Shen Yuan stopped by a beauty store and bought a powder to cover up 2 of his diamonds. Since he didn't sweat, he didn't need to worry about it wearing off.
It was common for both male and female catalysts to wear makeup, so he didn't have any problem getting one.
Once he was done, he picked a random inn that looked decent enough and rented the most expensive room for a full month. The owner thought he was joking at first until he gave him the full payment with a little bonus for extra service.
He immediately gave him the best room the inn could offer, the only one with a front room separated from the bedroom and equipped with a private bathroom.
"Is Young Master here for the matchmaking event, perhaps?" the owner curiously asked.
"Matchmaking event?" Shen Yuan sat on the couch and lightly fanned himself, embracing his identity as a rich young master. "Tell me more."
"Our city holds an annual matchmaking event every spring to commemorate the wedding of the dragon lord and his bride. It's nothing serious. More like a fun gathering, really, and anyone can participate by paying the registration fee. There will be food and games and maybe Young Master can find someone that fancies your interest."
"When is this?"
"It'll be held next week. If Young Master is interested, I can help Young Master with the registration."
Shen Yuan considered for a moment and felt it wouldn't hurt to secure an entry. He could gather information in places like this and use it in his plans if the opportunity came up.
He threw one gold ingot to the owner. "Is this enough for the registration fee?"
The owner caught it with flushed excitement. "Y-Yes, of course! More than enough!"
"Keep the extra."
"Thank you very much, Young Master!"
Watching the owner skipping out of the room, Shen Yuan saw there wasn't any exposure on the owner's back as well. He figured uniforms or any work garments fully covered the wearer's body for prudence and formality.
Now that he secured a place to live, the next problem was finding Zhou Yi. The scale was much bigger than simply finding him in a school or palace. Previously, in the palace, he also encountered Zhou Yi by pure luck.
Searching blindly wouldn't be effective. There was only one way.
Wherever Zhou Yi was, the vulture was bound to be there. Find the vulture, and he would eventually find Zhou Yi.
He located the vulture and promptly headed out.
After a 10-minute walk, the pulse brought him to the canal. Young masters and ladies enjoyed leisure boat cruises with their companies while boat markets parked by the banks, offering them snacks and teas for them to enjoy the company with.
He shifted his attention to the tea house across the bridge, to the terrace facing the canal where A lone man occupied a table, savoring his afternoon tea by himself.
His black and red robe fully covered his chest, indicating his identity as an activator, yet his body wasn't overly muscular nor was his gait crass. He carried conviction on his unyielding back and stated his presence with his powerful shoulders.
Instead of having his hair tied to a bun, he simply pulled it up into a high ponytail and let the fountain of ink flow down his back. His narrow, crimson eyes glinted with ingrained viciousness under his gold-rimmed glasses as he watched the boats carefreely pass him by, seemingly ready to crush them with the tip of his fingers.
It didn't take long for those eyes to find him. Yet again.
Shen Yuan was a little surprised, but he didn't avoid his gaze. He rested his empty hand on his back and offered him a fleeting smile before crossing the bridge.
Him finding the vulture was one thing, but the vulture finding him was a separate thing. Thinking about it, Vesper must've already recognized him when he saved him from Tiara's fireballs, even though they never talked before that. He wondered whether the vulture sensed himself from the portion of his life force he carried with him or that he truly recognized him.
Logically speaking, it was most likely the former. But, embarrassed of himself as he was to admit it, he hoped it was the latter. Just thinking about the possibility made his chest flutter.
Damn. Liking someone—well, something—really would make people sappy.
It was a bit scary.
As he reached near the tea house, a middle-aged man stepped out of the building and approached him. Though he plastered an amiable smile on his face, his thoughts were unreadable behind it.
The man wore a full-coverage robe, but the quality was too good for it to be a waiter uniform. Most likely, he was that person's personal aide.
"Good afternoon," the aide greeted. "Our Young Master wishes to invite this fair gentleman for afternoon tea."
