Chapter 99 (Bonus Chapter for Nutrient Solution, 23,000 words)
I can't stand having to go to the toilet.
Even though Aiden was unwilling, he could only dawdle as he walked to the bathroom.
Fortunately, none of his worries came true—the toilets in Qinghe Ancient Town were very clean, with two cleaners assigned to each restroom to keep them tidy. Moreover, Lu Xiaoqi had mentioned to Yuwen Kai during the town's renovation that the toilets were a priority, as many people online single out toilets when reviewing scenic spots.
Toilets, the sanctuary of the modern soul, are given extraordinary attention even when visiting tourist attractions.
Therefore, all the restrooms in Qinghe Ancient Town have been renovated. When it comes to valuing quality of life and experience, who can compare to Yuwen Kai, who came from a noble family and built several palaces?
Although he didn't need to manage the details of the design, he was still required to make the final decision. Later, the bathroom renovation project became the final inspection item because it was sent back and revised repeatedly.
So when Aiden entered the restroom in Qinghe Ancient Town, there was no unpleasant smell as expected. Instead, the air was filled with a faint fragrance of grass and trees. There were no stains, everything was extremely clean, and the decoration was beautiful. You could even see green plants. Water flowed quietly through bamboo pipes into the stone-carved washbasin.
At only eleven years old, Aiden couldn't describe the almost Zen-like cleanliness, quietness, and comfort; he only felt that it was completely different from the toilets in the "rural scenic area" he had imagined.
His face flushed red, and he couldn't help but recall what his parents had once told him: "Aiden, you've been to so many places in the world, if you still don't understand that prejudice is a terrible thing, then that's really awful."
Aiden washed his hands and silently decided that he would reply to the posts he had read that night—toilets in China are not dirty and disgusting, at least not in Qinghe Ancient Town!
Having experienced a series of "blows," Aiden's original high spirits of looking for trouble had waned, making him look much calmer and no longer like the arrogant little peacock he used to be.
Maggie watched from the side and smiled.
Next, they were supposed to queue for VR, but they arrived late and encountered the busiest time, so even the fast lane required a wait of more than twenty minutes. The children, in a new and exciting environment, didn't want to waste time queuing, so the teachers took them boating instead.
There were exactly twenty-odd students and six teachers, with one teacher watching over the boat.
Aiden loves rowing.
The small boat rocked gently, parting the clear water. Several children gathered on opposite sides of the boat, reaching out to feel the softness of the water, and occasionally even touching the koi carp. The teacher, however, watched with trepidation, glancing this way and that every now and then.
Aiden and the chubby Li Mingxuan happened to be on the same side, and just as they were playing in the water, a beautiful, chubby, colorful koi swam over.
"Wow~~~ I touched it!" Li Mingxuan shouted happily.
"I touched it too! I even touched its mouth!" Aiden shouted excitedly.
The two even gave each other a high five in mid-air, but after quickly recognizing each other, Li Mingxuan immediately turned his head away, snorted, and ignored him.
He doesn't want to pay any attention to Aiden!
The VR experience at Qinghe Ancient Town is clearly the best!
Aiden, feeling humiliated, snorted and turned away.
He doesn't want to be friends with that chubby Li Mingxuan!
After rowing, they returned to Zone 5, where the teacher discussed with them: "The VR center is still very crowded. How about we play in Zone 5 first? There are many fun craft classes there. We can come earlier tomorrow morning to queue for the VR center."
Most elementary school students weren't particularly interested in VR, and after a few complaints, they agreed.
Upon arriving at Zone 5, the workshop manager introduced the courses to the teachers, but the twenty-odd children each had their own choices.
"I want to make velvet flowers."
"I want to go to the woodworking workshop; I want to make a small wooden sword!"
"A lantern, I want to be a lantern!"
"I want to try tie-dyeing. I've tried it once, and it was so much fun!"
In the end, more than twenty children chose ten items.
The teachers were somewhat hesitant: "Would it be alright if we focused on six projects?"
There are only six teachers, which means several groups of students are left unsupervised. This won't do; they need to ensure that all the children are within their sight at all times.
At this point, the workshop manager smiled and said, "Teachers, don't worry. For children aged five and above, we have launched a 'parent-free childcare service' this month. We have dedicated childcare teachers in several of our large workshops who can help you look after the children and ensure their safety within the workshops. In addition, each child is also equipped with a smart bracelet that can accurately locate them and make a call with one click."
