Xie Zhui watched the source of the sound with a guarded expression. He saw a strange door being pulled open, and then Xiao Shan appeared, wrapped in a large white towel around his lower body.

 

The moment he saw Xiao Shan, Xie Zhui let out a deep breath. No matter how strange this place was, as long as the three of them were together, he had nothing to fear.

 

Compared to Xie Zhui's calm demeanor, Xiao Shan's expression was a mix of joy and sorrow. He had been bathing in a side room of the prince's residence, feeling tired and hot, and had closed his eyes to rest for a while in the tub.

 

When he next heard the sound of water, he realized he had returned. Panicking, he hastily wrapped a towel around himself and pushed open the bathroom door, only to see Xie Zhui holding the child with a vigilant look on his face.

 

He truly hadn't expected that Xie Zhui and the child would appear in this era with him. It felt like a dream.

 

Various thoughts surged in his mind, but Xiao Shan quickly composed himself. He walked step by step to Xie Zhui's side, then gently took Mingming from his arms and placed him on the bed, tenderly covering him with a thin blanket.

 

After doing all this, he sat down next to Xie Zhui.

 

Xie Zhui, having calmed down, asked, "This is... what place is this?" The room was square, with beige walls and various unfamiliar objects. Everything was so strange, completely unlike any room he remembered.

 

Xie Zhui observed everything carefully. Although he felt anxious, having Xiao Shan by his side kept him from showing it. He had many questions, such as why Xiao Shan seemed completely unfazed by their surroundings.

 

Perhaps Xiao Shan knew what this place was.

 

Xiao Shan gently ruffled Xie Zhui's hair. Both of them still had long hair, and the inner garments that Xie Zhui and Mingming were wearing were unique to the prince's residence.

 

Since Xiao Shan had been bathing, he was completely naked and had to wear whatever clothes were available in the room.

 

At that moment, Xiao Shan felt a strange sense of continuity, as if he and the Xiao Shan from ancient times were the same person.

 

Perhaps it was his past life, or maybe even a life before that.

 

It was as if, after living one life, he had drunk the soup of forgetfulness, reincarnated into the modern Xiao Shan, and then, by some twist of fate, returned to ancient times, retaining his adult soul.

 

This explained why he returned in his ancient body.

 

As Xiao Shan pulled Xie Zhui up, he said, "No matter where we are, let's make the best of it. I'll show you around later; think of it as an adventure."

 

Xie Zhui glanced at Mingming, who was sleeping soundly, and hesitated.

 

Xiao Shan smiled, then opened the wardrobe and changed his clothes.

 

Fortunately, Xie Zhui and Xiao Shan had similar builds. Xiao Shan took another set of clothes from the wardrobe and personally helped Xie Zhui put them on.

 

Now, aside from their long hair, their attire was indistinguishable from that of modern people.

 

Xie Zhui awkwardly tugged at his clothes. The fabric was soft and comfortable, and it didn't feel uncomfortable against his skin. Although he had worn simple outfits before, the feeling was entirely different from these modern clothes.

 

Xiao Shan watched Xie Zhui with a smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners. He wasn't one to indulge in fantasies.

 

In ancient times, he had met Xie Zhui and integrated into that society, never considering what it would be like if they had met in the modern world.

 

Now that the two of them inexplicably appeared in the modern world, whether they would stay here permanently or return to the past at some unexpected moment, Xiao Shan was determined to help Xie Zhui integrate into his life.

 

After adjusting Xie Zhui's collar, Xiao Shan said, "There are no wet nurses here. We need to prepare some things for the child, or he'll be hungry at night."

 

Xie Zhui released his grip on his clothes, glanced at Xiao Shan, and nodded without asking too many questions.

 

Xiao Shan didn't offer any explanations either. He intended to personally guide Xie Zhui into this world, letting him experience it firsthand.

 

Xiao Shan found his phone from a familiar spot, and it was fully charged.

 

In this era where one could pay with a phone, everything was very convenient. Xiao Shan even tested his phone, finding it still functional, with the money in his linked bank account untouched, enough to buy plenty of things.

 

Perhaps sensing that they were about to go out, Mingming soon started wriggling on the bed, clearly indicating he needed to relieve himself.

 

Xiao Shan immediately took him to the bathroom, and after washing him up, brought him back out.

 

After tidying up the little one, Xiao Shan called Xie Zhui to head out. Mingming, still young, was wearing the small clothes made by the embroiderers of the prince's residence, which had a distinctly ancient style.

 

However, due to his young age, these clothes only made Mingming look adorable.

 

Although Mingming was a child, he was very curious about everything. As Xiao Shan and Xie Zhui carried him out, his eyes darted around, filled with curiosity, yet he remained obediently perched on Xie Zhui's shoulder.

