"Alright, I'll go take a look after dinner."
Lin Yi nodded at her words, but his mind was already racing.
[Is Dugu Bo looking for me?]
[What urgent business could that old man possibly have?]
[Most likely, he heard about Xue Qinghe and couldn't sit still.]
[After all, the Heaven Dou Empire's crown prince was suddenly gone, and the royal family was already in complete chaos. As a Guest Elder of Heaven Dou Royal Academy who also bore the title of royal retainer, there was no way he could avoid getting dragged into this mess.]
Shui Qingyue glanced at him again but said nothing more. She merely reminded him, "Come back early, then. We're leaving for the academy first thing tomorrow morning."
"Got it, Junior Uncle," Lin Yi replied, lowering his head to continue eating.
Before long, dinner was over.
Lin Yi said goodbye to the girls and left the hotel.
Dugu Bo's residence was not far from there. After crossing two long streets and turning into an alley lined with old locust trees, he arrived.
The steward recognized Lin Yi. Seeing that it was him, he opened the gate at once.
Lin Yi made his way through the front courtyard with practiced ease. At the entrance to the main hall, he saw Dugu Bo sitting inside, drinking tea.
"Senior." Lin Yi stopped at the door and clasped his hands in greeting.
"Since you're here, come in." Dugu Bo raised his eyes at him and waved impatiently. "Don't just stand there. Sit."
Lin Yi smiled and walked in, taking a seat opposite Dugu Bo.
"Have some tea." Dugu Bo pushed a cup toward him, saying nothing as he simply watched Lin Yi.
Lin Yi picked up the tea and took a sip without speaking first.
The two remained silent for