As dusk settled over Liyue Harbor, the skies were painted in hues of sunset.
In front of the long street at Feiyun Slope, a girl in a brown long coat blocked the way of two people, her plum blossom eyes full of suspicion.
"Mhm? Not going to introduce this little one to me?" Yae Miko crossed her arms with a smile, gazing playfully at the suddenly appearing Hu Tao.
Though it wasn't her first time at Liyue Harbor, decades had passed since her last visit. To Yae Miko, everything here felt both unfamiliar and nostalgic, and the new faces intrigued her immensely.
Hu Tao eyed the overwhelming voluptuous beauties, her aura instantly halved. Still, she puffed out her chest and declared, "This Director is the seventy-seventh generation Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Hu Tao!"
Seeing Hu Tao's expression, Ken could guess what she was thinking. She was probably feeling a bit inferior because of her flat chest. While feeling inferior wasn't really Hu Tao's style, seeing so many curvy beauties around Ken, she couldn't help but doubt herself a little. It was only natural.
"So it's you?" Yae Miko's eyes lit up in realization.
When Raiden Ei was watching Genshin Impact's story, Yae Miko had learned from Ken and Ayaka that the Geo Archon, now living as Zhongli, resided at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Now, seeing the current Director in person, Yae Miko's gaze grew ambiguous. So the famous Hu Tao had set her sights on Ken?
"You know me?" Hu Tao eyed Yae Miko with suspicion, scratching her head. She didn't recall ever meeting this foxy beauty.
"Though we've never met, your reputation precedes you," Yae Miko replied with a smile, as if searching for what made this girl special enough for the Geo Archon to stay at her parlor.
Hu Tao was even more confused. "Eh? Has our Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's fame spread that far?"
"This is Yae Miko from Inazuma. As an associate of the Raiden Shogun, it's normal for her to know a bit more," Ken explained, patting Hu Tao's head.
Yae Miko's smile deepened, her gaze growing increasingly ambiguous at Ken's casual gesture.
Ken ignored her look. This fox was far too clever—she'd caught Hu Tao's feelings for him the moment Hu Tao ran over. When it came to matters of the heart, Miss Kitsune was always a step ahead.
"Inazuma?" Hu Tao widened her eyes. "Isn't Inazuma under lockdown? Oh... you must have come through his portal, right?"
Yae Miko looked at Hu Tao with interest. "What a sharp little one! Of course, I came with Mr. Ken."
"And just now, Ken said you're the Guuji of Inazuma... If I remember right, that's a pretty high rank. Guuji sis, interested in a business partnership?" Hu Tao's mind immediately shifted to business.
She'd always planned to expand Wangsheng Funeral Parlor to Mondstadt and Inazuma, just like Ken's specialty shops.
Mondstadt was easy, thanks to Ken's connections. But Inazuma was tricky due to its isolationist policy—cooperation seemed unlikely.
She hadn't expected to meet the Guuji of Inazuma at such a critical moment.
"Oh? What kind of business?"
Leisurely enjoying her rare free time, Yae Miko was curious what this lively girl would propose.
Ken could only shake his head and smile wryly. A mischievous Hu Tao meeting a sly fox—these two were bound to hit it off.
Yae Miko hated boredom, and Hu Tao was the embodiment of mischief. The two were a perfect match: one seeking excitement, the other being the source of it.
"Of course it's about the funeral business! I'd like to open a branch in Inazuma City. If Guuji sis works with me, you'll get a share of the profits!" Hu Tao pulled out some flyers from her pocket.
These flyers, printed on Blue Star, advertised Wangsheng's new "rock-and-roll funeral" services, complete with discounts—the main selling point being big promotions to attract customers.
After shoving a flyer in Yae Miko's hand, Hu Tao grinned, "Our Wangsheng Funeral Parlor has a thousand-year legacy. When it comes to funerals, we're second to none in all of Teyvat! Guuji sis, think it over!"
Yae Miko: "…"
She'd expected something interesting, but hadn't thought it would be a funeral business proposal.
Looking at the flashy flyers and services, even the well-traveled Guuji had to twitch at the mouth.
"Rock-and-roll funerals, pallbearers dancing… Are all Liyue funerals this unique?"
"Don't get the wrong idea! These are just for 'happy funerals'!" Hu Tao patted her own flat chest, vowing, "We're very solemn for normal funerals. Plus, we have an all-knowing guest consultant whose skills are top-notch!"
In this line of work, background matters. After all, their guest consultant was the Geo Archon—who could beat that in Liyue?
At this, Yae Miko's interest was piqued. "If we cooperate, could we request your consultant, Zhongli, to personally oversee the funeral rites?"
"Of course! He even presides over Liyue's Rite of Descension. But because of that, he's in high demand—if you want to book him, it'll probably be next autumn." Hu Tao checked her notebook.
Yae Miko's smile grew. "No problem, I can wait."
The thought of having the Geo Archon personally oversee a funeral amused the fox to no end. If only her own lady, Ei, could be as open-minded, perhaps she wouldn't have isolated herself for centuries.
"Great! I look forward to working with you!" Hu Tao's eyes curved into crescents, all her earlier worries vanishing.
Who cared about flat chests, as long as there was business!
Excited, Hu Tao turned to Ken. "By the way, this is an invitation from Yun Jin. She'll be performing her new piece at Heyu Tea House tonight. If you're interested, go check it out! I have more flyers to hand out."
"Mm, got it." Ken took the invitation, its gold-embossed letters naming the new opera: [The Divine Damsel of Devastation].
He'd always been interested in this opera. Back in the game, he'd been deeply moved by it. Now, getting to hear it live was a treat.