 

Xiao Shan didn't carry the child; instead, he held Xie Zhui's hand, quietly explaining what the elevator was as they entered it.

 

There were other people in the elevator, who discreetly glanced at the two of them. Their looks were not malicious but rather filled with curiosity. To them, Xiao Shan and Xie Zhui probably seemed like they had just come from a film set.

 

Stepping out of the elevator, Xie Zhui was overwhelmed by the towering buildings and the bustling traffic. He lost his usual composure.

 

The scene before him was something he couldn't have even dreamed of.

 

Everything felt so surreal, yet so real.

 

Xiao Shan had a car, but he didn't drive it because if he did, Xie Zhui and the child would have to sit in the back, as children couldn't be held in the front seat. So, he decided to take a taxi to the mall instead.

 

The moment they stepped into the confined space of the taxi, Xie Zhui tensed up. Xiao Shan gently squeezed his hand.

 

Xie Zhui's heart immediately calmed down, and he gave Xiao Shan a slight smile.

 

As he settled down, Xie Zhui casually glanced outside, and his eyes suddenly widened.

 

He saw people in long sleeves and pants, others in short sleeves and shorts, and this included women.

 

When Xie Zhui saw many women wearing off-shoulder tops or shorts that exposed their legs, his expression was a mix of surprise and shyness. However, his face only showed a kind of bashful embarrassment, without any hint of disdain or impropriety.

 

He had seen women from the northern regions who were bold and carefree, and their attire was relatively daring.

 

But compared to the women before him, it was still quite different.

 

Here, there seemed to be no strict separation between men and women. Men and women walked together, chatting and laughing openly.

 

In the bustling streets, everyone dressed this way. The world was vast and full of wonders. Whether in hostile or friendly nations, the customs and traditions of unfamiliar places, though different from what he knew, never evoked any negative emotions in him.

 

More importantly, how others dressed or who they chatted with had nothing to do with him. However, he felt too embarrassed to keep looking at the bare backs of the women, so he quickly averted his gaze.

 

Xiao Shan naturally noticed the shyness in Xie Zhui's eyes but said nothing, simply holding his hand.

 

They went to a maternity and baby store to buy formula and bottles for the child, as well as many clothes. The sales assistant helping them watched with a smile, clearly amused by their close relationship.

 

The intimacy between the two was obvious to anyone, but Xie Zhui didn't understand the significance of the looks they received.

 

Xie Zhui was unaware that in this world, there was no concept of "ger," and Xiao Shan had no intention of correcting his understanding, nor did he care about the attention they drew.

 

After purchasing everything, Xiao Shan carried the child and led Xie Zhui out of the store.

 

A sales assistant discreetly took a photo of them and posted it online.

 

Because of the unique embroidery on Mingming's clothes, the photo later sparked a discussion among embroidery enthusiasts. They had never seen such stitching techniques before and were eager to examine the clothes up close. Unfortunately, they couldn't find the people in the photo and had to settle for studying the picture.

 

Unaware of this, Xiao Shan took Xie Zhui to a nearby men's clothing store to pick out some outfits for both of them.

 

Xiao Shan had a keen eye for fashion, selecting clothes for Xie Zhui that perfectly showcased his physique. Initially, Xie Zhui felt a bit uncomfortable, but hearing the compliments from others and seeing the appreciative look in Xiao Shan's eyes, all his discomfort vanished.

 

They went to a restaurant that Xiao Shan frequented. Since the baby bottles hadn't been sterilized with hot water yet, they couldn't use them for Mingming. Fortunately, Mingming was already eating solid foods, so Xiao Shan ordered a steamed egg for him.

 

Everyone has a hard time resisting good food, and Xie Zhui was no exception.

 

The same dish could taste completely different when prepared by chefs from different eras, and the food at Xiao Shan's favorite restaurant was indeed delicious. Xie Zhui ate with great satisfaction.

 

Mingming also enjoyed his steamed egg, smiling as he ate.

 

After returning home, Xiao Shan sterilized the baby bottles and washed the new clothes they bought.

 

The family of three stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, looking out. Below the tall buildings, neon lights flickered, forming a colorful river of lights flowing in all directions.

 

Mingming was overjoyed, patting the window and giggling.

 

After a day of overwhelming experiences, Xie Zhui softly said, "The people here, whether men or women, are all... very good." Besides the word "good," he couldn't find any other way to express his feelings.

 

Xiao Shan understood. What Xie Zhui meant was freedom. Embracing Xie Zhui from behind, Xiao Shan said, "Indeed, it's very good. Those men and women outside can work together, and if they're happy, they can gather and celebrate at night. This era has given them a lot of freedom. But no matter how good they are, they can't compare to you."

