The next day, Shen Ying and Liu Qingyan accompanied Si Lingxi to Yu Ling Garden. Lu Zheng did not go with them. Instead, he crossed over to the modern world alone.
From the time he had gone to Weizhou, Lu Zheng had not returned to the modern world for more than ten days. Although he had told Lin Wan before leaving, his phone was still buzzing constantly when he came back.
He unlocked it and saw plenty of unread messages: from the dorm group, the full-armour fighting group, celebrity friends, business contacts. The most important one was from Zhang Weili. She had a UFC title defence fight.
It was tonight, in Haicheng.
“Bloody hell, I nearly missed it,” Lu Zheng muttered to himself. Then he opened the chat in the [Tiger Fighting Group].
The Tiger Fighting Group was the small four-person chat that Zhao Xiaodao had created for Zhang Weili, Lu Zheng, and Lin Wan.
Zhang Weili’s title defence had been announced more than three months earlier, but at the time it felt too far away, so Lu Zheng had not paid much attention. A week ago she had mentioned it again in the group, but Lu Zheng had been busy then.
He seemed to remember helping Lin Yi play chess against Master Jin Ye at the time.
…
Zhang Weili: One week from now, Saturday evening at eight, I have my title defence at Haicheng Sports Arena. Sister Wan, Brother Lu, are you free? Come and cheer me on!
Lin Wan: I’m free. Lu Zheng has been away these past few days, though, so I’m not sure if he’ll be back.
Zhang Weili: No worries, I’ll send you two tickets anyway. Come if you can.
Zhao Xiaodao: @Zhang Weili Why didn’t you invite me?
Zhang Weili: Aren’t you in Beidu?
Zhao Xiaodao: I can fly to Haicheng!!! I want tickets too!!!
Zhang Weili: Fine, fine, you get some. I’ll bring them to you tonight.
Zhao Xiaodao: It’s a deal. I’ll be there to cheer you on.
Zhang Weili: OK.
…
Zhang Weili: Has Brother Lu come back yet?
Lin Wan: Not yet. Tomorrow I’ll bring a colleague to support you.
Zhang Weili: Great, you’re welcome!
Zhao Xiaodao: I’m on the early flight tomorrow. I’ll meet up with Sister Wan then.
…
By the time Lu Zheng read the messages, it was already Saturday morning. Zhang Weili was preparing at the arena, and Lin Wan had probably already met Zhao Xiaodao.
Lin Wan had likely brought Li Ying along too.
Since the kidnapping incident, Li Ying and Lin Wan had grown even closer. They were practically inseparable. If it were not for Lu Zheng, the two would probably live together.
It felt awkward. Lu Zheng wondered if there were still any tickets left.
He checked online. There were tickets, second-hand, from scalpers.
Lu Zheng stared at the screen.
With my thousand years of cultivation, the only immortal in the world, do I really have to buy scalper tickets to watch a fight?
He shook his head, then resolutely bought two of the most expensive front-row seats. He received the redemption code, exchanged it for electronic tickets, linked them to his ID card. Done.
He could just pay extra later and swap with whoever was sitting next to Lin Wan.
…
Lu Zheng: (photo.jpg)
Lu Zheng: I’m back. Bought tickets. I’ll swap with the person next to Lin Wan when I get there.
Zhang Weili: Brother Lu, why did you buy your own? I can still ask the organisers for another.
Zhao Xiaodao: It’s the day of the event. Any spare tickets have probably all been given away by now.
Zhang Weili: Uh… maybe…
Lin Wan: Fine. I brought Xiao Ying. Since you bought two tickets, why not invite Xiu Min?
Lu Zheng: Good idea. You call her. We can all have dinner together tonight.
Lin Wan: OK.
Zhao Xiaodao: OK!
Zhang Weili: No problem!
…
After everything was settled in the group, Lu Zheng received an address from Lin Wan. She had picked up Zhao Xiaodao with Li Ying and they were resting in a café.
Lu Zheng changed clothes, took a taxi, and soon arrived.
He entered the café and saw Lin Wan, Li Ying, Zhao Xiaodao, and her little assistant sitting in the quietest corner by the window, drinking coffee and chatting.
The place was not crowded. Although a few customers occasionally glanced at Zhao Xiaodao, no one was frantically asking for autographs or crowding around.
When they spotted Lu Zheng, they waved enthusiastically. As he approached, Zhao Xiaodao called out, “Brother Lu, quick, sit down. Sister Wan already ordered your sweetened latte.”
They were at a long table. Lin Wan shifted sideways to make space for him.
Lu Zheng sat, took a sip of the warm coffee, looked around the group, and smiled. “No one chasing you for autographs?”
“Sister Xiaodao just signed a bunch,” Li Ying quickly explained.
“Right… that explains it…”
The nearby customers had heard Zhao Xiaodao greet Lu Zheng so warmly. The moment he arrived, everyone seemed to revolve around him. They all quietly sized him up, wondering which rich second-generation he might be.
Lu Zheng turned to Lin Wan. “Did you call Xiu Min?”
Lin Wan nodded. “She’s working overtime on a case report. She’ll join us once she finishes this afternoon.”
“Hard work,” Lu Zheng said, shaking his head in sympathy. He offered moral support, then asked, “What are we eating for lunch?”
Li Ying burst out laughing. “We haven’t decided yet. We were waiting to ask your opinion.”
“I’m not fussy. Anything is fine,” Lu Zheng said. Then he looked at Lin Wan. “What do you fancy?”
Lin Wan thought for a moment. “Let’s go to Flower Language Private Kitchen.”
Flower Language Private Kitchen was the place Zhao Xiaodao had first taken them to eat. The atmosphere was refined, perfect for a small gathering of friends, and the food was decent, at least never unpleasant.
“Sounds good!”
Lunch was settled. They carried on chatting.
“So, Sister Wan, when are we going to Africa to see lions?” Zhao Xiaodao’s eyes sparkled.
Lu Zheng could not hold back his laughter. “That Northeast tiger didn’t scare you enough? You still want to tease lions?”
Zhao Xiaodao rolled her eyes. “Scare me? With Sister Wan there, what could happen? I’ve seen the photos you took. You’ve had your fun. Now it’s my turn!”
Her little assistant trembled in the corner. She had never witnessed Lu Zheng and Lin Wan’s sword qi battles, so while Zhao Xiaodao felt fearless, the assistant was terrified. The Northeast tiger incident had nearly frightened her soul away. Even now, the thought of going northeast gave her chills.
So they were no longer going after solitary Northeast tigers. Now they planned to head to Africa and face entire prides of lions?
Was there a more reckless way to tempt fate?
Sis, you’re so rich. Couldn’t you enjoy normal rich-people things?
Zhao Xiaodao was full of enthusiasm, and Li Ying was equally excited. “Sis, can I come this time?”
Li Ying understood Lin Wan’s strength well enough and trusted her completely.
If it were just Lu Zheng and Lin Wan on a private trip, she would not intrude. But if Zhao Xiaodao was joining a wilderness adventure, Li Ying was not going to miss out. She was fascinated by the photos Lin Wan had shown of petting lions, petting leopards, riding elephants, riding zebras.
Opportunities like that were rare. Miss it, and it might be gone forever.
