Chapter 23: 23

A red sports car with upwards opening doors, a beautiful woman wearing sunglasses... in addition to the delicious looking cups of coffee, on that street—during peak early morning traffic—a peculiar scene was formed.

The boatman smiled, replying to her, "You're still young, you won't understand."

While they were on the boat ride, the boatman told them all about the town of Tongxin. "The commercial street at the centre of the town there, that's called Tongxin Street and it's the most prominent place here in our town. On that street, the sign outside the hundred-year-old shop there, that's sign is no lie, it's completely legitimate. The shop's been running for many years."

Lu Xiaobei: "When it gets closer to noon thing will start getting more lively."

The boatman then brought Xiaoya and Lu Xiaobei around the lake, when they got off the boat, Xiaoya smiled at the boatman and waved him goodbye, and Lu Xiaobei gave him an extra tip. At first the boatman thought she had given him the wrong amount of money so he tried to give it back to her but she explained: "It's money for boat ride and money for the stories. I didn't give the wrong amount. Thank you very much."

...huh?! What did she just say?!

Lu Xiaobei turned to look at her, replying, "Nope. I saw them this morning." Even through her sunglasses, Xiaoya could feel Lu Xiaobei's teasing.

"Yeah, I do. I always wanted to come here," Xiaoya muttered.

"...my god!" Xiaoya, wearing a book bag on her back, stood on the pavement while staring at Lu Xiaobei, who wasn't too far away, while shock was plastered on her face, her jaw dropped.

Holding her chin in her hands, Xiaoya said: "The way it is now is much better. I rather have fewer places on the street to have fun than for it to be crowded." Xiaoys dragged her fingers against the clear water, adding: "It's been so long since I last sat in a boat. The boats in the lake at the centre of the city back home look really fun, but they are way to expensive and there always so many people."

...huh?! What did she just say?!

"No, no." Xiaoya opened the door herself and sat down, buckling her seatbelt, "It's just my first time riding in a sports car."

"Is this what you meant by coming to pick me up?" Walking towards her, Xiaoya asked.

Lu Xiaobei then stopped a small boat, then after negotiating with the boatman for the price, she and Xiaoya boarded the boat.

The boatman smiled, replying to her, "You're still young, you won't understand."

N/A

Little by little, Xiaoya sipped her coffee. The taste of the matcha concealing coffee's bitterness, every one of her taste buds comforted by the savoury and mellow flavour. But, after the flood of sweetness overflowing in her mouth, only a faint bitterness remained. This feeling... was reminiscent of that joy of hers: more beautiful than anything else in the beginning, but, after a second taste, it was tinged with traces of bitterness.

The Township of Tongxin

Lu Xiaobei then stopped a small boat, then after negotiating with the boatman for the price, she and Xiaoya boarded the boat.

Right then, there was only one thought in Xiaoya's head. Captain, why are you so god to me?

Lifting her sunglasses, Lu Xiaobei asked in turn: "Why, gorgeous? Want me to open the door for you?"

The Township of Tongxin

N/A

Lu Xiaobei then noticed the stuffed school bag in Xiaoya's hands, asking, "Did you bring all your school books?"

For those past few days, this thought kept lingering in her mind without a rest, so much so it made her now ask: "Lu Xiaobei, do you like me?"

Lu Xiaobei started the car, while she answered, "I didn't buy it, I made it for you this morning before I came here. Last night, in the wee hours of the morning, I saw you were still messaging on Facebook, did you think I didn't know?"

It was such a huge tree, it would take four full-size adults to hug around its trunk. Xiaoya touched it, feeling the bark under her fingertips, "It looks like it could be hundreds of years old." Lifting her head, she gazed at the lush green leaves, the little lights on the ground shining through their gaps to hit the ground.

Xiaoya picked up the coffee, it was in a light brown nice-looking paper cup, and it had a sleeve around it to prevent her from burning her hands. She then asked, "Where did you buy this coffee? I thought you would've brought me milk tea."

"No, no." Xiaoya opened the door herself and sat down, buckling her seatbelt, "It's just my first time riding in a sports car."

Lu Xiaobei started the car, while she answered, "I didn't buy it, I made it for you this morning before I came here. Last night, in the wee hours of the morning, I saw you were still messaging on Facebook, did you think I didn't know?"

"Don't worry, I'm an excellent driver," Lu Xiaobei said to comfort her.

The boatman: "You loving one person for you whole life, that sort of thing is your business and yours alone. What's that got to do with tying a name tag on a tree? Him loving you is only his business, it's possible he'll even tie a name tag for another girl, so will it be possible for the Tongxin Tree to promise all three people's love to last? The only thing that we have no control over is our health and our safety. That's the only thing we can pray to that old tree for."

Lu Xiaobei started the car, while she answered, "I didn't buy it, I made it for you this morning before I came here. Last night, in the wee hours of the morning, I saw you were still messaging on Facebook, did you think I didn't know?"

Lu Xiaobei turned to look at her, replying, "Nope. I saw them this morning." Even through her sunglasses, Xiaoya could feel Lu Xiaobei's teasing.

But Xiaoya grabbed the seatbelt stiffly, explaining, "No, it's not that. I just... don't usually like buckling these, some seatbelts are dirty, you know?" Hesitating once more, Xiaoya then added, "But... Captain, your birthday was only two months ago, and we meet up everyday apart from the weekends, so have you really gotten your driver's license already?"

"Don't worry, I'm an excellent driver," Lu Xiaobei said to comfort her.

A sky seeming to be bathed in blue, a small town etched in antiquity, and a lake so clear it sparked like crystals. All Xiaoya could think of right then, was of this time... this place... was how close it was to being her paradise—the world of her dreams.

Xiaoya: "I'm moved by Captain's beautiful and flirtatious words. It's good you can drive."

