What to do if you receive the wrong package?

Gu Yan recounted the events between Shen Mujin and Xuan Yi to Bai Heming in one breath. She spoke until her mouth was dry, and even her voice became a little hoarse and low.

As soon as he finished speaking, Bai Heming handed Gu Yan a cup of warm tea at just the right moment, "To soothe your throat."

Gu Yan nodded, looking at Bai Heming with gratitude. He picked up the cup and drank it all in one gulp. The warm water flowed over his parched throat, instantly making Gu Yan feel much better.

"Zhuiyun Cliff is located in Yunzhou, which is the intersection of the southeast and north. How could Xiaowan have come to Wuzhou in the east?"

“It’s all Xuan Yi’s fault. Mu Mu had found a horse caravan in a town in Yunzhou to go to Zhongjing, but she encountered men in black before setting off. To avoid them, Mu Mu had no choice but to hide in a large box. After she was safely revealed, she found out that the caravan was coming to Wuzhou. There was nothing she could do but follow the caravan to Wuzhou first and then make other plans.” Gu Yan looked at Bai Hongsheng, who had fallen asleep on the table beside him, and lowered his voice.

"Big brother, don't you think Xuan Yi is annoying? He can't even clean up his own troubles, and he's always causing trouble for Mu Mu."

Bai Heming raised an eyebrow, but didn't answer. Instead, he asked, "Is this Xiao Wan's idea? Or your own?"

Gu Yan paused, his hand still holding the water bottle, his momentum instantly halved. "It was my idea. But..."

Bai Heming raised his hand to interrupt Gu Yan, "I know you care about Xiao Wan. But some things can go wrong if you care too much."

"Then... what about today?" Gu Yan persisted, arguing, "Big brother, Mu Mu's mood was clearly off at the dinner table today, but Xuan Yi didn't even notice and just left. What does that mean?"

"Have you noticed Xuan Yi's emotions?" Bai Heming always managed to ask questions that left Gu Yan speechless.

Gu Yan scratched his hands, but didn't say anything. Who would bother paying attention to Xuan Yi's emotions for no reason?

"So, you're an observer on Xiao Wan's side. These things are between Xuan Yi and Xiao Wan. As Xiao Wan's friend, you should respect and fully trust her. Sometimes our interference might do more harm than good. Or is it that you don't trust Xiao Wan?"

Gu Yan kept his head down and remained silent for a long time before finally saying hesitantly, "Of course I believe Mu Mu. Okay, big brother, I understand."

Bai Heming gently patted Gu Yan's head: "Don't worry, from my perspective as an outsider, Xiao Wan is not at a disadvantage."

After saying that, she gently picked up Bai Hongsheng, who was fast asleep beside her, and walked towards the bed. This left Gu Yan alone, happily chuckling to himself at the table.

At noon, because Uncle Chen and Master Xie were not there, Aunt Hong had taken Mai Dong and Mai Qiu to the temple to burn incense and had not yet returned, and Bai Hongsheng was still fast asleep and could not be woken up no matter how hard they tried.

Uncle Peng, considering the few people left, could only prepare a simple lunch—clear soup with egg noodles and a few cold dishes.

Uncle Peng was a little embarrassed and rubbed his hands on his apron. "There are too few people at noon, so it's difficult to cook. I'll have to trouble you all to make do for now. I'll definitely cook something delicious when everyone comes back in the evening."

"Uncle Peng, this is already very good. Mu Mu told me before that your hand-pulled noodles are amazing, and I finally got to eat them today." Gu Yan looked at the appetizing egg noodles in front of him and kept praising Uncle Peng.

Shen Mujin nodded in agreement, pulled Uncle Peng to sit at the table, and prepared to eat.

Perhaps none of the chefs eat much of what they make. Uncle Peng ate quickly and in small portions, and after finishing, he picked up his bowl and headed to the kitchen.

Shen Mujin quickly grabbed Uncle Peng, snatched the cutlery from his hands, and put it back on the table. "Uncle Peng, please rest after you finish eating. I'll clean up in a bit."

"Are you sure you can manage on your own? Maybe I should come instead?" Uncle Peng asked, sounding a little worried.

Gu Yan quickly swallowed the noodles in his mouth. He had originally planned to sign up with Shen Mujin, but Xuan Yi beat him to it.

"Don't worry, Mumu and I are here together," Xuan Yi said considerately, putting down his chopsticks.

