“Huh…?” Dr. Zhao instantly felt something was off after hearing it.
At that moment, Wen Qiaoyun and Yan Zhichun both turned their gazes toward him, while even Xu Liunian and Zhang Shan frowned.
Before anyone could speak, Chen Junnan was the first to ask, “What’s going on between you and Old Qi…? I don’t get it. He insisted I pass this message to you.”
“Damn it…” Dr. Zhao suddenly furrowed his brows. “Don’t play games with me… What ‘plan begins’? What ‘don’t understand’? What does your plan have to do with me?”
“Oh…?” Chen Junnan blinked. “Oh! Right, right! My bad, damn it, I messed up. No relation at all—we’re not even close…”
With that, he kept winking at Dr. Zhao as if unilaterally confirming some secret plan.
Dr. Zhao knew Chen Junnan was just talking nonsense, but the trick was downright dirty.
In the entire team, he was the only one from Qi Xia’s room. If there was a “spy,” it could only be him.
“Don’t listen to his nonsense!” Dr. Zhao quickly turned to the others. “I’m not with them…”
“I know,” Yan Zhichun nodded. “This kind of trick is too crude… Is this really Qi Xia’s plan?”
“What…? What ‘plan’?” Chen Junnan shook his head hastily. “Don’t talk nonsense. Dr. Zhao isn’t that kind of person. Treat him well, everyone—let’s stay united.”
“Damn it.” Zhang Shan stepped forward with disdain. “What kind of cheap trick is this, trying to sow discord? If you’ve got guts, stay right there—I’ll come deal with you!”
With that, he took a few steps forward as if intending to cross the “river” straight into Chen Junnan’s room.
But at that moment, Wen Qiaoyun stepped in and grabbed Zhang Shan, shaking her head at him with a frown.
Zhang Shan paused, seeming to understand her meaning, then slowly retreated and stood his ground again.
“Oho…” Chen Junnan raised an eyebrow at the scene, memorizing their subtle exchange. “What’s the matter, Old Zhang? Legs not working?”
“Damn it,” Zhang Shan cursed. “Don’t let me get my hands on you, kid, or I’ll teach you a lesson.”
“I’ll go,” Yan Zhichun said. “Xu Liunian, come with me. Jin Yuanxun, report the current situation to Chu Tianqiu immediately.”
“Got it…” Xu Liunian and Jin Yuanxun nodded.
“Whoa there…” Seeing Yan Zhichun about to enter his room, Chen Junnan slammed the door shut and bolted.
“Stop!” Yan Zhichun barked, reaching out as if opening an invisible door in the void.
She covertly activated her ability, *Soul Snatch*, intending to force Chen Junnan to reopen the door—but there was no response from the other side.
“What’s going on…?” She frowned slightly, looking down at her palm. Something felt off.
It was like throwing a punch with her *Echo* ability, only to hit cotton.
“What’s wrong…?” The others looked at her in confusion.
“My *Echo*… feels unstable,” Yan Zhichun said. “Like it’s flickering in and out.”
Meanwhile, Chen Junnan slipped into a side room where Zheng Yingxiong was waiting by the door.
“Kid!” Chen Junnan whispered. “Go tell Old Qi—Wen Qiaoyun stopped Zhang Shan from ‘crossing the river,’ but Yan Zhichun and Xu Liunian can! Deliver the message and come back!”
“Understood!” Zheng Yingxiong nodded. “Chen Junnan, be careful!”
“What ‘Chen Junnan’?! Call me *bro*!” Chen Junnan reached out to ruffle his hair, but Zheng Yingxiong deftly dodged.
Clutching his nose, the boy sprinted toward the *Preparation Zone* to relay the message to Qi Xia.
Watching Zheng Yingxiong run off, Chen Junnan took a deep breath, then opened another door. “Hey, Dr. Zhao…”
The group at the *Chu River-Han Border* froze again, turning to stare at him.
“What now?” Dr. Zhao asked.
“Don’t be mad. Come here—I’ve got something to say.”
“No! Say it here!” Dr. Zhao snapped. “Speak openly. Don’t drag me into your mess.”
“What’s there to be afraid of?” Chen Junnan stretched lazily. “I’ve got six *characters* on me. You’ve got one. Who’s really at risk here?”
“…”
Dr. Zhao was momentarily speechless, realizing Chen Junnan had a point—but then his guard shot back up.
“How the hell do you have six *characters*?!”
Chen Junnan shrugged, then tugged at the chain peeking from his pocket. “Look at this—so many! Check out the craftsmanship on this chain. Must be an antique, right? Dr. Zhao, tell me—is this from the Shang-Zhou era or just last week?”
Though Wen Qiaoyun hadn’t interacted much with Chen Junnan, she’d already sized him up in this short time.
“How about this?” She stepped forward. “Let me take a look.”
Chen Junnan stiffened. He knew Wen Qiaoyun was no pushover—if she inspected it, she’d likely spot the bluff. Instinctively, he retreated a step.
“What’s wrong?” Wen Qiaoyun smiled. “Afraid I’ll ruin your plan?”
“Not at all,” Chen Junnan said. “Our plan’s so avant-garde, just hearing its name would scare you to death.”
“Oh?” Her smile widened. “And what’s that name?”
“It’s called…” Chen Junnan paused as if improvising, then declared, “‘Awaiting Characters in the Boudoir’!”
“……?”
All five opponents froze. Even Wen Qiaoyun realized she’d underestimated this man’s absurdity.
“Meaning—*I’ve* got the *characters*, damn it, waiting for you in my boudoir,” Chen Junnan said. “If you dare, come in. I’m looking for a *bestie* today.”
Wen Qiaoyun chuckled, stepping even closer until she was nearly at his door.
From her jeans pocket, she pulled out her own chain, gripping the *character* in her fist and raising it slowly.
“What’s your name?”
“Chen Junnan.”
“Alright, Chen Junnan.” She tightened her grip on the *character*. “This is mine. Care to make a bet?”
“A bet…?” He hesitated. Talking to her felt like facing Qi Xia—less oppressive, but still dangerous.
“Bring out one of yours,” she said. “We’ll guess each other’s *character*—one try each. If you’re right, you take mine.”
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage