Chapter 38: The Little General Is Already the Best, No Need to Compare with Anyone Else

Chapter 38: The Little General Is Already the Best, No Need to Compare with Anyone Else

Gao Wenyan inquired around and learned that her friend was meeting others at the Ten-Li Lotus Pond.

Wen Zishu traveled extensively across various countries, broadening his horizons. His friends ranged from royalty to bandits, distributed widely.

He could engage in lively conversation with a seventy-year-old man and befriend a three-year-old child—a truly remarkable individual.

Gao Wenyan had long guessed he would be in Zhihe City and had already sent a messenger ahead.

Lotus flowers bloomed on both sides of the narrow path. Every mile, there was a small pavilion for rest.

Though the lotus pond was vast, the middle path was only wide enough for three people. With so many people passing by, collisions were inevitable.

To avoid one such collision, Gao Wenyan bumped into Chu Xu again.

She couldn't help but ask, "Would you like to switch positions?"

Having practiced martial arts since childhood, she had a steady stance and wouldn't easily be knocked off balance.

While asking him, Gao Wenyan momentarily lost sight of what was ahead and nearly collided with someone rushing past.

Chu Xu subtly pulled her closer to himself and replied, "No need."

"Just be careful not to fall into the water."

Seeing her serious expression, Chu Xu felt a pang of frustration. How did she perceive him as so frail?

Thinking that she wouldn't view Lin Yishan this way, Chu Xu felt a twinge of jealousy.

He kept a watchful eye on their surroundings, knowing that accidents were more likely in crowded areas.

"With so many people here, how will you find your old friend?"

Although Chu Xu knew she was looking for a friend, he had never asked who it was.

Gao Wenyan gave him a reassuring look.

"Find where it's most lively, and you'll find the person."

As she spoke, laughter echoed from the pavilion ahead.

Gao Wenyan's eyes lit up.

She exclaimed happily, "Look! Speak of the devil, and he appears."

Wen Zishu was surrounded by a group, vividly recounting his travels from last month.

"So I made a makeshift raft and floated all the way to Fuxian Cliff."

"Do you know..."

Just as he reached the exciting part, he paused and waved enthusiastically at Gao Wenyan.

"You guys continue talking, continue talking."

"Hey! Don't go!"

"At least finish your story!"

Ignoring their calls, he ran straight to Gao Wenyan.

Reaching her, he was overjoyed.

"Wenyan! You've kept me waiting!"

"Shh."

Gao Wenyan smiled and reminded him.

"I'm Miss You Shuang now."

"Yes, yes, You Shuang!"

"Under the moonlight, frost shines bright."

"Good name, good name."

These literati are truly skilled; they can make any name sound elegant.

"This is my traveling companion, Yan Chu, Young Master Yan."

Only then did Wen Zishu notice Chu Xu and greeted him warmly.

"Pleased to meet you! Pleased to meet you!"

Unexpectedly, his smile froze upon seeing Chu Xu.

Chu Xu's eyes remained calm and unbothered.

Unaware of the tension, Gao Wenyan continued introducing Chu Xu.

"Zishu has vowed to travel the world, and his experiences are quite fascinating."

"Just some stories."

Wen Zishu nodded with a smile, avoiding Chu Xu's gaze.

"Let's go. I'll take you to the best teahouse here."

They encountered many people along the way, and Wen Zishu knew most of them.

So he kept greeting them, asking one person how they were and another as well.

Wen Zishu said that every year he would come to the grand event at Lotus Pond. Over time, he had become very familiar with Zhihe City, making it feel like a second home to him.

Gao Wenyan mercilessly exposed him.

"You already have many second homes."

He laughed heartily and said, "No first, all seconds! All seconds!"

As he spoke, they arrived at Wanhelou.

Indeed, it was the best restaurant in Zhihe City, decorated with great effort, perfectly suited to the tastes of scholars.

Not only were writing implements provided everywhere, but there were also more screens for composing poetry than in ordinary restaurants.

It wasn't yet lunchtime, yet Wanhelou was already bustling with customers.

The waiter recognized Wen Zishu and warmly led them to the best viewing spot by the window.

"How about it, isn't it nice?"

He winked playfully at Gao Wenyan.

Wen Zishu was from Yue Country.

Although Yue Country was just a small nation, its fertile land nurtured its people well.

The people of Yue Country had fair skin and light-colored eyes, like amber.

In the sunlight, his eyes shone like crystal, captivatingly beautiful.

Wen Zishu said, "Both the white tea and green tea here are excellent. Which does Wenyan prefer?"

Gao Wenyan didn't know much about tea, so she turned to Chu Xu.

She smiled and said, "Young Master Yan is quite discerning; ask him instead."

"White tea then."

The restaurant was lively, and they had to raise their voices to be heard.

Wen Zishu opened the window wider, looking out at Lotus Pond, where the lotus flowers stretched to the horizon, truly breathtaking.

No wonder so many people traveled from afar to see this Ten-Li Lotus Pond.

Next door, someone was playing the flying verse game, creating a lively atmosphere, which drew Wen Zishu's attention repeatedly.

"If you want to go, go ahead."

Gao Wenyan sighed helplessly.

He chuckled, "Wenyan is always considerate."

Wen Zishu quickly became part of the group next door.

Gao Wenyan sighed softly.

"Zishu really has a good personality."

Chu Xu was curious. "How did you meet?"

"Two years ago, Blossom House held a poetry gathering or something similar. Zishu happened to be in Great Ning and attended."

Being unfamiliar with the area, Wen Zishu was cheated out of his money by a dishonest shopkeeper.

Gao Wenting mentioned this incident to Gao Wenyan, who, being one to stand up for justice, went the next day and shut down the fraudulent shop.

For this, Zishu was very grateful and hosted a banquet to thank Gao Wenyan.

During the banquet, they discovered they had a lot in common and became good friends.

After hearing the whole story, Chu Xu slowly sipped his tea and gave his evaluation.

"It sounds very much like a woman's way of handling things."

Gao Wenyan glared at him, unsure if he was praising or criticizing her.

Her gaze then drifted to his sachet, and she couldn't resist saying,

"Of course, it can't compare to Young Master Yan's sachet."

As she spoke, a cool breeze blew in from outside, causing her hair to dance around her forehead.

A slender hand reached over and gently tucked the stray strands behind her ear.

His fingertips traced the contour of her ear, whether intentionally or not.

Gao Wenyan tried to ignore the fluttering in her chest and mimicked his lazy posture, propping her head up with her hand.

Perhaps tickled, she tilted her head slightly, bringing her left ear closer to his touch.

His fingertips were cool against her reddening ear, feeling just right.

She looked away, pretending not to care, and gazed out the window at the scenery.

Chu Xu withdrew his hand, a slight smile spreading across his face, blooming into his eyes as he looked at her.

"The young general is already the best; there's no need to compare with anyone else."

He has always been one to speak kindly.

Gao Wenyan couldn't help but glance at him sidelong, teasing, "Really?"

"Mm, absolutely true."