Gu Yan secretly rolled her eyes at Xuan Yi, feeling displeased: I'm not comfortable with you being with Mu Mu.

Then, she affectionately took Shen Mujin's arm, grinned at Uncle Peng, and reassured him, "That's right, Uncle Peng, with so many of us, we'll definitely be fine. You can rest assured and get some rest."

"Alright, then I'll have to trouble you all today." Hearing the three men's assurances, Uncle Peng no longer hesitated and happily entrusted the remaining work to the young man in front of him before going back to his room to rest.

Shen Mujin gently shook her left arm, turning her head to look at Gu Yan, "Aren't you going to let go?"

"I won't let go." Gu Yan hugged her even tighter, smugly.

"Okay, anyway, my right hand isn't occupied, so it won't stop me from eating." After saying that, he deliberately picked up a large piece of braised beef and stuffed it into his mouth. "Uncle Peng's braised beef is really delicious."

"Hmph, a true man—no, a woman—can bend and stretch." After making a face at Shen Mujin, she released her left arm and began to focus solely on eating.

"Eat more, so you'll have energy to wash the dishes later." Shen Mujin looked at Gu Yan with amusement and even put some of her favorite dishes on her plate.

Xuan Yi, who was standing to the side, was displeased upon hearing this. He looked up at Shen Mujin with a hurt expression and said, "Mumu, I'll help you wash the dishes later. Why won't you let me eat more?" After saying that, he handed the bowl directly to Shen Mujin, waiting for her to pick up some food.

Shen Mujin looked at Xuan Yi's "childish" behavior with some helplessness. Was the dignified Palace Master of Weiyang Palace vying for favor? Shen Mujin was a little unsure, so she quickly put some food on Xuan Yi's plate, hoping to make him return to normal.

Bai Heming glanced at the interaction between the other three people at the table, then coughed lightly, as if to remind them of something.

"I'm full. I'll go upstairs and check if Shengsheng is awake yet. You guys take your time eating." Before leaving, Bai Heming gave Gu Yan a meaningful look.

Gu Yan wanted to pretend she hadn't seen it, so she shrugged and tried to minimize her presence.

Never mind, I have to trust Mumu.

Gu Yan forcibly suppressed his urge to "compare" with others, and for the first time, he did not "compare" with Xuan Yi in front of Shen Mujin.

Seeing that Gu Yan remained silent, Xuan Yi became even more audacious. Not only did he serve food to Shen Mujin himself, but he also secretly moved his chair closer to her, trying to shorten the distance between them.

Faced with this situation, Gu Yan almost couldn't hold back. Although she couldn't speak, she couldn't lose in action, so she also started serving food to Shen Mujin and moving her chair.

Shen Mujin sat in the middle, looking at the ever-growing mountain of food in her bowl and plates, and the two people on either side of her getting closer and closer. She suddenly felt overwhelmed. She slammed down her chopsticks, stood up expressionlessly, ignored everyone, and quickly said, "I'm full, I'm going to the kitchen first," before leaving without looking back.

After Shen Mujin left, only Gu Yan and Xuan Yi were left looking at each other. They both saw disgust and dislike in each other's eyes. Gu Yan simply turned his head away and ignored him.

Xuan Yi decisively put down his chopsticks and followed Shen Mujin to the kitchen. Gu Yan was left alone in the large hall, sulking over a table of lunch.

Ugh, I'm so angry! Seeing Xuan Yi's smug look makes me so angry.

Shen Mujin had often done cleaning work when she helped out in the kitchen, so she was quite skilled at it. With her back to the door, she was diligently scrubbing the large iron pot. Hearing the sound of the curtain being lifted at the door, she assumed it was Gu Yan and said without turning her head, "Ayan, the tableware we just used is yours. Remember to bring it in after everyone finishes eating and put it in that wooden basin. We'll wash it together in a bit."

Xuan Yi pursed his lips and said, "It's me."

"Xuan? Xuan Yi? What are you doing here?" Shen Mujin stopped what she was doing in surprise and turned to look at Xuan Yi.

"I'll wash the dishes for you." Xuan Yi rolled up his sleeves and put the tableware he brought in into the wooden basin.

Shen Mujin glanced past Xuan Yi and looked back; the room was empty. She had assumed Gu Yan wouldn't let Xuan Yi be alone with her, but had something "held her back"?

"Stop looking, she didn't come." Xuan Yi was very dissatisfied with Shen Mujin's two completely different reactions, and even his tone of voice was somewhat stiff.

