Cai Zhao jumped up like a shrimp and bowed. “Greetings, Uncle Zhou. How are you, Uncle Zhou? May Uncle Zhou have fortune, longevity, and health.”

Zhou Zhizhen patted Cai Zhao’s head and smiled faintly.

Compared to the arrogant, nouveau riche-like Song Shijun, Zhou Zhizhen had the noble air of someone from a great, prestigious family with a long lineage of scholars and officials. Chang Ning had no choice but to stand up as well and give a proper bow.

Zhou Zhizhen had naturally heard about the Chang Family's matters. He consoled Chang Ning with a few sincere words and even took out a Jade Cicada as a token, giving it to Chang Ning and saying that if he ever faced urgent trouble in the future, he could use this Jade Cicada to ask anyone from Peiqiong Mountain Manor for help.

“Uncle Zhou is truly a sincere man.” Cai Zhao beamed with delight. “He’s always practical and sincere in his words and deeds. Senior Brother Chang, what are you standing there for? Quickly, take it, take it.”

Although her own mother, Ning Xiaofeng, disliked Zhou Zhizhen only slightly less than Qi Yunke, Cai Zhao did not. Qi Yunke and Zhou Zhizhen were both elders she was very fond of, especially when they came to visit bearing gifts.

Chang Ning silently accepted the Jade Cicada and stood to the side.

“Why have you gotten thinner again, Uncle Zhou? I know Old Madam Zhou is not well, but you are getting on in years too, Uncle Zhou. Don’t just focus on taking care of the old madam and neglect your own health.” Cai Zhao had a filial and lovely expression.

Zhou Zhizhen was indeed pleased, his eyes filled with a doting smile. “Zhaozhao is so thoughtful, truly a grown-up now. You’ve never left Falling Blossoms Valley since you were little, and I was worried you wouldn’t be used to living outside. It seems my worries were unnecessary. It’s a shame your Uncle Qi acted a step faster, otherwise, I would have definitely brought you back to Peiqiong Mountain Manor. Taking me as your master wouldn’t necessarily be worse than Grand Sect Master Qi. I wonder if little Zhaozhao would be willing!”

Cai Zhao pretended to sigh, “Let me tell you the truth, Uncle Zhou. Look at that shabby little town at the foot of Jiuli Mountain, and then think about the bustling markets surrounding Peiqiong Mountain Manor. Where do you think I’d want to go for my apprenticeship?”

Zhou Zhizhen stroked his beard and laughed heartily. “Exactly! How could our Zhaozhao possibly take a liking to a cold and desolate town like Qingque Residence!”

At that moment, two spirited-looking young men with similar features approached from a distance, calling out as they came, “Uncle, Uncle, come quickly! We ran into the Liu brothers, come and see their family’s treasured sword!”

When the two young men arrived, the slightly taller one saw Cai Zhao and smiled, “Oh, little sister Zhaozhao has grown up!”

The slightly shorter one winked, “But she hasn’t grown much taller. I bet when she runs errands to the counter to buy aged vinegar, they still need to give her a little stool...”

“Do you two know how to talk! If you don’t, go back and practice before you open your mouths again!” Cai Zhao’s expression soured on the spot.

Zhou Zhizhen shook his head, smiling. “Yuqian, Yukun, don’t tease Zhaozhao. You’re all grown up now! Alright, alright, I need to go see your Uncle Liu as well. Let’s head over now.”

Watching the three members of the Zhou Family—the uncle and his nephews—leave, Chang Ning eagerly asked, “Manor Master Zhou is your aunt’s fiancé? But I heard, I heard that he...”

“You heard that he already married and had children, right?” Cai Zhao was not surprised at all. “We all know.”

“Uncle Zhou’s wife is his mother’s own niece, with the surname Min. She practiced martial arts with everyone at Peiqiong Mountain Manor when she was young, so my aunt knows her. Oh, and their son is named Zhou Yuqi, two years older than me.”

Even though Chang Ning considered himself to have seen all the coldness and warmth of human relationships and the ways of the world, he was still stunned by these words.

Cai Zhao continued on her own, “My grandparents passed away when my aunt was only ten, and my father was even younger. Out of respect for his friendship with my grandfather, Old Manor Master Zhou personally brought my aunt and father to Peiqiong Mountain Manor and took my aunt in as a nominal disciple.”

