Let's Do Some Questions - Chapter 38

For the first time, Song Man understood the charm of someone playing the guitar and singing. Song Man had seen many before, whether they were celebrities, street performers, or people at school, but Chu Fengqiu gave her a feeling completely different from all of them.

From Song Man’s angle, she could only see Chu Fengqiu’s profile.

Chu Fengqiu lowered her eyes, her voice soft, gazing at the lake. Her fingers plucked the strings, as if plucking at the heartstrings of others.

The weather in Sulan wasn’t as muggy as in Qingcheng. The air carried a hint of moisture, and today was cloudy, allowing sunlight to penetrate the clouds and provide light without being scorching. This made the summer breeze feel gentle.

Song Man concentrated, even feeling the slight rocking of the boat’s bottom, like Chu Fengqiu’s singing swaying in her heart. The movement was small, yet so real.

She suddenly fell into a strange state, only emerging from that dreamlike feeling when the singing stopped.

“It’s been a while since I played the guitar. Luckily, I’m not rusty yet.”

Chu Fengqiu licked her slightly dry lips, touching the back of the guitar as if reminiscing.

The guitar was clean and hadn’t gotten damp. Her Grandma must have kept it well, knowing she was coming, and placed it on the boat.

“You played wonderfully! I heard before that you play instruments. You truly live up to your title as our school’s Goddess.”

Song Man teased. She had actually practiced guitar before too, but she was truly rusty now. She hadn’t touched an instrument much after the age of 12.

“With you in front of me, I really wouldn’t dare accept that title.”

Chu Fengqiu looked at Song Man, leaning closer, her eyes full of smiles.

Song Man was sure that Chu Fengqiu was genuinely happy here; her posture was very relaxed when she joked.

She saw Chu Fengqiu suddenly lean in, her brown eyes reflecting Song Man’s image.

For a moment, Song Man didn’t know what expression was appropriate. She just quietly gazed into Chu Fengqiu’s eyes.

A gust of wind came, stirring Chu Fengqiu’s hair. Strands brushed lightly against Song Man’s cheek before falling away.

The trace left behind was so light, yet it felt like the center of a spiderweb, spreading outwards inch by inch.

Song Man felt her palms grow hotter, inexplicably awkward, and turned her head away.

Chu Fengqiu also withdrew her gaze in time, feeling a swelling in her chest.

“The water here is so green.”

Song Man awkwardly started a new topic. She had intended to avoid that unknown atmosphere by looking down, but her fingers touched the cool lake water, finding some amusement instead.

Her fingers stirred the water, the cool liquid dispelling the heat in her palms. Song Man smiled as she played with the water, her eyes full of carefree joy.

Chu Fengqiu placed the guitar inside the boat. As she moved, the boat gently rocked, and Song Man’s body swayed with it, finding it quite fun.

“It’s so cool here at your place.”

“Yeah, it’s by the water, and there’s wind.”

Chu Fengqiu stepped out of the boat and sat on the boat deck with Song Man.

Song Man took off her sneakers, put her socks inside the shoes, and dipped her feet into the lake water.

“Wow, it’s so cool.”

Song Man shivered from the cold when she first put her feet in. After getting used to it for a while, she started kicking the water playfully with her feet.

“Be careful.”

Chu Fengqiu watched Song Man from the side, afraid she might accidentally rock herself off. Although the boat was stable by the shore and wouldn’t drift away, Song Man’s movements might be dangerous if they were too large.

“It’s fine.”

Song Man propped herself up with her hands behind her, her feet splashing in the water. She wore short shorts, so she didn’t need to roll up her pant legs. Her legs glowed white in the sunlight.

Chu Fengqiu’s gaze followed the soft lines, watching the water droplets refract colorful light in the air.

“Chu Fengqiu, are there any fish in your water?”

“Yes.”

“Then can you catch fish?”

Song Man asked curiously, finding it hard to imagine Chu Fengqiu fishing.

Actually, when she first met Chu Fengqiu, she thought their family backgrounds were similar. Even if not prominent, they should be decent, because Chu Fengqiu had a certain temperament, one that couldn’t be cultivated without exposure. She looked like someone who should be sitting in a concert hall listening to opera, a person of great refinement. She hadn’t expected her hometown to be so simple and rustic.

But thinking about it, it wasn’t contradictory at all. This kind of water, this kind of town, was fitting to nurture such a gentle person.

Song Man felt that Chu Fengqiu was gentle, but that gentleness was wrapped in a cold wind.