"Let's go. We'll meet Ganyu at Yuehai Pavilion, then let you experience Liyue's ancient opera culture," Ken said to the pink-haired fox.
Miss Fox smiled. "Of course. As long as it's not at the Grand Narukami Shrine playing the dignified Guuji, it's a fine way to pass the time."
As Hu Tao left, Ken led Yae Miko toward Yuehai Pavilion.
But after they'd gone, a cold, crane-like figure appeared before Liyue's Specialty Store, gazing at their retreating backs. Her aquamarine eyes rippled with rare emotion.
…
Yuehai Pavilion
Located atop Yujing Terrace, Yuehai Pavilion was where the Liyue Qixing handled affairs. Normally, outsiders couldn't approach.
But thanks to Ken's special status, he and Yae Miko entered easily.
The moment they stepped into the main hall, Ken was stunned by the scene: Ningguang, Keqing, and Ganyu sat on chairs, secretaries at their side, waiting with a commanding presence.
"What a coincidence?" Ken felt like he'd been "caught cheating." Though he had no concrete relationships with any of them, there was a hint of ambiguity with each, making him feel a bit guilty.
"I heard that the Lady Guuji of Narukami Shrine has arrived in Liyue. As Liyue's Tianquan Qixing, it's only proper that I receive you," Ningguang gazed at Ken's handsome face, her beautiful eyes tinged with resentment.
She recalled how Ken had left her sleeping on the bed and slipped away. With her deep, oceanic thoughts, Ningguang felt a faint sense of grievance.
Was she not noble and beautiful enough? Even if she was a bit older, her charm didn't lose to young girls, right? How could he just leave so indifferently?
Now, seeing that handsome face again, she couldn't deny her resentment. If not for the many people present, Ningguang would have confronted him directly.
She wanted him to act, but also feared he'd do the wrong thing—or worse, nothing at all. Ningguang had figured out all the complex emotions involved.
To make things worse, not only had he left her, but he hadn't shown up in two days. When she heard from her subordinates that Ken was seen with a beautiful woman at Feiyun Slope, her heart grew even heavier.
So that's why he hadn't been to Liyue Harbor—because of a new companion.
Putting everything aside, she rushed to Yuehai Pavilion.
Seeing who it was—Inazuma's Lady Guuji—Ningguang's mood soured further. Despite the Guuji being over five hundred years old, her foxy beauty was unparalleled—so much so that even women were left dazzled.
"Hehe… My visit is personal, not as a Guuji, so there's no need for the Qixing to host me," Yae Miko replied smoothly.
Ningguang might have deep thoughts, but the sly fox wasn't to be outdone.
With just a few exchanged glances, Yae Miko could tell Ningguang had plenty of grievances with Ken, and that the feelings between them were far from simple. The same went for Keqing and Ganyu, whose eyes were full of unspoken words.
Yae Miko could barely restrain herself from clapping—how wonderful! Who would've thought Alice had so many love rivals? She couldn't wait to see Alice's face if Ken was stolen away by these women.
"From what I know, Inazuma is under lockdown. Did the Guuji really come to Liyue just for personal matters?" Keqing, compared to Ningguang's tact, was more blunt.
"Otherwise?" Yae Miko smiled, ignoring Keqing's obvious jealousy. "I came to see my sister Ganyu. It's been decades since we last met. How have you been?"
As she spoke, Yae Miko raised a delicate hand, revealing a gift box containing a fresh Sango Pearl—an Inazuma specialty, perfect for the vegetarian Ganyu.
"Miko, it's been so long," Ganyu stood up and smiled gently at Yae Miko, her eyes full of joy.
They hadn't seen each other in decades, but her old friend was still as elegant as ever. Had she aged, it would have been a great regret.
"Ganyu, shall we go to Heyu Tea House to watch the opera? I hear the famous artist Yun Jin is performing tonight," Yae Miko said cheerfully, ignoring Ningguang and Keqing's sharpness. "As for Tianquan and Yuheng, I won't trouble you to accompany me. After all, this is a private visit, and I don't want to cause a scene. But I do thank you for your hospitality."
With that, Yae Miko naturally linked arms with Ganyu, and with her other hand, took Ken's arm.
As she leaned in, her soft breast pressed tightly against them.
Seeing this, Ningguang and Keqing's gazes shifted.
Yae Miko's smile only deepened. "Shall we go? What are you waiting for?"
Ken: "…"
Feeling the softness against his arm, Ken realized just how shameless Yae Miko could be. She was clearly doing this on purpose.
It wasn't about fighting with Ningguang or Keqing, but rather, Yae Miko had sensed the undercurrents in their words and decided to retaliate on the spot.
That was very much in line with her style—if she could tease even the Raiden Shogun, what did she have to fear from others?
"Alright, we'll be going then."
Ken, arm in arm with the sly fox, left Yuehai Pavilion.
Even without looking back, he could feel those sharp gazes behind him.
He wasn't siding with Yae Miko on purpose; it was just that, given the situation, there was nothing he could say. Besides, Yae Miko really was here for a private visit, and her little skirmish with Ningguang and Keqing was all beneath the surface.
Leaving now was for the best—this was just women's mind games and wouldn't cause any trouble.
But if he stayed and tried to smooth things over, it'd only get worse.
That was precisely why Yae Miko had confidently taken his arm. She'd already thought it through—she just wanted Ningguang and Keqing to be a little jealous.
"Hmph, wasn't Tianquan always so eloquent? Why so silent today?" Keqing grumbled, questioning Ningguang. Usually, Ningguang was a master of debate—why not today?
Ningguang: "…"
…