“You can imagine what the situation was like back then. My grandparents passed away early, and my granduncle was off gallivanting somewhere, so things weren’t great at Falling Blossoms Valley. Fortunately, Old Manor Master Zhou was a good man. Not only did he care for and protect my aunt and father in every way, but he also upheld the marriage agreement made years ago.”

Chang Ning was completely clueless, so he chose the most obvious question, “Does your aunt not like Manor Master Zhou?”

“Why wouldn’t she? When he was young, Manor Master Zhou was one of the most handsome gentlemen in the Wulin. He came from a prestigious family, and his martial arts cultivation was at the top of the younger generation. The only one who could compete with him was Sect Leader Song of the Vast Heaven Sect, but in terms of reputation, he was far better than Sect Leader Song. Why would my aunt not like him?”

“Then why didn’t Heroine Cai marry Manor Master Zhou?”

Cai Zhao scratched her ear, and her fair, tender little earlobe turned pink. “I only half-understand this myself. It was probably because they were too young at first. Then, didn’t Nie Hengcheng start committing all sorts of evil? Everyone was busy fighting the Demonic Cult and had no time for other things. And later... my aunt’s life was hanging by a thread, and she could only barely hang on day by day. How could she get married and have children?”

“Whatever the reason, the marriage didn’t happen, so there must be some past grievances. How can your family bear no grudge against Zhou Zhizhen? And you’re still so close to the Zhou Family!” Chang Ning began to wonder if he was too cynical, that perhaps people really could be that magnanimous and open-minded.

“Why should there be any grudges?” Cai Zhao said with an air of perfect sense. “Of course I have to be close to the Zhou Family. I’m going to Peiqiong Mountain Manor in the future.”

Chang Ning: “...Go to Peiqiong Mountain Manor for what? Haven’t you already become a disciple of the Qingque Sect?” Could it be that the Cai Family was so worried their daughter will go astray that they want her to have two masters? So Valley Master Cai and his wife were this rigorous.

Cai Zhao was very patient. “I’m not going to Peiqiong Mountain Manor to become a disciple. I’m going to live there for the latter half of my life.”

Chang Ning: “??”

“I’m going to marry into the Zhou Family. Not only were my aunt and Manor Master Zhou engaged since childhood, but I’ve also been engaged to Zhou Yuqi since we were little.”

Chang Ning’s expression was as if he’d been slashed in the face.

“Why have you stopped talking, Senior Brother Chang?” Cai Zhao waved her hand in front of Chang Ning’s face.

Chang Ning looked out of the corner of his eye as if a fishbone was stuck in his throat.

“Oh, so Junior Sister Cai is enjoying herself here! It took us quite some effort to find you.” A familiar, delicate girlish voice sounded, and two young ladies gracefully approached as they spoke.

On the left was the beautiful young lady in a lotus-pink palace dress and a gold hairpin studded with pearls—it was none other than Qi Lingbo, truly a beauty more radiant than any flower. The graceful and demure young lady on the right wore a lavender crepe silk dress. Her faint smile was as elegant and pleasant as clear, flowing water.

The young lady on the right bowed slightly. “It has been a long time, little sister Zhaozhao. Have you been well?”

Cai Zhao muttered, ‘Why are they here again,’ and stood up to return the courtesy. “Greetings, elder sister Xinrou. I have been well.” She then gave Chang Ning a brief introduction—this young lady was named Min Xinrou, the niece of Lady Min of Peiqiong Mountain Manor. She was the same age as Qi Lingbo and one year older than Cai Zhao.

Perhaps still reeling from the shock, Chang Ning couldn't be bothered to interact with them at all. He merely lifted his eyelids, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then sat silently to the side.

Qi Lingbo was well aware of Chang Ning’s foul temper and didn’t want to cause any extra trouble at the moment. She quickly took Min Xinrou’s arm and said with a sweet smile, “Sister Xinrou and I hit it off right away. It was only after chatting that I found out not only are you old acquaintances with sister Xinrou, junior sister, but you’re also engaged to her cousin, the Young Manor Master of Peiqiong Mountain Manor. Aiya, why didn’t you say so earlier, little sister Zhaozhao? If we had known, the three of us sisters could have had fun together.”

