27: Chapter 27 Where does the rising tide go? A faint mist floats on the riverbank.

The sun hid behind the clouds as if shy, and a light drizzle began to fall from the sky.

Though the rain was light, the temperature dropped sharply, and a white mist gradually began to drift over the surface of the river.

The two people strolling along the banks of the Tuo River opened their oil-paper umbrellas.

A breeze blew past, carrying a fine drizzle that sent a slight chill through them.

"Wait for me."

Yang Shiguang handed the oil-paper umbrella to Bai Mengxi and, under her puzzled gaze, ran into a shop by the roadside.

Before long, Yang Shiguang ran back.

He folded a white shawl embroidered with a nightingale, then gently draped it over Bai Mengxi's shoulders, covering her exposed, smooth skin.

He then took back the oil-paper umbrella, ran to stand directly in front of Bai Mengxi, and looked her up and down.

"Not bad, looks pretty and keeps you warm."

"Oh my, why are you buying me things again? I won't be able to pay you back."

Bai Mengxi pouted playfully, though a happy smile graced her lips as she took a few quick strides to catch up to Yang Shiguang's side.

Hearing this, Yang Shiguang chuckled and said:

"Haha, I never asked you to pay me back. Aren't I your Brother?"

Bai Mengxi pursed her lips and looked at him:

"You're impossible, using the same excuse twice."

"I'm going to make you pay it back, you know. I've written it all down in my little notebook—the daily necessities from last night, and this thing today."

"Wait until I get to college and get a part-time job to pay you back. I'm very capable, you know!"

Yang Shiguang looked at the stubborn girl and said helplessly:

"Fine, fine, you're the most capable. The cold wind blows in the electronics factory, and the masters return to the assembly line."

"I'll be waiting then. When I go bankrupt, I'll be counting on you to support me."

Hearing this, Bai Mengxi raised her fist and tapped Yang Shiguang lightly.

"Pah, pah, pah! Who curses themselves like that?"

Yang Shiguang thought for a moment and said:

"But you can't return the bracelet, and I don't want your money either. If you don't agree to that, don't blame me for not acknowledging you as my little sister."

Bai Mengxi pouted again.

"Oh…"

The drizzle continued as the crowds on the bluestone paths along the banks of the Tuo River gradually thinned.

Slowly, only two figures remained—one in white and one in black—strolling through the white mist under a light green oil-paper umbrella until they stopped at the Xue Bridge.

The Xue Bridge was the most famous of the four bridges in the ancient city of Fenghuang—'Wind,' 'Snow,' 'Rain,' and 'Mist'—in later generations.

Of course, it wasn't that famous yet; it needed a few more years to settle, only becoming widely known after it served as a filming location for Chinese Paladin 3.

But that didn't detract from its beauty. The Xue Bridge was divided into two levels: the lower level was a straight walkway, and the upper level was an arched viewing platform. The top of the bridge featured pavilion corridors with upturned eaves, while the underside had scattered openings of various sizes, making the water flowing through it look as gentle as the tenderness of a Jiangnan beauty.

Now, with the thin mist rising, the bridge loomed in and out of sight, like something out of a fairyland.

The scene left both of them feeling refreshed and relaxed.

Bai Mengxi ran happily toward the middle of the bridge. Fearing she might trip, Yang Shiguang called out:

"Mengxi, slow down…"

Before he could finish, Bai Mengxi turned slightly and glanced back at him.

Her hair fluttered, tangling with the mist like floating silk. Her willow-leaf eyebrows arched slightly, and her eyes shimmered like the first light of a galaxy.

Her cheeks were flushed with a hint of peach-blossom wine, her lips curved into a smile, and her unadorned face was fairer than the snow, with even her breath seeming to carry the fragrance of sweet osmanthus.

As she turned, the shawl rose and fell like flowing sleeves. She crossed her arms over her chest and twirled the oil-paper umbrella with her fingers, the handle resting against her shoulder and the canopy framing her graceful figure. Her white skirt brushed through the mist, creating ripples as if a fairy from the Moon Palace had lightly stepped into the mortal world.

