Resumen, trama, sinopsis de The Company

Sinopsis de The Company

Bi Zhi, the antique shop owner from the future, teams up with Su Beilu, a pet veterinarian living in the present day, as they journey through time to retrieve lost antiquities. Together, they weave the rich tapestries of different eras and the unpredictable twists of human destinies into their shared narrative. Along the way, the two forge a bond of friendship that transcends time and space, ultimately embracing their respective lives with renewed optimism.

Resúmenes de The Company

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Bi Zhi galloped through the forest, the rhythmic pounding of hooves echoing the urgent pace of his heart. His path was suddenly blocked by a group of masked men in black who emerged like ghosts from the shadows to intercept him. Meanwhile, at the Qin residence, Qin Ziyi stood by a window, watching the falling snow with a heavy heart.

A maid approached with warm clothing, urging him to dress for the worsening blizzard, but Ziyi was consumed by worry for Bi Zhi. On the road, Bi Zhi was caught in a fierce struggle until General Huo Shu arrived to intervene. Insisting on protecting Ziyi’s interests, Huo Shu covered Bi Zhi’s retreat, urging him to return to the city immediately.

Bi Zhi successfully obtained the testimony needed to clear the Qin family's name and rushed back, only to find the residence engulfed in a massive fire. Devastated by the loss of his friend, he retreated to his sanctuary, the Yashe antique shop. By the year 2024, Bi Zhi lived as the owner of Yashe in Ninghai City. Though he dressed in modern fashion, he remained a stranger to the fast-paced world of the twenty-first century.

During a walk through an antique market, he encountered Master Dong, who was regaling a crowd with the legend of King Goujian’s swords. Dong claimed the spirit of the swordsmith Ou Yezi inhabited the blade he held. Bi Zhi interjected, noting that while Ou Yezi forged five famous swords, he also created a sixth, nameless blade that brought only misfortune.

Intrigued by the artifact, Bi Zhi offered a massive sum and a Twin Dragon Zichen Pendant as a gesture of sincerity. Master Dong led him home to finalize the deal, but while handling the sword, Dong accidentally cut his finger. The blood awakened the sword’s murderous aura, sending the merchant into a frenzy. Dong attacked, and though Bi Zhi was wounded, his injury healed instantly.

He quickly knocked Dong unconscious; when the merchant came to, he believed he had simply fainted at the sight of blood. Looking for a connection to the past, Bi Zhi visited a bar that stood where the Qin residence once was. He requested Golden Liquor, a specific sugarcane brew Ziyi had loved. The bartender could only offer a house special called Golden Coast, which failed to match the complex fragrance and sharp finish of the original.

As he drank, Bi Zhi’s mind drifted to Ziyi, his only true friend, and the treasures that had been scattered across time due to his own mistakes. While stumbling home in a drunken stupor, he was assisted by a young man named Su Beilu. Stunned by the man’s identical appearance to Ziyi, Bi Zhi brought him back to Yashe, convinced his friend had returned. In his intoxicated state, Bi Zhi activated the time-travel device on his arm.

Instead of sending Su Beilu home, he inadvertently sent him through several temporal jumps. Su Beilu found himself in a frozen wasteland, a street with a rumbling tram, and finally a military camp where he was accused of being a northern spy and nearly executed. Bi Zhi managed to pull him back through the chaos, but these disruptions caused energy anomalies in the artifacts at Yashe.

Bi Zhi spent the night stabilizing the items to prevent them from altering the destinies of others. The following morning, Bi Zhi secured the newly acquired bronze sword and vowed to recover all of Ziyi's lost possessions. Remembering his erratic behavior, he hurried to the hospital where Su Beilu worked as a veterinarian. Su Beilu was exhausted and complained of leg cramps from a night of "strange dreams" where he was constantly running.

When Bi Zhi addressed him as Ziyi, Su Beilu grew frustrated, insisting he didn't know the man, and had security escort him out. Determined, Bi Zhi returned later with a turtle named Xuan Wu to secure a private consultation. In the examination room, he urged Su Beilu to drop his guard and recognize him, but Su Beilu maintained he was not the man from Bi Zhi's memories. Bi Zhi left his address, hoping Su Beilu would eventually reach out.

That evening, Su Beilu arrived at Yashe to deliver medicine for the turtle. Bi Zhi was overjoyed, thinking the visit meant Su Beilu had remembered their past. However, the veterinarian remained strictly professional, providing a detailed lecture on how to administer the pills. Realizing the man truly had no recollection of their previous life, Bi Zhi went to fetch a feathered cup to serve as a memory trigger. By the time he returned, Su Beilu had already left.

Disheartened, Bi Zhi activated his time-travel device to return to the past, only to be startled by Su Beilu’s voice. To his surprise, Su Beilu had followed him through the temporal gateway.

Bi Zhi returns to the ancient era and is surprised to find that Su Beilu has followed him through the time elevator. As Su Beilu questions the impossible transition from night to day and the strange surroundings, Bi Zhi finally reveals his true identity. He explains that he is a traveler from the 31st century, a future where humanity has achieved incredible technological leaps but lost the essence of real human connection.

Living in a world of nutrient supplements and artificial intelligence, Bi Zhi felt empty and sought meaning in the past. He recounts how, as a city planner in the future, he discovered an unregistered time elevator and used it to escape the "cage" of his own era, eventually assuming the identity of the owner of the antique shop, Ya She. Su Beilu, captivated by the ancient world, expresses a desire to remain, though Bi Zhi initially disapproves.

However, Su Beilu argues that the environment might trigger his suppressed memories, even pointing out a tea stall he seems to recognize. Bi Zhi eventually relents but imposes three strict rules: Su Beilu must not provoke conflicts, must not interfere with the fate of others, and must never leave Bi Zhi's sight.

Using a high-tech "changing room" device, Bi Zhi provides Su Beilu with period-accurate clothing, though Su Beilu’s restlessness during the process results in an ill-fitting outfit and oversized shoes. As they walk through Chisha Town, Su Beilu is overwhelmed by curiosity, marveling at the wine, grilled skewers, and people playing Liubo chess. Despite his promises, he cannot resist the urge to ride a horse, forcing Bi Zhi to pay the owner to avoid legal trouble.

Their attention soon shifts to the arrival of General Li Yansheng, the famed "Windrider General" of the Valiant Cavalry. Bi Zhi reveals his mission: he must retrieve the Fish-patterned Mirror, which is currently embedded in Li Yansheng’s armor as a protective chest plate. To get closer to the General, the duo poses as admirers bearing gifts and enters the Windrider Battalion’s victory banquet. They follow Li Yansheng to a quiet spot and observe him speaking to the mirror.

To their surprise, a woman’s voice responds from within. Suddenly, an assassin strikes, but Bi Zhi’s quick warning allows Li Yansheng to narrowly escape. Bi Zhi claims the mirror is a family heirloom and offers anything in exchange for it, but the General steadfastly refuses, explaining that the object saved his life and holds deep personal significance. The following day, Bi Zhi and Su Beilu travel to the outskirts of Mo City, where a decisive battle is set to occur.

Bi Zhi knows that this is the day Li Yansheng is fated to die. Su Beilu, unable to accept this, rushes onto the battlefield to warn the General. However, Li Yansheng suspects they are enemy spies and orders his men to tie them to a tree. As the battle unfolds, the General realizes the enemy is attempting to ambush his Lieutenant General, Chen Wu.

To protect his comrades and the city, Li Yansheng heroically lures the enemy forces toward a steep cliff. The tragedy plays out exactly as recorded in history. Surrounded and refusing to surrender, Li Yansheng falls from the precipice, and the Fish-patterned Mirror vanishes into the water below. Having failed to retrieve the mirror, Bi Zhi and Su Beilu return to the modern era, discovering that only a single night has passed.

Despite returning to his job at the hospital, Su Beilu remains haunted by the woman's voice he heard in the mirror. The narrative shifts to the year 2018, where a young girl named Yao sits in despair on a rooftop. Paralyzed and feeling like a burden to her mother, she intends to end her life. Suddenly, the Fish-patterned Mirror on her shelf crackles with the voice of Li Yansheng.

Communicating across time from the battlefield, the wounded General urges her to cherish her life, explaining that only the living have hope. As Yao’s mother rushes home in a panic, Bi Zhi and Su Beilu arrive in this time period. Su Beilu manages to catch Yao just in time, preventing her fall. Although Bi Zhi finds the mirror in Yao's room, he chooses not to take it yet, realizing the story is not yet over.

The morning after her desperate suicide attempt, He Yiyao woke up and found that the man she had seen in the Fish-patterned Mirror, Li Yansheng, was not a hallucination. Li Yansheng formally introduced himself as a Lieutenant of the Valiant Cavalry, confidently predicting his imminent promotion to general. Over the following days, the two formed a unique bond through their daily conversations across time.

Yiyao, who had been trapped in a deep depression due to her paralysis, found herself drawn to Li Yansheng’s bold and heroic spirit. As they grew closer, Yiyao discovered a startling time dilation: while only three days had passed in her world, more than a month had gone by for Li Yansheng. His wounds had healed, a miracle he credited to his "Miss Ghost" in the mirror.

Concerned about the primitive medical conditions of his era, Yiyao shared modern health advice, urging him to keep his injuries clean and to eat eggs and milk to aid his recovery. When Li Yansheng realized that Yiyao’s disability kept her confined indoors, he felt a deep sense of guilt for his earlier insensitive remarks.

To help her, he had craftsmen modify his armor to secure the mirror to his chest, allowing Yiyao to experience the vast desert landscapes and the thrill of his horse rides from her wheelchair. Inspired by his vitality, Yiyao finally ventured outside. She began sharing her own world with him, showing him modern wonders like desk lamps and bicycles, and even taught him to make a "hamburger" by sandwiching dried meat between millet cakes.

Watching from the shadows, Bi Zhi and Su Beilu were moved by Yiyao’s transformation. Seeing her find genuine joy for the first time in years, Su Beilu pleaded with Bi Zhi to delay reclaiming the artifact. Bi Zhi agreed but warned that every connection across time eventually leads to a painful parting. One evening, an elated Li Yansheng called Yiyao to celebrate his promotion to General of the Valiant Cavalry after a major victory.

However, amidst the celebration, Yiyao spotted an assassin approaching him from behind in the mirror’s reflection. She screamed a warning, but the connection abruptly cut off, leaving her in agonizing silence for days. Distraught, Yiyao spent her time in the library researching historical records of Li Yansheng. Unable to watch her fall back into despair, Bi Zhi finally revealed the truth: Li Yansheng had died in battle.

He explained that the mirror did not belong in her era and its continued presence could trigger a dangerous butterfly effect, altering the course of history. Though devastated, Yiyao was initially unwilling to part with the mirror, clinging to it as her only link to the man she loved. Bi Zhi’s encounter with Yiyao’s grief triggered his own memories of his early days in the ancient era.

He recalled how he had struggled to adapt until he met Qin Ziyi in the bustling Huai Market. Qin Ziyi, a noble who viewed his high status as a restrictive shackle, became Bi Zhi’s first true friend, guiding him through the ancient world and sharing his private collection of treasures. Their friendship was cut short when Qin Ziyi’s family soldiers arrived to bring him back to succeed as City Lord, a duty he accepted with a heavy heart.

Bi Zhi and Su Beilu returned to Yiyao's home for a final attempt to retrieve the mirror. While examining the artifact, Yiyao noticed a crude smiley face—two dots and a curved line—carved into the metal. She realized this was Li Yansheng’s final message, a reminder for her to stay strong and keep smiling even in his absence. Realizing that he wanted her to live a brave and happy life, Yiyao finally found the strength to let go.

She handed the Fish-patterned Mirror back to Bi Zhi, promising to live the life Li Yansheng had envisioned for her. As Yiyao embraced her future, Bi Zhi looked at Su Beilu, noting his uncanny resemblance to Qin Ziyi but wondering if they truly shared the same soul. With the mirror reclaimed, the energy anomaly was successfully eliminated.

Bi Zhi visits Chongle Pet Hospital, quietly observing Su Beilu as he works. He watches as Su Beilu struggles with a basic medical question from Dr. Tang regarding the correct dosage of nitrofurantoin for a cat named Xiaomi. It is revealed that Su Beilu has failed his veterinary licensing exam for three consecutive years and is currently stuck as a vet assistant.

To make matters worse, Su Beilu is facing eviction because his landlord, Jenny, plans to sell the narrow, cramped apartment he calls home. Seeing the young man's desperation and wanting to confirm if he truly shares a soul with his old friend Qin Ziyi, Bi Zhi steps in and secretly pays the rent, posing as Su Beilu’s long-lost cousin. The next day, Su Beilu finds Bi Zhi and brings him breakfast as a sincere gesture of gratitude.

Su Beilu isn't entirely fooled by the cousin story but is deeply thankful, even insisting on writing an IOU to repay the debt. He admits to feeling like a complete failure, convinced that he simply wasn't born with the talent for studying. To comfort him and help him clear his head, Bi Zhi decides to take him to a mysterious place that exists outside the boundaries of any specific dynasty.

They arrive at Tianguang Market, a mystical realm within a time rift where people from various eras trade goods while waiting for their chance to return to their own times. Bi Zhi explains that this wormhole is what made time travel possible in his era, describing it as a shortcut between different timelines where clocks hold no meaning and it is always dusk.

As they walk, Su Beilu notices the massive, red Forgetting Tree, known as the Wangchuan Tree, which Bi Zhi explains represents oblivion. They eventually reach Xian Shan Pavilion, where Su Beilu is initially restrained by a guard named Zhu Qiu. However, the Market Lord, a stunning woman in a red dress, soon appears and orders his release.

Following Bi Zhi's earlier advice to be polite, Su Beilu charms her by calling her a fairy and praising her exquisite appearance and elegant dress. While the Market Lord and Bi Zhi discuss the final payment for the Fish-patterned Mirror—using rare rouge paste made from red-blue flowers from Yanzhi Mountain as currency—Bi Zhi asks if a person could be displaced into another timeline just like the antiquities he seeks. He admits that Su Beilu looks exactly like Qin Ziyi.

The Market Lord informs him that Su Beilu has never been to Tianguang Market before, but she suggests that Bi Zhi could use the power of Yashe to look into the young man's past if he wants a definitive answer. Meanwhile, Su Beilu’s exploration of the market takes a dangerous turn when he is kidnapped by a couple named Xia Zelan and Lu Feng. Xia Zelan is from ancient times, while Lu Feng is from the modern era.

Having fallen deeply in love within the rift, they are desperate to find a way to stay together. They force Su Beilu onto a boat and make him row into the thick fog on the Wangchuan River, believing the rumors that the fog is an exit. However, after a long struggle, they only circle back to their starting point.

The Market Lord appears on the water, warning them that the river is like a sea of suffering and that turning back is the wiser choice. She explains that the gateways to their respective worlds open and close unpredictably like the rising fog, and they will inevitably be returned to their original eras. Realizing they cannot escape their fates, the couple decides to cherish every remaining second.

Xia Zelan gives Lu Feng a carving knife, encouraging him to use it to create fine art in his own time. Returning to 2024, Bi Zhi takes Su Beilu to a luxury restaurant in Huayang City to make up for the kidnapping. During the meal, Bi Zhi expresses a sense of regret, wondering if his interference is already starting to change the trajectory of Su Beilu's life. Their conversation is interrupted when they spot Lu Feng at the same restaurant.

Su Beilu recognizes him immediately, but this version of Lu Feng is much older, having left Tianguang Market over a decade ago. He is now a successful artist and is dining with a popular influencer named Nana. Su Beilu is disappointed to see that the man who once fought for an impossible love is now acting like a playboy, accidentally sending a romantic bulk message to multiple women. Nana discovers the deception on her phone and leaves in a rage.

When Su Beilu tries to approach him, Lu Feng has no memory of the market or their time on the boat. Bi Zhi explains that those who stumble into the time rift by accident lose all their memories of the experience upon returning home; only those who enter through the power of Yashe can remember the truth.

As they leave the restaurant and see Nana trending on social media, Su Beilu realizes that for most people, the extraordinary events of Tianguang Market remain a forgotten dream, even as they continue to drift through their modern lives.

News of the artist Lu Feng’s long-awaited solo exhibition began to spread, but it was quickly accompanied by a brewing scandal. Paparazzi had captured intimate photos of him with the popular influencer Nana, leading to a flurry of dating rumors. In reality, this "leak" was a calculated move by Lu Feng himself to generate traffic.

After seeing that the video had reached a million views, Lu Feng settled the remaining balance with the paparazzi and ensured they signed a non-disclosure agreement. Despite his outward success, Lu Feng was plagued by chronic stomach pain.

When his assistant, Xiao Zhang, asked if he wanted to follow up with Su Beilu—the young man who had added him on WeChat at a restaurant—Lu Feng dismissed the idea, telling Zhang to ignore him while sending the assistant out for medication and more wine. Meanwhile, Bi Zhi remained focused on a different prize: the Wu Blade, one half of the legendary Kunwu Blade set. Knowing Lu Feng possessed it, Bi Zhi prepared to infiltrate the exhibition.

He purchased an electronic ticket and took Su Beilu to a high-end tailor, insisting that the young man dress in a formal suit. Though Su Beilu was hesitant about the cost, Bi Zhi assured him the purchase was already made. Dressed like a successful businessman, Su Beilu hoped he could fool the artist, while Bi Zhi reminded him that his best strategy was simply to stay quiet.

Su Beilu couldn’t help but feel a sense of disappointment; in his recent memory of Tianguang Market, Lu Feng had seemed sincere, but here in the modern world, he had become a calculating playboy who had seemingly abandoned his past and the woman he once loved. The following day, Lu Feng’s exhibition opened to great fanfare.

During a press interview, Lu Feng leaned into a pretentious persona, quoting François Millet and speaking of "viewing ordinary things with a noble heart" to give art power. He hid his commercial compromises behind a facade of surrealist narrative. Even during the event, his philandering ways were on full display as he flirted with the interviewer, Xuan, and added her on WeChat for "private consultations."

The arrival of Ms. Kaihua, a wealthy patron, further boosted his ego, even as he ignored a threatening text from Nana demanding that he either go public with their relationship or face a breakup. When Zhang informed him that a mysterious "big client" had purchased several of his works and was waiting in the tea room, Lu Feng eagerly went to greet them. The meeting in the tea room was a game of social posturing.

Bi Zhi introduced himself as a representative of Rain Manor, the legendary estate known for its collection of rare treasures. To gain Lu Feng's trust, Bi Zhi claimed his great-grandfather had been the secret financier for the manor's late owner, Mr. Yu. Impressed and instantly subservient, Lu Feng apologized for his previous dismissiveness. Bi Zhi then revealed his true intention: he wanted to buy the Wu Blade, which he claimed was an heirloom belonging to a deceased friend.

Lu Feng was initially confused, unable to recall owning such an item. However, later that night, a flash of memory returned to him. He remembered a small knife he had used to carve the very work that launched his career. He located the dagger in his storage and, the next day, offered it to Bi Zhi for free as a gesture of friendship, hoping to secure an introduction to the prestigious Rain Manor.

