She had been so alert just moments ago, waking with the slightest touch, so how could she be sleeping so soundly now?
Yun Jin found it baffling, but she couldn't just leave Feng Yi outside.
After a moment's thought, Yun Jin pulled Feng Yi's arm over her shoulder, propping him up.
Fortunately, her room wasn't far. Soon, she had Feng Yi in her room, settled him onto the bed to rest, and thoughtfully covered him with a quilt.
Afterward, Yun Jin washed her own handkerchief and Feng Yi's clothes, which he had laid out earlier, and hung them outside to dry.
With the chores done, Yun Jin went to the bedside, brought over a small stool, and sat down. She rested her arms on the edge of the bed, propped up her chin, and quietly watched Feng Yi sleep, enjoying the peaceful afternoon.
"Mmmph~ Where is this?"
Feng Yi woke up and stretched comfortably, finding himself in an unfamiliar place, not where they had been rehearsing.
Judging by the room's furnishings, simple yet cozy, it must be a girl's room.
When his peripheral vision caught Yun Jin sleeping by the bedside, Feng Yi understood everything.
Feng Yi surmised that Yun Jin had brought him to this room, but because he occupied the only bed, she had to sleep by the bedside herself…
Thinking of this, Feng Yi felt a warmth in his heart, coupled with a pang of concern for Yun Jin.
Yun Jin was gentle, considerate, and understanding, willing to inconvenience herself to cater to his feelings. How could such a kind girl not move Feng Yi?
Feng Yi threw off the quilt, tiptoed off the bed, and gently picked up the sleeping Yun Jin, giving her his spot on the bed.
"Mmmph~ Feng Yi, you're awake~"
In Feng Yi's embrace, Yun Jin felt the movement outside and woke from her dream, only to find herself in Feng Yi's arms.
His bare chest, radiating a hormonal aura, instantly made Yun Jin's face blush and her heart race.
"Mhm, you should rest in bed! I've already warmed it up for you, it's nice and toasty…"
Feng Yi looked at Yun Jin, her cheeks flushed, her head buried in his chest, and teased her with a smile.
"Mm~"
Feng Yi helped Yun Jin into the quilt and then pulled it up.
"It's getting late, I should be heading back. There's a hot spring party after the Lantern Rite Festival, would you like to join?"
As Feng Yi was leaving, he casually extended an invitation. After all, he only knew a few friends in Liyue, and even if he invited them all, the hot spring would have plenty of room.
"Okay! I'll be there on time!"
Yun Jin smiled gently. Since Feng Yi had invited her personally, she certainly wouldn't refuse.
After Feng Yi left, Yun Jin felt the warmth of the quilt and took a deep breath of the lingering scent – the scent of hormones!
Imagining something, Yun Jin let out a soft hum, her face turning bright red. She then immediately burrowed into the quilt, too embarrassed to show her face.
Feng Yi returned to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor and encountered Zhongli, asking him where Yuanbao was.
Zhongli told Feng Yi that he had passed by Yujing Terrace that afternoon and was invited by Granny Ping for tea.
When he left, Granny Ping insisted on keeping Yuanbao overnight…
Yuanbao had agreed, and Zhongli, respecting Yuanbao's choice, left him with Granny Ping.
Feng Yi nodded in understanding. Not long ago, Shenhe had also returned to Cloud Retainer's abode.
She had even taken Qiqi with her.
According to Shenhe, she sympathized with Qiqi's predicament and intended to take Qiqi back to ask her master if she could help Qiqi regain her sanity.
If that wasn't possible, she at least wanted to help Qiqi regain her sense of taste, as it would be too pitiful not to be able to enjoy delicious food!
Feng Yi agreed, telling them to be careful on their journey and to contact him if they needed anything.
As of now, Feng Yi could be considered a truly solitary figure!
"Hu Tao, I'm here…"
Feng Yi found Hu Tao in the study, engrossed in paperwork, and handed her a cup of refreshing herbal tea.
"Good Hu Tao, I'm very busy right now and don't have time for you. Go wash up and get to bed. Once I finish this work, I'll come find you…"
Hu Tao explained that the Lantern Rite Festival was tomorrow and there were many things yet to be arranged. She didn't have time to play with Feng Yi and told him to go to bed obediently.
Feng Yi thought: I understand the logic, but why does she sound like she's coaxing a child?
It seemed Hu Tao had learned more than just how to manage the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor from her two days with Zhongli.
Feng Yi left the study and returned to his room, picking up the cultivation techniques he had long set aside. He decided to seize this opportunity to put in more effort.
Time flew by in cultivation, and soon it was late night, the moon hanging high above the willows…
Seeing that Hu Tao still hadn't returned, Feng Yi got out of bed and found the study. He discovered Hu Tao had fallen asleep at her desk, leaving only Zhongli, who was burning the midnight oil processing documents.
"Feng Yi, you're here just in time. Quickly take Hu Tao back to rest well, or she won't have the spirit to preside over the Soul Guiding Ceremony tomorrow…"
Zhongli said softly. He had witnessed every step of Hu Tao's rapid transformation from a mischievous child into a capable Director.
While gratified, he couldn't help but feel a sense of pity. After all, Hu Tao was only a thirteen-year-old child…
She was bearing pressures that were not meant for her age, and she had done exceptionally well.
"Alright, I'll leave the rest to you!"
Feng Yi nodded in agreement and reached out to pick up Hu Tao.
Hu Tao's hand still clutched paper and brush tightly, unwilling to let go. As Feng Yi reached for them, she mumbled encouraging words in her sleep.
"Feng Yi, is it so late already? I'm sorry, I promised to come find you but couldn't…"
As they left the study, Hu Tao woke up groggily, realizing it was late, and apologized for breaking her promise.
"There's still plenty of time, there's no need to force yourself to become a competent Director in such a short period. And besides… I'm here! The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor won't collapse that easily…"
The more sensible Hu Tao became, the more Feng Yi's heart ached. This was supposed to be an age of innocence and joy.
If he hadn't come to this world, according to the original course of events, Hu Tao would have been solely responsible for managing the entire Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, forcing herself to grow up in an extremely short time, even at the cost of her childlike laughter…
After all, she was the current Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor; it was her responsibility!
But since Feng Yi was here, he was determined to change this trajectory.
At the very least, he wanted to secure enough time for Hu Tao to grow and enjoy a childhood that should have been hers.
Feng Yi kissed Hu Tao on the forehead, reassuring her that with him around, there would be no unexpected mishaps.
"Mhm mhm, Feng Yi~ It's so good to have you!"
Hu Tao wrapped her arms around Feng Yi's neck, kissed him on the cheek, and giggled.
Indeed, Feng Yi was sent by the heavens to save her!
Feng Yi thought: If Zhongli could just reduce his opera-watching time and use it to handle Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's work, wouldn't that perfectly solve the problem?
Haha… I'm such a genius!
Zhongli, who was working late: *Achoo!*