Solve Me? Don't Make Your Brother Lin Laugh

By the time the banquet at Moonwatch Tower ended, Ning Fengzhi and the others had gone back to the residence first.

Lin Yuan and the others wandered through the night market along the main street, returning only after darkness had fully fallen.

Xiao Wu walked in the middle with Xuanwu Guga in her arms. Xuanwu Guga had curled into a tiny ball, his head tipped back as he stared blankly at the moon overhead, his two stubby hands resting on Xiao Wu's arm.

Ning Rongrong carried Jade Guga. Jade had fallen asleep, his head nestled in the crook of her arm. The little leaf atop his head drooped limply, bobbing with every step.

"There's a residence in Heaven Dou City, not far from here. We can all stay there tonight."

"I'm not staying in that shabby courtyard they assigned the competing teams."

They reached the residence. Its vermilion gates had gilded studs, and two white jade lions stood outside. Beyond the gates were rockeries and flowing water. Bluestone paved the courtyard, while glazed lanterns hung beneath the eaves, their light breaking into glimmers across the water.

Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing went to the bedrooms first. Ning Rongrong gently laid Jade Guga on the bed. Jade rolled over, his little leaf settling against the pillow, and kept sleeping.

Lin Yuan stood in the doorway and tipped his head toward the mouth of the alley.

"You get settled. I'm going out for a walk."

Xiao Wu poked her head out of the bedroom.

"A walk? In the middle of the night?"

Ning Rongrong poked her head out from the other side, eyeing him suspiciously.

Lin Yuan was already out the door.

He turned into a narrow alley. Moonlight spread a layer of silver frost across the stone path. Lin