Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 152 This young lady is rewarding you
Lu Xingzhou was completely wrapped in the blanket, with only his head sticking out: "I'll go, I'll definitely go."

Sheng Yuanyao walked in suspiciously and reached out to lift the blanket.

Lu Xingzhou hurriedly said, "Hey, what kind of thing is it for a girl like you to pull off a man's blanket?"

Sheng Yuanyao's face flushed slightly, and her gaze began to wander: "Who's looking at you! If you weren't wearing anything, what were you doing with that guy surnamed Pei just now?"

"What can she do dressed like that? She's just like you are now."

"..." Sheng Yuanyao felt that something was wrong, but the young woman couldn't quite put her finger on what it was.

"Going to the park, huh... Don't you dislike these kinds of things?"

“It’s fine to go out for fun once in a while. It’s springtime, so many people go out for spring outings.” Sheng Yuanyao thought that Lu Xingzhou was used to pretending to be lame and didn’t like to travel, so she added, “I can just push you there.”

Ah Nuo: “?”

Does this mean that not only are they pushing the wheelchair, but they're not even letting Ah Nuo play with them anymore?

Who wrote the book "I'm Closer to A'nuo Than to Lu Xingzhou"? If the Demon Suppression Division writes such nonsense, how can the Hero Ranking be trusted?

Pei Chuyun hadn't left at all. She whispered in his ear, "Little brat, how about we go spy on them tomorrow?"

Anuo revealed a simple and honest smile.

Lu Xingzhou didn't dislike traveling; in fact, because he had been cooped up for so long after his leg was broken, he actually preferred going out for walks. Since it wasn't time to enroll at Dan Academy yet, he had absolutely nothing to do, so of course he could go out and have some fun.

The next day, the weather was perfect, sunny and breezy. Sheng Yuanyao pushed Lu Xingzhou towards Qingyao Garden, and along the way they saw many children flying kites, their laughter echoing all the way, a sight that made one's mouth water.

Sheng Yuanyao was in a particularly good mood. She didn't need to use the child as an excuse. It was a rare opportunity for her to travel alone with Lu Xingzhou, which made her even happier.

I thought Lu Xingzhou might refuse, since it would be a bit ambiguous for a man and a woman to travel alone together... but I didn't expect him to agree so readily.

Does he... harbor some romantic feelings for someone? Or does he simply think that it's normal for close friends to be completely open and honest with each other?

The lake came into view... Sheng Yuanyao's gaze subconsciously fell on the lakeside, the place where he used to hug her and roll around on top of her.

Even after so many days, the memory hasn't faded.

I wonder if he still remembers... Even if he does, he probably wasn't in the mood to experience anything back then.

"The garden you're referring to, is it Qingyao Garden?" Lu Xingzhou looked around curiously. "Why is it so quiet? Is nobody here?"

"I don't know." Sheng Yuanyao listened to her own voice, which sounded somewhat unsteady. "Maybe we arrived early."

“We’re already familiar with Qingyao Garden, so why don’t we go and see some other places we haven’t been to before?”

Sheng Yuanyao immediately flew into a rage: "What's so interesting about other places? This place is the best!"

Lu Xingzhou immediately realized that Gua Mei's intention was not to visit the garden at all, so he shut his mouth.

It must be said that the scenery here is beautiful. The small lake in front is as smooth as a mirror, shimmering in the spring breeze. The lakeside is covered with green grass, and the areas damaged in the previous battle with Ye Wufeng have been repaired and are now lush and green again.

The area is surrounded by lush greenery, filled with birdsong and fragrant flowers, creating a refreshing and pleasant atmosphere. A small hill nearby features a cluster of guesthouses, making it a perfect place for guests to escape the summer heat and relax.

Sheng Yuanyao slowly pushed the wheelchair, taking him to every inch of the place, as if inspecting her own territory.

Neither of them said much, but Sheng Yuanyao was in a very good mood. This was what a stroll in the garden should be like! The last time she went with Pei Yu and the others was a nightmare; it was awful.

