Autumn in Jiashui is a cool season. A few clouds float in the azure sky, and the sunlight shines through the clouds onto the earth, warm and gentle.

Ye Zhao wore a blue sleeveless dress today. The high-waisted, fitted top accentuated her perfect curves, revealing a slender waist that seemed impossible to encircle. Her skin was fair and delicate, and the skirt had a beautiful drape, making her look tall and graceful. Her long hair was casually draped over her shoulders, and her unadorned face gave off an extremely languid beauty.

At that moment, she carried a fruit and flower basket into the hotel where Jiang Che was staying. She felt a little guilty thinking that Jiang Che was now injured and unable to move around because of her. Since she was going to accompany Jiang Che around today, she made a fruit and flower basket herself to send over as a small token of her feelings.

When she knocked on the door, the same man in the suit and tie who answered it last time smiled slightly at her and then walked straight out of the room.

Ye Zhao glanced at his retreating figure with some confusion, then carried the fruit basket into the house. Seeing Jiang Che inside, she smiled and asked, "Is he your colleague?"

Colleagues? Pretty much, right? Jiang Che nodded: "Yes, why are you being so polite?"

He noticed the basket Ye Zhao was carrying, adorned with fresh flowers; it looked exquisite and beautiful, showing great care.

Jiang Che was dressed casually as usual, wearing a white polo shirt and gray pants. His bangs were fluffy and he wore half-rimmed glasses, which made him look surprisingly youthful. Ye Zhao subconsciously glanced at him a few more times.

"Just a little something for you. Have you had breakfast yet? Where would you like to go today?"

Ye Zhao put down the basket in his hand, turned around and asked.

A slender, fair waist flashed past his eyes, and then met Ye Zhao's gaze. Jiang Che panicked for a moment and looked away.

"You can arrange it yourself? I'm not familiar with this area either," he replied slowly, his tone calm, but for some reason, his ears turned red.

Ye Zhao nodded thoughtfully, and after a moment said, "How about this, we explored the east and north of the city yesterday, how about I show you around the south and west of the city today?"

"There are two streets in the south of the city that are quite fun, and you can also do crafts there. If you're interested, we can give it a try."

Jiang Che smiled and nodded: "Okay, let's go for a walk then."

Ye Zhao pushed him out, but just before they left, she suddenly remembered something and asked with some concern, "Won't this really interfere with your work?"

After all, if something were to happen because of her, she would be in a very bad position.

Jiang Che laughed and said, "Don't worry, it won't happen. Looking around and inspecting is also part of the job."

Upon hearing the word "inspection," Ye Zhao suddenly thought of the young man who had stayed at Green Field a couple of days ago, and also of what they had recently said about developers coming to Shangyang. She wondered if these things were related.

However, she didn't like to pry into other people's private affairs. As long as it didn't interfere with his work, Ye Zhao was at ease.

The south side of the city was more lively than the north side. It was the busiest time of day, with tourists coming and going through the streets and alleys. Ye Zhao slowly pushed Jiang Che along the bluestone streets, introducing him to the local delicacies and specialties.

"There is a lantern shop here. The owner is a craftsman who has been making lanterns all his life. He is a very particular person."

Jiang Che felt that he could always gain a lot from strolling around the ancient city with Ye Zhao.

While others introduce the ancient city's historical sites, features, and delicacies, she is different. She tells stories, recounting everything about Shangyang Ancient City in detail, from a small potted flower on a street corner to a large building on the street. She has a deep understanding of the ancient city.

Ye Zhao led Jiang Che into the lantern shop, where someone greeted them with a smile: "Zhao Zhao is here? Why didn't you bring Yuanbao today?"

"He's not home lately."

Jiang Che was so captivated by the exquisite and ornate lanterns that filled the room that he didn't notice what the two were saying.

Who is this?

“My friend, bring him to see your lanterns.”

"Welcome, welcome! Is this your first time in Shangyang? Our lantern shop has been open for quite some time now. Let me introduce it to you..."

The proprietress was an extremely enthusiastic person. She told Jiang Che many stories about the lantern shop and introduced many lantern-making techniques.

Looking at the exquisite and beautiful lanterns hanging all over the room, Jiang Che smiled and asked, "I wonder if we can do some handicrafts here? I'd like to try."

The proprietress smiled and said, "Of course, you're welcome, but since this is your first time, I suggest you start with something simple..."

The proprietress warmly led the two to the backyard while explaining how to make lanterns.

The backyard of the lantern shop is quite spacious, with several small tables set up there, clearly placed there to make it convenient for customers to do handicrafts.

The proprietress was enthusiastically introducing the products when suddenly a customer's voice came from inside the shop. She hesitated for a moment and glanced over. Seeing this, Ye Zhao smiled and said, "Sister Hui, you go ahead and do your work. I'll teach him."

Sister Hui hurriedly said, "Then I'll trouble you, Zhao Zhao. I'll go take a look first."

Jiang Che laughed and said, "You don't know how to make lanterns, do you?"

Ye Zhao smiled and said, "I only know some simple ones."

After a pause, he added, "Teaching you should be enough."

Jiang Che's smile widened as he replied, "Then could you please teach me?"

"Of course, of course."

The bamboo strips, Xuan paper, watercolors, thin rope, and other tools needed to make lanterns were all placed on the small table. Ye Zhao had brought Yuanbao to make them a few times before, so she was quite familiar with them. There was also a simple lantern tutorial on the table. Ye Zhao picked it up and handed it to Jiang Che, asking, "Take a look and see what you want to make? These are all relatively simple."

Jiang Che looked at it and replied, "Let's make a four-cornered one. This looks very simple."

Ye Zhao smiled and said, "It is indeed very simple. Shall we begin?"

"good."

Ye Zhao had made four-cornered lanterns before; they were very simple and easy to make.

She handed the tools to Jiang Che and patiently explained each step one by one, without showing any impatience.

"Tie it with a rope to secure it..."

Ye Zhao noticed that Jiang Che's hair wasn't tied up very well, so she reached out and took it from him to fix it. A gentle breeze blew by, and her soft, long hair fluttered in the wind, brushing against Jiang Che's arm. In that instant, he realized that the two of them were very close, close enough that he could see Ye Zhao's thick eyelashes and the small mole at the corner of her eye.

Jiang Che felt a ticklish sensation as his long hair brushed against his arm, causing him to look away uncomfortably, his ears turning red again.

"See, this is just right."

Ye Zhao didn't notice Jiang Che's strange behavior at all. After tying the frame up, she pointed to the side and said, "See what you want to draw on the paper, or you can cut out paper, whatever you like."

Jiang Che looked at the calligraphy brush on the table, and with a thought, he picked up the brush and began to write on the rice paper. His movements were fluid and his brushstrokes were extremely smooth.