A golden house hides "brocade".
The seashell box is exquisite and has a warm, smooth feel to the touch.
Qian Jin gently opened it, revealing a dark blue soft satin lining the inside, upon which lay a bracelet.
At first glance, the bracelet was not particularly eye-catching. Its material resembled jade but was not quite jade, and it was a warm, elegant white color. Inside, it seemed as if there were flowing clouds and mist. The surface was only outlined with very fine gold wire, which was simple and understated, with flowing cloud patterns. However, upon closer inspection, one could discover that there were occasional starlight flashes among the flowing clouds and mist. Although the gold wire patterns were simple, each stroke contained an indescribable charm and nobility.
“This…” Even if Qian Jin was completely ignorant, she could tell that this was no ordinary item. She instinctively wanted to refuse, “Ao Ming, this is too valuable! I can’t accept it.”
Ao Ming took her hand and, without a word, slipped the bracelet onto her wrist. The bracelet was the perfect size, and its warm white color made her wrist appear even more slender.
"The bracelet itself isn't the most important thing," Ao Ming said, looking at her with a smile in his eyes and a hint of mystery in them.
"Hmm?" Qian Jin raised her wrist in confusion, examining it from left to right. "Then what's the main thing?"
"Look." Ao Ming gently touched the bracelet on her wrist with his fingertip, infusing it with a trace of dragon's breath.
In an instant, Qian Jin felt the scene before her sway like ripples on water. The next moment, she was no longer on the small boat, but in a wondrous world.
The sky was a soft, warm gold; though there was no sun or moon, the light was abundant.
Beneath your feet lies a platinum sand as fine as powder. Not far away, several "mountains" rise abruptly from the ground, actually made of various colored stones, agates, and jade, refracting a dreamlike brilliance under the light.
A “stream” meanders through the landscape, but what flows in the river is not water, but molten gold and diamond fragments, shimmering and dazzling.
Further away, there is a forest carved from a single, enormous piece of amethyst, its leaves thin as green jade, rustling melodiously in the breeze.
In the center of this luxurious little world stands a... small thatched hut.
The thatched hut has an extremely simple appearance, with a straw roof and yellow earth walls, which contrasts sharply with the surrounding golden mountains and jade rivers, and the glittering jewels.
“This is…” Qian Jin was stunned, letting Ao Ming lead her by the hand toward the thatched hut.
Pushing open the creaking, simple wooden door, the sight inside left Qian Jin completely petrified, her mouth agape enough to fit an egg.
Outside was a thatched hut, but inside was a veritable "golden house"!
That bed was made of neatly cut and solidly stacked gold bricks!
The tables, chairs, and cabinets, without exception, were all made of solid gold bricks, sturdy and heavy, radiating the light of nouveau riche... no, it radiated the light of ultimate steadiness!
The walls were not inlaid with luminous pearls, but with more precious neon teardrop pearls, each the size of a pigeon egg. Their colorful light softly filled the entire room, making the golden ambiance even more enchanting and dreamlike.
Even the curtains hanging on the window frames were made of tiny spirit beads, rustling softly in the wind.
“This…this…” Qian Jin pointed at everything in front of her, her tongue tied in knots.
Seeing her shocked expression, Ao Ming's smile deepened, and he said gently, "Remember when we went to see the treasury of the imperial city? You said, half-jokingly and half-enviously, that it would be nice to have your own little space someday. It doesn't have to be too big, but it should be filled with all kinds of spirit stones and treasures. When you're tired or annoyed, you can go in and stay for a while, sit for a while, and touch them. All your troubles will definitely disappear."
He paused, his gaze lingering: "I was thinking then that one day I would fulfill this wish for you."
Qian Jin suddenly remembered her casual remark. She had forgotten it as soon as she said it, but she never expected that Ao Ming would actually remember it and... turn it into such an exaggerated yet incredibly real reality!
Overwhelmed with emotion and uncontrollable joy, a surge of emotion welled up inside her, instantly breaking down the dam of tears. She couldn't utter a single word; tears streamed down her face like a broken string of pearls.
Ao Ming panicked and hurriedly stepped forward to awkwardly wipe away her tears, his voice trembling with helplessness: "Hey? Why are you crying again?"
Qian Jin cried even louder, sobbing as she said intermittently, "I'm really... so happy! Seeing so much money... I'm so happy! You're so good to me... I'm so happy too! I... I can't tell which is happier... My heart is so full... and suddenly I feel... a little sad..."
Ao Ming understood the meaning behind her incoherent words, and his heart warmed. He gently embraced her and whispered, "From now on, this will be your little world, belonging only to you."
...
When the two emerged from that small space and returned to their courtyard in Deer Cry Town, it was already late at night.
Old Man Shen was sitting on a stone bench in the courtyard, leisurely fanning himself with a palm-leaf fan. When he saw Qian Jin's red eyes, he immediately revealed a gossipy smile: "Oh? What's wrong? Kid, where did you take our little Qian girl? How did you make her cry?"
Qian Jin, who had already calmed down, felt a lump in her throat again after being teased by the old ginseng. She rushed over and hugged the old ginseng, burying her face in his clothes that smelled of herbs, and said in a muffled but emotional voice, "Old ginseng! It's so good to be alive!"
The old man was taken aback by this seemingly random remark, but then he understood. He patted her back affectionately and laughed, "Good, good, good. It's good to be alive. Only by being alive can you keep counting money!"
In the following days, after finishing her work in town, Qian Jin would immerse herself in the world of bracelets whenever she had a spare moment.
