Chapter 237

Takumi had no idea what Keqing was plotting.

After receiving Takumi's request, Keqing immediately began making preparations and left his office.

After some thought, Keqing pulled out her phone and sent a message to Hu Tao.

[Salaries are being paid tonight. Come quickly!]

Hu Tao, who was aimlessly wandering around, suddenly received the message.

She frowned in confusion but, upon seeing Keqing's message, her eyes lit up with excitement.

"Salary night?"

"That means Zhongli is getting paid?"

The realization made Hu Tao's eyes sparkle with mischief.

A plan immediately formed in her mind.

She needed to find Zhongli and ensure his salary was "handled properly."

With that thought, Hu Tao headed straight for the Ministry of Education.

It didn't take long before she found Zhongli.

Seeing her approach, Zhongli raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"Hu Tao? What brings you here?"

Why was she suddenly visiting?

Hu Tao grinned mischievously.

"Oh, just bored. Thought I'd drop by and check things out."

"Go ahead and do your work. I'll just sit here."

Observing him carefully, Hu Tao noticed Zhongli seemed unaware that salaries were being paid today.

Zhongli, assuming Hu Tao was simply loitering, didn't think too much of it.

He simply returned to his work, flipping through a textbook.

As far as he knew, salaries weren't supposed to be issued for another few days.

So, if Hu Tao wanted to hang around, it was of no concern to him.

With that thought, Zhongli continued working diligently.

Meanwhile, Hu Tao, having nothing better to do, eventually dozed off at the table.

As the sun began to set, someone from the finance department entered the office.

"Attention, everyone."

"Starting today, monthly salaries will be issued on the 15th."

"Last month's salaries will be paid out starting now."

Zhongli, who had been about to wake Hu Tao to send her on her way, suddenly froze in place.

Hu Tao, on the other hand, instantly jolted awake.

"What?!"

"Salaries are being paid now?"

"Oh, this is perfect~!"

Without hesitation, Hu Tao bolted out of the room.

Seeing this, Zhongli felt his stomach drop.

Wait.

Wasn't the payment supposed to come in a few more days?

Why was it happening now?

And worse—Hu Tao was here.

Could it be…?

The realization struck him like a bolt of lightning.

Someone must have tipped her off!

That's why she had come here ahead of time!

She hadn't been aimlessly wandering around at all!

His expression darkened.

For the first time in centuries, he felt a sense of despair.

He quickly stood up and rushed out of the office.

By the time he arrived outside, salaries were already being distributed.

Stacks of fresh Mora were being handed out, and the atmosphere was festive, almost like a holiday.

For the employees, this was an unexpected bonus.

Nobody had anticipated their wages being issued so soon.

Meanwhile, Hu Tao was already in front of the finance officer, confidently reporting Zhongli's name.

Many people recognized Hu Tao, the master of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.

The payroll clerk also knew Zhongli was affiliated with her family.

So when she requested his salary on his behalf, it didn't seem unusual.

Without hesitation, the clerk handed Hu Tao a neatly stacked bundle of Mora.

"Here you go, Hu Tao. Please confirm the amount."

"Each stack contains ten thousand Mora."

"Mr. Zhongli's monthly salary is 100,000 Mora."

"If there are any discrepancies, feel free to let us know."

Hu Tao beamed as she accepted the money.

"I trust you!"

"I buried your grandfather, after all!"

She chuckled and stuffed the Mora into her pocket.

Beautiful.

She wouldn't work without payment, after all.

"Hu Tao!"

"Isn't this a bit much?!"

Seeing her casually pocket his salary, Zhongli felt his patience wearing thin.

Hu Tao paused, then nodded in agreement.

"You're right!"

"You should get something too."

She pulled out a single 50-Mora coin and handed it to Zhongli.

"Here you go. Have some tea!"

Zhongli stared at the tiny coin in his palm.

Silence.

Then more silence.

One hundred thousand Mora.

And she gave him… fifty?

At this moment, Zhongli felt his soul leaving his body.

"Hu Tao."

"Who told you salaries were being paid today?"

His voice carried an ominous edge.

Someone had to have tipped her off.

Was it Takumi?

Or someone else?

Hearing his question, Hu Tao simply grinned and played dumb.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Nobody told me anything."

"It's just a coincidence!"

Keqing was her friend.

She wouldn't betray a friend!

Zhongli narrowed his eyes, unconvinced.

He knew Hu Tao too well.

She was obviously lying.

Realizing there was no point in pressing further, he sighed in exhaustion.

So that's how it was?

Did he just work for an entire month for nothing?

The realization left him feeling drained.

"Hmph!"

"Zhongli, you shouldn't be thinking about your salary so much."

"Besides, I haven't even settled the past debts you owe me."

"Since you finally have some income, I can't let you waste it."

"So this money is mine now."

"Consider it repayment for everything you've spent on me!"

"And don't forget, we agreed from the start."

"You work, and I collect your salary."

"No take-backs!"

Hu Tao smirked as she secured the Mora in her pocket.

She wasn't letting go of it.

She hadn't even tallied up the full amount Zhongli "owed" her yet!

Zhongli let out a deep sigh, feeling utterly defeated.

People around them watched the scene unfold with amused expressions.

He had lost.

Again.

"Fine."

If that was the case, he might as well just send the bills to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor from now on.

After all, if Hu Tao was going to take his salary, then surely she wouldn't mind covering his expenses, right?

He nodded to himself.

Yes.

That was the solution!

Meanwhile, Hu Tao grinned mischievously.

"This is great!"

"I've decided—I'm going to buy a house in Guili Plains."

"And I'll open a branch of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor there."

"Using your salary, of course!"

Zhongli's eye twitched.

She had already decided how to spend his money?

At this moment, he truly felt exhausted beyond measure.