Jiang Chuting stayed in her room for an entire day without making any move.

It wasn't that he harbored resentment towards Lin Zhi; that wasn't his usual style. Rather, his condition was truly dire. He had initially thought his internal energy was stagnant and that it would improve after some adjustment, but things hadn't gone as planned.

His inner strength was like sand in an hourglass, flowing away uncontrollably, little by little.

In just twelve hours, his internal energy had decreased by almost 30%, and although the rate had slowed down, it was still continuing. If he didn't find a way, the internal energy he had cultivated for decades might just dissipate completely. But no matter what he did, he couldn't stop it.

He was completely clueless.

Perhaps... it has something to do with the pills that Lin Xuan forced him to swallow back then?

Jiang Chuting opened her eyes, her expression slightly startled. Only when she heard the waiter knocking on the door did she loosen her crossed legs, get out of bed, and open the door.

It turned out that the waiter found it strange that he hadn't shown up all day or eaten, so he came to ask him.

And it seemed that knowing he had no money, they even planned to share one of their steamed buns with him.

"If you don't mind, please take this to fill your stomach."

In fact, Jiang Chuting still had money. After paying the room fee, he hadn't even had time to put the change back into his purse when Lin Zhi snatched it away. He had more than enough money for a meal.

Although it was just a steamed bun, Jiang Chuting didn't want to take advantage of him for nothing. Just as she was about to offer to pay him, she saw Lin Zhi coming up the stairs and quickly swallowed her words.

“…Thank you very much.” Jiang Chuting smiled slightly and took the rough porcelain bowl containing the plump white steamed buns with both hands.

The waiter chuckled, scratched his head, and turned to leave.

Lin Zhi stayed in the inn, afraid that Chu Ran would come looking for him, and dared not go anywhere. He had been suffering for only a day and was in a very bad mood. Unexpectedly, he saw this scene as soon as he went upstairs. His dark eyes turned cold and a sudden surge of inexplicable anger rose up.

Lin Zhi walked over to him and said, "How poor are you in the Nine Heavens? You have to steal to stay in hotels and even get a steamed bun by hooking up with people?"

Jiang Chuting had already realized that she wouldn't get anything nice from him with that face. Originally, she didn't want to pay attention, but her breath hitched slightly, and she couldn't help but say, "Lin Zhi, it's fine if you speak harshly to me, but why do you have to misinterpret other people's kindness?"

Lin Zhi sneered, "Kindness? There are so many beggars and homeless children on the streets, why does he specifically give you his kindness? Isn't it because you're special? Especially shameless?"

He's so unreasonable. Lin Zhike was never like this when he was Chu Ran.

Jiang Chuting suspected that he was channeling all his hostility into him.

Jiang Chuting didn't want to waste her breath arguing with him, and said, "Think whatever you want."

After saying that, she shut the door out.

Lin Zhi scoffed. Running away when you can't win an argument? Tch. Then he felt annoyed with himself. He clearly hated him to death and had said several times that he wouldn't let him go, but in reality, he only ever got his way with words and never actually did anything.

Is that why this person followed him so recklessly?

Come to think of it, how come he always appears in front of me after Chu Ran disappears? Is it a coincidence? Or is he deliberately trying to take advantage of the situation?

Although Jiang Chuting hadn't eaten all day, she actually had no appetite and couldn't eat. After taking the steamed buns inside, she put them on the table. Listening to the noise outside the door, she figured Lin Zhi had probably gone back to her room.

Lin Zhifang was thankfully not carrying the baggage on his back, so he decided to wait until Lin Zhifang went downstairs for dinner that evening and then sneak into his room to get the medicine.

Jiang Chuting tried to regulate his breathing for a while in vain, but it was already dark, and he still hadn't heard Lin Zhi pass by.

He opened the door and glanced into the room diagonally opposite. A candle flickered inside; someone must be there. Could it be that he wasn't planning on coming down for dinner?

Just then, a waiter brought up the food on a tray and knocked on Lin Zhi's door.

If Lin Zhi doesn't leave, he can only wait until tomorrow to decide.