Su Beilu immediately recognized the dagger as the token of affection Xia Zelan—the woman from the market known as Lan—had given Lu Feng. His disgust for the artist only deepened when Lu Feng immediately tried to leverage the "gift" to get his work exhibited at Rain Manor. Su Beilu could not contain his anger, berating Lu Feng for his greed and for betraying Lan’s memory.

Bi Zhi led Su Beilu away, advising him not to waste energy on someone who would soon be irrelevant to their lives. As they left, Lu Feng’s world began to crumble. A massive scandal broke online, revealing his history of using women for PR and exposing his affairs with various socialites. His reputation vanished instantly, and his wealthy patrons, including Ms. Kaihua, turned their backs on him.

Struggling with the weight of his downfall, a drunken Lu Feng wandered the streets at night, hounded by persistent media crews. In his desperation to escape, he stumbled toward a roadside food stall. In a blur of exhaustion and alcohol, he saw a chef dressed in ancient attire and caught a glimpse of a familiar face. He collapsed, and when he finally woke up, he found himself back in the misty, timeless realm of Tianguang Market.

Confused, he asked Lan where he was, and she described it as a hidden paradise where people from different eras often find themselves lost. Desperate to return to his life, Lu Feng sought an exit at the River of Oblivion, but the guards informed him that the rafts were reserved for guests of Luoxia Manor. They warned him that the water was dangerously deep and that it was not his time to leave.

Resigned to staying for a while, Lu Feng returned to Lan’s fried rice stall. Since he had no money, they agreed to trade goods and services. He used his skills to repair her broken cleaver using the very same Wu Blade, noting its incredible sharpness. To pass the time, he shared his knowledge of "sculpture" with her, explaining the concepts of perspective and light. He even sketched a portrait of her, which left Lan deeply impressed by his talent.

Encouraged by her, Lu Feng opened his own repair stall, becoming a useful member of the market community. Over time, the two grew close. Lu Feng confessed his frustrations with his past life and his failed exams, admitting he planned to give up art once he escaped. Lan, in turn, shared her own heartbreaking story. Her mother had exhausted the family’s savings and worked herself to death to secure Lan a position as a chef in a royal residence.

Lan had only been there a few days before she got lost in the mist of the back mountains and ended up in the market. She felt she had failed her mother’s sacrifice and worried she would never return. Moved by her story, Lu Feng promised to help her find a way out, even suggesting they steal a raft to row into the fog together. However, his journey in the market was cut short.

In the real world, Lu Feng had been rushed to the hospital with a perforated stomach. As Dr. Xu prepared him for surgery, Lu Feng’s consciousness flickered between the two worlds. When Lu Feng finally regained consciousness in the hospital, the experience had changed him. The energy of the Wu Blade had acted as a catalyst, restoring his memories of both his modern life and his time in Tianguang Market.

Realizing the emptiness of his pursuit of fame, he made a radical decision to donate all his assets to charity and rededicate himself to the pure creation of art. Watching the news of Lu Feng’s "change of heart" from a distance, Su Beilu wondered if the man had finally found his conscience. Bi Zhi noted that while the memories were back, the past could not be changed.

As they moved on to their next task, Bi Zhi looked at the Wu Blade, knowing that without its counterpart, the Kun Blade, the weapon's energy remained unsettled. He considered using the Yashe to look deeper into the past, but for now, he remained hesitant, not yet ready to face what might be revealed.

Boss Dong happened to pass by the mysterious Yashe and, driven by curiosity, stepped inside to find Su Beilu watching over the shop. Upon learning that the business belonged to Bi Zhi, Dong was both surprised and delighted. Su Beilu showed him around, though Dong was initially skeptical of a Northern Song Dynasty Ru Ware plate, even joking that his own family used similar dishes for everyday meals.

However, as Bi Zhi returned and the fragrant scent of agarwood filled the room, Dong examined the exquisite Jun kiln tea cups and realized the shop was a treasure trove of authentic masterpieces. Eager to have his own collection appraised, Dong hurried home to fetch his antiques, promising to return soon. With Dong gone, Bi Zhi prepared for a trip to Tianguang Market and brought Su Beilu along.

Su Beilu was eager to visit the magical realm where time stands still, noting he still had annual leave to use. They brought a special gift for the Market Lord: several cups of trendy bubble tea.

Su Beilu went into great detail describing the drink as a "Glutinous Bubble Milk Foam Tea with Sesame, Berry, Mango, and Peach," a name so complex the Market Lord’s attendant, Chu Qiu, had to test it for poison before the Market Lord would take a sip. Delighted by the sweet treat, the Market Lord provided Bi Zhi with the coordinates for his next target: the Mermaid Candle and a girl named Chan.

Bi Zhi traveled back to a chaotic era marked by war and famine. Amidst this misery, a young girl named Chan found a mysterious blue candle and lit it in a derelict courtyard to keep away the cold. The candlelight flickered and transformed into a beautiful woman who revealed herself as the Mermaid of Dongting. The next day, after Chan’s small portion of famine grain was snatched away by a ruffian, the mermaid appeared again.

She conjured fresh steamed cakes and water for the starving girl, explaining that Chan had freed her by lighting the candle. The mermaid promised that as long as the flame remained lit, she would stay by Chan's side. Chan affectionately named her companion A Nuan. Over the following days, A Nuan provided Chan with fresh fruit and beautiful clothes. As years passed, Chan grew into a young woman, but A Nuan remained eternally youthful.

To support herself, Chan worked as a laundress for Zuichun House and sold handmade scented sachets. One evening, Bi Zhi and Su Beilu arrived at the establishment in their search for the Mermaid Candle. Due to a misunderstanding of accents, the house manager initially introduced them to a top courtesan named Chang'e. Eventually, they learned that the Chan they were looking for was a lowly laundress who had just finished her shift.

While working earlier that day, Chan had been harassed by a drunken official, but a friend had stepped in to help her. On her way home that night, Chan was cornered again by the same official. Just as he attempted to assault her, a noble young man named Jiang Ling intervened and drove the official away. Returning home, Chan found A Nuan waiting with deep concern.

Realizing the world was becoming increasingly dangerous, A Nuan taught Chan how to strike a person's vital spots for self-defense. She warned Chan that in such a heartless era, the soft-hearted would not survive. The following morning, the official who had harassed Chan was found dead by the lakeside. While the townsfolk whispered that he had received his just deserts, Chan noticed strange bite marks on his body that filled her with unease.

Later, she encountered Jiang Ling again in the market. To repay his kindness, she offered him one of her finely crafted sachets. Jiang Ling was impressed by the unique fragrance of the wildflowers from her yard and accepted the gift, noting that such a token should only be given to someone special. He then invited Chan to attend the Liuyun Poetry Gathering he was hosting the following night, telling her that the sachet would serve as her invitation.

Chan Er lived in seclusion, burdened by a deep sense of inferiority. Despite an invitation from the refined Young Master Jiang Ling to the prestigious Liuyun poetry gathering, she hesitated, believing her humble status and plain appearance made her unworthy. A Nuan, the spirit of the Mermaid Candle, gently encouraged her, providing an exquisite gown and jewelry.

A Nuan insisted that most beauties are merely the result of fine dressing and warned Chan Er to return early, as the night roads were treacherous. Chan Er also mentioned that the officer who had previously harassed her had been found dead. A Nuan dismissed the man as a villain who met his rightful end, promising to always protect her. Carrying the token Jiang Ling had given her, Chan Er arrived at the pleasure boat hosting the gathering.

However, she secretly witnessed Jiang Ling’s true, brutal nature. He was ruthlessly punishing a girl named Yan Yan and her lover, Mr. Chen. Despite Yan Yan's desperate pleas to work for him forever to save her lover, Jiang Ling remained cold, even trying to force her to kill Chen herself. When the situation escalated, Jiang Ling ordered his men to sever Yan Yan’s arm.

Terrified by the horror, Chan Er accidentally made a sound and was forced to dive into the water to escape, leaving her token behind. The next morning, Yan Yan’s severed hand—identified by her bracelet—was found by the lake. Shaken by the sight while washing clothes, Chan Er returned to her workplace, the Spring Cloud Pavilion, where Jiang Ling intercepted her. He presented the token she had dropped at the scene, using veiled threats about her "fragile health" to intimidate her.

Meanwhile, Bi Zhi and Su Beilu arrived at the pavilion searching for the Mermaid Candle. Learning Chan Er had left, they obtained her address—a house near a crooked willow tree by the western lotus pond—and hurried to find her. Back at home, Chan Er urged A Nuan to flee with her, but she found A Nuan preparing a lethal poison from flowers. A Nuan argued that they had to strike first against a hypocrite like Jiang Ling to survive.

During their heated argument, A Nuan confessed a dark truth: the food, the jewelry, and even the beautiful dress Chan Er wore to the gathering had all been stolen by her. Furthermore, A Nuan admitted to killing the officer. Horrified by A Nuan’s ruthlessness, Chan Er recoiled, but A Nuan insisted everything was for her sake, comparing her actions to the mud that allows a lotus to bloom. Before they could reconcile, Jiang Ling’s men set the house on fire.

Trapped in the inferno, A Nuan held Chan Er close, promising to stay with her until the end. Bi Zhi and Su Beilu arrived just in time, with Su Beilu rushing into the flames to pull Chan Er to safety. When she regained consciousness, Chan Er was still desperately calling for A Nuan. Bi Zhi, however, revealed a sobering truth: A Nuan was never real.

She was a manifestation of hope and a psychological defense mechanism Chan Er had hallucinated during her years of suffering. Su Beilu confirmed that he had found no one else inside the burning house. As Chan Er finally accepted the reality of her past, the vision of A Nuan faded away forever. To help Chan Er escape Jiang Ling’s reach, Bi Zhi and Su Beilu staged her death by placing sheep bones in the ruins of her home.

Chan Er decided to leave and start a new life, gifting the Mermaid Candle to Bi Zhi as a final farewell. As they departed, Bi Zhi reminisced about his old friend, Qin Ziyi. He recalled a night of drinking where Ziyi expressed a longing for freedom despite being trapped in political reforms.

Not long after that night, a maid named Caiwei brought news that Ziyi had been framed for the death of the Second Young Master and placed under house arrest. Bi Zhi realized with a heavy heart that their night under the stars had been their final meeting. Returning to the present, Su Beilu noticed Bi Zhi’s clothes were healing themselves through nanobots.

Bi Zhi felt a wave of caution; if Su Beilu was not Ziyi’s reincarnation, it was too dangerous to keep involving him in these journeys. Stepping through a portal, they arrived in the year 2021 to begin their next chapter.

In 2021, Su Beilu graduates from the College of Veterinary Medicine. His joy is doubled when both he and his best friend, Chun Ge, are hired by the same pet hospital. During the celebration, Su Beilu’s mother expresses her pride, encouraging the two young men to be compassionate doctors who respect all forms of life. Observing from the shadows of time, Bizhi travels back to 2017.

He witnesses a high school-aged Su Beilu and Chun Ge attempting to climb a wall to see a dog named Hua give birth. When Chun Ge sprains his ankle, Su Beilu refuses to leave him, choosing to carry his friend through the front gate even at the risk of being scolded by their teachers. Bizhi then jumps to 2007, where he finds a younger Su Beilu picking on Chun Ge, eventually accidentally locking him in a classroom.

Overcome with guilt, Su Beilu uses a plastic card to pick the lock—a trick he learned from movies—which marks the beginning of their lifelong bond. Through these memories, Bizhi confirms that Su Beilu is not the reincarnation of his old friend, Qin Ziyi. However, a trip to 2005 reveals a shocking connection: Bizhi was the one who pulled a young Su Beilu from a horrific car accident years ago.

Realizing he had unwittingly altered the boy’s destiny, Bizhi begins to see their current meeting as a focal point of fate. In the present, Su Beilu arrives at the antique shop, Yashe, on a rainy night. He had been fired and evicted after exposing a "dog torturer" who brought an injured pet named Tuanzi to the hospital. Having lost his grandmother years prior, Su Beilu is left with nothing but his optimism.

Moved by his resilience, Bizhi allows him to stay the night. The next day, after finding Su Beilu performing free animal clinics despite his own unemployment, Bizhi offers him a formal position as an assistant at Yashe. Su Beilu arrives for his first day of work in an eccentric, self-ordered uniform, which Bizhi immediately orders him to change. While learning the shop's routines, Su Beilu is sternly warned never to enter the restricted room on the upper floor.

To prepare him for inquisitive customers like Master Dong, Bizhi tasks him with studying a book on ancient artifacts. Later, Bizhi uses a time-travel device to take Su Beilu to the past to investigate a woman named Gu Huaijin. They arrive in a desolate graveyard at night, where Su Beilu panics upon seeing Gu Huaijin’s tombstone.

Posing as storytellers the next day, they learn that the Gu family once ran a prestigious escort agency but was decimated in a brutal ambush, leaving only Gu Huaijin’s brother, Gu Bingyu, alive. While the duo investigates, Gu Bingyu leads an escort mission through a dangerous pass. Suspecting a trap, he realizes the wine at a post house is poisoned. He and his men feign being drugged to lure out the attackers—rival agency members posing as bandits.

Gu Bingyu easily overpowers them but intentionally spares a few survivors to send a message: the Gu family remains a powerful force. Upon returning home, Gu Bingyu finds the family’s associate and scholar, Pu Jingtang, still mourning Gu Huaijin. Three years prior, Pu Jingtang had been her teacher, attempting to refine her temperament through the zither. However, Gu Huaijin dreamed of the martial world rather than a traditional life.

Gu Bingyu had secretly supported her, teaching her sword skills and eventually allowing her to join an escort mission, during which she was tragically killed. Pu Jingtang remains bitter, believing Gu Bingyu’s ambition caused her death, while Gu Bingyu silently harbors his own deep-seated plans for revenge.

Gu Bingyu returned to town after an escort mission and stopped at a breakfast stall for his usual meal. Sensing he was being followed, he intentionally led his pursuers to an inn. Bi Zhi and Su Beilu watched the front entrance, but after Gu Bingyu failed to emerge for a long time, they grew suspicious. Su Beilu checked for a back door but found only one exit.

They eventually entered the inn and searched the "Heaven" room on the second floor. Su Beilu noted that the window was shut and the sill was clean, deducing from his knowledge of television tropes that the target hadn't escaped that way. In reality, Gu Huaijin had cleverly disguised herself as her female self to slip past them unnoticed. In the city, Pu Jingtang was shaken after spotting the supposedly deceased Gu Huaijin near the Guangji Apothecary.

He rushed to the Gu residence to confront Gu Bingyu, insisting that his vision was clear despite the years that had passed. Gu Bingyu—who was actually Gu Huaijin in disguise—maintained that her sister had died in her arms during the robbery three years ago. She suggested that Pu Jingtang’s grief had manifested as hallucinations and warned him that his obsession would lead to his ruin.

Devastated and feeling like a mere lodger who was unworthy of even guarding her grave, Pu Jingtang retreated to his music, playing sorrowful tunes that reflected his isolation. By nightfall, Bi Zhi and Su Beilu returned to the inn and finally uncovered the truth. Bi Zhi noticed an empty bundle that had likely contained women’s clothing and threatened to bring in the residence butler to identify the occupant. Cornered, Gu Huaijin revealed her secret.

She explained that during a tragic escort mission years ago, her brother, the real Gu Bingyu, sacrificed his life to save her. Before dying, he gave her the Liuqing Comb, a mystical item capable of shifting one's gender appearance. Following his wish to preserve the Gu family name, she had been using the comb to transform into his likeness to run the agency.

Bi Zhi requested the return of the comb, explaining it was a lost heirloom belonging to a friend. Gu Huaijin agreed to hand it over once she had avenged her family. Meanwhile, the former Governor of Cangzhou, Du Wenhua, lived in a state of extreme paranoia, refusing to leave his home for fear of assassins. His adopted son, the Grand Coordinator, visited to invite him to his grandson Lian’s wedding.

Despite his claim that filial piety meant nothing to him, Du Wenhua eventually agreed to attend the banquet, but only after his servants meticulously tasted his food for poison. Bi Zhi and Su Beilu attended the wedding at the Du residence, noting the presence of several elite martial arts masters among the guests.

During a ritual Nuo dance intended to ward off evil, an assassin disguised as a performer attempted to kill Du Wenhua but was swiftly subdued by hidden guards. Du Wenhua mocked the attempt, believing he was in total control. However, during the marriage ritual, the real threat emerged. Gu Huaijin had disguised herself as the bride, and during the final bow, she took Du Wenhua hostage.

She publicly accused him of masterminding the massacre of the Gu family to cover up his embezzlement of disaster relief funds, revealing that the original escort mission had been carrying evidence of his corruption. Gu Huaijin was prepared to die for her revenge, but Pu Jingtang suddenly stormed the hall to fight by her side. Surrounded by soldiers, their situation was dire until Bi Zhi and Su Beilu intervened.

By seizing the groom, Lian, as a hostage, they forced the guards to stand down, allowing Gu Huaijin and Pu Jingtang to escape on horseback. Once safe, Gu Huaijin fulfilled her promise and gave the Liuqing Comb to Bi Zhi. Encouraged by Su Beilu’s words that women in the future could achieve greatness without hiding their identities, she chose to lead the agency as herself.

She eventually became the legendary "ghost-masked escort," a figure whose skills and cold mask struck fear into bandits across the land. The story then shifted to Su Beilu’s past. In October 2005, while traveling to Ninghai with his parents, their car was struck by a black SUV. The horrific accident claimed the lives of both his parents, leaving Su Beilu an orphan.

It was revealed that Bi Zhi, traveling through time, had been the mysterious figure who pulled the young Su Beilu from the wreckage. Back in the present at the Yashe, Su Beilu reflected on the home he had lost while spending time with his friend Chun Ge and his dog, Tuanzi. Bi Zhi watched him, reminded of the warning that time travelers should avoid forming attachments to prevent the tragic cycles of history from repeating.

Haunted by the memory of the car accident that claimed his parents' lives, Su Beilu remains determined to provide a stable home for his pet cat, Tuanzi. Recognizing his assistant’s struggle to find affordable housing, Bi Zhi steps in and offers Su Beilu a room in a surprisingly spacious, traditional-style residence equipped with central air conditioning.

Bi Zhi uses the excuse of the house being a "company dormitory" for Yashe employees—a group he claims includes Su Beilu, Tuanzi, and the turtle Xuan Wu—to explain the low rent. Relieved and overjoyed, Su Beilu agrees to have the modest rent deducted from his wages, finally finding a sense of stability. The following day, former colleagues visit Yashe to catch up with Su Beilu.

Bi Zhi tries to hide his face, fearing they might recognize him as the man who was previously removed from a mental institution, but they identify him almost immediately. To smooth things over, Su Beilu orders a large takeout feast for everyone. While the group enjoys the meal, Bi Zhi retreats to the backyard alone.

The sounds of their laughter stir memories of his past times drinking with Qin Ziyi, leading him to drink until he falls into a heavy, drunken slumber. Seizing the opportunity while his employer is unconscious, Su Beilu takes the time-travel device and transports himself back to the day of the fateful accident in October 2005.

Arriving at a kindergarten just as the news reports the launch of the Shenzhou 6 spacecraft, he watches his mother, Fang Linlin, pick up his younger self. He notices the young boy playing with an origami dog he named "Little Tuanzi." Posing as an intern teacher, Su Beilu tries to prevent the family’s trip to Ninghai by claiming the school has a special weekend event.

