Both understood clearly that at this moment, their encounter was a collision between two kindred, lonely souls.
"Indeed, soulmates, of the 'confidante' kind," Gu Yunyun joked before her mood brightened and she set off on her way home.
It was enough to leave a deep impression in Lin Xiao's memory.
And as Gu Yunyun had said, on his way back, Lin Xiao's mind was still replaying Gu Yunyun's expression.
Was this little girl truly incapable of being defeated?
He closed his eyes to rest, aboard the private jet arranged by the Dongfang family.
...
Zhuge Lan and Dongfang Jingjing embarked on their journey to tour Longguo.
To truly experience the feelings of normal, ordinary people in this mortal world, they eschewed planes and high-speed trains, opting instead for a regular train.
That is, a green-skinned train.
Green-skinned trains were now quite rare at the station in Modu.
In the train station's waiting hall, people around them kept glancing at the two.
Despite wearing masks, their demeanor and attire clearly marked them as not being from ordinary families. As they sat on the chairs, their upright posture compelled people to look more.
Who among ordinary people would sit with such a straight back? Perhaps patients with herniated lumbar discs, following doctor's orders, might.
Moreover, both of them were observing the other travelers with the curiosity of a child.
"So many people take the train," Dongfang Jingjing said, likely for the first time in her memory experiencing a train ride.
Zhuge Lan was much the same.
"I'd heard of it, but never seen it before," Zhuge Lan said, looking at the diverse array of people in the waiting room. It was his first time seeing so many individuals of different statuses and backgrounds in one place.
Previously, he had only interacted with the Wuhou lineage or those friendly with them. He had very little contact with ordinary people. He had seen them, but at that time, he hadn't bothered to look at them at all. His mind was solely focused on how he could live up to Mr. Zhuge and improve his Qimen术法.
Now, he realized he had missed too many opportunities.
The myriad forms of life – this was precisely what he, as a successor of the Wuhou, needed to experience and understand.
To study in isolation and build castles in the air was not something he should do.
Seeing it now, he finally understood why Mr. Zhuge's soul, before resting, had specifically instructed him to look around more when he had time.
Only by looking around could one truly witness the differences in the surrounding world.
"Lan Ge, you said they're carrying such big bags and so much luggage when they take the train, isn't it tiring?" Dongfang Jingjing whispered, pointing to an elderly couple not far away.
Judging by their clothes, the couple looked like ordinary townspeople, exuding a strong sense of everyday life and the aroma of hard work.
The two seemed to be on their way home or something similar, laden with bags and packages.
The man held a large transparent plastic water bottle. After taking a sip, he smiled and spoke to his wife beside him.
When he smiled, the lines around his eyes crinkled, his face a network of furrows. In Zhuge Lan's perception, he should be in his forties, but looked as if he could be in his fifties or sixties.
Their luggage likely consisted of their regular changes of clothes and some gifts to take home.