Immortal Travel of Longevity

Stepping outside the tavern, Yunxiang took a deep breath.

She faced the surging waves of the Tongtian River. For all its vastness, it still could not untie the knot in her heart.

She did not understand it herself.

She should have been happy.

But her mistake was understanding things far too clearly; she could not learn to play the fool.

Mister walked out of the tavern.

Seeing him, Yunxiang asked, "Why did you come out, Mister?"

"I was worried something was wrong," Chen Changsheng said.

Yunxiang forced a smile and shook her head. "What could be wrong with me? It's just a bit stuffy inside."

Yunxiang paused slightly, knowing her words could not fool him.

She let out a breath and said, "I said things I shouldn't have. Please don't take them to heart, Mister. It was a moment of madness, and I nearly embarrassed you."

Hearing this, Chen Changsheng asked, "Embarrassed about what?"

Yunxiang pursed her lips and remained silent.

The cool river breeze lifted the two streaks of white hair at Yunxiang's temples.

Chen Changsheng said, "I was not embarrassed."

Yunxiang lowered her head, her heart still full of regret.

She choked back a sob and said, "Mister, the two of us were destined to meet but never to be together. You don't need to accommodate me. How uncomfortable that must be for you. I understand it all. I'm not being melodramatic or saying these things on purpose, it's just... it's just..."

The pain in this world was just like this.

Seeing hope for a fleeting moment, only to realize on second thought that none of it was possible—that kind of disappointment was beyond words.

Yunxiang exhaled, holding back her tears. Her vision blurred slightly as her eyes grew red.

Chen Changsheng remained silent. Looking out at the surging river, he did not know how to answer.

He reached out and stroked Yunxiang's hair. "Let's go back. The river breeze is cool; you will get a headache if you stand in it too long."

Yunxiang kept her head down and nodded, then turned and went back inside the tavern.

Shopkeeper Zhou was hospitable and always chattering away.

When Miss Yun returned to the tavern, she acted as if nothing had happened, chatting and exchanging pleasantries with Shopkeeper Zhou...

...as if she had experienced nothing at all.

And Shopkeeper Zhou tactfully avoided bringing up the relationship between the two of them.

The Red-Tailed Warmouth was plump and delicious, thoroughly satisfying their appetites.

The aged wine was clear and crisp, refreshing their spirits.

Shopkeeper Zhou drank until he was dead drunk. The serving boy beside them tried to persuade him to stop time and again, but simply could not talk him out of it.

In all these years, he had never seen the shopkeeper drink so much.

He must have been truly happy.

But the boy also knew the shopkeeper wasn't supposed to drink like this. Realizing he couldn't stop him, he had sent word to Madam Zhou ahead of time.

Before long, Madam Zhou arrived.

Madam Zhou's expression was calm; it was impossible to tell if she was angry.

Stepping through the door and seeing her dead-drunk husband, she raised an eyebrow, but seeing that they had guests, she held her tongue.

Seeing her, Shopkeeper Zhou sobered up slightly. "Eh, what are you doing here?"

Madam Zhou stepped forward and took a seat, smiling. "Old man, you are drunk. The doctor already told you that you couldn't drink anymore."

Saying that, Madam Zhou looked at the people before her.

"And these guests are..."

Shopkeeper Zhou promptly introduced them one by one.

Madam Zhou's manners were impeccable as she greeted each of them, before turning back to Shopkeeper Zhou. "Old man, you really cannot drink anymore."

There was no hostility in her voice; she sounded entirely gentle.

Shopkeeper Zhou opened his mouth to speak, but seeing his wife smiling at him, he instantly understood what she was thinking. He was definitely in for a scolding when they got home. He coughed lightly and said, "Mister Chen isn't just any ordinary friend. I'm happy today, so having a couple of extra cups is fine."

Seeing this, Chen Changsheng said, "If you shouldn't be drinking, Shopkeeper, then you shouldn't have any more. It is best to listen to your wife."

"Eh, well, this..."

Shopkeeper Zhou stammered, feeling somewhat reluctant.

He still wanted to drink; he had not fully enjoyed himself yet.

It had been years since he had drunk like this.

"Old man?" Madam Zhou prompted.

Shopkeeper Zhou looked back at her face and his heart trembled. "No more, I'll stop drinking..."

Ultimately, he was a little afraid of her.

Watching them, Yunxiang remarked, "You two get along so well."

Madam Zhou smiled warmly and said, "It might look that way to you, sister, but we actually bicker quite a bit."

"Is that so?" Yunxiang smiled. "I can't tell at all."

"Indeed, it's hard to tell." Madam Zhou looked at Shopkeeper Zhou. "After all, these things aren't meant for outsiders to know. They are family matters, aren't they?"

Shopkeeper Zhou stammered, "Right, right, family matters. Family matters."

Chen Changsheng and Yunxiang exchanged a glance, then both burst out laughing.

Because of Madam Zhou's arrival, the gathering did not continue for much longer. Soon, Madam Zhou stood up to take her leave. "I am afraid we won't be able to entertain you any longer. My old man can't hold his liquor, so we have to go back."

"That is fine, let Shopkeeper Zhou go rest."

Madam Zhou nodded, then helped Shopkeeper Zhou walk outside.

The serving boy blinked from the sidelines, thinking that the shopkeeper was definitely going to get a beating from his wife.

"Wife, slow down," Shopkeeper Zhou said.

"Of course, Husband."

Madam Zhou looked at him with a smile, but her grip tightened forcefully.

Shopkeeper Zhou instantly grimaced, but he still tried to act calm.

Following them with her eyes, Yunxiang said, "Shopkeeper Zhou is going to get a scolding."

Chen Changsheng nodded with a smile. "I never would have thought Shopkeeper Zhou was afraid of his wife."

"That's how it is when people get old," Yunxiang said. "I've heard that early on, couples treat each other with the utmost respect, but as they age, they stop wanting to stick to those rigid rules. They say what needs to be said and scold when they need to scold. Even if it brings more friction, living together becomes much more relaxed."

"That's true," Chen Changsheng said, then asked, "So, Miss Yun, do you think the former is better, or the latter?"

Yunxiang thought for a moment. "Probably the latter."

Chen Changsheng pondered this. He opened his mouth to say something, but only uttered, "Is that so..."

Yunxiang paused, quickly understanding the Mister's meaning. She said directly, "You are blaming me, Mister."

"Not at all."

"Are you not? Aren't you blaming me for never saying anything, for staying quiet even when I'm wronged, and just bottling it all up?"

This time, Chen Changsheng did not argue, only responding with a faint smile.

Yunxiang looked at the Mister and playfully chided, "You criticize me, Mister, but aren't you a closed book yourself?"

"Eh?" Chen Changsheng paused. "A closed book? This Chen?"

"Are you not?" Yunxiang asked.

Chen Changsheng paused, then after a moment of thought, he said, "There is some truth to that, actually."

Hearing this, Yunxiang smiled and said, "You are quite different from other people, Mister."

"Hmm?"

"Who else would admit to being a closed book?"

"Ah, do you find This Chen boring, Miss Yun?"

"I didn't say that."

"Is that right?"

They looked at each other and both burst into inexplicable laughter.

Drinking her wine, Yu Hongjin was thoroughly baffled as she watched them.

Why had these two suddenly started laughing?

It was truly baffling.

Absolutely baffling!

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