"Heh heh, Klee, what do you feel like eating? Tell Uncle this Master, and I'll treat you. The bill can be put on Paimon's tab!"
Hu Tao chuckled, glancing at Paimon who was helping cook, and said jokingly.
Paimon was initially stunned, then realizing Xiangling was treating and she didn't have to pay, she felt relieved. She had to finish her work quickly to enjoy today's slime jelly milk tea.
"Dishes are here, be careful of the heat! Hu Tao, Klee and Albedo are my guests today, so I'll be the one treating!"
Xiangling placed the dishes on the table and said to Hu Tao with her hands on her hips.
"Alright, alright, you treat then. By the way, Xiangling, I've researched a new dish that you've definitely never seen before. I'll make it for you to try when I have time in a few days..."
Hu Tao shrugged, not arguing with Xiangling. As Xiangling turned to leave, she suddenly remembered a new dish idea that flashed into her mind a few days prior and immediately called out to Xiangling's retreating back.
Gulp...
Xiangling subconsciously stopped, swallowed hard, and then quickened her pace to leave.
Feng Yi, who was eating, heard Hu Tao's astonishing remark and couldn't help but tremble with his chopsticks.
The new dish Hu Tao had come up with, alas... it was hard to put into words!
However, as long as she didn't have to taste it herself, Feng Yi remained silent, continuing to eat, minimizing his presence to avoid attracting trouble.
Half an hour later, Feng Yi patted his slightly full stomach with a look of satisfaction.
The cuisine of Liyue truly suited his palate.
After bidding farewell to Xiangling and the others, Feng Yi took Hu Tao back to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Tonight, like before, he would be staying in one of the guest rooms there.
Night fell, the moon was dark and the wind was high.
A sneaky figure tiptoed open Feng Yi's door and nimbly slipped into his bed.
Feng Yi knew without looking that it must be that girl Hu Tao.
He shifted over to make room for Hu Tao, then gently pinched her cheek, indicating that it was late and she should rest.
But Hu Tao had other ideas.
"Feng Yi, tell me a bedtime story. It's been so long since I heard you tell one."
Hu Tao hugged Feng Yi's arm, looking at him with hopeful eyes.
"It's too late today. I'll tell you tomorrow."
Didn't Feng Yi know her?
When had Hu Tao ever fallen asleep after a bedtime story?
On the contrary, after each story, Hu Tao would become more energetic, pestering him to continue.
And then...
They would stay up all night.
"No, no, no. If it's too late now, just tell one story, and I'll go to sleep. I promise, I swear!"
Hu Tao held up four fingers, earnestly assuring him.
"Alright then. This time, I'll tell you a story about Afanti..."
Meeting Hu Tao's sincere gaze, Feng Yi decided to trust her one more time.
"Mhm, hurry up and tell it."
Hu Tao settled into a comfortable position, lying on her side, listening intently.
"Once upon a time, there was a farmer named Afanti who worked for a landlord. The landlord said: 'I'll give you three jin of rice per month.'"
"But Afanti said: 'I have a bold idea. You give me one grain of rice on the first day, two grains on the second day, four grains on the third day, eight grains on the fourth day... and so on, doubling each day after that.'"
"The landlord thought about it and said, 'This person is foolish, asking for so little,' and agreed."
"Later... Afanti persisted for five days and starved to death..."
The story concluded. Feng Yi tucked Hu Tao in and was about to sleep.
"This Afanti was too pathetic. In the end, he became a starving ghost. He didn't even understand the principle of eating well and having a good journey..."
Hu Tao sighed and said.
After the story, Hu Tao was still not sleepy. But since she had promised Feng Yi to only listen to one story today, she had to restrain herself and close her eyes to rest.
An hour later, Hu Tao woke Feng Yi up again.
"Feng Yi, Feng Yi, can you tell another story?"
"Didn't you promise me earlier that you'd sleep after one story today?"
Feng Yi, groggy, saw Hu Tao blinking her bright, plum-blossom eyes, looking at him with radiant energy.
"That's right! I definitely didn't miscalculate. It's the second day now!"
Hu Tao counted on her fingers, looking at Feng Yi with a serious expression.
She had promised Feng Yi yesterday that she would sleep after one story. But now, it was past midnight, which meant it was the second day.
She had honestly waited for over an hour.
"..."
Feng Yi was speechless for a moment. It seemed logically correct, yet something felt off.
Seeing Hu Tao lying down obediently, looking at him expectantly, Feng Yi swallowed back his refusal.
"Just one last story..."
Feng Yi began telling the story of a little carp looking for its mother.
Then... dawn broke.
Hu Tao got up, satisfied, and exercised. She had listened to twenty stories in one go. It was so satisfying!
Feng Yi: Thank goodness it's finally morning!
This was not how one told stories. Telling twenty stories in one go had nearly emptied his mind's reserves.
If it hadn't gotten light soon, he would have had to pull out the Four Great Classical Novels to hold his ground.
After getting up and washing up, as usual, Feng Yi took Hu Tao to their regular dim sum restaurant.
"Oh dear, Mr. Feng Yi, you've finally returned. What would you like to eat today?"
The owner of the dim sum restaurant, seeing Feng Yi from afar, eagerly approached him.
He had waited so long, and this important customer had finally returned.
"Ten baskets of steamed buns, two pots of... no, three pots of oil tea, thank you."
Feng Yi's gaze swept past and noticed a familiar figure approaching in the distance. He then asked the owner to add another pot of oil tea.
The person approaching was Zhongli, who, as expected, was here to freeload again.
The owner was a good man and generously sent over two extra baskets of buns and a pot of oil tea, calling it a perk for his loyal customers.
One had to admit, when it came to social graces, the owner had them perfectly mastered!
After breakfast, Feng Yi prepared to visit Ningguang at the Jade Chamber.
"Mr. Feng Yi, please wait a moment. Lady Ningguang is currently discussing confidential matters."
Bai Shi intercepted Feng Yi in front of the study door at the Jade Chamber.
Although she knew Mr. Feng Yi had an unusual relationship with Lady Ningguang, these were Lady Ningguang's orders, and it was her duty. Without Lady Ningguang's permission, she wouldn't let even a mosquito in.
Feng Yi understood and subsequently pulled up a chair to sit at the viewing platform, enjoying the scenery while waiting.
Not long after, the door opened, and a capable-looking blue-haired woman in a white mink coat emerged...