The stars still filled the night sky, but perhaps they were tired of shining; the young man always felt they seemed somewhat more listless than before. The closer he got to Qingshan Town, the more obvious this illusion became, dampening his originally pleasant mood.
Rather than rushing ahead, Chen Guan slowly approached Qingshan Town. Once he entered the town, he changed his route and went around from the rear.
Compared to the streets at the front, the back was undoubtedly much quieter. Separated by only a few walls, they seemed like two different worlds.
Inside the Ten Thousand Medicine Hall, Qing Lin was engrossed in the cookbook Chen Guan had once given Xiao Yi Xian. She read and memorized it with great interest, occasionally swallowing as she became utterly immersed in it.
Xiao Yi Xian was like a considerate older sister, yet also like a gentle mother. She doted on the girl dearly. Normally, she rarely went downstairs when there was nothing to do, but these past few days, she had been making frequent trips to fetch pastries and fruit, giving the girl the most thoughtful hospitality.
Tonight was no different. After placing a fruit platter before the girl, she smiled and gently rubbed her head. She said nothing, yet the moment felt warm.
After setting down the fruit platter, Xiao Yi Xian walked to the window and gazed at the incomparably familiar scenery from afar. Qingshan Town was small, but it had already become an indelible part of her life. After leaving this time, she did not know whether she would ever have another chance to return.
As the young girl was lost in sentiment, a figure suddenly entered her sight.
Watching his expression shift from calm to absent-minded, then to astonishment when he looked up and discovered her,