Chapter Thirteen: Reunion

By the afternoon, the funds had been transferred into Chen Xuan’s account as promised.

Seeing the balance suddenly leap into seven figures, he finally felt somewhat at ease.

If he had earned this much from working a regular job before, he would have jumped for joy. But now, his mind was calm and steady; he felt no exhilaration over this two-million-plus income, which even surprised himself. After some reflection, he realized it was because he was no longer living just for himself—he now bore the responsibility of a family-run store.

With the money in hand, the first order of business was to contact the wholesalers and replenish the goods that had been depleted over the past few days.

This was not difficult at all.

He had previously done ordering work for fast-food restaurants and still had the local distributors’ numbers stored on his phone. Many businesses had also modernized, setting up official accounts on social media platforms where placing orders was as easy as leaving a message—large orders even came with discounts.

After all, as long as the money was ready, no one cared who was buying.

“The fastest-moving items are mainly cigarettes, drinks, and instant noodles... Also, two counters are empty. Maybe some household necessities for residents should be stocked...” Chen Xuan tapped away on the calculator while scribbling notes in his notebook.

Suddenly, the surrounding light dimmed abruptly.

“A power outage? That can’t be... I just paid the electric bill...” He grabbed the mouse and shook it, noticing the screen still lit up.

It wasn’t a power failure.

The light outside had simply faded.

But it was only two in the afternoon.

Chen Xuan was about to turn on the lights when he realized the scenery outside had changed—the sudden darkness wasn’t due to an eclipse but because the storefront door had shifted its position. Through the plastic door curtain, he saw a wooden fence encircling the area, with a straight corridor directly ahead.

The nearby buildings blocked the sunlight, making it seem as though the day had suddenly darkened.

Well, at last, the shop was no longer out in the wilderness.

Chen Xuan cleared his throat, straightened his collar, and waited quietly for customers to arrive.

Yet, after a while, no one appeared.

What’s going on... where are the customers?

Frowning, he walked to the door and scanned the surroundings. The shop was indeed no longer in a deserted wild, but the location remained strange—narrow spaces on both sides and only the wooden corridor in front, with no other path.

This didn’t look like a street at all, but rather like the courtyard of a wealthy household.

Stepping outside and glancing back, Chen Xuan noticed that the door and its frame blended perfectly with the surroundings, as if the shop was originally part of this courtyard.

Judging by the corridor and the building style, the place still retained an ancient Chinese architectural style.

Suddenly, he heard voices arguing—a man and a woman—with one voice strikingly familiar.

The sound came from the end of the corridor opposite him, less than ten meters away.

“...The method I proposed can resolve the current crisis with minimal impact and quell the people’s anger. Why does Your Lordship refuse to use it?” Liu Shuyue asked coldly.

“Is this the Emperor’s decree?” Shen Fang maintained a polite, faint smile, seemingly unfazed by her displeasure.

“It is my own decision.”

“Then I must respectfully decline,” he shook his head. “The reasoning is simple: the city’s nobles and merchants have done no wrong, and I have no reason to forcibly levy funds under the guise of loans. Besides, if they rebel, they are far more troublesome than those outside.”

“If governing for the people were so simple, anyone could serve as governor. The entire Longcheng and Hexi regions have been devastated; countless refugees flock in. A few thousand now is not many, but what about when tens or hundreds of thousands gather? It will be impossible to pacify them then!”

“But isn’t there a Celestial Master like you?” Shen Fang smiled dismissively. “With you here... they won’t stir up any trouble. I’ve already spread word; both commoners and gentry praise you as the steadfast pillar of our Great Qi—what’s that!?” His expression suddenly shifted as he turned toward a side door.

At that moment, Chen Xuan appeared at the doorway, locking eyes with him.

The scene fell into dead silence.

“Uh... are you holding a meeting? I won’t disturb you...” Chen Xuan waved his hand and prepared to retreat. He had simply followed the voices to see what was happening. He didn’t expect the man who had just been speaking so amiably to Liu Shuyue to suddenly show such hostility.

