Zheng Qing felt his feet touch solid ground.
Everything around him was pitch-black; he could not see a thing.
But the rich scent of wood mingled with books washed over him, and he immediately realized where he was. Still, he remembered clearly that Puji Island's sun had returned to its proper place earlier. Why was it still so dark now?
He could not help glancing toward the window.
"Because this isn't Puji Island, but Huizi Market. Naturally, Puji Island's sun can't shine upon the shops of Huizi Market—help me over to the chair so I can rest awhile."
A somewhat weak voice reached the young man's ears. As it spoke, a faint flame flared up in the Red Clay Stove with a whoosh. Orange-red firelight seeped through the stove's cracks and spread in every direction, finally allowing Zheng Qing to make out a little of his surroundings.
It was indeed Sanyou Bookstore.
But at that moment, the young man had no mind to dwell on such trivial matters as where the sun outside had gone.
Just minutes ago, the gentleman had been forcefully suppressing numerous Ancient Ones. Now, half of his body hung limply against Zheng Qing, his breath faint and intermittent, like a candle flame in a gale that might go out at any moment.
"Always showing off!"
Yellow Flower Cat's voice sounded beside the stove. While muttering complaints, it carefully lifted the lid of the small teapot with one paw, squinting into it as though debating whether to add a few more tea leaves.
It was the height of summer.
The temperature outside was not low, and a stove was burning indoors, yet Zheng Qing felt chilled to the bone.
Stiffly, he helped the gentleman over to the reclining chair.
Before he could figure out how to begin,