He wants to adopt a younger sister, but his aloof wife disagrees.

In Dali, the mornings are awakened by the chirping of birds.

There was no alarm clock, no morning meeting, no urgent email notifications. As the first rays of sunlight pierced the thin mist and shone on the wooden window frames of the "Cloud and Water Inn," Shen Qingge was still fast asleep. It was rare for her to sleep so soundly; even her brow was relaxed. Jiang Che had already gotten up, but he didn't disturb anyone. He simply sat quietly on the seaside terrace, watching the distant Cangshan Mountains shrouded in clouds, a pot of freshly brewed Pu'er tea beside him, and the lazy cat that had wandered over from somewhere lying at his feet.

This is life.

Breakfast consisted of rice flour soup and roasted rice cakes that Jiang Che bought in town, along with the leftover Xuanwei ham from last night—simple yet full of hearty, homely flavor.

"It smells so good..." Su Xiaoruan rubbed her sleepy eyes and followed the scent to the dining table. Today she was wearing a white cotton and linen dress, and her hair was casually tied in a bun. She looked like a girl who had stepped out of a Miyazaki Hayao animation.

"Wash your hands and eat." Jiang Che handed her chopsticks. "You'll have the energy to explore the ancient city if you eat well."

Shen Qingge also got up. She wasn't wearing makeup today, her skin was glowing even though she was bare-faced. She wore a simple white T-shirt and jeans, with a knitted cardigan over them, making her look ten years younger, like a recent college graduate.

"Jiang Che, what's the schedule for today?" Shen Qingge took a sip of hot rice noodle soup, feeling a warm glow in her stomach.

"We'll do tie-dyeing in Zhoucheng in the morning, stroll around the ancient city in the afternoon, and listen to music on Renmin Road in the evening," Jiang Che said with a smile. "The whole trip won't be tiring at all, and you'll get to experience what it's like to be an 'intangible cultural heritage inheritor'."

……

At 10:00 AM, Zhoucheng Tie-Dye Workshop.

This place is known as the "hometown of tie-dyeing". Every household has blue and white cloth hanging in their courtyard, and the air is filled with the unique herbal fragrance of indigo dye.

Jiang Che took them to a century-old dyeing workshop. The courtyard was large, and an elderly woman dressed in Bai ethnic clothing was busy working in front of a large dyeing vat.

"Grandma, we've booked a session." Jiang Che greeted her in the few Bai phrases he had just learned.

The old lady looked up with a smile, and when she saw the three people who looked like they had stepped out of a painting, her wrinkles widened into a smile: "They're here, they're here, come in quickly. The fabric and needles are all ready."

Tie-dyeing may seem simple, but it actually requires a great deal of patience and skill. First, the fabric is sewn into various patterns with needle and thread, tied tightly, then immersed in the dye vat, and finally the threads are removed to reveal the blue background and white floral pattern.

"I want to make a big heart!" Su Xiaoruan picked up the needle and thread with great interest and began to "thread the needle" on a white square cloth.

However, the ideal was far from reality. This girl was usually incredibly talented in acting, but her needlework was... well, let's just say it was a mess. In less than ten minutes, she had pricked her fingers several times, and the piece of cloth she had sewn was a tangled mess, completely unrecognizable.

"Waaah... Why won't this needle work!" Su Xiaoruan threw down the cloth, looking at Jiang Che with a pitiful expression. "Brother, do I have no artistic talent?"

Shen Qingge wasn't doing much better. As a decisive and efficient female CEO, she was used to being in control, but when faced with this intricate needlework, she seemed somewhat overwhelmed. She tried to sew a peony, but what she produced... looked more like a large cabbage.

"Cough cough... This is much harder than looking at financial statements." Shen Qingge put down her needlework somewhat awkwardly and rubbed her sore neck.

Jiang Che looked at these two women, who were once powerful figures in the business and entertainment industries, but were now stumped by a single needle, and couldn't help but laugh.

"Everyone has their own expertise. This kind of delicate work should be left to 'professionals'."

Jiang Che rolled up his sleeves and sat down between the two.

"Watch closely."

[Ding! Host is detected to be experiencing intangible cultural heritage.]

[God-tier craftsmanship skill activated: Tie-dye Master.]

As the system notification sounded, Jiang Che's fingers seemed to be imbued with magic.

