Hu Tao's sudden appearance broke the tense atmosphere.
This allowed Nathan to breathe a huge sigh of relief.
Just moments ago, these four girls with vastly different personalities were about to engage in a real battle.
It's worth noting that these four girls' combat abilities were each incredibly formidable!
If they were to fight without holding back, they might have turned all of Liyue Harbor upside down.
So right now, Nathan just wanted to shout: Hu Tao, you're my superhero!!!
"Aha ha ha, everyone... seems so lively!"
By now, Hu Tao had arrived beside them, her gaze sweeping across the four women.
"Hu Tao?"
"Director Hu?"
"Director Hu Tao?"
"Hmm???"
These were the reactions from Ningguang to Shenhe, the four girls' responses upon seeing Hu Tao.
"Hmm... two members of the Liyue Qixing, one secretary from Yuehai Pavilion... and this sister whom I don't know. What's going on... are you all planning to hold a meeting at my parlor?"
Even under the gaze of all four, Hu Tao remained completely unfazed, displaying a sincere smile.
"Hu Tao, this is a small matter between us four, you don't need to get involved."
As the most composed among the four, Ningguang gave this response to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor Director.
"Yes, Director Hu Tao, we have some private matters to resolve, you don't need to concern yourself with us!"
Ganyu, who stood in opposition, also immediately spoke up. On this matter, she seemed to have reached a consensus with Ningguang.
Mainly because Hu Tao... was also a young and beautiful girl.
Her appearance by Nathan's side naturally made them wary of her.
Ningguang and Ganyu exchanged glances, both seeing the same thought in each other's eyes.
That is, in this battlefield of competing for Nathan, they couldn't allow a new enemy to interfere.
"Don't say that... guests are always welcome... Since everyone has come to my Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, why don't we all sit inside!"
Even though she was being excluded by the four women, Hu Tao showed no signs of displeasure.
Instead, she returned their coldness with kindness, inviting everyone to sit in the parlor.
"How strange..."
However, looking at Hu Tao's expression, Nathan felt increasingly peculiar.
This mischievous young lady shouldn't be acting so composed.
The way Hu Tao was behaving now, one might think she had been possessed by Ningguang.
"Hee hee!!!"
As Hu Tao turned around, her eyes met with Nathan's.
In a moment only they shared, she gave him a knowing smile.
Seeing this, Nathan instantly felt a headache coming on.
So Hu Tao's earlier composure was all an act.
She was still that same mischievous girl, clearly harboring some scheme.
At this point, Nathan also realized that although she had just helped him out of a difficult situation, Hu Tao herself also had designs on him.
Now it was like a third force had appeared on the battlefield between two sides.
"Well... since Hu Tao puts it that way, let's go sit inside."
Ningguang smiled gracefully, casting a challenging look at Ganyu.
"Then we thank Director Hu Tao for the invitation!!!"
Ganyu also led her junior disciple, refusing to back down as she followed their steps.
One after another, the four women entered the parlor's reception room.
As for Nathan, he walked at the back of the group, not wanting to further provoke tensions between the four women.
But it was precisely this action that led to his wrist being grabbed by a delicate hand just as he reached the doorway.
"Hu Tao, what are you doing?"
It was Hu Tao, who had been walking last with Nathan, now firmly gripping his wrist.
"Shh, Nathan, don't make a sound!!!"
Hu Tao's face bloomed with a smile as she made a hushing gesture.
Obviously, this was the smile of a girl about to cause mischief.
"Hey... you..."
Just as he was about to speak, Hu Tao had already pulled out a small round ball from her robes.
"Nathan, why haven't you come in yet?"
"Nathan, why haven't you come in yet?"
At this moment, the women who had already seated themselves in the parlor noticed something was amiss.
He had been standing at the doorway for too long without entering.
Ningguang and Ganyu stood up simultaneously, wanting to check on his situation.
"Hehe, take this... smoke bomb!!!"
Hu Tao pulled Nathan behind her while throwing the small ball forward.
"Bang!!!"
The ball rolled to Ningguang's feet and made a soft explosive sound.
"What?"
"What?"
The spacious parlor was instantly filled with smoke.
"Hu Tao, what are you doing?"
Seeing the smoke-filled room, Nathan shook his head helplessly.
Hu Tao was really going all out, causing such a commotion in her own home.
"Stop talking... what are you waiting for? Run!"
Without giving Nathan time to react, a strong pulling force transmitted through his arm.
He was forcibly led by Hu Tao as they quickly fled outside the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
.......................
"Cough cough cough..."
"Cough cough cough..."
Meanwhile, on the other side, the four women finally managed to rush out of the smoke-filled room.
They couldn't stop coughing, and their vision was only gradually returning.
"Where's Nathan???"
When they could finally see clearly, Nathan was nowhere to be found.
"This is bad, we've been tricked!"
Ningguang was the first to realize they had fallen for Hu Tao's scheme.
Her earlier pretense of not caring about anything was actually to lure them into the room.
Then she used a homemade smoke bomb to create chaos, taking advantage of the confusion to escape with Nathan.
"Director Hu Tao... is indeed our enemy!"
Ganyu angrily clenched her fists, having just witnessed Nathan being snatched away before her eyes.
"Senior sister, I'll go kill her."
By now, Shenhe could no longer contain herself. In her mind, Hu Tao's image had already been marked with a big red X.
"I knew it... Hu Tao definitely has ulterior motives towards Nathan!"
Keqing spoke with resentment. She had never really liked the prank-loving Hu Tao.
"Let's stop talking so much, quickly chase after them... even if we have to turn Liyue Harbor upside down, we must find them."
With Ningguang's words, the four women began to move.
However, Liyue Harbor was vast, and for now, they had no idea where Hu Tao had taken Nathan after their escape.
a/n - Read 45+ Chapters ahead on my patreon
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