It was already dawn when Chen HaoYu had returned to the city.
Along the way to his home. People would be attracted to his appearance and when they stared at him, some people would crash into a pole or miss a step. There's even a carriage who got stuck because one of the horses feet got stuck in a ditch.
When Chen HaoYu saw this, question marks filled his face. Wondering why people were staring at him especially when he knew that he just had an ordinary appearance.
Not wanting to be stared at, he quickened his pace and got home.
...
Simultaneously, Zhao Congming who had just woken up by an urgent knock got to know that Chen HaoYu had returned.
When he learned that Chen HaoYu had returned, he didn't have time to wash up and just changed his clothes before going to see Chen HaoYu.
...
When Chen HaoYu finally got home, he lied down on the sofa.
Exhaling a mouthful of turbid air, "I wonder how long have I've been gone?"
He didn't remember the day that he left but he just hoped that it wasn't long.
Just as Chen HaoYu plan to check up on the tree, a knock could be heard from outside.
"Who would look for me in such early morning?" Saying that, he still went to open the door.
When Chen HaoYu opened the door and was about to ask, he was hugged tightly by the other person.
"Man! I missed you!" Zhao Congming said.
"Gah! Who misses who!" Chen HaoYu was grossed out by hearing another man say he missed him and tried to push Zhao Congming away.
"You heartless man! How could you do this to me?" Zhao Congming sobbingly said.
The aunties and uncles who were exercising, going to work, or just taking a walk started looking at them.
Chen HaoYu wanted to curse so badly on why Zhao Congming is doing this to him this early morning!
He pulled Zhao Congming away to his house so that those people won't see them anymore but he didn't know that doing this made those aunties eyes lit up and these aunties started gathering at the nearby park.
After a while, Zhao Congming had already calmed down and after taking a sip of water. He asked, "Where have you been?"
"I just went out to do something, haven't I told you about this?'
"It's fine if it is just for a while but you've been gone for 3 months!"
Chen HaoYu was shocked to hear that it has been three months and that he had stayed in that place for so long without food and water!
When he thought about food, his stomach grumbled.
"You didn't have breakfast yet?"
"Uh... Yeah..." He didn't reveal that he had not eaten for the whole 3 months.
"Do you have food here? Nevermind that, let's just go to a restaurant." Saying that Zhao Congming pulled Chen HaoYu out.
Before going to the restaurant, Zhao Congming also called Li MengYao to have breakfast with them.
...
At the restaurant.
The trio sat down and began ordering dishes, well it's mostly Zhao Congming who was ordering a lot.
"We can't finish all of this!" Chen HaoYu said.
"Don't worry! Anyway, you guys are skinny. You two should eat more!" Zhao Congming generously said.
"I'm on a diet." Li MengYao said.
"Diet! Diet! Aren't you already beautiful enough MengYao? Even if you get some fat, men would still flock to court you!" When Zhao Congming said that, a chill suddenly ran through his spine.
Coughing, Chen HaoYu changed the topic, "Anyway, what happened during these past 3 months?"
"We've been searching for you! At first I thought that you returned to your family but when I went over and you weren't there. I thought that you must have gone on a mission but MengYao disagree."
"I disagree because Mr. Chen had told me that he'll be gone for a week and I also thought that he was going back to visit his family."
"Also HaoYu, I didn't mean to pry through your privacy but when I was looking for you. I accidentally learned that you had... A broken magic core?" Zhao Congming carefully said to Chen HaoYu.
Li MengYao was surprised to hear that and she looked at Chen HaoYu for confirmation.
Chen HaoYu was silent for a while then said, "It's true that I had a broken magic core..."
"I'm sorry about that Mr. Chen, can I ask what happened? It's fine if you don't want to talk about it though." Li MengYao comforted and asked Chen HaoYu.
Shaking his head, "No it's fine, I had an accident when I was at my sister's school event."
"I see, have you tried looking for healers or solutions to repair the magic core?"
"Well I have but—" before Chen HaoYu could continue, he was interrupted by Zhao Congming.
"Wait! Wait! I just noticed now but why are you two formal to each other?"
"Uhh..."
"Here, why don't the two of you call each other by first names. Go ahead HaoYu call MengYao by her first name and same goes for you too MengYao." Zhao Congming said.
Chen HaoYu and Li MengYao looked at each other.
"M–MengYao"
"H–HaoYu"
"Uhh, I don't think it's appropriate. Right Miss Li?"
"Y–Yeah!" Li MengYao quickly nodded her head.
"You two... Don't you guys talk to each other or something?"
"We don't usually get to see or talk to each other since our shifts are different and I've been busy studying arrays with you." Chen HaoYu said.
"Same and I'm also quite busy with school." Li MengYao said.
"Right... But... Uhh nevermind!" Waving his hand, Zhao Congming couldn't be bothered with these two.
After the meal, the trio went for a walk.
Li MengYao wanted to slip away but was stopped by Zhao Congming and he also stopped Chen HaoYu from going to work, saying that he'll explain it to the chairman.
Both Li MengYao and Chen HaoYu was surprised to find out that Zhao Congming was the chairman's disciple in array formations.
"Ahaha! You guys might not know this but my master is actually a big shot though he's now retired and living a leisure life."
"I didn't think that chairman was actually an array master..." Li MengYao said.
"Array master? No, no, no, I think you're mistaken! Array formations is just one of his hobbies!"
"Ehh? Then what is his main specialization?"
Zhao Congming scratched his head and said, "Actually, I'm not sure either but I heard that he's a mage or maybe it's alchemists?"
"But to be his disciple, you must've caught his attention!" Chen HaoYu said.
"Of course! After all, I'm a genius!" Zhao Congming raised his head proudly.
"Che! Genius my ass!" A voice could be heard from the side.
When they looked at the source, it was actually the chairman himself!
"Uhh... Hehe..." Zhao Congming was embarrassed when it was his master who had said that.
"Chairman! What brings you here?" Li MengYao asked.
"I was just taking a walk, I didn't expect to meet you guys here. Oh right, it seems that you have returned!" The chairman said and looked at Chen HaoYu.
Suddenly as the chairman stared at Chen HaoYu, his feet was suddenly unsteady but it was only for a moment and his eyes also regained clarity.
After that, the chairman didn't look at Chen HaoYu anymore but said, "It seems that in the past 3 months, you've gained something!"
"Gained something?" Chen HaoYu was shocked to hear that he had actually gained something!
"Yeah, I'll give you another month of break. You should use this to consolidate what you've gained there." Saying that, the chairman turned around and left.
Curious, Zhao Congming and Li MengYao looked at Chen HaoYu and Zhao Congming asked, "Where did you go exactly?"
"Umm... Somewhere in the forest outside the city." Chen HaoYu said.
But clearly they didn't believed it. Zhao Congming said, "It's fine if you don't want to say it, everyone has their secrets!"
Li MengYao also nodded her head.