When his parents politely decline, Su Beilu resorts to sabotaging their car by releasing the air from the tires. That evening, Su Huabin discovers the flat tires and realizes it was intentional. Though Fang Linlin suggests canceling the trip, Su Huabin refuses to disappoint their son, who is looking forward to a beach carnival. They decide to take an overnight long-distance bus instead. Learning of this change, Su Beilu rushes to the bus terminal, intending to buy every remaining seat.

However, he realizes too late that he is in an era before mobile payments and lacks the necessary cash. When security guards mistake him for a thief, Su Huabin arrives to buy tickets. Su Beilu quickly claims to be the grandson of their neighbor, Mr. Shen. Su Huabin believes the story and kindly lends him the money. Convinced he has blocked their path to Ninghai, Su Beilu returns to his old neighborhood to return the money.

However, he is caught by the real Mr. Shen, who accuses him of being a burglar. Su Huabin intervenes, and Su Beilu admits to damaging the tires. Despite this, the two men share a quiet conversation over cold drinks. Su Beilu speaks of his own father, a doctor who is no longer with him, and is overcome with emotion as he whispers "Dad" while watching Su Huabin walk away.

The next morning, Su Beilu is devastated to see his parents setting off anyway, having had their tires repaired overnight by a friend. Mr. Shen, struck by how much the young man resembles a grown-up version of the boy next door, lends Su Beilu his vehicle to give chase. Meanwhile, in the present, Bi Zhi wakes up to find the time-travel device missing and rushes to a newsstand to see if history has been altered.

Su Beilu eventually finds his parents at a gas station. He tries to urge his younger self to cry and refuse to go, but the frightened child screams for help, calling him a kidnapper. Terrified, the parents speed away. Realizing words have failed, Su Beilu decides on a final intervention, steering his car toward theirs to force a collision and prevent them from reaching the site of the tragedy.

Su Beilu, desperate to change the past, intercepted his younger self at a service station, pleading with the boy to throw a tantrum and refuse to go to Ninghai. However, the child did not recognize him and screamed for help, calling Beilu a kidnapper. Fearing for their safety, Su Huabin and his wife hurried to their car. In a final, impulsive attempt to stop them, Beilu drove his vehicle directly into theirs.

When Su Huabin confronted the driver, he was stunned to find the same troubled young man he had encountered the previous night. Beilu broke down, confessing that he was their son from twenty years in the future. He tearfully explained that his own childhood playfulness and insistence on going to a beach carnival had originally led to the crash that killed them.

To prove his identity, he shared intimate details of his childhood, including his love for paper folding and the three toy Golden Cudgels gifted to him by his parents and grandmother. Seeing him so distraught, the parents appeared to believe him, even buying him ice cream to calm his emotions. Beilu felt a wave of relief, thinking he had finally saved them. However, Huabin, a doctor by profession, had secretly called for an ambulance.

He told the medic, Song, that Beilu had likely suffered a head injury in the collision and was experiencing delusions. Despite Beilu’s frantic warnings, the parents drove away while the ambulance crew detained him. Moments later, the medics received an emergency call regarding a nearby accident involving a sedan with two adults and a child. Bizhi arrived just as Beilu realized the tragedy had repeated itself. Bizhi forced him to face the cold reality that his parents were gone forever.

Returning home in a state of utter self-reproach, Beilu questioned why he had survived while his parents, who saved lives as medical professionals, were taken. To comfort him, Bizhi opened a forbidden room filled with ancient artifacts. He admitted he was also living in a cycle of redemption for a mistake he made ten years ago when he used a time elevator to escape his own era and travel to ancient Luoyang.

In that distant past, Bizhi had formed a deep bond with a nobleman named Qin Ziyi. They were kindred spirits who both felt like prisoners of their circumstances. Bizhi recounted a pivotal moment during a hunt when he fell into a trap meant for wolves. Despite the falling darkness and the threat of wild beasts, Ziyi refused to leave him.

Ziyi marked the trail for his subordinate, Huo Shu, and jumped into the pit to dress Bizhi’s wounded leg while they waited for rescue. When Ziyi later died in a fire fueled by family internal strife, Bizhi ignored the taboos of time travel to rewrite history. In his first attempt, he intercepted Ziyi on the road, trying to lure him to a suburban estate.

Ziyi, however, refused to flee, insisting on meeting a witness who could provide evidence to clear his name. He sought an upright freedom and refused to live as a fugitive. Bizhi hoped the witness would arrive from Shouyang Mountain, but the residence was consumed by fire regardless. He eventually realized the entire situation was a meticulously planned purge. In subsequent attempts, Bizhi tried to change the witness's schedule, but failed.

He then enlisted General Huo to infiltrate the residence and protect Ziyi while Bizhi went to secure the witness himself. Tragically, Ziyi was more concerned for Bizhi’s safety and sent the General to protect him instead. Huo died in Bizhi’s place during an ambush, and Ziyi still perished in the flames. Bizhi even had the neighboring school fill large water vats to combat the fire, but he returned to find the city in ruins once more.

In a final strategy, Bizhi used the family's Dushan Jade, a supreme token, to seek protection from the powerful Official Sima. He sent a young lady named Caiwei to deliver the jade while he raced to Shouyang Mountain a day early. Even then, Bizhi was intercepted by bandits and wounded. By the time he returned, nothing remained but ashes. Bizhi eventually realized that his stubborn defiance had only caused more innocent lives to be lost, and he was forced to accept that fate could not be defied.

After many failed attempts to rescue Qin Ziyi, Bi Zhi collapsed from physical and emotional exhaustion. He regained consciousness in the mysterious Tianguang Market, where the Market Lord reprimanded him for his repeated meddling with time. His obsession had warped the timeline, causing innocent people to perish and energy anomalies to scatter Qin Ziyi’s artifacts across different eras. These items acted like stones thrown into a calm pond, creating ripples of change that deviated the fates of countless others.

To atone for his "sins," the Market Lord offered him a chance at redemption: he must travel through time to retrieve these misplaced artifacts and restore history to its original course. Bi Zhi was given a protective robe and began building his "Baibaoge", vowing that his journey would end only when the collection was complete. To show Su Beilu the gravity of altering the past, Bi Zhi took him back to ancient Huai City during mid-spring.

Under the drifting white petals of the locust trees, they found the wreckage of a carriage and the body of Caiwei. Bi Zhi revealed that he had sent Caiwei to deliver a message on the day of the disaster, which led to her being intercepted and killed. As they prepared to bury her, the dying Caiwei mistook Su Beilu for her young master, Qin Ziyi.

Relieved to see him "safe," she apologized for losing the Dushan Jade to thieves before she drew her final breath. Back in the modern world, Bi Zhi coldly ordered Su Beilu to leave the Yashe. Despite Su Beilu’s sincere apologies and his desire to stay and help, Bi Zhi remained harsh, telling him he brought nothing but trouble.

In truth, Bi Zhi was drowning in self-reproach; he felt responsible for dragging Su Beilu into a dangerous vortex and feared his presence would only bring the young man misfortune. Deeply discouraged, Su Beilu spent a restless night before wandering to his old workplace, Chongle Pet Hospital. His mentor, Master Tang, spotted him and took him out for a "top-tier" bowl of Luosifen.

When Su Beilu dejectedly asked if he was truly a failure, Master Tang explained that people's opinions are like different perspectives on a bowl of noodles—subjective and unimportant. He encouraged Su Beilu to stop living for others' expectations and instead work toward becoming the person he wants to be. Su Beilu returned home to pack his things, but the playful Tuanzi kept bringing him Bi Zhi’s belongings, eventually knocking over an antique jar.

While cleaning the fragments, Su Beilu discovered a paper crane. Memories flooded back of the car accident that killed his parents; he realized that the person who had pulled him from the burning wreckage was Bi Zhi. He rushed to Bi Zhi, showing him the crane and declaring himself the luckiest person in the world for finding his savior.

Bi Zhi finally confessed that he had tried to drive Su Beilu away because he didn't want the boy to become like him—burdened by the eternal regret of failing to save his family. Moved, Su Beilu suggested they both let go of their past obsessions and move forward together. The atmosphere at the Yashe dormitory brightened as Su Beilu’s former colleagues, Chun Ge and Xiao Min, arrived for a housewarming party, bringing a new bed for Tuanzi.

Master Dong also joined the gathering, sharing his knowledge of Feng Shui and the intricate firing process of Doucai porcelain. As the group enjoyed a hotpot meal, Master Dong realized his precious Phoenix Eye Bodhi rosary had vanished, only to find Tuanzi happily chewing on the beads. Surrounded by the warmth and laughter of his new friends, Bi Zhi felt a sense of belonging he hadn't known in centuries, as if the spirit of Qin Ziyi was finally at peace.

Everyone gathered at the dormitory to host a housewarming for Su Beilu’s return to Yashe. During the warm festivities, an accidental spill dampened Master Dong’s precious "Phoenix Eye" rosary from the Qing Dynasty, causing a brief moment of panic before Su Beilu apologized. Looking at the lively scene, Bi Zhi felt a rare sense of belonging, as if his home had finally been restored. The following morning at the Tianguang Market, the atmosphere was far more tense.

The Market Lord was furious with Bi Zhi for helping Su Beilu hide the unauthorized use of the time device, an act that nearly caused a catastrophe with the Time Administration. To pacify her, Bi Zhi presented a collection of modern cosmetics, including rouge and powders. He explained the uses of various brushes for contouring, highlighting, and eyeshadow.

Softened by the gifts, the Market Lord listened as Bi Zhi revealed that once he collected the final three items belonging to Qin Ziyu, he would finally return to his own era in the future. Life at Yashe soon fell into a new routine. One morning, Bi Zhi was woken by the barking of the dog, Tuanzi, to find that Su Beilu had prepared a breakfast of seafood noodles.

Still groroggy, Bi Zhi accidentally dipped a dog chew stick into his milk, mistaking it for a biscuit, and tried to hide the mistake when he realized he was eating Tuanzi’s food. Over breakfast, Su Beilu surprised Bi Zhi with a brand-new smartphone purchased with money from a part-time job. He demonstrated how to use apps for food delivery, messaging, and movies, telling Bi Zhi that the device would help him become a proper person of the modern era.

Later, Bi Zhi and Su Beilu returned to the Tianguang Market for a game of Guandan with the Market Lord. Using her photographic memory and calculation skills, the Market Lord easily won the match. She then provided the coordinates for the next target: the Kun Blade. However, Bi Zhi complained that the clues were becoming increasingly vague, as the information lacked a specific name and provided only a general time and location.

The mystery was solved when Lu Feng arrived at Yashe, having regained his memories of the Tianguang Market. Haunted by his past and having donated his fortune to live in a small studio, Lu Feng sought a chance to see Xia Zelan again. He revealed that the Kun Blade was her family heirloom, given to him alongside the Wu Blade as a token of love.

Since Lu Feng’s knowledge of the Qianlong era and the Guangling Residence in Lin’an matched the Market Lord’s coordinates, Su Beilu convinced Bi Zhi to let the artist join their journey. Bi Zhi agreed, but strictly warned Lu Feng not to interfere with history or leave any trace of his presence. The trio traveled back to the kitchen of the Guangling Residence during a record-breaking summer heatwave.

In the frantic back kitchen, the Deputy Chef was berating a young maid named Xiao Cui because the pork tripe intended for the Princess’s soup had spoiled in the heat. Xia Zelan, who was heavily pregnant and serving as the Head Chef, intervened to stop the bullying. She decided to change the menu to carp soup since fresh tripe was unavailable. Xia Zelan personally delivered the dish to the Princess, whose sister, Xuan’er, praised the exquisite flavor after tasting it.

The Princess, also pregnant and struggling with the heat, rewarded Xia Zelan with silver and encouraged her to save for her own unborn child. To cope with the temperature, the Princess also drank iced licorice tea. Tragedy struck that night when the Princess suddenly passed away. It was determined that she had been poisoned by the lethal combination of carp and licorice tea.

The Prince of Guangling was consumed by grief and fury, demanding to know why the menu had been changed. In the kitchen, the terrified staff pointed the finger at Xia Zelan to save themselves. Despite her pleas of innocence and the mention of her impending birth, the Prince ordered Xia Zelan to be taken away and beaten to death. Searching for Xia Zelan, Bi Zhi, Su Beilu, and Lu Feng infiltrated the mansion.

They overheard kitchen maids gossiping about the County Princess, who had been eating rash-inducing foods to disfigure herself and avoid a political marriage. When they failed to find Xia Zelan’s name on the duty roster, they used the Wu Blade to sense the Kun Blade's resonance. The weapon led them through the residence toward the edge of a lotus pond.

Bi Zhi’s tungsten blade vibrated with resonance, leading him and his companions to discover the Kun Blade submerged in a lotus pond within the Guangling Residence. Fearing that Xia Zelan had met a tragic end, Lu Feng dove into the water and retrieved the weapon. They were soon confronted by a young girl claiming to be a maid, who realized they were not common thieves since they only sought a battered knife.

She blackmailed the trio, demanding they help her escape the residence and Lin’an City in exchange for her silence and the return of the blade. Following her through a secret path, they managed to slip past the guards during a distraction created by another maid, Jin, who had set a fire. The next morning, Bi Zhi, Su Beilu, and Lu Feng disguised themselves as merchants to smuggle the girl out of the city.

However, they were intercepted at the gate by the formidable Old Madam of the Guangling Residence. The girl was revealed to be County Princess Yan Rong, whom the Old Madam had tracked using a rare Western Regions sachet gifted to her previously. Yan Rong begged for mercy, unwilling to be sent to the barbaric land of Great Wu to marry a debauched ruler nearly sixty years her senior.

Coldly dismissing her pleas as imperial duty, the Old Madam ordered the Princess back to the residence and commanded her guards to execute the three men. The trio narrowly escaped by using lime powder to blind the soldiers, though the Kun Blade remained in Yan Rong’s possession. Yan Rong was subsequently imprisoned and subjected to strict surveillance. To force her into submission, the Old Madam had the loyal maid Jin executed and denied the Princess food and water.

As a weakened Yan Rong contemplated taking her own life with the Kun Blade, Bi Zhi and his companions infiltrated the residence once more. This time, they disguised themselves as scholars arriving for the provincial exam, with Su Beilu successfully bypassing city guards by faking a severe case of consumption. After knocking out guards in the courtyard, the trio was approached by a mute old woman who led them to safety through a hidden, abandoned door.

At the old woman’s modest home, the Princess was stunned to find the courtyard filled with camellias—the same flowers that had mysteriously appeared on her desk for years to provide her comfort. When the woman prepared a meal of fried rice, Lu Feng immediately recognized the flavor as Xia Zelan’s unique craft.

Although she had no memory of their past at the Tianguang Market or the River of Oblivion, she revealed she was once a chef at the residence who had been framed for the death of the previous Consort. Zelan recounted how she was sentenced to be beaten to death, but the child in her womb saved her life when the guards hesitated. She was spared by the Prince and sent to the barren lands of Nanjiang.

Though her child died shortly after birth, she survived years of hardship and illness. During her exile, she learned the truth: the previous Consort had been murdered with toxic frost by her own sister, Sun Zhixuan. Now the powerful Old Madam of the residence, Sun Zhixuan had murdered her own sister and was now sacrificing Yan Rong.

Having returned to Lin’an under a general amnesty, the aged Zelan had spent years quietly sending camellias to the Princess, having witnessed the girl's misery during a final visit to the residence years earlier.

Upon her return to Lin'an, Xia Zelan quietly made her way to the Guangling Residence. Her gaze fell upon Sun Zhixuan, stirring a deep-seated hatred within her. Yet, when Princess Yan Rong gracefully emerged, Xia Zelan felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity. To confirm her burgeoning suspicions, she discreetly followed the Princess's carriage to a restaurant. There, she overheard that the Princess avoided duck, as it caused rashes due to a cold constitution, just like her own.

This observation solidified Xia Zelan's conviction: the Princess was indeed her long-lost flesh and blood. Xia Zelan later recounted how she discovered the full truth from a compassionate maid. Years ago, her child was not stillborn but was forcibly taken by the Old Prince to replace his own deceased infant, born to the former Madam of Guangling.

A flashback revealed Sun Zhixuan, then known as Xuan, attempting to dispose of Xia Zelan's newborn, only for the Prince to hear its cries and claim it as his own. Sun Zhixuan then opportunistically volunteered to raise the child, subsequently becoming the stepmadam. After bearing her own son, the Princess's uncle, Sun Zhixuan cruelly orchestrated the death of Xia Zelan's biological son not long after the Old Prince's passing. Princess Yan Rong was now Xia Zelan's sole surviving bloodline.

Because of this, Xia Zelan had lived in anonymity, pretending to be mute and working as a tea seller for the Guangling Residence, all to secretly watch over her granddaughter. Overwhelmed, Princess Yan Rong recognized Xia Zelan as her grandmother, expressing profound gratitude for the camellia tea and flowers she had received over the years.

Xia Zelan, in turn, expressed her regret for being unable to do more, but acknowledged that the Princess had given her the will to live, inspiring her to survive until she could witness her granddaughter's growth and wedding day. She desperately warned the Princess never to return to the Residence. Observing Xia Zelan's rapidly declining health, Lu Feng's anxiety grew.

He privately pleaded with Bi Zhi for assistance, and Su Beilu's intervention ultimately moved Bi Zhi to agree to help them escape the perilous situation. Despite her illness, Xia Zelan insisted they continue with their plans, urging Lu Feng to take Princess Yan Rong and leave, resigning herself to her "old body, worn and sick" fate.

Lu Feng gently reminded her that "one must have something to hold on to" in life, and the knowledge of someone caring for you makes life worthwhile. Lu Feng carefully helped Xia Zelan to a scenic spot by the river, a beautiful place she never knew existed near her home, which she mused might be a dream, like a place called "River of Oblivion" from Tianguang Market with its crimson leaves and an unfading sunset.

As they walked, Lu Feng softly reminisced about their time together in Tianguang Market. He recalled how she always smiled, even when facing separation, and how she valued their "Double Spring Buckle" as a symbol of a promise to grow old together. He recalled her past sentiment that their destined meeting and journey together was already a source of no regret, even if they were to eventually be far apart.

He then lovingly presented the Double Spring Buckle he had crafted for her, carefully placing it on her wrist, a gesture that visibly brought back memories for Xia Zelan, who softly uttered the lines associated with the buckles. Meanwhile, Su Beilu and Bi Zhi, discreetly disguised as a peddler and his companion, gathered information in the city's alleys. They learned that the Guangling Residence held immense power, making an escape from Lin'an a formidable challenge.

Su Beilu also wondered if Xia Zelan truly remembered Lu Feng, noting the powerful, unforgettable connection they shared in Tianguang Market, despite Lu Feng's past. He expressed surprise at Xia Zelan's difficult life and her role as a grandmother. That evening, Xia Zelan, summoning her last reserves of strength, cooked a delicious meal for everyone. She collapsed shortly after, prompting Lu Feng to check on her.

Discovering her critically ill and struggling for breath, he listened as Xia Zelan, clutching his hand, extracted a promise from him to ensure Princess Yan Rong's safe escape. With a final, poignant memory of their cherished moments in Tianguang Market, Xia Zelan passed away, but not without lifelong regrets. That very night, a storm raged as Sun Zhixuan awoke from a terrifying nightmare. In a daze, she saw her sister, heavily pregnant and filled with resentment, coming to seek vengeance.

