Chapter 64: Xiangling: Save me! Save me!

After chatting for a while longer, Ningguang and Keqing rose to take their leave.

"Director Hu, see you tomorrow then."

Hu Tao stood up and cupped her hands in a traditional greeting.

"Alright, see you tomorrow."

As Ningguang and Keqing departed, Hu Tao looked up at the sky; it was already midday.

Consequently, she instructed the parlor's young attendant to deliver her and Zhongli's lunch to Zhongli's room, intending to enjoy a meal while watching a horror film.

She had an appointment with Xiangling and the others in the afternoon to farm Primogems at Dihua Marsh.

...........

Upon returning to the Jade Chamber and stepping into her office, Ningguang heard a familiar voice.

"What is so urgent that you had to summon me back in such a hurry?"

Ningguang looked toward the source of the voice; the speaker was none other than Liyue's spymaster, Yelan.

"Naturally, it's something urgent. Otherwise, I wouldn't have called upon you."

Yelan leaned against a pillar, toying with a die in her hand as she pondered.

"Let me guess. Could it be about that Fatui Harbinger who recently arrived in Liyue?"

Ningguang lit her pipe and replied.

"No. Tomorrow, you will accompany me to a place. I want you to come along."

Hearing this, Yelan grew interested.

"Oh? What kind of place?"

Ningguang sat down at her desk and took a light puff.

"Surely you must have seen it today? The flying treasure belonging to Director Hu."

Hearing a mention of Hu Tao, Yelan smiled. She was very familiar with Hu Tao, and the two often crossed paths in the wild.

Much of Yelan's operational work required nighttime activity, which happened to coincide with Hu Tao's working hours.

As a result, the two frequently bumped into each other in the outskirts outside Liyue Harbor.

Over time, they naturally became acquainted.

"Ah, you mean little Tao. I saw it. Surely you aren't eyeing her magical treasure, are you?"

Ningguang shook her head slightly.

"Of course not. I went to see Director Hu earlier today, and she's taking me to purchase one of those treasures tomorrow. I want you to escort me."

Hearing this, Yelan understood Ningguang's intention—she simply wanted someone to provide protection.

However, Yelan herself was genuinely quite interested in Hu Tao's flying motorcycle.

"What time tomorrow?"

Ningguang flicked the ash from her pipe.

"Early tomorrow morning, meet at the entrance of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."

...........

Time passed quickly, and before long, afternoon arrived.

Hu Tao rode her flying motorcycle right into Wanmin Restaurant.

At that moment, Xingqiu, Chongyun, and Xiangling had already gathered their gear and were ready to set off, waiting only for Hu Tao.

With a joyful cry, Hu Tao pulled off a stylish landing drift on the flying motorcycle, coming to a halt right in front of the trio.

Hu Tao waved a hand.

"Good afternoon, friends!"

Xingqiu and Chongyun stared in utter astonishment. This... what on earth was this thing? It could actually fly!

Xingqiu closed the book he was holding.

"Hu Tao, what is this contraption?"

Hearing this, Hu Tao patted the seat of the flying motorcycle beneath her.

"Hehe, this is a treasure I just bought. It's called a flying motorcycle! What do you think? Cool or what?"

Xingqiu nodded and gave a thumbs-up.

"It certainly is cool."

Hu Tao glanced up at the sky.

"Let's go, we should get moving. Let's try to get back early today, I have matters to attend to tomorrow."

With that, Hu Tao patted her motorcycle.

"Come on, hop on, I'll take you for a flight!"

Hearing this, the three of them cautiously climbed onto Hu Tao's flying motorcycle.

Hu Tao sat at the very front, Xiangling sat right behind her, and Xingqiu and Chongyun squeezed in at the back.

Four people made for a very cramped arrangement, but given the circumstances, this would have to do. Besides, the flying motorcycle was fast enough to reach Dihua Marsh in no time—they just needed to endure the ride for a bit.

Hu Tao twisted the throttle, and the flying motorcycle surged upward like a rocket straight into the clouds.

