The next morning...

  Gu Zong felt completely recovered as he stepped out and descended the stairs. He saw Mei Gui and Qing Yu sitting and eating with Hei Shu Yi, laughing and joking. As always, the sweet and sour bickering of Mei Gui and Qing Yu was ongoing, while Hei Shu Yi watched them silently with a faint smile.

  Seeing Xiao Tang descending from upstairs, Qing Yu excitedly rushed up to him.

  "Xiao Tang, come on! It's been so long since we ate together. Come and join us for a meal!"

  Qing Yu grabbed Gu Zong's arm and shook him affectionately. This small gesture reminded Gu Zong of his own younger siblings, who were just as carefree and lively as Mei Gui and Qing Yu. His eyes filled with a distinct emotion. For a moment, he felt as if it wasn't Qing Yu but his younger brother, Zhuang Hue, holding him. Caught in that illusion, he spoke with great affection and a warm, lively smile:

  "Of course, my brother, we shall definitely eat together."

  But as he was being pulled to the table by Qing Yu, he realized that it was all his dream, a mere thought. It was so vivid and alive that it felt real. Yet, looking at them, Mei Gui and Qing Yu were indeed around the same age as his siblings.

  He sat down at the table. But seeing Hei Shu Yi, a question rose in his mind, and he answered it himself.

  "Did Han Wuang Shi recognize me yesterday?"

  Then he shook his head slightly, thinking, "No... no. How could he possibly recognize me? No, he must not have recognized me."

  Gu Zong was still deep in thought when Mei Gui gave him a gentle punch on the arm and spoke softly:

  "Xiao Tang, Physician Hei Shu Yi has saved your life twice, yet you haven't thanked her even once. Go on, say thank you to Physician Hei Shu Yi now."

  Playing his part and the character of Xiao Tang, he smiled and spoke exactly like Xiao Tang because Hei Shu Yi had told him everything about Xiao Tang on the very first day: how lewd and arrogant he was, how he drank every day, and how extremely outspoken he was.

  So, making a similar face, he said, "Yeah... yeah... I'm eating."

  Then, while eating, he asked Mei Gui to gather some small information.

  "So, where are we going today?"

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  And Mei Gui replied quickly to Xiao Tang's question:

  "Of course, we are going to the Lian Qingxue Clan to apologize to Master Xian Yong Ming, and you are coming too, understand?"

  Hearing this, neither Hei Shu Yi nor Gu Zong could swallow the food they had in their mouths. Both looked at each other in surprise. But before Gu Zong could make any excuse, Mei Gui pulled silver coins out of her clothes and slammed them onto the table. She then took Qing Yu and walked outside, but not before giving Gu Zong a warning. Pointing a finger at Gu Zong, she said:

  "And if you make any excuse or try to run away again, I will throw you into the river again. Understand? Now, let's go."

  A little while later, Mei Gui and Qing Yu walked ahead, with Hei Shu Yi and Gu Zong following behind them, looking straight ahead and pondering many things. Suddenly, as they walked, Hei Shu Yi stopped, bowed, and asked for permission to leave.

  "Master, I must leave now. I need to go search for some herbs for Master Xian Yong Ming. I have to go now. I trust that you will handle everything now."

  But before she left, Gu Zong asked a question.

  "Is it possible that Xian Yong Ming might recognize me?"

  Hearing this question, Hei Shu Yi didn't say anything for a moment, perhaps thinking. Then she spoke, explaining:

  "Master, I don't think anyone can recognize you unless you tell them or they recognize some specific object of yours, just as Master Suo Jing identified you by recognizing your curse because it was a curse given by him. It is possible that Master Xian Yong Ming may not have recognized you."

  Hearing this, Gu Zong calmed down somewhat and turned to leave. But he felt a strange sense of unease. He looked back, but by then, Hei Shu Yi had also left. Mei Gui and Qing Yu were walking ahead. Even though he was in another body, his soul and heart were the same. He could pretend to be Xiao Tang, but how would he hide himself from the person who knew him inside and out? But for what had happened and what he now had to do, he would have to take this risk, no matter what.

  And so, indulging in such frivolous actions, he walked alongside Mei Gui and Qing Yu as Xiao Tang. And Mei Gui and Qing Yu's happiness was greater than ever because their friend was alive.