Her sister accused her of plotting against the Old Prince and countless concubines and their children, asserting that her greed had ruined them all. Overcome with fright, Sun Zhixuan frantically stumbled and hit her head against a wall, dying instantly. The following day, as the Guangling Residence prepared for the stepmadam's funeral, their plan was set in motion.

A guard recognized Su Beilu, disguised as a peddler, by the exotic fragrance he carried and his face, believing him to be the one who had previously abducted the Princess. The guard pursued Su Beilu single-handedly to the outskirts of the city, unaware that this was an elaborate trap meticulously orchestrated by Bi Zhi, Su Beilu, and Lu Feng to lure him out of Lin'an.

Bi Zhi and Lu Feng then subdued the guard, with Su Beilu acknowledging their three-on-one tactic was "a little dishonorable" but necessary due to the extreme danger. During the commotion, Princess Yan Rong, hidden within the funeral procession, successfully escaped the city. Lu Feng, deeply affected by the loss of Xia Zelan, expressed profound gratitude to Bi Zhi for helping him reunite with her one last time and for retrieving the item he sought. Bi Zhi returned his thanks.

Lu Feng reflected on Xia Zelan's life, believing she died without regrets after their reunion, and stated his intention to live out his remaining years in quiet peace, recognizing that an "unforgettable love" made her life "not lived in vain." He promised to keep their shared experience a secret, and Bi Zhi wished him well in his writing.

As Bi Zhi and Su Beilu headed home, Bi Zhi mused about the uncanny "coincidences," specifically Lu Feng's appearance right after news of the Kun Blade. Su Beilu agreed, and Bi Zhi decided to overlook any underlying manipulation since no harm had come of it, remarking that he had changed, becoming more warmhearted and humorous.

Su Beilu then revealed he was working out to build a strong body for future unexpected situations, while Bi Zhi stood by a window, simply "enjoying the wind." He explained that in his future world, natural phenomena like wind, rain, and snow are all simulated, making the real scents of flowers, soft breezes, falling leaves, and gentle rain all the more precious and beautiful to him, as he had never truly experienced them before.

Lost in grief and confusion, Lu Feng later found himself by a lake, where he succumbed to unconsciousness. When he awoke, he was astonished to discover he was back in Tianguang Market. In the distance, Xia Zelan stood smiling, as if nothing had changed.

She told him it was good that he remembered her and urged him to live his life fully and sincerely, just as she had, having achieved her dream of becoming a Chef and finding no regrets in her own lifetime. She implored him to complete his life journey earnestly, so that, like her, he might ultimately find reunion with his loved ones.

In a separate development, a news report on television announced that a villager had uncovered a pair of uniquely styled and remarkably rare jade bracelets on his homestead. Experts dated these bracelets to the Qinglong period. The intricate craftsmanship, considered almost impossible for the industrial technology of that era, baffled specialists, who theorized the bracelets arrived in the region through ancient commercial trade. The exact origins of these masterfully wrought and extraordinarily ingenious artifacts would be subject to further analysis and research.

Ren Xiaomin officially joined the pet hospital, where Su Beilu and Chun Ge joyfully held a warm welcome party for her. From then on, the three became inseparable, their friendship deepening with each passing day. Ren Xiaomin impressed them with her competence, quickly taking charge when an animal named Eddie needed a blood draw, expertly calming the pet and completing the task while Chun Ge fumbled with the disinfection.

Su Beilu introduced himself and Chun Ge, mentioning they had been at Chongle for a year and offering assistance. Ren Xiaomin then addressed the staff, promising to protect every furry kid's health as a veterinarian. After work, the three enjoyed their first meal out together, taking a selfie to commemorate it, and creating a group chat called "Survived Another Dog Day."

One morning, Chun Ge was just barely on time for work, only to be admonished by his manager, Bao Wuji, for being 30 seconds late. Bao Wuji mentioned this was his third lateness this month and warned him about fines, accusing him of conspiring with Su Beilu to annoy him. Su Beilu then arrived late himself, also facing a similar lecture. Later, the hospital organized a badminton match.

With Su Beilu having left his position, Ren Xiaomin was forced to partner with Chun Ge. Their coordination was poor, and Chun Ge accidentally twisted his ankle during the game, causing an awkward situation. Su Beilu then arrived unexpectedly, stepping in as a substitute for the hospital. He swiftly closed the score gap and ultimately led the team to victory, much to everyone's delight.

Observing Su Beilu and Ren Xiaomin celebrating their shared success, Chun Ge felt a pang of jealousy. After the match, Su Beilu enthusiastically suggested they go out for dinner to celebrate. However, Chun Ge declined with various excuses, claiming he didn't eat boiled fish or lamb pot because his mother said lamb pot was "too heaty" and thus forbidden. Though outwardly calm, he harbored growing resentment towards Su Beilu.

That evening, Chun Ge sought solace in gaming, but his father stormed in, berating him. Chun Ge finally snapped, venting years of suppressed grievances. He expressed his frustration at being seen as useless and a "wallflower," envious of others' physical abilities, and how his hobbies like gaming and figurines were never respected. He felt stifled by his parents’ constant control, even over skipping a meal, and declared he had had enough.

In a fit of anger, he rushed out, finding himself inadvertently outside Yashe. Bi Zhi, noticing Chun Ge's injured leg and downcast expression, kindly offered him a daybed to rest and reflect. Bi Zhi shared a saying about how sleeping on problems might help solve them. Chun Ge, though initially hesitant, settled down. His gaze fell upon an ancient jade pillow.

Curious about its hardness, he tried to rest his head on it, only to unexpectedly awaken at Lanfeng Pavilion, a location from his game, "Magic Sword Cangqiong". Everything around him strikingly resembled the game world, and to his astonishment, his inner power had greatly increased. Bi Zhi appeared as the Sword Immortal Bai Qiongyu, revealing that he had transferred his inner power to Chun Ge to save his life after he fell off a cliff.

Chun Ge was skeptical at first, but after accidentally shattering a large stone with his newfound strength, he was convinced. Sword Immortal Bai Qiongyu then entrusted him with a treasured sword, urging him to use the inner power for meaningful deeds and not betray his trust. Armed with his new sword and powers, Chun Ge arrived at Cangqiong Sect, finding Su Beilu as his Senior Brother, and Ren Xiaomin as his Junior Sister.

To his surprise, the pet hospital’s boss was now their Master, Tang Yansheng, who lay gravely injured and had been waiting for Chun Ge to fetch a physician for days, though Chun Ge had no memory of this task. He learned that Master Tang had been wounded by Long Zhentian, the head of Tianlong Cult.

Before Chun Ge could fully process this, Su Beilu, the Senior Brother, announced that Bao Wuji, the Protector of Tianlong Cult, had arrived at the mountain entrance, having mastered the formidable Purple Toad Skill. Master Tang, still weak, insisted on fighting, but Su Beilu led the other disciples to defend the sect, instructing Chun Ge and Ren Xiaomin to care for Master.

Chun Ge followed them, revealing that Bao Wuji was his despised manager from real life who often humiliated him. Seeing Bao Wuji as a villain in both worlds, Chun Ge unleashed his enhanced inner power, injuring Bao Wuji and his followers, forcing them to retreat in disarray. Ren Xiaomin was filled with admiration, and Master Tang, after learning of Chun Ge’s astonishing display of power, praised him as a martial prodigy who had secretly cultivated such profound inner strength.

Master Tang, having secretly negotiated with the Five Great Sects to form an alliance against Tianlong Cult, decided to send Chun Ge to represent Cangqiong Sect at a secret meeting at Langya Sect's Zongyu Mountain. He further surprised Chun Ge by appointing him as acting sect leader and bestowing upon him the sect leader's seal, explaining that according to tradition, whoever could first comprehend the ten-level inner power technique would become the leader.

Su Beilu, though initially surprised, affirmed Chun Ge's worthiness of the position. Feeling overwhelmed by the responsibility and his unfamiliarity with martial world customs, Chun Ge expressed his nervousness to Ren Xiaomin. Recalling her own past experiences attending martial arts tournaments with her father, Ren Xiaomin reassured him and offered to accompany him to the meeting the next day, stating her familiarity with the other sect leaders would ensure a smoother introduction. Chun Ge gratefully accepted her offer.

The next day, on their journey to Zongyu Mountain, Ren Xiaomin noticed unusual horse hoof prints on the muddy path. She recognized them as belonging to Tianlong Cult's distinctive horseshoes, realizing the enemy was already there. Upon arriving at the secret meeting place, Chun Ge and Ren Xiaomin found several sect leaders already gathered, discussing Master Tang’s whereabouts, some speculating about his fate after encountering Long Zhentian.

Chun Ge explained that Master Tang was recuperating from an illness and then urged the elders to leave immediately, revealing that Tianlong Cult cavalry traces indicated the meeting location was compromised. Sect Leader Lu of Langya Sect, the host, dismissed the threat, insisting he would deal with any invaders on his mountain. However, when Sect Leader Qiao was found dead, it was confirmed that he had been poisoned by Bone-Melting Tendon-Softening Poison, a Tianlong Cult poison.

Suddenly, Bao Wuji and Tianlong Cult’s disciples stormed in, announcing their intention to wipe out the “crooked sects” for conspiring against them. He also revealed a betrayal from within Langya Sect, as some of their own disciples joined Tianlong Cult. The other sect leaders, including Sect Leader Lu, became weak and unable to fight due to the poison. With the other sect leaders incapacitated, only Chun Ge and Ren Xiaomin remained to confront the invaders. Chun Ge told Ren Xiaomin to take care of the other sect leaders, leaving the fight to him.

In a poignant scene from Bizhi's past, he finds himself embroiled in a clan dispute, bearing the weight of his crimes. As a blizzard intensified, he gently declined a maid's offer of warmer clothes and a heated room, insisting he wasn't cold.

He then shared a heartfelt message to Ziyi, urging him to take care and beware of the cold, as they faced a long road ahead and were traveling thousands of miles apart, with mountains separating them from their old woods. During a chaotic retreat, a retainer, Huo Shu, bravely declared that he was ordered to protect Bizhi's companion, Ziyi, and then proclaimed, "I'm not Huo Shu right now. Right now, I'm you!"

as he seemingly took Ziyi's place to ensure his safety. Bizhi later lamented to Ziyi, stating that he had obtained testimony to prove Ziyi's innocence and questioned why Ziyi hadn't waited for him. Bizhi now finds himself in the twenty-first century, a time he is unfamiliar with, having become the owner of the Yashe antique shop, and he notes the unfamiliar flowers of spring.

Meanwhile, in a vivid dream, Chun Ge found himself at a secret meeting where Bao Wuji, leading Tianlong Cult members, had infiltrated and poisoned several sect leaders, bringing them to the brink of death. Bao Wuji arrogantly claimed Chun Ge's previous victory over him was mere luck and intended to eliminate everyone. However, Chun Ge, with a single move, swiftly subdued them all, causing Bao Wuji to kneel and beg for mercy.

After being detoxified, the grateful sect leaders lauded Chun Ge. The meeting's purpose was to select a new Martial Arts Alliance Leader. Although Sect Leader Tang was initially proposed, his advanced age and Chun Ge's exceptional martial arts prowess, magnanimity, and extraordinary character led to a unanimous recommendation for Chun Ge. He then reluctantly accepted the mantle of Martial Arts Alliance Leader.

The next morning, before he could fully awaken, he was startled to find himself being meticulously dressed by an entourage of maids. Feeling a sense of surreal detachment, he humorously wished for a way to share his bizarre experience on a social media platform. Upon entering the courtyard, he was overwhelmed as everyone knelt before him, an unfamiliar custom that made him quite uncomfortable.

Various sect delegations arrived, eager to congratulate him and seek his wisdom on martial arts and sect management. That evening, the tranquility of the martial world was shattered when the Langya Sect was suddenly ambushed by the Tianlong Cult. Screams of despair echoed as many disciples were mercilessly slaughtered, plunging the entire sect into a bloodbath.

Chun Ge was incensed by this horrifying news and immediately rallied the sect leaders and disciples to unite and launch a punitive expedition against the Tianlong Cult, vowing to restore peace. Arriving at the Tianlong Cult's stronghold, Chun Ge and his allies found an unsettling silence. Soon, the Tianlong Cult Leader, Long Zhentian, emerged with his followers. Though Chun Ge had never seen his true face, the leader's voice struck him as oddly familiar.

Long Zhentian sneered at Chun Ge, dismissing him as an inexperienced youth whose martial prowess had inexplicably surged in mere days. He sarcastically mused that such power, if diligently cultivated, might command respect, but regretted that it was merely an unexpected gift. With a dramatic flourish, Long Zhentian removed his mask, revealing himself as Bai Qiongyu—the very person who had bestowed Chun Ge's inner power. Before everyone, Bai Qiongyu publicly reclaimed the inner power he had given.

Mortified and guilt-ridden, Chun Ge apologized to the assembled martial artists for concealing the true source of his abilities. Disillusioned by this revelation, the other sects departed in disappointment, leaving only the Cangqiong Sect loyal to Chun Ge. Watching the retreating figures, Long Zhentian commented with disdain on the so-called "righteous sects." Ren Xiaomin and Su Beilu valiantly stepped forward, vowing to protect Chun Ge and ensure his escape from the perilous situation.

Long Zhentian then unveiled his true strategy, admitting he had exploited Chun Ge's psychological vulnerabilities by impersonating Bai Qiongyu, thereby successfully repelling the martial arts community with clever psychological warfare. As night fell, a palpable fear gripped the Cangqiong Sect, leading many to desert. Chun Ge, feeling unworthy to remain, planned to steal away under the cloak of darkness.

However, Su Beilu earnestly pleaded with him to stay, assuring him that they did not hold the incident against him and urged him not to be overly critical of himself. Despite this, Chun Ge's resolve was firm, and he turned to leave. Along the way, he narrowly evaded the Tianlong Cult's Dark Knights by hiding. Further on, he was accosted by a group of bandits who, upon snatching his money pouch, found only a worthless stone inside.

In that instant, nostalgic memories of his childhood with his fellow disciples flooded his mind. Overcome with emotion, he abruptly decided to return to the Cangqiong Sect. The next morning, back in the real world, Su Beilu awoke, confused by a strange sensation in his legs, remarking on the inexplicable cramps he suffered from "running around in his dreams" all night. Chun Ge, also waking from his own profound sleep, admitted to having "strange dreams all night" himself.

Later, Bizhi encountered Su Beilu at a pet clinic. Overjoyed, Bizhi addressed him as "Ziyi," expressing immense relief that he was alive and had, like the ancient artifacts, "drifted into this time as well." However, Su Beilu, a modern-day doctor, was perplexed, firmly stating his name was Su Beilu and that Bizhi had mistaken him for someone else.

Su Beilu recalled only that Bizhi had been heavily inebriated the previous night, and he had kindly taken him home to a "pretty special" place. Bizhi, clinging to his belief, wondered if "Ziyi" had suffered memory loss from "travelling through time." Su Beilu, concluding that Bizhi was delusional, examined the turtle Bizhi had brought for "consultation." He declared the turtle was fine, likely experiencing a "stress response" to a new environment, and suggested vitamins.

He then gently asked Bizhi to wait outside. Before leaving the clinic with the turtle, which Bizhi called Xuan Wu, Bizhi handed Su Beilu his address, inviting him to visit when "the timing is right." He reflected that simply having Ziyi alive was the greatest miracle, and he would ask for nothing more. Watching Bizhi depart, Su Beilu sadly concluded that Bizhi, despite being in the prime of his life, was "mentally unbalanced."

Bizhi, in turn, apologized to the turtle, admitting he had acquired it on a whim solely to see his friend, but promised he was "not someone who abandons things halfway" and would treat it well. He then reminded himself that a "Fish-patterned Mirror" had a looming expiry date and needed to be retrieved quickly. Later, Su Beilu arrived at Bizhi's antique shop, Yashe, carrying a bag containing the medicine Bizhi had forgotten at the clinic.

Bizhi was ecstatic, convinced that Su Beilu had either remembered him or was finally ready to "go back" with him. He eagerly asked about Xuan Wu, stating that it had gone "where it belongs," and now Su Beilu must also return "where he belongs." Bizhi then launched into a detailed explanation of how to administer medicine to a turtle, describing the crushing of pills and methods of feeding.

Su Beilu, observing Bizhi's intense focus on the turtle's medication instructions, realized that Bizhi, despite his apparent recognition, was not acknowledging Su Beilu's modern identity or his own lack of memory of their supposed past. Su Beilu directly asked Bizhi if he remembered nothing.

Bizhi, after a brief pause, recounted his limited memory of the previous night: both of them getting drunk, Bizhi taking Su Beilu home, being insistent about entering the house, and then waking up there, followed by the pet clinic visit. Acknowledging what he perceived as Su Beilu's memory loss, Bizhi vowed to help him remember.

As a gesture of their past, he offered Su Beilu a "feathered cup" he had once given him, hoping it would trigger his memory, but urged him to prioritize "the important matter first." Su Beilu, bewildered by Bizhi's conflicting account and persistent delusion, left the shop, muttering, "What the hell?"

Long Zhentian launched a ruthless surprise attack on the Cangqiong Sect, filling the air with the clashing of blades and battle cries. Despite Su Beilu and Ren Xiaomin's combined efforts using a formation to resist, they both suffered severe injuries, their clothes stained with blood. At this critical moment, Chun Ge, who had previously fled, returned to the Cangqiong Sect.

With a determined gaze, he declared that he could not run away because his friends needed him, stating that without him, they would be incomplete. He bravely resolved to join his senior brother and sister, forming a trio against the formidable Long Zhentian. Long Zhentian scoffed, claiming that with Chun Ge's inner power gone, killing him would be as easy as crushing an ant.

Chun Ge, however, stood tall and asserted that even without inner power, his skills remained sufficient to fight. He affirmed that they would face death together, prompting a friend, likely Ren Xiaomin, to playfully tell him not to jinx them. Long Zhentian warned that playing the hero comes at a steep price. As the battle raged, Chun Ge suddenly realized that Long Zhentian was not the Sword Immortal Bai Qiongyu, his true identity exposed.

Chun Ge was shocked, understanding that he had been deceived, and his precious inner power had been stolen. Long Zhentian then openly mocked the gullibility of the martial arts community, revealing his motive was to sow discord among the masters. Enraged, Chun Ge, haunted by internal voices calling him weak, a coward, and a liar, and claiming Ren Xiaomin would never like him, relentlessly attacked Long Zhentian.

He desperately sought to prove he was not a coward, using every last ounce of his strength. In a surge of defiance, he declared that he was no longer afraid and was still true to himself. He fiercely defended his deep friendship with Su Beilu, saying his friend never looked down on him, and acknowledged his parents' love despite their nagging.

He also expressed understanding for his manager and, finally, revealed his affection for Ren Xiaomin, praising her kindness and forgiving nature. Exhausted, he successfully defeated and killed Long Zhentian. Chun Ge found himself waking up again, back in the same mysterious place where his illusion began. He saw Bai Qiongyu calmly meditating nearby.