After the Lunar New Year, Zone 5 has been gradually adjusting its curriculum based on feedback from previous visitors, dividing the courses into several categories. One category includes adult classes that teach basic skills; another is parent-child classes where parents and children can attend together; and a third is classes without parental supervision, allowing parents to leave their children there to play for two or three hours while they explore other parts of the ancient town.
Parental care services are a bit more expensive, but they're very popular, especially on weekends when they're in high demand. After all, adults rarely get a day off and need some time to relax. Two hours to catch a show or have a cup of tea—wouldn't that be wonderful?
“We’ve done this before when other schools came for spring outings, so don’t worry, we have plenty of experience.”
Upon hearing this, the teachers decisively decided, "Let's do it this way."
This is a huge solution, satisfying the children's diverse interests while ensuring their safety. Qinghe Ancient Town is indeed very nice, with thoughtful services in all aspects, making it a great place for group outings.
After receiving their smart bracelets, the children, led by different people, headed to the workshops they had chosen.
Three of the six teachers even found themselves with less work.
One of the more senior homeroom teachers smiled and said to Maggie and another younger teacher, "Alright, you two rarely get to come out, so go and have some fun. I'll stay here and keep an eye on them, making a round of places."
Maggie and her colleague exchanged a glance, their joy evident: "How could we possibly accept that?"
"It's okay, we can take turns if you come again tomorrow."
"No problem!"
Watching them leave, the homeroom teacher stretched. The work of patrolling was much easier than watching these children every second. Sigh, if they were a little older, they could all be put in after-school care.
She suddenly remembered that the older students were also planning a spring outing, and her close colleague was wondering where to go. She immediately took out her phone to suggest that they come to Qinghe Ancient Town, as it would be easier there!
Aiden chose the woodworking workshop—he's always been interested in making things by hand. Several other children in the class also chose this course, including Li Mingxuan.
He had just reached the door when he saw a chubby figure squeeze in – it was Li Mingxuan.
"Hmph!" The two of them snorted at the same time, turned their faces away, and sat down at the workbenches furthest apart.
Today, the instructor at the woodworking workshop is Xiang Erlang. Inspired by the successful upgrades of the two Zhang masters, he seems much more composed than before. Besides him, there are also full-time after-school care teachers present.
Today's class will last about two hours, and there are a dozen or so children participating.
Xiang Erlang distributed goggles and cut-resistant gloves to the children, and then began to introduce today's lesson: "Today we are going to make a simple version of the traditional mortise and tenon toy - the Luban lock."
Aiden was somewhat disappointed to hear that it wasn't the little wooden sword.
"Don't underestimate its small size; it contains the wisdom of our ancestors." Xiang Erlang picked up a very delicate Luban lock, gently disassembled it, and several small wooden strips came apart. "It takes both brainpower and dexterity to put it back together, or to make a new set yourself."
Xiang Erlang put it back together and handed it to the children: "Come on, let's see who can take it apart and put it back together?"
Everyone was eager to try: "Me, teacher, let me try!"
Finally, everyone gave it a try.
Aiden discovered that this seemingly simple thing was actually not simple at all; even with his Rubik's Cube solving speed, he couldn't solve it in a short time!
He was filled with fighting spirit and temporarily forgot about his little wooden sword.
Xiang Erlang looked at the group of children, a smug smile appearing on his face. Heh heh, he'd been there before; to get children this age, especially little boys, to take things seriously, you first had to make them think, "Wow, that's amazing!" and develop a sense of admiration.
Xiang Erlang: "Of course, we can make a simple one. When we get back, we can show it to our parents and tell them that you made it yourself. Isn't that amazing?"
"Awesome!" the children answered in unison.
Sure enough, the children were eager to try it out.
He first explained to Erlang how to use the tools safely, and then gave each person several small wooden strips that had been roughly cut into shape but whose edges were still rough and needed to be sanded smooth, as well as a simple drawing.
The children all wore protective gloves, so they didn't have to worry about cutting their hands on splinters.
Xiang Erlang pursed his lips. Learning woodworking requires developing a feel for it; wearing gloves practically halve your experience points. However, he thought that they were just there to have some fun, so he let it go.
However, kids these days have so many extracurricular activities; they're practically growing up in a sugar jar...
