Outside the screen, Su Xi was dumbfounded.

How on earth were they supposed to meet?

Was she supposed to pinch out a little paper figure the same size as her Zai Zai and hold it up to him, saying, “Here, this is your mother”?

Speaking of which, did this game even have a character-creation feature?

Su Xi actually started searching all over the interface—but no, there wasn’t. There wasn’t even an option to create an avatar.

Besides, that clearly wasn’t the kind of “meeting” Zai Zai wanted.

And the kind of meeting Zai Zai wanted was something she simply couldn’t do.

Reaching one hundred points in this game only meant being able to communicate with him.

Meet in person? Daydreaming! Zai Zai, you’re really making things difficult for your mother.

Su Xi scratched her head, momentarily at a loss for how to respond. She could only stare as Zai Zai folded that slip of paper and, as usual, tucked it into the little box before pushing it back into the table leg.

Right now, Su Xi didn’t know what else to do. She could only hope Zai Zai wouldn’t remember it too clearly. After all, there were still two days left before the hunting trip at Qiuyan Mountain—maybe by then he would have forgotten.

If not… she’d just think of an excuse, say something came up and she couldn’t go.

Thinking this way made her feel itchy and uneasy inside, but she could only shove the matter to the back of her mind for now…

After Lu Huan left that message, he stood in front of his desk, long dark lashes lowered, silent and deep in thought, a hint of unease in his heart.

On one hand, he was certain that person wouldn’t come. After all, they’d known each other for so long, and that person had always been mysterious—had never even left behind a trace of handwriting, not to mention any clue that could be followed. How could someone like that suddenly appear before him?

So, in truth, he held little hope.

But on the other hand, perhaps because the longing in his heart was too great, he still wrote the letter, holding onto that tiny thread of hope.

There’s always a chance, no matter how small.

He’d had bad luck for far too long. The moment that person appeared in his life had been the best stroke of luck he’d ever had.

That person was his wan yi [one-in-a-million chance].

So this time—what if, by some miracle, that person really did come to meet him…?

After setting down his brush, Lu Huan wanted desperately to see their reply, yet forced himself not to look.

And so, a day passed.

───♡───

The next morning, he was summoned by the old madam.

The weather had finally cleared. The morning sun shimmered over the half-melted snow on the lake, rippling with light under a gentle breeze.

Because of her rheumatism, the old madam had been confined to Mei’an Courtyard for over half a month. Now that the skies were clear, she sat in the lakeside pavilion warming wine, while the household physician prepared to give her acupuncture to ease her aching knees.

When Lu Huan arrived, the heir of Prince Ning’s Mansion—Lu Yuan, the eldest legitimate grandson—was already there, standing beside the old madam and speaking to her about something.

As Lu Huan approached, he happened to hear the old madam ask in delight, “An’er, you truly have a way to invite that divine physician from Yong’an Temple? Don’t you dare raise my hopes for nothing! My knees have been unbearable lately—the household doctors and even the imperial physicians have been useless. They look but can’t heal! The capital says that divine physician is quite skilled. If he’s willing to come, perhaps there’s still hope for these old, cold legs of mine!”

Lu Yuan hurriedly bowed.

“Of course, Grandmother, you can rest easy. I’ve already found out where he lives. I’ll set out this afternoon to invite him. Even if I have to pay three visits to his thatched cottage, I’ll make sure to bring that eccentric doctor back for you!”

The old madam was overjoyed. Her usually stern face softened with several degrees of warmth, and she repeatedly praised Lu Yuan for being filial and capable—unlike his younger brother, Lu Wenxiu.

Watching Lu Yuan’s self-assured expression, Lu Huan glanced at him in quiet surprise, feeling something strange stir in his chest.

He’s already found the physician’s residence—? When?

But Lu Huan could roughly guess.

The information Lu Yuan had managed to dig up about “him” was likely no more than a few vague connections: that he knew Zhong Ganping, that he’d met with the Minister of Revenue and the Fifth Prince. Those few scraps must have cost Lu Yuan a great deal of effort and silver to pry out of someone’s hands in the capital.

And now he actually thought that, with just those hints, he could find him.

Lu Yuan was unlike Lu Wenxiu. He didn’t sit around hugging embroidered pillows and being useless—but his mind was mediocre, without any particular talent. Though he constantly tried to curry favor with the old madam and draw closer to the Second Prince’s faction, he’d never managed to gain the prince’s favor.

Lu Huan thought for only a moment before understanding. His eldest brother was clearly trying to use this opportunity of “finding the divine physician” to introduce the doctor to both the Second Prince and the old madam—killing two birds with one stone and earning the favor of both.

Only, he was far too impatient. He hadn’t even found the person yet, and already he had rushed before the old madam to show off and claim credit.

Lu Huan saw this all clearly but said nothing.

The old madam, seeing that he had arrived, said to him, “Lu Huan, you heard what was said. You go and invite that divine physician as well. See if you can get him to come.”

Lu Huan replied, “Yes.”

Upon hearing this, Lu Yuan grew anxious, though he tried hard to keep his composure. He said, with forced calm, “Grandmother, what use can he be? He spends all his days farming and raising chickens in that courtyard of his, never stepping beyond the gate. What connections could he possibly have? Just leave this matter to me. Why let Third Brother get involved?”

But the old madam said, “You two go separately—double the chances!”

It wasn’t that she didn’t believe Lu Yuan could bring that divine physician—

But truth be told, she really didn’t.

Ever since the incident by the creek, she had been utterly disappointed in Prince Ning’s consort’s son, Lu Wenxiu, and her impression of the legitimate grandson, Lu Yuan, had also fallen sharply as a result.

