Just like that, the three of them left the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor and headed toward Wanmin Restaurant.
Zhongli and Hu Tao walked in front, while Qiu Nian followed behind.
"Hey, Zhongli."
"Since when did you have an old friend from Jueyun Karst?"
Hu Tao asked curiously.
"That was a long time ago."
"I met Mr. Qiu Nian in Liyue Harbor. After speaking with him, I gained many valuable insights."
"And so we became acquainted."
Zhongli explained calmly.
"You gained valuable insights?"
"That's incredible!"
Hu Tao's beautiful plum blossom eyes widened in surprise.
Then she placed a hand under her chin and fell into thought.
A few years ago, whenever the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor closed during the daytime, she would invite knowledgeable consultants to lecture the young funeral attendants.
Among all the lecturers, Zhongli was the most respected because his teaching was extremely effective.
He greatly improved the professionalism of the parlor's attendants.
That was why the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor had hired him.
After that, she had never invited another scholar to teach—until now.
The person she trusted most was Zhongli.
Her consultant was someone who seemed to know everything under heaven and earth.
Yet now Zhongli claimed that speaking with Qiu Nian had benefited him greatly.
If someone could hold their own in discussion with Zhongli, it was easy to imagine just how profound their knowledge must be.
And Zhongli himself was mysterious.
He looked young but behaved like an ancient relic.
He seemed to know everything, yet cared about nothing.
Qiu Nian's background was equally mysterious.
All anyone knew was that he came from Jueyun Karst—and nothing more.
His knowledge seemed equal to Zhongli's. Though he spoke in a refined manner, Hu Tao didn't feel the same old-fashioned aura from him that Zhongli carried.
Still, Zhongli did give her headaches sometimes.
For example—
He practically did no work.
His expenses were enormous.
He ate meals without paying and often told the restaurant owners to send the bill to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
But speaking of bills…
This time, when Zhongli handled the preparations for the Rite of Parting, he hadn't charged the funeral parlor a single Mora.
She had no idea how he managed that.
Quite an improvement.
She definitely planned to ask him about it later.
As for Qiu Nian…
Perhaps she could find a way to keep him around.
After all, he was a genuine young talent.
And his sense of money seemed much more reasonable than Zhongli's.
At least he knew when he was poor.
Unlike Zhongli.
"Director, are you thinking of inviting Qiu Nian to join the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?"
Zhongli asked, noticing her thoughtful expression.
"You saw right through me!"
Hu Tao snapped out of her thoughts and grinned.
"That is indeed a good idea."
"I wonder if my old friend would agree."
Zhongli chuckled softly.
Having an old friend around to talk with would not be a bad thing.
"That's easy."
"Just ask him later."
Hu Tao shrugged.
Zhongli nodded.
He suspected that their entire conversation had already been heard clearly by his old friend behind them.
And indeed—
Qiu Nian was smiling faintly behind them.
A consultant at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor…
That was a very comfortable position.
Most of the time, it simply meant giving lectures and telling stories to newly recruited attendants.
Outside of that, the job was almost completely free.
And it came with a salary.
"But…"
"Should I really become a consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?"
Qiu Nian pondered quietly.
Soon, the three of them arrived at Wanmin Restaurant.
They sat down at a table.
"Quite crowded."
Qiu Nian glanced around. Most of the nearby tables were already full.
"Of course."
"Xiangling is cooking today."
"The dishes she makes are very different from Chef Mao's—full of creativity."
Hu Tao said with a smile.
"Hey! It's Hu Tao and Mr. Zhongli!"
"What would you like to eat?"
A lively voice rang out.
Looking over, they saw a girl walking out of the restaurant with a small creature following at her feet.
She approached their table.
Yes—
The cheerful girl was Xiangling.
And the strange little creature beside her was Guoba.
"Xiangling, the usual will do."
"Just make the portions a little larger."
"Oh, and Mr. Qiu Nian—do you have any food you can't eat?"
Hu Tao asked.
"I'm fine with anything."
Qiu Nian replied.
Xiangling nodded and hurried back inside with Guoba.
Soon, she returned carrying four plates of food at once.
Two in her hands and two balanced on her elbows.
She carefully set them down on the table.
"Not bad, Xiangling."
"You can carry four dishes at once now."
Hu Tao praised her with her arms crossed.
Xiangling scratched her head shyly.
At that moment, another customer called out from behind.
"Coming right away!"
She hurried off again.
Still, she couldn't help feeling curious.
Because she had never seen the young man sitting beside Hu Tao and Zhongli before.
"My old friend, try Xiangling's cooking."
Zhongli said.
Qiu Nian looked at the dishes on the table.
There was Sweet Madame, a dish from Qingce Village, fragrant Jueyun Guoba, and another shrimp stir-fry.
"Then I won't hold back."
Qiu Nian picked up his chopsticks.
Time passed quietly.
Eventually, Xiangling cleared the empty plates and replaced them with a pot of hot tea.
"My old friend."
"Why not join me and serve as a consultant at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?"
Zhongli suggested after taking a sip of tea.
"A consultant…"
"Was that Director Hu's idea?"
Qiu Nian asked, turning toward Hu Tao.
"Jueyun Karst is basically a deserted mountain wilderness."
"Living there must be uncomfortable."
"If you come work at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, you'll have a salary, a place to live, and the work isn't tiring."
"You're Zhongli's old friend, so I trust you."
Hu Tao explained with a smile.
"Then I must thank Director Hu."
Qiu Nian set down his teacup and smiled.
At this point, refusing would be unreasonable.
After all—
Where else could he find a job this good?
"Haha! Then welcome our new consultant!"
"When we return, I'll explain the rules of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor and introduce you to everyone."
Hu Tao said happily.
Looking at Qiu Nian, she felt as if she had found a treasure today.
"Oh right, Zhongli."
"When you handled the preparations for the Rite of Parting this time, you didn't charge the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor at all."
"Did you actually bring money with you?"
Hu Tao suddenly turned toward Zhongli and asked.
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