"Today's my first official dateT/n: the date could just be any appointment. (we know it really is a date date though *wink wink*) with you Captain, I was a bit excited. But, Captain, if you saw my messages, does it mean you weren't asleep either?" Xiaoya asked.

Little by little, Xiaoya sipped her coffee. The taste of the matcha concealing coffee's bitterness, every one of her taste buds comforted by the savoury and mellow flavour. But, after the flood of sweetness overflowing in her mouth, only a faint bitterness remained. This feeling... was reminiscent of that joy of hers: more beautiful than anything else in the beginning, but, after a second taste, it was tinged with traces of bitterness.

N/A

Xiaoya felt the cushion of the seat beneath her, as she held the coffee in her hand, unable to help from staring at Lu Xiaobei driving beside her while not at all able to fathom why she was doing such a crazy thing. Lu Xiaobei had her college entrance exams the next day, yet she came out to have a date with her. All of this, too, when she had especially been feeling nothing but restlessness for a reason she couldn't quite put into words.

"Hey, you should always wear your seatbelts when other people are driving." Lu Xiaobei then added, "I learned to drive at the end of the previous year while in the Netherlands, but I only got my license in this country last weekend. But I made sure to eventake the Grade Four examT/n: aka Subject 4, is the last (and not technically necessary) part of China's driving examination. Even passing the first two levels is a difficult, so there's some context. in order to drive you around safely. Are you moved now?"

With Xiaoya then asking: "Then can you explain it to me? If you do, I'll understand then."

Xiaoya: "I'm moved by Captain's beautiful and flirtatious words. It's good you can drive."

Lu Xiaobei simply turned the staring wheel, driving away from the city to the suburbs.

Lu Xiaobei then noticed the stuffed school bag in Xiaoya's hands, asking, "Did you bring all your school books?"

Lu Xiaobei: "When it gets closer to noon thing will start getting more lively."

Xiaoya: "Yeah. Even though I asked my teacher for leave I couldn't dare tell my mom and dad. So, in order to avoid letting everything slip, I had to go through all the regular motions."

In response, Xiaoya half joked, "I'm not scared. If I'm with you, Captain, I wouldn't be scared even if we eloped."

Xiaoya slowed down, but she didn't bother tying them, instead saying: "I'll be careful, don't worry."

Lu Xiaobei parked the car, walking with her into the town. "Do you like it?"

Lu Xiaobei: "The coffee on the left is yours. I put matcha in it, you'll like it."

...huh?! What did she just say?!

Xiaoya picked up the coffee, it was in a light brown nice-looking paper cup, and it had a sleeve around it to prevent her from burning her hands. She then asked, "Where did you buy this coffee? I thought you would've brought me milk tea."

Lu Xiaobei squatted down as she did this, tying her shoe. Her movement where so smooth and swift, Xiaoya had little time to react.

"Aren't you going to ask me where I'm taking you? Aren't you scared you'll be sold?" Lu Xiaobei asked.

"The Tongxing Tree can help you live a long life, and if you two will it, you can love each other until you're old."

Right then, there was only one thought in Xiaoya's head. Captain, why are you so god to me?

...huh?! What did she just say?!

Lu Xiaobei started the car, while she answered, "I didn't buy it, I made it for you this morning before I came here. Last night, in the wee hours of the morning, I saw you were still messaging on Facebook, did you think I didn't know?"

N/A

Xiaoya: "I'm moved by Captain's beautiful and flirtatious words. It's good you can drive."

Xiaoya: "Yeah. Even though I asked my teacher for leave I couldn't dare tell my mom and dad. So, in order to avoid letting everything slip, I had to go through all the regular motions."

Lu Xiaobei then stopped a small boat, then after negotiating with the boatman for the price, she and Xiaoya boarded the boat.

Xiaoya slowed down, but she didn't bother tying them, instead saying: "I'll be careful, don't worry."

Lu Xiaobei followed Xiaoya all the way under the Tongxin Tree.

Xiaoya: "I'm moved by Captain's beautiful and flirtatious words. It's good you can drive."

"Today's my first official dateT/n: the date could just be any appointment. (we know it really is a date date though *wink wink*) with you Captain, I was a bit excited. But, Captain, if you saw my messages, does it mean you weren't asleep either?" Xiaoya asked.

Lu Xiaobei took Xiaoya's hand, taking her for a stroll around the town.

"...my god!" Xiaoya, wearing a book bag on her back, stood on the pavement while staring at Lu Xiaobei, who wasn't too far away, while shock was plastered on her face, her jaw dropped.

The boatman: "You loving one person for you whole life, that sort of thing is your business and yours alone. What's that got to do with tying a name tag on a tree? Him loving you is only his business, it's possible he'll even tie a name tag for another girl, so will it be possible for the Tongxin Tree to promise all three people's love to last? The only thing that we have no control over is our health and our safety. That's the only thing we can pray to that old tree for."

Boatman: "At the end of the street, there's also a tree called Tongxin Tree. They say that if a guy fancies himself a girl, he would head on down to the temple, get himself a wooden name tag and write down her name on it, tie a ribbon on it, then hang it right there on that tree. It's done to bless her and protect her all her life."

The boatman: "You loving one person for you whole life, that sort of thing is your business and yours alone. What's that got to do with tying a name tag on a tree? Him loving you is only his business, it's possible he'll even tie a name tag for another girl, so will it be possible for the Tongxin Tree to promise all three people's love to last? The only thing that we have no control over is our health and our safety. That's the only thing we can pray to that old tree for."

Boatman: "At the end of the street, there's also a tree called Tongxin Tree. They say that if a guy fancies himself a girl, he would head on down to the temple, get himself a wooden name tag and write down her name on it, tie a ribbon on it, then hang it right there on that tree. It's done to bless her and protect her all her life."

