Chapter Text
The sun began to rise over the houses and homes at Liyue harbor, and it went from a fiery red shade slowly fading into a bright blue sky. It reflected on the water’s surface, making its reflection a brilliant, beautiful display. The light bounced off the buildings, reflecting the same colours. People sat out the doorways, watching the sunrise, chatting in hushed whispers and sipping green tea from bamboo cups. The air was cool enough to keep the warmth of the morning away.
“Ah..." said a soft voice coming from none other than the young lady in charge of the wangsheng funeral parlor, Hu Tao. She had just raised out of her bed, touched by the sunlight from her window. As she got used to the warm feeling, she stood up. Her body, still half in sleep, swayed slightly and she had trouble getting her balance. “Morning!!” She yawned widely, stretching her head out the window playfully.
After getting ready, Hu Tao rushed to work to handle some business. When she arrived at the parlor, Zhongli was sitting on a stool nearby, "Good morning, Mister Zhongli~!" She greeted happily, taking an extra seat close to his. "What are you waiting for sitting down like this? We have tons of clients to tend to~" asked Hu Tao.
"It seems we have very little clients today miss Hu Tao. And I believe we can take the day off this time. Besides, I was informed you have a package today." responded Zhongli. "It should be on your desk." Hu Tao gave him a questioning look, asking "what is it?" Zhongli smiled mysteriously, which made Hu Tao suspicious.
"I happen to have no idea myself, but the sender seemed quite flustered. They kept stuttering and babbling about how this gift was 'for you'. I happened to be enjoying a cup of tea. Then when I turned to see who it was, they left immediately and never came back." Zhongli explained. "You're not going to tell me who it was?? It can't be a ghost, now can it~?" Hu Tao interrogated him curiously. She thought to herself who it could be, and rushes to open the box.
"Inside is... Silk flowers?" Hu Tao exclaimed, taking out one of them. She looked at the note laying beside the flowers with a lovely poem that reads "As the sun sets and the moon rises, my heart grows colder each time we are apart. For if I could only feel the warmth of your love, shining bright into the dark. If your presence was sunlight, it would be all I need to carry through until dawn arrives yet again I am forever yours until the light fades and until death do us part." The message was beautifully written and elegant as well.
Hu Tao felt the corners of her mouth curve upwards while blushing slightly. “Who could this be~?" She rarely gets sent love letters, could it be that she had a secret admirer? She sighed dreamily, placing her hand on her cheek and smiling, then continued looking into the box. The silk flower looked beautiful. She wondered what kind of person would write such a romantic poem...
Meanwhile on the other side of Liyue harbor, "Ugh... this is such a bad Idea, It sounds so stupid!" A male voice complained, as the other listened quietly with a more calm tone "I believe it was done quite nicely If I do say so myself, do you not think I taught you well my friend?" He assured him.
"The writing sounds nothing like me! W-What if she doesn't like it?? I knew I shouldn't have tried explaining how I felt through poetry..." The worried voice continued. "This is only the first step my friend, and you will soon feel prepared to confess your feelings in person." The calm male voice explained to him. "Agh I can't think about it anymore, let's just go out and get my mind off things." The anxious voice suggested, and so the two began walking.
Back at Wangsheng funeral parlor, it became noon quicker than Hu Tao had thought. She realized she hadn't eaten a proper meal yet, so she decided to head over to Wanmin restaurant for her break and see her friend Xiangling. She ran there with a spring in her step, humming to herself.
As she entered the building, she was surprised to see her friends Xiangling, Xingqiu, Xinyan and Chongyun inside already eating together, and talking animatedly to each other. She waved at them all, telling them hello. "Oh hey Hu Tao, good to see you!" Xiangling called out cheerfully, waving back. "What have you been up to? The news about you and that secret admirer is everywhere! Rumors are that it's a ghost!" said Xinyan, laughing.
Hu Tao flushed with embarrassment and replied with "Maybe there really is a little ghost running around giving love letters!" She creeps up behind Xinyan and Xiangling with a spooky grin. Everyone gasped and laughed. "Hey stop messing with us," said Chongyun.
Xiangling spoke up, trying to change the subject "So you're back? Good! You've missed us a lot! Why don't you take a seat at the table with Xingqiu, Chongyun and Xinyan? They're having their lunch here today too!" Xiangling pointed to a table, where a group of five people were eating.
Hu Tao followed her suggestion, taking a seat next to them. "Hi everyone, sorry I'm late. What were you guys talking about when I walked in?" said Hu Tao politely, sitting down across from them. "Just reminiscing. I sure enjoy the food in wanmin restaurant, it takes me back to the old times indeed." Xingqiu answered with a smile, nudging Chongyun's shoulder with his elbow to say something.
"Yeah, yeah.." chimed Chongyun as he continued eating cold noodles. Hu Tao ate a bit, and smiled. "Wow this is delicious! It's really tasty!! I'm glad we can all have lunch together today!" She smiled brightly, taking a huge bite from her dish. She swallowed before continuing "Do any of you know who sent the silk flowers to me today?" asked Hu Tao, putting her chopsticks back down. All three shook their heads no.
"I hope it isn't a ghost! That would be kind of scary..." Xiangling shivered dramatically, grabbing hold of the table cloth tightly. Everyone nodded, agreeing with her statement. Chongyun almost choked for a moment. "If it really is a spirit, I suggest having the exorcists take a look." Chongyun remarked dryly, stuffing noodles into his mouth in his usual way.
Hu Tao raised her eyebrows slightly "Well~ ghosts aren't necessarily an unusual sight at wangsheng funeral parlor... hehe~" she smirks mischievously. -"Let me guess, it's nothing for you exorcists to worry about? Tch, of course." said Chongyun sarcastically, glaring at Hu Tao with a dark look. "-I wasn't suggesting anything like that! I was joking~ But seriously though, you're probably right! There's no harm in checking!"
Everyone nodded, agreeing. "Well then let's check it out!" Xiangling suggested. "I agree. If there truly is a paranormal situation, then why must we miss a good opportunity to investigate?" Xingqiu declared determinedly, leaning over to Chongyun with a grin. "And I'm sure there will be other opportunities aswell..." He insisted with a quiet tone. Chongyun rolled his eyes.
"Alright then, let us go find out who it is!!" exclaimed Hu Tao enthusiastically.
After leaving the restaurant, they all went their separate ways, promising to meet up once later that day to discuss further about the matter.