At dusk on Senluo Island, the sea breeze carried a cool hint of salt and dampness as it swept over the rocks along the shore.
Tang Wulin and Qian Renxue sat in a sheltered mountain hollow, a campfire burning before them. The dancing flames lit their faces and chased away the island's nighttime chill.
Tang Wulin held a branch, absentmindedly stirring the fire and sending sparks flying. He stole a glance at Qian Renxue beside him, hesitated for a moment, then finally could not resist speaking.
"Um... Aunt Xue."
Qian Renxue had been resting with her eyes closed. At the address, her purple eyes opened slightly, and she looked at him with a trace of languor.
"What is it?"
"I wanted to ask..." Tang Wulin scratched his head, curiosity showing on his face. "What kind of person is the me from that other world? Since you called me a monstrous talent, he must be pretty impressive too, right?"
At the mention of her son, an exceptionally tender smile instantly appeared on Qian Renxue's otherwise cool, noble face.
"That boy..."
She chuckled softly, her gaze seeming to pierce time and space and settle on that figure who wore imperial robes yet spouted wild nonsense.
"He's very sweet, and very clever. His talent and strength are beyond reproach, and he takes after me in temperament—steadfast and unyielding."
Tang Wulin nodded repeatedly as he listened, thinking, Just as I thought. I'm outstanding no matter which world I'm in.
But then Qian Renxue changed tack, her smile deepening.
"But that boy has two fatal flaws."
"Flaws?" Tang Wulin froze. "What flaws?"
"He has no sense of direction, and... his cooking is awful."
Qian Renxue raised a slender finger and gently wagged it.
"His sense of direction is terrible. Even with a map, he can