It was like a scene from an ink wash painting, full of classical charm, and Yang Shiguang was entranced.

Sensing Yang Shiguang's entranced yet gentle gaze, Bai Mengxi smiled brightly.

...

After dinner, the two walked along the bluestone path toward the pier.

The drizzle was like a little girl's temper—it came and went quickly—and had already stopped, leaving the streets bustling with more people.

The pier was bustling with activity in the evening.

There were vendors selling local snacks.

"Xizhou specialty rice tofu!"

"Ginger candy, ginger candy, sweet and warming!"

There were also various performances.

In particular, a dance performance on the water caught their eyes.

A girl dressed in a traditional red ethnic dress was dancing gracefully on a small boat in the river.

Unfortunately, there were too many people watching from the shore. Yang Shiguang might have been able to squeeze in, but the introverted and shy Bai Mengxi likely wouldn't have been able to.

So, after getting a rough look, they turned to leave.

"Does Brother like watching dancing?"

Hearing Bai Mengxi's sudden question, Yang Shiguang was caught off guard for a moment before replying:

"Of course. Beauty… who doesn't enjoy appreciating art?"

Bai Mengxi's pretty face flushed slightly.

"Um, I can do that too. I can dance for Brother."

She looked around and then added:

"Not now, though. There are too many people, I'm shy. Maybe when it's just you…"

"Hahaha, okay! My little sister would definitely dance better than her."

Just then, a roar erupted from nearby.

They looked over to see a group of young men in slippers appearing in a small plaza.

Seeing this, a sudden sense of déjà vu washed over Yang Shiguang, and his toes began to curl in embarrassment.

One of the chubby guys was pointing at the sky and roaring:

"Everyone, eyes on me! I have an announcement! I'm an idiot!"

Turning to the other side, a bald man held a can of beer.

"From now on, the wind hasn't blown! The rain hasn't fallen! As for this place called my heart! You've never been here! Ah~~~~~~"

Yang Shiguang's eye twitched, as if ghost peppers had gotten into his eyes. But it wasn't over yet.

"From now on, I don't ask for eternity, I'll go it alone and be a stylish rogue, remember these four words, listen up!..."

Yang Shiguang felt his sleeve being tugged. He turned to see Bai Mengxi looking at him with a puzzled expression.

"Brother, is this some new kind of urban art?"

Yang Shiguang shook his head and sighed.

"I don't know if it's art, but Mengxi, I think I can finally understand the Mayans."

"Huh?"

"If I had predicted stuff like this, I would have thought it was the end of the world too."

Hearing this, Bai Mengxi burst into laughter.

To prevent this pure, innocent girl from being corrupted by such strange things, Yang Shiguang took her to the pier and bought two boat tickets.

"Be careful, hold my hand as you step up."

Yang Shiguang boarded the small boat first and reached out to pull Bai Mengxi up.

Even though the atmosphere between them was very harmonious, the girl still blushed shyly at any physical contact.

They were lucky; there weren't many people taking boats at the moment, so they had the boat all to themselves.

They walked to the stern and sat side by side, and Yang Shiguang signaled the boatman to set off.

The oars dipped into the water, creating gentle ripples. The small boat moved away from the shore and drifted toward the center of the river.

The bustling noise of the shore faded into the distance, and their world returned to tranquility.

A gentle breeze caressed them, and the water shimmered.

"Are you having a good time?"

"Mm-hmm, very much so."

Bai Mengxi offered a soft smile.

The night was cool, and Bai Mengxi tightened the shawl tied across her chest.

It was warm—a warmth that flowed from her heart, dispelling the chill from her body from the inside out.

"Brother, thank you…"

"Haha, you're welcome. I had a great time too, having you here with me."

Hearing this, Bai Mengxi looked at Yang Shiguang, who was gazing out at the river. She closed her beautiful eyes slightly and shook her head.

Thank you. This is the first day I've truly been happy since I was thirteen.

Thank you for being the light that illuminated my life.

Unfortunately, time is ruthless, and the moment for Yang Shiguang to leave was drawing near.

Where does the morning tide rise, a faint mist drifts over the riverbanks.