Immortal Travel of Longevity

When Chen Changsheng returned to the table, the atmosphere turned awkward.

Both of them seemed to have something to say but hesitated. One twisted the corner of her robe while the other stayed silent, not knowing how to begin.

After a long pause,

Chen Changsheng finally spoke: “Oh, right.”

Yun Xiang lifted her head.

Chen Changsheng said: “Miss Yun has given me many gifts over the years, but I have never returned the favor. Last time I noticed Miss Yun seems to care about appearance, so I prepared some elixirs. They won’t extend life, but they can keep her looking young.”

He handed her a small gourd containing the elixirs.

Yun Xiang stared blankly, clearly caught off guard by the sudden gift.

“Miss Yun?”

Chen Changsheng’s soft call snapped her back.

“Ah…” She quickly waved her hands. “Mr. Chen, this is too precious!”

“Just some elixirs, nothing special. Please keep them.”

Yun Xiang eyed the gourd, reaching out but hesitating mid-motion.

Biting her lip, she asked: “That day… were Mr. Chen’s words just to comfort me? Does he truly think I’m no longer pretty?”

Chen Changsheng blinked, shaking his head. “Never thought that. I simply noticed you seemed concerned…”

Yun Xiang thought for a moment but didn’t take it.

Fingers twisting her robe hem, she whispered: “Forget it.”

“Miss Yun…?”

She explained softly: “It’s not that I feel shy. Truly… as long as Mr. Chen doesn’t mind, then whether I have this elixir or not… it matters little.”

Her voice grew even quieter as she lowered her head, cheeks flushing red. “Pretty or not… I only care for Mr. Chen to see me.”

Chen Changsheng stared at her, slightly dazed.

Feeling his gaze, Yun Xiang gripped her robe tighter, just as she did years ago. Red spread from her face down to her neck.

Chen Changsheng recovered. He looked at the gourd in his hands for a long moment, then finally slipped it back into his sleeve.

Seeing the motion from the corner of her eye, Yun Xiang spoke urgently: “Just because I won’t take it doesn’t mean Mr. Chen can give it to other women!”

She paused, adding: “Not anyone…”

Chen Changsheng nodded slowly. “Then… as Miss Yun says.”

“I’ll keep them for her. If she ever wants them someday, just say the word.”

Head still lowered, Yun Xiang gave a soft “Mhm.”

Her toes shifted nervously; she remained focused on the ground, obviously embarrassed.

Feeling uneasy, she stood abruptly: “I should go. Mr. Chen… please rest. Mhm.”

Without daring to meet his eyes, she walked quickly to the door.

Before Chen Changsheng could stop her, she rushed out of the house.

Last time like this… this time too.

Chen Changsheng sat on the bench, staring at the clouds above for ages, uncertain what filled his thoughts.

Things seemed to be becoming strange…

Ruyi sat in the courtyard before a plate of sunflower seeds.

Beside her, Yu Hongjin glared warily at the Tabby Cat napping on the table.

The cat slept soundly, utterly unconcerned.

“Creak…”

Ruyi froze, eyes snapping to the gate.

“Sister Yun!”

She hurried over: “Well? Sister Yun, did you ask? What’s wrong with Uncle Chen?”

Yun Xiang, seemingly lost in thought, jolted: “Huh? Ask what?”

Ruyi blinked: “The thing I told you about earlier!”

“Oh…”

Yun Xiang suddenly remembered: “I… I forgot…”

She pressed her lips together, bowing her head.

Ruyi gaped: “So… what were you and Uncle Chen talking about all this time?”

Then she frowned. That way of addressing him felt odd…

Yun Xiang avoided her eyes: “Nothing important. Just small talk.”

“I don’t feel so well, need to head upstairs. Ruyi… just play for a bit.”

“But wha—”

Ruyi’s question trailed off as Sister Yun brushed past without pausing. Footsteps echoed upward.

Ruyi stood alone in the yard, utterly confused.

When did Sister Yun’s memory get so bad?

Then, it struck her: Stranger still—if she forgot to ask… why did she stay so long?

That made no sense.

Could it be…?

Her eyes widened. Yes. Suddenly she understood everything.

Yet a spark of curiosity lit in her gaze.

At least for her, Sister Yun was perfect — gentle, refined. Worthy of Uncle Chen.

Looks like I’d better watch them closely.

Suddenly she snapped back: Wait… I forgot the main thing too! Sigh…

Defeated, she slumped back into her chair. Her lips pursed: once more, she felt clueless.

A sense of failure washed over her. She seemed to know nothing about Uncle Chen at all. Knowing this yet feeling helpless, unable to do anything.

She lingered in Sister Yun’s yard until sunset.

As dusk fell and Lihua woke from an afternoon nap, Ruyi finally stood to leave.

Cradling the cat, she walked through gate after gate.

The courtyard remained as peaceful as ever, still as clear water.

Chen Changsheng saw her and asked: “Busy day at the Embroidery Workshop?”

Ruyi paused. “Not busy.”

Lihua blinked between their faces, puzzled that Ruyi would lie but stayed silent.

Ruyi sat on a step near Uncle Chen. She rested her chin on her palms, watching a small tree in the yard.

Chen Changsheng noticed her mood: “Feeling low today?”

Ruyi turned: “Uncle Chen.”

“Yes?”

“You have many worries, don’t you?”

Chen Changsheng seemed surprised: “Wondering what burdens me?”

“…Yes.”

Ruyi boldly admitted it.

“Knew if I asked you directly, you wouldn’t answer. So I went to Sister Yun… but Sister Yun gets all muddle-headed around you. Forgot everything she planned to ask!”

Her lips formed a pout: “Uncle Chen.”

“I’m not a child anymore. Back then, I was just Mother’s trouble. But as I grew older, I helped her more and more.”

She kept her gaze forward, continuing:

“My point is, you can share things. Doesn’t need to be with me. Could be someone else — Lihua, or Sister Yun… just don’t keep it inside alone.”

“After all…”

Ruyi finally looked him in the eyes:

“We are family.”