It didn't matter, because she still had Grandpa. As for parents, she'd barely seen them a few times. Grandpa was the best! He would always be with Hu Tao.
Ignoring the taunts of those boys, she didn't want to retort because there was no point. As long as she had Grandpa, that was enough.
Elsewhere, in the dark Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, an old man with white hair coughed softly. The plum blossom handkerchief in his hand became even redder, the crimson color seeming to deepen.
Looking at the change on the handkerchief, the white-haired elder sighed.
"Hu Tao, Grandpa might not be able to stay with you much longer. But before that, I will definitely do more for you."
As he spoke, the Staff of Homa beside him emitted a faint red light. This weapon had witnessed the decline of the 76th Director. Or rather... the 75th hadn't died yet.
This line of work had been monopolized by their family for a hundred years. The original purpose of this job, however, was simply to prevent plagues from spreading again.
Logically, a hundred years of monopoly, coupled with dealing with the affairs of life and death, should have brought in considerable wealth. But they didn't know that for every task... they charged a meager amount of Mora, almost negligible.
After all, this was their duty. While they might occasionally earn a bit, daily operations quickly depleted their funds.
This was precisely why, by the time of the 77th Director, Hu Tao, the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor was so impoverished. Hu Tao had to meticulously calculate even the wages of her workers. It was a matter of necessity.
To keep the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor operational, she devised many peculiar ideas, making her seem like an annoyance to others. After all, constantly bringing up matters of life and death was considered unlucky.
Yet, even so, not many people truly disliked her, and many understood her. After all... they had personally witnessed that grand funeral.
Since Grandpa hadn't arrived, Hu Tao ran quickly, eager to return home, to embrace her Grandpa tightly, and rub her cheek against his beard. These were things she often did.
The school wasn't far from the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, so she could easily reach it. As it was sunset, the twilight sun cast its rays on the entrance of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, infusing even the normally dim corners with a touch of warmth.
Recalling the limericks Grandpa had taught her, she couldn't help but hum them.
"When the sun comes out, I bask in the sun...
When the moon comes out, I bask in the moon..."
"Awooo! Grandpa! I'm home!"
She pushed open the large door with force and saw a white-haired elder standing in a dark corner, holding three sticks of incense and silently placing them in the censer.
"Hm? Hu Tao, you're back. Then hurry up and eat. Your little belly must be starving."
Seeing the familiar elder, Hu Tao smiled gently. She leaped into his arms, but how could the frail old man withstand such a pounce?
Yet, no matter how frail he was, he could only try his best to catch her. After all, it was his granddaughter's embrace...
"Cough cough! Hu Tao, have you gotten heavier again? You're all plump."
Held in his arms, Hu Tao puffed out her cheeks slightly in annoyance and said loudly,
"I haven't! I'm not fat at all. Grandpa always says others are fat. I'm upset!"
How could the white-haired elder get angry at Hu Tao? To him, Hu Tao was his world. Without Hu Tao, the world would be like black and white, devoid of any color.
"Alright, alright, my little Hu Tao isn't fat! Let's go eat!"
The two, one old and one young, happily walked to the study. A ray of sunlight slowly filtered in. Unbeknownst to them, a young man had appeared at the entrance. He merely sighed softly,
"I wish to buy osmanthus wine and carry it with me, but alas, my old friend... When shall we meet again? Old friend, why must you... forcing a prolonged life will ultimately be counterproductive."
The young man's face was not visible in the video, but his familiar attire made those who knew Mr. Zhongli pause for a moment. Could it be that Mr. Zhongli was already in Liyue at that time?
Even Hu Tao looked suspiciously at Zhongli beside her. Did this guy come out when I was very young? How come I didn't know? Did Grandpa hide something from me?
However, seeing these scenes brought back memories of her childhood life with Grandpa. How good those days were.
The video continued. Since tomorrow was Saturday, school would be off. Old Master Hu had nothing planned either and was preparing to take little Hu Tao out for a trip.
"Where does little Hu Tao want to go play?"
The young Hu Tao poked her chin with her index finger, contemplating where to go. She was already tired of playing in Liyue; after all, seeing the same scenery day after day, year after year, it was time to see something new.
Suddenly, she noticed the large mountain behind them. This was the famous Mount Tianheng in Liyue, against which Liyue was built.
"Grandpa, I want to play over there!"
Little Hu Tao pointed at the towering Mount Tianheng. This posed a slight challenge for Old Master Hu, as his health was not good. How could he withstand the exertion of climbing a mountain?
But for his granddaughter, all these problems were not problems at all. Mount Tianheng was nothing to fear.
"Alright, I'll take you."
An old man and a child quickly approached the vicinity of Chi. There was a mountain path here, but seven or eight Millelith directly blocked the two.
"There are dangers in the wilderness now. If you must go out, please be careful. This is a warning."
After speaking, he returned to his post. After all, the current dangers outside were merely ordinary monsters. They, the Millelith, were just reminding passing travelers.
"Thank you. Let's go, little Hu Tao."
Young Hu Tao looked at the spears in the hands of the Millelith and couldn't help but feel a little envious. When would she be able to wield a spear and swing it around?
However, her future self was reluctant to face this reality.
The two quickly arrived at the foot of the mountain. There weren't many people going up, or rather, very few. They couldn't see a single person for half the day.
"Little Hu Tao, let me tell you. I climbed this mountain in my early years, and I know an excellent viewing spot. I'll take you there later, alright?"
Hearing it was Grandpa's recommendation, little Hu Tao readily agreed. However, this matter would later become a source of her guilt.
Their ascent wasn't very fast. However, it was still early morning, the sun was high in the sky, and there was still plenty of time to walk slowly.
As noon approached, the two finally reached the mountainside.