Chapter 72: Another Visit

Chapter 72: Another Visit

At first glance, the reception room seemed unchanged from before, but upon closer inspection, every detail was different. For example, the large belly vase with fresh flowers on the shelf against the wall and the green cloth cushions on the chairs.

As Liu Zhou, the clerk, put it, the old man who used to run the place had truly wasted this reception room.

"Ji sister, please sit," Xin You said with a smile, pouring two cups of tea.

The chrysanthemum tea, sweetened with two rock candies, tasted refreshing. Ji Cailan took several sips and praised, "Sister Kou, your tea is really delicious."

"Sister Ji, you should come more often."

"As long as Sister Kou doesn't mind me disturbing you while you're busy."

"How could I? I'm not busy at all. The Bookstore has the shopkeeper, the clerks, and the craftsmen; I'm just an idle person."

Ji Cailan found her new friend agreeable in every way, and her smile grew wider. "That's great. Sister Kou, have you finished writing the second part of *Painted Skin*? Will it really be available for sale by early September?"

"It shouldn't be a problem."

"Excellent!" Ji Cailan clapped her hands, restraining herself from asking what Wang Sheng saw through the window—whether it was a beautiful maiden or a fanged demon.

She wasn't so tactless as to ask such embarrassing questions.

Xin You took a sip of tea. "By the way, why didn't Zhou sister come along today?"

Hearing Xin You mention Zhou Ningyue, Ji Cailan sighed. "My cousin has been in a bad mood lately. She won't tell me what's wrong. I invited her to come with me today, but she didn't want to go out."

"The last time I saw her, Zhou sister seemed quite cheerful."

"Yes, I wonder what happened." Ji Cailan looked worried.

She only had two brothers and always treated her cousin like a younger sister. When her cousin was unhappy, she felt less joy too.

"I have something that might cheer up Zhou sister."

"What is it?"

"Just wait a moment, Sister Ji."

Xin You walked out and whispered a few instructions to Xiaolian, who was waiting in the book hall. Xiaolian nodded and quickly left.

"Sister Kou, can't you tell me what it is?" Ji Cailan couldn't help asking out of curiosity.

Xin You smiled. "It wouldn't be a surprise if I told you. You'll see soon enough."

Xiaolian didn't keep them waiting long. She entered, handed Xin You a blue cloth-wrapped object, and silently left.

Xin You unwrapped the blue cloth, revealing a small booklet without a cover.

Ji Cailan's pupils widened.

What is this! Could it be one of those legendary picture books? The kind where people aren't wearing clothes!

Though she had never seen one, years of reading stories had given her a rich understanding, and she occasionally heard mentions of such picture books in the tales.

If Sister Kou invites me to look, should I or shouldn't I?

Ji Cailan glanced nervously at the door, feeling conflicted.

Despite Xin You's extensive knowledge, picture books were a blind spot for her. Seeing Ji Cailan's reaction, she became puzzled.

Why did Miss Ji suddenly look so sneaky?

"Sister Ji, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, nothing."

Xin You pushed the booklet toward her. "Open it and see."

"Ah, but, is this appropriate?" Ji Cailan's voice faltered as she held the booklet.

She wasn't prepared for this!

Xin You was even more confused. "Of course it's appropriate. I gave it to you, and you won't show it to anyone else."

Ji Cailan: !

But it would be rude to refuse Sister Kou's gesture. Maybe she should take a look.

Ji Cailan steeled herself and opened the booklet.

The first page showed a scholar dressed man stopping on the road, talking to a woman. The woman had a graceful figure and was exceptionally beautiful.

This image wasn't black and white but colored. Every detail, from the flower hairpin in the woman's hair to the embroidered skirt, was vividly depicted, making the scene seem almost lifelike.

Ji Cailan turned to the second page, which showed another lifelike scene.

"How does it look? Is it good?" Xin You's smiling voice brought Ji Cailan back to reality.

Ji Cailan looked up sharply, pointing at the image in the booklet. "Is this the scene where Wang Sheng meets Mei Niang?"

"Doesn't it match the description in the story? On a whim, I drew scenes from the first part of *Painted Skin*. What do you think, Sister Ji?"

Ji Cailan blinked awkwardly.

She had overthought it. She had been flipping through the pages, expecting to see something indecent!

But excitement soon overcame her embarrassment, and Ji Cailan's eyes sparkled as she held the booklet tightly. "Sister Kou, you're amazing! How did you think of drawing the story?"

"It might be because she's too idle. Sister Ji, do you think Little Sister Zhou will feel better seeing this?"

"Definitely." Ji Cailan nodded vigorously, the invitation slipping out, "If Sister Kou is free, let's go find Cousin together and surprise her with this."

"Sure." Xin You agreed readily.

The two of them walked out of the Bookstore together, not bothering to hire a carriage, chatting along the way until they arrived at Zhou Ningyue's house without realizing it.

"Cousin, look who's here!" Still in the courtyard, Ji Cailan called out cheerfully.

Despite her heavy heart, Xin You couldn't help but show a genuine smile when she was with the simple and lively Ji Cailan.

The door to the western wing opened, and Zhou Ningyue came out, her face showing surprise upon seeing Xin You beside Ji Cailan: "Sister Kou?"

Xin You did not respond immediately, as the scene before her changed.

It was daytime. Ji Cailan stood outside, seemingly seeing something, her basket falling to the ground as she stumbled and ran back, falling in the courtyard with a look of pain and terror.

Chasing out from the house was her father, Zhou Tong.

"Sister Kou—" Seeing Xin You silent, Zhou Ningyue called again.

Xin You snapped back to reality, the smiling girl before her merging with the terrified one in the vision, creating a complex feeling.

Fortunately, Xin You had grown up with such sudden visions. While she couldn't remain completely calm inside, she could keep a composed exterior.

"A few days haven't passed, yet Little Sister Zhou seems to have lost some weight," Xin You remarked casually, quickly analyzing the vision she had seen.

From dropping the basket to falling down, Zhou Ningyue's commotion would not have been small. Yet, when Zhou Tong chased into the courtyard, no one else appeared.

Not her mother, maids, gatekeepers, cooks, or servants—no one was there.

Could it be that only Zhou Tong and Zhou Ningyue were home then?

This situation seemed strange.

With her doubts, Xin You noticed the fallen basket on the ground.

The small willow basket lay on its side, the floral cloth covering it slipped off, and mooncakes were scattered all over.

Mooncakes—Xin You's heart stirred.

Could that day have been Mid-Autumn Festival?

If it was Mid-Autumn Festival, it would be highly unlikely for Zhou Ningyue's mother to be absent.

Recalling how Zhou Ningyue stood outside, suddenly dropped the bamboo basket, and ran away in terror, Xin You began to form a hypothesis.