At the Chen Long Sect—
"Senior, how about we plan a trip to Kiachi? The famous Lantern Festival is starting next week—it'll be fun." While walking beside Zoe, Rui brought up the idea.
Hearing about the festival, Zoe's expression dimmed slightly. Memories of Yuzhen surfaced—the Lantern Festival held a special place in his past.
[In the past, Chen Zoe went there with Yuzhen. That time, what they had between them wasn't love, simply a master disciple relation.
However, the incidents after going there changed everything. The view of Chen Zoe towards Yuzhen began to change, he learned more about his disciple and their first life as Long Tian and Xian Yu.]
"I want to attend the festival…" Even the place no longer held the same meaning as before, Zoe decided to go. Because the place itself still carried a part of his life.
The next day, he applied for a two-week leave and sent the request through his disciple. Meanwhile, Rui's plan to attend the festival fell apart due to his father's sudden trip to a nearby village. As the direct heir and disciple, Rui had to stay behind and manage the clinic.
"I'm really sorry, Senior. I can't go to the festival with you," Rui said, clearly disappointed. "But you have to go in my place. Don't even think about missing this chance just because I can't. And… bring back plenty of medicinal herbs from there."
A faint smile appeared on Zoe's face at the request. "Fine. But first, let's see whether my request gets approved or rejected."
Days later, the reply arrived.
As expected, his father had rejected the request. Just like in his previous life. But his father didn't know—this alone wouldn't stop his son.
"What should we do now?" Rui asked.
"If Plan A doesn't work, then we use Plan B. What's there to be upset about?" Zoe replied calmly.
"Plan B?" Confused, Rui asked.
Zoe leaned in and explained his plan. Rui's eyes lit up with excitement. "What's the point of living without taking risks, right, Senior? I'm with you, Senior. Leave the rest to me, I'll handle everything without anyone finding out."
The next day, Chen Zoe announced to everyone that he would be going into isolated training for a few days. Rui would be the only one allowed to assist him from outside. He even granted his disciple, Yichen, a two-week leave.
Behind closed doors, Chen Zoe began putting his plan into action. That night, he carefully dug a small opening in the wall and slipped out.
Once he was safely outside, he replaced the bricks, making sure everything looked undisturbed. To further avoid suspicion, he and Rui placed several potted plants in front of the spot, effectively concealing the opening.
They then moved to a more secluded area. Zoe asked Rui for the items he had requested earlier. Rui handed over the maid costume he had secretly brought along.
"Here's your ticket to freedom," Rui said, passing him the clinic pass that allowed entry and exit from the sect. Then he added, "And this is the list of herbs I need. Make sure you bring all of them."
Zoe glanced at the list, which seemed to go on endlessly. "Isn't this a bit too long?"
Rui raised an eyebrow. "Should I start shouting right now?"
Zoe sighed, then smiled faintly. "Just joking, why are you taking it so seriously?
If you want to add a few more, do it? I don't mind at all."
The next morning, Zoe was ready to leave the sect. Just as he was about to step out of the sect, he ran into Chen Ling.
"Brother?" she called out the moment she recognized him.
She had also received an assignment from her master to travel to Kiachi.
Zoe quickly covered her mouth before anyone else could hear. Lowering his voice, he warned her to keep it down. Only after making sure she understood did he slowly remove his hand.
The moment Chen Ling got a proper look at him, she couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"What is this? Some kind of fancy performance?" she teased.
Zoe quickly explained the entire situation to her.
Trying hard to suppress her laughter, she looked him over again. "But if you go around looking like this, everyone will recognize you instantly."
"Wait…"
She reached into her pouch and pulled out a small makeup kit. With practiced hands, she applied it to Zoe's face, softening his features and making him appear more feminine.
"Now cover the lower half of your face with this white cloth," she instructed.
Zoe did as she said.
Chen Ling stepped back to admire her work and smiled. "Now you actually look like a beauty."
"Since we're both heading to the same place," she continued with a sly smile, "how about helping me carry this luggage?"
Having no choice, Zoe took her luggage as well.
Together, the two of them set off toward their destination— Kiachi.
...
After days of travel, they finally arrived in Kiachi. The entire city was already prepared for the festival, with every corner beautifully decorated.
Their first task was to find an inn to stay in. However, luck wasn't on their side—every inn they visited was already full.
"Are we really going to end up sleeping on the streets?" Chen Ling asked weakly, sitting beside Zoe at a tea stall and taking a sip of tea. Her exhaustion was clear after hours of wandering.
"There are still a few more inns left. Maybe we'll find a room there," Zoe replied.
Finishing their tea quickly, the two of them headed toward the next inn.
…
"What the…? All the rooms are taken? By whom?" Chen Ling demanded angrily after speaking with the inn manager.
"Not just here—every inn in this area is fully booked," the manager explained calmly. "It's the festival season. This is quite common."
"Brother, what do we do now?" she asked anxiously, turning to Zoe.
Zoe stepped forward. "Is there really no chance we could get a room? Even a small one would be fine…"
The manager hesitated for a moment before replying, "The entire inn has been booked by a single guest. If he agrees to spare at least one room, we can arrange it for you."
"Thank you…"
"Ah, they've just arrived. Let me speak to them first," the manager said, glancing toward the entrance as he walked over.
Curious to see who would book an entire inn, Zoe turned and froze.
"Yuzhen…"
The name slipped from his lips before he could stop it.
Seeing Yuzhen again after so many years, Zoe found it hard to believe it was real.
However, standing right in front of him as a complete stranger, his heart ached.
But forcing down his emotions, Zoe quietly watched him. Seeing Yuzhen in his new form, living a comfortable, seemingly happy life brought him a bit of relief
Meanwhile, at the entrance—
"We didn't pay for the entire inn just to give away our rooms to others," Zera said sharply, rejecting the request. "Tell them to find another place."
Long Tian, who had no interest in getting involved, was about to head to his room.
But suddenly, his steps halted. His gaze had fallen on Zoe.
"Are they the ones who need a room?" he asked, still looking at him.
"Y-yes… I'll inform them to leave right away…" the inn manager replied nervously, trying to please his wealthy guest.
"No need," Tian said calmly, his eyes never leaving Zoe. "Give them two rooms."
Zera frowned. "Why are you being so kind all of a sudden? There's no need for this—"
He raised his hand slightly, silencing her.
"Do whatever you want," she muttered, clearly displeased, and turned to leave. After a few steps, she stopped and added, "Are you planning to stand here until they get their rooms?"
Tian shot her a cold glare. The intensity of it made her stiffen for a moment.
By the time he looked back, Zoe had already turned away, speaking to the inn manager.
A trace of disappointment flickered in Tian's eyes.
Without another word, he returned to his room—though a quiet expectation lingered within him, hoping their paths would cross again soon.
After receiving the room keys, Zoe helped Chen Ling with her luggage, noticing her exhaustion.
"Come," he said, leading the way upstairs. Ling followed behind him.
"Brother… that guy earlier…" she whispered as she caught up to him.
"Which guy?"
"The young master who helped us get the room."
Zoe slowed slightly. "What about him?"
"I think he's fallen for me," she said confidently. "Didn't you see the way he was looking at me?"
Zoe's grip on the luggage tightened unconsciously.
"Hold this for a second," he said, handing it back to her.
"What happened?" Clueless, she looked at him.
"Carry it yourself. With nothing to do, your thoughts are getting ridiculous," he replied, lightly tapping her head—his irritation carefully masked.
"Brother…" she complained softly, hurrying after him.