“Yes, I grew up on a boat with my grandparents since I was little. This very boat.”

Chu Fengqiu ran her fingers over the texture of the boat deck, a hint of nostalgia in her touch.

“Huh? Grew up on a boat? Like Zhou Zhiruo? That’s so cool.”

“Yeah, the house wasn’t built until I was about four.”

“You still remember? That’s amazing. I’ve long forgotten what happened when I was four.”

Song Man’s feet kicked up splashes, watching the transparent water waves fall through the air and return to the embrace of the green water.

“Some things are just more memorable.”

Chu Fengqiu’s gaze swept across the water, looking into the distance.

“That’s true. Some things, you can’t forget even if you want to.”

Song Man simply lay down, resting her head on her arm, looking up at the pale blue sky.

Sulan developed slowly, so the air quality was excellent. There wasn’t the hazy grayness of Qingcheng; it looked particularly pleasant.

“The night sky here must be beautiful.”

Song Man murmured.

“Then let’s come out together tonight to see. I can borrow a small boat, like the one that passed us when you first arrived, and take you to the Lotus Pond to watch the stars.”

“Should we have some wine to set the mood?”

Song Man propped her head up and looked at Chu Fengqiu.

Drunk, unaware the sky is in the water, a boat full of clear dreams pressing down on the starlit river.

“Granny next door has some fruit wine she brewed. If you want to drink, we can go trade for some.”

Chu Fengqiu pointed in a direction for Song Man. That family was the Granny she mentioned.

“Really? Okay.”

Song Man’s spirits lifted. She had just mentioned it casually, but she didn’t expect it to be possible, and with delicious fruit wine too.

Song Man played in the water for a while longer, then heard Chu Fengqiu’s grandmother calling them for dinner.

Chu Fengqiu responded, went into the boat cabin to get a towel, and also brought Song Man’s shoes over.

Song Man took the towel, dried her cold, soaked feet, put on her socks and shoes, and jumped off the boat with Chu Fengqiu.

It got dark quickly. The lights in the room weren’t very bright, casting a dim glow that made people’s outlines appear hazy.

Chu Fengqiu’s grandmother had prepared a table full of dishes, all light and fresh, with steaming, boiling, stir-frying, and deep-frying all represented. It was clear she had put a lot of effort into it.

“Guaiguai, try this. Little classmate, you try some too.”

Her grandparents urged them to eat. Song Man was a little embarrassed by their enthusiasm.

“Grandma, let Song Man serve herself. You don’t need to put food on her plate. You eat quickly.”

“Yes, Grandma, you eat. I can serve myself.”

Song Man echoed, feeling awkward about having the elderly couple serve her, but they were so enthusiastic she couldn’t refuse.

“Oh, I’m just happy! Guaiguai, this is the first time you’ve brought a friend home. We need to make sure she has a good time.”

Song Man roughly understood Chu Fengqiu’s grandmother’s meaning through guessing and looked at Chu Fengqiu while biting her chopsticks.

Given Chu Fengqiu’s personality, it was normal for this to be the first time she brought a classmate home. Song Man felt a little happy and even a bit smug thinking about it.

Song Man didn’t interrupt the conversation between the three of them, eating quietly on the side. Occasionally, when they looked over, she would smile at them, looking very well-behaved and sweet.

“Guaiguai, how is your father doing?”

“Just the same.”

“Is your father’s health still good recently?”

“He’s doing well.”

“Did he…”

Chu Fengqiu’s grandmother’s face showed a hint of caution, and her voice was hesitant.

“Why talk about this during dinner?”

Chu Fengqiu’s grandfather interrupted his wife, put some food on her plate, and stopped her from speaking.

“Grandma, Grandpa, please eat. Let’s not talk about this. We won’t mention others.”

The atmosphere suddenly turned cold and then warmed up again. Song Man, on the periphery, didn’t know what had happened. Her translator seemed to have malfunctioned just then; she could barely make out a few words, but it definitely wasn’t anything happy.

Song Man pretended to bury her head in her food, acting as if she knew nothing.

After eating their fill, Chu Fengqiu told her grandmother she was taking Song Man out for a walk.

“Grandma, are the lanterns still here?”

“They are. Your grandpa was idle in the spring and made two lanterns. They’ll be perfect. I’ll go light them for you.”

“Okay.”

Chu Fengqiu’s grandmother brought out two paper lanterns with handles. The candlelight flickered inside, illuminating the peach blossoms on the outside.