Aiden got the materials and immediately got to work. He'd always been good with his hands, and he'd even attended a similar summer camp in the US. He carefully studied the blueprints, picked up a file, and focused intently on sanding the protruding parts of the wooden strips—the tenons. His movements weren't particularly skilled, but they were steady.
Li Mingxuan, on the other hand, seemed somewhat impatient.
He was strong, but lacked finesse. He used too much force with the file, either over-grinding or making the edges of the tenon crooked. Seeing that Aiden had already finished grinding one and was trying to assemble it, he became even more anxious. As a result, with a "snap," he used too much force and directly filed off a small piece of a wooden strip!
"Oh dear!" Li Mingxuan exclaimed in frustration, his face falling as he looked at the broken wooden strip in his hand.
Now, this lock definitely can't be put back together.
Xiang Erlang walked over and looked at it: "Don't worry, this one is ruined, we need to replace it with a new one. But the new wooden strip will have to be sanded from scratch, and there might not be enough time for you to complete the whole set."
Li Mingxuan was even more frustrated upon hearing this; he really wanted to finish making this Luban lock. He subconsciously glanced at Aiden beside him—Aiden was trying to assemble it, but seemed to be stuck at a certain step, frowning as he repeatedly compared the blueprints.
Aiden had also noticed the commotion on Li Mingxuan's side. Seeing the chubby boy's dejected look, he pursed his lips. He had almost finished polishing the set in his hand, but the assembly method for the third step on the blueprint looked awkward to him no matter how he looked at it. He had tried several times but failed and was stuck there.
Xiang Erlang certainly had a solution, but he planned to first see how these children would handle the situation.
Just then, Aiden's gaze swept over the damaged wooden strip on Li Mingxuan's table, then looked at the part stuck in his hand, and a sudden inspiration struck him. Wait a minute, the shape of that little fat guy's damaged wooden strip... I think I can use it, as long as I modify it a bit.
He hesitated for a moment, then picked up his own stuck wooden strip and Li Mingxuan's broken wooden strip, walked to Li Mingxuan's workbench, his tone still a bit harsh, but the content was very direct: "Hey, Li Mingxuan, look at this."
Li Mingxuan was feeling annoyed when he looked up and glared at him: "What? Are you here to laugh at me?"
“Who’s laughing at you!” Aiden rolled his eyes, placed the two wooden strips side by side in front of him, and pointed to the third step on the drawing. “Look here, the angle drawn on the drawing, doesn’t it look a bit like the place you filed down? It’s not straight here, it needs to be at a slight angle to fit in.”
Xiang Erlang lowered his arms and praised, "You are indeed clever; that is true."
Li Mingxuan was still sulking, but when he heard the teacher say the same thing, he followed Aiden's finger and compared the blueprint with the unexpected slant of the scrap wood. His eyes slowly widened: "Huh? It seems so!"
He picked up Aiden's stuck component and tried to use that unexpected angled part to jam another component...
Xiang Erlang picked up a file: "Here, let me help you fix it."
He quickly adjusted the slope, and with a soft "click," the two parts fit together perfectly! This was exactly the point that had been troubling Aiden in the third step.
"Wow! It really got in!" Li Mingxuan exclaimed in surprise. Aiden also breathed a sigh of relief, a hint of smugness showing on his face.
The two exchanged a glance, and the estrangement from before seemed to have been somewhat diluted in this moment of success.
Xiang Erlang nodded approvingly: "You should thank your classmate, otherwise you wouldn't have been able to finish the Luban lock today."
He was unaware of the conflict between the two children. He simply felt that since Aiden had used Li Mingxuan's penis, all he needed to do was give him the one he had sharpened, which would be a win-win situation.
Li Mingxuan scratched his head, a little embarrassed to speak.
Aiden glanced at the scrap of wood in Li Mingxuan's hand, then at the already polished wood strip on his own desk... He had already polished this strip, but remembering how the two of them had just worked together to solve a difficult problem... he snorted and pushed the strip towards Li Mingxuan.
"Here, use the one I polished. I haven't started assembling it yet anyway. I'll just polish a new one."
That way, both of them will have enough time.
Li Mingxuan was stunned, not expecting Aiden to give him the fruits of his labor. He looked at the set of smooth wooden strips, then at Aiden's awkward expression, and suddenly felt that this blond guy wasn't so bad after all.