Chun Ge, having transcended his need for the power it represented, approached respectfully and returned the treasured sword, stating he had no use for it anymore as he had found something more valuable than winning or losing. Bai Qiongyu, who had orchestrated this "dream," offered Chun Ge the chance to "relive" (restart) it, but Chun Ge declined. Later, Chun Ge truly woke up, finding himself still inside Yashe.

He spoke to Bi Zhi, describing his experience as a very long and eventful dream, filled with many people and incidents, including Bi Zhi himself. Bi Zhi asked if his confusions were resolved, and Chun Ge confirmed they largely were. Happy and with renewed clarity, he thanked Bi Zhi and left Yashe. Unknown to Chun Ge, Bi Zhi had intentionally placed the ordinary-looking jade pillow there, intending for Chun Ge to confront and overcome his own insecurities and false beliefs.

Outside Yashe, Su Beilu and Ren Xiaomin greeted Chun Ge with hugs, relieved and asking where he had been. They explained that his parents had called them, and they had skipped an idol's concert and autograph session, respectively, to look for him. Ren Xiaomin, knowing he had sprained his ankle, had initially convinced Su Beilu not to trouble Chun Ge with the concert tickets, showing her thoughtful nature.

Chun Ge, filled with remorse for any previous misunderstandings, promised to take them to a future concert. Upon returning home, Chun Ge was pleasantly surprised to find his favorite porridge on the table. He realized that his previous complaints about disliked meals had been heard, and his parents were no longer forcing him to eat things he didn't enjoy. He left them a note, thanking them for the delicious porridge.

Meanwhile, in Tianguang Market, the Market Lord gazed at the towering Tianguang Tree, sighing deeply. She lamented the unchanging nature of the place, devoid of seasonal shifts or the carefree joy and hopeful anticipation of her childhood days with her parents. Chu Qiu noted that the Market Lord seemed to have been dreaming of her parents again, describing vivid memories of firecrackers and swings, and the belief that good days would continue endlessly, unlike her current state of hopelessness.

The ringing of a distant bell brought her back to the present just as Bi Zhi and Su Beilu arrived. Bi Zhi respectfully presented the coordinates of a treasure to the Market Lord. Noticing her melancholic mood, Bi Zhi inquired, and Chu Qiu revealed that the Market Lord longed to celebrate a festival. Su Beilu, hearing this, cleverly suggested that since time didn't flow in Tianguang Market, they could simply choose any festival they liked without waiting.

The Market Lord was intrigued, asking if they could use the Liubo Chess for divination to pick a festival. Although the Cold Food Festival was chosen, which initially sounded bleak to her, Su Beilu enthusiastically described joyful activities like jianzi and cuju, and promised to bring her delicious qingtuan in many flavors, cheering her immensely. As a reward for their ingenuity, the Market Lord offered them a valuable tip regarding the challenging acquisition of the Liubo Chess set.

Bi Zhi and Su Beilu then journeyed through time to the Republic of China era. At a bustling dance hall in Shanghai, Bi Zhi presented a lavish bouquet of flowers to the renowned singer Wu Yunong, instantly becoming the celebrated "top fan." Her enchanting voice filled the hall, even inspiring the usually composed Su Beilu to dance along. Amidst the applause, Wu Yunong gracefully introduced her husband, Wei Zhuoran, who seemed taken aback by the public announcement.

Mistaking Bi Zhi's opulent floral tributes for her husband's gesture, Wu Yunong expressed heartfelt gratitude to Wei Zhuoran on stage, while he stood beside her with a subtle look of displeasure. After the performance, Bi Zhi, leveraging his status as the "top fan," sought an audience with Wu Yunong. He explained that he and Su Beilu urgently needed to meet Elder Yu and hoped she could arrange it, given her close, father-daughter-like relationship with him.

Wu Yunong cautioned them, explaining that Elder Yu had become reclusive and irritable in recent years, rarely interacting with outsiders, including herself. Despite the difficulty, Bi Zhi asked her to deliver a cryptic message: "When shall we trim the candle wicks again?" , emphasizing that she need not say anything more. A short while later, Wu Yunong returned with joyful news.

Elder Yu, recognizing the old sentiment, had extended an invitation for them to attend a banquet at Rain Manor during the Shen hour on the Double Ninth Festival, revealing that she, too, was invited, as her initial invitation had gone to an old address. On the day of the Double Ninth Festival, Bi Zhi and Su Beilu rented a car to Rain Manor, but it broke down en route. Fortuitously, they hitched a ride with a gentleman named Pan Yunzhe.

Through this encounter, they were introduced to his father, the esteemed Textile King Pan Jingting. The group arrived at Rain Manor, feeling a mix of anticipation and trepidation, wondering if Elder Yu still remembered them. The grand gates of Rain Manor slowly opened, revealing a young woman and a white-haired child awaiting their arrival. Inside, Elder Yu stood with a solemn expression, performing a memorial rite for his deceased daughter, Xiuyun.

His eyes hardened with resolve as he vowed to ensure that those responsible for her death would face justice. Also present were the Hong brothers, Hong Lie and Hong Chi, introduced as Elder Yu's cousins' sons and leaders of the local martial arts center, the Hong Martial Arts Center. Pan Jingting, also an old friend of Elder Yu, joined in expressing hopes for Elder Yu's well-being.

The ancient, heavy gates of Rain Manor slowly opened to welcome Bi Zhi, Su Beilu, and other guests for the Double Ninth Festival. A Ning, introducing herself as the niece of the former butler Li (who had returned to his hometown due to illness), and accompanied by the white-haired child Little Scrappy, greeted everyone, asking for understanding if their hospitality fell short. She was complimented for bringing a vibrant energy to the stately manor.

As the guests arrived, they offered their greetings and good wishes to Elder Yu. Elder Yu, however, was particularly struck by Bi Zhi’s appearance, noting his uncanny resemblance to an old friend and marveling that he seemed unchanged after thirty years. Bi Zhi clarified that Elder Yu was likely thinking of his deceased father, whom he was often told he strongly resembled.

The scene had a solemn undertone, as earlier, Elder Yu had been seen mourning his deceased daughter, Xiuyun, firmly vowing that today, those responsible for her death must receive their due punishment. Wu Yunong then gently introduced her husband, Wei Zhuoran, a Western medical doctor, to her godfather, Elder Yu. Elder Yu received Wei Zhuoran with disdain, criticizing Western medicine and those who abandon profound Chinese traditions for what he deemed "superficial knowledge" from abroad.

When guests expressed curiosity about Elder Yu’s renowned collection gallery, A Ning led them there. Bi Zhi observed the unusually heavy presence of bodyguards, a departure from Elder Yu's typically open demeanor. A Ning explained that such measures were necessary for a collection so vast and rare it could be considered "half a museum."

Bi Zhi also found A Ning's impressive knowledge of the collection, identifying a "Coiled Dragon Bronze Tripod Cauldron" that Elder Yu had only recently displayed, suspiciously deep for someone newly arrived as a butler's niece. Su Beilu also noted her surprising expertise, though A Ning attributed it to diligent study.

Meanwhile, the Hong brothers, two guests, engaged in a tense discussion about calligraphy that soon spiraled into an argument about the financial state of their family's martial arts center and the ambitious plan to open a women's swimming class. The younger brother felt unappreciated and burdened by the center's financial woes while the elder seemed to take all the glory.

Later, Elder Yu hosted a gathering featuring fragrant chrysanthemum liquor, inviting guests to partake in Double Ninth customs like appreciating flowers and wearing sprigs of dogwood. Wu Yunong delighted everyone with a song, but Elder Yu remained distant, seemingly lost in thought. Su Beilu, sensing an inexplicable oddity about the manor, confided his unease to Bi Zhi. That evening, Elder Yu unveiled a unique entertainment: a live-action Liubo Chess game where the guests would serve as chess pieces.

He and Bi Zhi would be the players, directing the "pieces" across the courtyard, which was meticulously designed to replicate a Liubo Chess board. The first team, either black or white, to reach the center of the courtyard would win, with a generous prize of 10,000 silver dollars for every member of the winning side.

Elder Yu revealed a new rule: if two chess pieces met, he would present them with a mysterious brocade pouch, the contents of which remained a secret. He strategically separated existing pairs like Wei Zhuoran and Wu Yunong, and the Hong brothers, explaining that this would ensure at least one person from each original group had a chance to win the prize, regardless of which side won.

Su Beilu, however, felt a sinister undercurrent, suspecting Elder Yu’s true intention was to provoke conflict among the guests. Little Scrappy, excited by the game, eagerly joined the White team. A Ning further detailed the rules, explaining how bamboo chopsticks would determine movements, which she would announce by striking a black bronze bowl for the Black team or beating a white drum for the White team, with candles illuminating the path.

Su Beilu, finding the red ink used for writing names on the chess pieces inauspicious, privately warned Bi Zhi to remain vigilant, fearing the game might "bewitch hearts." In a hushed conversation, the elder Hong brother pulled Master Pan aside. He dismissed circulating rumors about the martial arts center's imminent failure as malicious gossip from rivals, designed to make Master Pan withdraw his investment.

He assured Master Pan of the center's financial stability and promised to reconsider the women's swimming class project. Simultaneously, Bi Zhi took the opportunity to ask Elder Yu if he could claim the Liubo Chess set as his own if he won the game, emphasizing its personal importance. Elder Yu, honoring his past connection with Bi Zhi's father, readily agreed but reiterated the inviolable rule: the game, once started, could not be stopped until a victor emerged. Bi Zhi assented.

The game commenced with Bi Zhi making the opening move, instructing Hong Lie, a White team member, to advance three steps. Later, Elder Yu directed Wei Zhuoran, another White team member, to move. Bi Zhi's next dice roll resulted in an "all black" outcome, which A Ning identified as a "masterstroke" capable of capturing multiple pieces.

Elder Yu, however, stated that he had removed that particular rule to prevent excessive brutality, explaining that an "all white" result would lead to a peaceful draw, whereas other outcomes would necessitate confrontation. As the game unfolded, Bi Zhi noted Elder Yu's keen desire to win, observing his chess style resembled that of his father, and reminded him that "haste makes waste." Elder Yu then subtly directed Scrappy and Su Beilu to move, ensuring all participants remained engaged.

The game quickly escalated beyond mere play, as Wu Yunong and Wei Zhuoran began a ferocious argument. Wu Yunong, her sorrow amplified by the Double Ninth Festival coinciding with Xiuyun's death anniversary, confronted Wei Zhuoran. She blamed him for introducing Xiuyun to the married Zhou Mingxuan, which ultimately led to Xiuyun's tragic demise. Wei Zhuoran fiercely defended himself, claiming he was not solely responsible and accusing Wu Yunong of being too preoccupied with their own burgeoning relationship at the time.

He even harshly insinuated that she had "procured" Xiuyun, a charge Wu Yunong vehemently denied, declaring the impossibility of reasoning with him. Their exchange revealed deep, festering wounds. Amidst this, Bi Zhi, still pondering the true purpose of the game, questioned the elaborate chessboard design of the courtyard.

Elder Yu, taking a moment to put on warmer clothes, explained that after Xiuyun's death, as a solitary old man "barely clinging to life," he had found solace in transforming the courtyard into a personal chessboard, where he could walk and find comfort. While Elder Yu was away, the Hong brothers found themselves on the same chess position. A Ning appeared, presenting them with Elder Yu's brocade pouch. Inside, they discovered Xiuyun's dagger.

A Ning clarified that Elder Yu intended for them to decide their own fate, not necessarily through violence but through a shared choice. However, their existing management disagreements quickly flared. The elder brother berated Hong Lie for speaking carelessly about the martial arts center's finances in front of Master Pan.

Hong Lie retorted, expressing his legitimate concerns that expanding the center with poorly trained students would ruin their reputation and deplete their funds, especially given the considerable investment required for the uncertain women's swimming class. The older brother angrily dismissed Hong Lie's concerns about business, ordering him to leave.

Hong Lie, provoked, accused his brother of always sidelining him, revealing a long-held resentment: he believed his brother had deliberately prevented his own relationship with Xiuyun to curry favor with Master Pan, effectively pushing Xiuyun into her "ill-fated relationship" with Zhou Mingxuan. The older brother cruelly dismissed Hong Lie's affections, calling him indecisive and incompetent, and declaring that Xiuyun would never have loved him. Their bitter words quickly devolved into a physical fight.

A Ning returned to the chess board, announcing to Bi Zhi that the two meeting pieces had reached a resolution: a white piece had captured a black piece, meaning Bi Zhi's team had lost a player. Bi Zhi, hearing the sounds of struggle from the courtyard and realizing the Hong brothers were "at daggers drawn," attempted to halt the game.

A Ning, however, blocked him, reiterating Elder Yu's strict rule that the game, once started, could not be interrupted, and warned of the treacherous terrain within the manor. Bi Zhi pressed further, questioning the ethical implications of the mysterious pouch and the escalating violence. Elder Yu, calmly, reflected on the nature of chess, stating it could reveal the "unfathomable depths of the human heart," magnifying desires and even leading to "closest relatives harming each other."

He then recited a poignant poem about missing a loved one on Double Ninth Festival, "Among all the dogwood sprigs, someone is absent," subtly alluding to Xiuyun. He chided Bi Zhi for attempting to alter the rules of his game, asserting that he merely upheld "the sacred rules."

Despite Bi Zhi’s urgent desire to finish the game and stop the unfolding conflicts, Elder Yu deliberately slowed his play, seemingly relishing the unfolding drama and showing no inclination for a swift resolution. Meanwhile, the arguments among guests continued to escalate.

The elder Hong brother taunted Wei Zhuoran, mocking his struggling clinic and insinuating that Wu Yunong, as a married woman, was forced to "show her face in public" to support him, calling Wei Zhuoran a "pathetic excuse of a man." Wu Yunong was deeply hurt by these words, leaving Bi Zhi to wonder if the couple's outward display of affection was nothing more than a carefully crafted facade.

Bi Zhi observed Wu Yunong and Wei Zhuoran as they took their turn in the intense black and white confrontation, sincerely hoping their love was as genuine as it appeared. However, beneath the surface, the couple was plagued by deep misunderstandings. Wei Zhuoran felt immense insecurity from being labeled as a man who lived off his wife, and he wrongly suspected Wu Yunong of being unfaithful.

He complained that people laughed at him for being a "kept man," demanding that she stop singing publicly once they secured the ten thousand silver dollars prize from the game. Wu Yunong, a passionate singer and performer, asserted her right to make an honest living, but Wei Zhuoran was convinced she was chasing male attention rather than a career.

He accused her of being gloomy after their marriage, always complaining about his income despite his profession as a foreign-educated doctor, and criticized her for her extravagant tastes, which he believed fueled her desire for a glamorous life. He even went so far as to accuse her of flirting with Pan Yunzhe. Wu Yunong retorted that he was heartless and useless, unable to even cover his clinic's rent, and that she had saved him from eviction.

Their argument escalated into a physical altercation, with both calling each other "useless." Amidst their heated quarrel, Miss Ning arrived, carrying what she called a "brocade pouch" from Elder Yu. Wei Zhuoran, momentarily distracted, immediately opened it. Inside was a farewell letter from Xiuyun addressed to Wu Yunong, congratulating her on her impending marriage to Wei Zhuoran.

Miss Ning further explained that Xiuyun had attempted to send the letter three years prior on September 17th, but it was returned because Wu Yunong was supposedly traveling with Wei Zhuoran at the time. She added that if Wu Yunong had bought the tickets for Xiuyun as requested in the letter, Xiuyun would have departed on the 19th and avoided the tragic shipwreck. This revelation infuriated Wei Zhuoran.

He recalled being away on a two-month business trip to Beiping during that precise September three years ago and challenged Wu Yunong to reveal who she had actually been traveling with. Cornered, Wu Yunong confessed that she had been performing privately out of town to earn quick money for their wedding and new home.

Unable to disclose the nature of the performance, she had fabricated the story of traveling with Wei Zhuoran, even claiming she had paid for their honeymoon herself. She defended her actions as necessary to make ends meet before their marriage. As their argument grew more intense, they wrestled until Wei Zhuoran accidentally hit his head on a stone, causing blood to stream down his face. Wu Yunong, seeing the blood, was instantly distraught and rushed to his side.

As he drifted in and out of consciousness, Wei Zhuoran muttered that he had seen Hong Chi lying injured on the ground but was inexplicably propelled forward, unable to help. He warned Wu Yunong that this was not just a game, that the chess pieces could truly be "taken," and urged her to be careful and make it to the end, before falling unconscious. Wu Yunong cried out for help.

Elder Yu observed Wu Yunong's victory in the confrontation with disdain, concluding that her manipulative tactics were more profound than he had initially perceived. He scoffed at the idea of her being his goddaughter, remembering how he had once introduced his own daughter, Xiuyun, to her, delighted when they became as close as sisters.

However, he now accused Wu Yunong of betraying him from within, not only failing to prevent Xiuyun from secretly meeting Zhou Mingxuan but actively assisting their elopement. He bitterly attributed Xiuyun's boarding the "ship of no return" to Wu Yunong's perceived negligence, claiming she was too engrossed in her own romance to heed Xiuyun's plea for tickets.

Elder Yu then admitted his own failing as a father, believing he had raised Xiuyun in such a naive and trusting way that she was easily deceived. He revealed that Zhou Mingxuan already had a wife and a son, making him a liar who would have devastated Xiuyun with the truth. Elder Yu recounted how he had chosen to be the "villain" himself, locking Xiuyun in her room to prevent her departure.

Xiuyun had tearfully pleaded to see Mingxuan, insisting he was not what her father thought, while Elder Yu condemned her naive belief in "freedom in love" and other "absurd ideas." He then read Xiuyun's farewell letter, which explained her decision to elope with Mingxuan to England, where he promised to support her studies. She pledged to return to him after completing her education.

In a moment of distress, Elder Yu had desperately called for Hong Lie and Hong Chi, his bodyguards, to retrieve Xiuyun. But his butler informed him that the Hong brothers had already moved out of Rain Manor, having been set up with a martial arts center in the city by Pan Jingting, and were too preoccupied to return. Elder Yu lamented their perceived betrayal, just before news arrived of the Eastern Ferry sinking, confirming Xiuyun's death.

Overcome with grief, he reminisced about Xiuyun being his "caring daughter," who always stayed by his side, playing chess, taking walks, and singing with him, seemingly afraid he would be lonely. He then fiercely demanded the game continue, vowing to make everyone "pay" for Xiuyun's death. Bi Zhi resumed his game with Elder Yu. This time, Pan Yunzhe was the next player.

Pan Yunzhe was desperate to win the money prize to salvage his failing business, a venture his father, Elder Pan Jingting, adamantly opposed. Pan Yunzhe, seething, accused his father of being responsible for Xiuyun and Zhou Mingxuan's relationship. He revealed that Zhou Mingxuan, a senior manager at Overseas Trade, had found Xiuyun's folding fan left at a tea room.

Elder Pan, seeking to cultivate a connection with Zhou Mingxuan for business reasons, had then introduced him to Xiuyun without verifying Zhou's marital status. Pan Yunzhe recalled how he, unknowingly caught in his father's scheme, had personally arranged Xiuyun's meeting with Zhou Mingxuan. A flashback showed Elder Pan introducing the two, then leaving them alone. Pan Yunzhe confronted his father, reminding him that Elder Yu was an old family friend and what he had done was unforgivable.