"I'm a bit picky about my drink." Shen Yuan didn't immediately accept and hummed in consideration. "If your Young Master can guess what my favorite tea is, I'd be willing to accept."
The aide's face twitched. Still, he maintained his expression and nodded. "Understood. Please wait a moment."
As he went back inside, Shen Yuan waited under the shade. The vulture's identity here must be important as well. If this aide was as annoying as Harold was, he would make it get rid of him as well.
The aide returned a minute later and lowered his head. "Our Young Master offers to personally brew this fair gentleman a pot of osmanthus tea."
Shen Yuan's chest fluttered. Feeling the warmth creeping up to his face, he raised his fan to his lips and covered his smile. "Well…I can never refuse a pot of freshly brewed osmanthus tea."
It remembered.
He followed the aide into the tea house and towards the terrace. The entire place was empty except for the table where the bespectacled man was. He must've reserved the place for itself.
"It seems my choice is to your satisfaction?" The man gestured at the empty seat across him.
"Indeed. It must be fated." Shen Yuan took his seat and closed his fan. "Is it time for me to know the name of my generous host?"
"You may address me as Ji Zhixuan. And may I know the name of my company?"
"This one's name is Shen Yuan. Pleased to meet you, Young Master Ji."
Ji Zhixuan observed Shen Yuan and confirmed he truly didn't recognize him or his name. Once the tea finished brewing, he poured a cup for both of them and offered one to Shen Yuan. "I believe I have never seen Young Master Shen around this area before."
Shen Yuan accepted it and swirled the cup to let the steam out first. "I'm a traveler. I have just arrived here this morning."
"Traveling by yourself?"
"Is it unusual?"
"For a catalyst, indeed. This world is riddled with unlawful people after all." Ji Zhixuan watched the soft pink lips pressing against the porcelain cup, one more delicate than the other. "More often than not, precious beauties bring about the worst of people."
Shen Yuan chuckled, the light voice adorned the afternoon breeze with a pleasant harmony. He smiled at Ji Zhixuan. "Does that include Young Master Ji?"
Ji Zhixuan pushed up his glasses, giving himself a short second to calm his skipping heart. This person's smile was already beautiful from afar, but he didn't think it would be this dangerous to receive it face-to-face. Not to mention his melodious laugh.
With such a reachable distance, his hands itched to pull him into his arms and eat him.
He feigned composure as he replied, "There haven't been any beauties or treasures that bring out such an extent of my desire so far, so I would say no for now."
"I suppose I failed as a 'precious beauty', then."
"I wouldn't say that." Ji Zhixuan refilled Shen Yuan's glass. "I don't invite just anyone to my table and personally brew tea for them."
"How many catalysts have Young Master Ji said that to before? Though I do appreciate the consolation." Shen Yuan shook his head with a small laugh.
"I must say this is the first time anyone has ever regarded me as a player."
"Young Master Ji invited a complete stranger to join your afternoon tea and complimented him as a precious beauty. If that is not the behavior of a player, I don't know what is."
"When you say it like that, it's difficult for me to refute it." Ji Zhixuan felt a little helpless. "What should I do to earn my integrity back?"
"If Young Master Ji is worried I will spread bad words, then there's no need to worry. I have no such hobbies." Shen Yuan finished his second cup of tea. "And as I said, I'm a traveler. I will be gone in due time."
"I have no such worries." Ji Zhixuan refilled Shen Yuan's cup once again. "If we plan to spend more time together during your stay, it's best if we have the best impression of each other, is it not?"
"I believe I never heard of such a plan." Shen Yuan arched his eyebrows.
"Does the idea not amuse you?" Ji Zhixuan smiled, his kindling desire masked under his lenses. "I can host you during your stay. You won't have to spend a single copper."
Shen Yuan tapped on his cup in contemplation and sighed in regret. He also wanted nothing else but to stay with Ji Zhixuan and flirt around all day, but it would affect his progress with Zhou Yi later.
Before he encountered him and established a degree of affection, he shouldn't be too close with Ji Zhixuan. Regretful as it was.
"Though it sounds lovely, I'm afraid I have to refuse."