Lu Zhanyuan walked into the guest room, his gaze wandering slowly around the interior as he took everything in.
Seeing the pristine, picture-perfect cleanliness of the room, he nodded with slight satisfaction, silently approving of the carefully arranged space.
"Mochou, let's go sit over there for a while!"
Pointing toward a small, exquisite tea table near the window, Lu Zhanyuan said to Li Mochou with a flicker of anticipation in his eyes.
"All right, Brother Lu. Let's go sit over there for a bit!" Li Mochou replied in a soft voice.
Taking her hand, Lu Zhanyuan led her toward the tea table, and the two of them settled onto the soft straw cushions on the floor like a pair of homeward-bound birds.
At that moment, the bright moonlight spilled like a silver veil gently over the couple as they snuggled close together.
The white paper pasted over the window fluttered lightly in the gentle breeze like a spirited little sprite, seemingly dancing along to celebrate the reunion of the two lovers.
"Mochou, do you know?"
In a low, magnetic voice, Lu Zhanyuan said, "Meeting you among tens of thousands of people and winning your favor still feels like a dream to me even now! I still remember the very beginning, when I caught a single glimpse of you in the crowd, and in that instant, everything else around us paled into insignificance."
Li Mochou leaned gently against Lu Zhanyuan's embrace like a docile kitten, resting her head firmly against his solid chest.
"Brother Lu, the moment I first saw you, I noticed your unique demeanor. What's more, you were the very first person ever to tell me I was pretty! I loved the feeling of talking with you, and even then, I wanted to chat with you much longer."
"Mochou, you know what? Your smile is truly breathtaking, as gorgeous as the most brilliant flowers blooming in spring!"
As he spoke, Lu Zhanyuan's arms tightened involuntarily, pulling Li Mochou even closer.
"Mochou, every smile, every expression, and every movement of yours sets my heart aflutter. To be able to walk hand in hand with you now is the greatest blessing bestowed upon me by the heavens. I will cherish it dearly and spend the rest of my life guarding this hard-earned bond, ensuring you never suffer even the slightest grievance."
Hearing these deeply affectionate words from Lu Zhanyuan, Li Mochou bit her lower lip, a shy flush spreading across her cheeks like the rosy evening clouds—as beautiful as she was moving.
"Brother Lu, it was your sincerity and persistence that touched me, and it made me realize that master wasn't entirely right when she said all men are liars!"
"Mochou, the road ahead may be full of unknowns, but as long as you are by my side, I have nothing to fear." Lowering his head, Lu Zhanyuan gazed into Li Mochou's eyes with a tenderness as deep as a tranquil lake.
"Brother Lu, I too am willing to share weal and woe with you, accompanying you through this lifetime, never to be parted." Li Mochou raised her head slightly as well, her eyes as gentle as water as she looked back at Lu Zhanyuan.
Their gazes met in midair. At that moment, they saw only each other in the entire world, their eyes brimming with profound affection and longing, as if they could gaze straight through each other's eyes into the depths of their souls.
Their hearts slowly drew closer together. With every fraction of an inch they closed the distance, their heartbeats quickened by a beat, echoing like the roll of passionate drums within their chests to play the melody of love.
Finally, as their faces gradually drew near, their lips brushed gently against one another.
Their kiss carried boundless tenderness and devotion, like a pair of soft feathers gently intertwining.
They embraced tightly, as though wanting to melt each other into their very flesh and bone, making this single moment eternal. Time seemed to stand still, and the whole world was immersed in the warmth of their love.
……
"Knock... knock..."
"Patron, the hot water you requested is ready. Shall I bring it in now?" The waiter's voice from outside shattered the tranquility.
Holding his beloved in his arms and enjoying a moment of warmth, Lu Zhanyuan frowned slightly, looking somewhat reluctant to be disturbed.
He called out toward the door, "Wait a moment!" Then he pulled Li Mochou to her feet.
After straightening their clothes, Lu Zhanyuan stepped forward and pulled the door open.
"Waiter, bring the water in! The room next door is empty, just take it straight in there!"
"Very well, patron!" the waiter replied.
Once the waiter had finished fetching the water and left, Lu Zhanyuan looked at Li Mochou and said:
"Mochou, it's getting late. You should wash up and go to sleep!"
A trace of concern and reluctance lingered in his eyes. "I'll head back to my room for now, and tomorrow I'll take you out for a proper stroll!"
"Mm, Brother Lu, then tomorrow we can go explore some other towns!" Li Mochou replied.
"Alright!"
After closing the door for Li Mochou, Lu Zhanyuan returned to his own room.
