.
She actually recognized this girl. It was the current Director of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Hu Tao.
She often heard people say that the Director of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor behaved eccentrically, fearing she had picked up strange habits from the funeral industry. Regarding these rumors, Yanfei had always begged to differ. In her view, the work Wangsheng Funeral Parlor engaged in was a legitimate industry and a fundamental unit constituting commerce. Moreover, work was work; how could there be distinctions of high or low, noble or base, auspicious or ominous?
However, this Director Hu hadn't really patronized her business much...
"Could this Director Hu be interested in reading books? But why bring a small cart to buy books?"
Yanfei was somewhat puzzled. However, she didn't dwell on it. She packed up her books, paid the bill, and left. She was so hungry. Eating was the priority.
Meanwhile, downstairs at Wanwen Bookhouse.
"We're finally almost there."
Looking at the stairs of Wanwen Bookhouse right in front of her, Hu Tao's eyes couldn't help but light up, and she instantly became spirited.
"Meow."
Sanmi, who was lying limply on her shoulder, also lifted its cat head and let out an excited cry.
"After queuing for more than an hour, it's finally almost our turn. Boredom is indeed much scarier than death," Hu Tao said, patting her cheeks and exhaling slightly.
"Meow."
Sanmi let out a cry in agreement.
"Sanmi, you feel the same way too, don't you? Hmm, not bad, truly not bad. Worthy of being Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's cat."
Hu Tao stroked Sanmi's small head, smiled, and spoke. It was currently mealtime, and business at Wanmin Restaurant was exploding; Xiangling had to help Chef Mao at Wanmin Restaurant. Yun Jin had to guide the juniors of the Yun-Han Opera Troupe in singing opera and didn't have time to come buy books with her either. As for that fellow Zhongli, he was nowhere to be seen since early morning; who knew where he had gone.
So, she could only come to queue up alone with Sanmi—one person and one cat. After she chatted with a few novel enthusiasts in the queue about Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's business and was rejected, no one in the line was willing to pay attention to her anymore. Thus, for the remaining time, she had been conversing with Sanmi.
Now, the wait was finally almost over. The line moved forward slowly. Finally, it was Hu Tao's turn.
"How many of Fang Qiu's books does Director Hu need this time?" seeing the customer was Hu Tao, Ji Fang couldn't help but smile and ask.
"Fifty copies," Hu Tao thought for a moment and said.
After speaking, she seemed to remember something and asked, "By the way, the book I asked you about last time, is it in stock now?"
"The one you asked me about last time?"
Ji Fang froze for a moment, then immediately realized what Hu Tao was talking about. She said, "You mean that book, Junior Sister, Go Easy, Senior Sister Hurts?"
"Yes, that's right. Is it here now?" Hu Tao nodded and asked with some anticipation.
"It is. How many copies do you need?" Ji Fang nodded and then asked.
"One copy is enough," Hu Tao smiled and said.
Although she was very curious about the content of this book—after all, that curiosity originated from Fang Qiu—it was merely curiosity; there was no need to buy so many copies to support it.
"Alright then."
Ji Fang nodded and had the shop assistant carry fifty copies of Your Name downstairs, stacking them neatly on Hu Tao's small cart. Then, she took a copy of Junior Sister, Go Easy, Senior Sister Hurts and handed it to Hu Tao.
After accepting Junior Sister, Go Easy, Senior Sister Hurts, and seeing that Wanwen Bookhouse was still incredibly busy, Hu Tao didn't say much more to Ji Fang. After paying the Mora and exchanging a brief pleasantry, she went downstairs, pulling the small cart all the way toward Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Just as she arrived at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, she saw a familiar figure.
"Zhongli, what a coincidence. Have you eaten?"
Hu Tao waved her hand, and Sanmi, lying on her shoulder, also let out a cry.
"Thank you for your concern, Director. Not yet," Zhongli nodded and said.
"I haven't eaten either."
Hu Tao narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Today Xiangling is on duty at Wanmin Restaurant. If the Director does not wish to eat at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, we can go to Wanmin Restaurant together later. It's my treat."
Zhongli glanced at the small cart Hu Tao was pulling behind her and spoke calmly.
"Since it's your treat, I won't tease you then. Here, for you."
Hu Tao nodded, turned around, took a copy of Your Name, and handed it to Zhongli.
"Many thanks, Director."
Zhongli nodded and accepted the book Hu Tao handed over. Your Name.
Subsequently, Hu Tao handed the small cart over to the female undertaker waiting at the main entrance of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, asking her to help distribute these books to the guest consultants and staff of the parlor. Then, she took two books out from the pile.
One was Your Name, and the other was Junior Sister, Go Easy, Senior Sister Hurts.
Holding these two books, she went all the way up to the second floor, returned to her room, and placed the two books on her desk. Only then did she go downstairs and follow Zhongli all the way toward Wanmin Restaurant.
Night was gradually falling, and ten thousand homes in Liyue Harbor lit their lamps. The lights were bright and ablaze.
On the road from Feiyun Slope to Chihu Rock, Hu Tao followed closely behind Zhongli.
"Speaking of which, I have a very important question I want to ask," Hu Tao asked.
"Please ask, Director," Zhongli said.
"Did you bring Mora?"
"I brought it."
Not long after Hu Tao and Zhongli left, the female undertaker sat down on a chair, picked up one of the copies of Your Name, and began to read.
"Written really well."
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