Chapter 8

They arrived at the restaurant, and Lin Zhi, full of excitement, led Jiang Chu Ting to the private room he had reserved. The smile on his face never faded.

The two sat down at the table, with Jiang Chu Ting on Lin Zhi’s right. After taking a moment to appreciate the elegant surroundings, Jiang Chu Ting turned back to find that Lin Zhi had already moved his chair right next to him. Lin Zhi’s eyes sparkled as he looked at him, and there was barely half a fist’s distance between them, making it feel as if they were practically glued together.

Jiang Chu Ting was still a bit unaccustomed to Lin Zhi’s natural displays of intimacy, but since he was here to make Lin Zhi happy, he decided to go along with it.

Jiang Chu Ting couldn’t help but smile and ask, “Why do you keep looking at me?” Ever since they reunited, Lin Zhi seemed to enjoy staring at his face, and Jiang Chu Ting couldn’t figure out what was so fascinating about it.

“It’s just amazing,” Lin Zhi tilted his head and smiled beautifully at him. “So many years have passed, I’ve grown up, but you haven’t changed much. You look almost the same as I remember. Chu Ran, do you have some kind of youth-preserving technique, or are you a celestial being who secretly descended to the mortal world?”

The effects of the Disguise Pill would naturally change with age. It had been almost ten years, and Jiang Chu Ting had changed somewhat. However, it might be related to the Nine Heavens’ internal martial arts techniques or perhaps his own constitution, but his appearance hadn’t changed much. So, the disguised Chu Ran didn’t look too different from back then.

But Lin Zhi was exaggerating, leaving Jiang Chu Ting momentarily speechless. He couldn’t help but lower his gaze and smile slightly, shaking his head, “When did your words become so sweet?”

Lin Zhi gazed at his gentle smile and sincerely said, “I’m telling the truth. Do you think I’m flattering you? In my heart, you’re no different from a celestial being.”

Jiang Chu Ting’s heart skipped a beat, but his smile remained unchanged as he softly replied, “Is that so?” He poured a cup of tea and placed it by Lin Zhi’s hand, then took a sip from his own cup.

It wasn’t an illusion. The more he interacted with Lin Zhi, the more he realized that “Chu Ran” had a much deeper impact on this young man than he had imagined. Whether in actions or words, Lin Zhi expressed a fervent and straightforward affection, even reverence, for “Chu Ran.” Because of the memories from his childhood, Lin Zhi had idealized him to an excessive degree.

However, Jiang Chu Ting knew very well that he wasn’t as perfect and flawless as Lin Zhi imagined, like a celestial being.

If Lin Zhi ever discovered that Chu Ran was actually Jiang Chu Ting, he would not only hate and despise him even more, but he would also be furious because the perfect image in his heart would be completely shattered.

He just hoped that day would never come.

Lin Zhi kept talking to Jiang Chu Ting, even revealing his identity. Jiang Chu Ting pretended to be surprised and said, “The Lin family of Anyang, so you’re the young master of the Lin family.”

“Yes. Have you heard of it?”

Jiang Chu Ting replied, “Of course.” Who hasn’t heard of the Lin family in Anyang?

Lin Zhi continued, “My mother never let me leave Anyang. That time, I sneaked out on my own.”

Jiang Chu Ting thought he was just being playful and wanted to go out for fun, but then he heard Lin Zhi say, “I was planning to find someone, but before I could, I got poisoned and you found me.”

Find someone? Ah, yes, Jiang Chu Ting did ask him back then, and he said he was looking for someone, but he never mentioned who. Lin Zhi didn’t want to go home and was poisoned, so Jiang Chu Ting took care of him without pressing for more details.

But now, hearing him bring it up, a feeling surged in Jiang Chu Ting’s heart. He put down his teacup and looked at Lin Zhi, asking gently, “You were so young, who were you trying to find on your own?”

“To find someone…” Lin Zhi seemed to recall something unpleasant, furrowing his brows before saying, “To find someone I’ve hated since I was a child. I just wanted to see what he looked like, but my mother never allowed it. I did see him recently, and he’s even more detestable than I imagined… Ah, why am I talking about unrelated things when I finally get to chat with you? Chu Ran, why don’t you talk about yourself?”

Before Zi Que died, he made Lin Xi swear that no one from the Lin family would trouble him again. Jiang Chu Ting could almost confirm that the person Lin Zhi hated since childhood, whom Lin Xi forbade him to find, was him.

It turned out that when Lin Zhi ran away as a child, it was because of him. But the absurd thing was, at that time, neither of them knew who the other was.

Now, he knew, but Lin Zhi was still in the dark, treating him with warmth and affection.

“Come on, tell me where you’ve been and what you’ve done. I really want to hear it. I want to know more about you.” Lin Zhi looked at him with anticipation, and Jiang Chu Ting forced a smile, feeling a lump in his throat. He wanted to tell Lin Zhi, “I’m actually the person you find even more detestable than you imagined, and you probably wouldn’t want to know more about me.”

After a moment, Jiang Chu Ting spoke naturally, “My experiences are quite dull, really nothing worth mentioning. I’m afraid you’ll fall asleep listening to them.”

“Being with you is so precious, how could I fall asleep?” Lin Zhi tilted his head, leaning on Jiang Chu Ting’s shoulder, urging, “Come on, tell me, I want to hear.”

Over the years, Jiang Chu Ting had traveled the martial world in disguise, not just wandering aimlessly. Whenever he encountered injustice, no matter how big or small, he would do his best to help. It wasn’t for fame, just following his heart. Rescuing Lin Zhi was one such instance.

