[COMPLETE]Memories of Soothing Water

Chapter I

As Zhongli walked into the funeral parlor, he was in a daze, unable to register the fact that his lover died.
As he greeted Hu Tao, it felt like she was in grievance too.
After all, it had been Childe who introduced her to pranks and how to piss off people.
"Hello Master Hu.." Zhongli said grimly. He felt like he had no feelings left for anyone anymore. (Ok edgy much)
"Huh? Zhongli? You must really be taking a break today.." Hu Tao replies as she twirled her hair.
"It's.. fine." The taller man said, obviously wanting to leave and cry for his loss.
"Do you remember the first you took Childe here? And how he told me about pranks?" Hu Tao tried to lighten the moody atmosphere, the thing she hated the most, despite working somewhere that was bound to have a depressed air.

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It was afternoon when Childe and Zhongli went in the Wangsheng funeral parlor.

As they entered, Childe was nervous, Incase Zhongli and 'Master Hu' was going to put him in a coffin.
"This is Master Hu." Zhongli interrupted Childes thought.
As the ginger haired man turned to see Master Hu, he had expected to see an old lady with a strict face and pride in the business, but what he saw was the exact opposite.
The Master Hu in question was a young lady with a double ponytail. She did look prideful, but her face was definitely not scary, in fact her whole personality was quite laid back.

"Hello, Master Hu." Childe tried not to burst in laughter and kept his polite gesture intact.
Hu Tao looked at the ginger head and back at Zhongli, obviously thinking that Childe came for an appointment.
"So, who died?" Hu Tao said, keeping it straight.
"D-died? Hu Tao, you sure are anything BUT polite. Apologize to the kind man now!" Zhongli said strictly.
Hu Tao laughed again and went over to the ponytailed brunette.
"Okay, okay, so, why'd ya bring that messy boy for?" She pointed to Childe, who took it as an insult.

"Well, I need to go to Jueyun Karst for some business." He managed to say after the commotion of 'who's more messy!'.
"And.. I needed Childe to take care of you while I left."
Hu Tao scoffed at such a terrible mannered boy taking care of her, a 'fully grown woman'.
"I'll be sure to make her safe Xiansheng, you can count on me!" Childe smiled innocently.
"Very well then, I shan't delay my trip."

Hu Tao avoided Childe for most of the day, calling him a 'blood sucking parasite that can't stop talking' when he tried to stir a discussion.

"Miss Hu, I know you hate me and all, but could I introduce you to something called pranks? It pisses Xiansheng and it's quite funny." Childe advertised his new 'idea' to make Hu Tao warm up to him.
Hu Taos eyes shot up to the tall man; who was quite taller than her small height.

"Tell me.. I'm interested."

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"And you remember that one prank he made where all your clothes were drenched?" Hu Tao weakly laughed as she shared her and Childes devious deeds.
Zhongli didn't answer.

Hu Tao knew deep down what Zhongli felt, but she was inclined not to let her sadness overwhelm her emotions.

"I guess we should be arranging his funeral right no-"
"No."
Zhongli's voice pierced against Hu Tao, like a sharp spear stabbing into her chest.
"I will never believe he isn't alive."