The unexpected encounter with Long Tian completely shook Zoe. He couldn't understand how their paths had crossed once again.
Long Tian was supposed to be living in the Demon Realm—so how could he appear in Kiachi? What was the reason?
Countless questions flooded his mind, yet beneath all that confusion, there was also a quiet, undeniable happiness at seeing Tian again.
Chen Zoe had often imagined the day they would meet again, wondering what kind of situation it would be. Could he walk away from him like a complete stranger?
But now that the moment had truly come, he realized how difficult it was to even pretend. He couldn't…
He couldn't bear the thought of Long Tian being with anyone else—even as a joke. So how was he supposed to leave him behind?
Suddenly a knock on the door, broke his thoughts and Chen Ling's voice followed. "Brother Zoe…"
Zoe opened the door. "What is it?"
"Aren't you hungry?" Chen Ling stepped inside, her eyes full of curiosity. "Seriously, bro, I've been waiting for you this whole time—my stomach is on fire. If I don't get food soon, I'll die, and you'll be the reason."
She flopped dramatically onto the bed.
"The restaurant is downstairs…" Zoe said, crossing his arms and leaning against the door as he watched her.
"But how can I go eat alone when I'm here with you?" she complained, puffing her cheeks. "Hurry up and get ready—I'm starving…"
Like a child throwing a tantrum, she continued to make a scene.
"I'm not hungry…" Zoe began, but when he saw her expression fall, he sighed. "Fine. Let's go."
After locking the door, the two of them headed downstairs.
They had just started eating when Long Tian and Zera walked in. Almost immediately, Zera noticed the familiar face and recognized Zoe.
"Tian… isn't he the one we saw back then?" she whispered, giving him a meaningful look. He understood at once.
Seizing the opportunity, Zera approached their table. "If you don't mind, can we join you?"
Chen Ling quickly agreed without even consulting Zoe, glancing briefly at Tian standing behind her. "We don't mind…"
The four of them sat together, with Zoe and Tian facing each other.
"You should've given me that seat," Zera muttered to Tian, annoyed that she wasn't sitting opposite Zoe.
Seeing their closeness made Zoe uncomfortable. He avoided meeting Tian's gaze, but Tian looked at him directly, unwavering.
"Shouldn't we introduce ourselves?" Chen Ling said, taking the initiative. "I'm Chen Ling, and this is my brother, Chen Zoe. You might have heard of the Chen Long Sect—we're from there."
"Chen Zoe…" Tian repeated softly, a faint smile forming as he spoke the name.
"I'm Long Tian, and this is my cousin, Zera," he introduced, his eyes never leaving Zoe. "We're travelers… and merchants from the east."
Even knowing the truth, Zoe remained silent, unwilling to expose the lie. "What do you sell?" he asked instead.
"We sell almost everything," Zera replied quickly. "There's nothing we don't deal in."
It wasn't exactly a satisfying answer.
"Anything that seems profitable… we sell," Tian added, studying Zoe's expression. "We came here after hearing about the festival. Are you here for the same reason?"
"Why else would we be here?" Chen Ling said cheerfully. "Since we're all here for the same thing, how about we go out together?"
"Chen Ling… what are you saying?" Zoe pulled her closer, lowering his voice.
But before he could object further, Long Tian spoke.
"Sounds good."
"It's decided!" Chen Ling beamed, her face clearly reflecting her eagerness to spend more time with him
Later, in Long Tian's room—
"What exactly are you planning?" Zera asked, suspicion clear in her eyes. She didn't feel right getting entangled with someone like Zoe—someone who would undoubtedly become their enemy in the future. "Isn't it dangerous for us to stay close to them? What if they discover our true identities?"
"You're right—it is dangerous," Tian admitted calmly. "But what if we can turn them to our side, when fate itself is giving us this chance?"
Zera's lips curled into a confident smile. "Then leave that guy to me. There's no one in this world who can resist my charms. I'll have him dancing like a puppet in my hands."
"I wasn't talking about that…" Tian's voice turned cold, clearly displeased.
Zera blinked. "Huh? Then what?"
"We can offer him something else—money, power, position…" Tian said, laying out his thoughts.
Zera let out a short laugh, shaking her head. "What did I expect from a kid other than this?
Tian, do you really think he lacks any of those things? He's from a renowned sect. With his talent, he can obtain all of that within the human realm. Why would he accept your offer?"
She stepped closer, her tone turning sharper.
"Think beyond the obvious. What if we hold his heart instead?" she said, a knowing glint in her eyes. "Once a man falls in love, he'll do anything for her."
...
The next day—
As planned, Chen Zoe and Chen Ling waited downstairs for Long Tian and Zera. The sound of approaching footsteps drew their attention toward the stairs.