Since Lin Zhi insisted on listening, Jiang Chu Ting casually picked a few trivial stories to share. As a result, Lin Zhi’s eyes shone even brighter, “Chu Ran, you’re amazing. There’s no one better than you in the world.”

This silly kid, he was just talking about helping an old man carry firewood, fixing a roof, retrieving a kite from a tree for a child, or bandaging an injured dog’s leg—simple acts of kindness. Yet, in Lin Zhi’s eyes, they seemed like great achievements. His admiration for Chu Ran was truly blind. Jiang Chu Ting suppressed the urge to sigh, forcing a smile.

Soon, the dishes started arriving. The young master was particularly generous, ordering a table full of delicacies. Lin Zhi used a clean pair of chopsticks to serve Jiang Chu Ting, saying, “I remember when I had sores on my face, and it hurt so much I couldn’t open my mouth. Every time I drank medicine or ate, you fed me bit by bit. I always cried and fussed, but you were patient, always gently coaxing me, never losing your temper. Back then, I often thought, I never want to be apart from you, or I’d never find another like you in the world. Unfortunately, I still lost you.”

Jiang Chu Ting chose to selectively ignore Lin Zhi’s unintentional praise. Seeing the bowl pile up with food, he helplessly said, “Lin Zhi, that’s enough. I can do it myself. You should eat too.”

“I don’t want to.” Lin Zhi took a sip of wine, meeting Jiang Chu Ting’s gaze, and smiled, “I want to eat slowly, so this meal can last longer, and you won’t leave so soon.”

His words were both pitiful and endearing, softening Jiang Chu Ting’s heart. He put down his chopsticks and gently said, “Lin Zhi, parting is a common thing, no need to be too sad. I know where your family lives now, so there will be opportunities to meet again in the future.”

“But we didn’t have to part in the first place, and yet you…” Lin Zhi paused, and before Jiang Chu Ting could speak, he sighed softly and continued, “Alright then, if you have time in the future, you must come to the Lin family to find me.”

Jiang Chu Ting hesitated for a moment but nodded, “I’ll definitely come if I have the chance.”

Lin Zhi’s eyes flickered. He knew it was just an empty promise, but he pretended not to know, smiling, “Then it’s settled. Let’s eat.”

The two continued to chat and drink, the atmosphere light and relaxed.

The meal lasted a long time, and they talked for a while afterward. But as they chatted, a strange tension seemed to fill the air, and both fell silent for no apparent reason. The silence was sudden and unexpected.

Jiang Chu Ting opened his mouth but didn’t know what to say. Lin Zhi’s previously cheerful expression turned incredibly forlorn, his eyes dimming, “Are you… leaving already?”

Jiang Chu Ting wasn’t in a hurry. He had planned to find a place to stay for the night before returning to Nine Heavens. But they had eaten, talked, and it was indeed time for him to leave.

The closeness and peace he shared with Lin Zhi weren’t truly his to have.

Jiang Chu Ting nodded, speaking softly, “Yes, it’s time to go. I have many things to do.” Whether it was Lin Zhi’s emotions affecting him or not, he felt a bit melancholic.

Lin Zhi was silent for a moment, then said in a muffled voice, “Did time deceive me today? How did it pass so quickly?”

Lin Zhi walked him partway, saying nothing. Jiang Chu Ting told him not to follow any further, and Lin Zhi reluctantly took a few more steps before finally stopping, standing there to watch him leave.

His gaze was like a lingering hook, following him all the way. But this time, he didn’t secretly follow.

Once he was far enough away, Jiang Chu Ting let out a long breath. He had met Lin Zhi, and his true identity hadn’t been discovered, so at least one concern was resolved.

Speaking of which, although Lin Zhi’s appearance was very similar to Zi Que, their personalities were vastly different. At first, he might have been confused, but after a few interactions, he realized they were ultimately different people.

Jiang Chu Ting walked to the entrance of Changhuan Garden. He had come here deliberately. The bloodstains on the ground had been washed away, but a mark remained.

He had a gut feeling that the young man with the strange illness was suspicious, and he couldn’t shake the feeling. With his nature, he had to investigate.

As for how to investigate… it was simple.

Just go in directly. Spend some money and find someone to ask around.

Jiang Chu Ting found a nearby teahouse and sat there until dusk. From the upper floor, he saw Changhuan Garden finally open its doors, the entrance lit up and bustling. The ones welcoming guests were all young women, and there were many customers, seemingly unaffected by the day’s events.

Jiang Chu Ting settled the bill, picked up his sword, and went downstairs.

He walked straight to the entrance of Changhuan Garden without any hesitation, stepping up the stairs. It was actually his first time entering such a place, but it didn’t stop him from putting on a calm and worldly expression.

However, in the next moment, his expression froze.

“Chu Ran!”

Someone called out his name from behind—it was Lin Zhi, whom he had parted with not long ago.

Jiang Chu Ting wondered if he had misheard, pausing and turning back. Lin Zhi was approaching slowly, looking at him with a face full of surprise.

Jiang Chu Ting felt a bit awkward inside, but his face remained calm, “Lin Zhi? What are you doing here?”

“Just passing by.” A very brief answer brushed off his question. Lin Zhi glanced at the entrance of Changhuan Garden, where a group of scantily clad women were soliciting customers, then looked back at him, asking, “Chu Ran, is this what you meant by having many things to do?”