As his thoughts gradually returned to him, Chu Yulan felt that there was no point in making a fuss. He said goodbye to Zhao Yuansheng dejectedly and actually prepared to go back to the dormitory to pack his luggage.
Zhao Yuansheng was anxious, not knowing if he had said anything wrong. In a moment of desperation, as Chu Lan turned to leave, he suddenly grabbed his wrist. His warm palm covered his, carrying an irresistible force.
"I'm sorry, Chu Lan, I don't want you to leave, don't get me wrong." Zhao Yuansheng's voice was so low that it was almost hoarse, "I just..." His thumb unconsciously stroked the red rope on Chu Lan's wrist, and then he realized that he was being abrupt, and suddenly let go of his hand. Chu Lan didn't know that she had discovered his virginity, so it was better not to expose it.
Chu Yulan turned back in surprise, seeing the emotions surging in his eyes. He forced a smile, "Brother Zhao, don't worry. I've agreed with my father that I'll be back in a month. During this time, I'll have to trouble you, Brother Zhao, so please bear with me with your studies."
Zhao Yuansheng nodded heavily.
*
Autumn rain streaked across the eaves of the academy. Zhao Yuansheng's hand, gripping the wolf-hair brush, suddenly paused, the ink spreading across the rice paper, blurring into a gray-blue cloud. He lowered his eyes to look at Chu Lan, who lay asleep on the desk, and forced a smile.
Simply ignoring him, she put down her brush and picked up the book beside her to continue reviewing. Half an hour later, the sleepy Chu Yulan dazedly got up, rubbed her eyes, and stretched. "Awake?" A clear male voice came from behind her, carrying the unique scent of ink from books. Chu Yulan then remembered that she and Zhao Yuansheng were reviewing their lessons together in the study. Her face flushed immediately. "Sorry, Brother Zhao, I fell asleep."
Zhao Yuansheng chuckled and handed over the newly dipped pen. "No problem, let's continue. Didn't Brother Chu say yesterday that he had memorized the Analects by heart?"
Chu Yulan gritted his teeth and took the brush, the wolf hair brush rustling across the rice paper. As a young man, he'd always been slacking off on his studies. He'd lied before, claiming he'd memorized the Four Books, but he hadn't anticipated this person's presence. He could only suffer in silence.
"Next month is a holiday, and you shouldn't be home yet. How about we go out into the city together? My restaurant has new dishes, and we can even listen to music there." Zhao Yuansheng suddenly spoke, casually fiddling with the ink on his inkstone. "I heard the new musician is great at playing 'Spring River Moon Night.' Brother Chu, would you like to come with us?"
Zhao Yuansheng was also feeling uneasy. For some reason, he felt reluctant to let him go when he learned that he would be returning to the provincial capital soon. And today he even made an appointment with someone to listen to some music for no apparent reason. Why did he act like a scoundrel?
Chu Yulan's heart stirred slightly, and the tip of his pen trembled, leaving a crooked ink mark on the paper. He pursed his lips, pretending to think for a moment before replying, "Okay, let's go together." He had been thinking a lot these past few days, and since he was leaving, he planned to confess his feelings to Zhao Yuansheng.
Although it was beneath his dignity as a young man to do so, he did not want to leave any regrets, and he was not afraid even if he would be looked down upon.
*
On the day of the holiday, Zhao Yuansheng was waiting at the entrance of the academy early in the morning. When he saw Chu Yulan approaching, his eyes lit up. Chu Yulan was wearing a light blue gown and a simple headband on her head, which made her look even more gentle and graceful.
The two of them boarded the carriage waiting at the gate. It was the Dean's usual carriage, which Chu Yulan and her father had borrowed. It wasn't long before they arrived in the city. Chu Yulan told the driver to pick them up around 3 p.m., and then they followed Zhao Yuansheng to the restaurant.
The two of them strolled through the bustling streets of the city, where the cries of vendors echoed one after another. Zhao Yuansheng frequently introduced various novelties to Chu Yulan.
Arriving at the restaurant, they chose a seat by the window. Since it wasn't lunchtime yet, they ordered a few snacks. Soon, the musicians began playing "Spring River Moonlit Night." The melodious pipa melody filled the air, and Zhao Yuansheng was mesmerized.
Chu Yulan took a deep breath, mustered up the courage, and said to Zhao Yuansheng, "Brother Zhao, I actually have something to say to you."
Zhao Yuansheng stopped picking up the food and stared at the person opposite him, "You say."
Chu Yulan twisted the corner of her clothes unconsciously, "Actually, I, actually..."
"Sheng'er, you're here."
Lin Yan's voice rang in Chu Yulan's ears, and she let out a sigh of relief. Zhao Yuansheng looked up helplessly, "Daddy."
"It's time to prepare lunch. Daddy will cook for you today and make you some of his signature dishes."
Chu Yulan responded with a smile: "Wow, thank you uncle, I'm in for a treat today." He had heard from Zhao Yuansheng that his father was an excellent cook.
Lin Yan smiled and touched Chu Yulan's head. "You're welcome. You guys can listen to the music first. Stay a little longer today."
Chu Yulan nodded embarrassedly.
After Lin Yan left, Zhao Yuansheng wanted to continue the previous topic: "Brother Chu, what did you want to say just now?"
Chu Yulan shook his head and said, "It's nothing. This osmanthus cake is delicious. You should try it." After being interrupted, he no longer had the courage to speak again.
Zhao Yuansheng could only take the osmanthus cake and taste it.
*
That day, Zhao Yuansheng, carrying a newly written copybook, planned to go to Chu Lan's dormitory. Chu Lan's handwriting wasn't quite up to par yet, and she'd asked for a copy of Zhao Yuansheng's own handwriting for practice. When he arrived at the dormitory, the door to Chu Lan's bedroom was open, but no one was there. Zhao Yuansheng knocked, but no one answered. He peeked inside, but saw no one, so he waited outside.
After waiting for half a minute, Chu Lan finally came back from the far end of the corridor. He saw Zhao Yuansheng waiting at the door and trotted along. "Brother Zhao, how long have you been here? Sorry, my father was looking for me, and I left before I could close the door."
"Not long. Here, this is the calligraphy you wanted."
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