“An assassin!”

“Protect Your Lordship!”

The guards stationed in the corners finally reacted, drawing their blades and charging toward Chen Xuan.

“Stop!”

Almost simultaneously, a cold command rang out, causing everyone to shudder.

It was no mere verbal order but a soul-stirring command!

Chen Xuan found himself frozen—still standing upright and waving his hand nonchalantly, as if indifferent to the approaching soldiers. To the governor and others, this attitude was utterly insolent and arrogant.

Fortunately, he could still move his head.

He slowly turned and forced a smile at Liu Shuyue.

“Hello.”

“Celestial Master?” Shen Fang was also immobilized but maintained the posture of having just sprung from his seat, clearly experienced in dealing with assassination attempts.

Liu Shuyue, who had held a cold expression until now, showed a crack in her facade. After a moment’s silence, she formed a hand seal and lifted the immobilization.

“Your Lordship, this is a misunderstanding. He is someone I know.”

Shen Fang was stunned, glancing at Chen Xuan with a strange look.

“The gatekeeper never reported this to me. Did you bring him into the residence?”

“...Yes.”

Chen Xuan felt as if those words were grudgingly uttered through clenched teeth.

“Oh...” Shen Fang’s “oh” was loaded with meaning, then he returned to his previous amiable expression. “Celestial Master, you could have told me earlier and spared us this confusion. May I ask how this young gentleman is called?”

“No need to ask. You won’t see him again.” Liu Shuyue stepped toward Chen Xuan. “Come with me.”

Chen Xuan sensed the tension between the two parties and followed without asking.

Outside the courtyard, Liu Shuyue spotted the shop’s entrance.

She was surprised. “Why have you opened the shop inside the government residence?”

“Because the River of Time and Space is always flowing... And the one hoping for it to appear shouldn’t be you?” Chen Xuan replied calmly. Compared to their first transaction, he was much more experienced now. Since the shop chose its customers, it meant the customer determined where the shop appeared.

Liu Shuyue was momentarily stunned.

“Let’s talk inside the shop,” he invited.

Back inside, Chen Xuan pulled down the rolling shutter and closed the curtains before turning on the lights, brightening the room with a warm glow.

The shopkeeper’s code mentioned that closing the door signified closure, isolating the shop from all external interference.

He didn’t fully understand how this isolation worked.

But those who had just confronted them would certainly be unable to find this place.

“I didn’t expect to see you again so soon. Please, have a seat,” Chen Xuan gestured to the sofa with a warm smile. “Would you like some coffee?”

“...Thank you,” Liu Shuyue hesitated but accepted. “For you, are five years just a fleeting moment?”

Chen Xuan’s heart skipped.

He looked closely at Liu Shuyue—her voice and appearance were much the same as before, which was why he had recognized her immediately. Yet she wasn’t exactly unchanged; she no longer wore that flowing white robe, and her entire demeanor was heavier, as if a drifting willow leaf had finally landed.

She no longer seemed so much like an immortal.

Suddenly, he realized that “five years” must be her perception of time—it was the first time in five years she had seen him again.

“It’s not fleeting, but to me, we only met three days ago,” Chen Xuan replied honestly.

“Is this also related to the River of Time and Space?”

“You could say that.”

“No wonder I sensed no change in you; you’re just as you were then.” Liu Shuyue relaxed slightly—not that she had let down her guard; even sitting on the soft sofa, she remained upright and poised—but her tone carried a faint, unmasked weariness. “I’m sorry for dragging you into this.”

“Dragging me in? What do you mean?” Chen Xuan asked.

“You’re right. It was my deep hope for this shop to reappear that caused you to be mistaken for an intruder,” she whispered. “Though I hate to admit it, I’ve encountered a problem beyond my own power to solve. Can you... help me?”

Just like five years ago...

“Of course.” Chen Xuan placed a steaming cup of coffee before her. “The doors of this shop will always be open to its guests.”