88 Lotus Lake Road.
In a relatively large bedroom, Yan Duoduo, Huang Wei, Gu Nian, and Xu Peng stood watching Tang Poet and Ren Ye with eager eyes.
This time, he was no longer entering alone. He had new friends to see him off, and a partner who would soon face life and death alongside him.
Whoosh!
Time was up. Two Star Gates appeared overhead, shimmering with brilliant colors.
"3!"
"2!"
"Goodbye... my friends!"
His expression grave, Ren Ye said his farewells as calmly as he could.
"Goodbye, my dear comrades! If I don't return, please bury my clothes beneath the Wordless Stele as my cenotaph."
Tang Feng wore a flippant smile and waved at everyone with easy nonchalance.
The four beside the bed solemnly raised their arms, touching their fingertips together before their chests to form the shape of a roof. This was the New Year's Watchers' unique salute, signifying protection.
"Stay safe, comrades!"
The four called out softly.
Whoosh, whoosh!
The countdown ended. The Star Gates sucked the two men up, and they vanished completely.
Cold. Darkness.
An intense numbness swept through his body, and his head spun. Only with great effort did Ren Ye slowly open his eyes.
Scarlet bed curtains, bedding embroidered with soaring dragons, the palace lantern overhead-how familiar it all looked...
With considerable effort, Ren Ye braced himself against the bed and sat up. He looked around and immediately recognized what should have been "his bedchamber."
Did I... just wake up? Why was my body so sore? Had Lian'er taken liberties with me again last night? Sigh, that woman really knew no restraint...
Rubbing his temples, Ren Ye made no rash moves. Instead, he waited with a measure of practiced familiarity.
Sure enough, a moment later, that ethereal voice rang in his ears