“Wow, they’re so beautiful! Did Grandpa make them?”

Song Man exclaimed, reaching out to take one from Chu Fengqiu’s hand.

“Yes, my grandpa makes lanterns. Grandma, Grandpa, we’re heading out.”

“When will you be back?”

“Not sure. We’re planning to borrow a boat from Brother Lin across the way and take Song Man to the Lotus Pond.”

“Let your grandpa go borrow it for you. Wait a moment.”

“Then I’ll go chat with Granny Ling. It’s been a while since I saw her.”

“Go ahead, go ahead. She’ll be happy to see you.”

Song Man held a lantern and left the house with Chu Fengqiu. After walking a few steps, she bounced up.

“Chu Fengqiu, your grandpa is amazing! These lanterns are so beautiful, they have such an ancient charm.”

“If you like them, we can take them back with us later.”

“Really?”

“Of course. Grandpa is a craftsman. His apprentices have all finished their training, so he gradually stopped making them. Now he occasionally makes a couple, but he keeps them and doesn’t sell them. He also specifically makes one for me. When I was little, he often made small lanterns for me in the boat and let me put them on the lake surface, telling me that if I made a wish that way, the Dragon King at the bottom of the water could hear it and grant my wish.”

Chu Fengqiu recalled childhood memories, walking slowly on the bluestone path, holding the lantern.

“Did you make a wish?”

“Yes.”

Chu Fengqiu nodded.

“And did it come true?”

“Yes.”

Song Man was curious and quickly asked what the wish was.

“It’s a secret.”

Chu Fengqiu’s lips curved slightly, placing her index finger in the center of her lips.

“Hmph, a secret, huh.”

Song Man dropped that remark, took a few quick steps ahead of Chu Fengqiu, and turned back to make a face at her.

Chu Fengqiu followed behind Song Man, her lantern swaying gently. She used to think there was no Dragon God in the world because she had believed as a child, sincerely making some wishes, but none had ever come true. But now, thinking about it, maybe not. One wish, though it came late, did come true.

She wanted a good friend. The child Chu Fengqiu knelt on the boat deck, silently repeating this wish to the lantern on the water.

Crossing the long river of time, this wish was finally granted.

Chu Fengqiu quickened her pace to catch up with Song Man, taking her hand in the twilight.

“Watch your step, it’s a bit uneven.”

Song Man hummed lightly at the words but still let Chu Fengqiu hold her hand.

Chu Fengqiu went to Granny Ling’s house, introduced Song Man to her, and chatted for a while before getting to the point.

“I have some more,” Granny Ling said, “I wasn’t planning to brew anymore, and no one really drinks it.”

Granny Ling’s eyes were a little cloudy. She smiled and walked towards the inner room.

Song Man noticed that the elderly woman seemed to live alone.

Granny Ling used bamboo tubes to fill two tubes of fruit wine for them, cautioning them that the wine could be intoxicating and they should drink sparingly.

“Qiu Mei’er, come get some more before you leave. I’m old now and can’t drink it anymore. It’s better not to have any accidents. If you think it’s good, just take it all. Wine doesn’t spoil.”

“Okay, Granny. We’ll be going now.”

“Go, go. Remember to come back early, don’t make your grandpa and grandma worry.”

“Got it.”

Chu Fengqiu helped Granny Ling close the door and continued walking forward, holding Song Man’s hand.

“Qiu Mei’er~”

Song Man imitated Granny Ling’s way of calling Chu Fengqiu, drawing out the sound, letting it scatter in the night wind.

“I’m older than you.”

“Then… Sister Qiu? Why does that sound weird? It feels like singing folk songs or calling someone ‘Little Master’. Never mind, I’m just going to call you Qiu Mei, hehe.”

How could she miss such a good opportunity to tease?

“Then I’ll…”

“Stop! You’re not allowed to call me Man Mei’er, it’s awkward.”

“Then I’ll call you Manman.”

“Okay.”

Song Man had no objection, swinging Chu Fengqiu’s hand in the air.

When Chu Fengqiu reached the riverbank, her grandfather was already poling the boat there. The boat was thin and long, with upturned ends, like the moon in the sky.

“Guaiguai, come back early.”

“Okay.”

Chu Fengqiu waved to her grandfather from the boat, and Song Man waved too, watching Chu Fengqiu pole the boat.

Well, beautiful people even look good poling a boat.

Song Man sat cross-legged in the small boat, watching Chu Fengqiu’s hands move up and down, disturbing the river water.

