Chapter 31: Deserted Streets, Spring Embroidery, and Cistanches
Chapter 31: Deserted Streets, Spring Embroidery, and Cistanches
It turns out that there really is such a person in this world, like a dandelion blooming all over the field——
He is nowhere to be seen, yet he is everywhere.
Strolling along the stone path, Chi Shu was delighted to find that the grass by the lake seemed even more lush. Even with the breeze, the lake was as clear and calm as a mirror, reflecting the green grass and trees. This seemingly ordinary scene suddenly reminded Chi Shu of his unexpected encounter with Feng Yichen here one summer...
Then, in the shimmering mirror, Feng Yichen's shadow was reflected unconsciously...
This figure, who had long been extremely familiar to her, always suddenly appeared in a corner of time during her free time, catching her off guard and leaving her completely unprepared.
It was raining outside the window. Raindrops were scratching the glass. As I listened attentively, my heart had already unconsciously found peace with the sound of the rain... but it was also gradually disturbing my mind and confusing my thoughts.
—Sunlight gently falls on the windowsill. Books lie scattered on the table, a bit messy. Through the light, one can see the tiny dust particles in the air... but the hazy beam of light distracts one's vision.
—Walking between rows of bookshelves, I suddenly turned around and found a dead leaf butterfly resting in the narrow gap between the window panes, slowly flapping its wings... Its voice was very soft, and the heart of the person watching it was also soft—
—In the pitch-black night, walking on the damp steps, under the white light of the street lamp, the soft and gentle drizzle is like snow falling between eyebrows and heart... making one suddenly feel the cold and dampness of this dark night—
…
Just like "still bearing traces of the red clouds and morning dew", some traces of Feng Yichen seemed to have been engraved in her memory bit by bit silently and inadvertently.
By now, the ink had seeped through, leaving traces that were practically piercing through the paper, making it impossible for her to erase them.
But at the same time, it also made her feel that during these ordinary days when she couldn't meet or contact Feng Yichen——
I am becoming more and more clear about my inner self and what I want.
At this moment, a crisp message pop-up notification sound suddenly disturbed the person who was lost in thought.
Chi Shu raised his head from the pile of documents, took out his phone, opened the chat box, and saw a message from Mo Nican:
"Xiao Chishu, my studio has finally been settled. Today happens to be the weekend, so you probably don't have any other internship tasks for the time being. Would you like to come with me to take a look?"
Chi Shu looked at the cute animated emoji of "spinning, jumping and scattering flowers" below the Chinese characters on the chat interface. He could easily imagine how happy the person who sent this message was at that moment, so he typed a message in response without thinking:
'Okay. Where are you now? I'll come find you.'
The message from Mo Nican was almost replied immediately:
"I'll be waiting for you by the school motto stone tablet on Wutong Main Road. I'll also show you my driving skills. Haha~"
Golden sunlight shone through the wide gaps between the sycamore leaves onto the avenue. Even from a distance away, Chi Shu could clearly see an exclusively customized limited edition Rolls-Royce Shadow Series Midnight Rose Coupe. Then she saw the person in the car sticking his head out and waving to her with a smile.
After sitting in the passenger seat, Chi Shu fastened his seat belt while smiling and chatting casually with Mo Nican:
"I didn't expect you to like this model too."
Mo Nican started the car skillfully and asked in a brisk tone, "What do you mean?"
Chi Shu followed the cool breeze and looked at the scenery outside the car window, and just felt inspired:
"My mom has a car like this, and I've always thought it was a bit serious."
Hearing that her tone seemed different, Mo Nican turned the steering wheel while looking at the road ahead, and said jokingly in a gentle voice:
"Then I might be different from Auntie. Auntie is there to entertain guests, but I'm here purely for fun."
The conversation between the two people in the car continued, and the fast-moving car arrived outside Mo Nican's studio in such a leisurely and casual atmosphere of chatting.
Seeing Mo Nican skillfully and effortlessly reverse into the garage with one hand, Chi Shu exclaimed in admiration:
"You're a good driver, Jasmine. Why haven't I seen you driving before? Didn't you get your driver's license a long time ago?"
"I haven't had many opportunities to drive before, and I find it quite troublesome to make an appointment through the school's "E-system" for applying to campus. If I hadn't been here so often lately to handle matters related to this studio, who knows when I'd get to see my beloved car more often! Come on, I'll show you my treasure room."
As soon as you walk out of the garage, you can see a large building. On the lintel hangs a huge plaque with a few large characters engraved in elegant and fresh handwriting. The name is [Fusang Shuyin Studio].
There is a couplet engraved on each pillar in front of the door, with the same skillful brushwork and elegant ink color, which is:
"Stop the hectic journey of fame and fortune; those coming and going can stop here for a moment of peace and quiet."
Chi Shu stopped and pondered for a moment, then turned to ask Mo Nican, "
"Did you finally choose this name for the studio? What's the significance of it?"
Mo Nican said frankly, "I was also struggling with this when I discussed it with you before. Then I stumbled upon the cosmological view in the Huainanzi, which states that 'the sun rises from Yanggu and brushes against Fusang', symbolizing light and the cycle of life. This view is also confirmed by the bronze sacred tree artifacts unearthed from Sanxingdui, so I chose this name."
