Hu Tao Is Monetizing My Existence. [194]

Suddenly, the sound of applause rang out. Following the direction of the noise, everyone turned to see Kaeya walking over.

To Kaeya, a stranger with the power to battle a dragon was more than a little intriguing.

“To possess the strength to fight a dragon… are you our guest, or perhaps a new storm on the horizon?”

“Big Brother Kaeya!” Perched on Jiang Bai’s shoulders, Klee waved enthusiastically as soon as she spotted him.

With Jiang Bai’s speed, they’d arrived in no time.

Kaeya’s gaze flicked over to Jiang Bai, surprised to find him in Mondstadt as well.

“Well, look who’s here.”

“I got Klee’s letter and came to keep her company,” Jiang Bai said, spreading his hands helplessly. “But before we even got out of the city, we ran into all this. When we saw the hero who drove off the dragon land here, we figured we’d come take a look.”

Jiang Bai’s eyes fell on the blond traveler, Aether. Their gazes met, but nothing happened—just a silent, mutual acknowledgment.

Kaeya rested a hand on his forehead and rapped Klee gently on the head.

This really is just the sort of thing Klee would do…

“Honestly, Klee, you went and wrote a letter to have your Big Brother Jiang Bai come all the way here just to play with you? What if something dangerous had happened?”

After scolding Klee, Kaeya shot Jiang Bai a look. “And you—seriously? She calls you to come play, and you just drop everything? Are you really that free?”

Jiang Bai just shrugged. “I’m honestly pretty free these days.”

Klee covered her head with her hands, puffing out her cheeks in protest. “Klee wasn’t just thinking about playing! Klee and Big Brother Jiang Bai just saved a bunch of people!”

“All right, all right, our little Spark Knight is growing up.”

While Kaeya and Klee were busy bickering—having completely forgotten the situation at hand—Amber stepped in, looking anxious.

“Kaeya, Stormterror actually attacked inside the city this time. We need to find Jean, fast.”

“No rush.” Kaeya turned his attention to Aether. “We haven’t had the chance to properly introduce ourselves, have we?”

Klee nodded so vigorously her head was like a bobblehead. “Klee wants to meet the big hero who defeated the dragon too!”

“Um, right…” Amber snapped out of it and started making introductions. “This is Kaeya, our Cavalry Captain. This is Klee, our Spark Knight, and this is—” She hesitated when she got to Jiang Bai.

She didn’t know him at all.

“I’m Jiang Bai, a ferryman from the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor in Liyue. If you ever have need of our services, feel free to look me up!”

As Jiang Bai introduced himself, he handed each of the newcomers a Wangsheng Funeral Parlor flier—including Paimon.

Amber, Aether, and Paimon looked at the fliers in stunned silence.

Is this really necessary…?

Paimon balled up the flier and stomped her feet in midair, clearly offended.

“Who just hands out fliers the moment they meet someone—especially for that kind of business?!”

“Just getting the word out! You never know when someone might need it—better to be informed than not,” Jiang Bai replied breezily, showing no hint of embarrassment.

After all, this group looked like the type who’d spend a lot of time in dangerous places—prime target audience!

It wasn’t as if there was any business lately anyway. Going days on end without work was just plain boring.

Kaeya, for his part, was completely unfazed by Jiang Bai’s flier habit. After all, he’d been handed one himself not long ago.

“All right, all right. You haven’t introduced the rest yet!” Kaeya nudged Amber back on track.

Amber tucked the flier away for now and continued, “These two are travelers from afar: Aether and Paimon.”

She turned to Jiang Bai, “And I’m Amber, an Outrider with the Knights of Favonius.”

Amber quickly explained Aether’s situation:

“Here’s the story. His sister’s gone missing. He’s hoping to meet the Anemo Archon and maybe pick up some news about her in Mondstadt, but then got swept up by the storm and thrown into all this…”

Jiang Bai listened as Amber spoke, his gaze moving between Aether and Paimon, studying them both.

There’s no end to the odd creatures in Teyvat, but this floating, talking, humanoid being—now that’s a first.

And as for this blond traveler named Aether—his name didn’t match any of the conventions of the Seven Nations. Just one character—very unusual.

He also didn’t see a Vision on him, meaning he probably didn’t have one.

But when Aether was in the air earlier, he’d clearly used elemental powers.

Could it be he, like me, doesn’t need a Vision to control the elements?

Aether, unsure why Jiang Bai was staring so intently and looking so deep in thought, offered a polite smile in return.

Maybe he’s seen someone who looks like me before… Maybe he’s heard something about my sister. I’ll have to ask him when there’s a chance.

“I see…”

Kaeya’s eyes sharpened in thought.

“Welcome to Mondstadt—even if it’s at such a troublesome time. I understand the pain of being separated from family all too well. I won’t pry into why you’re searching for the Anemo Archon—everyone has their secrets.”

“In any case, on behalf of the Knights, I want to thank you.”

“I couldn’t just stand by in the face of disaster.” Aether accepted the thanks without hesitation.

After all, he’d been caught up in all this by accident, and by helping Mondstadt, he was also helping himself.

“The entire city witnessed your battle against the dragon. The Acting Grand Master is very interested in meeting you, and would like you to come to Knights’ headquarters,” Kaeya said, issuing the invitation.

Aside from wanting to meet this Traveler, Kaeya’s main task was to deliver Jean’s message.

“Can I come too? I’ve never visited your Knights’ headquarters!” Jiang Bai asked, full of curiosity.

“Of course you can. You helped Mondstadt in our hour of need, so I’m sure the Acting Grand Master would be glad to meet you,” Kaeya said, then added dryly:
“As long as you don’t hand her a flier.”

“Relax, relax, I know where to draw the line!”

Jiang Bai patted his chest with confidence. He definitely knew which people he could hand fliers to and which he shouldn’t.

Someone who ran an entire nation—handing her a flier in the middle of a chat, pitching funeral services and offering to take care of her body when she died? That would be the end of his future prospects.

And as for Klee—he’d never given her a flier, either.

First, she probably couldn’t read it. Second, she was too young and always had adults watching her—she wasn’t about to go running off to dangerous places. She’d never need his kind of services.

Kaeya, reassured by Jiang Bai’s promise not to hand Jean a flier, finally relaxed.

Otherwise, he really would worry that Jean might just politely escort Jiang Bai straight back out the door.

The Knights’ headquarters wasn’t far. Kaeya lifted Klee off Jiang Bai’s shoulders, just in case she decided she liked the view too much to ever come down.

Meanwhile, Aether took the opportunity to ask Jiang Bai about his sister.

“Excuse me, have you ever seen anyone who looks a lot like me?”

“I don’t think so,” Jiang Bai shook his head, though he didn’t sound completely sure.

“But honestly, I’m not certain. I’ve lost a lot of my memories…”

—

T/N: in before Lumine and Jiang Bai were actually lovers, now later on as Aether falls for Jiang Bai, he has to face his feelings as he finds his sister again but finds out that his target of affection had a romantic connection with his sister but at least Jiang Bai doesn’t remember it right…?

This is a fan translation of 胡桃拿我冲业绩 by 余溯. All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!