Although Sir Wu had said he would take Yin Yin and the others up the mountain early the next morning to look for Divine Physician Jia, something arrived even earlier than them— the sudden downpour.

Sir Wu looked at the torrential rain outside and said to Yin Yin in a low voice, “It’s too dangerous to go up the mountain in this kind of rain. Let’s wait until the weather clears.”

Yin Yin listened to the rain pouring outside the window and could only nod helplessly.

Although the mountain trip was canceled, Du Qianqian still got up early to prepare breakfast for everyone.

Shigu Town couldn’t compare to Shuntian County, and Xue’er’s home was much more modest than Yin Manor. So in terms of both the quantity and quality of ingredients, everything was limited. In the end, Du Qianqian only managed to serve up a pot of thin congee with a few vegetables and minced meat.

The congee might have been simple, but once it was touched by Du Qianqian’s hands, it became much more flavorful.

In fact, Yin Yin truly admired this little white lotus in this aspect.

After all, back when she had lived alone, the only thing she ever cooked was braised beef instant noodles or pickled mustard noodle soup.

Du Qianqian looked at Ling Long, who was quietly eating congee at the table, and stepped forward to ask in a soft voice, “I wonder if it suits Young Master Lin’s taste?”

Ling Long put down his bowl and looked up at her. “If you’re referring to the congee alone, then it tastes quite good.”

Du Qianqian’s gaze dimmed slightly, but she still said, “As long as Young Master Lin likes it.”

She cast a glance at Yin Yin, whose ears were perked up like a rabbit’s, and turned back into the kitchen.

Yin Yin awkwardly took a sip of the congee in her bowl.

After breakfast, Sang Ze pestered Xue’er to teach him how to make puppets.

Sir Wu and Ling Long were suddenly inspired and started a game of chess, while Du Qianqian busied herself in the kitchen.

Yin Yin suddenly felt at a loss for what to do. She glanced at Gu Chenyan, who was sitting by the window lost in thought. Ever since Du Qianqian arrived, all of Gu Chenyan’s usual chores had been taken over by her.

Yin Yin’s lips curled up. It seemed like Gu Chenyan was the only one left to keep her company.

She walked over and sat down across from Gu Chenyan by the window, mimicking the other party’s posture as she stared blankly out at the pouring rain.

After a long while, Gu Chenyan suddenly asked, “Have you ever had a moment that made your heart flutter?”

“What?” Yin Yin was a bit confused. “Heart flutter?”

Gu Chenyan showed a faint smile. “It happened many years ago. I was still very young then, maybe seven or eight. One time, I secretly went up the mountain to collect fragrant herbs without telling my mother. A boy from the village had just finished chopping firewood and was coming down the mountain. When he saw me, he said, ‘It’s about to rain, you should hurry home.’ I didn’t believe him at first, but under his half-coercion, I still went back. As soon as I got home, it began to pour. I sat by the window, listening to the sound of rain. It was like each drop was knocking against my heart. In that moment, I suddenly felt moved.”

“And then? Did you two end up together?” Yin Yin’s gossip-loving soul was thoroughly ignited.

Gu Chenyan shook her head. “He always liked a girl from the neighboring village, a very beautiful one. Later, he even married her. But ever since that day, every time it rains, I always think of him.”

Yin Yin looked at the rain outside the window and suddenly felt a pang of sadness.

That kind of innocent, tender emotion was always the hardest to forget.

Mo Lingya really didn’t die unjustly. The competition was just too strong!

“What about you?” Gu Chenyan suddenly smiled at Yin Yin. “When did your heart flutter?”

Yin Yin’s face grew warm. She stammered, “I…… I haven’t.”

“You haven’t?” Gu Chenyan raised an elegant brow and swept her gaze suggestively toward Ling Long.

Yin Yin’s face burned even more fiercely. She hadn’t expected ancient women to enjoy sitting around and gossiping just like modern ones.

Under Gu Chenyan’s penetrating gaze, Yin Yin mumbled, “Um…… It was once, after a nightmare. I woke up and saw him standing in the sunlight, smiling at me, and then suddenly I just……”

Her face was nearly pressed against the table by now.

Gu Chenyan couldn’t help but chuckle softly. “I didn’t expect the dignified eldest young lady of Yin Manor to be such a pure and innocent girl.”

Yin Yin: “……”

For some reason, she suddenly felt like she’d been underestimated.

Ling Long’s gaze drifted toward the window, perhaps unintentionally.

“Young Master Ye, don’t get distracted while playing chess.”

Ling Long’s eyelid twitched slightly, but he didn’t correct Sir Wu. He simply returned his focus to the chessboard.

Yin Yin took a sip of her cool tea to cover her embarrassment, then casually asked, “You said you went up the mountain to collect fragrant herbs?”

For a moment, Gu Chenyan looked flustered, but she quickly regained her composure. “Did I? I must’ve misspoken. I meant medicinal herbs.”

Yin Yin set down her teacup and looked at the other party. “Miss Gu, there’s no need to hide it from me. We have many of your incense blends at our residence. My mother has mentioned you before. Even if I hadn’t seen you in person, I’d recognize your scent anywhere.”

If Ling Long had heard that, he would’ve sighed again at Yin Yin’s talent for spinning bold lies.

Gu Chenyan lowered her eyes, then sighed. “Since Miss Yin has recognized me, I won’t deny it any longer. I only ask that you not reveal my whereabouts.”

“Because of Mo Lingya?”

At the mention of that name, Gu Chenyan frowned, then gently nodded.

Yin Yin looked at her curiously. “Didn’t you like him?”

