Regardless, standing at the door chatting like this wasn't getting anywhere. Inviting her in, making small talk, and then sending her on her way should do the trick.
Qin Yu made up her mind and stepped aside. "Come in first, anyway."
"Thanks. By the way, I haven't eaten breakfast. Have you?"
"I have!"
If she hadn't claimed to have eaten, Hu Tao would definitely have insisted on making breakfast. She'd say something like, "Oh, I haven't eaten either. Why don't you cook?" or some such nonsense. That was absolutely not happening.
Unexpectedly, Hu Tao nodded. "Any leftovers? I'm hungry."
Seriously, what's wrong with this woman...? Qin Yu sighed inwardly while forcing a smile. "N-no, there's none left."
"You eat a lot? But you still have such a good figure."
Hey, hands off!
Hu Tao reached out to poke Qin Yu's side, but Qin Yu's reflexes were faster as she caught her wrist.
"Oh? Such quick hands," Hu Tao remarked.
"Um, please don't do that. It makes me quite uncomfortable."
"Why not?"
Why not? Isn't the reason for obvious? Of course it's because she dislikes it!
While Qin Yu seethed inwardly, she maintained her composure and said, "Because it's embarrassing. You'd feel the same way if someone touched your body without permission, wouldn't you, Hu Tao?"
But true to her reputation as a peculiar individual, Hu Tao merely smiled. "So you want to touch me then?"
"Huh? ...No, I didn't mean that! You should watch your words - that could be misunderstood! Girls should maintain some propriety."
"Misunderstood? How so? There's no harm in same-sex touch. Look at those two men over there - they're playfully kicking each other's backsides and laughing."
Indeed, same-sex physical contact was common enough. In her previous life, the boys in her class used to grab the chubby guy's chest; girls would hug and kiss, even calling each other "husband" and "wife."
Wait, no! This kind of thing depends on the person! I almost fell for that!
Qin Yu said, "These things are subjective."
"Hmm~ you're right. I was just teasing you. Your reactions are so amusing—there's a deliberate restraint to them. I really like that about you."
Damn, almost forgot she's got keen intuition.
Qin Yu smiled. "There's nothing like that."
"Really? You're not secretly cursing me in your mind right now?" Hu Tao advanced several steps, her eyes sparkling with interest.
"Absolutely not!"
"Then it's good words?"
Why must she swing between extremes like a diode? This will go on forever. Better to give her some flattery and end this.
Qin Yu thought this as she took Hu Tao's hand. "Yes, good words. If I must say something specific, thank you for coming, Hu Tao. You've... made this day truly wonderful."
"Oh? Oh..." Hu Tao blinked, momentarily at a loss.
She hadn't expected Qin Yu to say such words. It made her happy—worth the early morning rush to find Qin Yu for play.
[Rating: D]
Well, that got me through it.
The rhythm seemed to have been regained, and this sense of familiarity made Qin Yu feel at ease.
That's right, I'm the one who took the initiative. Why did I end up so passive? Now's the time to reclaim my position—though there's really no need for that!
After all, I didn't want to get close to Hu Tao just to earn points.
If I really wanted to use Hu Tao for points, the mental exhaustion would outweigh any satisfaction.
Speaking of which, we've been chatting for quite a while. Good thing no one's paying attention here—otherwise it'd be utterly embarrassing. Next, I'll just follow the plan: invite her in for a chat, then send her on her way.
But just then, an unexpected person appeared.
"Little... Little Yu, good morning!" A nervous young man approached.
Hu Tao looked puzzled. "Who's that?"
"Don't look at me—I don't know either..." Qin Yu trailed off, suddenly realizing the man looked familiar. She racked her brain, trying to place him.
Then he pulled out a jade pendant and said earnestly, "Little Yu, please say yes! I really, really like you!"
Ah, now she remembered.
This guy's a total love-struck fool.
During the week Qin Yu spent building relationships with her neighbors, one family's son declared he'd fallen for her at first sight. He publicly confessed his feelings, with his family chiming in from all sides to support him. The scene nearly gave her a heart attack.
After that incident, the young man kept pestering her with unwanted advances and gift offers.
Naturally, Qin Yu rejected every gesture and made her stance clear: she had no romantic interest and wanted him to leave her alone.
Undeterred, he persisted like a stubborn fool. He sold off family heirlooms and mortgaged their home to buy increasingly lavish gifts, convinced this would win her heart.
His family grew desperate. Convinced they'd invested too much to back down now, they joined in the harassment. They badgered her about how he'd make a "perfect husband" and threatened to expose her to blackmail.
Qin Yu dismissed them as lunatics. "What business is this of yours?" she'd retort. "Mind your own affairs."
Seeing her unyielding resolve, most of the family eventually gave up. Instead, they resorted to spreading rumors about her, hoping to pressure her through gossip.
