Let's Do Some Questions - Chapter 37

Ailan’s cooking tasted pretty good, but Song Man was still anticipating the food Chu Fengqiu would bring her, so she saved some room.

“Doesn’t it taste good?”

Ailan picked up a piece of food with her chopsticks and put it in her mouth, confirming her cooking hadn’t gotten worse. But Song Man ate one less bowl of rice than usual at her place today.

“I’m full now. I ate snacks at school today, so I’m not very hungry. Ailan, you keep eating, I’ll head off first.”

“Where are you going?”

Ailan looked at Song Man, who seemed eager to leave, and put down her chopsticks.

“Home. My parents told me to come back early today, maybe something’s up.” Song Man lied to Ailan for the first time. She felt strangely awkward staying there. It was odd, she never felt this way before, but now she was inexplicably restless.

“If you have something to do, then hurry and go.” Ailan stood up. Song Man quickly waved her hand, telling her to sit.

“You sit down, no need to see me out.” Song Man silently apologized to Ailan in her heart. Looking at Ailan’s face, she waved goodbye.

Song Man walked out of Ailan’s door without looking back.

She was habitually carefree. As soon as she left the door, she forgot all the messy thoughts she had inside and went to the street corner to wait for a car.

Ailan stood by the window, watching the figure by the roadside.

Only after Song Man got into the car and drove away did she withdraw her gaze.

She sat back down at the dining table, looking at the dishes she had made, but she had no appetite.

She felt herself becoming very strange. Seeing Song Man made her uncontrollably happy, seeing Song Man think about leaving made her feel down, and thinking about Song Man’s new friend made her feel a bit jealous. She didn’t know what was wrong with her, and she didn’t dare let Song Man know about these strange thoughts.

Was it possessiveness in friendship?

But seeing Song Man messing around with her group of followers didn’t bother her at all. Deng Wei was even in the same school as Song Man and often went in and out with her, and she didn’t feel jealous or angry about that either.

Only that person… the new person by Song Man’s side.

Ailan didn’t know why, but seeing or thinking about her made her feel disgusted. That dislike wasn’t just because Chu Fengqiu had a dazzling aura that she couldn’t possess, but also because of Song Man’s special treatment of her.

Song Man allowed her to sit on the back seat of her motorcycle. Just this one thing made Ailan lose sleep when she came back at night.

Ailan sighed and started clearing the table.

Song Man didn’t know Ailan’s feelings. After getting out of the car, she went straight home.

“I’m back!”

Song Man took off her shoes, saw the person sitting in the living room, then saw what that person was doing, and started getting annoyed.

“Song Qinglan! What are you doing eating my stuff!”

Song Qinglan was leisurely sitting at the dining table eating something with chopsticks. Chu Fengqiu was sitting next to her. Song Man looked closely and saw it was lotus root. She immediately identified the food, changed into her slippers, and ran over quickly.

Chu Fengqiu was expressionless beside her. She had originally planned to bring it back for Song Man to eat, but Song Man’s older sister asked about it in the living room, said she wanted to eat it, and took it without question. This was someone else’s home, so even if Chu Fengqiu wanted to refuse, she couldn’t. Thus, she could only sit there and wait for Song Man to return.

“Manman, why are you so stingy? You won’t even share a little bit with your sister?”

Song Qinglan pretended to be aggrieved, and swallowed the half-eaten lotus root slice right in front of Song Man.

“Song! Qing! Lan!”

Song Man’s heart ached. Eat, eat, eat, all she did was eat! That was the last bite! It was all gone! Not a single slice left in the box!

“Alright, alright, Manman, don’t be angry. I asked Housekeeper Liu to make you a plate.” Housekeeper Liu in the kitchen heard Song Qinglan’s voice and brought out a plate of honey-glazed lotus root, placing it in front of Song Man, along with a glass of iced lemon fruit tea. “If it’s not enough, just ask Housekeeper Liu to make another plate.” Song Qinglan smoothed Song Man’s feathers, telling her to sit down and eat.

Song Man was originally very unhappy, but seeing the delicious food, she still sat down. She bit the straw and took a sip of the lemon tea, still feeling a bit indignant.

