Hu Xiaotian looked over by the lamplight. To his astonishment, the young woman was Yan Nujiao. He had no idea why she had come here, but with other people present, he naturally could not walk over and reveal himself to her at once.
He heard Yan Nujiao say something to one of the white-clad women, but he could not understand a single word of their conversation. Quietly following behind them, he watched the two women lead Yan Nujiao into one of the rooms.
Only after the two white-clad women had gone far away did Hu Xiaotian tiptoe up to Yan Nujiao's room and knock softly on the door.
Thinking the two women had returned, Yan Nujiao rose and opened the door. Before she could see who stood outside, Hu Xiaotian clapped a hand over her mouth and raised an index finger to his lips, signaling her to keep quiet.
The sudden intruder gave Yan Nujiao quite a fright. Just as she was about to fight back, she discovered that this uninvited guest was actually Hu Xiaotian. She could scarcely believe her eyes. Before he could close the door, she bolted it herself, then took his hand and led him into the inner room. Overwhelmed with delighted surprise, she said, "You... what are you doing here?" It had been a long time since their parting in the Bohai Kingdom, and her longing for him had truly been carved into her bones.
"How did you know I was here?"
Hu Xiaotian smiled. "Those bound by fate will meet even across a thousand miles."
Blushing, Yan Nujiao scoffed. "You weren't here to find me at all, were you? Tell me, what are you really scheming?"
Holding her hand, Hu Xiaotian briefly explained why he had come to the Redwood River and then to