Chi Shu deeply agreed with this. She had always known that Mo Nican had put a lot of effort into this studio.
The two of them chatted as they pushed open the door and walked into the studio together, only then did they discover the secrets of the studio.
The bluestone road winds its way to a wooden bridge, under which the sound of water gurgles. The walls of the houses with white walls and black tiles are covered with blooming roses, with brightly colored petals stacked in layers, falling all over the stone steps when the wind blows.
What comes into view is an open studio with a floor-to-ceiling glass door facing a rose wall. Sunlight shines through the branches onto the long walnut table. Brushes, ink, canvases and unfinished works are neatly laid out, blending in with the birdsong and the sound of water outside the window in the summer light and shadow.
Not far from the studio is a vast creative space, which is planned for different uses. The doorplates indicate: classic book collection room, viewing and writing room, work storage room and many other places.
In short, this includes one-stop services for the production, publishing, and sales of cultural and creative products.
Based on the long-term connections accumulated by Mo Nican's family, it also includes collecting calligraphy and paintings by famous artists and selling them on behalf of others.
If you walk a little further in, you will see a pond with a small waterwheel in it. The water flows slowly, and the branches and leaves of the willow trees by the pond sway in the wind.
There are other unnamed spaces in this area.
At the moment, Chi Shu and Mo Nican were sitting together in the tea room, drinking tea and chatting.
A thin mist of tea fragrance rises from the white porcelain covered bowl, and the almond crisps and osmanthus cakes on the side emit a faint sweet fragrance. A few dried pine cones and eucalyptus are inserted diagonally in the narrow-necked glass bottle. At this moment, everything and everyone is melted in the soft light of dusk.
When the breeze passed through the half-rolled bamboo curtain, it gently lifted the unwrapped scroll beside the table and also brought the sound of the wind chimes on the eaves.
Chi Shuqian sipped his tea and asked softly, "You run this place by yourself, what do your uncles and aunts say?"
Mo Nican's eyes were filled with a kind of happiness that Chi Shu envied but could not reach:
"No matter what I want to do, my parents will fully support me. Although they briefly hoped that I could enter graduate school before, unfortunately, I'm not cut out for academics, haha. So now this studio can be regarded as a pour of their hard work, and I must run it even more attentively."
Chi Shu felt that the desolate part of her heart was also moistened by such a happy tone and gaze, which made her sigh with emotion:
"To be honest, I'm quite envious of you."
Hearing her say this suddenly, Mo Nican gently placed the teacup on the walnut low table and said in a slightly exaggerated tone:
"Little Chi Shu, I'm the one who envy you, right? You've earned the favor of your mentor, found your ideal early on, and are steadfastly moving forward on the path of literature. If I could also devote my heart and soul to academics, I wonder how much happier my parents would be!"
Chi Shu couldn't help but chuckle at her tone and expression, but before he could respond, he heard Mo Nican say again:
"But it doesn't matter, Xiao Chi Shu. When we're done with this busy period and have time, come over to my house and play. I don't even need to say anything. They'll probably have another goddaughter. My home will be your home too."
"You've moved me to tears." Chi Shu said jokingly, trying to ease the sentimental atmosphere.
Mo Nican once again keenly sensed the emotions hidden in Chi Shu's heart, and he also joked and agreed.
The warm twilight paints both the indoor and outdoor scenery with a soft touch.
The fresh aroma of freshly brewed tea filled the air, but Chi Shu's vision was filled with dandelions that had drifted in from nowhere. Then she turned her head to look at Mo Nishen beside her, her eyes calm and composed as she said,
"Moli, do you remember that day when we were helping Professor Wen Yanqi organize his course papers? One of them was titled 'The road ahead is long yet brilliant, and every step of our journey is moving forward?'"
Hearing this, Mo Nican also looked at the dandelion and pondered for a while, then suddenly said:
"I remember, a few of us classmates were discussing it together back then. You know what, in some ways, the dandelion's situation fits this quote quite well. Those seeds are blown far and wide by the wind. Although they don't know where to rest, they can still see the vast and boundless scenery. They can also continue to sail far away with the help of the wind, and they can be the first to sprout and grow even in poor and barren soil..."
Before he finished speaking, Mo Nican suddenly exclaimed in amazement as if he had discovered a new world:
"I didn't expect that I'm quite philosophical!"
Seeing Mo Nican's sudden cute and adorable look, Chi Shu couldn't help but pursed his lips and smiled:
"Yes, in this long journey of life, being recognized by a mentor and meeting noble people for help are both great honors and should be cherished. However, only by 'self-reliance', keeping one's feet on the ground and moving forward with perseverance, can one maintain the will to survive amidst a changing environment and embrace a flourishing life."
Mo Nican highly agrees with this.
Time seemed to slow down in the quiet atmosphere here. As the two of them sat in deep thought, Chi Shu unexpectedly discovered something surprising:
Outside the transparent glass door, in the dense grass, there is an inconspicuous little wild flower. Even though a few petals are missing, it still blooms tenaciously and proudly, becoming a tall and graceful existence in the lush bushes, and also a bright color among the beautiful flowers and trees by the pool.
This scene instantly filled her with boundless emotion. She didn't know whether she felt pity for the imperfection of this vibrant scene, or comforted by the tenacious and proud existence of this tall and graceful figure.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
