Each world has its own trajectory.
Outsiders who intervene too much…
May cause a butterfly effect.
In that case, people who shouldn't be there may appear,
And those who should have appeared might vanish.
Moreover, Orion was already seriously ill.
He couldn't live for many more years.
If he got involved too deeply,
He might not even have time to clean up the aftermath.
---
"Na, it's just Bubu Pharmacy," Hu Tao said casually.
"The medicine jar you often visit."
Hu Tao didn't care about Orion's reaction,
She kept talking, full steam ahead.
"I've never been there since I was a kid, and I didn't expect there to be a zombie there."
"How can this be!"
Little Hu Tao had a serious face.
"I think Qiqi is really nice."
"It must be that Baizhu—he's studying immortality—and he made Qiqi into a zombie!"
"How can this be done?"
"People shouldn't linger after death. They're trapped in the world, unable to rest in peace. She must have suffered a lot."
"She's my best friend.
I'm going to send her away!"
---
Orion couldn't help but laugh bitterly.
He coughed lightly and put on a serious face.
"Maybe Qiqi wanted to live."
"She's lived so many years—even getting a Vision justifies her existence."
Hu Tao's brows twisted like rope.
She stared at Orion with suspicion.
"How do you know Qiqi has lived for many years?"
"Are you… very familiar with her?"
Orion was briefly stunned.
He hurried to explain.
"It's just that I've been to Bubu Pharmacy often."
"I'm familiar with Doctor Baizhu."
"He mentioned it while we were chatting."
"Oh."
Hu Tao nodded, not suspicious.
Just her usual childlike face, but with a serious tone.
---
"No, Qiqi must've been forced."
"It's that weird Baizhu guy—with the white snake wrapped around his neck."
"To study immortality, he imprisoned and controlled Qiqi all this time."
"I have to save her!"
---
Orion didn't say more.
He knew—this was Hu Tao's determined mode.
Stubborn as a donkey.
Once she's set her mind, it won't change easily.
He only wanted to plant a seed.
Later, when Hu Tao learns the full story…
She'll remember his words.
Maybe that small impression will help her wake up.
The big stuff—he wouldn't dare interfere.
But in small matters like this that fit the plot…
A little nudging shouldn't hurt.
---
Orion remembered well:
Hu Tao was obsessed with burying Qiqi for years.
To the point that Qiqi, who forgets everything,
Started remembering the place Hu Tao often haunted—
And began hiding just to avoid her.
He hoped Qiqi could live happily.
Her life was already painful.
And Hu Tao's persistence only made it scarier.
It wasn't something Orion wanted to see.
---
"By the way, you're familiar with Baizhu, right?"
Hu Tao leaned close and whispered into Orion's ear.
"Can you help me tonight?
Go to Bubu Pharmacy and stall Baizhu."
Orion shook his head again and again.
"No, no. I won't get involved."
Boy…
He couldn't help Qiqi? Fine.
But become Hu Tao's accomplice in cremating Qiqi?
No way.
---
"Don't worry," Hu Tao reassured.
"Since you're not feeling well, it won't take long."
"You'll be back in bed in no time."
---
Orion was about to refuse again…
But then a flash of inspiration struck.
Maybe if he went, he could secretly tip off Baizhu.
Play the role of inner agent—
Keep Qiqi safe and sound.
Thinking of this, Orion decisively agreed.
"Okay."
Hu Tao smiled.
"That's right."
"You know so much about funeral etiquette."
"How could you not understand?"
"For those who've died, the afterlife is the destination."
"Wandering the world only brings pain."
---
Orion didn't answer. Just smiled.
Hu Tao didn't pursue it.
It was getting dark.
She was already making plans to capture Qiqi tonight.
---
"Tomorrow is the best day for a funeral."
"If I miss it, I'll have to wait a long time."
Orion understood—
Hu Tao truly thought of Qiqi as her best friend.
And for Hu Tao…
To choose the most auspicious day,
To honor all funeral traditions,
To give her friend the finest farewell—
That was her most sincere gift.
Very Hu Tao.
---
As a participant in the operation,
Orion witnessed the whole planning process.
Hu Tao wanted to bring Qiqi to the southern outskirts.
She'd already dug a grave there, placed a tombstone.
He could pretend to "accidentally" remind Baizhu.
---
Hu Tao, always meticulous,
Had accounted for every possible surprise.
Planned her responses.
Had backups for every variable.
And yet—
There was no plan to stop Orion.
Maybe because…
He showed up when she needed help most.
Always by her side.
Helping with all his heart.
---
After all, Hu Tao was just thirteen.
Girls her age were still playing innocently under their parents' care.
Life expectancy in Teyvat was higher than Orion's old world,
So development was slower.
Thirteen in Teyvat felt like seven or eight back home.
The age of carefree childhood.
---
Hu Tao had taken on burdens far too early.
She had no one to rely on.
Not like other little girls,
Spoiled by family.
She looked strong.
Like nothing fazed her.
Like she could handle everything with ease.
But inside—
She was still just a kid.
She had her own moments of helplessness.
Of hesitation.
Like when her grandfather passed away.
She calmly managed his funeral.
But behind the scenes—
She packed alone.
Carried everything herself.
Then, late at night,
Left the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Walked alone to the edge of Wuwang Hill.
Just to see her grandfather one last time.
Orion knew this scene well.
He waited at the edge of Wuwang Hill for a long time.
The ghosts in Genshin Impact weren't scary—
Some were even quite talkative.
So Orion had already spoken to them beforehand,
Asked them to look after Hu Tao.
But before Hu Tao arrived at the border,
Orion left early.
This moment was too important—
It was her key chance to receive the Vision of the gods.
He couldn't be there.
He couldn't interfere.
The path forward had to be Hu Tao's alone.
---
Orion waited anxiously for several days.
In the distance, he saw a figure streaking through the twilight—
Dark red robes fluttering with speed.
Only then did he breathe a quiet sigh of relief.
It looked like everything had gone smoothly.
---
Then, he pretended to stumble upon her by coincidence.
With a casual tone, he shared everything he knew about funeral etiquette—
Flawlessly, as if it were offhand.
Hu Tao was stunned.
She invited him into the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
And just like that—
He naturally became a guest secretary of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
"__'
I guessed someone is jobless now.
---------
End of chapter.