Cai Zhao gave a half-smile. “Since I came to Myriad Waters Thousand Mountains Cliff, I’ve seen you three or four times, Senior Sister Qi. We were either fighting or arguing. When would there have been time to have a proper chat with you?”

Qi Lingbo’s face stiffened, and she fought to hold back her temper.

Min Xinrou parted her red lips and smiled. “Little sister Zhaozhao is as interesting as she was when we were children. No wonder Uncle-in-law likes you so much. Alas, it’s a pity Brother Yuqi isn’t here, otherwise the three of us childhood playmates could have properly reminisced. I kept trying to persuade Brother Yuqi that even if it wasn't for the two-hundredth memorial of Grandmaster Beichen, he should have made the trip just for little sister Zhaozhao's sake. Alas, the old madam’s health is declining day by day, and the doctor insisted that a child or grandchild stay by her side, so there was nothing to be done...”

“What does that matter?” Cai Zhao replied without any emotion. “Brother Yuqi and I will have more than half a lifetime to look at each other. What’s the big deal about seeing each other one more or one less time now? On the other hand, sister Xinrou should see Brother Yuqi as much as you can now. In the future, it’s fine to visit your maternal home after you’re married, but you can’t be running over to your cousin’s house every day. However, if you and your husband don’t get along in the future and your marriage is in trouble, say, if your husband gives you a black eye or beats your head in and makes you sleep on the porch, you must tell me. I will definitely stand up for you, sister Xinrou...”

“What on earth are you talking about!” Qi Lingbo couldn’t bear it any longer. Min Xinrou’s face was almost the same color as her dress.

Cai Zhao was very calm. “Sister Xinrou came to Falling Blossoms Valley as a guest with Uncle Zhou three times in total. The first two times, you and I ‘compared’ our martial arts skills. The third time, we switched from fighting to arguing. Sister Xinrou, why don’t you tell Senior Sister Qi, whether it was fighting or arguing, did you ever win against me even once?”

Min Xinrou lowered her pink neck, her face full of shame. “Little sister Zhaozhao is clever and bright, surpassing me in both martial arts and eloquence. But that was when we were young and insensible. Now...”

Cai Zhao interrupted her and turned directly to Qi Lingbo. “You heard her, Senior Sister. Whether fighting or arguing, I was the winner. So, why did you bring this loser here to find me? Do you think that with her here, you can win back some face?”

After being subjected to a barrage of cold taunts, Qi Lingbo couldn’t hold it in anymore and shouted, “Don’t think you’re so great just because you got the upper hand with me and sister Xinrou. Even a hero needs three helpers. Sister Xinrou has Lady Min and the old madam backing her, and I have my mother and senior brothers to help me. Hmph, you didn’t know, did you? My Third Senior Brother and I have also been engaged since we were little...”

“Oh, I really couldn’t tell,” Cai Zhao said coolly. “If Eldest Martial Brother hadn’t desperately stopped him at noon today, Third Senior Brother was insistent on punishing you, Senior Sister.”

Seeing Qi Lingbo half-dead with anger, Min Xinrou quickly said, “Alright, alright, we’re all sisters here. Why bicker over a few words?”

Qi Lingbo caught her breath and sneered, “It doesn’t matter if you offend me, Cai Zhao, but you shouldn’t offend sister Xinrou. Lady Min is your elder, after all. You bully her niece time and time again. Do you think she’ll be pleasant to you in the future?!”

“Why wouldn’t she be pleasant?” Cai Zhao seemed very surprised. “Since you’ve brought up the Min Family, let’s have a proper discussion. The Min Family isn’t very capable, but their ambition isn’t small. They are always using the name of Peiqiong Mountain Manor to challenge powerful enemies. And after picking a fight, they lose every single time and need to be rescued. Not to mention my granduncle, my aunt alone saved the old master of the Min Family and the two Min uncles three or four times. Later, when the Demonic Cult wanted to capture the Zhou family’s female members as hostages, my aunt saved Old Madam Min and her niece again.”

“For such a great kindness, there’s no need for the Min Family to repay me with extreme gratitude. Just treating me well after I marry over will be enough.” Cai Zhao waved her handkerchief casually.

“But, but, but the Zhou Family was also kind to the Cai Family. I know your aunt and father were both raised by Old Manor Master Zhou,” Qi Lingbo pressed on, not giving up.