The boatman then brought Xiaoya and Lu Xiaobei around the lake, when they got off the boat, Xiaoya smiled at the boatman and waved him goodbye, and Lu Xiaobei gave him an extra tip. At first the boatman thought she had given him the wrong amount of money so he tried to give it back to her but she explained: "It's money for boat ride and money for the stories. I didn't give the wrong amount. Thank you very much."

Lu Xiaobei turned to look at her, replying, "Nope. I saw them this morning." Even through her sunglasses, Xiaoya could feel Lu Xiaobei's teasing.

Xiaoya slowed down, but she didn't bother tying them, instead saying: "I'll be careful, don't worry."

Xiaoya felt the cushion of the seat beneath her, as she held the coffee in her hand, unable to help from staring at Lu Xiaobei driving beside her while not at all able to fathom why she was doing such a crazy thing. Lu Xiaobei had her college entrance exams the next day, yet she came out to have a date with her. All of this, too, when she had especially been feeling nothing but restlessness for a reason she couldn't quite put into words.

Xiaoya picked up the coffee, it was in a light brown nice-looking paper cup, and it had a sleeve around it to prevent her from burning her hands. She then asked, "Where did you buy this coffee? I thought you would've brought me milk tea."

"Aren't you going to ask me where I'm taking you? Aren't you scared you'll be sold?" Lu Xiaobei asked.

"Today's my first official dateT/n: the date could just be any appointment. (we know it really is a date date though *wink wink*) with you Captain, I was a bit excited. But, Captain, if you saw my messages, does it mean you weren't asleep either?" Xiaoya asked.

N/A

Lu Xiaobei simply turned the staring wheel, driving away from the city to the suburbs.

Little by little, Xiaoya sipped her coffee. The taste of the matcha concealing coffee's bitterness, every one of her taste buds comforted by the savoury and mellow flavour. But, after the flood of sweetness overflowing in her mouth, only a faint bitterness remained. This feeling... was reminiscent of that joy of hers: more beautiful than anything else in the beginning, but, after a second taste, it was tinged with traces of bitterness.

While they were on the boat ride, the boatman told them all about the town of Tongxin. "The commercial street at the centre of the town there, that's called Tongxin Street and it's the most prominent place here in our town. On that street, the sign outside the hundred-year-old shop there, that's sign is no lie, it's completely legitimate. The shop's been running for many years."

Right then, there was only one thought in Xiaoya's head. Captain, why are you so god to me?

"Hey, you should always wear your seatbelts when other people are driving." Lu Xiaobei then added, "I learned to drive at the end of the previous year while in the Netherlands, but I only got my license in this country last weekend. But I made sure to eventake the Grade Four examT/n: aka Subject 4, is the last (and not technically necessary) part of China's driving examination. Even passing the first two levels is a difficult, so there's some context. in order to drive you around safely. Are you moved now?"

In response, Xiaoya half joked, "I'm not scared. If I'm with you, Captain, I wouldn't be scared even if we eloped."

While they were on the boat ride, the boatman told them all about the town of Tongxin. "The commercial street at the centre of the town there, that's called Tongxin Street and it's the most prominent place here in our town. On that street, the sign outside the hundred-year-old shop there, that's sign is no lie, it's completely legitimate. The shop's been running for many years."

Lu Xiaobei simply turned the staring wheel, driving away from the city to the suburbs.

"...my god!" Xiaoya, wearing a book bag on her back, stood on the pavement while staring at Lu Xiaobei, who wasn't too far away, while shock was plastered on her face, her jaw dropped.

Xiaoya turned her gaze to Tongxin Street in the distance, saying: "That is true, it's all up to our own will."

Xiaoya: "I'm moved by Captain's beautiful and flirtatious words. It's good you can drive."

"...my god!" Xiaoya, wearing a book bag on her back, stood on the pavement while staring at Lu Xiaobei, who wasn't too far away, while shock was plastered on her face, her jaw dropped.

Right then, there was only one thought in Xiaoya's head. Captain, why are you so god to me?

Xiaoya: "I'm moved by Captain's beautiful and flirtatious words. It's good you can drive."

Lu Xiaobei: "The coffee on the left is yours. I put matcha in it, you'll like it."

Xiaoya looked at Lu Xiaobei, who had remained silent all this while, feeling afraid that the joke she had just made ended up revealing her own inner thoughts. So, for a moment, she did not speak either.

Xiaoya: "I'm moved by Captain's beautiful and flirtatious words. It's good you can drive."

Tongxin was only a half hour away from where she lived, but she had never been there, but she had heard it's name from time to time. The ancient town had small bridges built over its streams, a gathering of craftsmen selling on its commercial streets, never before seen local snacks, and uniquely styled homestays...

"Hey, you should always wear your seatbelts when other people are driving." Lu Xiaobei then added, "I learned to drive at the end of the previous year while in the Netherlands, but I only got my license in this country last weekend. But I made sure to eventake the Grade Four examT/n: aka Subject 4, is the last (and not technically necessary) part of China's driving examination. Even passing the first two levels is a difficult, so there's some context. in order to drive you around safely. Are you moved now?"

Lu Xiaobei then stopped a small boat, then after negotiating with the boatman for the price, she and Xiaoya boarded the boat.

Xiaoya looked at the name of the town inscribed boldly on the plaque, stunned.

Little by little, Xiaoya sipped her coffee. The taste of the matcha concealing coffee's bitterness, every one of her taste buds comforted by the savoury and mellow flavour. But, after the flood of sweetness overflowing in her mouth, only a faint bitterness remained. This feeling... was reminiscent of that joy of hers: more beautiful than anything else in the beginning, but, after a second taste, it was tinged with traces of bitterness.

"Yeah, I do. I always wanted to come here," Xiaoya muttered.

After they left the boat, Xiaoya saw that big tree at the end of the street, it made her curious, so she scampered over. As she did so, her shoes crunched over the fallen leaves.

