Seeing that he looked unwell, Wang Younian didn't dare to refuse again. He cautiously put the golden melon seed into his pocket and carefully picked out the best one.

The man thanked him and left.

A year later, the man came again, dressed in the same way, and gave Wang Younian a golden melon seed as before.

This time, Wang Younian refused to accept any more offers: "If you want to eat melons, just come and pick whatever you like from my place. You don't need to pay anymore. I can't accept so many; my conscience wouldn't allow it."

The man didn't argue with him, but said, "Then please pick out another melon for me. It should look nice and be sweet."

After seeing the man off, Wang Younian discovered that there was a golden melon seed in his bamboo basket that held watermelons.

"Two golden melon seeds? Then why are you still selling melons here?" Chu Huaixu joked.

Wang Younian scratched his head and laughed, "You might not believe it, but I have a feeling that this important person will come again, so I have to stay here and keep watch."

"Please don't misunderstand, I'm not after the golden melon seeds, it's just..." Wang Younian explained, worried that Chu Huaixu would misunderstand, "I originally made a living by selling melons, how could I forget my duty and indulge in pleasure just because I suddenly got a windfall?"

"Moreover, I don't want that important person to come back empty-handed next year."

Just as Wang Younian had guessed, the man in black did indeed come every year, and more than once a year.

However, after summer, there were no more watermelons for sale, so the VIP stopped patronizing Wang Younian's fruit and vegetable shop and went to pastry shops and wonton stalls instead...

In short, I would always buy some food and drinks before slowly carrying them up the mountain.

One year, a man in black passed by Wang Younian's fruit and melon shop. Wang Younian was cutting a melon for his daughter at the time and recognized the man at a glance.

He immediately greeted the other man, "Young master, let's have some fruit together. This melon is very juicy and sweet."

The man in black was very cold-hearted. Every time he came to buy melons, he would say almost the same thing and not say anything else. Therefore, Wang Younian thought that the man would refuse.

Unexpectedly, after the man thanked her, he actually came in and even took off his straw hat.

He was an exceptionally handsome young man; you couldn't find anyone like him for miles around. Yet, a heavy melancholy lingered between his brows, like thick, unyielding snow.

Wang Younian's heart trembled involuntarily.

"Young master, where are you from? Do you have any relatives or friends in our town?" He boldly struck up a conversation with the young man while eating melon.

The man in black said calmly, "I suppose so."

My gaze passed over his shop and landed on the distant mountain temple.

Wang Younian could tell that he was unwilling to say more, so he tactfully didn't ask any further questions. Instead, he picked up a few melons and helped him put them into a net bag.

"There are no watermelons at this time of year, but cantaloupes are delicious too. Would you like to try some, young master?"

The man shook his head: "She only likes to eat watermelon."

He only vaguely mentioned "her," but Wang Younian immediately guessed: "So it was bought for your sweetheart?"

"Hmm." The man's expression softened, and he responded softly. His ears turned slightly red.

All the indifference and gloom seemed to vanish in this blush.

...

"...So, I absolutely cannot close the shop. Lord Song, you must use my watermelons to win over your sweetheart." Wang Younian's tone was even somewhat proud.

"Is that so?" Chu Huaixu glanced sideways. The affectionate commander the fruit shop owner had mentioned was walking briskly toward them, carrying many bags and packages.

He sneered and slowly said, "It would be truly unfortunate to be liked by someone like him."

These words were really unpleasant to hear. Wang Younian thought to himself, "Aren't you friends? How can you say such things?"

This masked man is really strange.

At this moment, Song Ting returned. Wang Younian did not dare to continue speaking, but only asked him, "Does the lord wish to take a melon with him today?"

Song Ting took Chen Xiaobao's hand: "No need today."

Need not?

Could it be that your sweetheart ran away?

Just as Wang Younian was lost in thought, Song Ting turned her head and glanced at the person next to her: "I've already bought it today."

"Oh, okay." Wang Younian nodded haphazardly. It wasn't until the three of them had walked quite a distance that he belatedly realized what was happening, his face filled with disbelief: "...Huh?"

Going up the mountain was more strenuous than going down. After walking for half an hour, Chu Huaixu was already covered in sweat, and the half watermelon he was holding had been warmed up by the heat.

He shoved the watermelon into Xiao Wu's arms, walked around behind Song Ting, and said matter-of-factly, "I can't walk anymore, carry me."

Song Ting had offered to carry him, but he refused, insisting on walking by himself. Afraid that he would fall, Song Ting followed behind to protect him. Now that he had finally given in, she cooperated by bending down, supporting the man's back, and carrying him on her back.

It was so hot that both of them were covered in sweat, their bodies pressed together, hot and humid, like two heaters colliding.

Chu Huaixu regretted it and wanted to get down, but Song Ting held him up by the bottom: "Don't move, be careful not to fall." He called Xiao Wu over, "Come and hold the umbrella."

Xiao Wu held a watermelon in one hand and a bright red oil-paper umbrella in the other, his expression indescribable: "Even the empresses in the palace don't have such a grand procession when they go out."

Chu Huaixu scoffed: "So you think it's a big deal to have your master carry you?" He leaned over and scooped out a spoonful of watermelon. "You haven't seen how I used to go out. Countless people would fight tooth and nail to have me carried, but none of them had the chance."

Xiao Wu, unaware of his true identity, mistakenly thought he was referring to his time at Zuifenglou, and said, "What's there to talk about? It's not honorable."

Chu Huaixu paused for a moment while swallowing, then smiled and said, "You're right, those things aren't worth talking about."

"Song Xiaowu." Xiaowu misunderstood, but Song Ting knew everything. He was already secretly heartbroken because of Huai Xu's words, and when he heard Xiaowu's reckless remarks, he was so angry that his face turned ashen.

He took the umbrella from Xiao Wu and glared at him coldly: "You're talking too much. Starting tomorrow, you'll be cleaning the temple's outhouse by yourself. You won't be allowed to eat until it's spotless."

"Huh?" Xiao Wu was struck dumb. "Why? What did I say wrong again?"

Dancing in public has already made him lose face, why does he have to clean toilets too!

The White Horse Temple is so big! How many latrines must he clean every day!

Chu Huaixu laughed uncontrollably and waved to him: "Give me the watermelon first, don't let it stink."

Xiao Wu shouted, "I haven't swiped it yet!"

"That won't do either. Just thinking about that scene makes me want to smell the stench." Chu Huaixu put a hand in front of his nose and waved it exaggeratedly a few times, saying with great disgust, "Stay away from me. I don't want you following me anymore. Find someone else."

Xiao Wu: "...?"

Xiao Wu: "…………"