Before long, Yichen returned in high spirits, carrying several prepared ingredients in his hands.

　　“Master, the ingredients are ready—we can start cooking!” he said, hurrying into the kitchen and throwing himself into work.

　　After some time, he emerged again, now dressed in clean clothes, the dust washed from his face, his whole bearing refreshed and renewed.

　　Qing Nianli turned to look at him, and only then did she truly see Yichen’s appearance clearly.

　　His features were sharp and well-defined, as if carved by a blade; swordlike brows slanted upward into his temples, and a pair of star-bright eyes gleamed with quiet radiance. Beneath a high, straight nose, his lips curved faintly upward, carrying a barely perceptible smile. His hair was neatly bound, lending him an air of vigor and clarity.

　　Qing Nianli felt as though her gaze had been firmly caught—she found it strangely difficult to look away.

　　Her thoughts drifted back to the moment when he had fallen onto her. Back then, Yichen had been covered in dust, his hair a tangled mess, his natural brilliance entirely concealed. Who would have thought that once properly arranged, he would undergo such a dramatic transformation?

　　Yichen’s handsomeness was truly beyond precise description—a quality that seemed innate, as though he had been born to shine this way.

　　He simply stood there, yet an unusual aura emanated from him, as if some invisible force were drawing Qing Nianli toward him in ways she could not fully comprehend.

　　It was an indescribable sensation, like an unseen thread binding her gaze and thoughts tightly to Yichen.

　　Every movement of his—even the subtlest change in expression—could effortlessly stir her heartstrings.

　　This feeling was not merely due to his striking appearance, but something that radiated from within, a mysterious charm that compelled her to want to draw closer, to understand him more deeply.

　　A faint blush crept onto Qing Nianli’s cheeks. She tried to steady herself, yet her heart was still shaken by emotions she could not put into words.

　　Yichen, however, seemed entirely unaware of her inner turmoil. He cheerfully urged them to take their seats and eat.

　　“Dinner’s ready!” he called out with a smile.

　　He then approached, holding a massive clay pot steadily in both hands, filled to the brim with steaming, fragrant meat.

　　Qing Nianli, in the Upper Realm, had tasted countless rare delicacies.

　　Yet at this moment, when she saw the large pot of mortal food Yichen carried over, her eyes were irresistibly drawn to it.

　　The billowing steam and rich aroma possessed a peculiar allure.

　　Though she had encountered innumerable delicacies above, this mortal fare seemed to hold a special attraction, stirring in her a sense of novelty and anticipation.

　　Light glimmered in her eyes as she stared at the pot, as though beholding an entirely new culinary world.

　　The evenly cut pieces of meat, with their clear grain and texture, appeared to her with a kind of rustic beauty.

　　The dense, savory fragrance crept into her nostrils, teasing her senses and making her already eager heart grow restless.

　　She mused inwardly that although mortal food appeared simple, it might conceal a distinctive flavor—perhaps offering an experience wholly different from that of the Upper Realm.

　　As they ate, Yichen occasionally cast glances toward Qing Nianli.

　　His eyes held a trace of curiosity and puzzlement, as if he were trying to peer past her features to uncover clues connected to the woman from his dreams.

　　Qing Nianli bore the exact same face as the woman who appeared in his dreams, and this filled him with endless questions and intrigue.

　　He was curious about her past, her temperament—about everything concerning her.

　　His gaze lingered on her face for a long while, attempting to read her through the smallest expressions and gestures. He realized that deep within his heart, her presence had stirred faint ripples—an unfamiliar feeling he had never known before.

　　Yichen knew he should not fixate on her simply because of a shared likeness, yet he found himself unable to restrain the curiosity that kept rising within him.

　　He lifted a piece of meat to his mouth, chewing thoughtfully as his eyes continued to rest on Qing Nianli, as though hoping to unearth more secrets tied to that mysterious dream.

　　Qing Nianli keenly sensed his frequent glances and began to feel increasingly uncomfortable.

　　His gaze seemed to carry warmth, causing her cheeks to redden little by little.

