Part 1
After an hour-long drive to the next city, Shadow 2 took a detour into a secluded forest area. There was only one narrow road that sliced straight through dense, towering trees on all sides.
Han Yue stared out the window and thought, "OwO! It looks so mysterious!"
She had already taken off her wizard costume and changed back into her comfy tourist outfit. Might as well play the part—they were city-hopping today!
After twenty minutes winding through the forest, they finally arrived at a large gated estate entrance. Armed guards in black stood alert at the checkpoint. Shadow 2 stepped out, flashed his badge, and immediately the guards bowed in respect before opening the automated gates.
Han Yue gasped, "Wow!"
Beyond the gates was a grand, palace-like mansion surrounded by perfectly manicured gardens. Her eyes sparkled with excitement.
Long Yi glanced sideways and raised an eyebrow. "If you like it, take the whole thing."
Han Yue blinked. Then she turned slowly to stare at him—he was serious.
"Oh… right… I can take it! The gates, the garden, the soil… even the entire forest path. Mwahaha!"
She giggled inwardly as evil little plans formed in her head.
A refined butler stepped forward to welcome them.
"Young Master, welcome home."
Then he bowed slightly toward Han Yue.
"Young Miss, please come inside for some refreshments."
The butler led them inside. The place was quiet—most of the mansion's staff had already been reassigned to the base. Only a skeleton crew remained to maintain the estate.
Han Yue, with her fluffy snowball leopard in her arms, strolled through the marble hallways and floral courtyards, practically squealing at how regal and elegant it all looked. "Ooooh I'm gonna wear a qipao here someday. YESSSS!"
Meanwhile, Long Yi stayed in the living room giving orders to the butler.
"Pack up and report to the base," he instructed.
The butler nodded and summoned the remaining five servants and guards. They packed quickly, loaded their suitcases into a vehicle, and left shortly after.
Han Yue returned, still in a good mood, and asked, "Did they leave?"
Long Yi nodded. "Mn. Go ahead and take as much as you want."
Han Yue's grin widened.
A few minutes later, Long Yi, Shadow 2, Secretary Wen, and Han Yue got back into the car. Once seated, Han Yue quietly released her spiritual energy and began absorbing the entire estate.
The forest, the palace, the furniture, the flowers, the gates—everything vanished into her space. Now the area looked like an abandoned patch of forest, just enough foliage left to camouflage the sudden disappearance.
Then they drove off to the next city.
Soon, they arrived at the Antique District—a bustling maze of street stalls and dusty shops, filled with real and fake treasures alike.
As they strolled together, Han Yue checked out shiny weapons—gem-encrusted swords, sabers, long knives, even katanas.
"Waaah, pretty~"
She picked a few she liked. Long Yi, beside her, also selected some daos. Shadow 2 and Secretary Wen carried the items back to the car.
Later, Han Yue paused at a dimly-lit shop at the corner of the street. Something about it called to her. She entered and found several wooden chests filled with what looked like trash-tier antiques.
She squatted down and started going through them one by one.
The owner didn't even bother watching.
Minutes passed.
Han Yue pulled out a jade ring and a glowing red orb, curious.
"How much is this orb?" she asked.
The owner replied without looking, "500 yuan."
She picked a few more objects—the price stayed the same.
While the shopkeeper wasn't looking, she slyly slipped the jade ring into her pile.
In total: 5 items.
"2000 yuan?" she bargained.
"Deal," said the owner.
Plastic bag acquired. Items shoved inside.
Mission complete. She skipped out of the store humming happily.
Long Yi, silently watching the entire thing, raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
Further down the street, they passed by a gambling stone stall. Han Yue paused again, sensing something. She picked 20 small jade stones that "resonated" with her and handed them over to Shadow 2 and Secretary Wen to store in the car.
Back in the vehicle, Han Yue took out the old jade ring and inspected it.
She rubbed it gently. It didn't seem special.
She tried putting it into her space.
Rejected.
"Huh?" She blinked, then turned to Long Yi.
"Try putting it in your space?"
Long Yi accepted it, closed his eyes… and failed too.
"There's a repelling force," he murmured. "A space conflict."
"Must be a space-type ring," Han Yue said cheerfully.
"You have one, I have an amulet. Makes sense that others exist, too~ Hehe!"
Long Yi returned the ring to her.
"…I don't want it anymore," Han Yue said lazily.
"…I'll give it to my uncle, then," Long Yi said, tucking it away.
That way he won't ask me for supplies later…
Part 2
While driving to the next city—City H, the second location where one of Long Yi's family's ancient mansions was located—Han Yue relaxed in the backseat with her snowball leopard. As for Long Yi's bastard uncle, he also lived in City H, though not in the ancient residence, but in a rich private district.
