Find.

Fang Yuan leaned back in his chair, the lotus cake half-finished in his hand.

Whoever had made the decision in his name, they clearly believed they'd gotten away with it. And perhaps—for now—they had.

But Fang Yuan was not going to take the bait so easily.

Let them plan. Let them act like he was none the wiser. He would play the role of the oblivious Family Head a little longer.

After all, what kind of cultivator ignored a High-Grade Black Rank Spirit Gathering Formation?

His eyes flicked to the glowing system panel still hovering beside his desk like an ever-watchful attendant.

[ QUEST: Complete the pile of pending administrative tasks on your desk.

Reward: Spirit Gathering Formation (High-Grade Black Rank)

Status: Ongoing ]

Fang Yuan rolled his shoulders with a quiet sigh and muttered, "Back to the battlefield, then…"

With a casual wave, he summoned a fresh stack of scrolls to the surface of his desk, some petitioning new trade routes, others arguing about pasture boundaries.

Felicia from the side, quietly refilling his teacup.

Fang Yuan glanced up from his scrolls, the flick of his brush pausing mid-air.

"You may leave, Felicia."

The maid nodded with a practiced bow and exited the room, leaving behind the faint scent of tea and the quiet rustle of her retreating steps.

With a sigh, Fang Yuan returned to his task. He picked up another scroll, eyes narrowing as he scanned the words with sharp efficiency.

"Declined," he muttered, stamping it without hesitation.

Another scroll. "Approved."

Again and again, the rhythm rolled on like a tide, steady and relentless.

But just as he reached for the next petition, a knock disrupted the silence.

He closed his eyes briefly.

"...Come in."

The door creaked open, and in stepped Fang Mei.

She wore a worried expression, her usually vibrant presence dimmed with unease. Her hands were folded tightly in front of her, sleeves slightly crumpled—signs that she had been pacing.

"Brother," she said softly, "have you seen Fang Tian?"

Fang Yuan arched a brow, setting his brush down with exaggerated care.

"Losing control of your would-be husband already?" he thought dryly. "And here I thought she'd have him whipped by now."

But he didn't voice the thought when he realised she was actually searching for him with geniune concern.

So, he stood up, brushing his sleeves as he crossed the room to her.

"When was the last time you saw him?"

Fang Mei hesitated, eyes flicking briefly toward the morning light spilling across the floor.

"Last night," she said.

"We both used the Bone Marrow Pill you gave us with hopes that we would start cultivating with our new bone marrows.

But when I woke up this morning… he wasn't there. I looked around but couldn't find him so I came here."

Her voice faltered near the end, tinged with a vulnerable worry that Fang Yuan rarely saw from her.

Fang Yuan placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

His voice, calm and steady, carried the quiet authority of someone who had seen too many things go wrong to panic over just one.

"Don't worry, Mei'er. We'll find him," he said gently. "I promise."

Fang Mei nodded, but her eyes remained troubled.

Fang Yuan gave the scrolls on his desk one last glance and sighed. "Besides… I needed a break from those damned petitions anyway."

With that, he stepped out alongside her, the breeze outside brushing against his sleeves like a quiet reminder that the world didn't stop for paperwork.

As they walked side by side through the winding corridor of the main estate, the silence between them lingered for a while.. thick, uncertain.

Fang Yuan glanced sideways at his sister. "Mei'er," he began gently, "did the two of you ever talk about going anywhere recently?"

Fang Mei hesitated. "No… not really."

He nodded slowly, eyes narrowing slightly in thought. "Did he mention wanting to visit a specific place? Somewhere new? Somewhere old?"

She shook her head. "I don't think so…"

His gaze rested on her a moment longer. "Was there anything he seemed interested in lately? A book he was reading? A location he asked about?"

Fang Mei's brows furrowed, lips parting slightly, but nothing came out. She shook her head again. "I don't know…"

Fang Yuan's steps slowed.

He turned slightly, studying her expression.

Her shoulders were curling inward, her voice growing smaller with each answer, almost like she felt she was failing him just by not knowing.

He exhaled through his nose softly and stopped walking.

"…Alright," he said, his voice easing into a gentler tone. "Forget the questions for now."

Fang Mei nodded, looking down.

Fang Yuan looked towards the horizon.

"We'll find him," he said quietly. "No matter where he's gone."

The two walked in silence.

Their footsteps echoed gently against the stone paths, the distant murmur of servants and chirping birds the only sound between them.

Fang Yuan kept his eyes forward, mind cycling through possibilities. Where could Fang Tian have gone? And more importantly—why?

Beside him, Fang Mei walked with her hands clasped tightly before her. Her gaze flicked toward him, then down again.

The silence stretched on, brittle and awkward, as though even the air didn't know what to say.

She opened her mouth.

"Uh—"

The sound was barely audible, more a sound of hesitation than a full word.

Fang Yuan turned to her immediately.

He blinked, and then chuckled softly under his breath. "Ah… my bad. I was so deep in thought, trying to figure out where he went… I forgot to say anything."

He gave her a small, reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Mei'er. He's surely going to come back."

Fang Mei nodded, a bit too quickly, her eyes lowered. "Mn…"

She didn't add more.

Fang Yuan watched her for a moment longer, then turned back to the path ahead.

He let out a quiet sigh in his heart.

She used to be so bold… he thought.

There was a time she'd shout 'Brother!' from across the courtyard without a care, puffing her cheeks when scolded, demanding extra sweet cakes at family banquets, or dragging him to see some silly play she had fallen in love with.

But now…

Now she barely looked him in the eye.

Ever since she and Tian confirmed their feelings, she's been walking on eggshells around me, Fang Yuan mused. Like I'm some demon instead of just her brother…

He didn't mind the relationship, he had approved it himself, even, but he already missed the way she used to be.