Lu Xiaobei: "The coffee on the left is yours. I put matcha in it, you'll like it."

Tongxin Town

For those past few days, this thought kept lingering in her mind without a rest, so much so it made her now ask: "Lu Xiaobei, do you like me?"

Tongxin Town

"Hey, you should always wear your seatbelts when other people are driving." Lu Xiaobei then added, "I learned to drive at the end of the previous year while in the Netherlands, but I only got my license in this country last weekend. But I made sure to eventake the Grade Four examT/n: aka Subject 4, is the last (and not technically necessary) part of China's driving examination. Even passing the first two levels is a difficult, so there's some context. in order to drive you around safely. Are you moved now?"

Xiaoya: "I'm moved by Captain's beautiful and flirtatious words. It's good you can drive."

The boatman: "You loving one person for you whole life, that sort of thing is your business and yours alone. What's that got to do with tying a name tag on a tree? Him loving you is only his business, it's possible he'll even tie a name tag for another girl, so will it be possible for the Tongxin Tree to promise all three people's love to last? The only thing that we have no control over is our health and our safety. That's the only thing we can pray to that old tree for."

Lu Xiaobei: "When it gets closer to noon thing will start getting more lively."

Boatman: "At the end of the street, there's also a tree called Tongxin Tree. They say that if a guy fancies himself a girl, he would head on down to the temple, get himself a wooden name tag and write down her name on it, tie a ribbon on it, then hang it right there on that tree. It's done to bless her and protect her all her life."

The Township of Tongxin

Xiaoya turned her gaze to Tongxin Street in the distance, saying: "That is true, it's all up to our own will."

Xiaoya looked at the name of the town inscribed boldly on the plaque, stunned.

Little by little, Xiaoya sipped her coffee. The taste of the matcha concealing coffee's bitterness, every one of her taste buds comforted by the savoury and mellow flavour. But, after the flood of sweetness overflowing in her mouth, only a faint bitterness remained. This feeling... was reminiscent of that joy of hers: more beautiful than anything else in the beginning, but, after a second taste, it was tinged with traces of bitterness.

Lu Xiaobei parked the car, walking with her into the town. "Do you like it?"

"Hey, you should always wear your seatbelts when other people are driving." Lu Xiaobei then added, "I learned to drive at the end of the previous year while in the Netherlands, but I only got my license in this country last weekend. But I made sure to eventake the Grade Four examT/n: aka Subject 4, is the last (and not technically necessary) part of China's driving examination. Even passing the first two levels is a difficult, so there's some context. in order to drive you around safely. Are you moved now?"

Right then, there was only one thought in Xiaoya's head. Captain, why are you so god to me?

Lu Xiaobei started the car, while she answered, "I didn't buy it, I made it for you this morning before I came here. Last night, in the wee hours of the morning, I saw you were still messaging on Facebook, did you think I didn't know?"

In response, Xiaoya half joked, "I'm not scared. If I'm with you, Captain, I wouldn't be scared even if we eloped."

Lu Xiaobei parked the car, walking with her into the town. "Do you like it?"

Tongxin was only a half hour away from where she lived, but she had never been there, but she had heard it's name from time to time. The ancient town had small bridges built over its streams, a gathering of craftsmen selling on its commercial streets, never before seen local snacks, and uniquely styled homestays...

Lu Xiaobei: "The coffee on the left is yours. I put matcha in it, you'll like it."

Lu Xiaobei turned to look at her, replying, "Nope. I saw them this morning." Even through her sunglasses, Xiaoya could feel Lu Xiaobei's teasing.

It was such a huge tree, it would take four full-size adults to hug around its trunk. Xiaoya touched it, feeling the bark under her fingertips, "It looks like it could be hundreds of years old." Lifting her head, she gazed at the lush green leaves, the little lights on the ground shining through their gaps to hit the ground.

It was such a huge tree, it would take four full-size adults to hug around its trunk. Xiaoya touched it, feeling the bark under her fingertips, "It looks like it could be hundreds of years old." Lifting her head, she gazed at the lush green leaves, the little lights on the ground shining through their gaps to hit the ground.

Not understanding, Xiaoya asked: "That kind of thing, shouldn't it be used to pray for your love to last forever? Why are they only praying for a safe and peaceful life?"

Xiaoya never expected for Lu Xiaobei to take her there, "Tongxin Town..."

For those past few days, this thought kept lingering in her mind without a rest, so much so it made her now ask: "Lu Xiaobei, do you like me?"

Xiaoya: "Yeah. Even though I asked my teacher for leave I couldn't dare tell my mom and dad. So, in order to avoid letting everything slip, I had to go through all the regular motions."

Tongxin Town

Lu Xiaobei squatted down as she did this, tying her shoe. Her movement where so smooth and swift, Xiaoya had little time to react.

"Hey, you should always wear your seatbelts when other people are driving." Lu Xiaobei then added, "I learned to drive at the end of the previous year while in the Netherlands, but I only got my license in this country last weekend. But I made sure to eventake the Grade Four examT/n: aka Subject 4, is the last (and not technically necessary) part of China's driving examination. Even passing the first two levels is a difficult, so there's some context. in order to drive you around safely. Are you moved now?"

Lu Xiaobei parked the car, walking with her into the town. "Do you like it?"

Not understanding, Xiaoya asked: "That kind of thing, shouldn't it be used to pray for your love to last forever? Why are they only praying for a safe and peaceful life?"

"Don't worry, I'm an excellent driver," Lu Xiaobei said to comfort her.

"Hey, you should always wear your seatbelts when other people are driving." Lu Xiaobei then added, "I learned to drive at the end of the previous year while in the Netherlands, but I only got my license in this country last weekend. But I made sure to eventake the Grade Four examT/n: aka Subject 4, is the last (and not technically necessary) part of China's driving examination. Even passing the first two levels is a difficult, so there's some context. in order to drive you around safely. Are you moved now?"

