### Chapter 15: Beidou
"Forget it, this is your Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's business. It's not my place to interfere."
In fact, Gu Sanqiu had a thousand things he wanted to say, but considering that it involved that old man, he had to suppress his urge to complain.
"This is for you. Eat it; it's good for your health."
"Ugh, it looks awful. It must taste terrible. No way I'm eating that," Hu Tao pouted, crossing her arms and turning her head away. "I only eat food that looks good and tastes good."
"That's not up to you," Gu Sanqiu said expressionlessly. "I went through a lot of trouble to get this. You can't just say no."
Normally, he would let Hu Tao eat whatever she wanted, but this Three Souls Fruit was crucial for her health, so he wasn't going to budge on this matter.
With a slight cough, Gu Sanqiu conjured a rock elemental chain that bound Hu Tao's legs. Then, placing his left hand on her shoulder, he prevented her from summoning her Staff of Homa to resist.
The weight of the stone, bringing rest to the restless.
They were still within the city limits of Liyue, so they couldn't make too much of a commotion. Otherwise, being caught wouldn't just result in confinement.
Given these constraints, Gu Sanqiu, a master of occult arts and heir to the Wangsheng legacy, held a significant advantage.
"Eat it!" Gu Sanqiu, now resembling a demon, forcibly pushed the Three Souls Fruit toward Hu Tao's mouth. She clenched her teeth, using her white teeth to block the grayish fruit.
"Mmm mmm mmm—"
"If you eat it, you can buy anything you want today, and I'll pay for it."
"Really? Mmm!" Hu Tao, momentarily distracted, opened her mouth slightly. Gu Sanqiu seized the opportunity, flicked his finger, and the fruit flew right into her mouth.
"Gotcha."
Gu Sanqiu dusted off his hands and released the elemental chains binding Hu Tao.
"Hurry up, or we might miss out on the good stuff."
"Gu Sanqiu! I'll bite you!"
"Calm down. First, tell me if you feel any different after eating that."
"Hmph, no difference at all!"
Gu Sanqiu glanced back at the fuming Hu Tao, his eyes shimmering with elemental energy.
"Hmm, you look a bit more energized."
He patted her on the shoulder. "Alright, alright. I was wrong earlier. Today, you can buy whatever you want, and I'll treat you to a big dinner tonight, okay?"
"Deal! I'm going to make you spend a fortune!"
"Go ahead."
"I want this, this, and this."
Hu Tao's eyes sparkled as she shopped. "Do you have any more peacock wood? I want it all."
"Oh, Hu Tao, you've come to the right place. That peacock wood is from the Wanguo Trade Guild, and right now, only we at the Southern Cross have it."
A shrewd-looking sailor patted his chest. "Tell me how much you need, and I'll ask the boss to prioritize your order."
"Hmm, rare things are always expensive. I plan to get a hundred top-quality peacock wood coffins for Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, complete with services for buyers. How's that for a marketing strategy?" Hu Tao asked, ignoring the sailor's stiffened expression.
"Why compete over luxury even after death? Don't spread such weird trends!" Gu Sanqiu shook his head helplessly. "Here's the address. Take as much peacock wood as you have. Here's the deposit."
The sailor took the banknote with a smile. "Sure thing. The wood will be delivered soon. Our Southern Cross's business reputation is impeccable."
"Hahaha, are you the ones trying to buy my peacock wood?"
A hearty laugh drew Gu Sanqiu and Hu Tao's attention. A woman with a large sword strode over.
"Hey, Beidou. Long time no see."
Gu Sanqiu glanced around, noting there were no subordinates nearby.
"Haha, Gu Sanqiu, it's been a while. I knew you had potential."
Beidou laughed and clapped Gu Sanqiu on the shoulder. "You've got a Vision now. You're truly a worthy disciple of the Wangsheng line."
"Let's go for a drink to celebrate."
"No!" Hu Tao grabbed Beidou's waist, pulling her away from Gu Sanqiu, and whispered in her ear.
"Hahaha, sounds good. Let him spend some money."
Beidou ruffled Hu Tao's hair. "Gu Sanqiu, looks like you're treating us tonight?"
"So, the discussion wasn't about whether we should drink, but about making me pay?"
"Fine, let's go eat. Beidou, you go ahead. I'll take Hu Tao to shop a bit more."
Gu Sanqiu dragged Hu Tao by the ear as they continued shopping. He still needed to restock some items himself.
By nightfall, the harbor had calmed. The Qianyan Army soldiers sighed in relief as their replacements arrived. The lights and aroma of food created a comforting atmosphere in Liyue Harbor.
"This place is great, Gu Sanqiu. No wonder you're wealthy," Beidou said, gazing at the reflection of lights on the sea as she downed a glass of strong liquor.
"Ah—this is the good stuff! Just what I wanted!"
She slammed the cup on the table, making the dish of Tianxu Meat Gu Sanqiu was serving tremble.
"I thought you were rich too. This sea-view private room at Liuli Pavilion should be a drop in the bucket for you."
"You don't get it. Let me give you some life advice."
Beidou downed another drink and said, "On the ship, I eat the same food as the crew. Even on land, I can't bring the officers to fancy restaurants."
"At sea, facing unknown storms and powerful sea monsters, the crew is family."
"And you can't be distant with family."
Beidou smiled at Gu Sanqiu. "If not for wanting to celebrate your Vision, I'd be partying with my crew right now."
"Oh, by the way, now that you have a Vision, you should start thinking about certain things."
Beidou's tone turned serious, but she kept pouring.
"You're a Vision bearer and a Wangsheng heir. That's a lot of pressure for someone your age."
Gu Sanqiu's eyebrow twitched. "You're not suggesting I marry into some big family for a political alliance, are you?"
Hu Tao, still eating, looked up and mischievously waved at Gu Sanqiu.
"If you get married, can I have double the wedding candy?"
"Believe it or not, I'll flood Wangsheng Funeral Parlor with candy tomorrow."
"Stop playing dumb, kid."
Beidou rolled her eyes and, after clinking glasses with Gu Sanqiu, took a bite of black-backed bass.
"Connections, Gu Sanqiu. Now that you're a man who can drink, you need to start thinking seriously about these things."