26 Below the mountain (1/2)
The village below the mountain was a quiet and peaceful one. ”Good afternoon, Second Young Master Liu, Young Miss.” The villagers greeted as they passed. Unlike Zu Village, the stall owners didn't holler and cry but instead spoke in light cheery voices, smiling as they bowed respectfully.
”It's very peaceful here,” Chen Anyue noted, a charmed smile gracing her features as she looked around. Liu Sumeng brought her to a restaurant with outdoor seats that gave them a scenic view of the lush trees surrounding the village, and the little stone-paved path that lead up to Wangyun Peak. This restaurant also served some spicy dishes, that he knew she was fond of. He ordered a myriad of food, from lotus roots to cabbage and spicy fish soup.
Her smile was so brilliant and energetic that Liu Sumeng found himself a little taken aback, ”What is it?” he asked.
”I was just thinking,” she tilted her head, ”it seems that you know what it is that I like.”
He nodded, ”You and Xuelan like spicy foods.”
”You've been very considerate, thank you Liu-ge.”
He shook his head, eyes down turned. No, he felt like he wasn't being considerate at all. Going this far, just to be liked, felt like the purest manifestation of selfishness he had ever indulged in.
Chen Anyue had always been a very perceptive person. She said, ”Don't be too hard on yourself.” Tea was brought out to them first and Liu Sumeng was quick to pour them each a cup. ”I have a feeling that you wanted to talk to me about something.”
He nodded. There were several things, but he began with an easier topic first, ”About Zu Village.”
Her expression turned a little solemn, her pale hands tightening around the small ceramic cup, ”Right…Of course.”
”...What happened?” In his past life, he hadn't dared to ask and at the time was engrossed in his martial arts and cultivation. In fact it'd been a year later when Chen Anyue finally divulged to him the details she could recall. So Liu Sumeng thought that if he asked sooner this time, she would be able to remember things she wouldn't be able to later on.
Her brows knit as she stared at her tea, ”If I'm to be honest…Things are a little blurry after you saved A-Zhang. I only know that there was a man that attacked you. His appearance is a little lost to me…I can only recall that he wore black. He dived into that lake afterward and A-Zhang tried to chase him. But we were more worried about you and the villagers that we left inside a barrier. I could hardly even recall what we did because the next thing I knew we were back in Zu Village.”
Liu Sumeng frowned, her words confirming his fears. The pill had helped him recall the most of the details, including the butterfly mask and even the silver bell at hung at the end of a scimitar scabbard. It was unfortunate that he couldn't remain conscious.
”Ah right! There was also the scent of peony and ginger,” her eyes brightened as she suddenly recalled that little detail.
Right, there was that scent. He remembered how it came with an oppressive weight of spiritual energy as well. Somehow, he had a feeling those details were important, only that he was unsure of how yet. While frustrating, it was better than what he had to work with in his past life. He nodded to her and said, ”Thank you.”
Chen Anyue leaning her head on her left, ”What for?” she asked, a warm smile back upon her lips.
What for? Liu Sumeng wasn't really sure how to word it. So he searched in his mind before coming up with, ”Your patience.”
She didn't really seem to understand what that meant. But before Chen Anyue could question any farther, the food had arrived. Each plate was redder than the last and Chen Anyue could barely hold herself back from salivating. She coughed, cheeks flushed as she fought to control her behavior.
Liu Sumeng found it a bit difficult to stomach all the spice, so he only ate a little while Chen Anyue sampled each and every dish. ”Ah I love this!” she chirped, her mood brightening with her palate sated. He nodded at her, though he couldn't exactly divulge the fact that he knew this restaurant had been her favorite in a previous life.
Well that was fine. Either way it gave him more time to think about how he was to bring up the topic he had in mind.
About their impending marriage.
Chen Anyue ate with joyful vigor and as he watched, and Liu Sumeng felt his heart warm at the scene. This girl deserved more than him.
He did his best to endure the spicy foods set before him but his rice ran out quickly. Soon he folded his chopsticks neatly and sat there waiting for her to finish.
Cheeks flushed, Chen Anyue asked, ”Will you not have more?”