He argued that he had initially befriended Zhou Mingxuan to help his father, whose business had suffered from importing defective goods, and Zhou's company had helped mitigate the losses. Elder Pan dismissed his son as uneducated and useless, claiming Pan Yunzhe only lived off his inheritance. Pan Yunzhe retorted that it was his grandfather's money, not his father's. The argument escalated into a violent struggle, with Pan Yunzhe attacking his father.

Elder Yu, witnessing this, coldly remarked that it was only fair for Pan Yunzhe to torment his father, just as Elder Pan had contributed to Xiuyun's torment. Seeing the participants descending into violence, Bi Zhi quickly intervened, seizing Elder Yu and forcefully striking the bell, attempting to halt the dangerous game. Miss Ning warned Bi Zhi that by breaking the rules, he endangered his friends still in the game.

Elder Yu, however, compelled Bi Zhi to return to the chessboard and continue, contemptuously labeling Pan Yunzhe and Elder Pan as "useless cowards" who had forfeited the match. Su Beilu, hearing the commotion, rushed to Pan Yunzhe's room and found Elder Pan unconscious. With no other choice, Bi Zhi continued the game against Elder Yu. Next, it was Su Beilu's turn to play against Chongyang, affectionately known as Scrappy.

Su Beilu engaged the boy in conversation, learning that Chongyang's father was Zhou Mingxuan. After his father's death, his mother, unable to raise him, had abandoned him at the entrance of Rain Manor. Elder Yu had adopted him, and though Chongyang considered him a grandfather, he felt Elder Yu didn't truly like him. Su Beilu shared his own story of being orphaned and raised by his busy grandmother, who he later realized had sacrificed her health to provide for him.

He advised Chongyang that if one has no other family, the person who cares for them most becomes their true family, and they should cherish that bond. Suddenly, Hong Lie, still consumed by fury, appeared, demanding the ten thousand silver dollars to revitalize his martial arts center. Su Beilu, recognizing Hong Lie's irrational state, quickly instructed Chongyang to find Bi Zhi in the courtyard and inform him of his location, while he himself prepared to confront Hong Lie barehanded.

Bi Zhi then used the special 'draw' move in Liubo Chess, citing Elder Yu's own rules, to stop the fight between Su Beilu and Hong Lie. Bi Zhi ultimately won the Liubo Chess game through his wisdom and strategic play. He directly confronted Elder Yu, accusing him of orchestrating the entire setup on Xiuyun's birthday to seek revenge on everyone he believed responsible for her death.

Bi Zhi argued that Xiuyun's demise was a natural disaster, a shipwreck during a storm, not the fault of any individual. Elder Yu vehemently disagreed, calling each of them a "murderer" and refusing to acknowledge his own responsibility. Bi Zhi pressed further, questioning whether Elder Yu's controlling love was why Xiuyun eloped without telling him, and how much true freedom he had ever given her.

Elder Yu, rejecting any discussion of "freedom," insisted his love for Xiuyun was unconditional and sufficient, then demanded the game continue, threatening that no one would leave Rain Manor until it was finished. After Bi Zhi's victory, Chongyang approached Elder Yu, holding a cream cake with red berries, a cake Xiuyun dearly loved. Chongyang innocently recounted meeting "Aunt Xiuyun" with his father at a coffee shop.

He said Xiuyun had affectionately called him "Little Snowman" and shared her plans to study abroad with his father, promising they would all live together, including Elder Yu and Chongyang, upon their return. This revelation struck Elder Yu profoundly, as he realized Xiuyun had known about Zhou Mingxuan's family all along, and despite that, she had still planned to reconcile and return to him. The full weight of his misunderstanding dawned on him.

Bi Zhi then clarified that no one had ever intended to harm Xiuyun; instead, each person had quietly cherished her memory in their own way. He revealed that the cake Chongyang brought was from Wu Yunong, a gesture of remembrance. He also explained that Hong Lie and Hong Chi, despite their financial struggles, insisted on running a women's swimming class as a tribute to Xiuyun, with Pan Jingting secretly providing financial backing as his own way of honoring her.

Bi Zhi urged Elder Yu to let go of his "deep-rooted obsession," which had trapped him in Rain Manor for so long, preventing him from finding peace. Following Bi Zhi's words, the participants began to reconcile.

Wu Yunong tearfully apologized to Wei Zhuoran for her actions and offered to give up singing to stay by his side, but Wei Zhuoran, having reflected, apologized for his pettiness and reaffirmed her talent as a "stage queen," encouraging her not to abandon her passion. Pan Yunzhe apologized to Elder Pan, and they shared a brief moment of understanding.

Hong Lie and Hong Chi, too, expressed remorse; Hong Lie apologized for his "stubborn and dictatorial" nature, admitting he had inadvertently caused misunderstandings by trying to control everything for his younger brother. Hong Chi, in turn, confessed that he simply wished to be an equal and share the burdens. Su Beilu, after his intense encounter with Hong Lie, reassured Bi Zhi he was fine, despite having played a tougher game than he expected.

He briefly acknowledged Bi Zhi's ingenuity for stopping Hong Lie's attack. Just as they thought the ordeal was over and the Liubo Chess had been retrieved, Su Beilu suddenly collapsed, unconscious.

After the intense live-action Liubo Chess game, everyone safely departed. Su Beilu, who had sustained a wound during the event, was reassured that it was not severe and only required stitches at a hospital. Wei Lai, the host's representative, apologized for any unpleasantness during the game and presented each participant with 10,000 silver dollars, emphasizing that participation was more important than winning.

Many, including Wei Zhuoran, politely declined the money, explaining their true purpose in attending was to visit Elder Yu and check on his well-being, not for financial gain, especially after having been absent for three years, and purely to spend time with him. Elder Yu initially perceived their refusal as a slight, but when Wei Zhuoran proposed arranging a visit to Xiuyun's grave as her death anniversary approached, everyone eagerly agreed.

Elder Yu was deeply touched, realizing that Xiuyun was still cherished by them all. He confessed to having blamed both himself and the others for Xiuyun's death, but now acknowledged the futility of such resentment. Despite his vast knowledge of antiques, he admitted to lacking the broad-mindedness of ancient scholars. He urged them to live their lives fully, honoring Xiuyun's hope. Finally, Elder Yu offered a heartfelt apology for intimidating them the previous night.

Feeling exhausted, he bid them farewell, unable to personally see them off. Fulfilling his promise, he presented the invaluable Liubo Chess set to Bi Zhi, acknowledging his victory. In the aftermath, the Hong brothers reconciled, mutually understanding each other and strengthening their bond; Hong Lie decided to focus on training for an upcoming competition, entrusting the full management of their martial arts center to his more astute younger brother, Hong Chi.

Wu Yunong and Wei Zhuoran also treated each other honestly, and their relationship warmed up. Wu Yunong's father also pledged to accompany her to her next performance and advocate for her desired machine purchase with the Chamber of Commerce, signaling a strengthened relationship. One month later, the group respectfully accompanied Elder Yu to Xiuyun's grave. Shortly after their return to the manor, the true Cao A'ning arrived, presenting his credentials and apologizing profusely for his tardiness.

He explained that his identification had been stolen en route, causing a significant delay, and he had informed his uncle, Butler Li, immediately. Elder Yu was left with a pressing question: who was the imposter who had been by his side, posing as A'ning, all this time? This mystery lingered in Elder Yu's heart, dissipating slowly. Meanwhile, Su Beilu's wound had healed, and his stitches were removed.

Bi Zhi treated him to ice cream, which Su Beilu shared brought back childhood memories of only receiving the treat when he was exceptionally well-behaved. Bi Zhi revealed it was his first time trying ice cream, and they both agreed to bring some back for the Market Lord. Su Beilu, eager to resume their missions, pressed Bi Zhi for their next task, assuring him of his full recovery. That evening, Bi Zhi invited Master Dong to dinner.

When Su Beilu returned home, he was surprised to find Chun Ge and Ren Xiaomin already there, preparing a hot pot, and wondered if there was a special celebration. They teased him, claiming it was for Bi Zhi's newfound outgoing nature and Chun Ge's success in quitting gaming. During the meal, they playfully recounted conflicting stories of how Su Beilu had injured himself.

Bi Zhi reflected on how this gathering, much like their housewarming, filled his home with a warmth he hadn't felt in a long time. He thanked them for their companionship, admitting he had grown accustomed to solitude but now cherished having friends and reasons to celebrate. Bi Zhi earnestly cautioned Master Dong to meticulously guard his antiques from being easily defrauded, a lesson Master Dong claimed to have learned from Bi Zhi.

Bi Zhi then offered heartfelt encouragement to Chun Ge, acknowledging his bravery and wishing him luck in finding love. Finally, he entrusted Ren Xiaomin with the care of Su Beilu's pet, Xuan Wu, for when he would be away, words that she innocently accepted. The next day, Bi Zhi and Su Beilu embarked on a new mission, time-traveling to an ancient dynasty to recover the Liangzhu Silk, specifically an "Autumn Twilight Painting" depicted on it.

Their search led them to Youran Pavilion, where they found Scholar Zhao Wanli deeply intoxicated and snoring loudly. Su Beilu, attempting a first-aid technique, accidentally roused the scholar, who reacted angrily. Bi Zhi politely introduced himself and inquired about the Autumn Twilight Painting. Su Beilu, exaggerating, claimed they had brought "half a lifetime's worth of possessions" for the painting.

Zhao Wanli, however, was dismissive and deliberately made things difficult for Bi Zhi, even taking out a fake painting to extort him. Bi Zhi, not discouraged, humbly handed over a 10,000 silver note, politely turned, and departed, showing great demeanor. Bi Zhi and Su Beilu discreetly followed Zhao Wanli to a tavern. There, Zhao Wanli settled his tab with Madam Ran, then ordered a large vat of Nv'er Hong liquor to celebrate.

Madam Ran, who knew him well, served him braised pork head and warned him not to get too drunk and cause a mess, setting a one-vat limit. As Zhao Wanli recited poetry, two ruffians began to harass Madam Ran. Despite his drunken state, Zhao Wanli bravely stepped in to defend her. A scuffle ensued, in which one ruffian spat on Zhao Wanli's garment.

Madam Ran ultimately chased them away, and Bi Zhi, with his wisdom, resolved the remaining issue by offering to pay Zhao Wanli's entire tab. Along with Su Beilu, he offered to escort Zhao Wanli home as a gesture of sincerity for the painting. Madam Ran agreed, though she noted his house was quite a distance away. At Zhao Wanli's home, Bi Zhi asked Su Beilu to light a candle.

While Zhao Wanli was still unconscious, Su Beilu began searching for the Autumn Twilight Painting. Bi Zhi stopped him, clarifying that the candle was meant to "leave him a ray of light in the darkness," not to facilitate theft. The commotion, however, woke Zhao Wanli, who flew into a drunken rage, accusing them of trying to steal his paintings, yelling that stealing art was like "murdering one's parents," and violently drove them out.

Outside, Su Beilu expressed shock at Zhao Wanli's terrifying drunken behavior. Bi Zhi, fearing further confrontation, suggested returning to Yashe, but Su Beilu was determined to find another way. The following morning, Bi Zhi and Su Beilu returned to the tavern. Madam Ran, initially surprised, learned they were there to pay off all of Zhao Wanli's remaining debts. Impressed by their sincerity, she accepted the payment and returned their change. Su Beilu then asked her about the Autumn Twilight Painting.

Madam Ran admitted that while Zhao Wanli spent his days drawing, she couldn't identify that particular piece. She then recounted Zhao Wanli's story: in his youth, he was a talented and proud man who vowed not to marry until he passed the imperial examinations. However, he repeatedly failed, which led to his current despondent state. She confessed to trying to persuade him to find other paths, but he had dismissed her, claiming she didn't understand him.

Later, he declared that fame and fortune were illusions and began to drown his sorrows in Nv'er Hong, frequently demanding it even when she refused him credit, making her the only tavern that would tolerate his debts. Just then, Zhao Wanli appeared at the tavern, carrying flowers, once again ready for his daily indulgence.

Zhao Wanli arrived at his usual tavern, only to find that Bi Zhi and Su Beilu had bought out his favorite Nv'er Hong liquor. Annoyed to see them again, Zhao Wanli demanded his usual drink, but the proprietress confirmed there was none left for him. Bi Zhi, with a subtle smile, offered Zhao Wanli free reign of the liquor in exchange for answers to a few questions. Zhao Wanli quickly deduced they sought information about the Autumn Twilight Painting.

Although he initially refused, threatening not to drink, Su Beilu warned that they would remove all the liquor that night, and he would never taste it again. The proprietress confirmed it was a cherished family recipe, and they had indeed purchased the entire stock. Succumbing to his craving, Zhao Wanli reluctantly agreed, but set a condition: one pot of liquor for each question, and they had to match his drinking pace to prevent any tricks once he was drunk.

Bi Zhi agreed. For the first question, Bi Zhi inquired why Zhao Wanli copied so many Autumn Twilight Paintings. Zhao Wanli proudly claimed to be the original artist, but Su Beilu corrected him, stating the masterpiece was by Gu Zhiqian. Zhao Wanli then declared Gu Zhiqian his greatest confidant, even though, as Su Beilu pointed out, they lived a century apart. Zhao Wanli dismissed the objection as "another question" and demanded another round.

After more drinks, he explained that he and Gu Zhiqian shared a similar fate and deep understanding, particularly regarding the challenging path of imperial examinations. He emphasized that true kindred spirits were rare, and having one confidant like Gu was enough. As the drinking continued, Bi Zhi pressed Zhao Wanli about the painting's location. A very inebriated Zhao Wanli declared it was "in his heart" and asserted they would never find it. He then drifted off, murmuring Gu Zhiqian's name.

Su Beilu, frustrated, wanted him to resume talking, but Bi Zhi decided to escort the drunken Zhao Wanli home. As he was being moved, Zhao Wanli clutched the Autumn Twilight Painting, affectionately calling it "Liangzhu Silk." Su Beilu, inspecting it, openly doubted its artistic merit. Despite Zhao Wanli's condition, Bi Zhi and Su Beilu tried to buy the painting, offering any price and all the remaining liquor.

Zhao Wanli, however, vehemently refused, proclaiming the Autumn Twilight Painting was his life and he would die before selling it, even threatening violence. Bi Zhi, realizing their attempts were futile, apologized for the misunderstanding, and they left, with Zhao Wanli cursing their "scoundrel" behavior. Alone, Zhao Wanli comforted himself, assuring the painting of its safety.

Realizing they couldn't acquire the Autumn Twilight Painting from Zhao Wanli directly, especially after he recognized them, Bi Zhi and Su Beilu decided to return to their own time. After a night's rest, Bi Zhi resolved to journey into the past to find Gu Zhiqian. They traveled to the Gu Residence one hundred years prior.

The once-illustrious Gu Residence now appeared dilapidated, a far cry from its former glory, prompting Su Beilu to wonder if they had arrived in the wrong era. Inside, they found Gu Zhiqian sleeping, looking unkempt and destitute. Nearby, a vibrant, seemingly finished Autumn Twilight Painting lay. While Bi Zhi admired its grandeur, the completed painting only deepened the mystery: why was Zhao Wanli's copy only half-finished?

Believing that every effect must have a cause, Bi Zhi and Su Beilu decided to travel further back in time, to twelve years earlier. In that era, the Gu family flourished. On Gu Zhiqian's birthday, he was by the river with his poetry friends, enjoying performances by dancers, including the beautiful courtesan Weiwei. His friends lamented his focus on landscapes over beauties, but Gu Zhiqian defended his art, equating it with nature and superior to forced studies or arranged marriages.

Unbeknownst to him, back at the Gu Residence, his mother was hosting a grand banquet, subtly arranging for him to choose a bride from prominent families like the Lin, Wang, and Shen. When Madam Gu noticed his absence, attributing it to his studies, Master Gu burst in, furious. He revealed Gu Zhiqian had been sending his servant to attend classes, instead wasting his time on idle pleasures and gossip, branding him "useless" and "lazy."

Madam Gu tried to calm her husband, reminding him of their esteemed guests and the occasion. Suddenly, a servant announced Gu Zhiqian was missing. Master Gu, enraged, rushed to the lake where Gu Zhiqian was trying to escape. During his evasion, Gu Zhiqian accidentally caused Weiwei to fall into the water. Without hesitation, he jumped in to rescue her. Weiwei thanked him, and he apologized for her fall, promising to formally visit her to express his gratitude.

His father, witnessing the rescue, was enraged, berating him for saving a mere dancer. This incident, however, sparked a deep connection between Gu Zhiqian and Weiwei. Some time later, Master Gu confided in Madam Gu that he had to return to court urgently for matters with the consort. He expressed anxiety over the political turmoil and the consort's declining health, stressing that only Gu Zhiqian's success in the imperial exams could secure their family's future.

Later, Gu Zhiqian, at the lake, was engrossed in painting Weiwei when a servant brought devastating news: Master Gu had suddenly died of an illness while traveling to the capital. Gu Zhiqian rushed home to a family in mourning. His mother, heartbroken, warned him that his father's death might have been politically motivated and that the family had lost its pillar. She implored him to protect their vulnerable family. Gu Zhiqian, understanding the gravity, vowed to act.

He sought out his father's old friends, Master Lin and his aunt in the Zhao family, but was met with excuses and rejections. Visiting a pleasure quarter, hoping to find his poetry friends, he instead overheard them mocking his failed scholarly attempts, dismissing his poems as "nonsense," and gossiping about his failed marriage proposals and the likely confiscation of the Gu family's assets. He felt the bitter sting of societal coldness.

Weiwei, learning of the Gu family's misfortunes, found Gu Zhiqian by the lake. He lamented that although he intended to finish her portrait, "the painting isn't done, yet people and matters have changed." Weiwei urged him to care for his health. Gu Zhiqian confided how "overnight, people's hearts have changed," contrasting it with his pampered past. Weiwei, though uneducated, offered wisdom, stating that even calm rivers face storms.

She revealed her weariness of her life in the pleasure quarters, having saved enough money to redeem herself, and wished to serve and stay by his side through any hardship. Deeply moved, Gu Zhiqian promised to bring her back to his residence as soon as possible. Filled with hope, Gu Zhiqian returned home, only to find the Gu Residence in ruins. A notice declared: "The entire family was executed as a warning.

Their property was confiscated to supplement the national treasury." In a tragic twist, his mother had heroically sacrificed her life to secure his reprieve from the emperor. Later, Madam Lizhu delivered a painting to Weiwei, along with the heartbreaking news that the Gu family had been executed, and Gu Zhiqian was the sole survivor. Madam Lizhu conveyed that they were "not meant to be" and urged Weiwei to stop waiting.

Weiwei also received a note with a message of farewell, urging her not to worry. In the years that followed, Gu Zhiqian dedicated himself to studying for the imperial examinations, hoping to restore his family's honor. However, he repeatedly failed, each failure deepening his despair. One day, heavily bearded and despondent, he returned to the pleasure quarter, seeking Weiwei. Madam Lizhu cruelly informed him that Weiwei had died long ago, having drowned herself after being abandoned.

