"Because he often travels far, it's common for him to be out of contact for three or four days. But this time, it's been far too long. If not for your timely arrival, I would have had to ask the Midnight Rangers to take me into the mountains to search for him..."
Changli inquired, "Wuli insisted on entering the mountains was it for your illness?"
Fuling nodded slightly. "Yes. I was originally a landscape painter. I met Wuli through work, and we traveled to many places together."
"Half a year ago, I fell seriously ill. Moving became increasingly difficult, and I could no longer accompany him on adventures or sketching trips like before... So Wuli turned down all his commissions to search for a cure for me."
"Even though... every attempt ended in failure, he never gave up. But two weeks ago, he brought me to Hongzhen and told me he had a surprise for me."
"At first, I thought he just wanted me to relax here, but then he disappeared for seven days. When he returned, he said he'd found a way to slow the progression of my illness..."
Lucian nodded approvingly. "Exactly. The method he was referring to was me."
Rover shot him a glance. "Please, Wuli's reaction earlier clearly showed he had no idea about that."
Changli asked, "Are you referring to the so-called 'Secret of Immortality' within Mt. Firmament?"
Fuling confirmed with a nod. "Yes... Wuli said he'd consulted many records and learned that deep within Mt. Firmament lies an untouched paradise where time stands still. If I lived there, my illness would never worsen."
Lucian was stunned. "So that's it! That place is just a Sonoro!"
Rover mused, "Come to think of it... time does seem to stand still within Sonoro..."
Lucian waved his hand dismissively. "Then why bother with treatment? Just let Jiao-Jiao stay inside the Sonoro!"
"Day after day, treating her illness has left me utterly drained!"
Rover deadpanned, "But you seem full of energy every time I see you."
Lucian sighed dramatically. "Rover, you don't understand. This is called 'forcing oneself to stay spirited.' In truth, I am now... extremely... weak..."
With that, Lucian pretended to collapse from exhaustion, closing his eyes and falling toward Rover's ample chest.
Rover quickly caught him and pressed the back of his head firmly into her embrace.
"If you're tired, then rest properly." Rover's lips curled into a faint smile, feigning ignorance of his act.
Changli: "..."
Fuling: "..."
Is this really how the savior of Jinzhou behaves in private?
Fuling couldn't quite make sense of it.
Changli chuckled. "The 'paradise' Wuli encountered couldn't possibly be a Sonoro. If it's a location within Mt. Firmament... then it suggests there's a hidden temporal anomaly in the mountains..."
"And Wuli, for some reason, stumbled into it, mistaking it for the legend he sought."
"But it's not a solution—it's a perilous place."
Fuling suddenly understood. "So that's how it is... I'd heard the Midnight Rangers came here to deal with the remnants of Tacet Discords in the mountains, which is why they wouldn't allow us to enter..."
"Then... if this temporal anomaly is truly so dangerous..."
"Please, you must resolve it."
"My condition has already been treated by Mr. Lucian. Even if it hadn't, I would still urge you to eliminate the anomaly."
Changli asked with interest, "Oh? But what if this method could truly save you?"
Fuling sighed softly. "All dreams must end. What matters is that when we wake, we keep moving forward..."
"So even if it were real, I wouldn't want to remain stagnant. No matter how bleak the outcome, I'd rather face it bravely."
Her eyes were resolute, filled with fearless clarity.
Changli smiled. "Well said."
She turned to the other two. "This is unexpected. Let's first report the situation to Xinyi."
Rover nodded slightly, while Fuling bowed gratefully. "Mr. Lucian, truly... thank you so much."
"Once Wuli wakes up, please allow us to visit and express our gratitude properly..."
Too absorbed in his blissful state to speak, Lucian simply raised a hand and gave a thumbs-up.
...
On the way to the mountain gate, passersby cast strange glances their way. Changli glanced at Lucian, who was still clinging to Rover, and remarked lightly, "As Magistrate Jinhsi's intelligence officer, isn't this behavior somewhat... undignified?"
Before Lucian could respond, Rover asked in confusion, "Dignity? Does he even have any left?"
Changli choked. "...I meant Magistrate Jinhsi's dignity."
Rover nodded in realization. "Ah, that makes sense."
She patted Lucian's back. "Get down."
Seeing Lucian's reluctant expression, Rover whispered in his ear, "When we get home, I'll let you have your fill."
Lucian gazed into Rover's glistening eyes and pressed further. "I want to taste other places too!"
Rover smirked. "You can have whatever you want."
Changli: "..."
Taking a deep breath, Changli said slowly, "After today's matters are settled, I cordially invite Mr. Lucian to stay at the City Hall temporarily tonight."
Rover: "?"
Lucian: "?"
Seeing their puzzled looks, Changli explained, "As Magistrate Jinhsi's intelligence officer, Lucian is effectively one of Jinzhou's high-ranking officials."
"But ever since his appointment, he's been constantly traveling outside the city."
"Thus, I sincerely invite him to stay at the City Hall for a few days, allowing him to gain a deeper understanding of Jinzhou."
Rover grew suspicious. Why would Changli bring this up now, right after their intimate exchange? What was her real motive?
Changli must already be interested in Lucian!
Back when they made wishes in the snow, Rover had sensed something off. At the time, she'd assumed Changli was joking after all, as a Jinzhou official, she should know better.
Thinking this, Rover spoke bluntly, "No! Are you trying to steal Lucian away from me?"
Rover believed that the only reason Chixia had succeeded before was because she'd trusted her as a friend and failed to nip that budding romance in the bud.
Now that Changli was showing interest in Lucian, Rover felt she had to extinguish this spark early.
Lucian, meanwhile, didn't dare breathe too loudly. He, too, found it odd why would Changli suddenly make such a request? Could it really be because my charm is just that overwhelming?
But he dismissed the thought almost immediately. As a counselor, Changli had proven herself adept at strategy and reading people.
She must have an ulterior motive. Yet, Lucian couldn't immediately figure out why she wanted him at the City Hall.
Does she want me to stay in Jinzhou? After all, Magistrate Jinhsi's orders were for him to protect Rover, not remain in the city. For now, that was the only possibility he could think of.
"Steal him?" Changli's lips curved into an enigmatic smile as she shook her head. "As a Jinzhou counselor, I always act in an official capacity..."