Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation
Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Another day of military training had ended.
After the boys had dinner together at the cafeteria, Luo Ziling impulsively decided to take a walk at Wuming Lake, as it was still light out after he took a shower.
He had no idea why he suddenly wanted to walk along Wuming Lake. Perhaps he had something to look forward to.
The sky had not darkened yet, and Wuming Lake was still silent and beautiful as before. However, Luo Ziling was not there to enjoy the scenery like the last time he came. He trotted towards the lake, as though there was someone waiting for him.
Before he even reached the lake, he heard the sound of a bamboo flute.
Although the sound came and went, Luo Ziling could still tell that it was coming from a xiao (T/N: Chinese vertical end-blown flute), and that the person playing it was quite skilled.
Hearing the sound of the xiao made Luo Ziling extremely excited. Without any hesitation, he followed the path to where the sound was coming from.
His grandfather, Luo Liansheng, was excellent at playing both the xiao and the dizi (T/N: Chinese transverse flute). Luo Ziling had learned those skills from his grandfather and could play both instruments well.
But what he was interested in right now wasn’t how skillful the performance was, but where the person playing it was.
As he walked along the path, following the sound, it became clearer and more melodious.
Luo Ziling soon realized that the song the person was playing was a masterpiece called Bijian Liuquan. It was composed based on the artistic conception depicted by Tang Dynasty poet Wang Wei in ‘Life in the Mountains on an Autumn Evening’.
Here in the hollow of the mountains,
Autumn-like is the weather in the evening.
Through pines, the moon, so bright, casts its shine.
Over rocks and stones murmurs spring water, so pure and clean.
Through the bamboo groves return ladies finished with their laundering.
Fishing boats are lowered into the waters, stirring lotus flowers and leaves.
Spring pasture lingers on, taking its time before the season turns.
Noblemen sauntering through are welcome to stay on for keeps.
Many people yearn for the artistic conception shown in this famous poem. When it was expressed in the form of music, another feeling was invoked.
The melodious xiao sounded like autumn whispering to others, and there was a slight melancholy despite its cheerfulness.
There was a summer house beside the path. Luo Ziling was sure that the sound of the xiao was coming from there. He did not hesitate and headed towards it.
When he approached the summer house, Luo Ziling was surprised to not see anyone there. The music stopped abruptly and did not continue, so he had nothing to follow.
After hesitating for a while, Luo Ziling walked past the summer house. He subconsciously wandered along the grass at the lakeside, going to the direction of the lush willow trees.
As he passed through two willow trees, a white shadow suddenly appeared in front of the winter jasmines which were covered by the willow branches.
It was a tall woman in a white dress. Her long hair hung behind her and the xiao was placed on her back. Standing between the two willow trees, she looked at the lake dreamily. Her dress and long hair fluttered in the blowing wind.
It was now dusk. There were faint colours of the sun in the sky and its glow appeared on the lake’s surface. The woman in a white dress that fluttered in the wind stood under the shade created by the waving willow branches. The whole scene was graceful but blurry. It was like a dream.
Luo Ziling’s heart could not help thumping wildly.
As if she had heard or felt that someone had arrived, the girl at the lakeside slowly turned her head when Luo Ziling stopped in his tracks. In an instant, the two faced each other.
She was the girl he had met by chance the other day. With the same makeup and attire, she was still graceful and beautiful. Luo Ziling was stunned again.
Recognizing him, the girl smiled before turning back to face the lake.
“I was drawn to the sound of the flute,” said Luo Ziling.
Walking to the willow tree to stand beside the girl, he took a deep breath and laughed.
“Here in the hollow of the mountains, Autumn-like is the weather in the evening. Through pines, the moon, so bright, casts its shine. Over rocks and stones murmurs spring water, so pure and clean. It’s quite a pity as there are no mountains and moon here. It never rains at Wuming Lake either. Some artistic conception is lacking.”
The girl in white did not answer, but only looked at him silently. She maintained her graceful and gentle demeanor.
“Did I disturb you?” Luo Ziling turned his head and looked at the pretty girl. “If I disturbed you, I will take my leave now.”
She continued to be silent and just looked at Luo Ziling with her big, beautiful eyes. There was a hint of a smile in her eyes.
Hence, Luo Ziling did not speak anymore. He kept his gaze fixed on her.
Blushing slightly, the girl lowered her head and avoided his gaze. She then raised it back up and smiled, before finally speaking, “I have just learned the song. However, I love the emotions in it.”
She was at least 5’7” tall and had delicate facial features. Her neck was long and her fingers were slender. Luo Ziling used to think that the woman in the photo he had was gorgeous. Yet, he now thought that the girl currently in front of him was more attractive.
The woman in the photo always maintained the same expression. She was not as lively as the girl in front of him.
Ouyang Feifei was pretty too. If both their appearances were compared, she did not fare worse than the girl. But to Luo Ziling, Ouyang Feifei was not that gorgeous as she rarely smiled and always kept a poker face.
He had always thought that women who love to smile were the most beautiful.
A beauty’s smile could easily attract many men and make their souls take flight—just like what had just happened to him. Luo Ziling felt his heart pumping crazily. The indescribable feeling grew even stronger.
Luo Ziling took a deep breath and chuckled in delight. “I love the song too. I started learning it when I was ten. My grandfather taught me. It can be regarded as my favourite classical song.”
“Can I hear you play a song?” asked the girl with her head tilted. She smiled, showing her white, neat teeth.
That smile made Luo Ziling’s heart beat even faster.
“I’ll bring my dizi tomorrow,” he said, boldly looking at the girl. “Right here. Will… you come?”
She did not say anything, merely smiled slightly and nodded her head. The two of them smiled as they looked at each other. Neither one looked away.
Suddenly, the wind blew, making the girl shiver and frown slightly.
“It’s dark now. You should head back,” said Luo Ziling, pointing at the darkened surroundings. “It’s autumn so the humidity is high. Be careful not to catch a cold.”
Luo Ziling could tell that the girl was a bit weak and not in good physical condition. Plus, she was only wearing thin clothes. If she continued to stay there, she might catch a cold.
“Yes, I am feeling cold anyway,” replied the girl. She finally looked away and stared at the ground. “I’ll be leaving now.”
Her body was weak and she was afraid of catching a cold. Not to mention that she had not had her dinner. Her original plan was to leave after playing a song by the lakeside, as it was a nighttime dating spot for couples. She would have already left if Luo Ziling had not come.
Though she had spoken those words, she did not move or even take a single step. She smiled at Luo Ziling, waiting for him to ask another question.
He would definitely ask her something, she was sure of it. Just as she had been sure that he would come looking for her today.
There was no reason for her thoughts. They just somehow came to her mind.
If he asked, she would answer—she would answer no matter what he asked.
“Luo Ziling,” he said, delightfully speaking his name and explaining the actual meaning.
“Yang Qingyin,” replied the girl, revealing her name before finally walking away.
Luo Ziling did not ask for her phone number or any other contact method. This made her feel a little regretful. Nevertheless, she thought that it should remain that way.
After she had walked a few steps away, she stopped. She turned her head and smiled at Luo Ziling again.
The beauty in her smile was truly indescribable.
A smile that could charm a city, the same smile that could charm a nation. It was like the beautiful sentences handed down from the ancient times were written for her.f
Luo Ziling’s heart thumped rapidly again after seeing her charming smile.