Chapter 493: Drinking Alone Under The Moon (1/2)

After dinner, we visited Lotus Pond Park. On the night before the Mid-Autumn Festival, there were many visitors in the park. By the road were vendors offering their wares. I heard there would be a large-scale 3D fountain show tonight–Chang’e Flies To The Moon.

Bingxin eagerly bought a bunch of snacks while we strolled the park. ”I really envy you,” sighed Xiaotao. “You can eat all you want, yet you won’t gain any weight. Everything I eat goes to my breasts and butt.”

“Hmph, all you do is show off!” Bingxin made a face at Xiaotao. When she turned around, Wang Yuanchao and Song Xingchen had disappeared. I wasn’t too worried about them. The two quiet men preferred spending their time away from all the bustle and excitement.

Droves of tourists flooded the park. Bingxin held my hand for fear of losing me in the crowd. At the same time, my other hand was clasped with Xiaotao’s. Our odd trio attracted many curious looks from people trying to guess our relationship.

Xiaotao asked, ”Do you regret not being born in ancient times? That way you can marry two wives?”

”Oh, stop it, you know you’re the only one in my heart. Besides, the ancients didn’t practice polygamy. Strictly speaking, a man could only have one wife but many concubines. Additionally, there were many rules. The wife must have given birth to a child before a concubine is approved.”

Upon hearing the word ‘concubine,’ Bingxin protested, ”What are you talking about? I'm no concubine! I’m Song Yang-gege’s childhood sweetheart. Once you’re married and have kids, you’ll turn into an old, sallow-faced woman but a childhood sweetheart will always stay perfect in his memory.”

”Yeah, keep telling yourself that,” scoffed Xiaotao. “Do you know what being a childhood sweetheart means? You’ll never be ‘promoted’ to wife!”

”Marriage is the tomb for love, the end of your feelings as you know it!” retorted Bingxin.

”Oh, can’t you two get along nicely? Is that so hard?” I grumbled.

Hooking her arm with mine, Bingxin said, ”Song Yang-gege, here’s a serious question. If Xiaotao-jiejie and I were drowning, who would you save?”

”Yes, I have long wanted to ask this question as well.” Xiaotao pulled my arm.

”Um...” Looking at their serious expressions, I knew I’d be stepping into a minefield. I hesitated for a moment and somehow managed to dodge the bullet. ”Look, there’s a magic show in front. Let's go and have a look.”

”Don’t change the subject!” shouted the girls.

I nodded, ”Shall we head back to the hotel then? I would love to take a shower. I’m drenched in sweat!”

”No, I want to watch the fountain show!” pouted Bingxin.

”Well, since we’re here, we might as well stay for the show!” agreed Xiaotao.

We headed to the lotus pond to watch the 3D fountain show which was actually a CG animation prepared in advance projected onto the water curtain. The girls were absorbed in the dreamlike show as the water curtain danced to the lights.

While watching the show, I couldn’t help but share a little bit about the folklore. ”In fact, the earliest version of the story ended with Chang 'e turning into a toad after swallowing the elixir. The story was gradually beautified after the Han Dynasty.”

”Thanks for sharing that,” said Xiaotao. “I’ve learned something new today.”

“How unromantic,” chuckled Bingxin.

Right then, a scream tore through the night. ”Ahhh, there’s a dead body!”

The audience turned back to watch the excitement while we rushed towards the source of the screams. When we arrived, Wang Yuanchao and Song Xingchen were already there. Signs of inebriation colored Wang Yuanchao’s face. It seemed he had gone elsewhere to drink.

The body was blatantly hung from a tree, dressed in a white Tang Dynasty costume with a Futou on his head, though the wing-like flaps on the back were drooping downwards.

The victim’s right arm was raised, his hand tied to a glass with a metal wire. Its position happened to fall right between two street lamps, projecting two shadows on the ground.