Lu Xiaobei started the car, while she answered, "I didn't buy it, I made it for you this morning before I came here. Last night, in the wee hours of the morning, I saw you were still messaging on Facebook, did you think I didn't know?"

With Xiaoya then asking: "Then can you explain it to me? If you do, I'll understand then."

"Aren't you going to ask me where I'm taking you? Aren't you scared you'll be sold?" Lu Xiaobei asked.

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Xiaoya slowed down, but she didn't bother tying them, instead saying: "I'll be careful, don't worry."

"Yeah, I do. I always wanted to come here," Xiaoya muttered.

Lu Xiaobei turned to look at her, replying, "Nope. I saw them this morning." Even through her sunglasses, Xiaoya could feel Lu Xiaobei's teasing.

Lifting her sunglasses, Lu Xiaobei asked in turn: "Why, gorgeous? Want me to open the door for you?"

Xiaoya never expected for Lu Xiaobei to take her there, "Tongxin Town..."

Lu Xiaobei took Xiaoya's hand, taking her for a stroll around the town.

Xiaoya never expected for Lu Xiaobei to take her there, "Tongxin Town..."

Lu Xiaobei simply turned the staring wheel, driving away from the city to the suburbs.

Xiaoya slowed down, but she didn't bother tying them, instead saying: "I'll be careful, don't worry."

It was still early, so only a few shops were open. So every time Xiaoya found an open shop, she looked as though she won a prize. But there was still not that many stores open, so not long after, they had already reached the end of the street.

"Aren't you going to ask me where I'm taking you? Aren't you scared you'll be sold?" Lu Xiaobei asked.

Holding her chin in her hands, Xiaoya said: "The way it is now is much better. I rather have fewer places on the street to have fun than for it to be crowded." Xiaoys dragged her fingers against the clear water, adding: "It's been so long since I last sat in a boat. The boats in the lake at the centre of the city back home look really fun, but they are way to expensive and there always so many people."

Lu Xiaobei parked the car, walking with her into the town. "Do you like it?"

Xiaoya slowed down, but she didn't bother tying them, instead saying: "I'll be careful, don't worry."

"Aren't you going to ask me where I'm taking you? Aren't you scared you'll be sold?" Lu Xiaobei asked.

Tongxin was only a half hour away from where she lived, but she had never been there, but she had heard it's name from time to time. The ancient town had small bridges built over its streams, a gathering of craftsmen selling on its commercial streets, never before seen local snacks, and uniquely styled homestays...

In response, Xiaoya half joked, "I'm not scared. If I'm with you, Captain, I wouldn't be scared even if we eloped."

Lu Xiaobei then stopped a small boat, then after negotiating with the boatman for the price, she and Xiaoya boarded the boat.

"No, no." Xiaoya opened the door herself and sat down, buckling her seatbelt, "It's just my first time riding in a sports car."

Lu Xiaobei: "When it gets closer to noon thing will start getting more lively."

"Is this what you meant by coming to pick me up?" Walking towards her, Xiaoya asked.

"Don't worry, I'm an excellent driver," Lu Xiaobei said to comfort her.

Lu Xiaobei started the car, while she answered, "I didn't buy it, I made it for you this morning before I came here. Last night, in the wee hours of the morning, I saw you were still messaging on Facebook, did you think I didn't know?"

The boatman: "You loving one person for you whole life, that sort of thing is your business and yours alone. What's that got to do with tying a name tag on a tree? Him loving you is only his business, it's possible he'll even tie a name tag for another girl, so will it be possible for the Tongxin Tree to promise all three people's love to last? The only thing that we have no control over is our health and our safety. That's the only thing we can pray to that old tree for."

"Hey, you should always wear your seatbelts when other people are driving." Lu Xiaobei then added, "I learned to drive at the end of the previous year while in the Netherlands, but I only got my license in this country last weekend. But I made sure to eventake the Grade Four examT/n: aka Subject 4, is the last (and not technically necessary) part of China's driving examination. Even passing the first two levels is a difficult, so there's some context. in order to drive you around safely. Are you moved now?"

Holding her chin in her hands, Xiaoya said: "The way it is now is much better. I rather have fewer places on the street to have fun than for it to be crowded." Xiaoys dragged her fingers against the clear water, adding: "It's been so long since I last sat in a boat. The boats in the lake at the centre of the city back home look really fun, but they are way to expensive and there always so many people."

Right then, there was only one thought in Xiaoya's head. Captain, why are you so god to me?

A sky seeming to be bathed in blue, a small town etched in antiquity, and a lake so clear it sparked like crystals. All Xiaoya could think of right then, was of this time... this place... was how close it was to being her paradise—the world of her dreams.

"The Tongxing Tree can help you live a long life, and if you two will it, you can love each other until you're old."

"No, no." Xiaoya opened the door herself and sat down, buckling her seatbelt, "It's just my first time riding in a sports car."

"The Tongxing Tree can help you live a long life, and if you two will it, you can love each other until you're old."

"The Tongxing Tree can help you live a long life, and if you two will it, you can love each other until you're old."

"...my god!" Xiaoya, wearing a book bag on her back, stood on the pavement while staring at Lu Xiaobei, who wasn't too far away, while shock was plastered on her face, her jaw dropped.

After they left the boat, Xiaoya saw that big tree at the end of the street, it made her curious, so she scampered over. As she did so, her shoes crunched over the fallen leaves.

Xiaoya slowed down, but she didn't bother tying them, instead saying: "I'll be careful, don't worry."

While they were on the boat ride, the boatman told them all about the town of Tongxin. "The commercial street at the centre of the town there, that's called Tongxin Street and it's the most prominent place here in our town. On that street, the sign outside the hundred-year-old shop there, that's sign is no lie, it's completely legitimate. The shop's been running for many years."

