Xu Ge, who had initially set out to explore an unknown dynasty, had completely forgotten this original purpose he had repeatedly reminded himself of as a warning.
He had utterly degenerated into a lovesick man, anxiously awaiting a reply from the girl he secretly adored.
“Hmph.”
Watching the irrepressible smile on Duan Qianren’s face, Xu Ge sneered coldly and downed another full cup of tea in one gulp.
Duan Qianren fell silent at that moment, quietly observing Xu Ge.
Only after making the somewhat bewildered Commander visibly uncomfortable did he finally speak, “Go on, it seems quite a few things have been troubling you lately.”
What “quite a few”? From beginning to end, there was only one matter—that woman, Tang Zhiwu.
But having calmed down, Xu Ge still asked, his voice icy and low, “Chen Ru, do you believe that besides the dynasty we currently live in, there exists another dynasty in a different time and space?”
Duan Qianren, courtesy name Chen Ru.
“Chen Xin Ru Shui”—a heart as pure as water, symbolizing integrity and devotion to public service.
Whenever Xu Ge addressed him by his courtesy name, Duan Qianren knew he was being utterly serious, not joking in the slightest.
“There should be, I suppose.” Duan Qianren first lowered his head in contemplation before looking up again. “The archives contain many bizarre cases, not to mention other strange and peculiar occurrences. After seeing so many, they no longer seem strange to me.”
After speaking, Duan Qianren also asked Xu Ge curiously, “Why do you suddenly ask this?”
But Xu Ge only shook his head. What he had encountered was even more extraordinary, utterly inexplicable.
The cases in those archives were completely incomparable.
His gaze grew colder, his expression increasingly icy.
If Xu Ge did not speak, Duan Qianren would not press further. He reached out and patted his shoulder. “Wait for me to change clothes, then let’s go drink together.”
“I’ve dreamed of that carefree tavern outside the Imperial Academy many times. Today, no matter what, I must go.” As if reminiscing about the carefree, joyful days of the past, a gentle light shone brightly in his eyes.
Xu Ge did not refuse. His emotions had fluctuated greatly these past few days, and he naturally needed an outlet.
By the time the two walked out of the Dali Temple together, the sky had already darkened, and the colorful lanterns in the imperial city began to light up one after another.
Gazing at this sea of brilliant lights from afar, Xu Ge felt a sudden wave of confusion.
Could it all be his own delusion? After drinking and returning, would that jade pendant also vanish without a trace?
Including, on the other end of that jade pendant, the woman who could so easily sway his emotions.
Xu Ge closed his eyes briefly, hearing movement beside him.
It was Duan Qianren leading two horses over.
His mind in turmoil, Xu Ge temporarily pushed all these troublesome matters to the back of his mind. Mounting his horse alongside Duan Qianren, he rode toward the location of the Imperial Academy.
Tang Zhiwu studied from noon until seven in the evening before leaving the library.
Yet, not a trace of weariness showed on her face; instead, she was exceptionally excited, standing out conspicuously among the crowd of exhausted and drowsy students.
“So freaking awesome! Absolutely freaking awesome!” Tang Zhiwu trembled uncontrollably. She had spent the entire day learning about the main events in the life of Xu Ge.
Those awe-inspiring deeds captivated Tang Zhiwu, who had initially only had a general understanding of him, completely enthralling her.
The moment she stepped out of the library, she had even decided on the topic for her research project.
It would be called: The Most Badass Man of the First Year of Jiayi—Xu Ge.
Walking along the road, Tang Zhiwu’s heart and mind were completely occupied by this ancient man.
Somehow, her admiration for a historical figure had transformed into the fluttering excitement of a young girl in the throes of a crush.
Tang Zhiwu’s cheeks flushed pink, a smile gracing her face as if she were walking on clouds.
“If only Xu Ge had been born in modern times—I’d have him wrapped around my finger in no time!!!” Tang Zhiwu grumbled in frustration, kicking a pebble on the roadside.
The thought of such a decisive and formidable man being long dead, with not even ashes remaining, filled her with profound regret.
Just as Tang Zhiwu was hurrying home to work on her PowerPoint presentation, she ran into Ke Jiuyyao right at the school gate.
“Don’t tell me you spent the entire weekend grinding away in the library,” Ke Jiuyyao said, arms crossed as she looked Tang Zhiwu up and down, finally forcing a smirk.
With her commuter bag slung over her shoulder, Tang Zhiwu couldn’t even attempt a lie—she’d been caught red-handed.
She quickly put on an apologetic smile, linking arms with Ke Jiuyyao and cooing, “Oh, I was just working on that project my advisor assigned! I swear I wasn’t secretly studying for exams!”
Ke Jiuyyao, however, wasn’t easily fooled. She glanced at Tang Zhiwu and declared, “No way. The rest of your day belongs to me!”
Only then did Tang Zhiwu notice how lightly dressed Ke Jiuyyao was, looking stylish and clearly ready for a night out.
“What are we doing?” she asked instinctively.
“What else? Drinking,” Ke Jiuyyao replied, inexplicably excited. “That cute soccer guy from yesterday asked me out today, and you absolutely have to come with me. If things work out, you’ll be the hero!”
Upholding her noble principles of friendship, Tang Zhiwu resolutely agreed to the invitation.
She stepped forward, patted her chest, and declared with righteous determination, “Don’t worry! I’ll be the best wingwoman you could ask for!”
It wasn’t just for Ke Jiuyyao’s sake—Tang Zhiwu genuinely felt like drinking today.
Whenever she thought of that man from the book who could turn the world upside down, she couldn’t help but tremble, craving a little alcohol to numb her exhilaration.
The two hit it off instantly, hopping into a taxi and heading straight to the bar where a reserved booth awaited them.
But as soon as they entered the bar, Tang Zhiwu spotted someone other than the cute soccer guy.
Zhang Cheng, the one who had tripped while trying to flirt with her yesterday.
Tang Zhiwu froze at the entrance, tugging at Ke Jiuyyao’s sleeve and whispering, “Why is he here?”
“I don’t know either,” Ke Jiuyyao replied softly, clearly not expecting Zhang Cheng to tag along.
Then, as if remembering something, she added apologetically, “I might have mentioned to Junfeng in the car that you were coming…”
It seemed the soccer guy had passed the news along to Zhang Cheng.
Ke Jiuyyao was at a loss for what to do next.
She knew Tang Zhiwu had no interest in this basketball team captain, and forcing them together would be downright rude.
Seeing her friend’s conflicted expression, Tang Zhiwu didn’t say much. Instead, she pulled Ke Jiuyyao toward the booth.
“You’re here.”
As the two arrived, the two men seated on the sofa stood up simultaneously.
Two men and two women—the atmosphere instantly shifted.
Tang Zhiwu and Ke Jiuyyao forced themselves to greet them before awkwardly taking their seats.
Before long, Ke Jiuyyao had already left Tang Zhiwu behind and was chatting happily with the handsome soccer player.