The Daily Life of a Lazy Author Transmigrating into a Book and Doing Nothing

The vermilion gate, adorned with exquisitely carved stones, flanked by two imposing stone lions, and the high courtyard walls create a striking contrast with the surrounding houses.

It was indeed the residence of a wealthy family. It seemed that coming to the city lord's mansion to freeload—no, to gather intelligence—was indeed the right decision. Of course, it would have been even better if Yu Xianxian and the others hadn't been stopped at the gate.

"This is the city lord's mansion; unauthorized personnel are prohibited from entering."

"Idle people?"

Yu Xianxian nudged Zhou Yun in front of her, looking like a bully trying to intimidate him.

"What? You don't even recognize the city lord's son?"

But to his surprise, even though Zhou Yun was already standing in front of him, the two servants at the door still had blank expressions.

"I know, but the city lord has instructed that even if you return, young master, you are not allowed to enter."

Yu Xianxian and Yun Meng were both surprised to hear this. How could someone in their twenties be locked out of their own home?

Why is that?

Before the servants could answer, Zhou Yun stepped in front of them and bowed in apology.

"I'm sorry, Miss Yun, it seems it's not my time to return yet. I'm afraid I'll have to break my promise. Here, I still have some silver on me. I'll take you both to the best inn to rest first."

“Young master, there’s no need for you to trouble yourself. We’ve already found an inn. But you can’t stay away from home forever. If you have any conflicts with your father, running away will never solve anything.”

As soon as Yunmeng finished speaking, the servant at the door naturally chimed in, "Yes, young master, the master said that if you apologize to him, he won't be angry anymore."

Zhou Yun acted as if he hadn't heard a word, and continued with his back to the servant and Yunmeng, "It's alright, I can offer you a better inn. It's getting dark, and it's time for dinner. You two must be hungry since you haven't had lunch. I'll invite you to a nearby restaurant..."

"You unfilial son, you come back and don't even come to see your father first. Instead, you go to a restaurant with a girl to indulge in debauchery."

A voice came from the slowly opening door, interrupting Zhou Yun's sentence. The newcomer was a middle-aged man in his forties. Although his temples were somewhat gray, he still exuded an air of authority, and his brocade robes further emphasized his status.

Zhou Tianyi frowned as he looked at his eldest son standing outside the house, his face full of anger.

"What? You were only sent away for a month, and even your father doesn't recognize you anymore?"

"How could that be? Zhou Yun has met his father."

A very respectful bow made their relationship seem more like that of a superior and subordinate than father and son.

"Ha, you went out and brought back two women. You good-for-nothing, are you trying to drive me crazy?"

Realizing that their relationship with Zhou Yun had been misunderstood, Yunmeng immediately stepped forward to explain.

"Lord City Lord, you misunderstand. It was your son who encountered bandits on his way back to the city and we helped him. That's why Young Master Zhou wanted to bring us back to thank us properly. However, it seems that the City Lord's Mansion is not very welcoming to us, so we'll take our leave now."

After saying that, Yunmeng took Yu Xianxian's hand and turned to leave, but was stopped by Zhou Yun the next second.

"No, Miss Yun, how can you be so careless about saving my life? I must repay this favor."

Just then, a clear female voice came from inside the door.

“Father, since he is my elder brother’s savior, we have no reason to turn him away.”

The group looked up and saw a young girl dressed in purple walk out. Although her face was not as beautiful as Yunmeng's, her graceful figure was enough to captivate anyone.

Zhou Tianyi turned around and saw that it was his precious daughter, and immediately changed his attitude.

"Moon, why are you out here?"

Zhou Yue didn't answer his question. Instead, she tugged at Zhou Tianyi's sleeve and said coquettishly, "Oh, Father, he is my elder brother's savior. We can't shut him out and let others laugh at our City Lord's Mansion. Besides, it's been so long, you should have calmed down by now."

"Ha, such a rebellious son isn't worth getting angry over."

Zhou Tianyi first glanced at Zhou Yun with an unfriendly expression, then turned to look at Yun Meng and Yu Xianxian with a slightly more amiable expression.

"I apologize for my rudeness earlier, ladies."

"It's alright, we were the ones who were abrupt."

"Judging from the unfamiliar faces of these two young ladies, they must not be from Snow Rain City."

"Ah, yes, we are wandering江湖人士 (jianghu figures) who love to help those in need."

"Oh, I see."

Although he didn't really understand what travel was, Zhou Tianyi roughly understood what he meant.

"It is now nightfall. Since you two young ladies are my son's saviors, if you don't mind, why don't you stay at the city lord's mansion for the night? I will immediately send someone to prepare guest rooms and meals for you."

"This……"

"Ladies, there's no need to worry. Since you saved my elder brother's life, our City Lord's Mansion will certainly treat you both well. My father rarely invites people to the mansion, so I hope you two can give him some face."

“Zhou Yue…”

Hearing these seemingly gentle but actually barbed words, Zhou Yun frowned and looked at his so-called sister, who only smiled charmingly and showed no remorse whatsoever.

Is this a threat to prevent them from being ungrateful?

Yunmeng and Yu Xianxian exchanged a glance, then clasped their hands in a fist salute to Zhou Tianyi and said, "In that case, thank you for your kindness, City Lord."

Their original purpose in coming to the city lord's mansion was to gather intelligence, and even if they didn't understand what these people's purpose was, it wouldn't stop them from staying.

If the two women stayed, Zhou Yun would also have to stay. After all, he was the one who brought them here, and he couldn't repay the debt of saving their lives with kindness, even though this so-called city lord's mansion was no longer his former home.

He looked up at the gradually blurring purple figure inside the door and sighed inwardly, realizing that her sister was no longer human.

Of course, his complicated glance did not escape the eyes of Yunmeng and Yu Xianxian. She turned her head to look at Zhou Yue, who was gradually walking away, and lowered her head to fall into deep thought.

……

As expected of the City Lord's Mansion, the quality of the beds is far superior to that of any inn.

Hmm, if I didn't have to share a room with my senior sister, or if she didn't meditate by my bedside, it would definitely be a wonderful night.

Lying in bed, feeling utterly hopeless, Yu Xianxian thought to herself.