The next morning, Feng Qingyi arrived at Peng Lai Residence carrying two large bags of food and a backpack.
"Qingyi, what did you bring?" Xu Linghe had been waiting at the door early.
Feng Qingyi set the two bags on the ground. "These are things Qian Jue asked me to buy for him. He said he wants to join us. I also brought lots of snacks in my backpack. Let's treat today like we're going on a trip."
Xu Linghe asked, "Did he say when he'd arrive?"
"I told him the time yesterday. He should be here soon," Feng Qingyi replied.
Xu Linghe said, "Then let's wait here for him. We'll take a carriage together, but it can only go to the foot of Eastern Emperor Mountain. We'll have to walk the rest of the way ourselves."
"That's no problem for me," said Feng Qingyi.
Xu Linghe asked, "Will Qian Jue be able to make the climb?"
"...Don't worry! He just looks old, that's all."
Just as Feng Qingyi finished speaking, Zhao Yiqing and Qian Jue arrived together.
Feng Qingyi handed the two bags directly to Qian Jue. "Here are the things you wanted. Take care of them yourself."
Xu Linghe said, "Now that everyone's here, let's set off!"
Inside the spacious carriage, Feng Qingyi and Xu Linghe sat on one side, with the other two across from them.
Qian Jue opened one of the bags and took out several packages of snacks. "Little Zhao, Little Xu, have some!"
Zhao Yiqing and Xu Linghe looked at the items in their hands, momentarily puzzled.
Seeing their expressions, Qian Jue said, "You don't even know how to eat when given food? Are you stupid?"
Feng Qingyi helped Xu Linghe open a bag of potato chips. "It's normal if they haven't seen these before. You think everyone's like you?"
Xu Linghe took a chip from the bag and tasted it. "Qingyi, what is this? It's delicious!"
Zhao Yiqing followed Feng Qingyi's example and opened his own package to try.
Feng Qingyi answered, "Potato chips."
"I think we could introduce these chips at the teahouse. They'd probably be very popular," Xu Linghe suggested.
Feng Qingyi considered it. "When I get back, I'll learn how to make them, then I can teach the staff."
On the way to Eastern Emperor Mountain, Feng Qingyi leaned against Xu Linghe and rested her eyes, while the other three chatted and snacked.
An hour later, the carriage stopped at the foot of Eastern Emperor Mountain. Xu Linghe told the driver to come back for them later, and the four began their ascent up the mountain.
Anticipating the climb, Feng Qingyi had changed into sneakers. Though they clashed with her outfit, they made walking much easier.
Qian Jue led the way, carrying one bag of snacks. The other bag had already been finished off by the three in the carriage.
Feng Qingyi followed behind him. "Qian Jue, do you know where this place is?"
"No idea," Qian Jue replied casually.
Feng Qingyi turned back. "Linghe, do you know exactly where this stone gate is?"
"I heard it's at the summit. The gate is supposed to be very obvious. We should be able to see it once we reach the top," Xu Linghe said.
Feng Qingyi nodded. "Alright, let's keep going then."
Though Eastern Emperor Mountain wasn't particularly tall, climbing it still required some effort.
Zhao Yiqing walked at the back and soon fell behind.
Seeing how slowly he was moving, Xu Linghe had to slow her pace to wait for him, which opened up quite a distance between them and the others.
"Linghe, go on ahead. Don't wait for me," Zhao Yiqing said.
Seeing him panting heavily, Xu Linghe suggested, "Should I carry you on my back?"
"...You carry me?" Zhao Yiqing was stunned.
Xu Linghe said, "I'm very strong. If I carry you, we can catch up to them quickly."
This seemed to have little to do with strength. How could he, a grown man, let a woman carry him?
"That won't be necessary. I can make it up myself!" he insisted.
Xu Linghe thought for a moment. "Then I'll pull you along. It'll be faster that way. How can a big man like you walk so slowly?"
Without giving Zhao Yiqing a chance to refuse, Xu Linghe grabbed his hand and started walking.
Feng Qingyi, nearing the summit, turned back intending to chat with Xu Linghe, only to find they had fallen quite far behind.
"Qian Jue, slow down a bit. Let's wait for them!"
Qian Jue stopped. "Little Zhao is only fit for sitting, reading books, and writing. He's truly weak when it comes to physical activities. What were you thinking bringing him along?"
"What would a single dog like you know?" Feng Qingyi retorted.
Qian Jue replied, "What's wrong with being single? You young people, always obsessed with romance. Don't you have any life pursuits?"
"And what do you pursue every day?" Feng Qingyi countered.
Qian Jue said, "At my age, what is there left to pursue? I just enjoy traveling and living freely!"
"At your age? How old are you exactly?" Feng Qingyi asked.
Qian Jue deflected, "Is age important?"
"I'm just curious. You always wear this face and won't let me see what you really look like. Are you truly too ugly to be seen?" Feng Qingyi speculated.
Qian Jue responded, "Little girl, you have quite an imagination. Didn't I tell you before? This face looks more respectable, and I'm used to it. I haven't thought about changing it for now."
"Why don't you secretly show me what you really look like? So we don't end up not recognizing each other in the future," Feng Qingyi suggested.
Qian Jue said, "When the time is right, I'll let you see. The way you're acting, I'd think you've fallen for me!"
Feng Qingyi glanced at him and took a couple steps to the side.
By now, Xu Linghe and Zhao Yiqing had caught up. Feng Qingyi saw that Zhao Yiqing was out of breath.
"There are some big rocks up ahead. You can rest there for a bit. It's not much further. We'll continue after a break. I brought water, have some."
The three accepted the water from Feng Qingyi and sat down on the rocks.
Feng Qingyi saw Xu Linghe examining the water bottle for a while, so she went over and opened it for her. "Here, drink."
After drinking some water and resting for a bit, they set off again.
Upon successfully reaching the summit, they indeed saw the stone gate standing prominently in the center of the mountaintop.
Feng Qingyi walked up to examine the gate. "This looks just like a stone partition. Can we really enter?"
"Wherever there's a space stone, it's naturally not an ordinary gate," Qian Jue explained.
Xu Linghe asked, "How do we get in? Surely it's not like they say, that the gate only opens when the time is right?"
Qian Jue said, "Since the gate has appeared, it must be possible to open it. While there's no one around, you'd better take a look. I'll keep watch at the edge."
Feng Qingyi examined the stone gate. It was covered in chaotic scratch marks with no discernible pattern. She couldn't make anything of it at first glance.
On the back of the stone gate, Xu Linghe suddenly noticed a line of small characters at the very bottom.
