Sharing Dreams with My Bestie's Cousin

Wen Zhi took a piece of incense from the box and placed it into her clothing pocket, before putting the box back exactly where it had been.

After completing this, she turned to glance at the bedroom doorway, then walked over.

By then, Chong Wanyin had already gone to sleep.

Wen Zhi stood at the doorway, silently observing for a while, her expression mixing indiscernible emotions. Finally, she fixed her gaze on the pair of slippers by the bed, memorized their original position, and then turned to return to the adjacent suite.

She shut the door and locked it.

Wen Zhi took out the calming incense she had hidden in her pocket, then opened her suitcase to retrieve a small prepared bottle of medicine.

The small bottle was made of glass, filled with a transparent liquid.

Wen Zhi lifted it, gently shaking the bottle, when suddenly the memory of Gu Rang trying so earnestly to stop and persuade her last night flashed through her mind...

Gu Rang likely thought she planned to buy a random dagger in the market to commit the crime?

Well, let him think that!

Wen Zhi smiled with curved lips, then put on a mask and disposable gloves. She unscrewed the lid of the medicine bottle and used tweezers to place the piece of calming incense inside, gently shaking it.

Once the calming incense was completely soaked by the transparent medicine, she used the tweezers to remove it and took it to the balcony to let it dry in the natural wind.

After completing these tasks, Wen Zhi removed her mask and gloves, tidied her hair and clothes, and returned to the room next door.

Under the effect of the calming incense, Chong Wanyin seemed to be sleeping somewhat deeply. Wen Zhi approached the bed, and she didn’t wake up.

"Madam?" Wen Zhi called softly as she neared.

The soundly sleeping Chong Wanyin did not react at all.

Wen Zhi sat down beside the bed, slowly leaning over, and called again while staring at the sleeping face of Chong Wanyin, "Madam?"

"Mrs. Shang?"

"Madam, can you hear me?"

Wen Zhi called several times in gentle tones, but Chong Wanyin could hear nothing and showed no signs of waking.

Was she deeply asleep?

Wen Zhi tugged the corner of her mouth, her eyes smiling faintly. If the pair of slippers by the bed hadn’t changed position, she might truly believe that Chong Wanyin was deep in sleep.

A certain image flashed through her mind, and Wen Zhi’s eyes lowered, her hand slowly reaching towards the ’sleeping’ Chong Wanyin.

Inch by inch, about to touch.

And Chong Wanyin remained motionless.

But in the end, Wen Zhi’s hand just landed on the blanket, tucking Chong Wanyin in with great tenderness.

As she withdrew her hand, Chong Wanyin finally opened her eyes: "Zhizhi."

Wen Zhi was startled and immediately withdrew her hand, a bit flustered, "Did I wake you up?"

Chong Wanyin shook her head, then propped herself up in bed, leaning back against the pillow, "I wasn’t sleeping well anyway."

Wen Zhi’s eyes were full of concern, "Can’t you sleep well even with the calming incense lit?"

Chong Wanyin closed her eyes and raised her hand to rub her temples, "It’s an old problem. Sometimes the calming incense helps, sometimes it doesn’t work at all."

Wen Zhi offered, "Let me massage it for you."

Chong Wanyin did not refuse, she shifted her position to make it easier for Wen Zhi to sit closer.

Wen Zhi’s massaging was very comfortable for Chong Wanyin; her brows relaxed, and she even praised her, "Zhizhi, your pressure is just right for me."

Wen Zhi responded, "Then I will massage you more often."

"I appreciate the offer," Chong Wanyin said, opening her eyes, "If Hexing found out I am making you do this, it would be hard to explain."

Wen Zhi replied naturally, "That won’t happen."

Chong Wanyin motioned for Wen Zhi to stop, then turned her head to look at Wen Zhi and suddenly asked, "Has Hexing proposed to you yet?"

Wen Zhi responded shyly with a shake of her head: "Madam, there’s not even a hint of it between us yet."

