Night deepened, but this was destined to be a sleepless night for most people.
In the courtyard, Chen Bei paced back and forth, his gaze occasionally drifting toward the neighboring courtyard.
At last, Chen Bei took a deep breath and walked out of the courtyard.
He arrived before Miss Zhao's courtyard gate and reached out to knock.
But just as his bent fingers were about to rap against the door, Chen Bei's hand stopped in midair. He never dared to knock.
"Forget it. Better forget it."
Chen Bei sighed softly, as if trying to convince himself of something, then turned and left.
Yet just as Chen Bei turned around, the courtyard gate behind him slowly opened. The wooden door and its frame creaked under the pressure, quietly shattering the night's silence.
"Young Master Chen?"
Seeing Chen Bei before her courtyard, Zhao Meng signed.
"Miss Zhao." Chen Bei turned around and cupped his fists in greeting.
Zhao Meng returned the courtesy with a slight bow.
However, after the formalities, the atmosphere between them became rather strange.
"I happen to be unable to sleep tonight. I was just about to go somewhere. Would you like to take a walk through the streets with me, Young Master Chen?" Zhao Meng signed as she suggested it.
"Ah... yes. After you, Miss."
"Mm." Zhao Meng nodded. "After you, Young Master."
After locking the courtyard gate, Zhao Meng and Chen Bei walked along the street. Chen Bei deliberately slowed his pace, and the two walked side by side.
"Young Master Chen, are you leaving Ten Thousand Mile City tomorrow?" Zhao Meng signed, but a hint of sorrow showed in the woman's eyes.
"Mm. I'll leave first thing tomorrow morning." Chen Bei replied. As the future patriarch of the Chen Clan, Chen Bei would never allow himself