"Really? Well... thank you so much, Aiden!" Li Mingxuan's thanks were much more sincere this time. He quickly took the wooden strip. "How about we assemble it together? I'll help you grind it, and since you understood step three, we can work on the rest together!"
Aiden nodded: "Mm."
This time he didn't hum, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.
For the rest of the time, the two little rivals huddled together at a workbench, looking at the blueprints, one holding this piece and the other holding that piece, reminding each other of the angles and directions.
Disputes still occur occasionally:
"No, it should be rotated like this!"
"Hey, be gentle, don't break it again!"
But the tone had lost its previous hostility; instead, it was filled with a focus on achieving a common goal and a sense of cooperation.
"It needs to be inserted here, slowly, slowly..."
"Alright! The last one!"
"Careful, put it here... Done!"
When the last piece of wood was perfectly inserted, and a complete Luban lock, though still a bit rough, was presented in the hands of the two children, they cheered at the same time: "Yay! We did it!"
They excitedly showed Xiang Erlang the Luban lock they had worked on together.
Xiang Erlang praised the two of them, saying, "You did a good job. There's still time to finish the second one."
He took out sandpaper and helped the two children smooth out the Luban lock. Aiden and Li Mingxuan ran back to the workbench at the same time, eager to finish the second one. The previous arguments and misunderstandings seemed to have vanished.
Aiden thought that hanging out with Li Mingxuan was actually not bad.
Li Mingxuan was also thinking to himself: Aiden, although he has a nasty tongue, is quite skillful, and... he seems alright? Hmph, but the VR arcade in Qinghe Ancient Town is definitely the best! He absolutely won't compromise on that! But, maybe he can invite him to play together later?
The after-school care teachers also took photos of them, snapping pictures of them diligently doing crafts and sending them to their parents and teachers, who had already added them on WeChat, earning them numerous compliments.
Maggie, who was leisurely eating snacks and taking photos outside, also saw the photos in the spring outing group.
She saw the photo of Aiden and Li Mingxuan, raised her eyebrows, and smiled.
See? That's how simple the world of children is; they don't hold grudges overnight.
When Aiden returned to the hotel that evening, he was able to get his phone back—his parents had told the teacher that he could only use it for one hour each night, which included time to video chat with his parents.
His parents asked him how his experience in Qinghe Ancient Town was. Was it the dirty and chaotic rural tourist area he had imagined?
Aiden was a little embarrassed, but bravely admitted his mistake: "No, it's really beautiful here. There are so many flowers, and the water is absolutely gorgeous. Mommy, I think it's even clearer than the lake we saw at the foot of the Swiss Alps, like jelly, and there are lots of colorful fish in it..."
Aiden's mother exclaimed in amazement, "That's really beautiful. And, honey, that's called a koi fish."
"Mmm, koi fish, I even touched it!" Aiden muttered to himself. "Everything is so clean, even the toilets are clean, and those old houses are beautiful..."
Aiden's mother was very proud: "Isn't that right? I've told you before that my country is very beautiful, so you can't have stereotypes or prejudices about a thing or a place, otherwise you will miss out on a lot of the fun of exploration."
She was of Chinese descent, but had immigrated with her parents at a young age, though she still had a deep affection for China. Part of the reason she brought Aiden back was that he had spent too long in the US and heard many outrageous opinions, which led to a somewhat resistant attitude towards China. Aiden's mother felt this wouldn't do; the best way to break down his prejudice was to bring him back to live with her for a few years.
Therefore, she was pleased to hear Aiden say that.
"Oh, and let me tell you, the fireworks tonight were absolutely gorgeous! I even saw a phoenix! And other big birds too. Wow, I almost thought they were real, but Li Mingxuan and the others told me they were birds from Chinese mythology..."
Aiden chattered on and on, video chatting with his mother for over half an hour before reluctantly hanging up the phone.
Finally, his mother asked him, "Have you tried its VR version?"
Aiden shook his head: "No, we'll go line up first thing tomorrow morning."
"Okay." Mom nodded. "So, if you think this VR is great after you've tried it, do you know what to do?"
Aiden bit his lip: "...I will apologize to Li Mingxuan."
"Good boy!" his mother praised him.
After hanging up the phone, Aiden's mother happily told her husband, "It seems he had a great trip and even made some friends."
Aiden's father looked through the photos the teacher had sent him and said, "This old town really looks beautiful."
