Walnut used me to boost her sales performance.

"That's right, quickly take out the pointer and take a look!"

Jiang Bai took out the pointer and saw that all the names on it were still intact.

Seeing that everything was normal, the two breathed a sigh of relief.

Judging from the businessman's tone, Inazuma had already issued a nationwide lockdown order half a month ago. Now that half a month has passed, the thunderstorm zone must have been set up!

In other words, if something happens to that client, they are currently unable to go to Inazuma!

As for what to do next, we can only take it one step at a time.

After all, who could have known that Inazuma would suddenly issue a nationwide lockdown order!

The two countries are geographically distant, and by the time the news arrived, the lockdown order was already a fait accompli.

I should have warned that adventurer not to go to Inazuma; now he can't come back even if he wanted to.

"Did another one go to the desert?" Jiang Bai asked.

"Yes."

Their current "Returning to Roots" project has only three clients, who went to the snow-capped mountains, Inazuma, and the desert respectively.

The ashes of Katis from the snow mountain have been scattered into the lake, while the other two are currently safe and out of danger.

"I hope they are all okay!" Jiang Bai put his hands together in a prayer gesture.

Their business is somewhat similar to "insurance". For Wangshengtang, the safer these customers who have already signed up are, the better. The later something happens, the better. If nothing happens at all, that would be the best!

After all, this business is more like buying a lifetime accident insurance policy, which can only be used if you have an accident.

You've returned safely this time, but that doesn't mean you'll never go out on adventures again. Even if you want a refund, you'll have to wait until you're lying in your bed at home, passing away peacefully.

At that time, the funeral parlor could also reasonably change its business, transforming the "returning to one's roots" ritual into a normal funeral.

"By the way, Master, you haven't given me my commission for this deal yet!"

Jiang Bai rubbed his hands together. A 30% commission would amount to 260,000 Mora.

In this way, he can transform from a poor household into a rich man with bulging pockets!

"Here, count it yourself." Hu Tao took out a money bag and handed it to him; it contained the Mora she had prepared beforehand.

"Thank you, Master! Long live the Master!"

Jiang Bai happily accepted them and counted them one by one.

“…259999, 260000, 260001…300000!” Jiang Bai stared wide-eyed in surprise as he counted all the Mora in the bag.

"Master, wasn't it supposed to be 26? How come it's 30?"

"You did a great job on your first sale, so here's a generous bonus for you!" Hu Tao waved her hand, handing over 40,000 Mora, speaking casually.

Jiang Bai's eyes lit up; he wished he could pick up Hu Tao and kiss her.

Caught completely off guard, he swiftly picked her up and tossed her into the air before her astonished eyes.

In mid-air, Hu Tao looked completely bewildered.

Who am I? Where am I? What happened? Why was I thrown into the sky?

The next instant, she fell from mid-air into a strong arm.

Jiang Bai was so excited by the sudden bonus that his mind went blank for a moment. By the time he came to his senses, Hu Tao had already been lying in his arms for a few seconds.

Chapter 169 What's so shameful about writing a novel?

He couldn't help but let go and awkwardly put the walnut down.

Hu Tao, who was being held, was flushed and stiff all over. Once her feet finally touched the ground, she glared at Jiang Bai and said angrily:

"Give me back my bonus!"

Hu Tao wants her prize money back, will Jiang Bai give it to her? Of course not!

Money given away is like water spilled on the ground; getting it back is never easy.

Jiang Bai thought Hu Tao's huffy expression was quite cute, her face was red like a fire slime, and he really wanted to pinch it.

The thought only flashed through his mind for a moment before he clasped his hands together, bowed his head, and apologized.

"Master, I was wrong! I was really wrong! I was too excited just now, I lost my mind!"

Jiang Bai apologized very quickly. After he finished speaking, he put down Hu Tao's outstretched hand, walked behind her, and massaged her shoulders, trying to calm her down.

"How about I wash your hair ten times for free as an apology?"

Hu Tao crossed her arms, snorted, and didn't answer.

"Twenty times?" Jiang Bai asked tentatively.

"Fifty times!"

Without the slightest hesitation, Jiang Bai readily agreed, "Okay! No problem! I guarantee excellent service!"

"Isn't that a walnut? What are they doing?"

In the distance, a blue-clad boy eating a popsicle looked this way.

Beside him was a boy with short, ear-length hair and a delicate, androgynous face.

The boy's eyes darted around. "Let's go take a look."

He had witnessed the entire scene just now. When did Hu Tao get such a stranger as a friend? And they seemed to have a pretty good relationship.

"walnut!"

Hearing the shout, Hu Tao turned around and saw that the person who came was the target they were looking for. She waved excitedly.

Her complexion had long since returned to normal; her emotions came and went quickly.

"Xingqiu, and Chongyun, it's been a long time!"

"It has indeed been a while since we last met," Chongyun nodded.

He had heard that there was an evil spirit causing trouble in Qingce Village, so he had been staking out the area for a long time before returning to Liyue Harbor recently.

