I knew this cheapskate wouldn't be so kind

"So my role was just to take you to see a ghost once? Didn't you promise to let me stretch my legs properly?"

Hu Tao stood before Bai Ye, complaining in dissatisfaction.

She had been waiting to come out and teach those Fatui who had dared to cause such slaughter a proper lesson, then bring them back to Liyue to face punishment.

Yet the moment she was released, Bai Ye directly told her that he no longer needed her.

The enemies had all been dealt with.

She had gotten nothing out of it.

"We were facing a Fatui Harbinger over there. I was worried you'd be in danger."

Bai Ye's youthful face reddened.

He had lost himself the moment he saw those Adeptal treasures. How could he have remembered to let Hu Tao out?

"Hmph, who knows whether you saw something valuable and forgot all about me!" Hu Tao clearly did not believe Bai Ye. She complained, "If you break another promise to me next time, we won't be friends anymore."

"Mm-hm, mm-hm, mm-hm..."

Naturally, Bai Ye nodded rapidly.

Hu Tao was angry right now, so he had to soothe her quickly.

Be sincere. He had to be sincere.

Seeing how sincere Bai Ye was, Hu Tao finally let him off in satisfaction.

"Let's go. We should see how Ganyu is doing."

Bai Ye and Hu Tao walked over to Ganyu.

At that moment, Ganyu was directing the Millelith soldiers as they escorted the remaining Fatui members over.

"How is it on your end?"

"They've all been detained. I'm preparing to send them back to Liyue Harbor. The rest of the negotiations with the Fatui are the Seven Stars' responsibility."

As she instructed the Millelith to leave first, Ganyu spoke to Bai Ye.

After saying that, she asked him with concern, "By the way, you fought a Fatui Harbinger just now. Were you hurt?"

"I'm fine. Staying alive is what I'm best at."

Bai Ye told Ganyu about the battle that had just taken place.

When Ganyu and Hu Tao heard that Bai Ye had simply flown away, they both laughed.

At that point, Ganyu asked Bai Ye somewhat suspiciously, "By the way, Bai Ye, I heard those Fatui say they found many Adeptal artifacts in True Lord Jing Xuan Tong You's abode..."

"They were all lying. There isn't a single truthful sentence in those Fatui mouths."

Bai Ye said firmly.

Ganyu and Hu Tao exchanged a glance. How could they not understand what had happened?

"Mm, not necessarily. Perhaps those Harbingers secretly transferred them away."

Ganyu nodded.

Hu Tao also chimed in, "Yeah, yeah. That Harbinger called Childe probably took them all away."

At the same time, she silently mouthed something to Bai Ye.

Make me some interesting automata later!

Bai Ye gave Hu Tao an OK gesture.

After that, Ganyu said to him:

"Then I'll escort these Fatui members back to Liyue first. Our investigation here is more or less complete, and I still have work to handle in Liyue. You and Hu Tao should return early too. Miss Ningguang is still waiting for your report."

Her expression was somewhat reluctant.

Being with her junior brother, the aura of adeptal arts around him made her feel so comfortable.

She really wanted to stay with him a little longer!

But she knew full well that Bai Ye could not do her work for her.

And keeping him by her side would limit his growth.

She could only hope there would be more opportunities for this kind of joint work in the future.

"Mm, I'll head back as soon as possible. Sister Ganyu, if Ningguang and I run into any problems later, we may have to trouble you again."

"No problem. It's my job."

Ganyu said happily.

Then,

Bai Ye bid Ganyu farewell and left with Hu Tao.

Ganyu watched as Bai Ye and Hu Tao disappeared into the distance.

After saying goodbye to Ganyu, Hu Tao and Bai Ye immediately set out to handle Wangsheng Funeral Parlor business.

First, they went to tell the wandering souls that the Fatui base had been dealt with and that they could leave in peace.

Then they returned to where the adventurers' bodies were. Bai Ye and Hu Tao loaded the bodies onto a cart and hauled them away.

Naturally, Bai Ye was the one driving.

Bai Ye swore that as long as he and Hu Tao were in the same vehicle, he would never let Hu Tao drive.

The two of them set off.

Sitting in the passenger seat, Hu Tao asked Bai Ye, "Bai Ye, do you want to take those things back and let Zhongli have a look? He's very skilled at appraising antiques. If he identifies them for you, you won't get cheated when you sell them later."

Go see Zhongli?

Bai Ye shook his head.

With his teacher around, he absolutely would not meet Zhongli before learning his teacher's identity.

"I wasn't planning to sell them anyway. I'm going to preserve these Adeptal artifacts carefully and study them."

"Tch, suit yourself. But you have to promise me that you'll use your Art of Automata to make something nice for me."

"Mm, of course. This is our contract. I couldn't possibly break a contract in the land of contracts."

"That's more like it."

Hu Tao was satisfied.

Bai Ye continued driving.

At the same time,

he began thinking about what interesting thing he should make for Hu Tao.

For example,

an automatic high-temperature cremation machine?

The vehicle headed south from Stone Gate, passed through Dihua Marsh, and arrived at Wangshu Inn.

By the time they reached Wangshu Inn, it was already night.

Driving through the night while exhausted was out of the question.

"We'll rest at Wangshu Inn tonight."

Hu Tao said to Bai Ye.

"Mm-hm."

The two went up to the inn.

After heading inside, Hu Tao briskly said, "Boss Fei, give us two guest rooms."

"Call me boss, not boss lady."

Fei replied without even looking up.

"Got it."

Hu Tao nodded without a second thought.

Who knew whether she really remembered or not?

Fei glanced at Bai Ye then, and an amazed look appeared in her eyes.

"What a handsome young man. If you call me big sister, I'll give you twenty percent off the rooms."

"Big sister."

After living through university on Earth, calling someone big sister carried no psychological burden at all.

Hu Tao rolled her eyes at Bai Ye.

"No principles, absolutely no principles. If I gave you a red envelope, would you call me big sister too?"

Bai Ye rolled his eyes back at Hu Tao.

"No way!"

"Hmph!"

Looking at Hu Tao, who was puffed up like a pufferfish, Bai Ye smiled and said to Fei, "By the way, big sister, bring us a tableful of food too."

"Bring us the best spread!"

Hu Tao immediately added.

Eat him bankrupt, you bastard!

"Alright."

Fei nodded.

Seeing that she really intended to do it, Hu Tao hurriedly said, "No, no, no, I was joking. Just bring a few dishes."

"It's fine."

Bai Ye said indifferently.

Hu Tao stared at Bai Ye in surprise.

"Don't forget, I'm investigating on Ningguang's behalf."

Bai Ye smiled faintly and explained to Hu Tao.

"..."

I knew this cheapskate wouldn't be so generous.