“It’s not the same.” Song Man mumbled softly.

“Good girl, the one at home is cleaner. You don’t know where the outside stuff comes from. Just eat what your sister prepared for you.” Song Qinglan smiled. Chu Fengqiu raised an eyebrow beside her. She wondered if she was overthinking, but she felt Song Qinglan’s words had a double meaning, hinting at something else.

She looked at Song Qinglan. Song Qinglan’s gaze was on Song Man and didn’t look in her direction.

“You didn’t even make it, why are you talking like that?” Song Man didn’t hesitate to give her older sister an eye roll.

“Oh, so Manman wants to eat something I made myself?”

“You’re busy, don’t worry about what I eat.”

It’s true that Song Qinglan spoiled her back then. She really did spoil her, not only granting her every wish but also often cooking Song Man’s favorite dishes. Song Qinglan was only in her teens back then. Song Man truly admired Song Qinglan for this. If it were her dealing with someone she disliked, let alone smiling, not kicking them would be showing great restraint.

Song Man looked at Song Qinglan, and as she watched, she felt like sighing and lost her appetite a bit. So she turned her head towards Chu Fengqiu, looked at Chu Fengqiu’s face, and felt her appetite seemed to return.

Chu Fengqiu saw Song Man looking at her and blinked at her.

Song Man blinked back a signal. Although it didn’t mean anything, blinking together felt right.

Chu Fengqiu was amused by her behavior. She relaxed her body and watched Song Man eat.

“Where are you planning to go for the three-day holiday?” Song Qinglan didn’t notice Song Man and Chu Fengqiu’s little interaction and asked Song Man.

“Haven’t decided yet.”

“Why not go skiing in Switzerland? I remember you used to love skiing.”

“Lao Chu, are you going skiing?” Song Man thought about it and felt it might be an option. She looked up and asked Chu Fengqiu for her opinion.

“Okay.” Chu Fengqiu naturally didn’t refuse.

Song Qinglan unconsciously frowned but couldn’t find anything to say in objection.

“Wait, is that enough time? If we go abroad, we should at least play for a few days before coming back,” Song Man said, biting her chopsticks, her voice a bit muffled.

“Then just ask for a few more days off. I’ll talk to Uncle and your teacher.” Song Qinglan didn’t think this was something to hesitate about.

“Nah, forget it. Chu Fengqiu might not make it back for class.” Song Man thought for a moment and rejected the skiing suggestion.

“Then you can go by yourself. Chu Fengqiu has her own social circle. If you want to go, I’ll have my secretary book your flight right away.”

“Let’s just forget it, Sis, don’t worry about this.” Song Man very naturally used the address she had used for twenty years. After saying it, she felt a bit regretful, but then thought about it and decided it wasn’t a big deal.

Song Qinglan was originally going to suggest something else, but Song Man called her “Sis,” and she stopped talking. Before, this girl Song Man, perhaps due to some rebellious phase, wouldn’t obediently call her sister in front of her, always calling her “Song Qinglan.” Now, at least she was calling her sister.

Song Man also didn’t ask why Song Qinglan had time to come home from the company today, to avoid continuing the conversation on that topic. When she was almost finished eating, she got up and left, beckoning to Chu Fengqiu as she went. Song Man quickly went back to her room, brought Chu Fengqiu in, and closed the door.

The air conditioning in the room had already been adjusted by the housekeeper. Song Man wiped the sweat from her forehead with a tissue and threw her backpack onto the chair.

Her backpack contained the holiday homework. Song Man didn’t really want to touch it, but she glanced at Chu Fengqiu standing beside her and felt she still needed to at least pretend to do the homework.

“Do you have any plans, where do you want to go?” Song Man sat on the chair, casually propping her legs on the desk, looking up at Chu Fengqiu with a mischievous look.

“Is there anywhere you really want to go?”

“Somewhere I really want to go? Not really, because I’ve been to a lot of places.” Song Man used to have free time and traveled abroad a lot when she was little, visiting many nice places. Now, when asked if there was anywhere she particularly wanted to go, she couldn’t say right away. The places that came to mind were all very far away, and three days wouldn’t be enough for a round trip.