Overwhelmed by grief, rage, and profound regret, Gu Zhiqian's spirit broke, leaving him utterly despondent. Returning to his decaying residence, his heart was filled with desolation. He gathered his unfinished paintings, contemplating selling them. As he wept, he noticed a wild goose inexplicably appearing on the Autumn Twilight Painting – a detail he had never painted. Startled, he wondered about this mysterious event. It was then that Bi Zhi and Su Beilu entered his home.

They apologized for their intrusion, stating the door was open. Gu Zhiqian, now identifying himself as "Scholar," asked their purpose. They claimed to have heard of his artistic talent and wished to commission a painting. Gu Zhiqian humbly dismissed their praise, stating most of his works were sold, but flatly refused to part with the Autumn Twilight Painting, regardless of price, and asked them to leave so he could study. Bi Zhi, recognizing his scholarly ambition, wished him success.

As they departed, Gu Zhiqian stopped them, asking if they were scholars traveling from afar to take the imperial exam in Gusu City. When they confirmed this, he generously offered them lodging in his humble abode to study together, sparing them the hardships of travel. Bi Zhi gratefully accepted. Bi Zhi and Su Beilu, now disguised as scholars, settled into the Gu Residence. The next morning, Gu Zhiqian woke them early for a rigorous study session.

Su Beilu found the ancient texts tedious, but Gu Zhiqian became increasingly emotional, relating Guan Zhong's story to his own misfortunes and lamenting the rarity of "true friends of talent." He dismissed concerns for his tearful state and continued reciting poetry about the value of books, seemingly consumed by his studies.

Later that night, Su Beilu complained to Bi Zhi about the intense studying, joking he hadn't studied this hard even before graduating and feared becoming as obsessed as Gu Zhiqian. He went to sleep, closing the window to avoid Gu Zhiqian's notice. Bi Zhi, examining Gu Zhiqian's paintings, noted their "liveliness and energy," concluding he was once a vibrant, free-spirited individual, and pondered what could have caused such a profound change in him.

"""[Recap]""" Bi Zhi examined the brushstrokes in Gu Zhiqian's artwork and realized that the man had once been a free spirit who lived to roam the mountains and rivers, making his current state of despair even more tragic. While Su Beilu complained about the grueling study sessions, they noticed the light in Gu’s study suddenly go out. Following him into the courtyard, they found Gu talking to himself as if conversing with an invisible partner.

To their astonishment, the painting began to move on its own. Bi Zhi realized that Gu was collaborating across time with Zhao Wanli, their spirits perfectly in sync as they shared the canvas. Gu felt a deep connection with this "mountain apothecary" from another era, admitting that Zhao’s ease of spirit was something he could never achieve. In his own time, Zhao Wanli had waited over half a month for a response.

After a period of illness following a drunken night in a pavilion, he finally found the inspiration to finish the "Autumn Twilight Painting". As he wrote about maintaining a strong spirit despite his white hair, he was magically transported into the dreamlike landscape of the painting. There, he finally met Gu Zhiqian.

While Zhao was awestruck by the scenery, Gu remained despondent, lamenting that his legs could no longer carry him to famous peaks and that he was now trapped in a ruined courtyard. Zhao offered a different perspective, telling Gu that while a youth sees a mountain simply as a mountain, Gu had reached a stage where he could find profound beauty even in a decayed pond. He praised Gu for surpassing the arrogance of his younger self.

Moved to tears by such genuine understanding, Gu confessed his deep regret for chasing fame while neglecting his youth and the woman he loved. When Zhao Wanli woke up back in his own world, he found Zhou'er—the tavern owner—sobbing over him, fearing he had died. Deeply touched by Gu’s regrets, Zhao realized he could not repeat the same mistakes.

He immediately confessed his love to Zhou'er, admitting he had been a fool for prioritizing his own prospects while making her wait for so many years. He promised to treat her well from now on and even pledged to quit drinking. He joked that since he had already finished the "dowry wine" her father had saved, they were clearly destined to be together.

The next morning, Zhao was stunned to find a genuine painting by Gu Zhiqian titled "An Autumn Gift to a Friend" at his stall. The painting featured Zhao’s own likeness, and Gu had inscribed it, calling Zhao his only true lifelong confidant. When Bi Zhi and Su Beilu approached him, Zhao agreed to give them the "Autumn Twilight Painting". Bi Zhi explained that the Liangzhu silk used for the piece was a sentimental item belonging to a friend.

Zhao felt the painting was complete and was happy to keep Gu’s personal gift to him instead. As a gesture of gratitude, Bi Zhi provided Zhou'er with enough money to fully renovate their tavern, encouraging the couple to build a stable life together. Back in the modern era, Su Beilu remained moved by the strange friendship that transcended time.

Bi Zhi reflected on his own journey, noting that this era was the one where he had stayed the longest and grown most attached. He placed the final item belonging to Qin Ziyi in the attic, marking the completion of his atonement and the moment to return to his original time. Meanwhile, in the distant future of 3089, an auctioneer named Ye Liangyin—who bore a striking resemblance to A Ning—prepared to sell a precious Dushan Jade at the Fusheng Hall.

On what he intended to be his final day, Bi Zhi quietly fed his dog, Tuanzi, but could not find the right moment to say goodbye to Su Beilu. Unaware of Bi Zhi's plans, Su Beilu organized a surprise team-bonding trip to Xiasha Island, bringing along Master Dong, Chun Ge, and Ren Xiaomin.

They spent the day at the beach, where Su Beilu taught Bi Zhi how to pitch a tent and encouraged him to feel the sand between his toes. Bi Zhi found himself captivated by the gentle sea breeze and the simple joy of the outing. While exploring, Bi Zhi and Su Beilu visited a street artist for a caricature. The artist mistook them for a couple and gave them a discount along with a bottle of "Love Bubbles." Though he initially called it childish, Bi Zhi spent the afternoon happily blowing bubbles into the wind, cherishing these final, peaceful moments with his friend.

Bi Zhi, sensing that Su Beilu’s volleyball match would be a significant event, decided to attend and support him. On the court, Bi Zhi utilized his extraordinary abilities to quietly assist, ensuring Su Beilu’s team remained dominant. During a halftime break, Su Beilu suggested that Bi Zhi take advantage of his height to handle spikes and blocking. The strategy was overwhelmingly successful, leading the red team to a decisive victory.

This win served as Bi Zhi’s parting gift to Su Beilu, who finally realized that the shopkeeper had been masking a formidable level of strength all along. As a reward for their performance, the group earned a stay at a forest guesthouse owned by an artist named Madam Lin. That evening, the group gathered at Madam Lin’s courtyard for a picnic.

While Chun Ge grilled chicken wings and Madam Lin served red wine, Bi Zhi stood by the shore, captivated by the shimmering sea. Su Beilu joined him and reflected on his childhood. Despite growing up near the coast, he never learned to swim because his parents were always working and his grandma was constantly preoccupied with her shop. He recalled how his grandma always promised to take him to the sea during the holidays but was always too busy.

By the time he was old enough to take her himself, the opportunity had passed. Su Beilu shared a poignant memory of a bubble machine he had loved as a child. He remembered a day when his grandma scolded him for taking items from the shop and playing with a dog named Xiao Huang instead of washing his hands. When he asked for watercolor pens for school, she insisted he use the crayons from her store to save money.

This led to a humiliating moment in art class where a classmate named Xiao Long mocked his drawing, claiming the colors of his grandma’s clothes looked like "stir-fried eggplant with scallions." Resentful of the outdated shop, young Su Beilu had locked himself in his room, longing for his parents. Now, however, he deeply regretted his past selfishness and the times he had upset his grandma. Listening to these stories, Bi Zhi asked Su Beilu about his wishes.

Su Beilu admitted his greatest regret was not cherishing his time with his grandma, though he felt her spirit was still protecting him. When he turned the question back to Bi Zhi, the shopkeeper stated his primary goal was recovering lost artifacts. However, after further prompting, Bi Zhi confessed he had thought of a personal wish but refused to share it, claiming that revealing it would break the spell.

The next morning, as they prepared to leave, Madam Lin presented them with a painting she had made of their gathering as a souvenir. Upon returning to Yashe, Su Beilu looked around the shop with a sense of finality. Having guessed that Bi Zhi’s mission was nearing its end, Su Beilu had meticulously cleaned the entire shop before their trip.

He considered the team-building excursion his own gift to Bi Zhi, hoping the memories of the twenty-first century would bring the shopkeeper joy in his own time. Bi Zhi solemnly thanked Su Beilu, acknowledging that he couldn't have collected the artifacts so quickly without his help. Before they parted, Bi Zhi handed Su Beilu a letter, insisting he only read it after returning home. As Su Beilu walked away, he felt an overwhelming urge to return.

However, when he arrived back at Yashe, he found the shop transformed into a desolate, abandoned space. With trembling hands, he opened the letter. In it, Bi Zhi apologized for a tragic connection to Su Beilu’s past. He revealed that in 2005, while in Huayang to recover the Dushan jade after a private auction, an artifact was stolen. Bi Zhi had pursued the thieves' vehicle in a high-speed chase.

He recently discovered that the car he was chasing was the very one that struck and killed Su Beilu’s parents. Bi Zhi was consumed by guilt, fearing the accident might never have happened if he hadn't been in pursuit. He informed Su Beilu that he was sealing Yashe forever and would never travel through time again.

Half a month later, Su Beilu’s former landlord, Jenny, reached out and allowed him to move back into his old apartment at the same rent, even permitting him to keep Tuanzi, as the place had remained vacant. Meanwhile, the pet hospital was overwhelmed during the spring season. Su Beilu arrived at the hospital with bowls of Luosifen for his former colleagues.

He told Dr. Tang and Xiaomin that Bi Zhi had "returned to his hometown" and that he had moved out of the large house. Encouraged by Dr. Tang to follow his heart, Su Beilu approached the manager, Da Zhuang, and offered a sincere apology for his previous behavior. Recognizing Su Beilu’s genuine passion and new sense of responsibility, the manager agreed to rehire him as an assistant on a three-month probation period at eighty percent salary.

On March 25, 2025, Su Beilu finally had his stitches removed. As he enjoyed an ice cream bought for him by his boss, he reflected on his past. His boss was only the third person in his life to buy him ice cream, the first being his late grandmother. He realized that if he had cherished his time with her more, he wouldn't be burdened by so many regrets.

Meanwhile, Bi Zhi, having returned to the future, felt the weight of Su Beilu’s nostalgia. Determined to help his friend find closure and fulfill his wish of seeing his grandmother again, Bi Zhi decided to travel back across the timelines once more. The year was 2007. At school, young Su Beilu watched with envy as his classmates Zhao Hu and Zhang Long showed off their flashy new equipment for the jump rope exam.

Zhao Hu’s rope was a trendy color, and Zhang Long’s featured a digital counter. When it was Su Beilu’s turn, he pulled out a heavy, plain hemp rope his grandmother had prepared. The teacher was skeptical, and the rope proved too cumbersome. Su Beilu managed only forty-five jumps, a failing grade that left him mortified. Despite his friend’s offer to lend him a modern rope for the next test, Su Beilu’s pride was wounded.

After school, his friends tried to cheer him up by offering to treat him to ice cream. Su Beilu tried to steer them away from his grandmother’s shop, Feng Ying Mini-Mart, claiming they wouldn’t like the old-fashioned popsicles there. However, the group ended up there anyway. Su Beilu felt a deep sense of shame and tried to hide as the boys looked at the stock, calling it "shanzhai" (knockoff) and "popsicles from hundreds of years ago."

His grandmother, ever generous, ignored the complaints and insisted on giving each boy a treat on the house. She even tried to teach Su Beilu to stand tall and proud, though he remained slumped in embarrassment. Back home, Grandma tried to make Su Beilu his favorite "Western" foods, though her versions were far from authentic. She presented a flatbread topped with meat, calling it "Za-something" because she refused to pay seventy yuan for a real pizza.

When Su Beilu complained about the lack of cheese (zhishi), Grandma misunderstood the term for "knowledge" (zhishi), telling him that knowledge was in his books and his head. She then offered him "milk tea" made from Tieguanyin tea and milk, but Su Beilu was devastated that it lacked the pearls he craved. Feeling misunderstood, he sat outside with a dog named Xiao Huang, lamenting how much he missed his parents. It was then that Bi Zhi appeared.

To the wary young boy, this stranger knew far too much. Bi Zhi tried to prove he was family with an old photograph, but Su Beilu was convinced he was a kidnapper and ran for his grandmother. When Grandma emerged, Bi Zhi introduced himself as the son of her cousin, Chen Fengwen. Hearing the name of a relative she hadn't seen in years, Grandma welcomed him warmly.

Claiming he was in town for a business trip, Bi Zhi was invited to stay, becoming the "Uncle" Su Beilu never knew he had. That evening, Bi Zhi intentionally praised Grandma’s homemade pizza, telling Su Beilu it was a unique dish made with love that no one else in the world could taste. His words changed the boy's perspective, and Su Beilu found the meal surprisingly delicious. Sensing the boy's unhappiness, Bi Zhi promised to grant him three wishes.

For his first wish, Su Beilu asked for a new jump rope. The next day, Bi Zhi took him to buy a high-end rope for fifty-nine yuan and treated him to a day at the arcade and some kebabs, making Su Beilu happier than he had ever been. Su Beilu confessed his second wish: he wanted Bi Zhi to attend his parent-teacher meeting. He was tired of being mocked because his grandmother was the only one who ever showed up.

Bi Zhi agreed, and his arrival at school caused a sensation. Dressed sharply and identified as an overseas engineer, "Uncle" became the envy of the students. Even the teacher was impressed, asking him to help monitor Su Beilu’s studies. For the first time, Su Beilu felt a sense of pride among his peers. However, the pressure to fit in led Su Beilu into a mistake.

In an attempt to prove his loyalty to Zhang Long and Zhao Hu, he was pressured into locking their classmate, the "crybaby" Chun Ge, in a room. Bi Zhi arrived just in time to stop them. He gave the boys a stern lesson on friendship, telling them that a real man protects his friends. He had them hold hands and recite a chant about their friendship being longer than the Great Wall.

Following Bi Zhi’s guidance, the boys reconciled, and Su Beilu invited them to the mini-mart. Bi Zhi also helped Grandma modernize her inventory with trendy items like finger spinners, and the shop soon became a neighborhood favorite. One evening, Bi Zhi brought home a real pizza and pearl milk tea. Ironically, after tasting them, Su Beilu realized he actually preferred the seafood noodles his grandmother had prepared.

After dinner, Su Beilu presented a gift to his grandmother—an abstract painting of the two of them that Bi Zhi had helped him frame. For his third wish, Su Beilu originally asked for his grandmother to live to be a hundred. Bi Zhi gently explained that life and death are beyond control, and it is better to cherish every day.

Instead, Bi Zhi fulfilled Su Beilu's deeper wish by teaching him how to swim, a role the boy had always hoped his father would fill. Before Bi Zhi left, he had a quiet conversation with Grandma. She revealed that she knew all along he wasn't really Chen Fengwen’s son, as she had spoken to the real son before and knew he didn't speak Chinese.

However, she kept the secret because Bi Zhi’s arrival was a "gift from time" that healed her grandson’s heart. She thanked him for the joy he brought, noting that time had felt frozen since Su Beilu’s parents passed away. Bi Zhi assured her that Su Beilu would grow up healthy, happy, and surrounded by friends. Bi Zhi and young Su Beilu shared a last moment by the sea, making a pinky promise to meet again.

As Bi Zhi departed, the memory remained a hidden treasure for the boy. Back in 2025, as adult Su Beilu moved back into his old home, he discovered the framed drawing he had given his grandmother. Looking at the "Uncle" in the painting, the fog of his childhood memories cleared. He realized that the mysterious relative who had granted his wishes was the very same Bi Zhi he knew as an adult. With tears in his eyes, he finally understood the profound gift of time his friend had given him.

Bi Zhi made the solemn decision to gift all the treasures he had reclaimed across various timelines to the Market Lord, fulfilling an old agreement that the closure of his shop, Yashe, would follow the recovery of every item from the Treasure Trove. He believed these artifacts, which possessed abnormal energy, belonged in the Tianguang Market rather than scattered across the wrong eras.

Expressing his deep gratitude for the Market Lord’s years of help, he asked for her true name, but she playfully brushed the question aside, claiming she had long since forgotten it. Before his final departure, Bi Zhi presented her with a silver chain to replace the worn red string on her longevity lock, hoping it would keep her safe and remind her never to forget her own story.

Chu Qiu, the Time Administration official, acknowledged Bi Zhi’s efforts in restoring temporal order and permitted him to conduct one last investigation into the Dushan Jade, a mysterious heirloom connected to the late Qin Ziyu. The Market Lord had uncovered a strange lead: the Dushan Jade had vanished after Qin Ziyu’s death, only to flash briefly in 2005 before appearing now, in Bi Zhi’s own era, at a prestigious auction house called Fusheng Hall.

Bi Zhi recalled a painful memory from 2005; while he was attempting to seize the jade from a thief, the pursuit inadvertently caused the car accident that killed Su Beilu’s parents. Determined to find the artifact, Bi Zhi visited Fusheng Hall, where a liaison named Yun received him. When Bi Zhi inquired about a specific Dushan Jade mountain sculpture titled Visiting a Friend, Yun initially denied having it, offering a Hetian jade sculpture or a jade ruyi instead.

However, Bi Zhi knew from an internal message that the piece existed. He remembered Qin Ziyu once telling him that the jade was a family token—to see it was to see the man himself. To get closer to the truth, Bi Zhi used his vast assets to pass a rigorous financial background check, discovering that the entrance to Fusheng Hall was hidden within a different timeline.

Inside the upper echelons of the hall, the manager, Ye Liangyin, reported to the Hall Master. She insisted on a "quality over quantity" approach for their client list, comparing the vetting of buyers to finding suitable families for orphans. The Hall Master, unimpressed by her sentimentality, reminded her that their mission was to protect artifacts from being erased by time, though he admitted they were no charity.

He specifically ordered her to find the remaining two pieces of Gu Zhiqian’s Four Seasons Scroll, as he despised imperfections. Later, Ye Liangyin paused to look at her leg, which was partially missing and hidden beneath her stocking, as a chilling memory surfaced of being pushed off a building.

During a second visit to the hidden exhibits, Yun informed Bi Zhi that while the Dushan Jade was indeed in their collection, he lacked the high-level VIP status required to view the physical item. However, Bi Zhi noticed another familiar piece: the Coiled Dragon Bronze Tripod Cauldron. Recognizing it as a treasure belonging to the late Elder Yu of Rain Manor, Bi Zhi realized the situation was far more complex than a simple auction.

To investigate, he used his time-travel device to find Wu Yunong, a performer who had been close to Elder Yu. She mournfully informed him that Elder Yu had died a year ago when a landslide caused by an earthquake crushed his gallery. Since his death, her status had dwindled due to the maneuvering of other women.

She noted that many of the antiques were destroyed, though Elder Pan had taken in Yu’s young grandson, Chongyang, and was overseeing the restoration of the collection. Bi Zhi visited Elder Pan, who lamented that Chongyang had passed away months ago. Pan claimed the boy had been traumatized by the earthquake, constantly screaming about ghosts until he succumbed to a mysterious illness. Pan allowed Bi Zhi to see the restoration room, where many of Elder Yu's items were being repaired.