She not only touched this and sat that inside, feeling the solid happiness of being surrounded by wealth, but also began to enthusiastically add her own "collection": some beautiful seashells she found in Deer Town, a few oddly shaped stones, and even solemnly placed the first box of spirit stones she earned from writing stories at the head of the gold brick bed.
As the old man watched Qian Jin, who would occasionally grin foolishly at the bracelet on his wrist, then disappear in a flash only to reappear a moment later, seemingly satisfied, the old man couldn't help but marvel at Ao Ming: "Tsk tsk tsk, not bad, kid! I was saying I'd teach you a few tricks, but it seems I was just showing off my limited skills! You've been quietly quite good at it!"
Ao Ming blushed and lowered his head in embarrassment.
Elder Shen leaned closer, winking and lowering his voice: "Looks like... it's all settled?"
Ao Ming's face turned even redder, almost burning up, but he still gave a soft "hmm," with an unconcealable smile on his lips.
The old man stroked his beard with satisfaction, then asked curiously, "But speaking of which, this bracelet of yours is no ordinary item. It can hold a small world within itself and freely incorporate so many spiritual treasures without dissipating. It must have an extraordinary origin, right? Where did you find it?"
Ao Ming's tone was calm, as if he didn't want to talk about it: "It was obtained by chance, and it took some trouble, but it was all worth it if it made her happy." His few words made Elder Shen understand the difficulties behind them.
The old man inwardly exclaimed: I've hit the mark! I've hit the mark!
But then he changed the subject and started complaining about practical problems: "Okay, okay, you two are happy! But now there's a very serious problem! Qian is happily engrossed in her little world, so what are we going to do for dinner? She only left us two cold steamed buns and a small dish of pickled vegetables!"
Ao Ming chuckled upon hearing this, and looking at Elder Shen's "disrespectful old man" greedy expression, suggested, "I heard that a new seafood restaurant has opened near the port, using the freshest catch. It's incredibly fresh and perfect with drinks. How about... I take you to try it?"
Old Man Shen's eyes lit up, and he immediately stood up: "Then what are we waiting for! Let's go! You've brought so many fish, not only benefiting the village, but also improving our dining experience!"
An old man and a young man chatted and laughed as they walked towards a small restaurant that smelled of food, their figures blending into the warm night of Deer Town.
...
The days fly by in a busy and fulfilling way.
Thanks to the joint efforts of all the townspeople, the renovation project of the main road in Luming Town was finally completed on a sunny afternoon.
The newly paved roads are smooth and solid, and the potholes and mud of the past are no longer visible.
On the day it was completed, almost the entire town gathered at the crossroads.
Old Li's leg injury had long since healed. Standing at the front of the crowd, his face beaming with joy and gratitude, he cleared his throat and said in a loud voice:
"Miss Qian, Young Master Ao, Elder Shen! This road is something our Luming Town has longed for for so many years, and today, thanks to the help of you kind people, it has finally been completed! Before, this road didn't have a proper name. We discussed it for a long time, and everyone felt that the completion of this road was all thanks to Miss Qian's arrival in Luming Town, bringing us good fortune and a new atmosphere. Therefore, we want to name this road 'Jinxiu Road'! It's not only because of the 'Jin' in your name, but also because we hope that Luming Town will have a bright future and prosper more and more!"
Qian Jin was caught off guard and stood there stunned.
Looking at the sincere and simple smiling faces in front of her, and hearing the name of the road that was closely related to her own name and carried the hopes of the whole town, a warm current surged in her heart, and her eyes instantly welled up with tears.
She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but felt that any words of thanks would seem inadequate at this moment. In the end, she simply nodded vigorously, her voice choked with emotion yet loud, and replied, "Oh! Thank you everyone! This name... I especially love it! Our Deer Cry Town will surely have a bright and prosperous future!"
Ao Ming stood beside her, watching her excited yet trying-to-control expression, his eyes filled with a gentle smile. Elder Shen stroked his beard and nodded with satisfaction.
With the road repaired, a major worry was lifted from Qian Jin's mind, and she felt completely relieved.
Alone, she arrived at the temple site she had chosen for her masters. The view was expansive, and the place was peaceful and serene. As usual, she gently placed her palms on the ground, closed her eyes, and focused her mind on sensing the three familiar and warm auras deep within the earth's veins.
Unlike the faint, dormant feeling she had experienced before, this time she clearly sensed that the three auras seemed to have grown stronger and more solid, like seeds nourished by spring rain, bursting with vitality. They gently surrounded her consciousness, conveying a sense of peace and comfort, as if they were happy for her and joyful for the changes in Deer Cry Town.
Qian Jin was so excited that he almost ran back to the courtyard and couldn't wait to tell Elder Shen and Ao Ming about his discovery.
After listening, Elder Shen nodded thoughtfully and said to Ao Ming, "It seems that my previous guess was correct. Qian Jin's three masters, whose bodies have transformed into earth spirits, have their souls closely connected with the mountains, rivers, and even the rise and fall of every tree and blade of grass in this Deer Cry Town. Now that the town's roads are open, the people are united, and life is flourishing, this prosperous and upward-moving 'vitality' feeds back into the earth's veins, naturally nourishing their souls. It can be said that they complement each other; the better the town is, the faster they recover."
Qian Jin's eyes lit up instantly. She grabbed Elder Shen's arm and her voice trembled slightly with excitement: "Elder Shen, do you mean... if things continue like this, is it possible... that I can see them again?"
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