Two days later.
Floating Jade Lake, Accumulated Rock Island.
In a private room in a teahouse, Luo Zhang sat in a plain wicker chair with a cup of clear tea in hand, but his expression was deeply uneasy. At times he lowered his head and muttered to himself; at others, he could not help sighing softly, his brows locked in a miserable frown.
Even his already dark face looked considerably older, with many fine wrinkles and creases added to his skin.
Before even a few dozen breaths had passed, Luo Zhang could bear it no longer.
He sprang out of the wicker chair, poked his head past the screen, and craned his neck to gaze into the distance for a while, then drew back in disappointment and continued sighing.
The other person in the room watched him pace back and forth, heaving long sighs, for quite some time before finally speaking up to soothe him.
"Junior Brother Luo, Junior Brother Luo, do not be impatient. What time is it now? Noon-it has only just struck noon!"
Dressed in his usual purple robe, Hao Qingyan leisurely stirred his tea and took a sip. Looking at Luo Zhang, he finally said helplessly:
"Since Senior Brother Chen has already given you his word, would someone of his standing fail to keep an appointment with you for no reason? If Senior Brother Chen saw you so restless and unable to settle yourself, would he not think less of you?
"Besides, this hardly befits your usual standing..."
"How can anyone rest easy when calamity falls from the heavens?
"Steward Hao, you stand outside the storm now, so naturally you can remain carefree, your sleeves unburdened. But I am truly caught between fire and water. One careless step, and I will be burned to ashes."
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