"Long Feng, I'd like to propose a toast to you. Old Wu being saved this time is largely thanks to you!"

Wang Chen, his mouth slurring slightly from the drink, pushed himself up with his cane to raise his glass toward Long Feng. He had broken his abstinence from alcohol today, figuring with Zhang Yang present, he didn't have to worry about drinking too much.

Seeing Wang Chen stand up to toast Long Feng, everyone else looked up in surprise. Chang Feng, seated closest to Wang Chen, quickly grabbed his arm, carefully steadying him as he pulled him back down.

"Are you drunk?"

Chang Feng whispered the question to Wang Chen. They hadn't known Long Feng for long, but they understood he was an intensely reserved person. During the last hunting trip, Long Feng had barely spoken to any of them, sticking close only to Zhang Yang.

"I'm not drunk. Without Long Feng this time, how would we have dealt with those Gu raisers? Long Feng must be incredibly skilled; I envy Zhang Yang having such a formidable bodyguard!"

Wang Chen shook his head, speaking slowly, which caused Long Cheng's expression to shift slightly. Long Feng was indeed Zhang Yang's bodyguard, but that arrangement was the result of a bet. Long Feng was different from bodyguards motivated purely by money; in fact, Long Feng's status and standing were higher than his own. Being publicly labeled as a bodyguard made Long Cheng worry that Long Feng might become angry, as the term implied subservient labor.

"Wang Chen, sit down!"

Long Cheng suddenly snapped at Wang Chen. Among the group, Long Cheng commanded the most authority, and his sharp tone immediately silenced Wang Chen. Even when drunk, he would obey Long Cheng, such is the respect he commanded in their eyes.

"There's no need for that. I'll drink this toast!"

Long Feng suddenly stood up, smiling as he spoke to Long Cheng. After saying that, he promptly drained the entire contents of his wine glass in one go.

"I've drunk the toast, but there’s one thing I need to clarify: saving Wu Zhiguo was primarily Zhang Yang's doing; I didn't contribute much this time!"

Long Feng said with a smile, holding up his empty glass. Only then did he sit back down. Long Cheng and Zhang Yang stared at him with wide eyes, and even Huang Hai, Li Ya, and Chang Feng watched Long Feng in astonishment.

"Good. Long Feng drank it; I'll drink this one too!"

Wang Chen suddenly exclaimed again, pouring the entire large glass of baijiu in front of him down his throat. This single glass held more than two liang (a measure of volume), and after swallowing it, Wang Chen became visibly more muddled, soon slumping over.

"Long Feng, let me toast you as well!"

Seeing that Long Feng had genuinely drunk, Li Ya also stood up. This time, Long Cheng didn't object. Long Feng drank this glass too. Soon after, Su Zhantao, Huang Hai, and the others followed suit, each drinking a glass with Long Feng. It struck them that in all the time they had known him, this was the first time Long Feng had truly drunk with them like this.

Zhang Yang watched Long Feng, a look of surprise crossing his face, though it quickly morphed into a slight smile and a silent nod. Long Feng was clearly different now than before; he seemed to be undergoing a change. Zhang Yang didn't view this transformation negatively and was happy to witness it.

The meal stretched on for a long time, with many others eventually succumbing to drink. Long Feng had also consumed a significant amount today, and Li Ya and the others praised his high tolerance.

After this dinner, the group’s attitude toward Long Feng noticeably shifted. Long Feng sensed this change, which gave him an indescribable feeling—a strange curiosity. This was the first time he had approached interaction with ordinary people with a relaxed mindset, and the result was not as bad as he had imagined; he felt no aversion to it.

After dinner, everyone departed. Wu Zhiguo, having abstained from alcohol, called several drivers from his company specifically to take the inebriated Wang Chen and Wang Hai home. Long Feng naturally stayed with Zhang Yang, accompanied by Qu Meilan, who was following them. Zhang Yang had already explained Qu Meilan’s situation to Mi Xue, who felt great sympathy for her and had even dragged her along, inviting her to share her bed for the night. In the end, Zhang Yang’s arrangements prevailed: Qu Meilan would stay with Long Feng temporarily, as the apartment Long Feng rented was a two-bedroom unit, allowing one room to be vacant. Zhang Yang, having just returned, certainly didn't want a third wheel tagging along immediately.

Though the journey back had been rushed, time was saved. In total, the trip lasted only four days and three nights, not long enough to make Mi Xue wait excessively. The couple enjoyed a period of sweet intimacy before retiring to their respective rooms.

The next day was the weekend, and Mi Xue had no classes, so she did not go to the hotel. They had discussed last night their decision to move; while the current place was close to the school, it was simply too small. Long Feng had been making do nearby for a short while, but long-term it felt inappropriate. Now with Qu Meilan added, the inconvenience was even more pronounced. After discussion, they decided to move into the newly purchased villa ahead of schedule, as the renovations there were nearly complete. That house was far larger than the current one, ample space for the four of them. Besides, they would leave their current belongings behind; staying there occasionally, perhaps when they tired of the new place, would allow them to revisit old feelings.

