Every year during the Mid-Autumn Festival, Tao Mian planned to take Chu Liuxue to Xue Han's residence to celebrate among the mortals.

Xue Han sent a letter saying, "Come by yourself, don't bring that little tagalong." Tao Mian replied that he wouldn't go, but before dawn the next day, a carriage from the Xue residence was already parked at the foot of Peach Blossom Mountain.

Chu Liuxue didn't mind where they celebrated. To her, every festival day was just another day spent with Tao Mian, no different from any other day.

However, Tao Mian worried she might feel lonely, as this was the first Mid-Autumn Festival since Chu Suiyan left.

How did the three of them used to spend it?

New Year's Eve was for reunions, the fifteenth of the first month was for reunions, and Mid-Autumn was also a time for reunions. Only when people are often apart do they need constant reminders to come together.

The old Chu Liuxue never worried about this. Her only family was Chu Suiyan, and later, Tao Mian. On Mid-Autumn Day, they went about their usual business, each busy with their own tasks. It wasn't until dusk that they would all coincidentally put down their work and gather in the Taoist Temple.

The grapes were plump, and the crabs were full. The two children didn't drink wine; they sat around the table, breaking crabs and tasting the roe, their hands greasy. The Immortal brewed a pot of yellow wine alone, adding a few strands of ginger and some dried plums. The gentle aroma wafted from the spout of the pot, and just a sniff made Chu Liuxue feel tipsy. Chu Suiyan clung to Shi Fu's arm, trying to sneak a taste, only to be pushed back by Shi Fu's hand on his forehead.

"Kids your age have no worries, what do you need this for?"

Chu Suiyan, thwarted, took a big bite of crab in frustration and blatantly snatched half of a plump one from Shi Fu's plate. Tao Mian just smiled, letting him be.

Before Tao Mian, a pale green porcelain plate was piled high with crab, all picked out by Chu Liuxue from the large platter. She cracked open the shells, split them in half, and placed them on his plate. The Immortal ate slowly, and before he could take any, Chu Suiyan would swipe them from the side.

As a result, Chu Liuxue was busy cracking on one side, while Chu Suiyan was busy picking on the other.

Midway through, Chu Liuxue, unable to bear it any longer, nearly flipped the table.

As expected, the siblings ended up bickering again, while Tao Mian leisurely poured a cup of warm wine, holding it in his hands to warm himself.

Amidst the laughter and commotion, the reunion day passed.

This year, unfortunately, they were one person short.

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Chu Liuxue thought it wasn't a big deal; celebrating with Tao Mian was fine. In the past, the Immortal only took on one disciple, and the two of them managed, didn't they?

But the night before, Tao Mian told her they were going to the mortal world for a trip.

The carriage from the Xue residence had been waiting for a long time, not daring to rush them, as Chu Liuxue was trying to forcibly wake Tao Mian.

"You promised to take me out, and now you're lazing in bed? Get up, the carriage is waiting outside."

Chu Liuxue held one end of the quilt, while the other end was wrapped around someone, pressing down on the corner as if the girl was holding his life.

"I'll get up in another quarter of an hour."

"If you don't want to see Xue Han so much, why force yourself to plan this?"

"It was a moment of confusion on my part, but I've come to my senses today."

In the end, Chu Liuxue managed to get Tao Mian up, though not without resorting to some forceful measures.

In any case, the two of them were now in the carriage.

As the carriage rolled forward, Tao Mian seemed to have his soul drained, slumping into a puddle.

Chu Liuxue tugged at his outer robe, pulling him up a bit.

"Since we're here, don't be so glum."

"You just don't know how twisted Xue Han is, that's why you can still smile."

Chu Liuxue had only met Shopkeeper Xue once or twice, not much, but he left the impression of a refined and charming man. However, as a businessman, there was inevitably a hint of shrewdness.

She preferred not to interact much with such people, fearing she'd be swindled out of everything, down to her bones.

Yet Tao Mian said he was one of the few friends he had over the long years.

"I don't have many social connections to begin with, and my only friend is so calculating. Your eye for friendship is truly unique."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

The Xue residence was nominally one, but Xue Han had many estates and manors, with properties in every prosperous capital city in the mortal world.

This time, they were heading to one of them.

Chu Liuxue lifted the curtain of the carriage, gazing at the vast manor outside. According to Tao Mian, Xue Han had bought the entire mountain just to enjoy a rare type of osmanthus flower there.

Chu Liuxue's gaze remained on the varying heights of the gray-tiled eaves, and she asked, "Isn't Shopkeeper Xue managing your assets? Are you that wealthy?"

Tao Mian lay on the small table, his fingers playing with the koi ornament in the tea tray.

"Xue Han is just helping me manage some of the shops in the mortal world. His own wealth is substantial. I imagine most of it is in the Demonic Realm, given that's where he's from."

"The Demonic Realm?" Chu Liuxue repeated his words, "Xue Han is a demon too?"

"And a demon with a very special lineage," Tao Mian recalled the scarred child he first met. "His background is complicated, but I think he must have explored it himself."

"You never helped him search?"

"I said he's my friend, and I trust his abilities."

"Just admit you're lazy."

"You caught me."

As they conversed, the carriage came to a smooth stop at the entrance of the manor.

Tao Mian remained motionless.

"Are we getting off?"

Chu Liuxue asked for his opinion, and Tao Mian hesitated. Just then, the carriage curtain was lifted again.

Shopkeeper Xue, in a blue robe and jade crown, bowed and entered.

Tao Mian wished he could throw himself out of the carriage to avoid the hassle.

This time, Chu Liuxue finally understood why the Immortal called Shopkeeper Xue twisted, because as soon as he entered the carriage, a Binding Immortal Rope tied Tao Mian up tightly.

The Immortal nearly jumped up.

"Xue Han! You're at it again! Why is this Binding Immortal Rope even sturdier this time?"

"Fresh goods, just had someone fetch it from the Thousand Lantern Tower," Xue Han said casually, taking the only empty seat and dusting off nonexistent dirt from his clothes.

"Twisted! You spent so much money on this thing!"

"I have money, and I enjoy spending it."

At first, when Xue Han tied up the Immortal, Chu Liuxue was a bit at a loss. But when she saw there was no further threatening behavior, she relaxed.

Perhaps he was just an overly enthusiastic friend.

"Do we not need to get off the carriage?"

She asked Shopkeeper Xue, completely ignoring the Little Tao Immortal wriggling like a worm and seeking her help.

Xue Han maintained a more human demeanor in front of others, and his tone was gentle as he replied.

"This year, the mortal world has been plagued by disasters. The Emperor, in sympathy for the people, has forbidden the states and provinces from spending public funds on grand lantern festivals. Without the lantern festival, it's rather dull. How about I take you to the Demonic Realm for some fun?"

"The Demonic Realm?"

This was unexpected for Chu Liuxue.

"What, you don't want to go? If you don't, we can turn back."

"No," Chu Liuxue shook her head, "I just have a place I need to visit. If we go to the Demonic Realm, it would be on the way..."