Gu Chenyan instinctively pinched her own wrist and murmured, “Liking someone doesn’t mean you’re meant to be.”

Yin Yin was momentarily stunned. Ling Long had said those exact words not long ago.

Gu Chenyan gazed out at the rain as if lost in thought and said softly, “Since I was young, I followed my mother in learning the art of incense-making. Later, I went to the capital to take part in the Fragrance Banquet and managed to earn a bit of a name. But that was it. People might know the name Gu Chenyan, but when they speak of the capital’s most renowned perfumers, no one remembers me. For years, I’ve worked hard and never missed a single competition, but every year I return disappointed.”

On the other side of the room, Sir Wu and Ling Long had just finished their game of chess. Ling Long narrowly won by a piece.

As they stood up, they saw Yin Yin gripping Gu Chenyan’s hand emotionally and saying with deep feeling, “You must never give up! Miss Gu, do you know what the most powerful force in this world is?”

Gu Chenyan looked at Yin Yin, surprised and slightly skeptical. “What is it?”

“Perseverance! Perseverance!” At that moment, Yin Yin really wanted to belt out a rousing rendition of 《Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies^[1]by Beyond》 in honor of Gu Chenyan. “Coach Anzai said it best— giving up is the same as ending the match early!”

“Coach Anza^[2]a character from the anime 《Slam Dunk》?”

“He’s just a chubby old man. That’s not important. What matters is that you must persevere! One day, you’ll make all those who look down on you see you in a new light!” Yin Yin hadn’t felt her blood boil with such fervor in a long time.

Gu Chenyan stared at her in mild confusion, then suddenly let out a giggle. “I haven’t given up. I came to Shigu Town this time because I wanted to find a type of agarwood on Qingmang Mountain. Once I find that ingredient, I’ll definitely be able to create a truly special fragrance.”

Yin Yin nodded emphatically. “That’s the spirit! When you become a master one day, don’t forget to give me your autograph!”

“An autograph?” Gu Chenyan found the eldest young lady of Yin Manor to be saying the oddest things.

Yin Yin finally seemed to calm down. She looked at Gu Chenyan and asked, “So, you didn’t come to Shigu Town to escape a marriage?”

The words ‘escape a marriage’ instantly drew the attention of everyone in the room toward Gu Chenyan, making her visibly embarrassed.

“Yinyin.” Ling Long’s voice drifted in lightly from behind, sending a chill down Yin Yin’s spine.

Realizing she had spoken out of turn, she let out a couple of awkward laughs.

Gu Chenyan stood up and gave a self-mocking smile. “Yes, I did run away from marriage. I know Mo Lingya has never looked up to me. No— he’s never looked up to anyone.”

Yin Yin’s brows twitched slightly. “But…… didn’t he like you?”

“Like me?” Gu Chenyan gave a bitter, almost sarcastic laugh. “He doesn’t even understand what it means to like someone.”

Yin Yin had wanted to say something more, but Ling Long gave her a look that made her fall silent.

Fine. As the saying goes, even an honest official can’t resolve family matters. Better not to stick her nose into this one.

The rain continued steadily until the evening before finally tapering off. The next day dawned with clear skies and bright sunshine. It was the perfect weather for a walk in the countryside.

Because of the rain the day before, the mountain paths were slippery. Yin Yin had wanted to leave Sang Ze at home to keep Xue’er company, but Sang Ze refused no matter what and insisted on coming along.

Since Gu Chenyan was also looking for a certain type of agarwood, she joined their group for the trek up the mountain.

Thus, the six-person team led by Sir Wu began their advance toward Qingmang Mountain.

“Ah—!” Du Qianqian suddenly slipped while walking and nearly fell. Ling Long quickly reached out and pulled her to safety.

Looking up at Ling Long, who was now so close, Du Qianqian’s cheeks turned slightly red. “Thank you, Young Master Lin.”

Ling Long simply shook his head and let go of her hand.

Yin Yin made a small huff in her heart, then inadvertently stepped onto the exact same spot.

Only, she wasn’t as lucky. The soil that Du Qianqian had already loosened collapsed completely, and Yin Yin fell down at such speed that she didn’t even have time to scream.

Ling Long’s figure darted forward like a gust of wind and Yin Yin felt a strong arm wrap around her waist.

With one arm holding Yin Yin tightly, Ling Long used qinggong to land them both safely on a more level patch of ground.

He exhaled softly and asked, “Are you alright?”

Yin Yin rubbed the back of her head. “I think I hit my head.”

“Don’t move. Let me take a look.”

Yin Yin lowered her head as Ling Long parted her hair to check the back of her scalp. “Here?”

He pressed gently on the spot.

“Ow!” Yin Yin cried out on cue.

“You’ve got a bump, but it’s nothing serious.”

“I won’t end up brain-damaged, will I?”

“No worries. You were already pretty dumb.”

“……”

Yin Yin couldn’t help but feel that something was off with Ling Long’s usual persona.

Sir Wu and the others soon caught up. Sang Ze scampered over. “Master! Are you okay?”

Yin Yin shook her head. “I’m fine, just bumped my head a little.”

Sir Wu said, “It’s nothing serious. Take a blood-invigorating pill, and the swelling will go down.”

Yin Yin nodded and thanked him.

Du Qianqian gave Yin Yin a mocking look. “Eldest Miss clearly saw me nearly slip there. Why would you still step on the same spot?”

Yin Yin’s lips twitched. What, was she trying to say Yin Yin did it on purpose?

Ling Long glanced at Yin Yin’s dirt-smudged face and said, “She’s just stupid.”

Yin Yin: “……”

There’s definitely something wrong with Ling Long’s character setting!