Guo Baiyu walked to the earth wall and chanted a spell, and then the once solid earth wall turned into dust. People emerged from the swirling dust, coughing.
"I remember I was sleeping at home," a Man said to himself in confusion.
"Me, too," a Woman replied, equally bewildered.
"Everyone was sleepwalking," Guo Baiyu announced, his voice clear. "If everyone is feeling well, then please go back to your houses."
The innkeeper and waiter also got up, their movements slow. The innkeeper looked at the lovers, his memory hazy. "If I remember correctly, the three of you just walked into my inn."
"We ordered dinner and booked a room," Guo Baiyu confirmed.
"But now we have to book three rooms," Zhao Renshu added, eyeing the Xiao sisters.
The innkeeper smiled, a hint of his old self returning. "This way... my humble customers."
Zhao Renshu looked at the Xiao sisters, who were standing somewhat guiltily. Holding Hu Qingge in his arms, he gritted his teeth and whispered, "Did you tell me this is related to the food they eat?"
The Xiao sisters smiled guiltily, avoiding his gaze.
After Zhao Renshu tucked Hu Qingge into bed and gently closed the door behind him, he walked into his room. Ping'an was still awake, diligently writing in her journal at the table. Guo Baiyu was engrossed in a book that had been given to him by the healer of Immortal Valley. Zhao Renshu walked inside, closing the door behind him.
Ping'an did not look up, but she said, "The waiter will bring the food soon. I ordered all meat dishes."
Zhao Renshu moved a stool and sat behind Ping'an, wrapping his arms around her waist. He buried his face on her right shoulder and softly said, "Please don't hate me or drive me away."
"Why would I do that?" Ping'an asked, her voice soft with concern.
"You didn't even look at me last time," Zhao Renshu said sadly, his voice muffled against her. "It's the same this time."
Ping'an closed her journal, then turned to Zhao Renshu, cradling his face in her hands. "I am looking at you now. I don't hate you or will drive you away."
Zhao Renshu closed his eyes and sighed heavily, a wave of relief washing over him. "I'm afraid you will leave me."
Ping'an held his hand with both of hers. "Sorry about last time," she whispered. "It won't happen again."
There was a knock on the door, and the waiter walked in with their dinner. He put the food on the table, then excused himself, closing the door behind him. The lovers sat at the table and began to eat.
"What exactly were the two of you talking about back then?" Guo Baiyu asked Zhao Renshu, his voice calm.
Zhao Renshu exhaled slowly. "If Ping'an dies, she wants to be my wife. She will find a way to make me love her and forget about Ping'an. I know what she is thinking, so I told her if she ever touched a single strand of Ping'an's hair, I would kill her without hesitation. I left her on that T-junction dirt road and went looking for the two of you."
"Renshu, if you can forgive her, then do it," Ping'an said softly. She picked up a piece of chicken and fed it to him. "Like Lim Peizhi; he was possessed by that evil soul and was not himself, but the real Lim Peizhi was a hero who saved his city."
"Master Zhao's philosophy of teaching is to have a friend is better than to have an enemy," Guo Baiyu added, reinforcing Ping'an's point.
Zhao Renshu chewed his food slowly. "I don't remember any of these teachings at all," he mumbled.
Guo Baiyu shook his head. "It was in the dusty box under your bed, but now in my study room, the book is placed on the top shelf, and it is the second book on the shelf. If you ever wish to read it."
"Since you have already read it, why should I read it?" Zhao Renshu questioned Guo Baiyu, a hint of challenge in his voice.
"Because I am not always by your side," Guo Baiyu replied simply, his gaze steady.
"Is this some kind of metaphor?" Zhao Renshu asked, intrigued.
Guo Baiyu laughed softly. "I leave that thought to you."
Zhao Renshu frowned playfully. "Fine. I will look at it when we get home."
The next morning, the lovers and the Xiao sisters sat down to eat breakfast.
"You two didn't answer our question?" Xiao Dan asked Guo Baiyu and Zhao Renshu, her tone expectant.
"We will see what we can do to help your clan," Guo Baiyu reassured her.
"Where are you three going next?" Xiao Hui asked, trying to glean more information.
"If there is no case, we will go home," Guo Baiyu replied.
"Will you meet us in two months?" Xiao Hui pressed, referring to the fairy tribe competition.
"We will," Guo Baiyu confirmed.
The waiter carried a bowl of rice porridge and put it on the table. Ping'an pushed the bowl of rice porridge to Zhao Renshu. Zhao Renshu pushed the bowl of rice porridge to Guo Baiyu. Guo Baiyu pushed it back to him.
"You take it to her," Ping'an said, indicating Hu Qingge's room upstairs.
"I don't want to," Zhao Renshu frowned.
"If you run away, you won't prove your meaning to her," Ping'an smiled, a gentle challenge in her eyes.
Zhao Renshu picked up the bowl of rice porridge and walked upstairs. He entered Hu Qingge's room and put the bowl of rice porridge on the table. Hu Qingge was still sleeping on the bed. He sat at the table, staring at the bathtub. To be honest, if Ping'an hadn't asked him to do this, he would never have come here. He also felt guilty for misleading Hu Qingge. One guilt added to another made him walk up the stairs with the bowl of rice porridge.
Hu Qingge turned around on the bed and opened her eyes. She saw Zhao Renshu at the table looking at the bathtub. She slowly stood up and sat down, then walked to the table and faced him. He pushed the bowl of rice porridge to her.
"Here, eat this," Zhao Renshu said, his voice softer than usual. "Ping'an got it for you."
Hu Qingge picked up the spoon, but her hand was too shaken to hold it steady. Zhao Renshu got up, then walked to the other side of the table and sat next to her. He picked up the wooden spoon and started to feed her. Hu Qingge's tears slowly fell. He gently wiped her tears away from her face.
"I wish this moment can last forever," Hu Qingge whispered.
"Qingge, I can't accept you," Zhao Renshu said sympathetically, his heart heavy. "I'm sure there will be someone who loves you."
"Renshu, I really want to be with you," Hu Qingge pleaded. "I am not ready to leave. Please allow me to be with you for a few more days." She wiped her tears. "When the time comes, I will eventually depart on my own."
Zhao Renshu sighed with a heavy heart, knowing that he was partly the reason why Hu Qingge had become like this. He put down the bowl of food, stretched out his hand, and gently wiped away her tears. He said softly, "If you have no other intentions, you can."
With tears continuing to stream down her face, she softly whispered, "Thank you... I don't... I don't have any other bad intention towards anyone. It's just... it's just that I really am not ready to let go."