As winter gives way to spring, year after year, Chu Liuxue is now seventeen, and Chu Suiyan sixteen. The once scrawny bean sprouts have transformed significantly.

Chu Suiyan was born with good looks—teeth like pearls, lips like cinnabar, and as graceful as a jade tree swaying in the wind. Chu Liuxue might not possess her brother's ethereal beauty, but her demeanor is elegant and serene, like a gentle spring breeze caressing the face, standing there with a simple grace.

But in Tao Mian's eyes, they were merely little bean sprouts turned into big bean sprouts, with unchanged childish natures, making no real difference.

Chu Suiyan's health was indeed troublesome. His chronic headaches were finally under control, only to be replaced by a new issue of excessive sleepiness. He naturally liked to cling to Tao Mian, constantly calling "Shi Fu, Shi Fu," until it became a habit. Chu Liuxue had scolded him twice, telling him not to bother Tao Mian with trivial matters. If he was hungry or full, he should know it himself; there was no need to show off the flower he picked when the whole mountain was full of them.

Chu Suiyan felt wronged; he just loved to share. His sister didn't understand the romance of life, but Shi Fu could respond to him. With only the three of them on the entire mountain, who else could he turn to but Tao Mian?

Tao Mian suggested he talk to Senior Brother Gu.

Chu Suiyan shivered and waved his hands repeatedly, "No, no."

Now that he was sick, he had a legitimate reason to stick by Shi Fu's side.

Tao Mian never intervened in the siblings' minor disputes, always maintaining a neutral stance, sitting on the sidelines to watch the show.

They had grown up, but their bickering was even fiercer than when they were kids. There was never a moment of peace.

One day, the two of them started arguing over some trivial matter again. Midway through, Chu Suiyan suddenly went silent, his eyes closed, and he fell backward.

Tao Mian, watching the scene, caught him from behind with practiced ease, suggesting this wasn't the first time it had happened.

Tao Mian's brows furrowed tightly, and Chu Liuxue also fell silent. They both looked at Chu Suiyan's sleeping face, a sense of unease spreading.

"Banknote..."

Tao Mian's hand rested on the boy's forehead. There was no fever, no sweat, just a quiet sleep. If not for checking his breath, anyone would think he wasn't alive.

Hearing Chu Liuxue call his name, Tao Mian looked up and smiled reassuringly.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

"Don't worry, we'll find a way."

Though Tao Mian was lazy, he never slacked on important matters. Just like years ago, he had his connections in the mortal world search for a solution.

This time, however, the replies were delayed by a few days, giving Tao Mian a bad feeling.

He opened letter after letter, three in total, each with similar content.

—The causes of excessive sleepiness are many. The patient must seek diagnosis personally... When will the shopkeeper visit the store?

—The ailment of excessive sleepiness is difficult to resolve. I am powerless, having never seen a suitable method... When will the shopkeeper visit the store?

—Excessive sleepiness may be a congenital condition... When will the shopkeeper visit the store?

Tao Mian's letter opener slipped from his hand, piercing through the three letters perfectly.

All of them saying "visit the store"... They must have conspired together!

Annoyed, he opened the last letter, which was much shorter and to the point.

—I have a solution. Come see me.

The tone was confident and rather impolite, lacking any respect from a subordinate to a superior.

Tao Mian didn't need to see the signature to know who wrote it. He disdainfully muttered, "What level are you at, making me come to see you?"

...

Then he packed his things overnight, preparing to leave the mountain.

Chu Liuxue had visited her brother's room once, finding Chu Suiyan still asleep. She stood at the door for a while, hearing a thud from the room next door.

Her eyes moved slightly, and she turned toward the source of the sound.

She found Tao Mian picking up a wine jug.

"...Are you leaving the mountain?"

"Did I wake you?"

Tao Mian placed the wine jug back on the table, only to hear Chu Liuxue say behind him, "I wasn't sleepy anyway."

"Si Dui's condition can't be delayed. He's been sleeping longer and longer lately. I'm worried that one day he'll fall asleep and never wake up."

When not arguing with her brother, the Third Disciple was quite mature. Tao Mian didn't hide many things from her.

Besides, the mountain needed Chu Liuxue to take care of everything.

Chu Liuxue knew her brother's illness was troublesome, but she didn't expect it had reached the point where Tao Mian had to leave the mountain.

"This journey, I don't know when I'll return. San Tu, you and Si Dui must take care."

Tao Mian earnestly instructed.

"Don't worry," Chu Liuxue nodded, "You don't need to worry about anything on the mountain. I'll take care of Suiyan."

"You still don't understand," Tao Mian stuffed his belongings into a mustard seed pouch, "I'm telling you to take care of yourself too."

"I..." Chu Liuxue paused, "What could happen to me? I've been fine all these years on the mountain."

Tao Mian gave her a deep look but said nothing more.

"Alright, no more unnecessary words, or you'll say I'm nagging. I'm leaving."

"When Si Dui wakes up, tell him Shi Fu is going on a long journey. He's sensitive, don't let him overthink. Shi Fu will definitely cure his illness."

Chu Liuxue agreed, watching Tao Mian leave under the moonlight.

Only when Shi Fu's figure disappeared did she open the door to her brother's room, intending to check on him one last time before bed.

"...You're awake?"

Chu Suiyan had his arms outside the blanket, eyes gazing at the crescent moon outside the window.

"Liuxue, what's outside the mountain?"

"What kind of nonsense is that? Didn't you always wander outside when you were little?"

This time, the young man didn't argue, instead seeming lost in his own world.

"That feels like a long, long time ago. How long have we been on Peach Blossom Mountain? I'm gradually forgetting what the outside is like."

"...Do you want to leave the mountain?"

Chu Suiyan didn't directly answer her question but raised his right hand, spreading his fingers as if trying to grasp the moon outside.

"We've been protected too well by Shi Fu. Those bleak and helpless times seem to have vanished, leaving only this paradise."

"So, what's wrong with that?"

"But we're too powerless, Liuxue. If one day Shi Fu falls ill, if someone wants to destroy this place, who will protect Shi Fu? Who can guard this paradise?"

"…"

Chu Liuxue couldn't answer his question. After a moment of silence, she sighed and advised him.

"Sleep, Suiyan. These questions can wait until you're better."

Chu Suiyan slowly withdrew his hand into the blanket, turning his body away from the door.

Standing at the door, Chu Liuxue watched his back for a while before quietly closing the door.

The room was left with a pool of bright moonlight.

Unaware of the siblings' conversation, Tao Mian was on his way south, heading to the most prosperous Capital City in the south.

He had been hesitating the entire journey, from land to water. The boatman rowing the boat noticed his conflicted expression and jokingly asked if he was going to meet a lover.

Tao Mian chuckled dryly.

"Not a lover, an enemy."