Looking at the two young men, who were about the same age as the hall master and had extraordinary appearances and demeanors, Jiang Bai subconsciously straightened up and revealed a shy smile that showed no aggression in front of outsiders.

Because of his shy smile, the ritual officiants at the funeral parlor still think of him as a shy and somewhat timid young man.

"What is this?" Xingqiu looked at Jiang Bai and gestured for Hu Tao to introduce it to him.

Before Hu Tao could introduce herself, Jiang Bai stepped forward and introduced himself:

"Greetings, you two! I am Jiang Bai, the most compatible confidant, the most outstanding partner, the most loyal little brother, and the most sensible subordinate of the Hall Master! The Soul Ferryman of the Hall of Rebirth!"

Upon hearing this title, Xingqiu's lips twitched.

The first few names sound respectable, but what are the rest?

When did Walnut join a gang and recruit a henchman?

Upon hearing the last part, oh, it turns out they were from the Hall of Rebirth.

As Jiang Bai explained, Hu Tao's eyelids drooped, and the corners of her mouth twitched uncontrollably a few times.

How come she didn't know she had so much of a relationship with this guy?

The latter part can still be called a fact, but what about the first few?

A confidant? A partner? Are you referring to him?

Honest Chongyun blinked and exclaimed in genuine admiration, "Amazing!"

With so many names, it's clear they're closely related.

"Hello, hello." Jiang Bai extended his hand to shake hands with them.

"Hello, I am Xingqiu."

"I am Chongyun."

"The sect leader often mentions you to me. Meeting you today, I can see that you are indeed outstanding individuals with extraordinary bearing and handsome appearance!" Jiang Bai immediately showered you with compliments.

Chongyun was a little embarrassed by his words, while Xingqiu was obviously used to such remarks and remained unmoved.

"You flatter me."

Hu Tao interrupted Jiang Bai's continued pleasantries and said to Xing Qiu, "You've come at the perfect time! I was just about to look for you!"

"Oh? Looking for us? What's the matter?" Xingqiu and Chongyun exchanged a glance, neither of them getting any information from the other.

"I went to Mondstadt a few days ago, and these are souvenirs I brought back for you."

Hu Tao handed them the gifts she had prepared, saying, "I brought you a quill pen for Xingqiu and a recipe for a chilled drink with Mondstadt characteristics for Chongyun."

"Then I'll accept it without hesitation!"

"Don't be so polite with me!" Hu Tao waved her hand, indicating that they didn't need to stand on ceremony.

We're all old acquaintances, so let's not become overly formal just because there's a stranger here.

"Xingqiu, I have something important to discuss with you this time."

"Oh? You want to have another poetry contest with me?"

"No, I'm currently writing a book, but my writing skills are limited, so I'd like to ask for your help!"

"Please...please me?" Xingqiu leaned back, his eyes widened, his pupils contracted, and his toes gripped the soles of his shoes tightly.

No way! No way! Could it be that Hu Tao found out he was writing a novel?!

Good heavens! He's never told anyone about this, how did she find out?

Xingqiu had an urge to run away before she could say it, but he still held onto Hu Tao, unaware that he was overthinking things and hoping to stay put.

However, the more you try to prevent something from happening, the more likely it is to happen.

Walnut said matter-of-factly:

"Yes, you wrote a novel, right? I've never written one before, so I'd like to ask you for some guidance so we can write one together."

"I I I..."

Xingqiu's mind went blank, and a surge of shame welled up inside him, as if he had been discovered writing a novel by an acquaintance.

"Xingqiu, when did you write a novel?"

Chongyun knew that Xingqiu liked to read martial arts stories and supernatural tales, but it was truly unexpected that Xingqiu would actually write a novel himself.

Xingqiu's ears turned bright red, but when his friend asked him, he pretended to be nonchalant.

Actually, it's not a big deal if someone you know finds out you're writing a novel, as long as you can overcome the shame in your own heart.

Xingqiu now only hopes that Hu Tao only knows that he wrote a novel, but doesn't know what he actually wrote.

However, things disappointed him once again.

Hu Tao then said, "Yes, his book is called 'Chen Qiu Picks Up the Sword Record,' which sounds like a martial arts novel, but I haven't had a chance to buy it yet."

Hearing this, Xingqiu breathed a sigh of relief, and the toes that were gripping tightly in his shoes relaxed a little.

He'll have someone buy up all the copies of "The Record of Shen Qiu's Sword" in Liyue Harbor later, and he absolutely can't let them see what he's written!

absolute!

Under Chongyun's questioning gaze, he chuckled, "It was just something I wrote casually, nothing important, not worth telling you all."

Hu Tao patted Xing Qiu on the shoulder, "You're wrong about that. How can you not tell us about writing a novel? We'd like to support you and help you gain popularity!"

Xingqiu's smile was stiff, and the gift she had just received felt unusually sharp.

Chapter 170 I'll definitely tell you next time

Xingqiu cursed in his heart:

Why didn't he say anything? He just didn't want them to know!

What's the difference between having someone you know see your immature novel and running naked in public?

He felt like his toes were digging into a three-bedroom apartment.

"Next time, I'll definitely tell you next time." His smile was forced.