A joyful atmosphere filled the entire room. Everyone sat together, laughing and sharing stories of what they had seen and experienced.
The mood was wonderful—except for one green-haired individual.
That would be none other than Young Master Alatus. His expression was particularly dark, understandable given he had been forced into a maid outfit.
"Hey, kid, it's your sister's birthday. Don't look so grumpy." Bosacius walked over and slapped Xiao on the back, his expression practically begging for a punch.
"Go away. Call me Xiao." Xiao swatted Bosacius's hand away, annoyed.
Other than coming over to tease him, what else could this guy do? Oh, right. Eat.
"Alatus, look on the bright side. Our little sister only does this to you." Menogias said with a gentle smile. Anyone with half a brain would understand the meaning—she only treats you specially.
Hearing that, Alatus nodded slightly. At least Second Brother knew how to talk. Still, something felt off.
Meanwhile, the Hu-Yanfei duo whispered among themselves.
"Hey, Yanfei, that Adeptus Xiao seems pretty grumpy. Am I going to get silenced?" Hu Tao whispered to Yanfei.
This was a big gathering—so many adepti. She didn't want to get silenced before she could sell them coffins. The scene before her was certainly an eye-opener.
"That senior looks fierce, but he's actually a good person. Don't worry, Director." Yanfei pinched Hu Tao's cheek. This girl was so cute and lively.
"Hey, you know, these adepti spend so much time guarding the borders. Bound to have some accidents, right? Look at this..." Hu Tao rubbed her hands together with a scheming smile.
"Shut up. What did I tell you before? Stop saying things like that. Wipe that merchant look off your face." Yanfei immediately slapped the back of Hu Tao's head. This girl was up to no good again—she had to be stopped.
"Ow! That hurts! Occupational habit, occupational habit..." Hu Tao rubbed her head pitifully. The moment she saw Yanfei's expression, she fell silent.
"We heard all that, you know." Bonanus said with a smile.
Hearing that, the Hu-Yanfei duo simultaneously turned to look at the group. Seeing that everyone had stopped talking and was watching them curiously, the two girls instantly blushed with embarrassment.
At that moment, they felt like children attending a gathering of elders.
But to be fair, among this group, they were indeed the youngest.
"Ah? Haha... haha..." Hu Tao laughed awkwardly. This was the first time Director Hu had ever shown such an expression.
"Don't be so formal. We're all family here." Granny Ping said gently. Youth was wonderful—endless topics to talk about.
Unlike an old woman like her, who had to wait ages for her old friends to come by for a chat.
"Hehe, no need to be shy. We're all familiar with each other, right, Coconut—I mean, Ganyu?" Bonanus put her hands on her hips, putting on her best gentle big sister expression.
"Yes, but still, there's a limit to everything. For example, Director Hu's comment just now." Ganyu covered her mouth with a light laugh.
"Got it." Hu Tao rubbed her head. Yanfei nodded in agreement. Director Hu was surprisingly well-behaved in front of the adepti.
Actually, Hu Tao wasn't a stranger to these adepti—that guy Bosacius lived at Wangsheng, after all. But looking at this scene—so many adepti in one place.
Just missing Rex Lapis and the adepti from Jueyun Karst. It was still a little overwhelming.
"So... can we cut the cake now? I'm getting hungry." Bosacius rubbed his stomach, looking like he was about to starve to death.
"Seriously? You just ate a huge meal, Bosacius." Menogias said, surprised. When did his big brother become such a glutton?
"Hmph. Foodie." Xiao crossed his arms, holding back a laugh as he turned his head away.
He looked like a tsundere maid at that moment—the kind you just wanted to tease. But Bonanus knew when to behave.
Aside from Alatus and Menogias, everyone else fell silent at Bosacius's comment. They had all witnessed his feasting at the dinner table.
And now he was saying he was hungry again? Was he some kind of bottomless pit?
With that thought, everyone turned to look at Hu Tao. After all, she was the one running Wangsheng and supporting this glutton of an adeptus.
Feeling all those sympathetic stares, Hu Tao rubbed her nose awkwardly. Even the adepti knew her struggles.
"Hu Tao, if Bosacius ever asks to borrow money from you, don't give it to him. Rex Lapis will cover his expenses." Bonanus said with a pitying look.
"Ah? Oh! Got it, got it!" Hu Tao's face lit up with a happy smile. This was a huge relief! As expected of the kind and caring Hydro Yaksha—she understood.
And Rex Lapis was such a powerful figure, being the creator of Mora himself. Surely he was loaded. Maybe she could even make a tidy profit on the side.
What Hu Tao didn't know was that the Rex Lapis Bonanus was referring to was actually Zhongli. And Zhongli frequently put his own expenses on Wangsheng's tab.
"Oh, Sister Bonanus, what does Rex Lapis look like in human form?" Hu Tao asked curiously.
During the Rite of Parting, she had seen the Geo Archon descend as a dragon, but never in human form.
Hearing that, Bonanus rubbed her chin and thought for a moment.
"I can't say too much—his identity needs to stay secret. But he takes many forms among mortals. Sometimes a mature woman, sometimes a male merchant."
"Ah, I see." Hu Tao nodded. She understood not being able to say too much. But switching between female and male forms? That was... interesting.
Rex Lapis really knew how to have fun, Hu Tao thought to herself.
"Alright, enough talking. Time to cut the cake." Bonanus picked up the plastic knife and looked at her big brother, who was practically drooling.
If Bosacius ever got married, his poor wife would have to work the spatula until it smoked just to keep him fed.
"Finally!" Bosacius grinned. He had been waiting to try this big, beautiful thing. It looked so good—it had to be delicious.
Even though he and his brothers had prepared it, he had never actually tasted cake since returning to Liyue.
"So pretty... but I can't eat it..." Ganyu swallowed and closed her eyes. Out of sight, out of mind.
"I feel like this is more of a birthday party for Bosacius." Menogias rubbed his forehead. He couldn't compare this version of his big brother to the fierce warrior of the past.
The contrast was too strong—he couldn't look directly at him.
"That's not fair. Cake is meant to be eaten. And besides..." Before Bosacius could finish, a loud splat sounded as something hit his face.
White cream splattered all over Bosacius's face. He froze mid-sentence. What was this? Was this some kind of cake-eating tradition?
"Hehe! Let the battle begin! Sisters, charge!" The one who had struck Bosacius was none other than Bonanus. She grinned at the other women present.
Hu Tao and Yanfei immediately caught on. They were young, after all—they understood. Ganyu, on the other hand, looked confused.
Clearly, she didn't get it.
As for Granny Ping, she had already received her slice of cake and retreated to the courtyard, quietly enjoying it.
Before Bosacius, Menogias, and Alatus could figure out what was happening, they too were baptized in cream. And this time, they learned to fight back.