Hutao was the Director of Wangsheng funeral parlour and Yanfei was a well-known lawyer in Teyvat. Yanfei had often handled clients who expressed anger and hate towards Hutao and some even wanted to sue for disorderly conduct. Although she managed to fend off most of their charges, she warned Hutao that any more of her ‘promoting’ could lead her to 3 months in jail and a 500,000 Mora fine. With that warning, she finally died down a little.
But soon, the lawyer started to understand the reason for Hutao’s way of ‘promoting’ her business. She realised it wasn’t much of a ‘legal’ problem, but more of a large wound that Hutao was unable to heal just yet. She remembered that fine day, she had an appointment with Mr Zhongli about a murder victim who was sent for funeral services at their funeral parlour. When Yanfei was just about to enter the office, she chanced upon a private conversation between Hutao and Zhongli.
“You must think that the pranks are too much, even for me.”
Puzzled, Yanfei continued to listen to their conversation.
“Director, everyone handles the pain that comes with death differently. Although it's unique, this is your way.”
It wasn’t any sort of touching, motivational speech. But Yanfei could hear that Hutao was sobbing. She never thought in her life that she could hear Hutao crying because of the repercussion of a silly joke she made. She’d always thought that Hutao was just built to annoy others using pranks. As a matter of fact, Hutao seemed almost immune towards others' opinions of her. But perhaps, it was them who judged first, never seemingly aware of what she wanted to say and just jumping to conclusions.
She knocked lightly on the door and stepped in, Hutao upon hearing her knock quickly covered her face and resumed her cheerful self.
“My, my! Isn’t it the famous law consultant of Liyue? I presume you are here for Zhongli? I shall take my leave then, if there are any other questions pertaining to the body feel free to inquire from him. Tata!”
Hutao skipped off as if nothing happened a moment before, and Yanfei froze. Is that Hutao’s real self? Could she even call herself Hutao’s friend when she didn’t even know when she was happy or sad?
Worse, did she even remember that Hutao could be sad?
“I reckon you stop thinking about it, human emotions are rather complicated and we have more pressing matters at hand?”
Zhonglis’ matter-of-fact voice awoke her from her trance. She shook her head lightly and settled down onto a chair, pulling out some documents to discuss.
...
The meeting went smoothly without a hitch as always, but the nagging sensation of curiosity was tagging at her heart.
Should she ask?
Could she ask?
“Did the Directors’ sudden outburst affect you just now?”
Zhongli asked as he cleared the teacups in front of them, pulling out a fresh fruit platter that Hutao had told him to give to Yanfei. Her eyes bore conflict, unable to decide whether she was in the position to ask or not. After all, in these few years of being Hutao’s friend she had never seen her cry or get mad at anyone. The only emotion she showed was happiness and mischievousness, so how, at all times now she saw such a vulnerable side of Hutao?
Deciding to take things into his own hands, Zhongli started explaining the situation (not that he had a need to, but Yanfei and Hutao have sexual tension and yeah)
“Director hardly bursts out like that, it has been hard on her lately, especially after Memorial Day. Perhaps the constant ridicule and insults and Xiao’s beratement have all gone into her head.”
Memorial Day? That’s right, Hutao always disappears on Memorial day to god knows where, most of us just assume that she has no dead relatives and just goes off to play on that day.
“She had something up this time round I presume?” Yanfei asked jokingly, trying to lighten the mood. She always found Zhongli a tad bit too serious, but it was a great contrast to Hutao.
Zhongli frowned slightly, is this what others thought of her? An innocent, naive young lady who knew nothing about death and was prancing around talking about death in the most sadist way possible?
Oh, how wrong they were.
Out of everyone in Liyue, Zhongli was willing to bet she knew the most about death and what it would bring to mortal life.
Putting down his cup, Zhongli replied “Memorial Day has always been everyone’s ‘sad’ day, where we reminisce on those who have long left us. I assure you, Hutao has much to do on that fine day.”
Yanfei was confused. Hutao’s parents were well and living that she knew, Hutao doesn’t have siblings as well. So who could she be memorating on Memorial Day?
“Her grandfather, the 75th Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlour,” Zhongli replied right after.
Her grandfather? Hutao never mentioned that she had close relations with her grandfather…
Oh.
Yanfei felt the guilt going all back to her, the feeling that she had betrayed Hutao. She naturally assumed the worst like everyone else around her. Even on such a sensitive topic, she made such a huge mistake.
She is a lawyer.
No, worse still, she was Hutao’s good friend.
For once in her life, Yanfei understood the phrase ‘silence is loud’ she gulped down the last few bites of the fruit platter stood up and took her to leave. Zhongli didn’t bother asking what was wrong, it was between Yanfei and Hutao to sort out this problem. He could only give them each a little push.
End.