Cao Fa suddenly recalled, and said: “The Immortal mentioned inside, seems to share the same surname as you, Sir.”

Speaking of this, he paused abruptly and looked at Mr. Chen.

Feeling his gaze, Chen Changsheng smiled and asked: “You don’t actually think I’m an Immortal, do you?”

“You do seem a bit like one, Mr. Chen,” Cao Fa replied.

Chen Changsheng closed the book and said: “We simply share the same surname.”

Cao Fa also thought it unlikely and didn’t dwell on it further.

Listening to their conversation, Ruyi couldn’t help glancing at Uncle Chen.

Then she looked at Cao Fa.

Ruyi seemed to grasp something and declared: “Ruyi understands.”

Her sudden statement drew the attention of both Chen Changsheng and Cao Fa.

Chen Changsheng asked: “What does Ruyi understand?”

“Ruyi understands everything, but won’t say.”

“Alright then.”

Hearing their exchange, Cao Fa chuckled, thinking how amusing children could be.

Cao Fa and Chen Changsheng chatted a while longer, talking about the Teahouse and inquiring about its Proprietor. Truthfully, he’d never met this owner and hoped for information.

Chen Changsheng merely mentioned she was a woman, which surprised Cao Fa and made him even more curious to meet her. Yet, upon second thought, he realized the chance was slim.

After their brief talk, Cao Fa stood up to leave.

Chen Changsheng saw him to the door. Before departing, Cao Fa added: “Feel free to visit the Teahouse anytime you’re free, Sir. No charge for tea.”

“I will.”

Chen Changsheng stood at the doorway, watching Cao Fa walk away.

Returning to his senses, he gazed at the book in his hand.

‘Third Master Jin truly did something remarkable…’

If this book achieved its purpose, it might well be remembered forever.

Setting aside these thoughts, he turned back and saw a figure standing right before him, arms crossed.

It could only be Ruyi.

She eyed Chen Changsheng with a skeptical look, as if seeing straight through him.

Chen Changsheng asked: “Why is Ruyi staring at me?”

“Uncle Chen can lie.”

“When have I ever lied?”

“Just now, to that gentleman.”

Chen Changsheng chuckled: “How does Ruyi know?”

Arms still crossed, Ruyi tilted her chin up and declared: “Just guessed.”

“Well, Ruyi is certainly clever.”

“Hmmph.”

Chen Changsheng walked inside and settled back onto the long chair.

Ruyi followed closely, sidling up beside him.

She peeked at the book brought by Master Cao.

“Can Ruyi see it?”

“What does Ruyi want to see?”

“That book.”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Because Ruyi is too clever.”

Ruyi pouted: “Why can’t clever people see it?”

“No reason.”

“Then Uncle Chen is clever too, so you shouldn’t look either.”

“Your Uncle Chen isn’t clever. Not like Ruyi.”

“You’re lying.”

Chen Changsheng grinned: “Lying to a kid.”

“…”

Ruyi planted her hands on her hips in a huff, turning away to resume her embroidery practice. She refused to speak to Uncle Chen anymore.

The more she thought about it, the angrier she got.

So angry that she pulled a piece of Preserved Fruit from her pocket and stuffed it whole into her mouth.

Ping’an, who was practicing his sword nearby, sighed inwardly.

He thought his elder sister wasn’t very bright at all.

But nothing could extinguish Ruyi’s curiosity.

By noon, the sunlight was warm and pleasant. Chen Changsheng, utterly lazy, stretched out on the long chair to bask in the sun. With a yawn, he drifted off to sleep.

This had become routine since arriving at Qingshan City.

He felt himself growing idle, yet he also realized sleeping was what felt most comfortable.

Sleeping for three years was very different from a short nap.

Ruyi glanced sideways at Chen Changsheng. Seeing him stir, she whipped her head back, pretending nothing happened.

Chen Changsheng remarked: “Why is Ruyi sneaking around?”

“I wasn’t,” Ruyi insisted.

Chen Changsheng laughed softly, unconcerned. He stretched, rested his head on his hands, and fell asleep.

Seeing that Uncle Chen had finally dozed off,

Ruyi set down her needlework. Then, she crept stealthily to the table beside him and picked up the book.

Ping’an, mid-sword practice, nearly jumped at the sight.

“Elder Sister…”

“Shhh!!”

“I want to see too.”

“…”

Once Ruyi had the book, she pulled Ping’an aside to have a look.

The two siblings flipped open the pages, glancing nervously every now and then at the figure asleep on the long chair, fearing he might wake.

As soon as they opened the book, Ping’an became engrossed in its contents.

“Elder Sister, turn slower.”

“Speak softer.”

“Oh, oh.”

Soft page-turning sounds filled the hall.

Ruyi and Ping’an turned a page together.

“I heard the Teahouse teacher talk about this.”

“Always only you hear things! Stop talking!”

“Oh…”

After searching long, Ruyi finally found the story Uncle Chen mentioned before.

Zhang the farmer, three generations spanning a century.

She didn’t dare miss a single word, reading carefully.

Ruyi always had good intuition.

She felt this “Mr. Chen” was definitely Uncle Chen.

“Where is Autumn Moon Market?”

“Don’t know.”

“And Flowing Cloud Temple?”

“No idea either.”

“Why do you know nothing!”

“Elder Sister, I’m only six.”

“Ping’an is useless.”

“Elder Sister should think before speaking. Once Ping’an learns sword skills, I won’t fear you anymore.”

Ruyi looked shocked, grabbing Ping’an’s ear.

“Would you dare hit your Elder Sister even after learning?”

“Wouldn’t dare! Wouldn’t dare…”

“Hmph!”

Ruyi gave a light snort and released him.

She read that story several times over.

Ping’an didn’t understand. “Elder Sister, you read it three times already. Aren’t you turning the page?”

“You wouldn’t get it.”

Ruyi whispered, “Ping’an doesn’t know this, but I’ll tell you quietly: Uncle Chen is an Immortal!”

“Huh? ”

Ping’an blinked. “Elder Sister doesn’t think this story is about Uncle Chen, right?”

“It definitely is,” Ruyi nodded.

Ping’an glanced at his sister. “Elder Sister doesn’t seem very clever.”

Ruyi slapped Ping’an gently and kept reading.

She was enjoying it very much.

Then a voice sounded behind them.

“Enjoying it?”

“Yes.”

Ping’an answered without thinking.

Both Ruyi and Ping’an froze, lifting their heads at once.

They turned and saw Uncle Chen standing behind them.

“Un-Uncle Chen…”

…

Soon after, Ruyi and Ping’an stood in the courtyard.

Ruyi balanced a book on her head.

Ping’an balanced a Wooden Sword on his.

“It’s Elder Sister’s fault.”

“You wanted to read it too.”

Ping’an complained, “Uncle Chen, that’s unfair! Why do I hold the Wooden Sword while Elder Sister only holds the book?”

Chen Changsheng looked at them. “Stop complaining, or I’ll tell your mother.”

“Ping’an stops talking!”

Ping’an immediately fell silent. If Mother knew, getting off lightly like this would be impossible.

Mmm…

It was totally Elder Sister’s fault.