Once he had finished bathing, he lay down on the bed, staring blankly up at the ceiling. His thoughts drifted far away; he didn't know what he was thinking, just quietly staring into space.
"Brother Lu was right—master has never even laid eyes on a man; she simply got a lot of wrong ideas from Founder Grannys!"
In the room next door, Li Mochou lay in bed with a silly, besotted smile on her face, letting her mind dwell on the events of the day.
"Men aren't vicious monsters after all; they aren't that terrifying. Not all men are liars—at least, my Brother Lu isn't!"
Waking up the next morning, Lu Zhanyuan took Li Mochou by the hand and continued wandering leisurely through the town.
"Candied... haws... on a... stick..." came the peddler's cry from afar.
"Brother Lu, what are those candied haws?" Li Mochou tilted her head like a curious child, looking at Lu Zhanyuan beside her.
"Mochou, these candied haws are a kind of snack, sweet and sour!" Lu Zhanyuan explained with patient forbearance. "Want to try some?"
"Mm!" Li Mochou nodded, anticipation sparkling in her eyes.
"Come on, let's go buy a stick to taste!"
Leading Li Mochou by the hand up to the candied-haw peddler, Lu Zhanyuan handed over a few copper coins he had fished out at the inn.
"Give me a stick of candied haws!"
"Coming right up! Here you are, please hold on to it!" Taking a copper coin from Lu Zhanyuan's hand, the peddler passed over a stick of candied haws.
"Well? Is it good?"
Lu Zhanyuan held the candied haws up to Li Mochou's lips so she could take a bite.
"Mm, it really is sweet and sour—delicious!"
Gazing affectionately at Lu Zhanyuan, Li Mochou said, "Brother Lu, you should have a bite too!"
"Alright!"
Lu Zhanyuan picked up the candied haws and bit straight into the foremost piece.
"Ha-ha..."
Seeing what Lu Zhanyuan had done, Li Mochou couldn't help laughing. "Brother Lu, why did you eat the whole thing in one bite!"
"I like eating big pieces!" Lu Zhanyuan explained with a smile.
"Come on, Mochou, why don't you try eating a whole one in a single bite too?"
"Ah!"
Li Mochou looked startled. "It's so big, how am I supposed to eat that?"
"Don't be afraid. Just open your mouth wide and bite down on it!"
Encouraged by Lu Zhanyuan, Li Mochou tried taking an entire candied haw in one bite.
"Mmph... mmph..."
Struggling to open her mouth wide, she bit down on the candied haw, looking utterly adorable.
"Ha-ha..." Lu Zhanyuan couldn't help laughing at the sight of her.
The morning sun cast its rays upon their two gradually receding figures, wrapping them as if in a garment of golden gauze.
The bustling noise of the street failed to drown out their joyous laughter; instead, it served like a cheerful background melody, adding a lively atmosphere to their happiness.
Lu Zhanyuan led Li Mochou around to wander aimlessly through the market.
Whenever Li Mochou spotted some novel and unusual item, she would pepper Lu Zhanyuan with questions.
Lu Zhanyuan would patiently explain things to her, taking the opportunity to teach her a few matters of common sense.
"Mochou, did you understand everything I just said?"
"Brother Lu, I know all of it. Don't worry, I'll definitely remember!"
"Mm, as long as you understand. The most important point among them is—unless the other party is an enemy, you cannot just go around killing people at will!"
"Alright, alright, Brother Lu!"
Li Mochou said with helpless resignation, "Just set your mind at ease. You've already said it eight hundred times—I've got it locked firmly in my heart!"
"I'm so hurt, Mochou. You're actually starting to be annoyed by me already!" Lu Zhanyuan feigned a heartbroken expression as he looked at Li Mochou.
Flustered, Li Mochou looked at Lu Zhanyuan's sorrowful face and eagerly protested:
"Brother Lu, no, I'm not annoyed with you! I just wanted to let you know that I've already remembered it!"
"Ha-ha..."
Seeing that Li Mochou had taken him seriously, Lu Zhanyuan didn't dare keep up the act. Laughing, he bolted forward.
"Little silly, I was just teasing you!"
"Oh, so that's how it is, Lu Zhanyuan! Men really are all liars after all!"
Indignant, Li Mochou glared at Lu Zhanyuan ahead of her.
"Lu Zhanyuan, you stop right there! Don't run! Just wait till I catch you, I'll show you!"
"Ha-ha, come catch me then! If you want to show me, you can talk about it after you catch me!"
The morning sun shone down upon their chasing, playful figures, lending a warm hue to the street.