"Oh, then you..."

"What if we don't finish the food? Should we throw it away or keep it?" Xuan Yi was afraid that Shen Mujin would refuse him, so he had to forcefully interrupt her and ask his question urgently.

"Ah? Keep them. Put everything that can be put together in one dish, and then put the empty dish in the wooden basin. And..." Before she could finish speaking, she saw Xuan Yi lift the curtain and go out.

Never mind, Shen Mujin thought that Xuan Yi used to clean up and wash the dishes after meals down the mountain, so this should be a piece of cake for Xuan Yi.

Sure enough, after a short while, Xuan Yi carried all the prepared plates into the back kitchen. Two plates containing food were placed on a small table, while the rest, along with the tableware, were placed in a wooden basin.

After Shen Mujin finished washing the iron pot, Xuan Yi quickly filled the wooden basin with water and added wood ash to use as detergent. Then he sat down on the small stool in front of the wooden basin and started washing the dishes.

Seeing the familiar scene, Shen Mujin walked over and patted Xuan Yi on the shoulder, laughing, "It seems you haven't forgotten your memories of washing dishes down the mountain; you're quite skilled at it."

Xuan Yi stopped, raised his head and looked straight at Shen Mujin, "I will always remember."

Feeling a little embarrassed by the stare, Shen Mujin awkwardly withdrew her hand, suddenly feeling dizzy and her face burning.

Did I scrub too hard when I was washing the pot?

Thinking haphazardly, he picked up another small stool and placed it to Xuan Yi's right, preparing to rinse the cleaned kitchen utensils.

The two worked together seamlessly, washing and rinsing, creating a peaceful and serene atmosphere in the quiet kitchen.

Looking at Shen Mujin so close to him, Xuan Yi suddenly felt as if he had returned to the foot of Zhuiyun Cliff. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something but not knowing how to start, so he could only focus all his attention on washing the dishes in front of him.

Shen Mujin felt the same way. She tilted her head slightly to look at Xuan Yi, and suddenly her gaze was drawn to the white jade hairpin in Xuan Yi's hair. Wasn't this the one she had asked Feng Ting to give to Xuan Yi when they parted? It seemed he had been carrying it with him carefully.

Thinking of this, Shen Mujin lowered her head and smiled. But then, remembering Xuan Yi's departure without saying goodbye, the smile vanished instantly.

"Hmph, you big liar!"

"What?" Shen Mujin suddenly spoke up, catching Xuan Yi off guard.

"I said, you're a big liar!" Shen Mujin put down the bowl in her hand, faced Xuan Yi, and repeated her words one by one.

"Huh?" Xuan Yi was also stunned by this accusation. "Why do you say I am...?"

Looking at Xuan Yi's innocent eyes, Shen Mujin felt even more frustrated. It turned out that Xuan Yi had no idea what was wrong with him from beginning to end; only she was concerned about these things.

"Didn't you tell me you wouldn't suddenly disappear? And what happened? You didn't even say goodbye before leaving. If you're not a big liar, then who is?" Shen Mujin was quite angry, and her tone was unusually sharp.

Xuan Yi suddenly realized what was going on. Seeing Shen Mujin's somewhat furious expression, he quickly explained, "That day, I suddenly received a message from Feng Ting. Fu Xue from the palace had been ambushed and was seriously injured. The situation was quite urgent. But it was already late, and I wanted to tell you before I left. However, you had previously said not to disturb your sleep and that even the most important things should wait until you wake up. So I wrote a note, briefly explaining what had happened, and left it by the window outside your door."

"Then...then...who told you not to write it on a big piece of paper? Who could see such a small note?" Shen Mujin's momentum instantly weakened. "Besides, when did I say that I couldn't disturb someone while they were sleeping? I think you're just making excuses." Although her momentum had weakened, she couldn't let the problem fall on her.

“After you found out about Feng Ting, he once wanted to borrow Da Huang from you for a day, and even specially bought breakfast from Wan Ke Lou in Yunzhou, but…” Xuan Yi didn’t continue speaking, because he could tell from Shen Mu Jin’s expression that she remembered.

Shen Mujin's eyes darted away. She had indeed been a little angry and said some things after Feng Ting woke her up, but everyone has a bad temper when they wake up! Who would have thought that Xuan Yi would remember those words?

However, seeing that Xuan Yi remembered even her casual remark, he decided to let him off the hook this time.

