Everyone Is a Pure and Innocent Friend

"We're just pure and innocent! Just friends!"

Hu Tao and Bai Ye said in unison.

"Mm."

Zhongli's expression was unreadable.

"I believe you are pure and innocent," Fei said, walking over with food. Hearing them say that, she immediately chimed in.

"See!"

Hu Tao was delighted that the owner of Wangshu Inn understood her so well.

"Pure and innocent friends sleeping in the same bed."

Fei added.

Hearing her say that, Hu Tao and Bai Ye's expressions became a little unnatural.

"If we're just friends, why can't we sleep in the same bed?"

"Sleeping in the same bed isn't pure and innocent. That's your dirty mind."

Hu Tao and Bai Ye both looked down at their toes as they spoke.

Afterward, Hu Tao quickly grabbed Bai Ye's hand.

"Bai Ye, let's go. We need to get back to Liyue Harbor quickly."

"Right, right, right."

Hu Tao and Bai Ye fled in a panic.

Watching them go, Fei started to laugh happily.

Behind her, Zhongli also started walking downstairs.

"Director Hu, wait a moment."

"What is it?" Hu Tao turned to ask Zhongli.

"I'll go back with you."

He had to keep an eye on them, just in case things got out of hand.

Although he felt a certain closeness to Bai Ye, Bai Ye was hiding things from him, and his origins were a mystery.

Zhongli couldn't completely trust him yet.

Hu Tao was always with him, which gave him cause for concern.

Once he figured out what secrets Bai Ye was hiding, he could then decide on his next course of action.

At the very least, he needed to know Bai Ye's true master and whose tutelage he came from before he could judge how to view him.

He had to be cautious for now.

Besides, Hu Tao was fifteen, and Bai Ye was also fourteen or fifteen. They were still too young.

Wangsheng Funeral Parlor wouldn't be looking for a successor so soon.

Bai Ye realized he was even more nervous than yesterday.

Even though he had passed yesterday's test, and Zhongli couldn't see through it even with the teacher's full effort to hide it.

So why did Bai Ye feel even more nervous when he heard Zhongli say he was going with them?

They reached the bottom of Wangshu Inn, and the three of them got into the Spirit Vehicle.

Zhongli sat in the driver's seat.

Bai Ye and Hu Tao sat on the other side.

"We're just pure and innocent."

After getting in, Bai Ye and Hu Tao emphasized this again.

"Yes, I believe you, Director Hu."

Zhongli was speechless.

He said this and then quietly started driving.

Besides Hu Tao, Zhongli also knew how to drive the vehicles from Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.

Hu Tao, sitting in the car, took Bai Ye's Art of Automata-made robot from him to play with.

Bai Ye sat in the middle, his back straight, his expression serious as he stared straight ahead.

He didn't dare to make any sudden moves.

Seeing Bai Ye's serious expression, Hu Tao covered her mouth and giggled.

She quietly placed her hands underneath, poking and prodding Bai Ye's belly with her fingers.

Bai Ye glanced at Hu Tao.

Hu Tao immediately turned her head away, the corners of her mouth constantly curving upwards.

Smug, radiating pure smugness.

The Spirit Vehicle sped along in Zhongli's hands, and the three of them quickly returned to Liyue Harbor.

Seeing that they were almost at Liyue Harbor, Bai Ye immediately said to Hu Tao, "Stop the vehicle here for a moment. I'll get off here. Later, I need to go to Yujing Terrace and then ascend to the Jade Chamber to see Miss Ningguang."

"Okay."

Hu Tao was a little reluctant.

It was a shame to miss out on the pleasant scent she'd enjoyed for two days.

After a moment's thought, Hu Tao said to Bai Ye, "Remember to come to Wanmin Restaurant tonight. You treated me to a meal at Wangshu Inn yesterday, so I'll treat you back at Wanmin Restaurant today."

"Alright."

Faced with Hu Tao's invitation, Bai Ye didn't hesitate at all.

The two parted ways like this.

After they parted, Hu Tao stroked her chin and said to Zhongli, "Zhongli, do you think we can find a way to get Bai Ye to join Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?"

Someone so good-looking, with such a pleasant scent, who also invented all sorts of novel contraptions, and was an all-around excellent friend except for being a bit shameless at times – how could they not try to get him to join the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?

Zhongli decided to pretend he hadn't heard anything.

He still planned to figure out Bai Ye's identity first.

After bidding farewell to Hu Tao and Zhongli, Bai Ye walked towards Yujing Terrace.

His desire to escape Zhongli was genuine.

However, his intention to report to Ningguang was also real.

Upon arriving at Buyun's location, Buyun would then escort him up to the Jade Chamber.

Arriving at the Jade Chamber.

The Millelith guards immediately approached.

"I'm here to see Miss Ningguang."

Bai Ye immediately stated his purpose.

"Yes."

The guard nodded, then turned and walked into the Jade Chamber to notify Bai Ye.

Soon, Ningguang's secretary, Baiwen, emerged.

Upon seeing Bai Ye, Baiwen bowed slightly.

"Young Master Bai Ye, Lady Ningguang requests your presence."

"Mhm."

Bai Ye nodded.

He then followed Baiwen into the Jade Chamber.

Inside the Jade Chamber, as Bai Ye entered, Ningguang was reclining on a couch.

Holding a pipe, her eyes narrowed, the silken qipao skirt falling to reveal a pair of plump, jade-like legs and feet, exuding an air of languid allure.

Bai Ye couldn't help but avert his gaze.

While Hu Tao possessed the sprightliness of a young girl, this woman embodied the seductiveness of a mature woman.

Ningguang maintained her pose, finding it amusing to tease the young man. If she had such a cute younger brother, she would definitely tease him like this all the time.

"How was it? How did the investigation go this time?"

"It was alright. There was only a residual Archon presence on the road, which has been dealt with. We also encountered a Fatui base, which we successfully dismantled. As for the roads themselves, my recommendation is to completely rebuild them."

Hearing Ningguang inquire about official matters, Bai Ye quickly explained the situation.

"Mhm, Ganyu has already sent word ahead, saying she'll be bringing back a group of Fatui prisoners. Hmph, these Fatui cooperate with us in the open, yet they engage in such activities behind our backs."

Ningguang let out a cold laugh.

Having mentally formulated a plan to deal with the Fatui, Ningguang looked back at Bai Ye, her playful mood returning.

A cute boy with white hair, just like me, why wouldn't I tease him?

"So, besides that? What else do you feel?"

"Huh? What feelings?"

Bai Ye didn't understand what Ningguang was talking about.

"How does it feel to be working with a beautiful girl?"

"Ah!?"

Upon hearing Ningguang's question, Bai Ye felt completely flustered.

"We're just pure, innocent friends!"

He still insisted on saying this.

"Really?"

Ningguang could see Bai Ye's lack of confidence at a glance.

"Mhm, ah, yes..."

Bai Ye nodded.

Seeing his flustered state, she was genuinely happy.

"It seems you're getting along well with Ganyu! Since that's the case, I have another commission. When Ganyu returns, I'll need you two to do it together. What do you say, will you accept it or not? I'll pay with Floating Stones."

"Huh?"

Bai Ye was a little taken aback.

It seemed something had been misunderstood.

No, Nothing was misunderstood.

Everyone was just pure, innocent friends.