Kael had originally planned to return to Wanmin Restaurant today to spend time with Chef Mao and Xiangling.
But the moment he saw Yanfei, he couldn't make himself look away.
He sighed quietly, accepting that he wasn't escaping this encounter.
So he headed up the stairs to Xinyue Kiosk.
The moment he slid open the private room door, Hu Tao practically leaped toward him.
"Boss Kael! Kael! Come on in, come on in!"
She grabbed him by the sleeve and pulled him straight to the table.
"Let me introduce—"
"No need for these two," Kael interrupted helplessly. "We've met."
He nodded politely at Zhongli. "Mr. Zhongli. Good to see you again."
"Huh?" Hu Tao blinked and looked between them. "Zhongli, you know Kael too?"
Zhongli inclined his head. "We have crossed paths once."
Venti took a sip of white liquor, his expression relaxed.
"What a coincidence. Looks like we're all friends here."
"And this one, you know her too~" Hu Tao said brightly, pointing at Yanfei. "This is Liyue's most famous Legal Adviser, Yanfei. Yanfei, this is our future premium client at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Boss Kael—Kael."
To Kael, Yanfei was someone he could never forget.
One of the heroines from his life simulation.
But in reality, this was their first meeting.
So he greeted her politely. "Hello, Miss Yanfei."
"Hello, Mr. Kael."
Yanfei looked at him with bright, clear green eyes, without the slightest trace of sadness.
Kael froze.
The heartbroken expression she had shown in the life simulation was still vivid in his memory.
But the Yanfei in front of him looked completely normal, as if she had never known him at all.
So… her emotions from the simulation hadn't carried over yet?
Hu Tao finished the introductions with a satisfied smile.
"Since you're a guest consultant for Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Zhongli, you should help our business a bit! Go on, tell Boss Kael about our services. Sell it properly!"
Zhongli studied Kael from head to toe, then shook his head.
"I doubt Mr. Kael will ever require the services of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
Zhongli was used to seeing the Elemental Power flowing through others, and could usually judge their Strength by its intensity.
But Kael's entire presence was shrouded in something like fog.
He could sense something there, but couldn't see through it.
Which could only mean one thing: Kael possessed an Artifact capable of masking his true Strength.
Even if his strength was hidden, Zhongli didn't need to see it clearly. One look at the golden creature—whose appearance resembled his own true form—was enough.
Anyone who could have a pure-blooded golden being like that as a companion…
Was clearly far from ordinary.
Hu Tao's attempt to recruit him as a client was doomed from the start.
"How come even you're saying that, Zhongli? But still…"
Hu Tao tapped her chin thoughtfully.
Even though she always joked about death and pushed her business shamelessly, something about Kael made her uneasy.
She had a strange intuition that this man was someone who would die young.
And yet… she hated that thought.
She found herself hoping he would live a long, long life instead.
Someone as good as him—
If he died early…
That would be such a waste.
Realizing how strange her thoughts sounded, Hu Tao shook her head quickly, trying to fling the complicated feelings away.
With a strange mix of relief and warmth, she looked at Kael and said,
"Not needing our services is great. So make sure you live well, got it, Kael?"
[Hu Tao Pain Value -10. Current Pain Value: 0.]
The System's voice made Kael smile.
Hu Tao might act carefree and treat death like business, pretending not to care about others' lives.
But inside, she was gentle—and far kinder than she let on.
She grieved like any ordinary person.
Which was exactly why his simulated death had caused her pain.
But now, thanks to Zhongli's reassurance, she had finally relaxed.
The sorrow she carried faded away.
Kael raised his glass to her.
"Thank you, Director Hu Tao. Don't worry. I'll live a long, healthy life."
"Hmph."
Hu Tao stuck out her tongue. "I'm not worried about you. I'm only worried about Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's business!"
Venti lifted his glass too.
"In that case, I'll drink with Director Hu Tao as well. Thanks for looking out for my friend."
Hu Tao cried out, flustered, "I told you, I'm not looking out for him!"
Kael muttered, "Venti, you just want free drinks."
Venti downed his glass in one gulp.
"Hahahaha! Don't expose me like that.