He picked up a two-meter-long piece of white cotton-linen fabric, and without drawing a sketch, began to sew. His movements were extremely fast, the stitches fine and even, even creating afterimages.

"This is called 'caviar pattern,' and this is called 'butterfly twist,'" Jiang Che explained patiently as he sewed. "The soul of tie-dye lies in the 'tying.' The tighter you tie, the clearer the white space; the looser you tie, the more natural the dyeing."

The old lady, who had been drinking tea nearby, stared wide-eyed at Jiang Che's technique. She put down her teacup, walked over shakily, put on her reading glasses, and examined him closely.

"Young man...you've studied this before? This technique...this is the lost 'Cangshan Cloud Pattern' needlework technique!"

Jiang Che smiled slightly: "I know a little about Pierre." (No, it's purely because the system is so helpful.)

Half an hour later, the sewing was completed.

Jiang Che immersed the tightly bound piece of cloth into a deep blue vat of indigo dye. He repeatedly soaked, oxidized, and rinsed it.

When the last step was completed, Jiang Che took the scissors and gently cut the loose threads.

"A moment to witness a miracle."

As the fabric slowly unfolded—

"Wow--!!!"

Su Xiaoruan and Shen Qingge exclaimed in surprise at the same time.

On the originally white fabric, a breathtaking scene unfolded. The deep blue background resembled the deep waters of Erhai Lake, and upon that blue, countless white petals layered upon each other, like snow lotuses blooming on Cangshan Mountain. And among the flowers, several lifelike butterflies seemed poised to take flight at any moment.

What's most amazing is that these patterns are not rigid, but have a kind of ink-wash-like blurring effect, full of dynamism and Zen.

"It's so beautiful..." Shen Qingge stroked the fabric, unable to put it down. "Is this really the white cloth from before?"

"This is for you." Jiang Che draped the unique tie-dye scarf over Shen Qingge's shoulders. "It's called 'Snow on Cangshan Mountain, Moon over Erhai Lake.' There's only one of its kind in the whole world."

Then, as if by magic, he produced another small square handkerchief he had just made, with a cute little rabbit pattern on it.

"This is for you, you silly pig." Jiang Che tied it around Su Xiaoruan's neck.

"It's a rabbit! Not a pig!" Su Xiaoruan protested, but her hands clung to the handkerchief, reluctant to let go, and she grinned from ear to ear.

The old lady gave him a thumbs up: "Young man, with your skills, even if you don't start a company, you could live a comfortable life as my successor! These two girls are so lucky!"

Shen Qingge, wrapped in the scarf filled with the scent of herbs, looked at Jiang Che's fingertips, which were slightly stained blue by dye, and felt a sweetness in her heart that was even stronger than honey.

How many more surprises does this man have in store for her?

……

In the afternoon, in Dali Old Town.

Compared to the tranquility of the morning, the ancient town is now bustling with life. Along the cobblestone streets, streams murmur, and various handicraft shops and food stalls abound.

The three of them were not wearing sunglasses or masks, and were just strolling around like ordinary tourists.

Thanks to Jiang Che's "anti-spy photography" measures (system blocking + bodyguards secretly clearing the area), they were able to enjoy a rare period of freedom from being watched.

"Roasted milk fan! I want to eat that!"

"This Xizhou Baba smells so good!"

"Brother, I want that silver bracelet!"

Su Xiaoruan completely let loose, with a skewer of grilled meat in her left hand, a cup of milk tea in her right, and a fresh flower cake stuffed in her mouth.

Shen Qingge linked arms with Jiang Che and walked slowly. She had bought a hand-woven straw bag, which she carried on her back, her steps light and graceful.

"Jiang Che, let's really settle down here when we get old," Shen Qingge said suddenly, looking at the Wuhua Tower under the setting sun in the distance. "Then you can grow vegetables and cook in the yard, and I'll sit in the rocking chair and bask in the sun."

"Okay." Jiang Che squeezed her hand. "You can have her anytime you want."

……

As night falls, the lights are on.

Renmin Road in the ancient city began to bustle with activity. It's a gathering place for folk singers, with a bar almost every few steps, where the sounds of guitars, drums, and singing rise and fall.