Early in the morning, Zhang Yang called Long Feng and Qu Meilan over. Since most of the large furnishings would remain, they had little to pack—just a few changes of clothes and essentials—and could move with just their cars. Mi Xue’s belongings were slightly more numerous, mostly clothes, and as they moved, she was filled with deep sentiment. When she had first agreed to share a rental with Zhang Yang, she had promised to stay only for a month to look after him, never imagining she wouldn't be able to leave once settled—and even when leaving, it would be alongside Zhang Yang, never having been separated since they got together.

The furniture in the new villa was already in place; they only needed to unpack. Upon arriving, Qu Meilan immediately started moving things and cleaning. After Zhang Yang and the others selected their rooms and unpacked their personal items, Qu Meilan had already made the living room and courtyard spotless. Seeing the diligent Qu Meilan, Zhang Yang silently nodded. Qu Meilan was quite perceptive; having someone like her in the house was advantageous—better than hiring a standard maid, and she could double as a bodyguard. Of course, Zhang Yang intended to observe her for a while, as she was, after all, the disciple of the Old Demoness.

Qu Meilan had tidied many items, including some of Zhang Yang's belongings.

"Do not touch these medicines; leave them for me to handle!"

Seeing Qu Meilan organizing a specific bag, Zhang Yang quickly stepped forward to intervene. This bag contained the precious medicinal herbs Zhang Yang had brought back from Yinlong Mountain. Though the quantity wasn't vast, every piece was top quality and immensely useful to him.

"Yes, Young Master!"

Qu Meilan immediately agreed, then looked back at the bag with a slight hesitation, her eyes showing a trace of yearning, as if something particularly captivating lay within it for a hundred years.

Zhang Yang walked over and directly picked up the bag. Qu Meilan bit her lip, glanced at Zhang Yang, and finally took a step forward, stopping him.

"Young Master, may I ask you for something?" Qu Meilan said very softly, sounding quite anxious as she spoke.

Zhang Yang paused slightly, his brow twitching, and he asked quietly, "What do you desire?" As he questioned her, Zhang Yang tried to guess what she might want. He wondered if she was hoping to ask for spirit medicine or perhaps some divine weapon—after all, the Old Demoness had precedent. Zhang Yang possessed many spirit medicines and powerful artifacts, but he wouldn't hand them out freely. Many of those herbs had been acquired through grave risks, some costing him near-death experiences. If Long Feng had asked, he wouldn't have refused, as Long Feng was entitled to a share for his contributions, but Qu Meilan was different. If she made such a request, Zhang Yang would instantly send her away.

"Your Yinlong Grass—could you spare me one stalk? Just one is enough!"

Qu Meilan looked at Zhang Yang, speaking very quietly, followed by a look of pure yearning.

Zhang Yang was momentarily taken aback. "You want Yinlong Grass?" he asked impulsively. Qu Meilan was not asking for the kind of treasures he had anticipated. This realization offered Zhang Yang a slight sense of relief; if she had done so, it would have proven his judgment of her flawed.

"Yes, just one stalk is all I ask!"

Qu Meilan lowered her head, watching Zhang Yang cautiously, even holding up a single finger—her demeanor resembling that of a slighted young girl.

"What do you need the Yinlong Grass for?"

Zhang Yang neither refused nor agreed, asking another question. He had dug up five plants, each bearing five or six leaves. Giving her one stalk wouldn't matter. He had brought back so much Yinlong Grass to research its properties, but now he realized that since the Southern Frontier region had long known rumors of the plant, they might have inherited knowledge on its use. This was different from his previous assumption, stuck in the mindset that since the grass only grew on Yinlong Mountain, others couldn't obtain it and thus wouldn't know its function.

"Yinlong Grass is the finest beauty product. Applying it to the skin can beautify, whiten, and refine it, making it as smooth as a baby's!"

As Qu Meilan spoke, she lowered her head again, her face slightly flushed. Every woman desires to be beautiful, and Qu Meilan was no exception. She hadn't dared to harbor such a thought before, but now, being here and seeing Zhang Yang possess so much Yinlong Grass, the idea took root. Just one leaf would immensely help her make her face more beautiful and fair.

"Beauty product?"

Zhang Yang sounded surprised; he hadn't known Yinlong Grass possessed such an effect.

Qu Meilan immediately nodded. "Yes. Long ago, Yinlong Grass was called Beauty Grass. Before the giant dragon of Yinlong Mountain arrived, although Beauty Grass wasn't abundant, it could still be found. Many girls in the Southern Frontier back then were exceptionally beautiful and appeared much younger than girls from outside!"

"Yinlong Grass is Beauty Grass?" Zhang Yang's eyes widened, and he blurted out, sounding incredibly astonished. Beauty Grass was recorded in the Zhang family secret manuals—a spiritual herb thought to be extinct. Zhang Yang never imagined it was merely renamed. Judging by the properties Qu Meilan described, Zhang Yang was almost certain that the Beauty Grass recorded by his ancestors was the Yinlong Grass in his hand.

"Yes, for hundreds of years, that's what it was called!"

Qu Meilan nodded again, looking at Zhang Yang with some confusion. She couldn't understand why his reaction was so strong.

…………

First update. I was confused yesterday and only posted three chapters, thinking it was four, until a friend pointed it out. I spent all day today buying a house; Xiao Yu will make up the chapters fully tonight! I apologize to everyone again.