Lin Zhaoyue's arms tightened around him in a sudden embrace, her lips pressing briefly to his cheek in a soft, startling kiss before she pulled back, flushed and triumphant.
"I'll return to the Lin family estate for now," she whispered, eyes gleaming. "But remember… I'm your first wife."
With a final, mischievous smile, she folded her legs beneath her and drifted upward on a wave of qi, vanishing into the treetops before Fang Yuan could even catch his breath.
He stood rooted for a heartbeat, then glanced down at the hairpin and spatial ring still clutched in his hand.
"Wait a minute…"
He opened his mouth to give chase then shook his head with a wry curl of his lips.
Slipping back into the forest's edge, he concealed his aura and wove through the innocent bustle of passersby until he arrived at a humble inn lit by paper lanterns.
Inside, the warm glow of oil lamps and the chatter of diners welcomed him like a spring breeze.