On the way, they stopped to have lunch at a popular BBQ restaurant.
"Wow, there's a lot of people today," Han Yue commented as they found seats inside.
While they were eating, Shadow 2 brought in a jar of pickled vegetables that Han Yue had left in the car. He placed it beside him like treasure.
Everyone started eating happily—nom nom nom—especially with the pickles.
"Wow, it's perfect with BBQ!" Han Yue said.
Shadow 2 ate the most.
"What an addict..." Secretary Wen muttered, watching him stuff his mouth.
Just then, a little girl around five years old walked over to Han Yue and asked,
"Sister, aren't you the wizard?"
Han Yue looked down at the girl and replied with a sad face,
"Yes, it's me… but I'm a bankrupt wizard." She continued eating her BBQ slowly, as if life was hard.
Secretary Wen twitched his mouth.
"No mercy… even to a young child. Sigh."
Then he took another bite of BBQ with pickles.
"Mmm, this is so good."
Shadow 2 was still eating deliciously beside him.
"Sigh, life is good."
Then the little girl said with determination,
"Don't worry! I will give you money!"
She took out 10 yuan from her little pink Barbie purse.
Han Yue laughed and thanked her warmly, then took a photo together.
The girl beamed.
"I'll post it on Weibo later!! Yayyyy~"
She ran back to her family, super happy.
Han Yue looked at the 10 yuan in her hand and smiled.
"Now I can buy ice cream dessert later :3"
The people at her table were speechless.
"…This thick-skinned girl really…"
After finishing their meal, Shadow 2 was still carrying his half-empty pickle jar like it was sacred.
Han Yue happily walked beside him with a sundae, licking it as they made their way back to the car.
Nom nom nom.
They drove a while longer and finally reached the second palace. It was still in a secluded area, but this one was built near the mountains, with high walls and a commanding presence.
"Wow! It looks like a war fortress! OwO!!!"
Han Yue's eyes sparkled.
"Does the base look like this too?! Look at that wall! It's like the Great Wall!"
Long Yi nodded.
"If you want to visit the base, I'll take you sometime soon."
As the car approached the gate, armed guards stood at attention, weapons in hand.
Shadow 2 stepped out and showed his badge.
The guards bowed and opened the gates.
As they entered, Han Yue gasped.
"It's beautiful!!"
She looked up at Long Yi.
"Let's stay here—it's almost night anyway! Hehe~"
Long Yi agreed and instructed the attending butler to prepare rooms and dinner.
They all went inside to rest or explore on their own.
Han Yue, carrying her baby snowball leopard, wandered around to explore the place. Meanwhile, Long Yi made a call to his uncle—Colonel Long—and told him about the space ring Han Yue had found earlier.
On the other end, Colonel Long was quiet for a moment before saying,
"Good. Thanks for considering me."
Long Yi replied,
"It's fine. You have a lot on your shoulders—maybe this will ease it a little."
They chatted for a while longer, then Long Yi ended the call and went to look for Han Yue.
He found her standing by the wall, looking out as if she were pretending to be a general on duty.
He quietly approached and suddenly covered her eyes from behind.
Han Yue gasped.
"OMG! Alien abduction?!"
Long Yi's mouth twitched.
"...She ruined the mood again."
He pinched her cheeks lightly and let her go.
Han Yue pouted and blushed a little.
"Hmph." She reached out and poked his waist for revenge.
Long Yi didn't react much—but he held her hand to stop her.
And just like that, the two of them stood there—hand in hand, quietly watching the beautiful night scenery outside.
Fireflies floated gently through the air.
It was a peaceful and warm moment.
The next morning, the group got up early to prepare for the day. After taking refreshing showers, they changed into comfortable and relaxing travel clothes, perfect for a light road trip.
Before they left, Long Yi gave a few instructions to the attending butler.
"Pack everything up. After breakfast, take the staff and report back to base."
The butler bowed deeply.
"Understood, sir."
He immediately went to inform the remaining maids and guards stationed at the mansion.
At breakfast, Han Yue sipped her tea and casually said,
"There's a flower garden attraction in this city. I want to see it before we leave~ hehe."
She smiled with soft anticipation.
Long Yi didn't hesitate.
"Alright. This is a road trip after all—we shouldn't waste it."
Shadow 2, sitting quietly nearby, was busy eating his breakfast…
Along with the last remaining pickles from the jar he'd been cherishing since yesterday.
Secretary Wen squinted at him across the table with a blank expression.
"...Are you seriously still eating that?"
Shadow 2 didn't even look up.
"It's good."
Secretary Wen let out a long sigh and gave up, silently returning to his meal.