“When your father suffered a qi deviation while practicing his skills, it was my aunt who went through great trouble to save him, but I haven’t seen you show any mercy when you curse at me. Aiya, the Six Sects of Beichen are as close as brothers, no need to count so clearly.”

Cai Zhao added slowly, “Anyway, if the Min Family treats me poorly in the future, they will be heartless and ungrateful. If Uncle Zhou doesn’t back me up, I will definitely complain to all the uncles and elders of the righteous path in the Wulin.”

Qi Lingbo was choked with anger and speechless. Min Xinrou was extremely embarrassed, forcing a smile to hide her guilt.

Chang Ning looked up at the sky.

He had been wondering why Cai Pingshu would send Cai Zhao to the Qingque Sect, knowing full well her own discord with Yin Sulian. Wasn't she afraid her beloved niece would be bullied? He thought Cai Pingshu was too naive, that not everyone repaid kindness.

Now, it seemed he was the naive one.

Someone like Cai Zhao, who smiled sweetly while being ruthless, if Yin Qinglian and her daughter dared to bully her, she would probably go dig up the Yin Family’s ancestral graves overnight and plant a field of foxtail grass.

Seeing how angry Qi Lingbo was, Min Xinrou rubbed her back to soothe her while saying softly with tears in her eyes, “Little sister Zhaozhao, don’t be angry. It’s all my fault. Please don’t be angry with sister Lingbo. It’s all my fault, a thousand times over. If you’re very angry, you can hit me or scold me. I shouldn’t have, I really shouldn’t have told you about my affection for my cousin on the anniversary of your aunt’s death last year...”

Qi Lingbo saw her chance and interjected, “How can this be your fault! Sister Xinrou, you are so gentle and lovable. I’m sure Young Manor Master Zhou must adore you too...”

Min Xinrou quickly cut her off, “No, no, no, it is entirely my own one-sided affection. My cousin only sees me as a dear sister! In any case, little sister Zhaozhao, please don’t blame me for my foolish devotion.”

Upon hearing the words ‘dear sister’, Cai Zhao felt her back teeth clench, and the smile on her face grew colder. “How could I blame you, sister Xinrou? You and I have known each other since we were little. Our bond is extraordinary, even better than that of ordinary blood sisters.”

Min Xinrou saw the coldness in Cai Zhao’s eyes and began to feel that things were not looking good.

Qi Lingbo, however, couldn’t read the mood and followed up, “Let’s not beat around the bush. Since you know sister Xinrou’s feelings, why not marry into the Zhou Family together? You can call each other sisters and look after one another. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?” Whether it worked out or not, as long as it could annoy Cai Zhao and make her feel disgusted, she would be happy.

Cai Zhao shot her a light glance. “Right now, my bond with you, Senior Sister, is even better. Why don’t you marry into the Zhou Family with me? We can be together day after day, year after year, and never be apart. Wouldn’t that be even more wonderful?!”

“You’re talking nonsense, nonsense, nonsense!” Qi Lingbo nearly went mad with anger.

Min Xinrou knew Cai Zhao far better than Qi Lingbo did. She knew that Cai Zhao was truly angry now and tried desperately to pull Qi Lingbo away, but Qi Lingbo stubbornly refused to move.

Cai Zhao sneered, “My aunt was a benefactor to Old Madam Min, to the Min family’s father and sons, and even more so to Lady Min—if it weren’t for my aunt, Lady Min would have either been snatched away by that Elder Tianshu to be a cultivation furnace or become some altar master’s twenty-eighth concubine! And with that, you still want to be sisters with me? Is this how you repay a kindness?”

“People in the Wulin perform acts of kindness without expecting anything in return. Who talks about their benevolence all the time like you! Besides, what about Young Manor Master Zhou? He’s so filial to his grandmother and mother. Wouldn’t he want to take good care of the Min Family and sister Xinrou?! Why don’t you ask yourself, if Young Manor Master Zhou had to choose, would he marry you or sister Xinrou!” Qi Lingbo was being pulled and shaken by Min Xinrou, but she refused to leave.

Cai Zhao sneered, “It seems Senior Sister is determined to help sister Xinrou. A family as upright and grateful as the Min Family would surely not be ungrateful. Sister Xinrou wants to marry into the Zhou Family, and also wants to repay the kindness. How about this...”