“Have you been to a water town?”

“An ancient town?” Song Man tilted her head.

“Yeah, my home is there.” Chu Fengqiu’s face softened slightly when she mentioned home. The indifferent aura around her completely disappeared, making her feel like a gentle breeze.

The smile on Chu Fengqiu’s face wasn’t as obvious as before. It was faint, just a slight lift of her eyebrows and a curve of her lips, but the feeling it conveyed was a thousand times stronger than before, carrying sincerity.

Song Man was momentarily stunned, but quickly snapped back. She felt a little embarrassed after regaining her composure.

“Then let’s go! When? Where is it?”

“Sulan Town. You probably haven’t heard of it.”

Song Man scratched her head and shook it. She really hadn’t heard of it.

“It’s not far from here. The high-speed train only takes an hour, but it takes another half hour to get to the town.”

“Okay, okay! When are we going? Now? We can leave soon! I’ll pack first!” Song Man was excited. One reason was going to a new place, and another was that it was Chu Fengqiu’s hometown. Chu Fengqiu suggesting she take her there, given Chu Fengqiu’s personality, what did this action mean? It meant Chu Fengqiu considered her a good friend! That was awesome.

“Okay. I’ll call my family later to let them know, then I’ll book the tickets.”

“Okay.”

After Chu Fengqiu left Song Man’s room, Song Man took out a small suitcase from her walk-in closet and hesitated in front of the wardrobe.

How many sets of clothes should she bring? Which ones would be best…? Song Man hesitated, chose three sets of clothes, put two pairs of shoes into the suitcase, then added travel-sized toiletries, packing the entire suitcase full.

She should probably bring her homework too, otherwise she wouldn’t have time to write. But bringing homework when going out to play was too cruel. Song Man looked at her backpack, thinking about the pile of test papers and exercise books inside, and fell into deep thought.

When Chu Fengqiu knocked on the door, Song Man was still contemplating her backpack.

“Aren’t you bringing anything?” Song Man looked at Chu Fengqiu, who was empty-handed, with a look of confusion.

“I have clothes at home, so I don’t need to bring anything. Just bring your phone and yourself.” Chu Fengqiu leaned against the doorframe and put her phone in her pocket.

“You don’t need to bring homework?!”

“Finished it.” The top student said calmly.

“Hey, there were several test papers! Chinese exercise book, two test papers each for Math, English, Physics, Chemistry, Biology! When did you finish them?!” The teachers also believed in the “sea of questions” strategy. For just a three-day holiday, they wanted to work them to death. Although it wasn’t difficult for Song Man, it was troublesome because she had to deliberately make mistakes. Also, this Chu Fengqiu actually finished her homework behind her back? Song Man’s condemnation completely ignored how many problems she had secretly solved behind Chu Fengqiu’s back.

“The Chinese exercise book was finished before. The English, Biology, and Math test papers were given out yesterday. The others were during the dinner party. It was too boring, so I just did my homework.” This morning there were two periods of Physics and two of Chemistry. The papers were given out a bit late, so she hadn’t started them. Chu Fengqiu originally thought she was really going to meet those uncles, but her dad hadn’t told the truth. She felt the scene had nothing to do with her, so she started writing while waiting for the food, continued writing after eating, and finished the last bit in the taxi on the way back.

“I don’t want to bring test papers either.” Song Man sighed, especially since she had to pretend not to know how to do them. It was too difficult.

“Then don’t bring them.”

“Huh???” Song Man was overjoyed. Could she not do her homework?

“You can write them the afternoon we come back.”

“Okay.”

Anyway, rushing homework wasn’t difficult for Song Man. When going out to play, she should have fun! So Song Man took out all the test papers from her backpack and put them on the desk. She stuffed a data cable, a fully charged power bank, earphones, and a spare data cable into her backpack. This was the standard setup for an internet-addicted teenager going out.

Song Man also took out water to drink later from the mini-fridge in her room, grabbed a bunch of snacks from the snack cabinet, put on her backpack, and picked up her suitcase.

