The elevator slowly ascended to the top, and Hu Tao led Jiang Bai out.
"There's something I forgot to mention."
"What is it?" Jiang Bai asked curiously.
"When we go inside and see the lady behind the counter, whatever you do, don't call her 'boss lady'! She's the owner of the inn, and she doesn't like being called that."
"Oh?" Jiang Bai tilted his head.
Is there really a difference between the two?
"Are you stupid?" Hu Tao rolled her eyes at him. "Normally, 'boss' just refers to the owner of an establishment, while 'boss lady' specifically means the owner's wife. Get it now?"
Jiang Bai scratched his head. "Got it."
Other than the owner herself, who would even care about something like this?
But since she cared, that was reason enough.
"The owner is from Mondstadt. Her name is Verr Goldet, and she married into Liyue. Her husband, Huai'an, works as the innkeeper. Verr Goldet is quite impressive—just a few words with her, and she can figure out most of your background…"
"I feel like I just heard someone talking about me?"
A woman in a deep wine-red qipao stepped out from the main hall. The qipao had slightly puffed sleeves and a flared skirt, with intricate embroidery stitched in fine thread.
She wore black stockings and silver high heels trimmed with gold.
Her hair was a light golden blonde, gathered into two braids at the back of her head. Beneath her bangs were a pair of striking brown eyes—clear and penetrating, as if they could see straight through someone.
Arms crossed, she looked at Hu Tao with the faintest hint of a smile at the corner of her lips.
"I heard from Yuhua that Director Hu is here. Sure enough, I could hear your voice from inside."
"Hehe, long time no see, Boss!"
"The last time you came was half a month ago, so yes, it has been a while."
"And this is?" Verr Goldet's gaze landed on Jiang Bai.
The young man was quite handsome, with an unusual head of white hair, slicked back to reveal a broad forehead, with a few longer strands falling behind him. He wore the standard uniform of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, with a Geo Vision hanging from his waist.
At the moment, he was tilting his head slightly, studying her with equal curiosity.
From first impressions, he didn't seem like an introverted person.
"Jiang Bai, one of our people at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
"I see." Verr Goldet nodded in understanding before greeting Jiang Bai.
"So this is your first time here, Jiang Bai."
"Yeah, just tagging along with the Director Hu to see more of the world." Jiang Bai chuckled.
He wanted to test if this innkeeper really could figure out someone's background in just a few words.
"Then you must stay and enjoy the scenery here at Wangshu Inn. Traveling broadens the mind—if you want to gain insight, you must venture out and see the world." Verr Goldet smiled, as if she had already deduced much about him.
"Why do I feel like you already know who I am?" Jiang Bai raised a brow.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have said something so pointed.
"Haha, you overestimate me. All that talk about discerning people and things—just flattery from others." Verr Goldet chuckled lightly, neither confirming nor denying it. "I simply observe carefully and have a good understanding of the various cultures of Teyvat…"
Though she lived at Wangshu Inn, she had her own sources of information. Recently, the most talked-about rumors in Liyue Harbor concerned a certain person from Wangsheng Funeral Parlor—someone who had returned from the dead.
Hu Tao rarely brought others with her when she traveled. If she did, they were always familiar faces.
So when Verr Goldet saw a new face today, it wasn't hard to make an educated guess about Jiang Bai's identity.
She hadn't expected this much-discussed figure to also be a Vision holder—but then again, if he weren't, Hu Tao probably wouldn't regard him so highly.
"Managing an inn as grand as this, I highly doubt the praise people give you is baseless. The moment I saw you, I knew you weren't an ordinary person—after all, how could someone ordinary possess such an extraordinary presence…?"
Jiang Bai launched into a string of effusive compliments, practically singing her praises to the heavens.
"Haha! Well, thank you for your kind words, Jiang Bai. Next time you come to eat, I'll give you a discount." Verr Goldet laughed, clearly pleased.
"No need to wait for next time—how about a discount on today's meal?"
Jiang Bai grinned, sidling up to her. "Boss, you're beautiful and kind, intelligent and capable—truly a dragon among mortals! To run such a magnificent inn, you're the very definition of 'a heroine who stands shoulder to shoulder with men!' Someone as exceptional, extraordinary, and utterly stunning as you couldn't possibly refuse such a small request from me, right?"
Hu Tao crossed her arms, watching Jiang Bai shamelessly lay it on thick for Verr Goldet.
For some reason, her hands itched.
She really wanted to smack this guy's mouth—how was he even better at this than she was?!
"Haha, fine, fine! I'll give you both a discount!" Verr Goldet's smile deepened. This Jiang Bai was quite amusing.
"Alright, alright! Let's go eat!" Hu Tao grabbed Jiang Bai by the back of his collar and dragged him off without another word.
"You're choking me, Director Hu! Help—"
"Oh, stop faking it. Someone with a Vision doesn't die that easily." When they reached their usual table, Hu Tao rolled her eyes and let go, dusting off her hands.
The table offered an excellent view—one could dine while admiring the surrounding landscape, a feeling akin to having the world at one's feet.
Jiang Bai coughed dramatically, putting on a pitiful expression. "I just got us a discount on this meal, and this is how you treat me? Director Hu, you're too heartless…"
"Ha! As if I care about a little money."
Zhongli's casual purchases were in the hundreds of thousands of Mora—how much could a meal even cost?
Jiang Bai's expression shifted in an instant. Grinning, he held out his palm. "Then, Director Hu, how about sparing me a little Mora?"
Hu Tao turned away, lifting her chin. "Nope."
"My Mora doesn't just come from the wind. It's not something I can just hand out!"
"But you just said you don't care about small amounts of money…"
"That's different!"
"How is it different?"
"It just is! No means no!"
"…Fine." Jiang Bai drooped his head, looking utterly defeated.
The wind blew past, making his lonely silhouette seem even more desolate and cold.
Seeing him like that, Hu Tao—perhaps for the first time—felt a tiny pang of guilt.
Sighing, she reached into her pocket and placed a single Mora on the table.
"Hmph, this is all you're getting."
"Many thanks, Director Hu! Long live Director Hu!" Jiang Bai's face lit up instantly. He snatched up the coin like it was some priceless treasure, cheering gleefully.
Hu Tao looked at him in sheer disdain.
Why did she have such an embarrassing subordinate?
She picked up a teacup and poured herself some tea. Just as she was about to take a sip, she suddenly paused, glancing toward the upper floor as if sensing something.