She slapped the table. “How about I’ll be the main wife and you be the concubine? When I eat, you serve the dishes. When I wash my feet, you bring the water. After you enter the family, I’ll change your name to ‘Daizi’! From now on, you’ll be called ‘Min Daizi’, how about it!”

No matter how resilient Min Xinrou’s spirit was, she couldn’t endure such humiliation. She let out a cry, covered her face, and ran off in tears. Qi Lingbo was dumbfounded, her gaze shifting to Cai Zhao.

Cai Zhao smiled sweetly. “If Senior Sister Qi doesn’t want to marry into the Song Family in the future, you can come to our Peiqiong Mountain Manor. You’ll just have to change your name to ‘Qi Daizi’.”

Qi Lingbo stomped her foot hard, flung her sleeves, and turned away with a taut face.

Only after everyone had left did Cai Zhao sit down and huff coldly, “Those two, one a true villain, the other a hypocrite. They really are a pair of blood sisters from different parents!”

Chang Ning waited for Cai Zhao to calm down before speaking slowly, “Weren’t you always telling me that ‘harmony brings wealth’? Why are you so angry now?”

Cai Zhao said, “I can be harmonious for wealth with anyone, except for those who have wronged my aunt. The entire Min family received my aunt’s kindness. I don’t expect them to remember it, it would be good enough if they didn’t curse her behind her back!”

“Since the Min family is so despicable, your aunt still arranged for you to be engaged to Zhou Yuqi?! Was she sending a sheep into a tiger’s den?” Chang Ning said sarcastically.

Cai Zhao was a little irritated. “Perhaps my aunt felt guilty towards Uncle Zhou.” She still remembered the look in Cai Pingshu’s eyes as she looked at Zhou Zhizhen on her deathbed, filled with apology.

“What does she have to be sorry to Manor Master Zhou for?” Chang Ning sneered softly. “Zhou Yuqi is two years older than you. Counting back, that means Manor Master Zhou got married immediately after the Battle of Mount Tu and had a son the following year. Even if your aunt’s health was poor and she couldn’t marry and have children, he didn’t have to be in such a hurry!”

“Because it was my aunt who personally persuaded Uncle Zhou to marry as soon as possible.”

Chang Ning was caught off guard and shocked again.

Cai Zhao sighed, “No matter how much Old Madam Min begged and pressured him, Uncle Zhou originally refused to marry Lady Min. In the end, it was my aunt who pleaded with him, and only then did Uncle Zhou agree. Did Great Hero Chang never tell you about this?”

Chang Ning said sullenly, “Why didn’t my father even mention this?”

Cai Zhao smiled faintly. “My mother said that Old Manor Master was already on his deathbed at the time, and his final wish was to see Uncle Zhou get married. But even at that point, Uncle Zhou still refused to agree. Uncle Zhou is a good man. Three years ago, Uncle Zhou stayed by her sickbed and watched with his own eyes as my aunt took her last breath. He cried until he fainted and was seriously ill afterward.”

Chang Ning fell silent.

A person with deep internal energy cultivation like Zhou Zhizhen would not fall ill easily, let alone faint. It was clear how much pain he must have been in at that time.

“I see,” he suddenly understood, “why Old Manor Master insisted on seeing his son marry before he died.” If he hadn’t insisted, given the depth of Manor Master Zhou’s feelings for your aunt, after the old manor master passed away, no one would have been able to pressure him to marry.”

“Yes, that’s why my aunt always felt guilty towards Uncle Zhou.” Cai Zhao sighed faintly. “My grandparents passed away early, and Old Manor Master Zhou took care of my aunt and father for many years, treating them as his own. Not to mention Uncle Zhou. My aunt once said that when she and her brother first arrived at Peiqiong Mountain Manor, although Uncle Zhou was young, he cared for them deeply. He even delivered the charcoal for their heater himself every time, never letting my aunt suffer the slightest grievance.”

She sighed and continued, “So when Uncle Zhou proposed to continue the engagement, my mother agreed before my aunt could even speak.”

Chang Ning glanced at Cai Zhao. “Your mother was afraid your aunt would be put in a difficult position, so she agreed first, right?”

Cai Zhao said helplessly, “In my mother’s heart, nothing is more important than my aunt.”

“Then what if you marry the wrong person?”