Chong Wanyin said, "Who says there isn’t a hint? He has already taken you out to be seen, it’s only a matter of time and should happen soon."

Wen Zhi became even more embarrassed, her voice soft and tender, "I think we should just go with the flow."

"Going with the flow is good," Chong Wanyin agreed with a nod, "but I do hope you and Gu Rang can tie the knot sooner rather than later."

As soon as her voice faded, there was a noise from the doorway—Zhao Qin was back.

In her hands, she carried the steaming hot Winning Cake from the Southern Song dynasty, along with another bag, also steaming, which Wen Zhi could smell even before it was opened.

"Did Zhao Qin go out?" asked Chong Wanyin.

Wen Zhi replied, "I was craving some local snacks, especially the Southern Song Winning Cake, so Auntie Qin went out to buy it for me."

Chong Wanyin raised an eyebrow, "No wonder you ate so little this morning, you were saving room for these snacks."

Wen Zhi giggled, "I didn’t have a chance to eat them during my last visit to Lin City, so this time I was determined to try them, no matter the flavor."

Hearing this, Chong Wanyin reached out and playfully tapped Wen Zhi’s nose, "You’re such a foodie."

Only after Zhao Qin took out all the snacks did Wen Zhi learn that the other bag contained another specialty from West Lake—the savory Small Basket Buns.

After trying both, Wen Zhi thought the Small Basket Buns were even more delicious than the Winning Cake.

Chong Wanyin immediately suggested, "Then we should vacuum-pack some and ship them back for you to enjoy at leisure."

Wen Zhi agreed.

After noon, as the rain gradually stopped and the weather began to improve, Chong Wanyin really didn’t feel like going out. Wen Zhi accompanied her at the hotel for the entire day.

The third day arrived.

Not only was the weather pleasant, but Chong Wanyin also felt much better, visibly more stable than the previous two days.

"Zhao Qin, prepare the car. Today is a good day to go out," Chong Wanyin instructed.

"Right away, ma’am," Zhao Qin said, turning to do as told.

"Also, let Zhizhi know to try to leave by nine," Chong Wanyin added.

Zhao Qin nodded, "I’ll inform Miss Wen right away."

In the adjacent suite,

Wen Zhi unfolded a brand-new handkerchief, carefully picked up the calming incense sticks, which had been soaked in medicinal solution and now naturally air-dried to the point where one could hardly tell they had been soaked, with a pair of tweezers, and inspected them.

She placed them on the handkerchief and gingerly wrapped them up.

After doing so, she took out her phone and went over the planned route from start to finish once more.

She couldn’t afford to take a wrong turn!

They had to stop exactly where planned—not any further, but also not before reaching there.

The roadside was scarce with vehicles, becoming increasingly secluded...

At that moment, someone knocked on her door. Wen Zhi put the wrapped handkerchief into her pocket before answering it.

Standing outside was Zhao Qin, who said, "Miss Wen, the lady says the weather is fine today and has asked you to get ready to leave by nine."

Wen Zhi replied, "I’m all prepared."

Zhao Qin glanced at Wen Zhi’s outfit, simple long sleeves and pants, slightly loose, suitable attire for an outing.

Zhao Qin complimented, "Miss Wen, you look really nice in that outfit."

Wen Zhi gave a shy smile, "Just threw something on."

She followed Zhao Qin to the neighboring suite. At that time, Chong Wanyin was leisurely enjoying her morning tea. When she saw Wen Zhi come in, she stretched out her hand and patted the seat beside her, signaling Wen Zhi to sit.

Wen Zhi sat down, "Madame, did Auntie Qin say we’re leaving at nine?"

Chong Wanyin answered with a "Hmm."

Then, looking at Wen Zhi, she asked, "Are you all ready?"

Wen Zhi nodded, "I’m ready to go anytime."

Chong Wanyin lowered her head, inhaling the aroma of the hot tea in her cup, and sighed, "After so many years, I will finally get to visit that sister’s grave. I must pay my respects properly."

Her tone was filled with sentiment and a touch of quiet anticipation.