Chapter 164: Grandpa?

“Everyone out.”

Before the few beauties could even reach Song Qing’an, he dismissed them.

“Hey, wait, you don’t like them, but I do...” Lu Shenchen spoke teasingly as he sipped the peach blossom wine and talked to Song Qing’an.

Song Qing’an remained indifferent, his almond-shaped eyes cold and unyielding.

“Last time.”

Ignoring Lu Shenchen, Song Qing’an squinted his eyes, refusing to give them even a glance.

“Yes, sir.”

Sensing the coldness and danger emanating from Song Qing’an, the beauties left one after another.

The room finally fell into silence. Song Qing’an stood and poured himself another glass of peach blossom wine.

“The wine is good, but this year’s batch is somewhat bitter,” Song Qing’an murmured, unsure whether he was speaking to Lu Shenchen or to himself. He swirled the cup before downing it in one gulp.

It seemed Song Qing’an had grown accustomed to this life of lavish indulgence.

Though everyone knew Song Qing’an was a prodigal heir, indulging recklessly in such glamorous pleasures was nothing unusual.

Yet only those close to him knew that the young master of Tingfeng Pavilion was entirely unlike the rumors.

Still, after days of continuous drinking, Song Qing’an was beginning to fit the persona others had crafted for him.

Lu Shenchen understood his discomfort and didn’t intervene—after all, being abruptly summoned back to the otherworldly continent before confessing his feelings would unsettle anyone.

Song Qing’an, exhausted from drinking, reclined onto the lounge chair behind him and soon fell asleep.

Lu Shenchen savored the rich aroma of the peach blossom wine, nodding in surprise. “This spring garden’s peach blossom wine truly deserves its annual popularity.”

As night deepened, Qin Sheng stood by the window for a long while, waiting until the moon gradually rose before a faint emotion stirred across her face.

Perhaps anticipation, perhaps subconscious hesitation in facing this new world.

None of it mattered; the journey to the otherworldly continent felt predestined.

Maybe all the unknown would find explanation and answers there.

The moon brightened, its shape rounding slowly.

Otherworldly continent, night of the full moon.

Suddenly, as if struck by a thought, Qin Sheng hurried out of her room into the courtyard of the Casual Fate Shop.

Moonlight bathed her and the slip of paper in her hand.

“Sheng Sheng, what’s wrong?” Jiang Miaomiao noticed Qin Sheng standing in the yard, gazing up at the full moon overhead, her expression puzzled.

Though Qin Sheng knew of no shortcut to the otherworldly continent, the note mentioned the full moon night, so naturally she wanted to admire the moon and ponder its significance.

Seeing Qin Sheng still staring skyward, Jiang Miaomiao followed her gaze.

Shortly after, Chu Xingyu and Lin Xing also joined them outside. The four stared fixedly at the full moon above, completely losing track of time.

Then, as if from nowhere, five faint points of light appeared on the silvery orb—red, silver, green, gold, and a faint blue dot, barely visible but undoubtedly there, Qin Sheng was certain.

A conclusion had already formed in Qin Sheng’s mind.

She summoned her power; a red beam of light swiftly shot toward the red dot on the moon.

After seeing Qin Sheng’s actions, Jiang Miaomiao and the others followed, awakening their abilities. As their four powers reached the moon, the glow around it intensified.

Within seconds, the faint blue dot also brightened.

Before they could fully react, a dazzling light surged toward them, forcing them to close their eyes.

When the light subsided, they opened their eyes one by one.

They found themselves in a place of pavilions and towers, where even the people’s attire resembled that of the prosperous Tang Dynasty, their faces bright with smiles.

Qin Sheng and the others felt like intruders in this world, markedly out of place.

Yet the bustling passersby seemed indifferent to their unusual clothing.

This was not the end of the world—no zombies, no erratic weather.

Only peace and tranquility.

Qin Sheng and her companions had long forgotten such warmth and harmony; they were stunned, immersed in it, unable to respond immediately.

A faint smile curled on Qin Sheng’s lips—she had succeeded. She had arrived at the otherworldly continent.

When she first met Song Qing’an, his attire was no different from those around him.

Could it be that Song Qing’an was also on this otherworldly continent?

Taking a deep breath, Qin Sheng scanned the surroundings, her gaze finally resting on a familiar figure.

“Grandfather...”

She would never forget that slightly stooped but spirited silhouette, one she had recalled countless times across two lifetimes.

Ignoring everything, Qin Sheng rushed toward the familiar figure, only to realize she had mistaken the person.

“What are you doing?” The elderly man, his temple hair already grayed, looked at Qin Sheng with a mix of fear and disappointment as she grasped his arm.

Snapping out of her daze, Qin Sheng quickly released him, apologizing, “Sorry, I mistook you for someone else.”

Seeing tears brimming in Qin Sheng’s eyes, the old man said nothing further, shaking his head helplessly. “It’s alright, child. Are you looking for someone?”

