A Ministry of Civil Affairs worker was assigned to Henry soon, guiding him through the available shops across Liyue while explaining which areas saw more traffic and which ones were better suited for long-term business.
They moved through several streets, passing shops that were already thriving, others that looked recently vacated, and a few that clearly weren't worth considering. Henry listened when needed, asking a question here and there, but most of his focus stayed on the flow of people, how often travelers passed through, and how easily someone could access the place without going out of their way.
When they reached the area near Wanmin Restaurant, Henry slowed down slightly, his attention shifting almost immediately to the surrounding shops. The place had a steady crowd, not overwhelming but constant, and more importantly, it was positioned close to one of the exits of the city, making it ideal for both locals and people coming in or out of Liyue.
The worker nodded without hesitation, clearly approving of the decision. "That location sees consistent movement throughout the day, especially with Wanmin Restaurant drawing people in, and it's close to one of the city exits."
Henry gave a small nod in response, the slight grin on his face showing he had already come to the same conclusion.
Back inside the Ministry, the environment shifted into something more structured, with people moving through the halls with purpose, documents being handled efficiently, and conversations kept short and focused.
As they turned a corner, Henry found himself facing a girl who stood out immediately, not because she was trying to draw attention, but because of how composed she seemed.
Her green hair was tied back neatly, her expression calm, and her eyes sharp in a way that suggested she missed very little.
Kuki Shinobu
What caught Henry slightly off guard, though, wasn't just her presence but what she was wearing. Instead of the short gang outfit he remembered, she was dressed in a styled kimono, fitted well and giving her a more formal look, which, if anything, made her stand out even more.
The worker stepped forward slightly. "Consultant Shinobu will handle the drafting of your ownership contract."
Kuki gave a small nod, introducing herself to Henry before gesturing for him to follow. She led him into a smaller office space that felt far more personal than the open areas outside.
The room was neatly arranged, with documents placed in order and nothing out of place, reflecting the same level of control she carried in her posture.
She took her seat and placed the contract in front of him, explaining each section carefully as she went through it line by line.
It wasn't rushed, and she didn't skip over anything important, making sure he understood exactly what he was signing instead of just pushing him to finish quickly.
Henry leaned slightly forward as he listened, though he wasn't entirely focused on the paper.
"You explain this much to everyone?" he asked casually, watching her reaction.
"Yes," she replied without looking up, her tone steady as she continued.
"That thorough?"
She paused briefly before continuing. "It avoids problems later."
Henry smiled faintly at that. "You must be reliable to handle things like this."
She narrowed her eyes at him briefly before returning to the contract. "I'm just doing my job."
"Still," Henry said, leaning back slightly, "not everyone does it this well."
Kuki smiled faintly at his attempt to engage her in conversation. "If you must know, I graduated a few years ago. You could still consider me a new legal consultant."
Once everything was explained, Henry signed the document without hesitation and handed it back to her. Kuki checked it quickly, making sure everything was in order before setting it aside.
"That's done," she said simply.
Henry stood up and paid the consultation fee she had mentioned earlier. "Thanks. That was actually easier than I expected."
"That's the point," she replied.
With that, Henry left the office and made his way back through the Ministry, heading toward the main stairs. He didn't get far, though, before a hand suddenly caught his arm, stopping him mid-step.
He turned to see a tomboy girl standing there, her presence immediately noticeable, not just because of how she looked, but because of the energy she carried.
She was flat in the chest area, but Henry didn't mind, following the code—flat is justice. His eyes still drifted lower for a moment, taking in her thick thighs, and he couldn't help but imagine how shapely her butt would be with legs like that.
She wore a brown and red outfit with a distinctive hat, her expression playful in a way that suggested she was already up to something.
She tilted her head slightly, still holding onto his arm. "You look like someone who might be interested in a special offer," she said, her tone light but deliberate.
"No, no. Do not redeem."
Henry raised an eyebrow, glancing at her grip before looking back at her face. "What special offer? Should I be worried?"
"Not at all," she replied quickly. "In fact, you're lucky. I'm offering a twenty percent discount, only for you, dear customer."
"And what exactly are you selling?"
"Funeral services," she said without hesitation, smiling like it was the most normal thing in the world.
"You want me to buy a funeral package?" he asked, just to be sure.
"Exactly," Hu Tao replied, nodding confidently. "Best deal you'll find."
Henry shook his head, a faint laugh escaping him. "Do I look like I'm about to die?"
Hu Tao leaned in slightly. "You never know. It's always better to be prepared."
Henry looked at her for a moment, then sighed. "You're really serious about this."
"Of course I am," she said.
There was a moment where he could've just walked away, but instead, he crossed his arms slightly and asked, "Alright, what kind of packages do you have?"
That was all she needed.
Her expression lit up instantly as she started explaining the different options, clearly enjoying the fact that he was actually listening instead of brushing her off like most people probably did.
Henry let her talk for a bit before raising a hand. "Alright, I get it. I will take one full package"
Hu Tao blinked, clearly surprised for a split second before breaking into a wide smile.
"Really?"
"Yeah," Henry said. "As you said, I will consider this as planning ahead."
That was enough for her.
She grabbed onto his arm again, clearly pleased as she dragged him toward Wangsheng Funeral Parlour to sign the contract. They went through the process, and by the time it was done, she looked far more joyful than before.
"Poor girl. Her face was probably going to fall again once she finds out Old dong Zhong putting payment tabs on her parlour."
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