Hot flashes

The two walked up the mountain path.

It was completely dark, the moon had not yet risen, and everything around was pitch black. Xiao Jue walked ahead, holding a torch in his hand, the firelight casting his shadow long and short.

Zhou Heng followed behind, stumbling along the difficult mountain path. He nearly tripped over stones several times, prompting Xiao Jue to turn around and look at him with a worried expression.

Be careful.

"fine."

After walking for a while, a few lights could be faintly seen ahead.

Xiao Jue turned around, his eyes shining brightly in the firelight.

"arrive."

The main gate of Floating Cloud Manor consisted of two black lacquered wooden doors, which were slightly ajar at the moment, with dim yellow light shining through the cracks. Two lanterns hung at the entrance, swaying gently in the night breeze.

Xiao Jue pushed open the door, turned around and waved to Zhou Heng.

"Come in, come in."

Zhou Heng stepped across the threshold, and a bright and clear view suddenly appeared before him.

The courtyard was large, paved with blue bricks, and kept very clean. Directly opposite was a main hall, with side rooms on both sides. Lanterns hung under the eaves, illuminating the entire courtyard brightly.

Xiao Jue led him inside, and as soon as they entered the courtyard, they alerted several servants. The servants were about to bow when they saw Xiao Jue, but then they noticed that there was someone following behind him and froze.

The man was dressed in Xiao Jue's clothes; the moon-white robe stood out conspicuously in the night.

By the light of the corridor lamp, one could make out the person's appearance—extremely handsome, with delicate features and fair skin, but that hair…

Her hair is very short.

It's ridiculously short.

The servants were stunned. They exchanged glances, but none of them dared to utter a sound.

Xiao Jue ignored them and led Zhou Heng straight through the courtyard, heading east.

"I'll take you to see my master first," he said. "Wait a moment."

There was a small courtyard to the east, with a clump of bamboo growing at the entrance, rustling in the wind. Xiao Jue pushed open the door and poked half his head in.

"Master?"

An old voice came from inside.

"Come in."

Xiao Jue turned around and waved to Zhou Heng, and the two went inside together.

The room was lit, and an old man was sitting on a couch reading a book. His beard and hair were white, and his face was full of wrinkles, but his eyes were very bright, and he looked like a wise man.

He was wearing a worn gray robe and holding a yellowed book in his hand. When he saw the two of them come in, he put the book down.

"Master," Xiao Jue stepped forward, hesitated for a moment, and pointed at Zhou Heng, "this is a friend I made in the back mountain."

Zhou Heng thought of the desolate back mountain: "..."

The old man was stunned for a moment.

"The back mountain?"

Xiao Jue nodded vigorously.

"Yeah! We met in the back hill!" He thought for a moment, then added, "We're really good friends."

The old man looked at him, then at Zhou Heng, and smiled.

The smile was very kind, and the eyebrows and eyes curved upwards.

"That's quite a coincidence," he said.

Zhou Heng didn't know what to say, so he could only give an awkward smile.

The old man waved his hand.

"Please sit down, don't stand." He looked at Zhou Heng, "Young master, what is your surname?"

Zhou Heng said, "My surname is Zhou, and my given name is Heng."

The old man nodded.

"Where does Young Master Zhou come from?"

Zhou Heng choked for a moment.

Where did they come from?

From the 21st century? Fell off that cruise ship?

Zhou Heng said, "From...a very far place."

The old man nodded and didn't ask any further questions.

"Guests are welcome," he said. "Now that Xiao Jue has brought you back, please settle in. If you need anything, just tell him."

Zhou Heng was taken aback for a moment, then quickly thanked him.

The old man waved his hand and picked up the book again.

Xiao Jue pulled Zhou Heng outside, and when they reached the door, he turned back and waved to the old man.

"Master, I've taken him to my room."

The old man didn't even look up.

"Go ahead, go ahead."

Zhou Heng breathed a sigh of relief after leaving the courtyard.

Xiao Jue leaned closer and lowered his voice.

"My master is a very kind person."

Zhou Heng nodded.

Xiao Jue smiled, then seemed to remember something.

"By the way, would you like to take a shower first?" he said. "You must be feeling unwell. I'll have someone boil some water for you."

Zhou Heng was stunned for a moment, then looked down at himself.

My face is clean, but my body still feels sticky, so I really want to take a shower.

He nodded.

"Thank you for your help."

Xiao Jue waved his hand.

"No trouble at all," he said. "You go wait in my room while I have someone boil some water."

He led Zhou Heng across the courtyard to a house. Pushing open the door, they found it bright and clean, with a lamp lit inside. There were tables, chairs, beds, bookshelves, and desks—everything one would need.

"This is my room," Xiao Jue said. "You stay here for now, I'll be right back."

After saying that, he turned and ran away.

Zhou Heng stood in the room and looked around.

There were books on the bookshelf, and writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones on the desk. The quilt on the bed was neatly folded. A bamboo birdcage hung by the window, but it was empty; there were no birds inside.

He walked to the desk and looked down at it.

On the table lay a piece of paper with a drawing of a person on it—a rather ugly drawing, with crooked features, but one could vaguely make out the appearance of a young boy. Beside it were a few words, written in a crooked hand: "Self-Portrait. Xiao Jue."

Zhou Heng: "..."

This kid is quite narcissistic.

He put the paper down, walked to the window, and opened it.