While the artifacts appeared genuine, Bi Zhi noticed the bronze cauldron was missing. Pan claimed it had not been seen since the quake, suggesting Elder Yu might have given it away—a claim Bi Zhi found impossible, knowing the old man valued his treasures more than his life. Suspecting foul play, Bi Zhi traveled back three months to the time of Chongyang’s illness. He found the boy weak and bedridden.

Chongyang remembered Bi Zhi from the Double Ninth Festival and confessed a terrifying secret: on the day of the quake, he had followed his grandfather to the gallery. Before the building collapsed, he saw his grandfather lying on the floor and witnessed a "ghostly" shadow. Most strikingly, he told Bi Zhi that the woman who called herself A Ning back then was not the same A Ning he knew later.

This confirmed Bi Zhi’s suspicion that Chongyang might have been silenced. Returning to his own time at Fusheng Hall, Bi Zhi found his VIP status revoked following a background check because he had no prior trading history there. To regain entry, he claimed he possessed the Painting of Clear Autumn by Gu Zhiqian. He realized Fusheng Hall already held the summer and winter pieces of the set and was desperate for the others.

Meanwhile, in the 21st century, a local collector named Master Dong met Ye Liangyin (who was going by the name A Ning) at an open-air tea house. He had hired an artist to paint their meeting, though he criticized the painter's technique. Ren Xiaomin attempted to spy on them by posing as an archaeology student and a fan of Dong’s lectures, but Ye Liangyin, with her sharp instincts, saw through the ruse immediately.

Despite the tension, Ye Liangyin took an interest in the painting and accepted it as a gift. She then agreed to Dong’s invitation to visit his private gallery, a move that placed her exactly where she needed to be to continue her search for the missing Spring Stream Painting.

Ye Liangyin saw through Master Dong’s amateurish attempts at acting and maintained her composure, cleverly expressing interest in his collection to manipulate him. Master Dong, oblivious to her true motives, enthusiastically led her into the back hall of his private gallery. As they walked, he boasted about his Xing Kiln water vessels, double-handled incense burners, and Yuan dynasty blue-and-white porcelains. Ye Liangyin noted the clutter but remained focused, eventually asking to see his calligraphy and paintings.

Master Dong led her downstairs into a space he claimed was an authentic ancient residence. While he pointed out works he had found at street stalls, Ye Liangyin’s sharp eyes landed on the "Spring Stream Painting" hidden among a pile of worthless scrolls. She instructed her subordinate, Yun, to prepare for an operation. As she was leaving, she was startled to see Su Beilu arriving to deliver fruit to Master Dong.

Recognizing him from his previous appearance at Rain Manor, she kept her distance. The following day, Master Dong’s collection gallery was devastated by a sudden flood. He spent the night in tears, lamenting that thirty years of treasures were ruined, unaware that Ye Liangyin had orchestrated the accident by bursting a water pipe.

She chose this method because Master Dong did not realize he possessed a genuine masterpiece, allowing her to easily swap the authentic "Spring Stream Painting" with a replica. While Su Beilu helped a distraught Master Dong clean up the mess, Ye Liangyin and Yun discussed the success of the swap.

Ye Liangyin explained that Fusheng Hall never alters fixed points in history; since records showed Master Dong never sold the painting, they had to steal it stealthily to evade the Time Administration. With three of the four season scrolls secured—including "Summer Retreat" and "Winter Cold"—only the "Autumn Twilight Painting" remained missing. Yun informed her that a guest named Bizhi claimed to have it.

Hoping to discover if the deaths of his friends were linked to Fusheng Hall, Bizhi agreed to a meeting. He met Yun at a secluded location, bringing along his "Autumn Twilight Painting". While the Fusheng Hall staff appraised the scroll, Bizhi questioned Yun about how they obtained the Coiled Dragon Bronze Tripod Cauldron and the Dushan Jade.

Yun claimed the tripod was found after an earthquake and that the jade was a prestigious Han dynasty family seal acquired from overseas at an astronomical price. Bizhi countered her lies, stating the jade belonged to the Qin family and that the envoy delivering it had been murdered by someone not from that era. At that moment, Ye Liangyin appeared, and Bizhi immediately recognized her as Manager Ning from Rain Manor.

She coldly dismissed his painting as a clever replica, mocking him by revealing she had actually met the painter, Gu Zhiqian. She claimed Gu Zhiqian had drowned in a drunken accident, a fact supported by historical records, and argued that Fusheng Hall acted as patrons who secured a painter's place in history by "saving" their works before they were destroyed.

Bizhi, realizing she could traverse eras and was likely responsible for the deaths of Qin Ziyi and Elder Yu, moved to confront her. Ye Liangyin, addressing him as a commissioner of the Time Administration, shot him and ordered her men to clean up. However, Bizhi survived due to his protective suit and managed to escape into the water.

Bizhi retreated to the Yashe and activated a time elevator to reach Tianguang Market, but he collapsed from blood loss along the way. The Market Lord found him unconscious and moved him to Luoxia Manor to save him. Chu Qiu was deeply concerned, warning the Market Lord that bringing an outsider into the market could invite disaster. He reminded the Market Lord of his identity and promises before departing to report the incident to the Time Administration.

Meanwhile, Ye Liangyin’s team tracked Bizhi to an abandoned time elevator. To her frustration, the elevator was unregistered, and the destination coordinates appeared only as garbled code, leaving her unable to determine where he had fled. Back at the pet hospital, Su Beilu dealt with a chaotic customer named Miss Li, who was causing a scene over a dog she had adopted.

Recognizing that the dog was suffering from malnutrition and that the woman was more interested in her social media fans than the pet's well-being, Su Beilu intervened. He fabricated a serious diagnosis, claiming the dog had a contagious and expensive disease called "Salmonella spiralis rabies." Frightened by the prospect of paying fifty thousand yuan for treatment or catching the illness herself, Miss Li immediately signed an agreement to terminate the adoption and abandoned the dog.

Later, Ye Liangyin visited Su Beilu at the hospital, bringing a pet snake that was about to shed. She used a "truth ring" to interrogate him about Bizhi’s whereabouts while secretly concealing a needle behind her back. Su Beilu, catching her reflection in a mirror, realized she was dangerous. He truthfully told her that Bizhi was his boss, not his friend, and that he had moved out and vacated his shop once his work was finished.

Satisfied that he wasn't lying, Ye Liangyin left. That evening, Su Beilu visited his parents' graves, reflecting on how he had finally learned to swim and was moving forward with his life. He realized that Bizhi's presence had been a gift that allowed him to see his parents again and that the accident hadn't been Bizhi's fault. Sensing that Bizhi was now in grave danger, Su Beilu sought out Lu Feng to ask for the method he once used to enter Tianguang Market.

Under the hazy moonlight, Su Beilu seeks guidance from Lu Feng on how to enter the mysterious Tianguang Market. Lu Feng recounts his own accidental entry years ago; after failing the national art academy entrance exam for the third time, he had been drinking dejectedly by the river and passed out, only to wake up within the market. The next morning, the two head to that same river.

Su Beilu dives into the water repeatedly, hoping to trigger the passage, but he only ends up soaked and frustrated on the bank. Lu Feng clarifies that while he woke up there, others have found different paths, noting that a woman named A-Lan once entered after getting lost in the back hills. He encourages Su Beilu not to give up, as there is clearly more than one way to reach the time rift.

Meanwhile, at Fusheng Hall, the Hall Master is alarmed to find that the Time Administration has tracked their movements, making their 25th-century vault too dangerous to use. It becomes clear that someone has betrayed the organization. Ye Liangyin brings in A-Yu, who is accused of leading Bi Zhi to their secret coordinates.

Despite A-Yu’s desperate claims that she didn't know the man was with the Time Administration, Ye Liangyin remains cold and executes her on the spot to prove her loyalty. The Hall Master commends her ruthlessness, noting how much she has changed over the eight years since she joined and acknowledging her singular obsession with ancient artifacts. Ye Liangyin’s thoughts drift back to her initial recruitment.

She had risen to the rank of supervisor within four years, but her path was marked by a bitter betrayal. While tracking the stolen Dushan Jade in the year 2005, she discovered the thief was Shiyi, the very man who had interviewed her for the Hall. Bitter about risking his life for meager pay, Shiyi had begun selling artifacts to hoard wealth in the year 2028.

He tried to convince Ye Liangyin to abandon her ideals and run away with him, but she refused. In the ensuing struggle, Shiyi pushed her off a building. Though she survived, the fall cost her a leg and changed her life forever. Back in the present, a subordinate reports that the coordinates for Bi Zhi's destination are garbled and unreadable. Ye Liangyin realizes that the place likely has no fixed coordinates at all—it is a time rift.

In the Tianguang Market, Bi Zhi finally regains consciousness and thanks the Market Lord for saving him. He speaks solemnly about the deaths of Qin Ziyi and Elder Yu, suspecting they were orchestrated by a hidden hand. When the Market Lord suggests reporting this to the Time Administration, Bi Zhi declines, fearing the consequences of involving them without sufficient proof, especially since the enemy possesses advanced weapons and a time elevator.

Fearing for the safety of the market, Bi Zhi promises the Market Lord that if she ever decides she no longer wishes to be bound to this place, he will protect her and help her leave, even at the cost of his own life. The Market Lord leads Bi Zhi to a private room and reveals her true history. Long ago, she was Miao Tong, the daughter of an apothecary mother and a woodworker father in the remote Miao Village.

One day, despite warnings of restless spirits near an ancient tomb, she went herb-gathering with her mother. They discovered valuable lingzhi, but Miao Tong wandered too far and accidentally fell into a rift. She eventually found a path through the mist that led her to the 31st century, where she encountered Chu Qiu. Stunned that she was the first person to retain her memories after passing through the market, Chu Qiu initially sent her back to her own time.

However, upon her return, Miao Tong found her village devastated by a plague that the villagers believed was a curse for disturbing the tomb. Overwhelmed by guilt, she sought out the Time Administration and underwent training to become a time-space analyst. Gifted with the ability to see portals across eras, she accepted the role of Market Lord to save her people.

Moved by her sacrifice, Bi Zhi vows to travel to the Wanqi era and visit her parents in Miao Village to let them know she is safe. Back in the city, Su Beilu seeks out Master Dong to ask about the market. Master Dong recognizes the description of a time-frozen space as a quantum mechanics field.

He shows Su Beilu a painting titled "The River of Oblivion," created by a senior at the Huayang Academy of Fine Arts who had dreamed of the scene after a childhood camping trip. Seeing the familiar large tree and red leaves in the painting, Su Beilu realizes this is the lead he needs. Master Dong and a companion named Lin Zhong agree to help, and they speed off toward the remote mountains, hoping to find the physical location that inspired the artist’s vision.

Chu Qiu returned to Tianguang Market only to face the deep resentment of the Market Lord, Miao Tong. She was furious that the Time Administration had heartlessly evicted the severely injured Bi Zhi. To her, being the Market Lord was no honor; it was being a "gilded prisoner," trapped in a stagnant void while the outside world crumbled. She confronted Chu Qiu, her supervisor, questioning the worth of his duty.

He would eventually leave at the end of his term, and the Time Administration would erase his memories, leaving her forgotten in time. The fragile peace of the Market was shattered when Ye Liangyin and her subordinates from Fusheng Hall invaded, capturing most of its inhabitants. Armed with a truth-telling ring, Ye interrogated Miao Tong about Bi Zhi’s whereabouts. When Miao Tong tried to lie, the ring instantly exposed her.

To shatter Miao Tong's loyalty to the Time Administration, Ye took her to her home, Liao Village, to reveal a devastating secret. In the ruins of Liao Village, the truth came to light: the sixty-seven villagers had never been saved because historical protocol forbade changing the timeline. Chu Qiu admitted he had only made an exception for Miao Tong because she was a rare talent who could be trained as a candidate for Market Lord.

Feeling betrayed by the man who had been her only companion for so long, Miao Tong severed her ties with Chu Qiu, declaring she never wanted to see him again. Sensing her vulnerability, Ye Liangyin showed Miao Tong her own prosthetic leg, a permanent reminder of the person who had once betrayed her.

She promised to help Miao Tong return to a time before the tragedy to see her parents live out their natural lives, provided she helped find Bi Zhi. Ye claimed she didn't want to hurt Bi Zhi but considered him dangerous for the secrets he held. Hoping to protect her friend by staying close to the enemy, Miao Tong revealed that Bi Zhi had headed to Liao Village.

However, Bi Zhi had not yet left and was secretly watching the exchange from a hidden corner of Tianguang Market. As Ye Liangyin searched the Market for clues, Su Beilu arrived through a mysterious mist. Bi Zhi urged him to leave immediately, but Su explained that he could not use the time elevator without causing a space-time disorder.

Refusing to leave Bi Zhi to face Fusheng Hall alone, Su insisted he was no longer a clueless employee and was now capable of standing on his own. Seeing his friend’s resolve, Bi Zhi devised a plan. Noticing the signs of a departing time elevator, Ye Liangyin tracked the coordinates and set off for the final location, bringing Miao Tong along as a bargaining chip. In another era, Young Master Qin Ziyi found his residence under a sudden lockdown.

Realizing that his own guards and even the trusted Lord Sima had turned traitor, he entrusted the Qin family heirloom, the Dushan Jade, to his maid Caiwei, instructing her to deliver it to Bi Zhi. As his home was set ablaze, Qin Ziyi felt a cold despair that he, a prince who sought no conflict, was no longer tolerated by the world.

To ensure the jade never fell into the hands of villains and to protect those who had plotted for him, he wrote a final farewell and drank poison. Bi Zhi, having returned to this timeline to investigate if Fusheng Hall was behind the death, arrived just in time to save Caiwei from assassins, but Ye Liangyin was close behind.

Meanwhile, on a moonlit night near Liao Village, a memory-wiped Chu Qiu encountered a group of grave robbers near an ancient tomb. Su Beilu found him and revealed that Chu Qiu was actually a commissioner from the Time Administration. They discovered the robbers were agents from Fusheng Hall who were poisoning the village well to cause a plague and cover up their looting.

Despite Su’s warnings that intervening would change history, Chu Qiu was moved by righteous fury and rushed to stop them. In the ensuing struggle, Su Beilu was stabbed while shielding Chu Qiu from an assassin's blade. Back at the confrontation, Ye Liangyin used her truth-telling ring to confirm that Qin Ziyi had indeed taken his own life.

Though she was technically innocent of his murder, she remained cold and calculated, demanding the Dushan Jade as the final treasure for her upcoming auction. Bi Zhi, finally understanding that Qin had sacrificed himself to uphold the noble spirit of his family, refused to let the heirloom be tarnished. As Ye’s subordinate prepared to use force, Bi Zhi held the jade high, threatening to shatter it and destroy everything they sought if they did not lower their weapons immediately.

Bi Zhi stood firm, clutching the Dushan Jade as a final shield to protect those around him. However, the ruthless Ye Liangyin used Mou Tong’s life as a bargaining chip, demanding the precious heirloom in exchange for the Market Lord’s safety. When Bi Zhi and Mou Tong moved closer to finalize the trade, Mou Tong acted with lightning speed, snatching the jade herself and pulling Bi Zhi away to flee.

Their escape was short-lived, as they were cornered by Ye Liangyin’s hidden subordinates. Seeing Mou Tong wounded by an arrow, a devastated Bi Zhi held her close. Taking advantage of his grief, Ye Liangyin moved in to kill him. Though Bi Zhi possessed protective gear that could have saved him, he had secretly given it to Su Beilu before the confrontation. In another part of the forest, Su Beilu was cornered and stabbed by a group of panicked grave robbers.

Once the criminals fled, Su Beilu sat up and pulled the dagger from his chest; thanks to the protective gear Bi Zhi had provided, his wound healed almost instantly. Nearby, he found Chu Qiu, who was disoriented and suffering from memory loss. Su Beilu explained that although they were from different eras, they shared a common friend in Bi Zhi who was in grave danger. While searching Chu Qiu, Su Beilu discovered a Time Administration alarm device.

He realized that once activated, the Administration would immediately lock onto the coordinates, but the plan required precise timing. Meanwhile, back at the standoff, Bi Zhi urged Mou Tong to hold on, leading her to beg Ye Liangyin for mercy to buy them more time. Earlier in the timeline, Su Beilu had found a young Mou Tong near a cliff. He stopped her from falling and handed her the alarm device, instructing her to hide it within her longevity lock.

He urged her to remember his face and Bi Zhi’s, promising that when they met again, his words would be proven true. He warned her that Fusheng Hall was behind the village tragedies and that she must wait for the right moment to press the button. Back in the heat of the conflict with Ye Liangyin, the adult Mou Tong’s memories suddenly surged. She remembered the device Su Beilu had given her years ago and pressed the hidden button.

The Time Administration arrived instantly, neutralizing Ye Liangyin and the members of Fusheng Hall. Though Bi Zhi remained in a deep coma, Su Beilu’s mission to change their fate had been successful. Su Beilu was taken to the Time Administration for interrogation. He spoke of Bi Zhi’s selfless plan to save lives and exposed the crimes committed by Fusheng Hall.

The officials informed him that while they were repairing the historical damage, returning him to his original era meant his memories of these events would be erased. Su Beilu pleaded for one last chance to see Bi Zhi, unwilling to let their friendship be forgotten. Granted a final meeting, Su Beilu traveled back in the guise of Qin Ziyi to visit Bi Zhi.

They spent the day wandering the streets of Huai City, discussing teahouses and the beauty of the mid-spring blossoms. Su Beilu urged his friend to drink less, make more friends, and appreciate the small wonders of the world. Bi Zhi found his friend’s behavior unusually relaxed and slightly strange, unaware that this was a final farewell.

Before parting, they shared a pinky swear, a gesture that lingered in Bi Zhi’s mind as Su Beilu prepared to return to his own time. Su Beilu eventually woke up in a hospital bed in the year 2023, with Ren Xiaomin fussing over him. He learned he had been in a coma following a bicycle accident. His heart leaped with joy when he received a phone call from his parents, realizing that in this restored timeline, they were still alive.

His friend Chun Ge arrived to check on him, but when Su Beilu desperately asked about Bi Zhi, no one had any recollection of him. It seemed the name had been scrubbed from history. After recovering, Su Beilu returned to his job at the pet hospital. Although his memories were fading, he occasionally felt a haunting sense of loss. One evening, he returned home to find his apartment in a mess.

As he looked at his cat, Tuanzi, whose fur was now black, flashes of Bi Zhi flickered in his mind before slowly dissolving away. Meanwhile, in a different thread of time, Mou Tong waited outside Miao Village for Chu Qiu. While Chu Qiu no longer remembered their past, Mou Tong retained every memory. She took his hand and promised that just as he had once protected her, she would now stay by his side.

A year later, Su Beilu successfully obtained his veterinary license. After a celebration with Ren Xiaomin and Chun Ge, he encountered a stranger on his way home who seemed lost. Though he no longer recognized the man as Bi Zhi, Su Beilu felt an inexplicable pull toward him. The stranger, who identified himself as the owner of a small antique shop called Yashe, asked for directions to Xinyang Road.

Su Beilu offered to lead the way, feeling a strange sense of peace. Before they parted, Su Beilu asked for the man's contact information, instinctively wanting to ensure they wouldn't lose touch again.