From afar, Lu Xunguang saw her walking out meekly. He quickly stepped forward, his worried expression on full display, and handed her a cup of sweet tea in his hand.
"Did Lianji make things difficult for you?"
The way he looked so concerned was like an old father eagerly waiting to pick up a young pupil who had just finished his first day at the private school. Li Ying couldn't help but let out a silent laugh.
Li Ying took a sip of the tea. The taste was mild. Although it was not as appetizing as her plum juice, the summer heat in the town was unbearable, and the night market hadn't opened yet. With people coming and going, it still attracted many customers to buy it.
Looking from afar, there was a large crowd around the tea stall. There were still traces of sweat on Lu Xunguang's forehead. This cup of tea must have been obtained after he queued for a long time. Li Ying felt a warm feeling in her heart again.
How could this man be so considerate all the time?
It seemed as if he was a fortune - teller who had guessed early on that she would have a dry mouth after trying to persuade the major business owner.
"Lianji was okay. But this major business owner is really a remarkable person. I originally wanted to persuade him to let his largest Ping'an Bank sponsor the martial arts conference. But he values his reputation and won't agree until I come up with a feasible plan."
At its peak, "Ping'an Bank" had a place even in the capital city. It also had numerous affiliated businesses such as tea houses, wine shops, and cloth workshops. The "major" in "major business owner" was a respectful title given by businessmen.
In the past decade or so, with the rise of many banks, Ping'an Bank had declined a lot and was no longer what it used to be. However, a centipede dies but does not fall down easily. If they could use this bank as a banner, all the small merchants in the town would surely flock to them.
Li Ying thought that Ping'an Bank could take advantage of the "national talent show" trend to make a comeback, which should be a very attractive bait for the major business owner. But now it seemed that the older one was more experienced. It was really not easy to persuade this major business owner.
She wondered if adding the support of the government as a bargaining chip would be enough to tempt him...
Li Ying was silently calculating in her mind while chatting casually with Lu Xunguang. She didn't notice that his expression had become a bit more solemn, as if he was thinking about something.
After Li Ying finished the sweet tea, he finally said in a thoughtful tone, "I heard that the major business owner has always admired the great Confucian scholar, Yan Lianzhi. If we can get his help, the major business owner will surely be tempted."
Li Ying heard the name Yan Lianzhi almost every day from the mouths of scholars. It was said that this man was known as "the master of both poetry and wine". He had passed the imperial examination with honors at the age of eighteen but had never been willing to become an official. He was unrestrained, free - spirited, and like a hermit who was detached from the world.
Such a person must have a very erratic whereabouts. A bitter smile appeared on Li Ying's face.
Although she knew the major business owner's weakness, it was really too difficult to cater to his interests!
She rarely showed a disappointed look. Lu Xunguang found it quite strange and smiled slightly. He gently comforted her, "Aying, we can't rush this matter. How about going for a stroll with me to relax?"
Li Ying knew that he was just trying to cheer her up. Moreover, Du Zhong had repeatedly told her that Lu Xunguang had a back injury, and the fishing village was damp. If he stayed in bed every day, he might get bedsores. It would be better for him to walk around more. So she agreed.
When Lu Xunguang saw that she had agreed, he whispered, "Forgive my rudeness," and then reached out to hold her slender waist. With a leap, he mounted the black horse.
"Aying, it's a long way to go, and the ride may be bumpy. If you're scared, just close your eyes. I'll surely protect you well."
He held the reins with one hand and held her body with the other. The black horse was docile. They were a handsome man and a beautiful woman. From afar, they really looked like a pair of free - spirited and dashing lovers.
The black horse galloped away. Li Ying clung tightly to Lu Xunguang's broad chest. The familiar body heat and the faint smell of soap from the washed clothes came from behind him. Although it was a common thing in every household, she felt an inexplicable sense of security when she smelled it.
The cool wind blew up a few strands of Li Ying's hair and also blew away the faint blush on her face. Riding the horse freely, watching the familiar scenery of the fishing village flash by like shooting stars, she felt refreshed!
Lu Xunguang took her all the way north and finally stopped at the foot of a green mountain.
The distant mountains were majestic, surrounded by clear water with a light mist lingering. Through the hazy clouds and mist, lush forests and tall bamboos were faintly visible. Li Ying was so stunned that she couldn't help but praise, "What a beautiful place on earth!"
Lu Xunguang raised his eyes and saw her standing against the wind, looking like a celestial being standing on the waves between the sky and water. He softly smiled and said, "The sunset on the mountain is really beautiful. Come quickly, Aying."
Li Ying nodded and placed her small hands in his rough palms. Lu Xunguang intertwined his fingers with hers, and there seemed to be an undercurrent surging in his eyes.
"Aying, be careful. There are many bamboo shoots on the mountain. Watch out for your feet."
The two of them walked hand in hand along the narrow and winding animal path. In the bamboo forest, the singing of birds in the empty mountain and the faint fragrance of bamboo leaves made people feel completely at ease.
On the mountaintop, the sky was dyed a charming crimson by the setting sun. Halfway up the mountain, a wisp of cooking smoke rose from a bamboo house. Looking into the distance, one could faintly see the lights of the night market just starting to shine, presenting a scene of bustling nightlife filled with lights, wine, and songs.
Li Ying took a deep breath.
Since she had traveled to this world, she had been busy making a living and dealing with one trouble after another. Only today did she truly feel that she was living freely and passionately.
"Brother Lu... Thank you for bringing me here."
Li Ying turned her head and looked at Lu Xunguang with a smiling face.
His face and lips were tinged with a faint cherry color by the blood - red setting sun. Li Ying inexplicably remembered the kiss that might or might not count on the deserted island. The restless little deer in her heart started to run wild again.
"Since my mother passed away, this bamboo mountain has been almost abandoned. Now it can make Aying smile. It's my honor."
Lu Xunguang traced Li Ying's eyebrows and eyes with his gaze. It took great effort for him to suppress the urge to hold her in his arms and make her a part of his very being.
The two of them looked into each other's eyes and stood silently, as if afraid of shattering the ambiguous glow all over the mountain. Only their hands were tightly clasped and never separated for a moment.
After a long time, Lu Xunguang said, "Aying, it's getting late. We should go down the mountain while it's still light."
Li Ying obediently followed behind him. After they had walked a few steps, she suddenly woke up as if from a dream and asked, "The bamboo house halfway up the mountain seems to be inhabited. Is it a relative of your mother's family?"
Lu Xunguang firmly held her hand and casually replied, "No. That's the person you're looking for, Yan Lianzhi."
What?
The reclusive great scholar, Yan Lianzhi, whom so many people had tried to visit just to get a few words of advice from him, was actually right in front of her eyes?
Looking at her empty hands, Li Ying couldn't help but groan inwardly.
She was going to ask a great Confucian scholar to come out of seclusion, but she had nothing to offer. This... really didn't seem right!