The first wierdo showes up

As Aether and Rosaria wandered through the lively streets of Liyue Harbor, a cheerful yet eerie voice rang out from a small crowd gathered near the stairs leading up to the main plaza.

“Step right up, step right up~! Wangsheng Funeral Parlor’s limited-time special offer!”

Hu Tao bounced on her heels in the middle of her dramatic advertisement, twirling her staff playfully. The young director of the parlor was dressed in her usual dark, elegant outfit, but the top few buttons were undone more than usual, showing off a generous amount of pale cleavage. Her signature hat sat slightly crooked on her head as she grinned at the small audience.

“That’s right, everyone! Buy one burial, get one free! And for today only — if you bring in a body, I’ll personally offer myself as your willing breeding vessel for the night~!”

She winked, spinning once with dramatic flair.

“Whether you need to lay someone to rest or just want to create new life to balance things out, Director Hu Tao is happy to help! Full service! I’ll even moan extra spooky for you if that’s your thing!”

A few people in the crowd chuckled nervously. One older man turned bright red and quickly walked away. A couple of younger men looked very interested.

Hu Tao’s bright amber eyes suddenly locked onto Aether and Rosaria. Her face lit up with mischievous delight.

“Ohhh? If it isn’t the famous Traveler!” She skipped over immediately, leaning in close with a playful grin. “And you brought company! A very pretty, slightly stabby-looking companion too~”

She looked them both up and down shamelessly, then tilted her head with a cheeky smile.

“So… anyone you need buried today? I’m running a very generous promotion. One customer, one free breeding session with yours truly.” She patted her own stomach lightly. “I make excellent vessels, you know. Very fertile. Very enthusiastic. And I give discounts to handsome outlanders~”

Rosaria raised an eyebrow, arms crossed. “You’re really offering yourself up as a free-use breeding toy just to sell coffins?”

Hu Tao giggled, completely unbothered.

“Why not? Death and life are two sides of the same coin! Besides…” She leaned in toward Aether, voice dropping into a teasing whisper, “I’ve heard rumors about you. If even half of them are true, I’d happily let you turn me into a moaning, cum-stuffed mess for a few days.”

She straightened up again, spinning her staff with a bright, macabre smile.

“So what do you say, Traveler? Interested in Wangsheng’s special service?”

Hu Tao looked at him expectantly, tail swishing behind her, clearly excited at the possibility of getting absolutely railed by the man everyone was whispering about.

Aether looked Hu Tao up and down for a long moment, clearly considering it.

She was undeniably cute. Playful. Had that dangerous, unhinged charm that made her entertaining to watch.

But…

There was a certain level of crazy where even he drew the line.

And Hu Tao was cheerfully tap-dancing right on that line while juggling coffins.

He smiled politely.

“Thanks for the offer, Hu Tao. You’re definitely… one of a kind. But I think I’ll pass for now.”

Hu Tao pouted dramatically, spinning her staff. “Awww, really? I even prepared my special ‘ghost moans’ and everything!”

Aether glanced sideways at Rosaria, then back at Hu Tao, and spoke with complete honesty:

“To be fair, I tend to prefer women with more… substance. Rosaria’s body is exactly my type — way curvier, thicker thighs, bigger chest, that perfect soft-yet-strong build. No offense, but she’s just more my taste.”

He said it so casually, right there in the middle of the street.

Rosaria froze.

Her ears turned bright red instantly. She tried to maintain her usual cool, slightly grumpy expression, but it cracked immediately.

“Wh— You— Idiot!” she hissed, smacking his arm hard, though there was no real anger behind it. “Why the hell would you say that out loud?!”

She crossed her arms tightly over her chest, clearly trying to hide how flustered she was, but her tail (if she had one in this moment) would’ve been thrashing wildly. The usually unflappable nun looked genuinely embarrassed, cheeks burning as she avoided eye contact with both of them.

Hu Tao burst out laughing, clutching her stomach.

“Wow~! Straight to the heart! Poor Rosaria, getting praised for her fat ass and big tits in public. How cruel~”

Rosaria glared daggers at Aether, but the redness on her face only deepened.

“…I’m going to kill you later,” she muttered under her breath, though she stayed glued to his side, shoulder brushing against his.

Hu Tao wiped a tear from her eye, still grinning widely.

“Well, if you ever change your mind about the curvy preference, my offer still stands! Free breeding for the low, low price of one burial~”

She gave them both a playful wave and skipped back toward her advertising spot, humming a macabre little tune.

Rosaria stayed quiet for a few steps after they started walking again, still visibly embarrassed.

Eventually she bumped her shoulder into his a little harder than necessary.

“…You’re lucky I like you, idiot,” she grumbled, voice low. But the corner of her mouth twitched upward despite herself.

She didn’t deny any of what he said.