"I've heard that the bars around here are full of hidden talents, and many of the street singers are quite skilled." Jiang Che led the two into a quiet bar called "Zebra".

This bar has a great location, a semi-open-air design, and a huge old tree in the courtyard. It was already packed with customers, and a male singer with long hair and a leather jacket was singing on stage.

"Let's welcome our special guest for tonight—A-Jie!"

The audience below cheered. It seems this singer named A-Jie is quite famous here.

Jiang Che and his group found a corner to sit down and ordered two mojitos and a juice.

On stage, Ah-Jie held his guitar, his eyes somewhat unfocused, giving off an air of "I'm melancholic, I'm deeply sentimental." He was singing an original folk song, the lyrics of which were roughly about wandering, loneliness, and girls.

To be fair, his singing skills were alright, but his affected and pretentious "whining" was too heavy-handed. Especially when he sang while scanning the female guests in the audience with that self-righteous, handsome look, it made him seem particularly greasy.

After finishing his song, A-Jie began interacting with the audience on stage.

"There are a lot of guests tonight, and many beautiful young ladies." A-Jie's gaze suddenly locked onto Shen Qingge in the corner.

Although Shen Qingge was dressed simply, in the dim light, her aloof and stunning face and noble temperament made her seem like a glowing object in the night, impossible to miss.

"Hey, you in the white T-shirt, are you alone? Oh, there's a handsome guy next to you." Ah Jie, microphone in hand, teased in a flippant tone, "But this guy looks pretty refined, unlike us musicians who seem to have a story. Hey, miss, wanna come up for a drink? I'll sing you a love song?"

The surrounding guests all looked over in a commotion.

Shen Qingge frowned slightly, a hint of disgust flashing in her eyes. She hated being offended in public the most.

Jiang Che's expression instantly turned cold.

He put his arm around Shen Qingge's shoulder, blocking the prying eyes, and replied indifferently, "Not interested. Sing your song, stop talking nonsense."

The sound wasn't loud, but it was extremely penetrating, silencing the commotion for a second.

Ah Jie was stunned for a moment, clearly not expecting to be rebuffed so bluntly. In this small community, he was the "Prince of Folk Music," and every tourist fawned over him.

"Hey, you've got quite the temper, bro," A-Jie sneered, plucking a string from his instrument. "Looks like you don't know your stuff. You came to Dali to hear stories and make friends. This aloofness of yours doesn't suit this place."

"And..." Ah Jie glanced at Su Xiaoruan beside him with ill intent (she was eating potato chips and hadn't been recognized), "Bringing two beauties out like this, you probably won't be able to hold your own without some talent, right? Why don't you come up and show off your skills? If you can sing better than me, tonight's drinks are on me!"

This is blatant provocation.

The patrons in the bar, eager for a good spectacle, clapped and cheered, "One more! One more!"

Su Xiaoruan couldn't stand it anymore. She threw down the potato chips and was about to stand up and say, "This actress will go up and crush you in no time."

Jiang Che stopped her.

He slowly stood up, straightened his collar, and looked at A-Jie on the stage with a mocking gaze, as if looking at a clown.

"Sings better than you?"

Jiang Che chuckled lightly: "Isn't this standard a bit too low?"

"You..." Ah Jie was speechless with anger, "You've got quite the nerve! If you're so capable, why don't you do it yourself!"

Jiang Che didn't waste any words and walked straight onto the stage.

Instead of taking A-Jie's guitar, he walked to the corner of the stage and picked up a classical guitar that looked a bit old but was well-maintained.

Tuning and testing the strings.

The professionalism of his movements made Ah Jie, who was originally waiting to see a joke, feel a pang of apprehension.

Jiang Che sat on a high stool, not starting immediately, but instead smiled gently at Shen Qingge and Su Xiaoruan below the stage:

"This song is dedicated to my family."

"Also dedicated to this city... which was almost polluted by noise."

"Buzz—"

The first chord begins.

It's not the simple strumming of A-Jie, but an extremely complex fingerstyle technique.

The melody flowed out like water, clear and melodious, with a penetrating power that struck straight to the soul. It was a masterful performance; every note was so full it gave you goosebumps.

The bar fell silent instantly. The previously laughing crowd all shut their mouths, staring blankly at the radiant man on the stage.

Jiang Che spoke.