Boatman: "At the end of the street, there's also a tree called Tongxin Tree. They say that if a guy fancies himself a girl, he would head on down to the temple, get himself a wooden name tag and write down her name on it, tie a ribbon on it, then hang it right there on that tree. It's done to bless her and protect her all her life."

Xiaoya: "Yeah. Even though I asked my teacher for leave I couldn't dare tell my mom and dad. So, in order to avoid letting everything slip, I had to go through all the regular motions."

Xiaoya picked up the coffee, it was in a light brown nice-looking paper cup, and it had a sleeve around it to prevent her from burning her hands. She then asked, "Where did you buy this coffee? I thought you would've brought me milk tea."

The boatman then brought Xiaoya and Lu Xiaobei around the lake, when they got off the boat, Xiaoya smiled at the boatman and waved him goodbye, and Lu Xiaobei gave him an extra tip. At first the boatman thought she had given him the wrong amount of money so he tried to give it back to her but she explained: "It's money for boat ride and money for the stories. I didn't give the wrong amount. Thank you very much."

Lu Xiaobei took Xiaoya's hand, taking her for a stroll around the town.

Boatman: "At the end of the street, there's also a tree called Tongxin Tree. They say that if a guy fancies himself a girl, he would head on down to the temple, get himself a wooden name tag and write down her name on it, tie a ribbon on it, then hang it right there on that tree. It's done to bless her and protect her all her life."

Lu Xiaobei followed Xiaoya all the way under the Tongxin Tree.

Xiaoya never expected for Lu Xiaobei to take her there, "Tongxin Town..."

Xiaoya felt the cushion of the seat beneath her, as she held the coffee in her hand, unable to help from staring at Lu Xiaobei driving beside her while not at all able to fathom why she was doing such a crazy thing. Lu Xiaobei had her college entrance exams the next day, yet she came out to have a date with her. All of this, too, when she had especially been feeling nothing but restlessness for a reason she couldn't quite put into words.

The Township of Tongxin

Holding her chin in her hands, Xiaoya said: "The way it is now is much better. I rather have fewer places on the street to have fun than for it to be crowded." Xiaoys dragged her fingers against the clear water, adding: "It's been so long since I last sat in a boat. The boats in the lake at the centre of the city back home look really fun, but they are way to expensive and there always so many people."

Not understanding, Xiaoya asked: "That kind of thing, shouldn't it be used to pray for your love to last forever? Why are they only praying for a safe and peaceful life?"

A red sports car with upwards opening doors, a beautiful woman wearing sunglasses... in addition to the delicious looking cups of coffee, on that street—during peak early morning traffic—a peculiar scene was formed.

Xiaoya: "Yeah. Even though I asked my teacher for leave I couldn't dare tell my mom and dad. So, in order to avoid letting everything slip, I had to go through all the regular motions."

Lu Xiaobei squatted down as she did this, tying her shoe. Her movement where so smooth and swift, Xiaoya had little time to react.

Lu Xiaobei then noticed the stuffed school bag in Xiaoya's hands, asking, "Did you bring all your school books?"

Lu Xiaobei simply turned the staring wheel, driving away from the city to the suburbs.

A red sports car with upwards opening doors, a beautiful woman wearing sunglasses... in addition to the delicious looking cups of coffee, on that street—during peak early morning traffic—a peculiar scene was formed.

While they were on the boat ride, the boatman told them all about the town of Tongxin. "The commercial street at the centre of the town there, that's called Tongxin Street and it's the most prominent place here in our town. On that street, the sign outside the hundred-year-old shop there, that's sign is no lie, it's completely legitimate. The shop's been running for many years."

The boatman smiled, replying to her, "You're still young, you won't understand."

Xiaoya looked at Lu Xiaobei, who had remained silent all this while, feeling afraid that the joke she had just made ended up revealing her own inner thoughts. So, for a moment, she did not speak either.

After they left the boat, Xiaoya saw that big tree at the end of the street, it made her curious, so she scampered over. As she did so, her shoes crunched over the fallen leaves.

"Don't worry, I'm an excellent driver," Lu Xiaobei said to comfort her.

Lu Xiaobei followed Xiaoya all the way under the Tongxin Tree.

Xiaoya turned her gaze to Tongxin Street in the distance, saying: "That is true, it's all up to our own will."

N/A

"Yeah, I do. I always wanted to come here," Xiaoya muttered.

With Xiaoya then asking: "Then can you explain it to me? If you do, I'll understand then."

It was still early, so only a few shops were open. So every time Xiaoya found an open shop, she looked as though she won a prize. But there was still not that many stores open, so not long after, they had already reached the end of the street.

But Xiaoya grabbed the seatbelt stiffly, explaining, "No, it's not that. I just... don't usually like buckling these, some seatbelts are dirty, you know?" Hesitating once more, Xiaoya then added, "But... Captain, your birthday was only two months ago, and we meet up everyday apart from the weekends, so have you really gotten your driver's license already?"

Lifting her sunglasses, Lu Xiaobei asked in turn: "Why, gorgeous? Want me to open the door for you?"

The boatman: "You loving one person for you whole life, that sort of thing is your business and yours alone. What's that got to do with tying a name tag on a tree? Him loving you is only his business, it's possible he'll even tie a name tag for another girl, so will it be possible for the Tongxin Tree to promise all three people's love to last? The only thing that we have no control over is our health and our safety. That's the only thing we can pray to that old tree for."

It was such a huge tree, it would take four full-size adults to hug around its trunk. Xiaoya touched it, feeling the bark under her fingertips, "It looks like it could be hundreds of years old." Lifting her head, she gazed at the lush green leaves, the little lights on the ground shining through their gaps to hit the ground.

