7 ZUO CAI

Yue Huang was scared out of his wits when he suddenly heard someone calling out to him out of nowhere.

As he did a dramatic turn-around in slow-motion to look at the person who called out to him, he got a pleasant surprise. There was a 13-year-old Loli standing there, holding onto some grocery items.

Since he had the memories of his previous self, he knew that this Loli was Zuo Cai, she often visited the Yue family Manor as her parents used to work there as servants. The previous Yue Huang used to often play with her when he was a kid, as such he retained a strong impression of her in his memories.

"Lil Cai, what are you doing here? I thought you had moved back with your parents to your town for good?" Asked Yue Huang.

Zuo Cai was a bit dazed as she faced Yue Huang but the latter's question brought her back to her senses, "Young Master Huang, I and my parents indeed moved back to our town... and coincidentally, *Giggle* this is that town."

[Oh, so it was like that! No wonder I would find this Loli here. But this is also good! I can finally get some shelter here and then make my way to the martial tournament at night.]

"Cao'er, how have you been? This Young Master is tired and needs some rest, let's go to your place." Said Yue Huang. Although he didn't like to have such "arrogant" attitude, he had no choice but to enact like the previous Yue Huang or he might come off as more suspicious!

Zuo Cao didn't seem to mind the arrogant nature of Yue Huang as she had played with him back at the Yue family Manor and knew of his nature, but she didn't mind it, In fact, she found it kind of cute.

With a warm smile, Zuo Cai invited Yue Huang to her home. Her mother received quite the surprise to see this arrogant Young Master from Yue family suddenly pop-up at her doorstep. But nevertheless, she was still hospitable towards him and ensured that he was treated well. This wasn't because she was afraid of Yue Huang's father, but that the Yue family as a whole was a very respectable and righteous family. Since Zuo Cai's parents had once worked for them, they were well-aware of the nature of Yue family and only felt respect and admiration for them.

After working a few years for the Yue family, Zuo Cai's parents had decided to move back to their town which was in the Lushu empire, to support their age-old parents. But after a few months, their age-old parents passed away due to an unknown-illness and since then, to respect their last wishes, Zuo Cai's parents decided to stay back in this small town and help it develop.

As Yue Huang spent away the rest of his evening at Zuo Cai's place, he was also forced to accompany the Loli to play a game of house, a game of cards, a game of... well it continued through the whole evening. Although the previous Yue Huang was arrogant and a debauchee, there was one thing which was still respectable about him, which was that he never troubled or bullied children. In fact, he even played along with them. This was the main reason why Zuo Cai never minded Yue Huang's arrogant nature because, in the end, he would still listen and play along as per her wishes.

Although Yue Huang himself didn't really want to play along, especially during times when there were hidden forces that wanted him dead. But he still gave in to the girl's wishes, perhaps because this Loli could be considered as the only-friend that the previous Yue Huang ever had and this was something that even affected the present Yue Huang and made him think of Zuo Cai as a close-friend and indulge in the fulfillment of her wishes.

Soon it was night-time, Yue Huang dined with the Zuo family. After which he bid his farewells and told the Loli that he was going to go and watch the martial tournament. After that, he would probably go back to the Yue family in Tingxin empire.

"Young Master Huang...will we ever meet again? It has been a few years since we last met and now that we did meet, you are already leaving! You must not forget about me." Said Zuo Cai as she blushed slightly.

Looking at the Loli, Yue Huang felt quite amused, " Don't worry Lil Cai, this Young Master will remember you well, especially for the kind hospitability that you have shown. If you want to play then just come to the Yue family."

Looking towards the starry-night sky, Yue Huang left for the Sigai City. This was a city which was located near to the Tingxin empire and also served as a hot-trading spot between the two empires, this was the main reason why the once-per-decade martial tournament of the Lushu empire was always conducted there.

As Zuo Cai watched the leaving back of Yue Huang, strange-lights flickered in her eyes before they disappeared.