By the time they returned to the inn, the sky had turned completely black. The other students were already back, and the two parted ways in the lobby.

Opening the room door, he was met by two mischievous smiles, their gazes unsettling. He asked inexplicably, "What are you two plotting?"

Tian Hai leaned in, eagerly demanding, "How was it, how was it?"

Zhong Yun tossed his backpack onto the bed, kicking off his shoes as he asked, "How was what?"

"You and Liu Yunqi. A whole day spent together, just the two of you. Don't tell me there wasn't any progress." Tian Hai's urgency made it seem as though he was the one pursuing the girl.

"Well, we..." Zhong Yun tossed his removed socks and shoes into a corner, then rested his chin in his hand, feigning deep thought as he started fabricating wildly, "I kissed her."

Tian Hai felt a surge of heat rush to his head, nearly leaping up. He pointed a finger at Zhong Yun's nose, scolding him like a teacher watching a disappointing student, "Are you insane? And then?"

"And then?" Zhong Yun acted as if he'd heard the funniest joke. "What more is there to it? She slapped me hard across the face and then stormed off."

"You really are something. Even if you were impatient, this is too much. You should count yourself lucky she didn't accuse you of assault," Tian Hai lectured him earnestly.

Chen Wen, who had been watching the show from the side, could no longer hold back. He let out a sharp laugh that quickly spiraled out of control, causing him to double over on the sofa, playfully thumping the mattress.

Infected by his energy, Zhong Yun started laughing too.

Tian Hai blinked in confusion at being the butt of their joke. Suddenly realizing, "Fine! You two are playing me!" he snarled, his face contorted with mock ferocity as he pounced on the instigator.

The two wrestled, soon pulling the observing Chen Wen into their tangle.

Finally, Tian Hai collapsed, breathless, lying on the edge of the bed and cursing, "You two freaks. How do you have so much stamina?"

In stark contrast to his exhaustion, Zhong Yun and Chen Wen showed no change in expression, not even their breathing was disrupted.

"Hmph. Serves you right for staying indoors all day and never exercising. I'm a sporty, sunny hunk," Chen Wen struck a bodybuilder's pose.

The other two reacted with mock nausea.

Tian Hai remembered the original question. "Seriously though, Ah Yun, what's the deal with you and Liu Yunqi? Spill it."

Chen Wen also pricked up his ears with curiosity.

"You two are so gossipy," Zhong Yun pretended to demur. "Did I ever say I was going to pursue her? You’re just reading too much into things."

Tian Hai scoffed at his denial. "Just keep pretending. I know you. If you like someone, just admit it openly. We won't make fun of you."

"Exactly, exactly," Chen Wen nodded vigorously.

"Say what you want, I’m going to take a shower," Zhong Yun, wishing to avoid further entanglement, slipped into the washroom.

"Damn it," Tian Hai muttered, raising his middle finger toward the bathroom door. He turned to Chen Wen with a sigh, "My brother is great in every way, except he's a bit wishy-washy when it comes to romance."

Chen Wen looked towards the bathroom, his expression thoughtful.

Emerging from the shower, he found Chen Wen holding his water flask. "That flask is empty. I drank it all."

Chen Wen sheepishly put the flask down. Ever since tasting Zhong Yun’s tea that other day, he needed a sip every day, acting like a thirsty, greedy cat.

Seeing his expression, Zhong Yun was amused. "Is it that serious? At most, starting tomorrow, I'll set some aside for you."

"Are you serious?" Chen Wen looked genuinely surprised. He stared into Zhong Yun's eyes, his voice rising as he spoke slowly and deliberately, "Are you saying you'll prepare a portion for me every day? This stuff?"

Zhong Yun found his extreme reaction odd. "Is there a problem?"

Chen Wen lowered his gaze to the flask in his hand, a flicker of complicated emotion crossing his eyes. After a moment of hesitation, as if steeling himself, he said, "I will pay you for it, market price."

Saying this, he felt a pang of guilt. What market price? This item was priceless and unobtainable. Stating that price was clearly taking advantage, yet while his family allowance wasn't small, it felt pitifully meager for purchasing something like this.

Zhong Yun frowned, displeased. "What do you take me for? Giving a friend a gift and then charging for it?"

Tian Hai jumped up from the bed as well. "Xiao Wen, what nonsense are you speaking? What money between brothers? If you mention it again, I'll have words with you!"

Chen Wen, however, remained unmoved, stubbornly shaking his head. "Those are two different matters. Close as brothers, but clear accounts. I have my principles. Friends are friends, but I cannot accept something this valuable for free."

"What's that thing worth?" Tian Hai dismissed his insistence. "It's not worth ruining brotherhood over such a trivial thing."

Chen Wen sighed. "If it were some ordinary item, I'd accept it without a second thought. But 'Verdant Gold' is too precious. I truly cannot accept it."

Tian Hai looked at him in confusion. "‘Verdant Gold’? You mean that green tea Ah Yun brewed?"

Chen Wen didn't reply. He looked at Zhong Yun and spoke earnestly, "I don't know what connections your family has to procure so much 'Cleansing Heart Elixir'."

He gave a wry smile. "My family is considered top-tier in Mingzhou, yet we can't secure that volume."

"Regardless, the upper echelon society has its unwritten rules of conduct, and as a member, we cannot violate them. Something as rare as 'Cleansing Heart Elixir' cannot be given away without cause, nor can I accept it without proper exchange."

"So, if you refuse payment, I will not take it," Chen Wen stated resolutely, leaving no room for negotiation. Although he deeply coveted the 'Cleansing Heart Elixir', he would not yield when faced with a core principle.

A massive wave crashed through Zhong Yun's heart. He knew anything from Jialan was top-quality, but he had still severely underestimated its worth.

The formula for this 'Cleansing Heart Elixir' was something he found in Jialan's database. Among countless formulas, only this simplest one allowed him to gather all the necessary ingredients in Dawo.

'Cleansing Heart Elixir' nourishes Yin and tonifies Yang, purging impurities from the body. Regular consumption not only prolongs life but also actively slows the aging process.

These two effects made it highly sought after by the elite, especially possessing a deadly allure for women.

Zhong Yun had never imagined that 'Cleansing Heart Elixir' would even exist in Dawo, which was why he dared to carry it openly in his flask, treating it like ordinary refreshment.

Now, this was troublesome. Zhong Yun felt a headache coming on. How could he explain this?

He understood why items from a higher civilization would be astronomically expensive in Dawo. If people discovered he possessed the formula for 'Cleansing Heart Elixir', countless problems would surely arise.

Who had drunk my tea? Tian Hai, Chen Wen. And, yes, Liu Yunqi.

He suddenly realized why Liu Yunqi's expression had been what it was when he claimed he brewed the 'Cleansing Heart Elixir' himself—she must know about this stuff. She probably thought he was bragging.

Thinking it over, only these three people knew. Zhong Yun breathed a small sigh of relief; the chances of leakage seemed low.

With that thought, he stopped insisting. "I’ll take the money, but you have to promise me one condition."

Hearing his agreement, Chen Wen relaxed immediately and quickly asked, "What condition?"

"Don't tell anyone that I have 'Cleansing Heart Elixir'."

"No problem."