Lu Xiaobei turned to look at her, replying, "Nope. I saw them this morning." Even through her sunglasses, Xiaoya could feel Lu Xiaobei's teasing.

It was still early, so only a few shops were open. So every time Xiaoya found an open shop, she looked as though she won a prize. But there was still not that many stores open, so not long after, they had already reached the end of the street.

Lu Xiaobei squatted down as she did this, tying her shoe. Her movement where so smooth and swift, Xiaoya had little time to react.

Tongxin Town

"The Tongxing Tree can help you live a long life, and if you two will it, you can love each other until you're old."

Xiaoya looked at the name of the town inscribed boldly on the plaque, stunned.

"Aren't you going to ask me where I'm taking you? Aren't you scared you'll be sold?" Lu Xiaobei asked.

Xiaoya felt the cushion of the seat beneath her, as she held the coffee in her hand, unable to help from staring at Lu Xiaobei driving beside her while not at all able to fathom why she was doing such a crazy thing. Lu Xiaobei had her college entrance exams the next day, yet she came out to have a date with her. All of this, too, when she had especially been feeling nothing but restlessness for a reason she couldn't quite put into words.

The Township of Tongxin

Right then, there was only one thought in Xiaoya's head. Captain, why are you so god to me?

Lifting her sunglasses, Lu Xiaobei asked in turn: "Why, gorgeous? Want me to open the door for you?"

The Township of Tongxin

Xiaoya turned her gaze to Tongxin Street in the distance, saying: "That is true, it's all up to our own will."

Lu Xiaobei hurried after her, "Slow down a bit, your shoelaces are untied, be careful."

Lu Xiaobei simply turned the staring wheel, driving away from the city to the suburbs.

It was such a huge tree, it would take four full-size adults to hug around its trunk. Xiaoya touched it, feeling the bark under her fingertips, "It looks like it could be hundreds of years old." Lifting her head, she gazed at the lush green leaves, the little lights on the ground shining through their gaps to hit the ground.

The boatman then brought Xiaoya and Lu Xiaobei around the lake, when they got off the boat, Xiaoya smiled at the boatman and waved him goodbye, and Lu Xiaobei gave him an extra tip. At first the boatman thought she had given him the wrong amount of money so he tried to give it back to her but she explained: "It's money for boat ride and money for the stories. I didn't give the wrong amount. Thank you very much."

A sky seeming to be bathed in blue, a small town etched in antiquity, and a lake so clear it sparked like crystals. All Xiaoya could think of right then, was of this time... this place... was how close it was to being her paradise—the world of her dreams.

The boatman: "You loving one person for you whole life, that sort of thing is your business and yours alone. What's that got to do with tying a name tag on a tree? Him loving you is only his business, it's possible he'll even tie a name tag for another girl, so will it be possible for the Tongxin Tree to promise all three people's love to last? The only thing that we have no control over is our health and our safety. That's the only thing we can pray to that old tree for."

"Don't worry, I'm an excellent driver," Lu Xiaobei said to comfort her.

The boatman: "You loving one person for you whole life, that sort of thing is your business and yours alone. What's that got to do with tying a name tag on a tree? Him loving you is only his business, it's possible he'll even tie a name tag for another girl, so will it be possible for the Tongxin Tree to promise all three people's love to last? The only thing that we have no control over is our health and our safety. That's the only thing we can pray to that old tree for."

A red sports car with upwards opening doors, a beautiful woman wearing sunglasses... in addition to the delicious looking cups of coffee, on that street—during peak early morning traffic—a peculiar scene was formed.

...huh?! What did she just say?!

A red sports car with upwards opening doors, a beautiful woman wearing sunglasses... in addition to the delicious looking cups of coffee, on that street—during peak early morning traffic—a peculiar scene was formed.

After they left the boat, Xiaoya saw that big tree at the end of the street, it made her curious, so she scampered over. As she did so, her shoes crunched over the fallen leaves.

Xiaoya: "Yeah. Even though I asked my teacher for leave I couldn't dare tell my mom and dad. So, in order to avoid letting everything slip, I had to go through all the regular motions."

"...my god!" Xiaoya, wearing a book bag on her back, stood on the pavement while staring at Lu Xiaobei, who wasn't too far away, while shock was plastered on her face, her jaw dropped.

But Xiaoya grabbed the seatbelt stiffly, explaining, "No, it's not that. I just... don't usually like buckling these, some seatbelts are dirty, you know?" Hesitating once more, Xiaoya then added, "But... Captain, your birthday was only two months ago, and we meet up everyday apart from the weekends, so have you really gotten your driver's license already?"

But Xiaoya grabbed the seatbelt stiffly, explaining, "No, it's not that. I just... don't usually like buckling these, some seatbelts are dirty, you know?" Hesitating once more, Xiaoya then added, "But... Captain, your birthday was only two months ago, and we meet up everyday apart from the weekends, so have you really gotten your driver's license already?"

"Yeah, I do. I always wanted to come here," Xiaoya muttered.

Right then, there was only one thought in Xiaoya's head. Captain, why are you so god to me?

Lu Xiaobei took Xiaoya's hand, taking her for a stroll around the town.

Lu Xiaobei hurried after her, "Slow down a bit, your shoelaces are untied, be careful."

Xiaoya turned her gaze to Tongxin Street in the distance, saying: "That is true, it's all up to our own will."

Xiaoya slowed down, but she didn't bother tying them, instead saying: "I'll be careful, don't worry."

Lu Xiaobei then noticed the stuffed school bag in Xiaoya's hands, asking, "Did you bring all your school books?"

Lu Xiaobei squatted down as she did this, tying her shoe. Her movement where so smooth and swift, Xiaoya had little time to react.

It was still early, so only a few shops were open. So every time Xiaoya found an open shop, she looked as though she won a prize. But there was still not that many stores open, so not long after, they had already reached the end of the street.