She leaned closer and exclaimed repeatedly, "Spring in Jiangnan is simply unbeatable. It's a pity we didn't have time to go with them..."
Aiden's father suddenly had an idea: "Isn't our company's big boss coming to China for an inspection in two weeks? They need to arrange a trip around the area. What do you think about me suggesting Qinghe Ancient Town?"
Aiden's mother: "Yes, I've seen some pretty good reviews online, and there are a lot of performances about traditional culture."
Aiden's father laughed: "It's a good opportunity for them to experience China's high-speed rail and compare it with the domestic ones. It will prevent some people from having an impression of China that is still stuck in the last century."
She laughed out loud, and the two of them tacitly recalled how shocked they were when they first rode the high-speed rail.
......
The ancient town of Qinghe is at its quietest and most beautiful before nine o'clock.
In March, even Lu Xiaoqi, who loves to sleep in, is willing to get up early and stroll around the ancient town. She can see the willows with their green ribbons hanging down, gently teasing the soft river water, and the early cherry blossoms in full bloom, their petals adorned with crystal-clear morning dew.
The houses with black tiles and white walls are faintly visible in the mist, and the outlines of the eaves are softened and hazy, as if they are immersed in an ink painting.
She took numerous photos and posted them on her WeChat Moments, where they received likes from her former friends, including her former college roommates.
[Working oxen and horses give this a tearful thumbs up.]
I'm so envious of this scenery.
Lu Xiaoqi posted a photo in her roommates' group chat with a "smug hands on hips" emoji, which earned her a barrage of emojis. She had a good relationship with her college roommates; although they didn't keep in touch much after graduation, they would chat in the group chat from time to time.
She extended an invitation: "How about a spring outing to my place? All expenses are covered."
To be honest, she hadn't told them about her own situation yet; they only thought she was in charge of the scenic area's social media work.
I'm absolutely smitten, but it's not possible right now.
We're the same; we've been incredibly busy since the New Year.
I'm not too busy with work, but let's wait until their schedules are more convenient. We can all go together then; it's been five years since we graduated, and we never managed to go on our graduation trip.
Lu Xiaoqi replied with an OK emoji: [You're welcome anytime, food, lodging, and entertainment included.]
I just hope that after they know the truth, they will be kinder to her and not scold her.
Just as I put down my phone, I looked up and saw Su Jun and Wang Wei walking across the bridge together. In the spring morning light, one was like a bamboo grove or a willow, youthful and handsome, with the unique vigor and brightness of youth; the other was like an ancient pine, calm and profound, with a graceful demeanor that came from having experienced the ups and downs of life.
The two arrived together, bathed in the morning light, so much so that Lu Xiaoqi even forgot to raise her phone to record the scene.
"Good morning, Layman Wang!" She waited until the two of them walked up to her before withdrawing her admiring gaze, greeting them with a smile, and then quietly asking Su Jun, "Why are you here so early today?"
Su Jun raised an eyebrow slightly: "Didn't you say last night that you wanted to get up early to admire the flowers?"
Lu Xiaoqi couldn't help but clear her throat. She was just saying she needed to get up early, okay? Besides, he'd been sleeping so late every night lately...
However, I'm always very happy.
Changing the subject, Lu Xiaoqi asked Wang Wei, "Layman Wang, why are you up so early too?"
Wang Wei laughed and said, "I do get up this early every day, but I just happened to meet young friend Lu today."
Lu Xiaoqi, who usually sleeps in late, chuckled twice.
The three of them decided to take a walk along the riverbank, enjoying the picturesque spring scenery along the damp cobblestone path.
A few pale pink petals of early cherry blossoms drifted down and landed on Wang Wei's dark blue robe sleeve. He reached out and gently picked up the delicate petal from his sleeve, then suddenly asked, "Young friend Lu, it seems that quite a few of these flowers are planted here?"
Lu Xiaoqi looked up at the early cherry blossoms in full bloom overhead: "Indeed, it feels like more and more cherry blossoms are being planted in China these past few years. One reason is because they're beautiful, and another is actually due to the influence of Japanese culture."
She herself likes cherry blossoms, but she has to admit that cherry blossoms are now the most iconic symbol of Japanese culture. Although cherry blossoms were introduced from China, the cherry blossom varieties introduced to China in recent years are all unique to Japan. On the contrary, the mountain cherry blossoms unique to China are not planted so extensively.
