Immortal Travel of Longevity

"Got one."

Chen Changsheng lifted the fishing rod.

A flash of red caught his eye.

Delight instantly filled his heart.

Even the cat stood up.

Chen Changsheng reeled the fish in and laughed. "A Red-Tailed Warmouth."

Yunxiang watched him. "I've heard of a fish in Jiangnan with a slightly red tail and an upturned mouth. They say its meat is exceptionally tender and unmatched in flavor."

Chen Changsheng nodded. "This one is indeed very tender. Just the thing to bring to an old friend."

"An old friend of Mister's?" Yunxiang asked.

Yunxiang paused before replying, "He should still be there. Mister surely won't make this trip in vain."

The tavern by the banks of the Tongtian River was still open.

After so many years, business remained booming. Situated right on the bank, it offered a sweeping view of the great waters. Countless scholars and poets gathered here, sighing in admiration at the river's majesty.

The tavern still bore the surname Zhou.

It was bustling.

The current Shopkeeper Zhou was now white-haired, his figure somewhat hunched.

Yet he was still out greeting customers. When regulars arrived, he would chat with them and order them tea. Whenever he sat down, he busied himself calculating bills and checking the ledgers. He simply never rested.

In his own words, this tavern was his entire life.

Over the years, his family had accumulated substantial wealth, acquiring numerous other taverns and shops. He had reached the age to retire and enjoy his twilight years, yet he had never left this place.

It was the old man's deepest attachment, one he couldn't bear to let go of.

"Xiao Er, serve a pot of wine to the guests at that table."

"Xiao Er!"

Shopkeeper Zhou shouted instructions one after another, then took a sip of tea to catch his breath.

Just as he was about to sit down and rest, he saw three people and a cat walk in.

The three were dressed extraordinarily well and walked with the unhurried grace of a great household. When Shopkeeper Zhou's gaze fell upon the old man among them, he felt a vague sense of familiarity.

He seemed to have seen those green robes somewhere before.

But largely because the man's features had changed, the shopkeeper didn't recognize him.

However, the group didn't head for a table; instead, they walked straight to his counter.

Shopkeeper Zhou cupped his hands. "Dear guests, the food and drink in our establishment are quite decent. Please take a seat in the hall, and Xiao Er will be right with you."

Chen Changsheng smiled at him. "Shopkeeper Zhou, do you no longer recognize This Chen?"

Shopkeeper Zhou stared blankly, unable to recall the man.

"You..."

Chen Changsheng lifted the Red-Tailed Warmouth in his hand, holding it up for Shopkeeper Zhou to see. "This Red-Tailed Warmouth isn't as plump as the ones from back then, but it's enough for a couple of bites. I hope you won't mind."

Sudden realization dawned on Shopkeeper Zhou. He slapped his thigh and cried out, "Ah! You are—you are Mister Chen!"

"Quick, quick, quick, Xiao Er!"

A broad smile broke across Shopkeeper Zhou's face.

With an old friend visiting, his heart was naturally filled with unparalleled delight.

The Red-Tailed Warmouth was sent to the kitchen. He had Xiao Er open a jar of old wine that had been sealed for years and ordered a full spread of his best dishes to be prepared.

Today, the shopkeeper wouldn't be hosting; for once, he would be a guest himself.

Shopkeeper Zhou laughed joyously. Even Xiao Er, who had bustled about the tavern for years, had rarely seen such a hearty smile on the old man's face.

"Ah, an honored guest must be here!"

If they were ordinary guests, the shopkeeper definitely wouldn't have called for wine.

He had abstained from alcohol for years. If it wasn't an honored guest, why would he ask for a jar to be opened?

Xiao Er immediately understood. He quickly marshaled the staff, ensuring the shopkeeper wouldn't lose face.

He also ran to the back kitchen and instructed the head chef to cook with a hundred and twenty percent of his skill.

The group sat down.

Beaming, Shopkeeper Zhou said, "It has been many years since we parted. Mister Chen is no longer all alone. Good things, good things!"

Chen Changsheng smiled and made the introductions. "This is Yunxiang, Miss Yun. The little girl is Yu Hongjin. And my cat, Lihua."

Shopkeeper Zhou couldn't help but take an extra glance at this "Miss." He was slightly perplexed—she was visibly advanced in years. Normally, a woman her age would no longer be called "Miss"; she would be addressed as "Madam."

But he didn't pry. He cupped his hands and said, "This Zhou greets Miss Yun, little Miss Yu, and... mm, Lihua. What a well-behaved cat."

Hearing its name, Lihua instantly perked up with happiness.

Most people they met along the way unconsciously ignored it. Few ever acknowledged this unremarkable cat, or they merely treated it as a simple pet.

Shopkeeper Zhou really knew how to host!

Before long, the wine arrived. Hot dishes, fresh fruits, and melons were placed on the table, presenting a dazzling array of food.

Seeing this, Chen Changsheng remarked, "Shopkeeper Zhou's life has turned out well."

Shopkeeper Zhou chuckled. "As one grows old, the spare cash naturally accumulates. I failed to host Mister properly back then, so I certainly can't fall short today."

"Please, please, dig in!"

The group picked up their chopsticks.

Shopkeeper Zhou raised a toast. "This Zhou still remembers the events of that year clearly. If not for Mister, I might never have seen what Shangjing looked like in my entire life."

"Now that I'm older, my bones aren't what they used to be. I often think of Mister, always hoping I could drink with you one more time. To see Mister again in my twilight years—this Zhou can die without regrets. Come, a toast to Mister."

Chen Changsheng smiled and raised his cup to drink with him.

Shopkeeper Zhou was a man who remembered kindness. It wasn't simply because Chen Changsheng possessed the abilities of an Immortal; it was a matter of pure human connection. Without that sincerity, they wouldn't have forged such a lasting bond back then, nor would Zhou have had that wondrous dream.

With that, Shopkeeper Zhou raised his cup again to toast Miss Yun.

"May I ask, Miss Yun, are you Mister's wife?"

Yunxiang paused. "No..."

She hesitated again, pursed her lips, and added, "Consider me half a wife."

Shopkeeper Zhou was taken aback. Half?

But he didn't dwell on it. "One or half, there is no difference. This Zhou actually feels a bit dazed. In my early years, I always thought Immortals had to sever all worldly desires and refuse mortal food. Only after meeting Mister did I realize what an Immortal truly looks like. Mister and Miss Yun are deeply in love, which shows that even Immortals should partake in worldly romance. It should be so, it should be so. I toast to Miss Yun."

Chen Changsheng paused and suddenly reached out to stop him.

Miss Yun looked at Mister.

Chen Changsheng said, "There is no 'half'. There is only one."

Yunxiang was stunned by these words.

Shopkeeper Zhou was also surprised for a moment before bursting into laughter.

"Right, right, right! May Mister and Miss Yun enjoy a hundred years of harmony..." Shopkeeper Zhou suddenly corrected himself. "No, no, it should be ten thousand years of destined love. A hundred years is far too short."

"Cheers!"

Chen Changsheng raised his cup, tilted his head back, and downed the wine.

Yunxiang, however, looked slightly dazed. She stared blankly at Chen Changsheng, holding the wine cup in her hand without making a move to drink.

Shopkeeper Zhou called out softly, "Miss Yun?"

Yunxiang snapped back to reality. She lowered her head and said, "Yunxiang feels a little unwell. I will step out for a moment."

With that, she turned and walked out of the tavern.

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