"The Tongxing Tree can help you live a long life, and if you two will it, you can love each other until you're old."

The boatman smiled, replying to her, "You're still young, you won't understand."

Lu Xiaobei followed Xiaoya all the way under the Tongxin Tree.

Lifting her sunglasses, Lu Xiaobei asked in turn: "Why, gorgeous? Want me to open the door for you?"

Not understanding, Xiaoya asked: "That kind of thing, shouldn't it be used to pray for your love to last forever? Why are they only praying for a safe and peaceful life?"

Lifting her sunglasses, Lu Xiaobei asked in turn: "Why, gorgeous? Want me to open the door for you?"

It was such a huge tree, it would take four full-size adults to hug around its trunk. Xiaoya touched it, feeling the bark under her fingertips, "It looks like it could be hundreds of years old." Lifting her head, she gazed at the lush green leaves, the little lights on the ground shining through their gaps to hit the ground.

Xiaoya: "I'm moved by Captain's beautiful and flirtatious words. It's good you can drive."

It was such a huge tree, it would take four full-size adults to hug around its trunk. Xiaoya touched it, feeling the bark under her fingertips, "It looks like it could be hundreds of years old." Lifting her head, she gazed at the lush green leaves, the little lights on the ground shining through their gaps to hit the ground.

N/A

Xiaoya: "I'm moved by Captain's beautiful and flirtatious words. It's good you can drive."

Xiaoya felt the cushion of the seat beneath her, as she held the coffee in her hand, unable to help from staring at Lu Xiaobei driving beside her while not at all able to fathom why she was doing such a crazy thing. Lu Xiaobei had her college entrance exams the next day, yet she came out to have a date with her. All of this, too, when she had especially been feeling nothing but restlessness for a reason she couldn't quite put into words.

Lu Xiaobei squatted down as she did this, tying her shoe. Her movement where so smooth and swift, Xiaoya had little time to react.

Tongxin Town

Xiaoya felt the cushion of the seat beneath her, as she held the coffee in her hand, unable to help from staring at Lu Xiaobei driving beside her while not at all able to fathom why she was doing such a crazy thing. Lu Xiaobei had her college entrance exams the next day, yet she came out to have a date with her. All of this, too, when she had especially been feeling nothing but restlessness for a reason she couldn't quite put into words.

For those past few days, this thought kept lingering in her mind without a rest, so much so it made her now ask: "Lu Xiaobei, do you like me?"

Xiaoya slowed down, but she didn't bother tying them, instead saying: "I'll be careful, don't worry."

"The Tongxing Tree can help you live a long life, and if you two will it, you can love each other until you're old."

"...my god!" Xiaoya, wearing a book bag on her back, stood on the pavement while staring at Lu Xiaobei, who wasn't too far away, while shock was plastered on her face, her jaw dropped.

Lu Xiaobei squatted down as she did this, tying her shoe. Her movement where so smooth and swift, Xiaoya had little time to react.

Right then, there was only one thought in Xiaoya's head. Captain, why are you so god to me?

After they left the boat, Xiaoya saw that big tree at the end of the street, it made her curious, so she scampered over. As she did so, her shoes crunched over the fallen leaves.

"Is this what you meant by coming to pick me up?" Walking towards her, Xiaoya asked.

Lu Xiaobei: "The coffee on the left is yours. I put matcha in it, you'll like it."

Boatman: "At the end of the street, there's also a tree called Tongxin Tree. They say that if a guy fancies himself a girl, he would head on down to the temple, get himself a wooden name tag and write down her name on it, tie a ribbon on it, then hang it right there on that tree. It's done to bless her and protect her all her life."

Lu Xiaobei: "When it gets closer to noon thing will start getting more lively."

For those past few days, this thought kept lingering in her mind without a rest, so much so it made her now ask: "Lu Xiaobei, do you like me?"

Xiaoya felt the cushion of the seat beneath her, as she held the coffee in her hand, unable to help from staring at Lu Xiaobei driving beside her while not at all able to fathom why she was doing such a crazy thing. Lu Xiaobei had her college entrance exams the next day, yet she came out to have a date with her. All of this, too, when she had especially been feeling nothing but restlessness for a reason she couldn't quite put into words.

"Hey, you should always wear your seatbelts when other people are driving." Lu Xiaobei then added, "I learned to drive at the end of the previous year while in the Netherlands, but I only got my license in this country last weekend. But I made sure to eventake the Grade Four examT/n: aka Subject 4, is the last (and not technically necessary) part of China's driving examination. Even passing the first two levels is a difficult, so there's some context. in order to drive you around safely. Are you moved now?"

The boatman smiled, replying to her, "You're still young, you won't understand."

Right then, there was only one thought in Xiaoya's head. Captain, why are you so god to me?

...huh?! What did she just say?!

...huh?! What did she just say?!

Lu Xiaobei parked the car, walking with her into the town. "Do you like it?"

Holding her chin in her hands, Xiaoya said: "The way it is now is much better. I rather have fewer places on the street to have fun than for it to be crowded." Xiaoys dragged her fingers against the clear water, adding: "It's been so long since I last sat in a boat. The boats in the lake at the centre of the city back home look really fun, but they are way to expensive and there always so many people."

Tongxin Town

The boatman then brought Xiaoya and Lu Xiaobei around the lake, when they got off the boat, Xiaoya smiled at the boatman and waved him goodbye, and Lu Xiaobei gave him an extra tip. At first the boatman thought she had given him the wrong amount of money so he tried to give it back to her but she explained: "It's money for boat ride and money for the stories. I didn't give the wrong amount. Thank you very much."

Lu Xiaobei squatted down as she did this, tying her shoe. Her movement where so smooth and swift, Xiaoya had little time to react.

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