“I understand.” Wang Wei nodded, his fingertips caressing the soft petals. “This flower is indeed beautiful in shape and color, and its falling in the wind is quite charming. However, in my time, the literati, scholars, and common people alike preferred to appreciate and praise the spring blossoms, namely crabapple, pear, and apricot.
Su Jun nodded in agreement: "Besides these, there are also forsythia and magnolia. Crabapple, in particular, is known as the fairy among flowers. Pear blossoms are valued for their elegance and purity, and the phrase 'a pear tree in full bloom and a stream under the moon' is often used in poetry and painting."
Wang Wei laughed and said, "It seems that the people of the Song Dynasty and the people of the Tang Dynasty had the same taste in appreciating spring. After these flowers have bloomed, it will be the peony season, which is the most beloved season of the Tang people."
Lu Xiaoqi listened intently to the two talking about flowers.
Wang Wei leisurely recalled the past: "The beauty of the crabapple lies in its lush blossoms and leaves, abundant yet not gaudy, delicate yet not seductive, further enhanced by its pure and far-reaching fragrance and long blooming period. In spring, banquets and outings were held along the Qujiang Pool and in Ci'en Temple, where crabapple blossoms graced the landscape. Ladies and gentlemen adorned themselves with flowers, and scholars composed poems—a magnificent sight in Chang'an. Pear blossoms, as white as snow, and apricot blossoms, bursting forth with spring's joy, were also indispensable parts of springtime scenery..."
Someone was playing the pipa on a building by the street, and Lu Xiaoqi and Su Jun seemed to see Qujiang in that era through Wang Wei's description. Even Su Jun, who had experienced the prosperity of Bianjing, was filled with longing for the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty described by the poet-Buddha.
Wang Wei then changed the subject: "These cherry trees are tall and magnificent, and when they are in full bloom, they resemble clouds and rosy hues. It is a pity that the flowers bloom for only a short time, opening in the morning and falling in the evening, which is a bit too tragic."
He looked at Lu Xiaoqi: "Transplanting flowers and trees is a common practice, as trends change. However, for the second phase... I still want to recreate the atmosphere of a spring day in the Tang Dynasty. What do you think, young friend Lu?"
The implication is that for the second phase of the project, he will not plant as many cherry blossoms, but will instead choose more local flowers and trees.
Lu Xiaoqi naturally had no objection: "Qinghe Ancient Town was originally intended to restore its ancient style and create a prosperous atmosphere. Mr. Wang, you can decide for yourself."
She had great trust in Wang Wei, who had single-handedly built the Wangchuan Villa.
Wang Wei was naturally pleased to receive this trust, but lamented with a touch of distress: "Unfortunately, this place doesn't seem very suitable for growing peonies..."
Lu Xiaoqi chuckled: "It's alright, just go ahead and plant them. As long as the climate and soil aren't too drastically different, I can handle the rest!"
She has a cheating device at her disposal!
She had already tried the "plant growth regulator" she won in the lottery. Otherwise, how could the flowers in Qinghe Ancient Town have bloomed so well this year? If she hadn't been worried about the effects being too exaggerated, these plants would have grown even taller. Moreover, after testing it, she found that several plants that were almost dead were saved by this agent, truly deserving to be called a "miracle plant medicine" that "brings the dead back to life."
Su Jun hesitated, then carefully considered his words before saying, "Peony is beautiful and opulent, with a graceful air, which naturally complements imperial cities like Chang'an and Luoyang, but it doesn't seem to blend well with the Jiangnan style of this ancient town..."
Wang Wei, with a gentle expression, said, "Indeed, the magnificence of peonies requires a spacious and grand setting to complement them. The ancient town of Qinghe, with its small bridges, flowing water, white walls, and black tiles, would appear jarring if planted in large numbers, almost as if the peony were overshadowing the peony itself."
Su Jun quickly bowed and apologized, "It turns out that Layman Wang had already considered this. I was overthinking it."
"It's alright, it's alright," Wang Wei chuckled. "Young friend Su's thoughtfulness is to be expected; what's wrong with that?"
The three continued their stroll along the river, their conversation gradually shifting from the transplanting of flowers and trees to other details of the second phase of the project. Wang Wei was in high spirits, pointing out the scenery on both banks and brainstorming how to borrow views and plant trees to better capture the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty in his mind. Su Jun added to the discussion, highlighting the ingenious layout and atmosphere of Song Dynasty gardens. Their exchange of ideas sparked a flurry of inspiration.