The next day, Lin Zhi did go out, but when he went downstairs to eat, he actually tied his bundle to his body again. When he passed by his door, he stared at him warily as he stood behind the door, as if he was guarding against something.

Jiang Chuting sighed and lamented. This child wasn't usually like this. What was going on? And how could he possibly see him?

On the third day, Jiang Chuting left the inn and wrote a letter to Lin Zhi, asking someone to deliver the letter along with a small jar of peach blossom wine to his room.

The letter said that he had bought the peach blossom wine by chance and liked it very much, so he wanted to share it with him. Lin Zhi recognized his handwriting and would definitely believe it when he saw it.

Jiang Chuting didn't open the door. He could hear Lin Zhixing outside excitedly thanking the messenger, and he also heard him muttering a complaint, "He has some wine he likes and remembers to send it to me, but he won't come to see poor me in person. What a heartless person."

Jiang Chuting sighed softly.

Jiang Chuting knew that with the letter written like that, Lin Zhi would definitely drink the wine after receiving it.

Jiang Chuting had estimated his alcohol tolerance and was waiting for him to get drunk so that it would be easier to enter his room and retrieve his things.

In the middle of the night, Jiang Chuting felt it was about time, so she gently opened the door. The corridor was empty, and everyone in the other rooms was asleep, except for Lin Zhi's room where the light was still on.

Jiang Chuting approached, listened carefully for a while, and then pushed the door open.

Fortunately, he was careless and didn't lock the door from the inside; otherwise, he would have had to go downstairs and enter through the window.

Although the movements were very gentle, the door still creaked open, and the person who had been drunkenly slumped on the table suddenly moved. Jiang Chuting froze in place, and after a while, slowly approached him.

Jiang Chuting was both amused and exasperated, because Lin Zhi hadn't even untied his bundle while drinking in his room.

He wore it on his back and tied diagonally across his chest. If Jiang Chuting wanted to untie it, she could only squat down beside him and reach out to his chest, which would easily wake him up.

But there was no other way, so Jiang Chuting decided to finish the job quickly.

Holding his breath, Jiang Chuting carefully squatted down, while also keeping an eye on him. He felt he had never felt so urgent and decisive. If Lin Zhi's breathing became even slightly heavier, he would stop and not dare to continue.

Lin Zhi had tied a knot that was impossible to untie. Jiang Chuting had finally managed to untie the first, most difficult knot, and was about to untie the second when Lin Zhi, who had been lying down, moved his head. He suddenly swayed and straightened up, opened his eyes and turned his head sharply. His drunken eyes looked at Jiang Chuting, who was kneeling on one knee beside him.

Jiang Chuting was caught off guard and stunned, never expecting that he would see her face like that.

Jiang Chuting's heart skipped a beat. Just as he was thinking about how to face him, Lin Zhi revealed a drunken, silly smile, slid off the stool, knelt on the ground, and opened his arms to hug him tightly.

"Chu Ran, Chu Ran... I knew you would sneak over to see me, so, that's why I deliberately left the door unlocked."

Jiang Chuting and Lin Zhi had done everything, but he was used to being scolded by him with cold words when they reverted to their original forms. So, he suddenly felt a little uncomfortable with their intimacy.

Did Lin Zhi mistake him for someone else?

No, that's not right. I should say I've identified the correct one.

The only time I got it right.

When she was sober, she couldn't tell, but when she was drunk, she could recognize him. Jiang Chuting didn't know how to react.

The wine jar lay askew on the table, completely empty. Jiang Chuting knew he must be quite drunk. Without thinking too much, Jiang Chuting just wanted to hurry and get the bundle.

He had already loosened his clothes, but with Lin Zhi's movement, the bundle fell to the ground. Jiang Chuting planned to help Lin Zhi to the bed and then quickly get the disguise pill.

To everyone's surprise, Lin Zhi let go of him, her cheeks flushed, and let out a hiccup. She touched herself with both hands, looking around blankly, "Where...where's my baggage...?"

Jiang Chuting didn't know why he was so insistent on carrying the bundle, and fearing that he would tie it back to his body, she helped him up and quickly lowered her voice to say, "Never mind that for now, I'll help you to rest."

