A beautiful girl suddenly appeared, leaving everyone present feeling awkward.
Jiang Yi, in particular, noticed Li Qiao’s gaze fixed intently on him. For some reason, his heart began to race with unease.
“Are you sure it only happened once?” Li Qiao asked bluntly, inquiring about such a private matter in front of so many people.
Jiang Yi’s face flushed bright red. He was so flustered he could almost cry.
“Brother Xing…”
“Answer me—how many times?” Li Qiao pressed, her expression serious.
Li Shaoxing’s eyes sparkled with excitement. Had Jiang Yi encountered a ghost? He had never seen one before—why did Jiang Yi get to experience something so thrilling?
“Jiang Yi, answer my sister,” Li Shaoxing urged.
Jiang Yi: “…” Brother Xing, why are you so eager to know about my private affairs? Anyone would think you’re some kind of pervert who gets off on other people’s secrets.
And as for Li Shaoxing’s sister… she’s way too direct.
Even Lan Ti, who usually had no shame, scratched his head in secondhand embarrassment.
“Once in real life… and then, uh, a lot… in my dreams,” Jiang Yi stammered.
The others burst into laughter—this guy really was pent up.
Li Qiao exchanged a glance with Li Shaoxing, who promptly shooed away Lan Ti and the others, leaving only Jiang Yi behind.
Inside the hospital room, Jiang Yi fidgeted nervously.
Li Qiao studied him before saying, “We need to go to Shanghe.”
“Why?”
“To find your fleeting romance.” Her faint smile sent Jiang Yi’s heart pounding—his sense of foreboding peaked.
“I’m coming too,” Li Shaoxing insisted.
“Third Brother, you should focus on recovering.”
For the first time, Li Shaoxing hated his anti-fans. They’d ruined his chance to accompany his sister on a ghost hunt.
Clueless, Jiang Yi got into the car and frowned. “Uh… this isn’t the way to Shanghe?”
“We’re picking someone up first. Also—I’m older than you. Call me jie (older sister).” Li Qiao’s tone brooked no argument.
How was she older? She looked younger than him! Jiang Yi couldn’t bring himself to say it.
The person they were picking up was He Jingnian. With him around, Jiang Yi would at least be protected. The guy was way too weak—maybe being near He Jingnian would toughen him up.
Outside Yushui Bay, they coincidentally ran into Su Yan, who had come to deliver something to Li Shaojin. The moment Su Yan heard they were heading to Shanghe, he tried to flee—but Li Qiao stopped him with a smile.
Under her “gentle persuasion,” Su Yan reluctantly got into the car.
Once seated in the driver’s seat, Su Yan suddenly realized something. “Qiao-mei… I have a strong suspicion you only brought me along to be your chauffeur.”
“No need for suspicion—that’s exactly why.”
Su Yan: “…”
Ouch. That hurt.
He Jingnian and Jiang Yi sat in silence—one out of indulgence, the other out of anxiety.
When they finally arrived at Shanghe, the group of four stepped out.
Shanghe was the name of a mountain, and at its base lay Jiang Yi’s hometown. Surrounded by lush hills and a winding river, the scenery was breathtaking.
Jiang Yi pointed to a narrow mountain path. “That’s where the girl disappeared.”
“Let’s check it out. Be careful.”
Li Qiao and He Jingnian exchanged a glance—a silent understanding that didn’t escape Su Yan’s notice.
He immediately panicked.
“Qiao-mei… can I not go?”
“What do you think?”
Her light tone and sharp gaze made him wilt.
Seeing his fear, Li Qiao kindly reminded him, “Do you still have your protective charm?”
“Yeah.”
“Then you’ll be fine.” She smiled.
With He Jingnian beside her, Li Qiao felt at ease. His expression softened slightly as he watched her.
Jiang Yi, however, was utterly lost.
As they walked deeper, they stumbled upon a hidden paradise.
The scenery here was unlike anything they’d seen before—vast peach blossom groves stretched endlessly, petals drifting like pink snow in the breeze. Rows of ancient-style houses stood in harmony with nature. The laughter of children and young women echoed in the distance.
Su Yan suddenly spotted three characters carved into a stone: Peach Blossom Spring.
“Wait… is this the Peach Blossom Spring from the legend?” Jiang Yi gasped.
What was going on?
Had they actually wandered into the fabled utopia?
Did it even exist?
Questions flooded his mind.
He Jingnian warned, “Stay alert.”
Noticing the faint worry in Li Qiao’s eyes, he knew this place was anything but ordinary.
Their sudden arrival drew the villagers’ attention—all dressed in ancient-style clothing.
An elderly man stepped forward, smiling. “I am the village chief. You four must be travelers from afar.”
“We were just passing through. We didn’t expect such beauty,” He Jingnian replied.
The chief laughed. “Haha, our Peach Blossom Spring is a paradise—of course it’s breathtaking. Please, come inside.”
The young village girls blushed and giggled, eyeing He Jingnian and the others with admiration.
Li Qiao remained calm.
Then, Jiang Yi tugged her sleeve and whispered, “That girl in green… she’s the one I…” His face reddened.
The green-clad girl noticed Jiang Yi and smirked, her coy demeanor sending his heart racing. Too shy to meet her gaze, he looked away.
The four were treated as honored guests.
According to the chief, those who found this place were meant to be here.
A grand feast of river fish was prepared in their honor.
“Fishing is our livelihood. You’ll find no better fish dishes anywhere else,” the chief boasted.
“Thank you,” Li Qiao said—her first words since arriving.
The chief studied her intently before smiling warmly.
Under the chief’s wife’s guidance, they settled into their lodgings—Li Qiao and He Jingnian on the second floor.
The architecture was stunning, every detail exquisite.
From the window, Li Qiao saw Su Yan chatting with a group of giggling girls.
Meanwhile, Jiang Yi had wandered off with the green-clad maiden.
Li Qiao immediately headed downstairs.
He Jingnian followed. “Problem?”
“They can’t do that again.”
Without another word, she rushed down.
He Jingnian kept pace.
In the Peach Blossom Grove
“Do I please you, my lord?” the green-clad girl murmured.
“You’re beautiful,” Jiang Yi replied dazedly.
She laughed softly. “So formal… call me Lüyi.”
Her delicate arms draped over his shoulders as she pressed against him, warm and fragrant. Jiang Yi’s mind clouded with desire.
As she pinned him down, his heartbeat roared.
“Lüyi, I—”
“Hush, my lord. Just close your eyes… and let me take care of you.”
Her sultry whisper coaxed his eyelids shut.
