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[Cheat] Chapter 116: New Life
🕑 Added 2025-07-04 03:43:18 +0000 UTCIn the courtyard on the left, everyone was in mourning. The sound of weeping filled the air.
“What’s going on here?”
Hu Tao squeezed her way through the crowd and asked, “Did an adventurer pass away?”
Someone replied, “Sigh, no, not an adventurer. It was the old master of the Wu family who passed.”
At that moment, Hu Tao caught sight of the deceased—an elderly man.
She asked curiously, “Why are you all so sad?”
“Sigh, little girl, someone in my family just passed away. How could we not be sad?”
“But why? Birth, aging, sickness, and death—these are all part of life. Why be sad about something so natural?”
“Where did this little girl come from?!”
“Go on, run along and play somewhere else!”
Hu Tao said seriously, “Life and death are natural phases. Every person must face death one day.
From what I can see, this elder passed peacefully in his sleep. He doesn’t appear to have suffered any illness.
That’s something to celebrate—it means he didn’t experience much pain in his final days.
So I say, you shouldn’t be sad. Besides, if the old man’s spirit is still present, he probably wouldn’t want to see you all grieving like this.”
One of the mourners said, “Young lady, you make a fair point. But still, he was family. How could we not feel sorrow?”
Zephyr looked at Hu Tao more intently. He hadn’t expected her to say something so philosophical.
It reminded him of an essay he once read back in school.
Zephyr added, “I think Hu Tao is right. A person is born into this world, and in the end, they simply return to it. There’s no need to grieve too much.”
Someone asked, “You two speak wisely, but I’ve never heard this kind of thinking here in Mondstadt. May I ask where you’re from?”
Hu Tao replied, “I’m from Liyue.”
“My homeland is called Huaxia, a country very similar to Liyue.”
The deceased elder’s eldest son spoke up, “Mondstadt welcomes distinguished guests such as yourselves. Hearing your words today was more enlightening than ten years of study.
Before he passed, my father once said that he didn’t want a grand funeral—just something simple to observe the rites.
My brothers and I thought that might not be appropriate. But after hearing what you said, we realize we should respect Father’s wishes… and learn from your perspective.”
“You’re too kind,” Hu Tao replied.
…
After bidding farewell to the mourners, Zephyr sighed, “As expected of Mondstadt. If this were anywhere else, saying something like that at a funeral would probably get you beaten up.”
Suddenly, Hu Tao slapped her thigh.
“Dang it!”
“I shouldn’t have said all that!”
“If I hadn’t spoken up, wouldn’t they have thrown a huge, fancy funeral for that old man? But now they’re saying they want to respect his wishes and keep it simple… Ugh, I lost a great business opportunity! Why did I have to open my mouth?!”
Paimon sweat-dropped. “W-Well, it’s not that bad…”
Hu Tao changed the subject. “By the way, your homeland really does seem a lot like our Liyue.”
Zephyr said, “No, no—my homeland isn’t capitalist.”
“You asking for a beating?”
Paimon chimed in, “They’re holding a wedding banquet over there. Let’s go check it out!” She wiped away a bit of drool.
“Are you going for the excitement or just to mooch some food? Did you even prepare a red envelope?”
“Red envelope? That’s a Liyue custom. In Mondstadt, when there’s a celebration, all guests are welcome. They don’t do that kind of thing.”
“Oh really? You think I believe that?”
But sure enough, once they arrived, no one asked for red envelopes.
However, there was one custom: every guest had to offer the newborn child a token of blessing, wishing them a bright and beautiful future.
Zephyr thought for a moment, then took out a Windwheel Aster and said,
“I hope this child grows up to be as outstanding as I am—someone who inherits the will of the wind.”
Paimon deadpanned, “Wow. Can’t believe you said that with a straight face.”
The family beamed with joy and said, “Thank you for your blessing, dear Genshin lady.”
Paimon tilted her head. “Huh? How did you know the Traveler is a Genshin?”
Hu Tao snorted, “Do you really need to ask something that obvious?” She pulled out a Liyue Lily.
“I offer this flower to your son, wishing that he may grow to be pure and untainted like the Liyue Lily, blooming unsullied even from the mud.”
“Thank you, young lady.”
Zephyr looked at Paimon.
“Uhh… uhh… I’ll give him this Sweet Flower! I hope he grows up to be a sweet and lovely person!”
“…What kind of blessing is that?” Zephyr muttered.
Still, the family accepted it with a smile.
They walked into the banquet hall.
Paimon let out a breath of relief. “Phew! Good thing Paimon had that Sweet Flower in pocket, otherwise that would've been so embarrassing.”
Zephyr asked, “Wait, that’s all you had in your pocket? Just a Sweet Flower?”
“Well, Paimon also have that Egyptian God Card, and… one Mora. That’s it.”
“One Mora? Just one?” Hu Tao blinked.
“Yeah, and even that one Paimon found on the ground earlier. Before that, Paimon didn’t even have a single coin.”
As she spoke, she cast a long, wistful glance at Zephyr.
“It’s all because the Traveler’s so stingy…”
“You eat my food, drink my drinks, and you still have the nerve to say that?”
“Paimon don’t just mooch, okay? Paimon have been doing a great job guiding you around!”
“Oh really? You couldn’t even help me find a funeral shop.”
“Who goes around paying attention to those kinds of shops?!”
Hu Tao gently patted Paimon’s head. “Paimon, what do you mean by ‘those kinds of shops,’ hmm?”
“Uhh… sorry, Paimon's bad.”
Zephyr thought for a moment and pulled out a 100-Mora coin. “Here, your allowance. Spend it wisely.”
“Yay!”
Hu Tao scoffed, “Pfft, you got bought off with just 100 Mora?”
Zephyr raised a brow. “Don’t forget, you still owe me fifty thousand Mora.”
“Hmph, what’s fifty thousand Mora? Once my shop opens, I’ll make that back in three days flat!”
…
As the guests mostly settled in, the head of the household came forward and gave a short congratulatory speech. Then, the bride and groom, holding the baby, began offering toasts to the guests.
The dishes were served, and every plate was an absolute culinary masterpiece.
Lumine commented, “Wow, this is the best food I’ve ever had.”
Hu Tao nodded, “Mmm, not bad. Mondstadt’s cuisine definitely has its own unique charm.”
Paimon was in heaven. “Wooow, so good! This one’s delicious! And that one too—sooo tasty!”
As for Zephyr… he could only stare longingly at the food.
The family wore radiant smiles of happiness, and their joy spread to those around them.
“Aw, what a cute baby!”
“Look at how adorable that child is. Don’t you want one too?”
“Mom, I’ve told you already—I’m focused on my career right now. I don’t want children yet.
Besides, having a child is a huge responsibility. I don’t think I’m ready to carry that kind of burden and pressure.”
Hu Tao sighed, “Wow… I didn’t expect Mondstadt to be just like Liyue, with young people constantly pressured by their parents to marry and have kids.”
Zephyr asked, “Hitting a nerve? So… when do you plan on having kids?”
“Go die, will you? This Hall Master is still young, alright? I don’t even have someone I like yet!”
Zephyr chuckled, “Objectively speaking, yeah—you’re still pretty young.”
//END
