The nineteenth day of the First Month.
A thick fog hung over the early morning as an orange sun rose in the east.
Chen Shu stood by the window brushing his teeth, glancing down at the street as he brushed.
The difference between the Jade Capital and Bai City was obvious at a glance. Only yesterday afternoon, he had been enjoying Bai City's weather; today, he was back in the cold Jade Capital. Most pedestrians below were bundled in thick winter clothes, walking awkwardly.
A ride-hailing car pulled up.
Behind him, Chen Banxia complained from the living room, "I was saving those dumplings for breakfast, and you ate them all in one sitting. What am I supposed to eat..."
It was such an ordinary, homely thing to say.
Last night, Chen Shu had dreamed of the Sacred Ancestor, the current emperor of the Yi Nation, and the Bodhisattva of Calamity. The dream had felt so strange and mystical that, on waking, he had felt detached from everyday life. But one sentence from Chen Banxia brought him back.
"Bzz, bzz, bzz~~"
The electric toothbrush kept vibrating.
Chen Shu glanced at Chen Banxia but ignored her. Everyone knew you couldn't talk while brushing your teeth.
He went back into the bathroom and spat out the foam.
He heard Chen Banxia complain again. "You didn't even tell me you were going to New Orthodox Temple. If I'd known, I would've gone back to work tomorrow instead. Now I've already arranged it with my teacher..."
"Gurgle, gurgle..."
"Ptoo!"
As Chen Shu rinsed his cup and toothbrush head, he turned to her. "Keep researching it. Be thorough, and try to get results soon. If you really find replacement materials for that formula, manage to make it, and it works well, remember to tell me. I've