Early one morning, Su Mo got a call from Week Eight, abruptly cutting his cultivation short to rush to their meeting spot.
When he arrived, Week Eight was staring intently at a street vendor’s candied hawthorns, completely unaware of the tiny damp spot forming on her mask from drooling.
“Morning, Sis Eight.”
“Morning, little Yiyi.”
She no longer minded Su Mo calling her “Sis Eight.”
Maybe it was because they shared similar struggles, but she felt an unusual closeness to him—hence the affectionate nickname “little Yiyi.”
“You called me here so early for a reason?” Week Eight had summoned him without explanation.
“Can’t I just call you out to hang?” Week Eight huffed. “Fine, I’m taking you to meet someone.”
She reached for Su Mo’s wrist, but he deftly dodged.
“Tell me who first. Keep being cryptic, and I won’t play along next time.”
“Wow, what are you, five? ‘Won’t play along’?” Week Eight laughed. “It’s Shiniang. Up to you if you wanna come.”
Su Mo perked up at the mention of Zhang Yuelu. “You should’ve led with that.”
They took a cab near Yang Jie’s place, stopping at a supermarket to pick up some groceries.
Only when they reached the building’s entrance did Su Mo realize how early it was. “Isn’t it kinda… rude to show up this early?”
Week Eight cut him off, feigning sudden realization. “Ohhh, right. Commander Yang and Shiniang might be doing their morning exercises. Wouldn’t wanna interrupt that.”
Su Mo nearly choked.
Are these “morning exercises” even PG?
I see what you’re implying, but I’ll pretend I don’t.
Also, if you knew they might be “busy,” why pick this time?!
Just then, Zhang Yuelu appeared at the gate, spotting the two whispering. “Well, if it isn’t Xiao Ba and Qingyi! What brings you here?”
“Shiniang!” They greeted her politely before explaining.
Zhang Yuelu beamed. “Such thoughtful kids. Come upstairs with me—I was just about to go grocery shopping. Perfect timing!”
Perhaps because she had no children of her own, Zhang Yuelu doted on them like they were family.
The moment they stepped inside, they saw Yang Jie, fully dressed, as if heading out.
“I thought you were free today. Where are you off to now?”
Yang Jie froze at the sight of the two trailing behind Zhang Yuelu, his expression shifting awkwardly. He adjusted his glasses. “Wang Ye captured two high-ranking members of the Hundred Immortals Sect. I need to handle it.”
Though disappointed, Zhang Yuelu nodded. “Alright. Be safe, and come back early for dinner.”
“Yeah.”
His gaze swept over Week Eight and Su Mo—their four visible eyes practically screaming one word in unison: GOSSIP!
Silence.
Once inside, Zhang Yuelu poured them water. “How did you know I was in Jing City?”
Su Mo glanced at Week Eight.
“I had a hunch. Now it’s confirmed.” She scratched her head, grinning sheepishly.
Wait… a hunch?
You dragged me here just to confirm your suspicion?!
Su Mo clutched his imaginary pearls, “betrayed.”
Turns out, Zhang Yuelu had arrived two days prior and had been staying with Yang Jie. Though divorced, their split had been circumstantial, and old feelings lingered. They still met occasionally, but Yang Jie’s busy schedule kept visits rare.
“Shiniang, you’re part of Beidou too, right? How come you seem so much freer? I’m jealous,” Week Eight admitted.
Zhang Yuelu’s eyes crinkled with amusement. “Because I belong to the Twenty-Eight Mansions.”
Su Mo followed up. “And Commander Yang?”
“He’s also one of them.”
Su Mo: “…”
“Same group, such different workloads.”
“Each of us has our own duty. They just… vary.”
Su Mo and Week Eight nodded vaguely.
Zhang Yuelu didn’t elaborate further, but Su Mo did learn Yang Jie’s codename:
Kui Mulang—Leader of the Western Mansions.
No wonder a mere “Commander” has strength rivaling the elders and can hold his own against Li Wenhui, the second-in-command of the Red Leaf Society.
Dude’s been lowkey OP this whole time.
Proof that good things come in small packages.
The trio (mostly the girls, with Su Mo suffering in silence) spent the day touring Jing City.
As someone male at heart, Su Mo had an innate aversion to shopping. Within an hour, he was mentally clocking out.
Despite his best poker face, Zhang Yuelu saw right through him. “Let’s call it a day. You two have your own lives—no need to waste time on me. I should get back anyway.”
Before parting, she gave Su Mo a meaningful look. “If you want true freedom, grow stronger. Like your sister did.”
Su Mo nodded.
He wasn’t surprised Zhang Yuelu knew about his background. Given her ties to Yang Jie—and her own capabilities—it wasn’t exactly classified intel.
Once she left, Su Mo crossed his arms. “You didn’t drag me out just for this, right?”
Week Eight slung an arm over his shoulder and sighed. “You get me, little Yiyi. Everyone else is either a corpse or a block of wood. So boring.”
“You mean Sun Yuchen and them?”
“Who else?”
“I think A’Kun’s pretty lively.”
“Ugh, men are all the same. Get too close, and they assume you’re into them. If you reject them, suddenly you’re the tease. Total idiots. Back in high school, I—sigh—curse this irresistible charm.”
Su Mo shrugged her off, annoyed. “Don’t generalize an entire gender because of a few bad apples.”
“Oho~ Did I strike a nerve? Worried I’m badmouthing your precious little Mo Mo?” She smirked. “Relax, I’ve scoped him out. Kid’s a catch. Good boyfriend material.”
Though he mentally denied it, hearing praise about himself (even indirectly) sent an involuntary smile creeping onto his face.
“Tch. Look at you, grinning like a lovestruck schoolgirl.”
Wrong. Lovestruck schoolboy.
Then it hit him. His eyes darted side to side.
Wait—since when am I “lovestruck”? I don’t even like anyone!
Damn it, why’s my face red again?!