Hu Tao discovered she had fallen in love with this method of takeoff; the thrill and excitement it delivered were unmatched.

Hu Tao was having the time of her life, but Xiangling, Xingqiu, and Chongyun—riding a motorcycle for the very first time—were having a miserable experience, screaming at the top of their lungs.

"Hu Tao! Slow down!"

Seeing the state they were in, Hu Tao twisted the throttle all the way.

"What? Go even faster? You got it!"

Soaring high into the sky, the flying motorcycle sped at maximum velocity toward Dihua Marsh. Xiangling and the boys clung on for dear life, terrified of falling off.

Just as Yelan descended from the Jade Chamber and witnessed the scene, she couldn't help but smile faintly.

"Little Tao's treasure is indeed quite something."

On the boardwalk outside the Northland Bank, Tartaglia also observed the spectacle.

"How interesting. I didn't expect Liyue to possess such a treasure."

Childe watched the direction in which Hu Tao had vanished and gave chase.

...........

Inside the train, evening had fallen, and everyone was gathered around the dining table for dinner.

Tonight's menu was quite appealing: spicy stir-fry hotpot. Himeko had set two large pots directly on the table, and everyone could help themselves to whatever they liked.

Stelle slurped a mouthful of instant noodles with immense satisfaction.

"Himeko, can we just eat this spicy stir-fry hotpot every day from now on? This stuff is delicious!"

Himeko shot Stelle a sidelong glance.

"Eating too much of this stuff causes internal heat. Just have it occasionally."

Stelle patted her chest.

"It's fine, my constitution is rock-solid. I'm not afraid!"

Himeko was left momentarily speechless.

"Klee and the others can't handle it."

Stelle instantly had nothing to say. Indeed, Klee and the kids were still young, and their digestive systems were delicate.

At that moment, Himeko suddenly recalled their plans to visit the snowfields tomorrow.

"By the way, have you guys settled on a destination for the snowfields tomorrow?"

Stelle shook her head.

"Not yet~ Do you have any good suggestions?"

Himeko thought for a moment.

"How about we head to the area above the Mechanical Settlement? Didn't Svarog open a tunnel there previously? We can just take the portal straight through, and it's barely a short walk from the snowfields."

After considering it, the others readily agreed with Himeko's proposal.

March 7th was already brimming with anticipation for tomorrow's snowfield outing.

"Tomorrow I'm riding the snowmobile! I've been wanting to try it out for ages, let's bring it along tomorrow."

Hearing this, Stelle immediately clapped in agreement, declaring that a splendid idea!

Himeko chimed in.

"Then I'll bring a few snowboards so we can go skiing."

Himeko glanced over at the three well-behaved little ones sitting nearby.

"We should also bring some snow gear for Klee and the others to build snowmen."

Welt spoke up.

"I won't be joining you all tomorrow. I'd like to head to the northern part of Belobog; there seems to be something very interesting over there."

Dan Heng added.

"I'll go with Mr. Welt."

As they discussed their plans for tomorrow's recreation, everyone continued eating.

At that moment, Silver Wolf suddenly emerged from her compartment, picked up a bowl, and scooped herself a generous portion of the spicy stir-fry hotpot, intending to take it back to her room to eat.

Stelle asked from the side.

"Silver Wolf, do you want to come play with us tomorrow?"

Silver Wolf cast a disdainful look at Stelle.

"No thanks. Playing in the snow sounds terribly boring. I'd rather stay inside and play video games. You guys go ahead."

With a bowl piled high with spicy stir-fry hotpot, Silver Wolf retreated into her compartment and slammed the door shut with a heavy thud.

By now, the Express crew had grown completely accustomed to Silver Wolf's presence.

Back when they didn't know her, they had assumed Silver Wolf must be some sort of heinous criminal.

Now that they understood her better—well, she was simply a gaming-addicted girl with a surprisingly warm heart.

Just yesterday, when March 7th's phone had encountered some minor issues, Silver Wolf had spotted it and fixed it within minutes.