Lu Xiaoqi listened with great interest, feeling that what was originally just a morning for flower viewing had become even more poetic.
The three walked all the way to Zone 2, chose a shop for breakfast, and then left separately.
Wang Wei plans to go to the library of Qinghe University with Yuwen Kai today. Since his last visit to Qinghe University, his sense of alienation and unfamiliarity with the outside world has gradually melted away, and he is more willing to go out and see this new era.
Lu Xiaoqi saw this and felt gratified.
Since both Su Jun and she were going to the office building at the entrance of the town, they naturally traveled together.
On the way, a group of children carrying schoolbags, chattering like happy little birds, ran past them, scrambling towards the VR experience center. The two then realized that the ancient town had officially opened its doors to visitors.
Seeing the children so excited and eager, Lu Xiaoqi's lips unconsciously curled up, and her eyes softened: "How wonderful, a carefree childhood, and a spring outing... By the way, I heard that the new after-school care service in your District 5 has a very good reputation?"
Su Jun: "The response has been quite good, especially on weekends, where you basically need to book a week in advance. Young people these days have too much on their shoulders, having to work and take care of their children, so they rarely have a moment to breathe."
Lu Xiaoqi casually asked, "So how did you take care of your children before...?"
Before she could finish speaking, she suddenly realized what she meant and silently rolled her eyes: "Okay, I understand, you don't need to answer me."
I almost forgot, this man is "Young Master Su", born into a wealthy and powerful family of officials, surrounded by servants. Why would he need to worry about the trivial matters of taking care of children?
Su Jun coughed lightly, a hint of a smile in his eyes: "I have never been married and have no experience in raising children, so... I really cannot answer your question."
At the time, his reputation for "not doing his proper job" spread throughout the circle, and he couldn't find a well-bred lady from a prestigious family who would satisfy his parents. Later, he had to observe mourning for his grandmother, so the matter was put on hold.
Lu Xiaoqi's steps slowed imperceptibly for a moment, and a knowing smile quietly curved her lips.
"Then you must have a multitude of servants around you, attending to your every need, right?" She deliberately dragged out her words.
Su Jun smiled, his tone frank and gentle: "My Su family has a clean and upright family tradition. I am always accompanied by only two personal servants and an aunt who takes care of my daily life."
As for servants who sweep the courtyard and do the washing and cooking, they were naturally not among the "regular attendants".
Lu Xiaoqi's eyes curved into beautiful crescent moons, but she wasn't about to let him off the hook easily: "Anyway, you're still the pampered Young Master Su, aren't you~~~"
Su Jun followed two steps behind, his gaze following her retreating figure. The golden morning light gently outlined the contours of her hair, her steps so light they seemed to blend into the flowing spring atmosphere of the town.
His eyes softened, his voice deep and warm, carrying a barely perceptible smile: "That was in the past..."
The spring sunshine cast long shadows of the two walking side by side, sometimes disappearing into the shade of willow and flowering trees.
......
At the entrance of the VR experience center, the first batch of primary school students who entered the ancient town at nine o'clock in the morning had already lined up. However, the VR experience center only allows children over ten years old to enter. There were a few children in their batch who were not old enough and could only cry loudly as the teachers coaxed them to go outside to ride a boat to feed the fish.
Aiden patted his chest and breathed a sigh of relief: "Luckily, I'm eleven years old."
Li Mingxuan patted his chest and said, "Luckily, I'll be eleven years old soon."
Aiden looked at him suspiciously: "Didn't you come here to play before?"
Li Mingxuan: "...Oh right!"
Then why was he so nervous just now?
Aiden laughed loudly: "You're so silly!"
After laughing, he realized it was impolite, only to see Li Mingxuan chuckling and scratching his head. Aiden suddenly thought, "Hmm, the little fat guy really has a good temper."
However, before going in, Li Mingxuan emphasized again: "The VR experience here is the best! It's definitely better than that 'the, the...' you've been to before..."
He stammered for a long time, his face turning red.
Aiden: "The void... I only found out after I experienced it myself."
This time, he didn't argue with the chubby boy. His mother and Teacher Maggie were right; you have to see and try things for yourself to know for sure.
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