“Let me carry one for you.”

“This suitcase isn’t heavy. I can manage it myself.”

“It’s fine, I’ll do it.” Chu Fengqiu took the suitcase from Song Man’s hand. Song Man followed behind her and closed the door.

“Housekeeper Liu, I’m going out to play for two or three days. When my parents come back, remember to let them know. I’m going out with Chu Fengqiu, so tell them not to worry at all.” Song Man was afraid of disturbing her parents’ work, so she rarely called to report. Besides, she felt she could decide things for herself, and such small matters didn’t need reporting.

Song Man looked around but didn’t see Song Qinglan, nor did she ask where Song Qinglan went. She followed Chu Fengqiu out the door.

While waiting for the bullet train, Song Man received a transfer from Song Qinglan.

Song Qinglan sent it via Alipay, so Song Man didn’t even need to click to receive it.

【Song Man】: What’s this for?

【Song Qinglan】: Aren’t you going out to play? Here’s 20,000 first. Ask me for more if it’s not enough. Have fun.

Song Man didn’t know whether to be happy or unhappy. The more Song Qinglan did this, the more uncomfortable she felt. Song Man seemed carefree, but when it came to certain things, she was incredibly petty and held grudges for a long time. Song Qinglan’s words and actions from the past were like a thorn stuck in her heart, making it hard for her to let go. She always felt that Song Qinglan’s actions were still aimed at ruining her, spoiling her rotten.

Would she accept the capitalist sugar-coated bullets?

Of course she would.

Song Man happily watched her little stash grow. This wasn’t her extorting Song Qinglan; Song Qinglan offered it herself. Why should she be so sentimental?

【Song Man】: Thanks, Sis!

Then Song Man didn’t even look at what Song Qinglan would send next and went offline immediately.

On the other side, Song Qinglan looked at the words on the screen, just about to reply, when a knock on the door interrupted her.

“Uncle, why are you delivering the documents?”

“It was on the way. Have you eaten?”

“Yes, I have. If there’s nothing else, I’ll get back to work.”

“Okay.”

Xu Qinglang placed the documents on Song Qinglan’s desk and closed the door to Song Qinglan’s office again.

Song Qinglan watched the door close, her stepfather’s face disappearing from view, and her expression immediately turned cold.

No matter how much time passed, she still couldn’t bring herself to like this man.

Before it was hatred. Now that she was older, she had become a bit more open-minded. She knew her father’s death had nothing to do with this man, but she couldn’t forgive her mother for finding a new partner so quickly, as if she hadn’t been well for a while, and then impatiently brought the new man home just three months after her father’s death.

She wanted to express her dissatisfaction at the time, but she knew Song Zici wouldn’t listen to her at all. She was only seven or eight years old then and had already learned not to cry or make a fuss, but simply to ignore Xu Qinglang.

She even hid at her grandfather’s house for a while back then. She really didn’t want to stay in that home that made her feel so oppressed.

It wasn’t until later that Song Man was born.

Song Zici named her “Man,” meaning “full” or “complete,” hoping that Song Man’s future life would also be “full” and she wouldn’t lack anything.

She was forced to go back and look at that ugly newborn sister, and she couldn’t like her at all.

After her grandfather’s guidance, she had somewhat understood the reversal of status between boys and girls in their family. She would have preferred it to be a brother, but it turned out to be a sister.

Her grandfather told her that being seven or eight years older than this sister was her advantage. She could raise this sister to be on her side. If she couldn’t make her loyal, then she should just raise her to be useless.

Song Qinglan couldn’t quite understand her grandfather’s words at the time, but she knew she had to pretend to really like that sister.

To be honest, when Song Man cried and fussed, Song Qinglan wanted to throw her on the ground or forcibly cover her mouth to make her shut up. She thought Song Man was the most unlovable child in the world.

Fortunately, Song Man didn’t cry and fuss much. Because her parents were busy with work, it was often her, the older sister, who spent time with Song Man.

As Song Man grew older, the ugly look she had before disappeared, and she became a beautiful child.