When Tian appeared, dressed in a white and silver ensemble, Zoe found himself unable to look away. For a moment, he simply stood there, taking in his husband's beauty without restraint. Sensing that gaze fixed entirely on him, Tian's ears flushed red with embarrassment.
Zera noticed it immediately. Her eyes moved between Tian and Zoe, suspicion rising in her mind.
'I should've known when he took so long to get ready… He looks even prettier than me.
But why did he dress up like this? Don't tell me he misunderstood my plan…
Did I accidentally turn our future lord into a gay? I'm doomed…'
"Let's go!" Chen Ling said brightly, completely unaware of the tension.
Not wanting to approach Long Tian first, she instead walked up to Zera, pulling her along and leaving no chance for her to separate Zoe and Tian.
"So, where are we going today?" Chen Ling asked, trying to start a conversation.
"Actually, I won't be joining you all today," Zoe said, keeping his tone casual. "I need to look for some medicinal herbs in the market."
He deliberately tried to keep his distance from Tian, afraid he wouldn't be able to control himself otherwise.
Hearing this, Zera's face lit up—this made things easier for her. But her satisfaction didn't last long.
"It seems fate really wants our paths to cross," Tian said smoothly. "As a merchant, I was planning to visit the market area as well."
Zera's expression darkened instantly.
In the end, Chen Ling and Zera walked ahead together, while Zoe and Tian followed behind toward the market. They strolled through the busy streets, looking around and purchasing a few herbs along the way.
"Isn't that a poisonous herb?" Tian asked the shopkeeper curiously when he saw Zoe pick up a few toxic plants.
"Its toxicity is moderate," Zoe replied before the shopkeeper could answer. "Physicians mostly use it to make paralysis potions."
"You seem quite knowledgeable about herbs," Tian commented.
A hint of pride flickered across Zoe's face, impossible to hide.
After that, they wandered through the market, moving from stall to stall, taking in the lively atmosphere. Suddenly, a child ran straight into Tian, and the food in the boy's hands splattered across Tian's pristine white clothes.
For a moment, anger flared in Tian's eyes—but with Zoe nearby, he forced it down.
"You should watch where you're running," Tian said, his tone laced with false concern. "What if you got hurt?"
"I don't need your advice!" the child snapped back, clearly ill-tempered. "You ruined my food, and you don't even apologize? Pay me two silver coins, or don't think about leaving!"
Seeing Tian being bullied by a mere child, Zoe couldn't just stand by. He grabbed the boy by the collar and lifted him off the ground.
"Let go of me! Put me down!" the child shouted, struggling.
"Fine." Zoe released him without warning.
"Aah—!" The boy fell hard onto his back, crying out in pain. "I'll show you—"
He turned to glare at Zoe, but froze the moment he met that cold, intimidating gaze.
"Stop pretending to be a thug and leave," Zoe said flatly.
With his naturally sharp, villainous features and chilling tone, it was more than enough to scare the child. The boy scrambled up and ran off without another word.
"Your clothes are dirty," Zoe said, glancing at Tian. "Let's change them first." He pointed toward a nearby textile shop.
"Fine," Tian agreed.
Just as they were about to enter, a stone came hurtling toward Zoe. Before it could strike him, Tian caught it midair. Zoe paused, glancing at him curiously, unsure of what had just happened.
"There was dust on your shoulder," Tian said casually, brushing it off as if nothing had happened. "Now it's gone."
Zoe accepted the explanation and stepped inside.
The moment he turned away, Tian's gaze shifted toward the child in the distance. He is the one throw the stone at him.
With a subtle motion, Tian sent the stone flying, using his power to strike his target precisely.
A faint cry echoed shortly after.
Only then did Long Tian walk in, a satisfied smile playing on his lips.
Inside, rows of garments were neatly displayed. A black outfit immediately caught Tian's attention, but before he could reach for it, Zoe had already picked out several pieces in different colors and handed them to him.
"Try these."
"All of them?" Tian asked, slightly surprised. "Can't I just choose that black one?"
Zoe rejected the idea without hesitation. "Who wears black on an auspicious occasion?"
One by one, Tian tried them on. Every piece suited him, making the choice difficult. After a moment of thought, he selected a light ocean-blue outfit—one that happened to match Zoe's attire.
"I'll go with this one."
"Now it looks like a couple's outfit," one of the workers commented with a smile as they looked at the two of them.
"I'll pay the bill," Zoe said quickly, turning toward the owner, clearly a bit awkward.
"Do we really look like a couple?" Tian asked curiously once Zoe stepped away.
"Huh? I didn't mean it like that," the worker said nervously. "I just meant… it looks good."
"Really?" Tian pressed.
The worker glanced at him, then gave a shy, uncertain smile, unable to answer directly.
"It's for your compliment," Tian said lightly, tossing a money pouch toward him before walking away.
The worker opened it—and nearly fainted at the sight of gold coins inside.