Chapter 7: Mom No Longer Needs to Worry About Me Getting Lost

“Why is it so foggy everywhere here? Is it like this all year round? You seem really familiar with the terrain. Do you live in these mountains? Hey, you’re holding my hand—this way I won’t get lost.” Yuan Qian’er grabbed Mo Yiran’s hand tightly, feeling much more at ease. Mom would never have to worry about me wandering off again.

Mo Yiran looked down at her white, delicate hand and felt a twinge of jealousy at her casualness. He stopped and asked seriously, “Are you always this casual with everyone? Just letting anyone hold your hand like that?”

As a modern woman from the 21st century, Yuan Qian’er found holding hands to be perfectly normal. But realizing this was ancient times, she quickly withdrew her hand and explained, “You misunderstood. It’s not that I’m casual. I grew up in a place where people are more open; holding hands there is as ordinary as eating or drinking.”

“So you just freely let anyone hold your hand?” Mo Yiran persisted, determined not to stop until he got the answer he wanted. He didn’t even notice that at this moment, he was acting exactly like a jealous, tsundere boyfriend in the throes of new love.

“Of course not. Normally, I can manage on my own and prefer to rely on myself. But I don’t know this place you brought me to. If we walk slowly, I might get lost. I just feel safer holding your hand,” Yuan Qian’er patiently explained.

Mo Yiran nodded approvingly. “Since you say it makes you feel safe, then hold on. Let’s go.” Saying that, he took her small hand and led her up the mountain.

Half an hour later, they reached the mountaintop. Yuan Qian’er plopped down on a random rock. “I’m exhausted. This mountain doesn’t look very tall, but it took so long to climb. By the way, aren’t you able to fly? Why didn’t you just carry me up?”

“This mountain is protected by a restriction. Anyone who wants to ascend can’t use lightness skills; otherwise, they’d suffer backlash. Also, you shouldn’t sit down immediately after climbing. Hurry and stand up.”

Yuan Qian’er rubbed her growling stomach. “Okay, okay, I know. I’m starving. Look, it’s already dark. Is there any food? I want to eat meat!”

“Heh, you girl. Come on, I’ll take you to eat meat!” Mo Yiran looked at her indulgently and smiled. This devil—he was already mesmerizing without smiling. When he did smile, everything else lost its color; even the stars in the sky behind him seemed like mere decoration.

Yuan Qian’er was momentarily dazed. Only after Mo Yiran disappeared from her sight did she snap back to reality. Oh no, I spaced out again. I should eat first.

Following Mo Yiran’s pace, Yuan Qian’er began to observe the mountaintop. It was a small estate, designed almost indistinguishably from modern styles. This piqued her curiosity. “Hey, is your master also a time traveler? This design only exists in the modern era!”

Actually, Mo Yiran was curious about the estate’s origins too, but his master rarely spoke, only saying that when the time came, everything would become clear. He led Yuan Qian’er into a courtyard, gestured for her to sit, then went inside to bring out food. “Let’s eat first. Afterward, when you meet my master, everything will make sense.”

“By the way, I noticed there’s no fog inside the estate. How come? Does it have to do with the restriction?”

“Yes, that’s the isolation within the restriction. The entire perimeter of Misty Mountain is surrounded by restrictions, so people can only approach by foot. Outside the estate, there’s a barrier that blocks the fog.”

Mo Yiran explained this knowledge to Yuan Qian’er.

“By the way, what’s your name? I see people call you ‘Prince.’ Can you tell me some basic information about this country?”

“Mo Yiran. And you?”

“Yuan Qian’er. Nice to meet you.”