Lu Xingzhou also said, "I really hadn't noticed before, but Qingyao Garden has a beautiful landscape."

"Right!" Sheng Yuanyao smiled. "You were just saying you were getting to know me, but you're all talk. All you do here is fight. When have you ever really looked around?"

"Alright, alright," Lu Xingzhou laughed. "Shall we go for a walk up the mountain?"

"The mountain path here is made of stone steps, it'll be a hassle for your old wheelchair."

Lu Xingzhou stood up abruptly and took her hand: "Let's go."

Sheng Yuanyao originally wanted to say that although there was no one here, it was still an outdoor place where one could be seen at any time. Why are you pretending to be a cripple so perfunctorily?
As a result, her hand was grabbed, and instantly she couldn't utter a word. Her heart raced, and her face flushed red to her neck. All she could manage to say was a stammering, "You...you...why are you holding my hand..."

Lu Xingzhou strode up the stone steps leading to the mountain, but Sheng Yuanyao stumbled and fell, her voice lost in the wind. It was unclear whether he heard her.

Then Sheng Yuanyao stopped talking.

It seems he didn't think anything of it, he just did it on a whim... well, let's not dwell on that, it's too much of a show.

Pei Chuyun, who was spying from afar, gritted her teeth: "Pah, this man did it on purpose. This is practically a standard lesson in taking advantage of an innocent young woman."

Anuo nodded.

Although the description of her as an innocent and naive girl seems a bit out of place when applied to Sister Yao, who is usually so energetic in investigating cases and always peeking around and gossiping... she really is an innocent and naive girl.

Pei Chuyun reached out and pinched her cheek: "Your master is so lewd and shameless, how much have you learned from him?"

Ah Nuo looked at her like she was an idiot and replied vaguely, "Your master is a killer of ten thousand men. How much did you learn from her?"

crit.

Pei Chuyun was speechless and didn't know what to say.

Ah Nu scoffed, "So this is the Holy Maiden of Joyful Union? All she knows is how to freeload and she can't learn a thing from your master."

The sounds of fighting came from the mountains and forests.

The two witches were highly skilled, and their fight was so slick and harmless that the young couple climbing the mountain in the distance remained oblivious. Sheng Yuanyao, having overcome her initial panic, began to feel a sweet warmth as she held the man's hand. She kept looking down at the stone steps, her lips curving into a wide smile.

I never expected to have such an unexpected surprise while visiting the park alone.

Lu Xingzhou led her slowly up the steps, saying, "This place has such beautiful scenery; if managed well, it could be quite profitable..."

Sheng Yuanyao hadn't thought about how much money she could make, but after hearing this, she thought that Lu Xingzhou had helped the Yama Palace and the Tianxing Sword Sect develop very well, so what was wrong with giving some advice to help her good friend make some money?
He then asked, "Besides having Pei Yu and his men lead people on tours of the garden, what other ways are there to make money? The Summer Palace?"

“For tourist attractions, you need to create a buzz,” Lu Xingzhou laughed. “For example, you could erect a monument by the lake, marking the spot where Ye Wufeng was beheaded. That would instantly transform that somewhat unlucky concept into a tourist attraction. Being the top rookie still has some appeal, at least in the minds of young people.”

"anything else?"

"We need a famous poem. As long as the poem is strong enough, this place will become a sacred site. You know Hanshan Temple and Yellow Crane Tower, right?"

“What is that…” Sheng Yuanyao scratched her head: “But where can you find good poems? They’re something you can only come across by chance.”

Lu Xingzhou chuckled: "Why are you thinking so much for the owner of this place?"

"Since we're on the topic, let me ask you something." Sheng Yuanyao still didn't mention that this was her territory, but simply said, "Many gardens and such often hold literary gatherings, which is nothing more than the purpose of obtaining good works that can be spread throughout the world and thus become famous. But such masterpieces are very rare. Even contemporary masters don't have every poem that becomes popular. Luck plays a part."

Lu Xingzhou laughed and said, "I can make it myself. But why should I bother with someone else's garden?"

Sheng Yuanyao squeezed the hand she was holding tightly: "If you can really do it, I'll have the owner of this place give you a reward."

