When Hu Tao was here, he couldn't leave. Now that Hu Tao had been led away by Feng Yi, Zhong Li could finally act freely!
If Feng Yi could see it, how could Zhong Li not know?
Zhong Li paid no mind to the subtle actions of the Chi gnawing at the seal.
He merely wished to speak with an old opponent, not to covet their snake gall!
Zhong Li left behind a clone to watch over the Ming Lamp suspended high in the air.
Then, he raised his foot and walked towards the depths of the earth.
The rocks seemed to recognize their king, parting automatically to reveal a staircase leading straight underground.
Chi: Don't you come here!
Meanwhile, Feng Yi led Hu Tao away from the bounds of Mt. Tianheng. Seeing the long-lost moonlight again, he couldn't help but feel cheerful. He didn't notice the faint tremors emanating from beneath Mt. Tianheng not far behind them.
"Bright moon, frosty ground.
Gazing at the moon, I miss my homeland."
Feng Yi's poetic mood struck, and he recited a few lines.
He originally intended to recite the original lines of "Quiet Night Thought," but then he remembered this was a desolate wilderness. Where would there be a bed?
To force it would be awkward, so it was better to adjust it.
"Good poem, good poem! But, Feng Yi, where is the frosty ground?"
Hu Tao's eyes lit up upon hearing Feng Yi compose a poem, but after carefully considering it, she curiously asked where Feng Yi said the frosty ground was.
"Ahem, matters of the world, little children shouldn't inquire too much!"
Feng Yi didn't think much of it at first, but when Hu Tao asked, after a second thought, it did feel a bit… suggestive.
Feng Yi: It's just frosty ground. If I wanted some, I could make a puddle!
"Oh, then… Feng Yi, are you homesick?"
"A little."
"You can consider the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor your home! I am your most beloved family member!"
"Mhm, okay!"
Feng Yi smiled helplessly at Hu Tao, who looked as if she wanted to be carried, and crouched down.
"Let's go, destination Liyue Harbor!"
Hu Tao leaped onto Feng Yi's back, hugged his neck, and was incredibly excited.
"Hold on tight, I'm going to accelerate!"
Feng Yi playfully squeezed Hu Tao's springy little bottom and took off running.
Upon arriving at Liyue Harbor, Hu Tao dragged Feng Yi around, buying this and that. She liked everything she saw, her hands filled with snacks and toys.
"Feng Yi, I see an old friend. Wait for me, I'm going to go say hello…"
Hu Tao handed the snacks and toys she was holding to Feng Yi and then tiptoed stealthily towards the figure, approaching him quietly.
"Owooo!"
Hu Tao suddenly slapped the person's shoulder and let out a "woooo!" startling them.
"Hu Tao?! You almost scared my soul out of me, you naughty girl!"
Yun Jin patted her heaving chest and looked at the grinning Hu Tao before her, a few dark lines appearing on her forehead.
Hu Tao, this girl, only knew how to startle her. Didn't she know people were easily frightened?
Yun Jin was exasperated by this way of greeting and playfully flicked Hu Tao's forehead in return.
"Heh heh, don't worry, if your soul gets scared away, I'll be responsible for calling it back. I'm a professional at this!"
"…"
Yun Jin was speechless. Hu Tao's words were unanswerable.
"Are you here alone?"
Yun Jin smoothed her chest, calmed her emotions, and asked.
"Feng Yi is with me. Look! He's over there…"
Hu Tao pointed in Feng Yi's direction, then pulled Yun Jin along to go over.
"Feng Yi, long time no see!"
Yun Jin lowered her head, a hint of shyness in her voice, occasionally stealing glances at Feng Yi.
"Mhm, Yun Jin, long time no see! Are you here alone?"
Although they had met just two days ago, since Yun Jin said so, Feng Yi couldn't contradict her.
"Mhm, I just finished my performance, and the seniors were chatting. I felt bored, so I made an excuse and sneaked out to watch the fireworks, preparing to release sky lanterns…"
Yun Jin nodded, suddenly regretting not putting on makeup when she came out today.
She had only put on light makeup for convenience and paired it with simple attire. Who would have thought she would encounter Feng Yi?!
Wouldn't this lower her impression points in Feng Yi's eyes?
Thinking this, Yun Jin subtly moved behind Hu Tao.
Feng Yi didn't think much of it. Yun Jin was naturally beautiful, and a light makeup or simple attire was her most captivating look!
"Release sky lanterns? I want to try that too. Why don't we go together? What do you think, Feng Yi?"
Hu Tao grabbed Yun Jin's small hand and looked at Feng Yi.
"I have no objections!"
Feng Yi nodded upon hearing this. As long as Hu Tao was happy.
"Yay! Yun Jin, what do you think?"
"It's more lively with more people. I have no objections either!"
Yun Jin smiled and nodded in agreement, her beautiful eyes briefly sweeping over Feng Yi before darting away.
"Then let's go buy sky lanterns!"
Hu Tao led the way towards the sky lantern stall.
"Boss, three nice-looking sky lanterns!"
"Sure thing, that'll be three thousand Mora. Thank you for your patronage!"
Of course, who else would pay for it besides Feng Yi, who was acting as a temporary wallet?
"Feng Yi, what did you wish for?"
After releasing the sky lanterns, Hu Tao curiously asked Feng Yi.
"I wish that all the friends I know will always be healthy and well…"
Feng Yi: I wish that all the friends I know will be healthy and well, and all my confidantes will get along harmoniously…
He released sky lanterns three times, and his wishes were all surprisingly consistent. He hoped the souls of Liyue's ancestors, seeing his sincerity, would bless him.
Souls of Liyue's ancestors: I didn't see it… I didn't see it… I didn't see it…
"Such an ordinary wish. Yun Jin, what about yours?"
Hu Tao found it uninteresting and turned her gaze to Yun Jin.
"Hu Tao, if you say it, it won't come true! And I think Feng Yi's wish is very beautiful!"
Yun Jin: I wish Feng Yi would always accompany me in acting and carry forward the art of theatre!
Of course, she couldn't possibly say this out loud.
"I didn't say Feng Yi's wish was bad, just that it sounded too ordinary. Mine is different. My wish is to get Feng Yi's child soon, pass down the position of the seventy-eighth Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor to him, and then travel around with Feng Yi. Wouldn't that be fun!"
Hu Tao said with a look of longing, as if a wonderful time was just around the corner.
"Cough cough!"
"Pfft~"
Hu Tao's shocking words caused both Feng Yi and Yun Jin to choke.
However, this was just a small interlude. Feng Yi continued to accompany Hu Tao and Yun Jin, enjoying the liveliness and splendor of the festival.
Compared to the daytime, the festival at night, illuminated by the firelight, appeared even more lively and interesting.
They continued their tour until late into the night. Feng Yi and Hu Tao bid farewell to Yun Jin and returned to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor to rest.
In the blink of an eye, Hu Tao stripped off her clothes and dived into bed. Then, she extended her fair hand and patted the half of the bed that was left vacant, signaling Feng Yi to hurry up and undress.
Feng Yi: Why are you undressing so fast?
Hu Tao: Nothing else, just skillful practice!
As soon as Feng Yi got into bed, Hu Tao clung to him like an octopus, burying herself in his arms and refusing to let go until Feng Yi told her a bedtime story.