122 DESTINY

She watched him walk towards them. Decorum and purpose could be seen in his strides. 

His arms were on his back as he scanned the stores. 

He didn't even twist his body like a royal just hiding under an ordinary disguise.

"Raigon?!"

She was about to approach him but before she even stepped forward, he turned to the left corner and wended his way.

"No!"

Zoe immediately left the two and ran after him to the alley that she saw him enter. 

But to her dismay, he was nowhere in sight.

"Am I just imagining things?"

Zoe blinked her eyes rapidly. She looked at everyone in the city. 

All the men have long black tresses that they weaved up, either in a half updo or full. 

And they were also wearing Hanfu clothes, just in different clothing materials and sizes.

"If he is alive and well, why would he not come back? Maybe I was just having an apparition."

She concluded as she came back to where Erin and Tristan was. 

"Why did you leave just like that? Your adopted brother just went off by himself again! Now what?"

Erin rattled on as soon as she reached her.

Zoe looked around for Tristan, but he couldn't see him anywhere too. 

"Now, let's do some grocery shopping! I know you're already sick with fish and forest nuts."

She put her arms around her to calm her down. 

"And I really want to do that, you know? But how can we possibly buy stuff when we don't even know what the currency is here?"

"You have a point."

Zoe and Erin both drew in a deep sigh as they looked longingly on the food stores that are open around them. 

They were about to go back when Tristan appeared again. And this time he was with her mother.

He was pointing to them.

"Jiejie Asha, Jiejie Selena." 

Zoe and Erin bowed down to her.

"Thank you for saving my son. Tristan's a good boy but he can be very restless at times."

She acknowledged them as she also bowed to them.

"No problemo, madam." Erin beamed at her and made an okay sign with her fingers.

Tristan's mother's forehead scrunched up.

"You have a strange language."

Zoe's eyes widened. "S-she was only practicing a book that she was just reading, milady. She must have thought of you as a noblewoman who had studied in the finest school of the land to rehearse with you like that. I apologize on her behalf."

She quickly bowed low and forced Erin to do the same.

As she bowed, she came close to Tristan who was chuckling at them again.

Zoe winked at him before standing up.

Tristan's mother was giving them a kind and appreciative smile as if she is very pleased with what she said.

"Both of you are not just lovely and thoughtful ladies. You also have good observant skills as well."

She chuckled as she covered her mouth in a demure way.

"I know this is not much compared to what you did for my son. But I hope it could be of help somehow."

She offered a small bag as she bowed her head.

"You don't have to do that, Mam-"

Zoe was about to refuse when Erin extended her hand and received the bag in a bowing position.

"But as the saying goes, it is more blessed to give than to receive. We don't want to hinder the overflow of blessings coming your way, Lady Liu."

Zoe was surprised but she didn't stop her. 

"Just tell me if you need anything. Our house is just a few blocks from here."

Lady Liu added before leaving them.

"Thank you, milady. Your generosity is boundless." Erin responded as she turned her back.

"You're adapting very nicely, girl!"

Zoe bumped her hips on Erin after waving goodbye to Tristan.

"Sssh! That's not a proper way to act like a lady." Erin scolded her, acting prim and proper. 

"So what's in the bag?" Zoe raised an eyebrow.

Erin lost all her elegance as she scrambled to open the bag. 

Her eyes drew wide open as she brought out golden nuggets from the small pouch.

"We're filthy rich!"

They both jump up and down as they scurry to buy from the stores that they just saw a while ago.

Erin was checking out some bags when a particular accessory store caught Zoe's eyes.

"A lovely bangle for a fine and attractive lady."

The store owner with a mole in his nose offered to Zoe.

Zoe picked up the Swarovski bangle.

It was meticulously designed with an expertly crafted tree with gleaming stones lining the branches, creating an impressive sparkle that complements the dark green cord.

'I think it compliments my necklace.' 

Her hands flew unconsciously to her chest. It was the cherished jewel that her beloved mother had given to her before she died. 

Its thin chain was formed from pure gold. The pendant strikingly resembled a branch of a tree. And shooting out ruby red gemstones as their luscious fruits.

Fortunately, she wore it on the last day of their challenge as her lucky charm.

"How much will this be?"

"That's worth three gold coins, milady."

"Here."

The storeowner smiled as he put the bangle in a small purse.

"This resembled the bestseller in this store. Just a few days ago, some man bought even four of these. Oh, there he is!"

He pointed out to a man walking by.

Zoe swiveled to find out what he looked like.

But as she did so, she grabbed on to the accessories table to support herself.

Her knees were wobbling and darkness seemed to envelop her.

"Milady!"

In a flash, the man whom the storeowner was referring to extended his arm to support her and help her stand up again.

Zoe closed her eyes for a few seconds before opening them again. 

She stared at her surroundings making sure that she was not dizzy before facing the man to express his gratitude. 

But she stopped in her tracks when she realized who he is.

"I must have been weary from all the travel. Thank you…. Raigon?!"

*****************************

Destiny will always find its way.

*****************************