His voice was deep and resonant, carrying a gentle quality born of experience, far more sophisticated than Ah Jie's deliberately husky voice.

He didn't sing anything about wandering or girls.

He sang the classic song, "Southern Girl" (adapted version).

"A girl from the south lived in a village in the north."

"She always liked to stand by the roadside wearing a floral dress."

"She doesn't talk much, but her smile is so calm and elegant."

What lies hidden in her gentle eyes? Is it the sorrow of longing?

The song flowed gently, as if telling a story about protection and companionship.

Shen Qingge sat in the audience, watching the man singing and playing guitar under the spotlight, and her eyes suddenly welled up with tears. She knew he was singing about her. About her—the woman who had been hurt in the north (Beijing) and had now found a home in the south (Jianghai).

During the interlude, Jiang Che suddenly sped up the tempo and added an extremely virtuosic flamenco-style strumming.

The fiery rhythm made Su Xiaoruan stand up, pick up the maracas beside her, and start swaying to the beat.

"Life goes on like those sleepless nights."

She chewed gum and talked about her ideals to the wall.

"Southern girl, are you used to the autumn chill in the North?"

"Southern girl, do you like the straightforwardness of Northerners?"

The atmosphere in the entire venue was completely ignited!

This isn't a bar, it's practically a concert venue!

When the last overtone dissipates in the air.

The entire venue was deathly silent.

Five full seconds passed before thunderous applause and screams nearly lifted the roof off!

"Holy crap! This is real folk music! This is true genius!"

"It's so beautiful! It made me want to cry!"

"That guitar playing is amazing! Compared to him, that guy Ah Jie was like a cotton ball!"

Ah Jie stood to the side, his face deathly pale, clutching his guitar, wishing he could disappear into the ground. This was a case of dimensional reduction, an insurmountable chasm between amateur and professional.

Jiang Che put down his guitar, ignoring the cheers from the audience, and walked straight off the stage back to Shen Qingge's side.

"How's it going, honey?" Jiang Che asked with a smile, "Did someone else pay for this meal?"

Shen Qingge looked at him, her eyes filled with an intense, unwavering love. Suddenly, she reached out, hooked her arm around his neck, and kissed his lips in full view of everyone.

"It doesn't matter whether you invite them or not."

Anyway, you got me drunk.

Just then, someone in the bar suddenly pointed at Su Xiaoruan, who hadn't taken off her mask, and shouted:

"Wait! That girl... those eyes! It's Su Xiaoruan!!"

"Holy crap! It really is Su Xiaoruan! Then this guy must be... Jiang Che?!"

"Oh my god! The nation's fairy princess and her divine brother-in-law have come to Dali?!"

The bar erupted instantly! Countless people rushed over, holding up their phones.

"Run!"

Jiang Che reacted quickly, grabbing Shen Qingge with one hand and Su Xiaoruan with the other, throwing down a hundred-yuan bill (he didn't ask A-Jie to treat him because he didn't want to owe anyone a favor), and then turned and ran outside.

"Hahaha! This is so exciting!" Su Xiaoruan laughed as she ran.

The three of them weaved through the crowded streets, ran out of the bar, and into the alleyways of the old city late at night.

The moonlight shone on the bluestone path, lengthening their shadows.

The wind whistled in my ears, and the noise behind me gradually faded away.

They ran until they were too tired to run anymore, then stopped in front of a closed shop, bent over and panting heavily, before looking at each other and bursting into laughter.

"Mr. Jiang," Shen Qingge gasped, her cheeks flushed, her eyes shining like stars, "the way you sang just now... was so handsome."

"That's right." Jiang Che tidied her messy hair. "How can I be your husband if I'm not handsome?"

"Brother! I want to praise you too!" Su Xiaoruan chimed in, "Your guitar solo was so cool! Ah Jie's face turned green! Hahahaha!"

Jiang Che patted her head:

"Okay, that's enough fun, enough crazy."

"Tomorrow, we're going to move to a different place."

"Where to switch to?" they both asked at the same time.

Jiang Che gazed at the bright moon in the night sky, his eyes becoming deep and distant:

"I heard the magnolias in the capital are in bloom."

"We should go...and meet up with some old friends."

Although Dali is a beautiful and gentle place, Jiang Che's battlefield is ultimately in the north.