 

Xie Zhui was from ancient times, and Xiao Shan was willing to give up his modern identity to live with him in the past.

 

Xie Zhui knew that Xiao Shan's words were sincere, but he still envied the tolerance this era had for women.

 

It was something he couldn't even dream of in his daily life.

 

Xiao Shan understood his feelings but didn't criticize ancient society lightly.

 

This era was also the result of countless people's efforts and struggles. The environments were different and incomparable.

 

That night, Mingming stayed up late, and Xie Zhui had trouble sleeping.

 

He looked at Xiao Shan, a wave of indescribable panic rising in his heart. He wondered, had Xiao Shan always lived here? Was he a celestial being?

 

He had heard many stories where it was often said that mortals and immortals were different.

 

Would there come a day when Xiao Shan and he would have to part ways?

 

He felt conflicted and uneasy, but then Xiao Shan pulled him under the covers.

 

In the air-conditioned room, everything was cool and comfortable, and there was no longer any need to worry about getting too hot from exertion.

 

***

 

In the following days, Xiao Shan took Xie Zhui and Mingming on a tour of the city he remembered.

 

They enjoyed a variety of foods, including Chinese cuisine, Western dishes, and fried chicken, among others.

 

Xiao Shan also took Xie Zhui and Mingming to an amusement park.

 

It was very hot, so the park wasn't crowded. Xie Zhui tried out all the rides.

 

This included the giant swing, pirate ship, and haunted house.

 

While Xie Zhui enjoyed these thrilling rides, Xiao Shan stayed below, taking photos of him.

 

The ability to take photos with a phone fascinated Xie Zhui the most. Before this, he couldn't believe there was something that could accurately capture his likeness.

 

Finally, the three of them sat on the Ferris wheel.

 

As the Ferris wheel reached its highest point, Xiao Shan leaned in and kissed Xie Zhui.

 

After their breath mingled deeply, Xiao Shan pulled back and said, "They say that kissing at the highest point of a Ferris wheel brings a lifetime of happiness."

 

Xie Zhui looked intently at Xiao Shan and asked, "Does that apply to us too? No matter where we are, will you always be there?"

 

Xiao Shan's eyes crinkled with a smile. "Of course. I was there before, I am here now, and I will be there in the future."

 

Xie Zhui looked at him, then averted his gaze with a smile. He said fiercely, "Me too. No matter what happens, I will never let go. Even if you are a celestial being, I won't let you leave."

 

His eyes stung as he said this, but his tone was filled with happiness.

 

Hearing Xie Zhui's words, Xiao Shan laughed outright. "What celestial being? I'm just an ordinary person. Celestial being, my foot. There's no celestial being like me. I'm just like you, a human, a person."

 

Xie Zhui nodded, indicating that he believed him.

 

***

 

That evening, the family had dinner outside. After returning home, Mingming took a bath, drank some milk, and quickly fell asleep.

 

A child's energy was limited, and it was already quite impressive that he stayed awake until then.

 

Xiao Shan and Xie Zhui talked, with no fixed topic, just speaking whatever came to mind.

 

After some time, Xie Zhui fell asleep.

 

Xiao Shan looked at his slightly weary face, a hint of heartache in his eyes.

 

These past few days, Xie Zhui hadn't been sleeping well. During the day, he seemed full of energy, but at night, he still couldn't sleep.

 

Even though Xiao Shan was right beside him, he remained deeply worried.

 

Xiao Shan kissed his eyelids gently and whispered, "Don't worry, I'm always here."

 

Xie Zhui's sleep was restless. He faintly heard the sound of water again, and a sense of urgency filled his heart as he kept calling out Xiao Shan's name.

 

After that final shout, Xie Zhui abruptly sat up, his heart pounding. He was breathing heavily and realized he was still in the prince's residence.

 

It felt like he had just woken from a dream, with the scenes from the dream fading away.

 

Xiao Shan walked in from the side room, and seeing Xie Zhui's expression, he understood everything.

 

At that moment, Xie Zhui leaped out of bed and threw himself into Xiao Shan's arms.

 

The room was hot, and without saying a word, they clung tightly to each other.

 

Xie Zhui whispered, "I think I just had a dream, a dream about a wonderful world where there was you, me, and Mingming..."

 

Xiao Shan's embrace tightened slightly as he said, "I told you, no matter where we are, we will always be together."

 

Whether it was Zhuang Zhou dreaming of a butterfly or a butterfly dreaming of Zhuang Zhou*, they had experienced it together and returned together.

*A story: Zhuangzi's Zhuang Zhou and the Butterfly