His mind raced frantically, replaying everything that had happened from the moment he noticed something unusual until now.
Although Xu Ge was not someone who believed in ghosts or deities, after witnessing such a bizarre phenomenon firsthand, he could no longer dismiss tales of the supernatural.
The moonlight grew dim and faint, much like his current state of mind—obscure and uncertain.
From their brief exchanges, Xu Ge concluded that the person within the jade pendant was not a ghost but a real, living being.
However, this person seemed to belong to a different dynasty from his own.
“Modern”—the first time he heard this term, Xu Ge dared not take it lightly.
In his youth, he had fought on battlefields for years, vanquishing enemies, expanding territories, and engaging in prolonged conflicts with the barbarian tribes of the Western Regions.
The breadth of his experience and the depth of his perspective far surpassed those of the pedantic officials confined to the imperial city, who spent their days pointing fingers and issuing commands.
Perhaps… beyond the borders of this continent, across the grasslands and deserts.
Or perhaps, centuries later, there truly existed a dynasty that had never before emerged in this world.
His eyes flickered, and the icy resolve that had accumulated within them gradually melted away.
Xu Ge clenched his large hand, crumpling the thin sheet of paper into a tight ball within his palm.
“I hope you will not become a threat to my Great Wei.”
Slowly turning around, his piercing gaze settled firmly on the jade pendant resting on the desk.
Tang Zhiwu was halfway through her meal when she decided to chat with Ke Jiuyyao. But when she turned around, Ke Jiuyyao was already gone.
That woman, for some inexplicable reason, had already moved to sit beside the handsome soccer player across the room, laughing and giggling like a blooming flower.
Tang Zhiwu pursed her lips, picked up the drink Ke Jiuyyao had left on the table, and took a big sip.
With the straw still in her mouth, Tang Zhiwu glanced around. A tanned, muscular hand slowly extended into her line of sight, holding a bottle of chilled orange juice.
She was taken aback for a moment, then followed the muscular arm upward until her eyes landed on the person’s face.
It was Zhang Cheng, the captain of the university basketball team.
As soon as Ke Jiuyyao left, he had taken her seat beside Tang Zhiwu, his intentions clear as day.
“Tang Zhiwu, would you like a drink?”
The chilled orange juice was beaded with condensation, and his large hand gripping the glass bottle was covered in droplets.
Seeing Tang Zhiwu staring blankly at him, he shook the bottle slightly as a gesture.
How could she refuse when it was practically offered to her lips?
Tang Zhiwu smiled faintly, her pink lips curling upward. She extended her fair, delicate hand, deliberately avoiding his large one as she took the bottle of orange juice.
“Thank you.”
Her tone was polite yet distant, clearly showing no interest in him.
But Zhang Cheng didn’t seem bothered. Seeing Tang Zhiwu accept the drink he offered, he smiled even more brightly and leaned in a little closer.
“I heard you’re the top student in the history department, always dominating the rankings. If I have any questions, can I come to you for help?”
Only then did Tang Zhiwu truly take a good look at Zhang Cheng.
He had a standard buzz cut, though not too short. His features were sharp and well-defined, and his skin was a healthy, sun-kissed tan from years of training on the court.
He smiled warmly at Tang Zhiwu, his eyes crinkling and his sharp brows softening considerably.
A clean-cut, handsome young man.
However, Tang Zhiwu couldn’t explain why she felt absolutely no attraction toward the enthusiastic young man before her.
The captain of the basketball team—just hearing that title suggested someone who never lacked girlfriends. Yet when Tang Zhiwu heard his attempt at flirting, she couldn’t help but let out a soft “pfft” and laugh.
She tilted her head, her sparkling eyes curving into crescents as a smile spread across her fair, delicate face.
Her light laughter was like a breeze just brushing past willow branches—gentle and soothing.
In this stuffy, sweltering hotpot restaurant, it felt particularly refreshing and cleansing.
Zhang Cheng stared dumbfounded at this girl whose beauty seemed to freeze time itself, unconsciously swallowing hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down.
“No way, are you joking?” Tang Zhiwu set down the orange juice in her hand, deliberately reining in her laughter as she replied, “One studies history, the other studies sports—they’re worlds apart. What kind of question are you asking me?”
Her words were somewhat abrupt, directly severing the almost palpable hint of flirtation that had been building.
Thinking Tang Zhiwu suspected his motives, Zhang Cheng grew a bit flustered. A faint blush spread across his sun-tanned skin as he immediately began waving his hands repeatedly.
“No, no, no! It’s not about our majors. I just personally enjoy studying history.”
Tang Zhiwu, on the other hand, grew intrigued. A flicker of mischief appeared in the corners of her eyes as she nodded with a serious expression. “Then which dynasty have you studied the most deeply?”
Hearing this question, Zhang Cheng didn’t show the awkward discomfort Tang Zhiwu had expected. Instead, he radiated a confident, self-assured air.
Seems this guy came prepared.
“The First Year of Jiayi. I have some modest understanding of the First Year of Jiayi.” Zhang Cheng’s large, restless hands finally relaxed. Mentioning a topic he was knowledgeable about, his whole demeanor became animated, his hands gesturing in the air.
“Especially Commander Xu Ge of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.”
Tang Zhiwu nodded without speaking, waiting for Zhang Cheng to continue his insights.
“Xu Ge was like the alpha wolf in a pack of extremely fierce wolves—decisive in action, never hesitant or dragging his feet.” Zhang Cheng kept watching Tang Zhiwu’s expression. Seeing her nod, he grew even more talkative.
“Because of him, Emperor Wei’s position was extremely secure, and even later dynasties benefited immensely.”
“It seems you really do know a thing or two.” A smile still lingered at the corner of Tang Zhiwu’s mouth as she raised a hand to pinch the soft flesh of her chin.
“Whether in official histories or unofficial records, Xu Ge is written about the most for the First Year of Jiayi. I admire him greatly too.”
Having a shared interest—wasn’t that a kind of progress!
Zhang Cheng, feeling elated, suddenly leaned in closer, his eyes filled with delight. “That’s great! We can discuss it together in the future!”
Before Tang Zhiwu could lean back to avoid him, the Zhang Cheng who had been leaning close suddenly vanished, replaced by the heavy sound of someone crashing to the floor.
“Thud!!”
He was a big guy, and with that fall, he also brought down the bottle of orange juice that had been on the table.
The glass bottle shattered, orange juice spilling everywhere.
Zhang Cheng’s clothes and pants were completely soaked, the scene a messy and embarrassing situation.
The sound of the fall was so loud that all the college students who had been chatting among themselves stood up. Seeing Zhang Cheng on the ground, they gathered around him.
Those nearby quickly reached out to help him up.
Just as someone with a jinxed mouth warned, “Be careful of broken glass,” Zhang Cheng felt a sharp pain in his palm and knew something was wrong.