That divine physician’s whereabouts were so secretive that no one in the capital knew his true identity. Even the people she’d personally sent out to search couldn’t find him. So where had Lu Yuan gotten his so-called “information”?

Still, since her grandson had shown such filial piety, she was willing to encourage him.

Yet for some reason, she had a faint intuition—What her legitimate grandson could not accomplish, her illegitimate grandson might.

She lifted her gaze to Lu Huan. The boy stood quietly to the side, clothed in snow-white garments. Though there was still a trace of youthful inexperience about him, his demeanor was calm, steadfast, and distant. Between his brows, there was a faint air of someone destined for great things.

So the old madam said, “Good. It’s settled then. Whoever finds that young divine physician and brings him to treat my illness first—Grandmother will reward generously. You may both go now.”

Lu Yuan’s heart was heavy with displeasure, though he didn’t dare show it before the old madam. He was the first to leave the lakeside pavilion, bringing his servants with him.

Lu Huan, alone, walked out along the covered corridor.

Halfway down, he stopped.

There, beneath the eaves, stood Lu Yuan waiting, frowning at him.

Lu Huan raised his eyes, his expression cool and indifferent. “Is there something you need?”

With an air of superiority, Lu Yuan clasped his hands behind his back. He plucked a plum blossom from under the eaves, brought it to his nose, and said leisurely, “Third Brother, you should have refused Grandmother just now. Otherwise, when you fail to deliver, it’ll only embarrass you. You have no connections in the capital—how could you possibly find that divine physician? Don’t say your elder brother didn’t warn you.”

Lu Huan said nothing.

He merely gave him a long, quiet look before walking past him and leaving.

Lu Yuan was normally steady and composed, but being met with such cold disregard made anger flare in his chest. He crushed the plum blossom petals in his hand. Still, he quickly regained his composure, let out a cold snort through his nose, and flicked his sleeves as he walked away with his men.

As the legitimate son, Lu Yuan had everything one could want. Originally, he hadn’t harbored such deep resentment toward Lu Huan—but ever since his younger full brother, Lu Wenxiu, had fallen ill with a severe fever because of Lu Huan, bedridden and unable to get up to this day, some of that anger had been redirected toward the illegitimate son.

His mother, too, had repeatedly warned him that Lu Huan must not be allowed to attend the upcoming hunt at Qiuyan Mountain, lest he steal Lu Yuan’s spotlight. Naturally, this had only deepened Lu Yuan’s hostility toward him.

That night, after returning home, he told everything to Princess Ning.

Once he left, Princess Ning’s expression turned anxious. She said to the old nurse beside her, “The Qiuyan Mountain hunt is the day after tomorrow. If we don’t come up with a way to stop him from going by tomorrow, then there will be no more chance! Quickly—think of something!”

───♡───

Because of her broken leg, Su Xi had been recuperating for over half a month, and now a mountain of schoolwork had piled up. Not only was she anxious about it herself, but Father Su, Mother Su, and even her homeroom teacher were worried too. After all, she was now in the crucial second year of high school—if she fell too far behind, it wouldn’t be easy to catch up again.

So that Monday, Father Su personally drove her to school.

Gu Qin and Huo Jingchuan were waiting at the school gate. When they saw Su Xi get out of the car with her leg in a cast and leaning on crutches, they hurried over to help her into the teaching building.

Father Su was still uneasy. He said to the two of them, “Thank you, really. Come over to our place sometime—Auntie will make cola chicken wings for you.”

Gu Qin smiled sweetly. “What’s there to thank for? Don’t worry, Uncle. We’ll take good care of Xixi.”

But the moment Father Su drove off, the two of them dragged Su Xi straight to the school shop like their pants were on fire.

“Su Xi, quick! You won that huge lottery prize last time—treat us to snacks! Let’s have hotpot at lunch!”

Of course, she had to treat them. But when Su Xi reached into her wallet, she said, “You might not believe this, but I have to start saving up—because I need to spend money on a game.”

Gu Qin and Huo Jingchuan both looked at her like she was an alien.

“You? Spending money on a game? Oh, come on—everyone knows you spend your allowance on extra study materials.”

It was true that Su Xi had always been the model “three-good student”, excelling in everything and hardly ever touching games. But now—

Even Su Xi herself found it unbelievable!

What was even more unbelievable was that because she had to go to school today and didn’t have time to check on Zai Zai, she felt uncomfortable all over! It had been a whole night and half a day since she’d logged in, surely nothing had happened to him?

…Nothing should have happened, right? What could happen?

It hadn’t even been that long—in the game, only two days had passed!

…She was just being an overprotective mother again.

But after treating her friends and being helped back toward the teaching building, Su Xi still couldn’t resist pulling out her phone and opening that familiar interface.

After checking the plot that had unfolded while she was away, she switched to Zai Zai’s courtyard. She saw him changing into travel clothes—but instead of his usual inconspicuous black cloak, today he was dressed in a white, tight-sleeved casual outfit.

Once dressed, he walked out through the bamboo grove—like a little soft white dumpling passing through a sea of green lotus leaves.

It was Su Xi’s first time seeing him in that outfit, and her heart nearly melted from how cute he looked.

She was just about to switch the view back to his room to see if he’d written any new note for her during the night when she suddenly heard a faint noise from the stables.

Zai Zai was in the bamboo grove—he couldn’t possibly hear anything that far away—but from her god’s-eye view over the entire Prince Ning’s Manor, Su Xi could easily see what was happening.

And there—it was that same old nurse, Nanny Jia, who served Princess Ning!

Su Xi had just learned from the system that the old madam had ordered both Zai Zai and Lu Yuan to go find the divine physician. Seeing those people in the stables instantly made her alert.