But the townsfolk rallied around Qin Yu. "Who do you think you are, criticizing our Little Yu?" they'd demand. "Keep your opinions to yourself!"
The family's schemes failed completely. The man, however, remained undeterred in his pursuit of her.
It was as if he'd been poisoned. The more he was rejected, the more he felt his resolve strengthen, wallowing in self-satisfaction. He wasn't pursuing a woman—he was chasing an illusion of superiority.
As for his name, she'd long forgotten it, and there was no need to remember.
"Good morning. Can I help you?" Qin Yu asked calmly, maintaining a professional distance. "If not, I need to catch up with a friend now."
Hu Tao pondered the situation. While she couldn't know the full story, anyone could see what was happening here—especially someone like her who'd been navigating social interactions since childhood.
"I just confessed to you."
"That... I've told you many times already. I don't feel that way."
"Why?! Ah, is it because you didn't like my gift? Don't worry, I'll come back with an even bigger surprise next time, ha! My efforts will definitely win you over!"
Tsk.
Putting aside his delusions of grandeur, the mere belief that material gifts could sway a woman was enough to annoy her. She wasn't some flighty girl to be bought with trinkets.
"Also, I'm going to get even handsomer! When that happens, don't trip over your own feet trying to keep up with me!"
There's this belief that being handsome is enough. But no matter how handsome a man or beautiful a woman, if their heart is vile, aren't they still despicable? And this cryptic humor—seriously, can't they just speak normally?
Qin Yu's inner monologue raced, her irritation reaching its peak.
"Please don't come back—"
"What do you see in her?" Hu Tao asked.
Huh? What's this guy up to now...
But Hu Tao would probably defend her. For now, Qin Yu decided to observe.
The man immediately responded, "She's gentle, generous, passionate, and beautiful!"
Everything except beautiful is just an act. Ugh!
"So you only see these qualities?" Hu Tao asked, inexplicably wearing a triumphant expression.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean..."
Hu Tao's hand slithered out like a snake, stealthily grasping Qin Yu's hand in an intimate manner—palm to palm, fingers interlaced.
Qin Yu shuddered violently.
Huh? What's he doing? An unfamiliar warmth radiates from her palm... soft and comforting.
This peculiar hand-holding method was completely new to Qin Yu, both in her past life and this one. Her mind went blank as her ears flushed crimson.
Hu Tao whispered, "You should return the handshake too."
Return the handshake?! This... should be fine, right? It's just holding hands—fingers interlocked, that's all. Right! What's there to worry about? I'll just return the handshake.
But is she trying to comfort me? Qin Yu wondered.
It did feel reassuring... though only briefly.
This Hu Tao person isn't so bad after all.
Then Hu Tao lifted their joined hands.
Huh?
"See this? The way our fingers are interlocked... I don't need to explain further, do I?"
What?
The man's face paled, his lips trembling. "Th-this... Could you two possibly be..."
"Heh heh, let your imagination run wild. But whatever you're thinking, you might not be far off. So don't disturb my treasure anymore, got it? Alright, enough with the talk—time for girls' time now!"
Hu Tao pulled Qin Yu into the room like a hostess taking charge, then kicked the door shut with her foot.
Hu Tao released her grip and stretched lazily.
"Phew~ Mission accomplished. How was my acting? Not too shabby, right?"
Qin Yu finally snapped out of her daze, realization dawning on her.
So it was all an act! I thought she actually had feelings for me... Talk about a scare...
"Thanks," Qin Yu said, letting out a relieved breath.
"No problem."
Outside the door came a mournful wail.
"Today... my hands tremble, today... my heart aches. I've given so much, yet received not a shred of care from her. Why must the heavens treat me thus? Why?! What have I done wrong?! I... I truly love you! Why must you treat me so?! Waaah—wah—gaaah—wah—"
Hu Tao sighed dramatically. "What a pathetic man. Good thing I don't have a lover, or I'd be doomed too."
Wait.
Hold on.
If Hu Tao's performance from earlier gets out, won't that...
The next day.
"Little Yu, you've got the spirit of Mondstadt in you! This old lady supports you—love is freedom, you know!"
"People can love, as long as there's affection."
"The power of love is boundless! It doesn't care about gender!"
Just as expected—! Hu Tao!!
After great effort, I finally managed to convince everyone this was just an act to discourage a clingy suitor.
But why? Their eyes still look so... innocent.
"It's alright, we all understand. Let's not dwell on it. If that guy comes to bother you again, we'll give him a piece of our mind right here on the street. He'll get what's coming to him, don't you think, Little Liang?"
"If he dares show up again, I'll kick his ass!"
"That won't be necessary," Qin Yu said hastily, her smile strained. "I just hope you'll help me out if it happens. No need for curses or physical altercations!"
What a kind-hearted girl...
Ah, that's exactly why malicious people target her.
No, I just don't want to be dragged off by the Millelith for inciting verbal violence.