"Why does Little Tao want to be my wife?" Elliot gently brought the question back.
Hu Tao's face was burning, steam practically rising from her head.
"Because… because… Grandpa is really kind, and it feels so comfortable being with you. When you're around, I'm not afraid of anything…"
"Little Tao, you'll definitely meet someone just as good as me one day. He'll protect you for a lifetime."
"No, no! I want Grandpa! You have to stay with me forever!"
Her whining could melt anyone's heart.
But the more adorable she was now, the more it hurt Elliot inside.
His time was running out.
The mark of the Higanbana had already bloomed on his body. It couldn't be removed, couldn't be destroyed—only waited on to wither.
And the day it withered… would be the day his life ended.
"But… Grandpa's already old. I won't be able to…"
"Ahhh, I'm not listening! Blah blah blah!" Hu Tao rolled around on the bed in her thin nightgown, covering her ears.
Elliot scooped up the squirming girl, kissed her on the forehead, and gently ruffled her hair. "Be good now."
"I'm just going to the bathroom. I'll be right back."
With that, he stood and walked away.
Hu Tao stayed where she was, watching his back, her fingers brushing the spot on her forehead where he had kissed her.
"Grandpa…"
She hugged her pillow and rolled under the covers, her cheeks still tinged with red.
...
A harsh coughing fit echoed from the bathroom.
Elliot hunched over, clutching his mouth to suppress the sound, even in private—terrified Hu Tao might hear him.
But just then…
A small figure stood quietly behind the bathroom wall.
She stayed there for a long while. Only when his coughing stopped did she slowly fade into the shadows.
Elliot looked down at the blood staining his hand, frowning.
He hurriedly washed it away, brushed his teeth, and checked for any lingering taste. Once sure there was no trace, he rushed back quickly—not wanting Hu Tao to grow suspicious.
By the time he returned, she was already asleep.
He slipped into bed, wrapped his arms around her, and closed his eyes.
But Hu Tao slowly opened hers. A clear, shimmering tear rolled down her cheek.
"Grandpa…"
Her eyes were red. She didn't sleep at all.
...
Over the following week, Elliot did his best to stay with Hu Tao every moment.
He even sat in on one of her lectures. Seeing her confident and joyful filled him with happiness.
Hu Tao, of course, told her friends all about how Grandpa summoned a fire dragon to obliterate Kairagi—her retelling was full of passion.
From that day on, those little kids looked at Elliot like he was a legend. Pure admiration in every gaze.
Hu Tao puffed out her chest proudly, radiating like a little goddess.
She was proud to have a Grandpa like him.
But Elliot's condition only got worse. The backlash from his power was far stronger than he'd expected.
In just a week, he'd lost over ten jin, and his energy was draining fast.
Even though he ate heartily at every meal, his body showed no sign of recovery.
Everyone—staff at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, the elders of Liyue—understood what that meant.
They all knew that the current Master of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Old Hu, possessed a devastating move comparable to an adeptus.
Candle Dragon.
Once unleashed, it could lay waste to heaven and earth.
But the price of that power—even an adeptus couldn't resist its backlash.
And so, all of Liyue played along with Elliot's performance.
They chose to let the mischievous little Hu Tao spend these final days laughing beside him.
Elliot never wanted her to find out. She was clever and sensible, yes—but he loved her bright smile far more than her sorrow.
"Old Hu, could I have a word in private?" one of the staff asked at dinner.
"Sure. You all go ahead and eat—we'll be back soon."
Elliot smiled faintly and stepped away with the man.
Hu Tao clenched her fists tightly under the table, bit her lip, and kept her head down. Not a word. She was doing everything she could to hold back her tears.
As soon as they were alone, Elliot broke into another violent coughing fit, covering his mouth.
The staffer looked deeply worried and gently patted his back.
Only when his palm was streaked with blood did he speak.
"Thank you."
"Old Hu… are you sure about keeping this a secret? What if Hu Tao… can't take it when the time comes?"
Elliot paused mid-rinse.
"I…"
"I don't know. I just… want to see her smile… as much as I can… before I go."
He resumed cleaning his mouth.
The man's eyes reddened. He didn't know how to comfort him—just felt powerless.
"Wipe it off. Don't let Little Tao notice."
"Don't worry. Even if she's still young, I believe she's already strong enough to carry on as the next master of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
"Let's go. Can't keep them waiting."
...
They returned to the table—only to find that Hu Tao was gone.
"Where's Little Tao? Where'd she go?" Elliot asked, puzzled.
"She said she wasn't feeling well and went back to her room to rest," someone replied.
"Not feeling well? I'll go check."
He opened the door and saw her lying in bed, facing away.
"Little Tao? What's wrong? Where does it hurt?" he asked gently.
But she didn't respond.
"Little Tao?"
"Asleep already?"
Still no reply. Elliot quietly backed out and softly closed the door.
Inside, Hu Tao's pillow was already soaked with tears.
"Why is it like this…"
Curled into a ball, her sobs were uncontrollable. Her eyes were completely red.
Outside the door, Elliot hadn't left.
He peeked through the gap—and saw her crying.
His heart twisted in pain. He wanted so badly to rush in and hold her.
But…
He couldn't.
Better to let this quiet lie last until the end than shatter it now.
"I'm sorry, Little Tao… I can't be with you as you grow up..." Elliot whispered through the door.
...
From the next day on, Hu Tao and Elliot returned to their cheerful selves.
Both of them knew.
But neither of them wanted to break that final bit of happiness.
Three days later...
"Old Hu! Old Hu!!"
A frantic voice echoed from the Funeral Parlor.