Song Zici and Xu Qinglang both doted on this sister, including the housekeepers. She was like a princess, loved by everyone.

Song Qinglan didn’t deny her jealousy and dislike. What made her even more resentful was that she had to pretend to like this little brat.

Song Man was very precocious and learned to speak earlier than other children. Song Qinglan always remembered what her grandfather said, so she kept teaching Song Man to call her “Jiejie.” The first word Song Man learned wasn’t “Baba” or “Mama,” but “Jiejie.”

At that time, Song Qinglan felt a very strange sensation in her heart, a novel emotion she had never experienced before. Song Qinglan felt like she might actually like this sister a little.

As the years passed, she gradually understood her grandfather’s meaning from back then. She granted Song Man’s every wish. Song Man had cavities and couldn’t eat candy, but still secretly begged her. Song Qinglan immediately bought a can and delivered it to Song Man’s room. Song Man’s toothache indeed got worse, but when her parents asked, she stubbornly protected her, not telling on her for giving her the candy.

How did Song Qinglan feel at that time? She found Song Man’s protection a bit ridiculous, but there was also a strange sense of joy, a mix of conflicting emotions.

She never did anything to make Song Man unhappy, successfully becoming the most important person in Song Man’s heart. After all, she spent more time with Song Man than her parents did. If Song Man had anything good, she would remember to bring a share for her, sometimes even giving up her own share to save it for her.

At that time, Song Qinglan wavered. She felt that if Song Man continued to obediently listen to her, it would be fine to keep spoiling her like this.

She even felt that while Xu Qinglang was annoying, he wasn’t completely useless; at least they brought Song Man to her.

But Song Man was too smart. From elementary school, she showed extraordinary learning ability. Even if she was spoiled by her and didn’t study properly, didn’t do homework, and was lawless, she could still get perfect scores on exams. When Song Man put her grades in front of her to be praised, her heart skipped a beat.

Song Qinglan realized that Song Man would threaten her.

Although she was the eldest daughter, Song Zici liked Song Man more than her. What if Song Man’s abilities were also superior to hers?

She didn’t have her family’s love anymore, would she even lose the things she could hold onto?

Song Qinglan solidified her previous plan and spoiled Song Man even more, determined to raise this sister to be crooked.

Later, it seemed she succeeded.

Song Man became the “Injured Zhong Yong,” her grades plummeted, and she liked fighting. If Song Man were a boy, she would be a complete little hoodlum, disliked by everyone.

But at the same time, Song Qinglan discovered that Song Man was no longer close to her.

But at that time, she was busy with university, busy with her own affairs, busy absorbing more knowledge and skills. She felt her goal was achieved, so she didn’t pay special attention to Song Man.

Busy until now, she found that Song Man even had a kind of hostility towards her, faint and unclear.

Song Qinglan felt this was normal. After all, in this wealthy family, she and Song Man were half-sisters with a claim to inheritance. But she also felt a bit unwilling. The child she had raised herself had ended up like this. She could only tell herself that Song Man had just grown up, and it was normal for her not to be close to her sister anymore. But there was still some unresolved feeling.

She was the one who had always looked after Song Man, but Song Man still had a better relationship with their parents. People were always selfish. Song Qinglan knew her “killing with kindness” was cruel, but she just wanted Song Man to live under her wing.

But she was also somewhat dissatisfied that Song Man had really become useless. Song Man was almost in her second year of high school, and Song Qinglan still hoped Song Man could be a bit more obedient and study hard, especially thinking that Song Man might get hurt fighting. So she adopted a roundabout approach, which led to the current situation.

Sometimes she would wonder if Song Man knew something, but then she thought it was impossible. Song Man couldn’t possibly know such a secret thing, and given Song Man’s personality, if she knew, she would definitely come and have a big fight with her and question her.

Song Qinglan thought and thought but couldn’t figure anything out. She sighed and opened the documents in her hand.

Song Man didn’t know Song Qinglan had so much drama going on in her head. At this moment, she was sitting on the high-speed train heading to Chu Fengqiu’s hometown with Chu Fengqiu.