“My mother said, ‘If the marriage is bad, just get married again. It’s just changing a marriage, what’s the big deal? If you don’t want to marry, you can come back to Falling Blossoms Valley and recruit a husband. It’s not the first or second time a son-in-law has been in charge at Falling Blossoms Valley.’”

This time, it was Chang Ning’s turn to sigh.

He knew nothing about love between men and women, so he couldn’t judge whether Cai Pingshu’s apology of ‘I can’t marry you but I’ll persuade you to marry someone else’ was normal or not. He just felt inexplicably frustrated.

“Alright, let’s talk about Zhou Yuqi. He is, after all, the person you are going to marry. What is he like?”

A smile that seemed both amused and inappropriate appeared on Cai Zhao’s face. “He’s a good person, of course. Gentle, mild-mannered, and kind to others.”

“What about his martial arts skills?”

Cai Zhao blinked her big eyes. “If we consider the friendship between our two families, well, it’s hard to say who would win.”

Chang Ning narrowed his eyes. “And if you don’t consider the friendship and go all out?”

“I’d make him scram within one hundred and thirty-eight moves.”

Hearing the satisfaction in Cai Zhao’s tone, Chang Ning couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “Is Zhou Yuqi very good to Min Xinrou? Have you disliked him for a long time?”

“Alas, Brother Yuqi isn’t a bad person, really. He’s very obedient to me too. My mother said Uncle Zhou used to be like that as well. It’s not that his heart has strayed, but that he was raised to be too gentle and refined, so he’s always soft-hearted towards women and can’t bear to scold or hit them—this isn’t a big deal. If he can’t bear to hit or scold them, I’ll do it.”

Chang Ning was speechless.

After a moment of contemplation, he turned to face Cai Zhao solemnly. For the first time in his life, he spoke earnestly to persuade someone—

“Marriage is not a small matter, after all. Now that your aunt has passed away, breaking the engagement isn’t a big deal either. Manor Master Zhou dotes on you so much. If you say you don’t want to marry Zhou Yuqi, he will definitely agree. The Min Family will get their wish, and the Zhou and Cai families won’t become enemies. Calling off the engagement will absolutely not hurt anyone.”

Cai Zhao looked astonished. “Why call it off? I do want to marry Zhou Yuqi. I am willing to marry him. Where did you get the idea that I’m not happy about it?”

Chang Ning: ...

“I’ve thought it over for a long time. Marrying Zhou Yuqi is great. First, he can’t beat me, and Uncle Zhou protects me, so I can do whatever I want at Peiqiong Mountain Manor. Hmph, that old woman from the Min family was harsh to my aunt back then, not to mention Lady Min. I’ll be sure to ‘serve’ them both well later. If they dare to use filial piety to control me, I’ll crush them with the debt of gratitude they owe!”

“...So you’re actually going there for revenge?”

“Aiya, revenge sounds so ugly. It’s better to resolve enmity than to create it. Second, the scenery at Peiqiong Mountain Manor is lovely, the town is bustling, and the circle of large and small towns around it has everything. It’s even livelier than Falling Blossoms Valley. I thought about it when I was little: live in Falling Blossoms Valley before marriage, and live in Peiqiong Mountain Manor after. It’s perfect!”

“Wealth and prosperity are all external things. Being a hero and upholding justice is the righteous path,” Chang Ning mechanically retorted. He felt like he had used up a lifetime’s worth of righteousness tonight.

“Are being a hero and liking bustling places mutually exclusive? Besides, who knows how many mountains of gold and silver your father has hidden away. How can you have the nerve to say that?”

“...”

“Third, the Zhou family members are all quite amicable—anyway, the ones who aren’t can’t beat me. The older generation of uncles were good friends with my aunt, and now Brother Yuqian and Brother Yukun are good with me. Whatever I say, Uncle Zhou thinks is right. Plus, Brother Yuqi can’t beat me or out-talk me. In the future, behind closed doors, I can be the one in charge of Peiqiong Mountain Manor! Don’t you think that’s great, Senior Brother Chang!” The more Cai Zhao thought about it, the more she felt that the future was bright and content.

“Senior Brother, Senior Brother Chang, why have you stopped talking again?” Cai Zhao started waving her hand in front of Chang Ning’s face again.

“...I need some quiet time.”