Lin Zhi shook his head vigorously, "No, no, no." He then made a shushing gesture at him, saying warily, "We can't ignore it, because someone is jealous of you and wants to steal your things. He, he still thinks, he still thinks I haven't seen through him, humph..."

Was his behavior that obvious? Jiang Chuting was exasperated and forbade him to worry about any burdens. He firmly helped him to the bedside. Lin Zhi grumbled a few words of grievance, but still obeyed and lay down on the bed.

Jiang Chuting turned to leave, but Lin Zhi grabbed his sleeve, pouted, her eyes blurry with tears, and pleaded in a hoarse voice, "Don't go, please don't go, I'm so panicked, I can't take it..."

Jiang Chuting felt a pang of tenderness in her heart, leaned down slightly, and said softly, "I'll be back soon."

Lin Zhi seemed not to hear him at all, raised her arms and wrapped them around him, "Kiss me..."

Jiang Chuting was actually very worried that he would suddenly sober up and recognize her. She thought that it would be right to take the disguise pill and leave as soon as possible, but... she had never kissed him in her true form.

Jiang Chuting leaned even lower and pressed her lips to his.

Unlike their usual deep and lingering kisses, this one was a light touch followed by a quick separation. Yet, this simple kiss made Jiang Chuting's heart ache so much she could barely bear it. When she straightened up, her eyes were slightly moist.

I wonder if there will be another chance like this.

Lin Zhi was already quite drunk, and after making a fuss for a while, he closed his eyes a few times and fell into a deep sleep.

Jiang Chuting picked up the bundle, took out the disguise pill, and quickly swallowed it after returning to her room. Then she changed into the clothes she had prepared earlier, and also put on the bracelet and hairpin.

This time, the disguise pill took even longer to work than before; it took a full half hour for his appearance to change.

Once confirmed, he returned to Lin Zhi's room, stood by the bedside watching him for a while, took off his shoes, and lay down on the bed fully clothed to sleep with him.

Whether it was due to the disguise pill failing or a problem with his internal energy, the wisest choice would have been to return to the Nine Heavens first. However, Lin Zhi was so eager to go home that he couldn't go back on his word since he had already agreed... He could only take it one step at a time.

When Lin Zhi awoke from her hangover and saw the person beside her, her eyes lit up with wild joy, "Chu Ran!"

It seems last night wasn't a dream! He really came back. He hugged him gently, talked to him, and even kissed him.

“It’s me.” Jiang Chuting had been awake the whole time. Sensing his joy, she smiled and patted his head.

Lin Zhi buried her face in his arms, overjoyed. "You've finally decided to come back. I was afraid I'd have to wait another month or two."

Feeling guilty, Jiang Chuting said apologetically, "I'm sorry, I..."

Lin Zhi interrupted him: "It's good that you're back. I won't say anything else."

The two embraced each other tenderly.

Lin Zhi closed his eyes, snuggled his head into Jiang Chuting's arms, and where Jiang Chuting couldn't see, the smile on his lips gradually faded.

In reality, his inner world was not as calm as it appeared.

Knowing Chu Ran's personality, once she promised to return to the Lin family, she wouldn't go back on her word unless something unexpected happened. The excuse in the previous letter was definitely just that—an excuse.

But he didn't know Chu Ran's true identity, or what his past was like. He had disappeared, and he didn't know where to look for him. He could only wait anxiously, just like he had many times before.

He used to think that Chu Ran must have had a reason for not telling him, and he wouldn't ask or investigate. However, he was afraid that such sudden disappearances would happen again in the future. He found that uncertainty increasingly unbearable, which caused him immense pain and suffering.

He had never had such a strong desire to know this person's true identity.

After getting up and washing up, Jiang Chuting instructed the waiter at the door to prepare a hangover soup. Lin Zhi rummaged through his bundle and found a small medicine bottle.

It was a fragrant herb that hadn't been used on him before.

"Lin Zhi, what are you doing?"

Lin Zhi glanced at him and saw him turn around. He slowly clenched his fists behind his back, turned around as if nothing had happened, gave him a bright smile, and said, "It's nothing."