"But the owner of this place hasn't given me the gift he promised for the top scholar title. Is he trying to trick me out of the poem?"

Sheng Yuanyao's cheeks flushed: "How...how did you know it was me?"

"Is this really yours?"

"How did you guess that?!"

The hill wasn't high, and they reached the summit in no time. Lu Xingzhou looked at the inn ahead and said with a smile, "There are inns here, and if there are inns, there must be someone managing them. But when guests arrive, not only does no one come to ask questions, they all disappear... Is this how business is done? What other explanation is there besides the host making them hide? But what host would deliberately make people hide? It can only be a certain young lady who doesn't want to be seen as a fool..."

Sheng Yuanyao stood to the side like a sycophant, smiling obsequiously, and said, "I didn't mean to hide it from you. I wanted to surprise you. Why are you so smart? Can't you be a little dumber? You're not very likable!"

"You want me to please you?"

"Who wants to be liked by a toad like you?"

Lu Xingzhou chuckled: "Hey, the gift you mentioned yesterday, you wouldn't be giving it to Yuanzi, would you? I won't accept it."

"I know you won't want... this isn't the gift."

"what is that?"

Sheng Yuanyao stamped her foot: "I haven't thought about it at all! Last time I asked you what kind of thank-you gift you wanted, you didn't say anything, how am I supposed to know what you like?"

"Didn't you say last time that you didn't really want to send me anything?"

"...I just didn't really want to send you anything, I was too lazy to think about it. Anyway, these are all I have, take whatever you want!"

"You really want me to carry it myself?" Lu Xingzhou suddenly leaned closer.

Feeling the man's sudden approach, a sense of oppression washed over her, and Sheng Yuanyao's heart skipped a beat.

What did he mean? He's so close, what am I supposed to take?
"You told me to take it myself, so you can't go back on your word." Lu Xingzhou moved even closer.

Sheng Yuanyao's heart nearly jumped out of her throat, and she quickly closed her eyes: "Grandma keeps her word."

Just consider it as if a dog chewed it up.

In the distance, Pei Chuyun and A Nuo craned their necks.

A mountain breeze blew, causing the girl with the ponytail to sway. A few stray hairs brushed against her eyes, which were tightly closed, her brows furrowed in tension. Her lips were also pressed tightly together, and her clasped hands unconsciously tightened their grip, causing Lu Xingzhou some pain.

It felt like an eternity had passed, the mountain breeze blew again and again, but the dog still didn't gnaw on anything.

I could feel him leaning closer, his warm breath against my cheek, and it felt like a hand was wrapped around my neck.

Sheng Yuanyao's palms were sweaty.

The next moment, she suddenly felt her hair loosen, and her tied ponytail fell loose, her beautiful hair cascading down like a waterfall.

Sheng Yuanyao opened her eyes in surprise and saw Lu Xingzhou smiling as he took her hair tie: "I want this one."

Sheng Yuanyao stared blankly for a while, her face flushed red, whether from holding back anger or embarrassment, it was hard to tell.

They weren't actually kissing, but the flirtatious tone was even more embarrassing than if they had.

Looking into Lu Xingzhou's smiling eyes, Sheng Yuanyao suddenly realized that the man was deliberately trying to see her blush and get angry; this was teasing.

Seeing Lu Xingzhou trying to back away, Sheng Yuanyao suddenly gritted her teeth, tightened her grip on his hand, and pulled the unsuspecting Lu Xingzhou closer, gritting her teeth as she said, "Is it fun?"

Sheng Yuanyao wrapped her other arm around his neck, tiptoed, and kissed him fiercely.

Lu Xingzhou opened his eyes wide in surprise.

Pei Chuyun and Anuo peeked out, their eyes unblinking.

Sheng Yuanyao, completely inexperienced, simply stayed close, her heart pounding with nervousness. After a short while, she pulled away, panting, and pushed him away, saying, "Teasing me! Who's teasing whom! You did well on the exam, scholar, this is a reward for you!"

(End of this chapter)