　　She tried to appear unfazed, quietly picking at the rice in her bowl, but Yichen’s eyes followed her all the same.

　　At last, unable to bear it any longer, Qing Nianli set down her chopsticks, lifted her head, and looked directly at him, irritation edging her voice. “Yichen, have you stared enough?”

　　Caught off guard, Yichen froze for a moment, then scratched his head awkwardly. “Ah—sorry. I… I just couldn’t help it.”

　　She frowned. “You keep looking at me like that. I can’t even eat properly.”

　　Yichen was just about to explain—“It’s because you look exactly like the woman I’ve been dreaming about for nearly a year”—when—

　　“Chen’er!”

　　Jun Lintian’s voice rang out like thunder on flat ground. Startled, Yichen jolted, the words choking back down his throat.

　　Jun Lintian set down his chopsticks and looked sternly at him. “Chen’er, how can you stare at a young lady like that? It’s extremely rude—do you understand?”

　　Yichen lowered his head and murmured, “Master, I know I was wrong.”

　　Jun Lintian then turned to Qing Nianli and said gently, “Nianli, please don’t take offense. This child has cultivated in these mountains since he was young and has hardly ever seen other women. He’s likely just curious, with no ill intent.”

　　Qing Nianli smiled and nodded. “It’s all right, Jun Uncle. I understand.”

　　Yichen stood to the side, wanting to speak yet holding back, finally letting out a helpless sigh and resolving to explain himself later.

　　Jun Lintian patted his shoulder. “Don’t behave so rudely again.”

　　After this brief interruption, Qing Nianli’s attention returned to the dishes on the table. Earlier, distracted by Yichen’s gaze, she had scarcely tasted anything properly.

　　She looked at the richly colored, aromatic dish before her, curiosity flickering in her eyes.

　　Now that she had calmed herself, she realized how appealing it truly was. Her gaze lingered, as if reassessing the food and compensating for the attention she had missed before.

　　She picked up a piece of glistening meat and gently placed it into her mouth.

　　The instant it touched her taste buds, a wondrous flavor blossomed across her palate. Her eyes widened slightly in surprise.

　　The taste was rich and mellow, infused with a distinctive fragrance that made her tongue seem to dance with delight. She savored it carefully, enjoying the unexpected sensory impact.

　　After a moment, she came back to herself, looked at Yichen, and asked with curiosity shining in her eyes, “Yichen, what dish is this? How can it be so delicious?”

　　Her voice carried a hint of urgency, as if she could hardly wait for the answer.

　　Her chopsticks remained suspended midair, as though she were still lost in the aftertaste, waiting for Yichen to reveal the secret behind the dish.

　　Yichen, in the midst of eating, answered casually, “It’s the meat of that ferocious beast.”

　　At once, the enjoyment froze on Qing Nianli’s face, her eyes filling with shock.

　　She stared at Yichen in disbelief, then at the piece of meat held in her chopsticks, the terrifying image of that ferocious beast resurfacing vividly in her mind.

　　“What? This is the meat of that ferocious beast?”

　　“Ah!”

　　She let out a sharp scream that echoed through the room.

　　Her face drained of color, her stomach roiling violently, as though she might vomit at any moment.

　　Startled by her sudden outcry, Yichen froze with food still in his mouth, eyes wide with confusion. “What’s wrong? Why such a big reaction?”

　　He struggled to swallow, utterly unable to comprehend why she was reacting so intensely.

　　Her hand trembled violently, and the piece of meat fell onto the table with a soft thud.

　　She stared at him in horror, disbelief and revulsion written across her face. “Why didn’t you say so earlier!”

　　As she spoke, she covered her mouth, looking as though she might be sick at any second.

　　Yichen scratched his head, baffled, and continued eating as he muttered, “Don’t be so shocked. The meat of a ferocious beast is quite delicious.”

　　Qing Nianli frowned, momentarily at a loss for words, staring blankly at the meat as she tried to come to terms with the truth.

　　She told herself repeatedly that it did taste wonderful, that perhaps there was nothing unacceptable about it.