"Hmph, you're right, I'll let it slide this time. But why didn't you show yourself when I encountered danger on my way down the mountain? Why did you have Feng Ting deal with it for you?"

Xuan Yi lowered his eyes and smiled helplessly, "I'm afraid I won't want to leave once I see you." He thought he would never fall in love in his life, but he gradually fell in love.

The sudden, direct response caught Shen Mujin off guard. She hurriedly picked up the clean white porcelain bowl and wiped it with a clean white cloth, awkwardly changing the subject, "Hurry...hurry up and wash it. You can rest for a while after you're done."

"Okay, I'm almost done washing here. I'll help you with that later." Xuan Yi sped up, finished his task, then picked up a small stool and sat opposite Shen Mujin, extending his hand to her. "White cloth, let's wipe together."

Shen Mujin didn't dare to look up at all. She grabbed a clean white cloth from behind her and stuffed it into Xuan Yi's hand. "Here, wipe it quickly."

Xuan Yi chuckled softly as he looked at Shen Mujin's adorable, flustered expression.

"Are you avoiding me?"

"How could that be! Why would I avoid you for no reason?" Shen Mujin argued with a slightly flushed face and a strong sense of composure.

"Then why don't you dare look at me?"

"Why wouldn't I dare!" Shen Mujin said, then looked up and met Xuan Yi's smiling eyes, making her face turn even redder.

Shen Mujin's heart was pounding. She took a deep breath. This was her home turf, and she couldn't afford to lose.

"Then why are you showing up again? Or are you not afraid that you won't leave once you see me this time?" Shen Mujin raised an eyebrow, watching to see how Xuan Yi would answer this time.

Xuan Yi looked at Shen Mujin helplessly, his eyes full of doting affection, "Okay, I won't leave this time."

"Not leaving?" Shen Mujin repeated, then shook her head in disbelief. "I don't believe you. You're not an ordinary person; you can't stay in this little inn forever."

"Of course not."

"I knew it." Shen Mujin had a knowing look on her face.

“Because you won’t stay here forever. I’ll stay by your side, wherever you go, I’ll be there, no matter the outcome.” Xuan Yi wiped the last white porcelain bowl clean, then got up and put all the bowls and chopsticks back in their proper places. He then emptied the water from the wooden basin.

Shen Mujin remained silent, unsure of what to say. She rose and stood to one side of the kitchen, her gaze unconsciously drifting towards Xuan Yi, her expression serious, likely because she was concerned about these small matters.

While pouring water, Xuan Yi glanced at Shen Mujin, then immediately looked away. "I will still go on missions, but I will let you know. I won't disappear again."

"Ah." Because she was slightly distracted by peeking at Xuan Yi, she paused for a few seconds before realizing what was happening and said stubbornly, "Whatever, it has nothing to do with me anyway."

"Is that so? It seems I haven't done enough." Xuan Yi's tone was somewhat melancholy, and his dejected expression made Shen Mujin feel a pang of pity.

"Well... no, it's just that you... suddenly..." Shen Mujin stammered for a long time, unable to organize her thoughts.

"I overstepped my bounds," Xuan Yi chuckled self-deprecatingly. "Especially since I insisted on getting involved today. Luckily, you didn't refuse me, allowing me to do something with you again."

"I've never explicitly rejected you." Shen Mujin lowered her head, feeling both angry and aggrieved. It was Xuan Yi who suddenly appeared and did a series of things that threw her into disarray, yet now she was being made to look like an innocent victim.

Thinking of this, Shen Mujin suddenly moved, quickly walked up to Xuan Yi, looked up and grabbed his collar, asking fiercely, "I'll ask you one last time, do you mean what you just said?"

"Just now? Which sentence did you say?"

Xuan Yi was pretending to be stupid with her. Just as she was about to raise her fist to punch him, she heard him say, "Yeah, I'm not leaving. I'll stay by your side."

Shen Mujin blushed again under Xuan Yi's tender gaze, released his collar, and stammered as she brandished her fist, trying to intimidate him, "You'd better not, otherwise..."

Xuan Yi reached out and gripped Shen Mujin's fist tightly, letting out a few light laughs. "Trust me, Mumu, I promise."

Shen Mujin lowered her head, not daring to look at Xuan Yi, but slowly loosened her fist and instead grasped his hand.

Meeting him seemed like a magical arrangement; it was the beginning of everything. Perhaps when Xuan Yi was picked up, their fate was already secretly sealed.