The high-speed train didn’t go directly to Chu Fengqiu’s hometown. After arriving, they still had to take a bus.

Song Man was initially excited and playing on her phone, but by the time they got on the bus, she had completely lost interest. She didn’t even want to play on her phone despite having battery. She leaned against the seat, staring blankly out the window, feeling a bit sleepy.

As soon as Chu Fengqiu got on the bus, she closed her eyes to rest, thinking about some things. Suddenly, she felt a weight on her shoulder. Opening her eyes, she saw Song Man leaning on her shoulder with her eyes closed, breathing evenly, already asleep.

Chu Fengqiu kept her eyes open, looking at Song Man’s sleeping face. She relaxed her body to make Song Man more comfortable.

When Song Man was asleep, the sharpness was almost gone. She looked beautiful and harmless, with a small nose and rosy lips. Against her pale skin, she inexplicably had a hint of a bewitching quality.

But Song Man herself was nothing like this soft and obedient appearance. There seemed to be sparks burning in her eyes, capable of setting people’s hearts ablaze.

It was cloudy today, and the sun wasn’t too harsh. The light shining through the window made it feel pleasant and comfortable.

Soothing music played in Song Qinglan’s earphones, echoing the person and the scene, and her heart softened along with it.

When they were almost there, Chu Fengqiu woke Song Man up.

Song Man woke up groggily, found herself leaning on Chu Fengqiu, and quickly sat up straight. She even touched the corner of her mouth to see if she had drooled. Fortunately, she hadn’t.

Chu Fengqiu’s hometown had a poetic name, and the scenery was just as beautiful.

This place was called Sulan. It was a typical Jiangnan water town, with small rivers flowing through the buildings, pointed narrow boats visible everywhere, and the air carrying a humid scent.

“It’s so beautiful here.” Song Man exclaimed. This small town was actually a bit remote, and since it didn’t have many famous buildings, it wasn’t a tourist spot. Not many people had visited, giving it an ancient, simple feel.

“Grandpa, Grandma, didn’t I say you didn’t need to come pick us up?” Chu Fengqiu suddenly spoke, taking two steps forward, her expression a little helpless.

Chu Fengqiu spoke in dialect, with the soft tone of a water town, which made Song Man momentarily unable to react. She blinked.

“This is my friend, Song Man.” Chu Fengqiu pulled Song Man over and introduced her to her grandfather and grandmother.

“Song Man, this is my maternal grandfather and grandmother.”

“Hello, Grandpa and Grandma, I’m Song Man.” Song Man obediently greeted them, looking at the kind and friendly elderly couple in front of her.

Chu Fengqiu’s grandfather and grandmother looked to be in their sixties or seventies, with white hair and kind, friendly smiles on their faces.

“This girl is really pretty. Welcome to our place.” Chu Fengqiu’s grandmother praised her in not-so-standard Mandarin, her tone soft and gentle.

“Guaiguai, let me take that for you.” Chu Fengqiu’s grandfather saw Chu Fengqiu holding a suitcase and prepared to take it.

“Grandpa, I can do it myself! Why did you come to pick me up? Didn’t I say I’d come by myself?”

“Oh, let your Grandpa carry it! You’re finally back, and your Grandpa couldn’t wait. He’s been checking his watch since you called! Seeing you were almost here, he rushed over. I couldn’t stop him!”

“Hey, look who’s talking! Who was it that started preparing dishes and singing as soon as they got off the phone?” Chu Fengqiu’s grandfather teased his wife, which made Song Man feel warm just watching them.

“Lao Chu, I’ll carry it myself. You chat with your Grandpa and Grandma first.” How could Song Man let Chu Fengqiu’s grandfather carry her luggage? She took it from Chu Fengqiu’s hand without question.

Chu Fengqiu naturally took Song Man’s hand. Song Man didn’t struggle and let her hold it. On Chu Fengqiu’s other side was her grandmother, whose arm she was holding. Her grandfather walked on the outermost side.

Chu Fengqiu listened to them chatting in dialect. She didn’t understand everything perfectly but could guess most of it and was quite happy.