　　Yet when her eyes fell upon the dish again, her stomach churned once more, the dreadful image of the beast refusing to leave her mind.

　　“I… I still can’t accept it.”

　　Her voice trembled, her face still pale. She set down her chopsticks and leaned back in her chair, letting out a deep sigh.

　　Seeing this, Jun Lintian shook his head helplessly and glanced at Yichen, reproach plain in his eyes, as if asking how he could have caused such a scene.

　　Yichen looked thoroughly embarrassed, muttering softly, “I really didn’t expect her reaction to be so strong.”

　　Jun Lintian sighed again. “You—always so careless.”

　　He then looked at Qing Nianli, opening his mouth as if to comfort her, but finding no suitable words, could only convey his helplessness in silence.

　　For a moment, the air in the room seemed to congeal, awkwardness and helplessness spreading unchecked.

　　Jun Lintian patted Yichen’s shoulder. “All right. Take Nianli to rest.”

　　Yichen nodded, stood up, and went to Qing Nianli’s side, speaking softly. “Come on, I’ll take you to your room.”

　　Qing Nianli rose somewhat dazedly and followed him out of the room.

　　As they walked along the quiet corridor, Yichen sighed lightly, breaking the silence. “Actually… I kept looking at you earlier because you resemble a woman who often appears in my dreams. I think it may be connected to my origins… so… I’m sorry.”

　　Hearing this, Qing Nianli felt a spark of curiosity and turned to look at him. “Oh? What kind of dream is it?”

　　Yichen’s gaze grew distant, as though sinking into memory. “It’s very vague. I only remember a woman dressed in white. Her figure is always indistinct, but she gives me a very special feeling—just like you.”

　　After hearing this, Qing Nianli’s emotions grew complex.

　　She was first struck by surprise, never expecting herself to resemble the woman from Yichen’s dreams so closely. The thought that some mysterious connection might exist between them filled her with disbelief.

　　At the same time, curiosity about his dream blossomed within her. She wanted to know what role that woman in white played in his dreams, and this curiosity drove her to understand Yichen’s inner world more deeply.

　　“What do you know about your own origins, then?” she asked, brows knitting slightly.

　　Yichen gave a bitter smile and shook his head. “I only know that Master found me and took me in when I was young. My name was given by him, and I don’t even have a family name. He believed my biological parents would come looking for me one day, so he never assigned me a surname. As for who my parents are—I have no idea at all.”

　　Qing Nianli looked at him, a flicker of pity crossing her eyes. Moved by compassion, she reached out and gently took his hand, her voice soft. “Perhaps one day, you’ll find clues about your origins.”

　　Yichen looked down at their joined hands, warmth surging through him, spreading all the way to his heart. He nodded slightly, his voice gentle. “Yes… hopefully.”

　　Before they realized it, they had arrived outside a room. Yichen opened the door and said, “This will be where you rest. Have a good rest.”

　　“Thank you, Yichen,” Qing Nianli said, stepping inside and turning back to him.

　　Yichen smiled and softly closed the door, leaving Qing Nianli alone in the room, her thoughts in turmoil.

　　Instead of returning to his own quarters, Yichen lingered in the corridor, his expression grave, lost in thought.

　　Moonlight flowed like water, draping over his shoulders and casting a solitary silhouette.

　　The face of the woman from his dreams surfaced again and again in his mind. The more he thought, the more certain he became that she was no ordinary figure. Deep in his heart, a premonition stirred—that she and his origins were likely bound by countless hidden threads.

　　“I must uncover the truth of my past. She is surely the key,” Yichen murmured.

　　Suddenly, Qing Nianli’s image flashed through his mind. His eyes lit up. “That uncanny resemblance is no coincidence! Perhaps by staying close to Nianli, I can find the path to unraveling the mystery of my origins.”

　　Drawing a deep breath, his chest rose and fell.

　　He gazed into the distance, silently steeling his resolve. From tomorrow onward, he would observe everything around him with greater care, overlook no detail, and pursue every clue related to the woman in his dreams—determined to uncover the long-hidden secret.