102: First Encounter with Walnut

"Oh no, I suddenly feel a little nervous."

Hu Tao was practically Huo Xi's first love in his allogene career. Of course, given his flirtatious nature, it was obvious he didn't wait until Liyue to find characters he liked; he had been falling for one after another since Mondstadt.

But this still couldn't diminish the genuine affection he felt the first time he saw Hu Tao. Until his transmigration, Hu Tao's team composition was still at the top of his roster, and she was the first character he chose during the Self-Selected Constellation Event.

A Level 100 Hu Tao Player!

Oh, and by the way, the second team composition was Yoimiya. The reason, which might offend Yoimiya enthusiasts, was that he initially liked Yoimiya because her hairstyle resembled Musashi from FGO. He was a Level 100 Musashi player.

Now, hearing Hu Tao's voice coming from the Main Hall, Huo Xi felt completely dazed, suddenly having the feeling of meeting his ultimate bias idol in person.

Moreover, Hu Tao isn't the type of person whose thoughts you can easily guess. It wouldn't even be an exaggeration to say she is the embodiment of the phrase "witty and mischievous."

Even as a foreknowing transmigrator, Huo Xi couldn't claim he was truly confident that Hu Tao would take a liking to him immediately. He even had to consider the possibility that if he acted too eccentric, it might cause her to distance herself.

What should I do? Why don't we ask the miraculous Hat Bro?

Let's see what Hat Bro has to say.

[—Lightning!!!]

Lightning? What does Lightning mean? Hu Tao is a pyro element character, though?

Ah, could it mean avoiding landmines (taboos)? I see! As long as I actively Avoid Taboos—stay away from things Hu Tao genuinely dislikes—I can at least ensure she won't be repulsed by me.

But what are Hu Tao's dislikes, or rather, her sensitive points? Huo Xi doesn't recall the game mentioning anything Hu Tao hates.

If he had to name something, the Qingxin Stir-Fried Slime Condensate cooked by Xiangling was a dish she explicitly stated she disliked.

Hmm—why don't we ask Hat Bro again? What is Hu Tao's landmine area?

[—Lightning!!!]

What?! It's still Lightning? I see! Is it about her figure?

Indeed, her figure is a possibility. As everyone knows, Hu Tao and Furina... well... are less conducive to children absorbing nutrition. They are the minor monasteries within the Minor Thunder Temple. If they were to have children, they might need to consider asking Ganyu for some goat milk.

Furthermore, girls definitely don't bring up topics related to their figures voluntarily, so it's normal that this little worry of Hu Tao's wouldn't be written into the game text.

Excellent, then as long as I don't mention her figure, everything will be fine! Thank you, Scaramouche!

While Huo Xi's mind was racing, Skirk and Shenhe watched his expression rapidly change.

Shenhe: "That's incredible, like the operas I watched when I was little, where they change Painted Masks one by one."

Skirk: "Ignore him. His eyes are unusual; he probably saw something strange again."

Skirk had already automatically assumed that Huo Xi was seeing the future using his Clairvoyance. In that case, eight or nine out of ten, the people in this room possessed some special quality.

Considering that almost every woman Huo Xi met in Mondstadt ended up developing a strange relationship with him, Skirk figured the girls in the room wouldn't escape either.

Snapping back to reality, Huo Xi quickly took two steps and followed Chongyun into the room. As soon as he entered, he saw a blue-haired youth looking distressed, holding a book and listening helplessly as the Damselette opposite him expressed her views.

In the center of the room, a Damselette dressed in dark clothing was using exaggerated body language and facial expressions to elaborate on her wild, imaginative ideas. Her figure was particularly eye-catching.

She wore a dark Qiankun Tai Gua Hat. The Red Plums on the hat were vividly beautiful; they were made from a plum tree she had planted herself, processed through drying and coloring, and emitted a subtle, faint fragrance. On the front of the hat, the WangSheng Funeral Parlor emblem shone brightly—a spiritual monument passed down since the Archon War era, enduring through seventy-seven generations without interruption.

The Damselette wore a classical outfit that blended Chinese and Western styles. The inner top half consisted of a traditional red shirt paired with a Cheongsam Collar, exuding a rich Chinese charm.

The dark outer coat featured long, rectangular swallowtails. One swallowtail was embroidered with Spider Lilies, while the other was outlined with Chrysanthemums, symbolizing rebirth and mourning, respectively.

She wore black shorts, exposing her slender legs. White calf socks were dotted with plum blossom patterns, echoing the Red Plums on her hat. Her small, delicate reddish-brown leather shoes made a crisp sound as she walked.

The Pyro Vision on her back swayed left and right with every jump she made, sometimes concealed, sometimes revealed by her lively twin Horsetails. It shimmered with mysterious light, announcing her unique identity and mission, and symbolizing the unrepentance of her childhood and her current defiance.

The entire outfit possessed both the solemn dignity of the WangSheng Funeral Parlor Director and the lively playfulness of a Damselette, just like Hu Tao herself—witty and mischievous, leaving an unforgettable impression on anyone who saw her.

If Huo Xi had to specify, what he found most appealing about Hu Tao were her fair, white thighs. The focus of her clothing shifted upward overall, or rather, aside from her neck and face, Hu Tao's upper body clothing revealed almost nothing intentionally.

However, once the gaze fell to her lower body, she generously displayed a pair of fair, healthy thighs beneath her shorts without any concealment. The combination of reddish-brown leather shoes and white short socks complemented the look perfectly. Frankly, just having those legs in front of him was enough for Huo Xi to eat three bowls of rice.

As the group crossed the wooden threshold and entered the room, both Xingqiu and Hu Tao looked over.

"Oh my, I didn't expect to have distinguished guests today. Looks like this Director's big business deal is off the table now~" Although she said this, Hu Tao looked over with curiosity, her plum-blossom shaped pupils shimmering with interest. Aside from Chongyun, whom she knew, the others were not only unfamiliar but also didn't look like ordinary people at all.

As the host, Xingqiu naturally couldn't remain seated to greet guests. He stood up, closed the a record of a mortals journey to immortality he was holding, waved his hand toward the Steward, and asked Chongyun, "What's up, Chongyun? What brings you here to visit? And aren't you going to introduce these Martial Artists next to you?"

Chongyun smiled and nodded: "Long time no see, Xingqiu, Hu Tao. Allow me to introduce you. This is my Aunt, Shenhe.

And next to her is my uncle—"

"My name is Huo Xi!" Huo Xi quickly interjected before Chongyun could say the word uncle-in-law. He then gestured towards Skirk: "This is Skirk. We are all travelers from a foreign land."