“Guaiguai, how have you been lately?”

“Everything’s good.”

“You always say everything’s good. Oh, don’t keep sending me and your Grandpa things. We can’t eat it all.”

“Grandma, your bl00d pressure tends to be high. You must remember to take that medicine I bought for you every day.”

“Eating, eating. If you don’t believe me, ask your Grandpa. Oh, right, I specifically asked your Grandpa to catch your favorite fish for you. I’ll start cooking it when we get back.”

“Grandpa went down to the river again? Why did you still go?” Chu Fengqiu frowned. Her grandfather was old; what if something happened on the fishing boat?

“You talk too much.” Chu Fengqiu’s grandfather glared at his wife. They had agreed not to mention it, but she let it slip.

“Guaiguai, you can’t buy this kind at Xiao Cheng’s place. That kind of fish can only be caught from the back. Those young lads aren’t as experienced as me. Of course, I have to catch a few when you come back.”

“Grandpa, you’re not allowed to go next time! If you go again, I won’t eat anything you catch.”

Chu Fengqiu’s grandfather quickly nodded, promising like a child, which made Song Man chuckle. She gave Chu Fengqiu a thumbs-up.

After walking for a while, they quickly arrived at Chu Fengqiu’s home, with white walls and black tiles, full of ancient charm.

“Guaiguai, I’ve been keeping your room clean. You and your friend go in and sit down, get some rest.”

Chu Fengqiu responded and led Song Man inside.

Song Man looked around. There was a small vegetable patch in the yard, a rocking chair not far from the patch, a stone table next to the rocking chair. The front door opened directly into the main hall. Chu Fengqiu’s room was on the side and wasn’t very big.

“The bed might be a bit small. We’ll have to squeeze in tonight. Hope you don’t mind.”

“It’s fine.” Song Man put down her suitcase. Chu Fengqiu’s bed wasn’t big, but it should be enough for two people.

Chu Fengqiu’s room had many things: a box with a copper lock, a small bookshelf, a desk, and a bed. There were no other extra things.

“You have such a good relationship with your Grandpa and Grandma.” Song Man looked at the photo on the desk. It showed a young Chu Fengqiu with her younger grandfather and grandmother.

Chu Fengqiu was wearing a blue and white outfit, her skin was fair, and she was smiling brightly, showing none of her current poker-faced, aloof demeanor.

“Yeah, I grew up with them.” Chu Fengqiu placed Song Man’s backpack on the box in the room and helped Song Man take out her charger.

“I feel like people who grow up in this kind of environment must be very gentle.” Song Man sighed, her fingers tracing the spines of the somewhat worn books on the bookshelf.

“That’s not necessarily true.” A hint of darkness flashed quickly in Chu Fengqiu’s eyes.

“Huh?”

“Nothing. But my Grandpa and Grandma are indeed very gentle. I’ll take you out for a walk.”

“Okay.” Song Man nodded, still very interested in the small bridges and flowing water outside. She saw people navigating boats freely through the town, set against the grey bricks and black tiles, like a painting.

Next to Chu Fengqiu’s house was a wide small river. A boat, larger than the narrow ones, was steadily moored on the river surface. The boat looked a bit old, showing its age.

“This is our family’s boat. I used to play in here often.” Chu Fengqiu led Song Man into the boat. The inside was quite spacious. There were posters on the walls, cushions laid out, a small table, and a guitar.

“Huh, why did Grandma keep this?” Chu Fengqiu looked at the guitar with some surprise.

“Lao Chu, you can play the guitar?”

“Haven’t played in a long time. Do you want to hear?”

“Definitely!”

Chu Fengqiu held the guitar, tried playing a few notes, and picked up the tuner next to her to tune it.

After a while, Chu Fengqiu sat on the boat deck with the guitar, and Song Man sat cross-legged beside her.

Chu Fengqiu started playing the guitar, looking at the emerald green water surface.

“The wind in July, the rain in August, the humble me, likes the distant you…”

The guitar echoed the singing, scattering into the shimmering water.

Song Man watched Chu Fengqiu singing softly, without blinking.