In that instant, Qin Sheng’s long-held tears finally broke free. “Your silhouette resembles my grandfather’s. I haven’t seen him for a long time...”

Jiang Miaomiao, Chu Xingyu, and Lin Xing were stunned to see Qin Sheng so vulnerable, sobbing uncontrollably. They exchanged glances, thinking of ways to comfort her.

Qin Sheng, like a helpless child, hid her face as she cried, drawing curious onlookers.

The old man reached out, gently patting her head, speaking softly, “Child, don’t be too sad. Your grandfather wouldn’t want to see you suffer like this, would he?”

His words seemed to soothe Qin Sheng. She realized her sudden outburst and hurriedly wiped away her tears, forcing a smile. “Sorry, I lost control of my emotions.”

“It’s alright, good child.” The old man seemed touched, perhaps reminded of distant family of his own, his heart aching for Qin Sheng.

“Is this your first time in the capital?” The old man smiled warmly, noticing their backpacks and attire.

Qin Sheng glanced at Lin Xing and Chu Xingyu’s distinctly modern backpacks, then back at the old man, who seemed unfazed by such things.

“Yes, grandfather. It’s our first time here.” Chu Xingyu answered, deciding it was best to rely on the old man’s familiarity with the capital for now.

The old man smiled knowingly. “I knew you weren’t from here. Your clothing clearly marks you as outsiders.”

Qin Sheng raised an eyebrow, softly asking, “You don’t find our dress strange compared to those around us?”

The old man laughed as if hearing a nonsense question. “The otherworldly continent is vast and abundant. Just because we haven’t seen something doesn’t mean it’s strange—it only shows our limited experience.”

His words clarified why Song Qing’an and Lu Shenchen fit in so seamlessly there—their thoughts, knowledge, and demeanor were on another level.

“It’s late, and you probably haven’t eaten. If you don’t mind, you’re welcome to stay at my humble home tonight to get accustomed.”

The old man’s face radiated kindness, especially as he looked at Qin Sheng with the gentle affection of an elder toward their descendants.

“Thank you, grandfather.” Qin Sheng’s smile returned as calmness settled over her.

“Many thanks, grandfather!” Jiang Miaomiao and the others echoed her gratitude.

The old man smiled and nodded, leading them on. Along the way, Jiang Miaomiao and the others charmed him with their sweet words, keeping his smile unwavering. By the time they entered the house, the old man could barely stop grinning.

“Old woman, come greet our guests!”

Hearing her husband’s voice, a woman inside responded quickly.

Though her legs were stiff and her steps heavy, she emerged with a warm smile that never faded.

Seeing the old man accompanied by several young visitors, she quickened her pace but nearly stumbled due to her mobility issues.

Luckily, Qin Sheng reacted swiftly, steadying her.

“Be careful, grandmother,” Qin Sheng said softly as she helped her regain balance.

“Thank you, child. It’s an old ailment,” Grandma Wang sighed helplessly, patting her knees.

“These children are from another place, first time in our capital. You must show off your skills and let them taste the local specialties.”

Qin Sheng and the others nodded gently, calling the elderly woman “Grandma Wang” one by one, charming her completely.

Grandma immediately bade her husband to buy some meat from the market to prepare a proper feast.

The old man happily went out without even sitting down.

Concerned, Chu Xingyu and Lin Xing accompanied him.

Qin Sheng and Jiang Miaomiao helped Grandma Wang inside, sitting on either side of her. Jiang Miaomiao, experienced in massage, offered to rub Grandma’s legs.

Though initially shy, Grandma Wang eventually yielded to Jiang Miaomiao’s coaxing and let her massage the aching limbs.

“Grandma, I’ll leave you some medicinal plasters later. If you feel pain, you can apply them. They’re made by my grandfather and work well for this kind of ailment.”

Qin Sheng quietly retrieved several plasters from her spatial stash and gave them to Grandma Wang.

“You’re a good child, but old ailments just need to be endured. I can’t accept this,” Grandma Wang said, trying to refuse.

But no matter how much she declined, Qin Sheng insisted. After the massage, Qin Sheng applied one plaster on Grandma Wang’s sore leg.

It brought instant relief; Grandma Wang was surprised.

“Feel free to use them. If you run out, I’ll bring you more.”

Perhaps subconsciously, Qin Sheng felt a closeness to Grandma and Grandpa Wang, reminding her of her own grandparents.

Or perhaps it was the kindness she encountered on her first day in the otherworldly continent that spurred her desire to repay it in any way possible.

“Grandma, please accept it. Sheng Sheng is stubborn. If you don’t, it will hurt her feelings,” Jiang Miaomiao smiled as she carefully applied the plaster.

Grandma Wang smiled warmly, carefully storing the plasters. Seeing the two sensible young girls chatting happily by her side, tears welled in her eyes.

At their age, she was finally enjoying the joys of family.

“You’re new to the capital, so things here might feel different. I happen to have some clothes you could wear. I’ll get them for you...”