Although it was cloudy during the day, the clouds had dispersed at night, revealing twinkling stars. Song Man lay on her back, watching the stars seem to press down, reaching out to touch the air.

Cicadas chirped from the willow trees on the bank. In this gentle rocking, the boat stopped.

Song Man sat up. Around them was a expanse of water, covered with blooming lotuses. Pink and white flowers clustered together, swaying gently in the moonlight with the wind.

The green waves were silent, the bright moon cast ten thousand shadows.

Chu Fengqiu also sat down cross-legged and tossed a bamboo tube to Song Man.

“Be careful. If you drop it, you won’t find it anywhere.”

Song Man caught the bamboo tube, grumbled, opened the lid, and took a sip.

“If you drop it, don’t I still have mine?”

Chu Fengqiu laughed, inviting Song Man to share her drink.

It was sweet and sour upon entry, with a lingering sweetness afterwards.

“Delicious.”

Song Man’s eyes lit up. This kind of fruit wine was indeed her favorite.

“Want some lotus seeds? I’ll pick one for you.”

“It’s so dark, can you see clearly?”

“We have the lantern.”

Chu Fengqiu reached out and picked a lotus pod for Song Man.

The two of them ate the sweet lotus seeds by the lake, drank the mellow fruit wine, and enjoyed the lotuses and the moon.

“It’s so leisurely and comfortable.”

Song Man tilted her head back, took a sip, and sighed leisurely.

No wonder ancient people liked things like retreating from society or living in the countryside. In this situation, there was truly a sense of not needing to think about anything, a feeling of emptiness without any worries.

Chu Fengqiu sipped slowly, while Song Man drank heartily in large gulps.

“Chu Fengqiu, I’m so envious of you.”

Song Man said with a whine, drawing out her voice. Her nasal tone sounded both well-behaved and wronged.

“Hmm? Why are you envious of me?”

Chu Fengqiu held the lantern closer, only to find that Song Man’s cheeks were already flushed, clearly a little drunk.

Granny Ling was right, this wine could indeed be intoxicating. Chu Fengqiu shook Song Man’s bamboo tube and found there was hardly any left, her expression slightly amused.

No wonder. She still had more than half left, while Song Man was almost finished. No wonder she looked like she was about to get drunk.

Song Man felt like she was getting a little tipsy. She knew what she was saying, but it also felt like she couldn’t quite control herself.

The moon swayed back and forth in the sky, making her even dizzier.

“I’m just envious of you, you’re so free.”

“How am I free?”

Chu Fengqiu looked at the girl opposite her. The wine had stained the girl’s lips with a thin layer of moisture, which, illuminated by the hazy moonlight and candlelight, exuded an indescribable charm.

“Just free,” Song Man mumbled, “You don’t have to manage this and that, it’s so annoying.”

“Then don’t manage it.”

Chu Fengqiu didn’t know what Song Man was hiding. Based on Song Man’s family situation, she should be carefree and without burdens, not like this.

Song Qinglan’s face flashed in Chu Fengqiu’s mind. She had a hunch that Song Man’s state was related to Song Qinglan.

“I can’t not manage it, it’s so annoying.”

Song Man complained softly, but it sounded more like whining.

“Don’t be annoyed. It’s better to be happy.”

Chu Fengqiu reached out to touch Song Man’s cheek, but Song Man grabbed her hand.

Like a traveler in the desert finding an oasis, Song Man felt the coolness and refused to let go, rubbing her hot cheek against it like a clingy cat.

“Being happy isn’t that simple. I wish I could always be happy.”

Song Man’s voice grew softer and softer.

Just when Chu Fengqiu thought she was about to fall asleep, she suddenly looked up and smiled.

“Song Man?”

Chu Fengqiu tried calling her name.

Song Man didn’t respond.

Chu Fengqiu called out a few more times, but Song Man remained silent, just looking at her quietly, smiling very sweetly and obediently.

Chu Fengqiu felt her heart beating a little fast, each beat echoing in her ears with the night wind.

“Song Man.”

Chu Fengqiu called Song Man’s name again, her voice soft, as if afraid of disturbing something.

“Yes.”

Song Man suddenly responded, blinking her eyes as she looked at Chu Fengqiu.

Chu Fengqiu thought Song Man had woken up and was about to ask if she wanted to leave when Song Man suddenly leaned towards her.

Something soft brushed quickly against her lips, stirring up a storm in Chu Fengqiu’s heart.