Knowing the Warmth of Southern Tea (GL) - Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Nightfall was approaching; they were expected to reach Qingzhou by dawn.

Wen Cha had slept the entire day, and as night fell, she found herself energetic and refreshed. Even her seasickness had greatly improved. It was said that there was a kind of fish in this river—once eaten, one would never suffer from seasickness again. However, Wen Cha didn’t have the fortune to taste it. Such opportunities are a matter of luck, not something to be sought. Nevertheless, Nan Nuan thought that if the chance arose, it would be worth a try. After all, many opportunities are “now or never.”

Wen Cha watched Nan Nuan, who was sitting at the table holding a book. “Nuan Nuan, what are you reading?”

“The Lüshi Chunqiu (Master Lü’s Spring and Autumn Annals),” Nan Nuan replied, taking a sip of tea.

“Is it a newly released storybook? I remember last year The Handsome Scholar and the Charming Lady was very popular!” Wen Cha was earnestly trying to find common ground with Nan Nuan. Having grown up in a remote area, many things reached Wen Cha only after they had filtered through the Central Plains; the so-called popular Handsome Scholar story was actually a fad from many years ago. Looking at Wen Cha, Nan Nuan couldn’t help but smile. “Yes, it’s a new storybook trending this year. All the young ladies from wealthy families love it.”

“Oh, I see. My home is so remote that merchants haven’t brought this year’s popular books yet. Can I borrow it? Lying here is quite boring,” Wen Cha said, moving to sit up. Before she could, Nan Nuan gently pressed her back down.

“I haven’t finished it yet. I’ll lend it to you once I’m done so you can read it carefully. For now, just rest,” Nan Nuan said, sitting by the bedside and gently tucking a stray lock of hair behind Wen Cha’s ear.

“Okay, Nuan Nuan.” Wen Cha took Nan Nuan’s hand and held on tight. Nan Nuan didn’t pull away, letting Wen Cha hold her hand.

“Nuan Nuan, let’s stay together forever, okay? You can accompany me to roam the martial arts world and travel across the land. How about it? The world is so beautiful; we shouldn’t let it go to waste, right?” Wen Cha asked with a smile, appearing as if she were joking. In truth, nine out of ten jokes made by a woman are sincere truths; it’s just a matter of whether the listener can understand them.

“No. Though, what you said makes sense—the world is beautiful and shouldn’t be wasted.” Nan Nuan seemed to recall something, and her tone suddenly turned stiff. The atmosphere momentarily became awkward. Nan Nuan didn’t intend to dampen Wen Cha’s spirits; she had simply been reminded of some unpleasant memories.

“Dinner is ready. Miss Nan, is Cha Cha awake?” Rongrong’s voice came from outside the cabin. Wen Cha had never longed for someone to break a deadlock so much. Thank you, Auntie. Truly grateful.

“I’m awake, Mother! I’m starving,” Wen Cha answered immediately.

Rongrong brought in the meals for both of them. “You can leave it here, I’ll take care of Wen Cha,” Nan Nuan told Rongrong. Rongrong glanced at Wen Cha, set the food on the table, and stepped out.

“Mother…” Wen Cha called out, but Rongrong didn’t return. Rongrong could see that Wen Cha liked Nan Nuan. Although she couldn’t quite read Nan Nuan’s heart, she could tell Nan Nuan wasn’t entirely indifferent. While Rongrong wasn’t particularly fond of Nan Nuan, she respected the younger generation’s decisions and graciously left the two young women to themselves. Rongrong knew their bond was unconventional by societal standards, but one’s life belongs to oneself; others shouldn’t interfere. Regardless of Nan Nuan’s ultimate goals, as long as she was sincere toward Wen Cha, Rongrong wouldn’t intervene. After all, everyone must walk their own path.

Nan Nuan helped Wen Cha sit up and adjusted her pillows. Leaning back, Wen Cha suddenly had a realization: wanting to stay with Nan Nuan was her own desire, and she couldn’t make decisions for anyone else.

Nan Nuan brought the meal over and began feeding Wen Cha bite by bite. Wen Cha suddenly felt like crying. As long as Nan Nuan was willing to be gentle with her—even just a little bit—she was willing to follow her for a lifetime.

“I agree.” Nan Nuan couldn’t bear to see Wen Cha’s tears and spoke up suddenly. She even startled herself; she had actually made a promise. The influence of the Love Gu was, after all, too powerful…

“Really?” Wen Cha looked at Nan Nuan earnestly, filled with joy. What could be happier in this world than being with the person you love?

“Really.” Nan Nuan averted her gaze. “Keep eating.” She continued feeding Wen Cha, who ate with great happiness, feeling that today was truly her lucky day.

“Nan Nuan, I’m so happy. I wish time would stop right here forever.” Wen Cha suddenly started crying again. Nan Nuan used a handkerchief to wipe her face. “Don’t cry. Hurry and finish your food.”

“Mhm.”

Wen Cha’s mother had once told her to cherish every moment, because what is lost never returns. Perhaps even then, Wen Cha had a premonition—a premonition that Nan Nuan would one day leave.

…

In the evening, Rongrong came to change Wen Cha’s dressings while Nan Nuan waited outside the cabin.

“Mother, Nuan Nuan promised to roam the martial arts world with me in the future! I’m so happy; this is the best day of my life. I really wish time would just stop here!” Wen Cha chatted excitedly with Rongrong. Rongrong picked up the copy of Lüshi Chunqiu on the table. It was filled with detailed annotations, showing that the owner had a profound understanding of the book.

“Mother, do you like this storybook too? Nan Nuan said it’s the latest one this year.” Wen Cha wasn’t stupid; she guessed it wasn’t a simple storybook, but she had no idea what the Lüshi Chunqiu actually was.

“Oh, is that so? What did you just say? I didn’t hear you clearly,” Rongrong said with a smile, not addressing the book.

“I said: Nuan Nuan promised to roam the martial arts world with me! I’m so happy, I wish time would just stop here!” Wen Cha repeated excitedly. The reason she wished for time to stop was because once things pass, they are gone forever.

“The water flows on like this, yet it never leaves; the moon waxes and wanes like that, yet it never increases or diminishes. If we look at things from the perspective of change, then heaven and earth cannot remain the same for even a moment; but if we look from the perspective of the unchanging, then both things and we are eternal. What is there to envy?” Rongrong suddenly recalled a passage of classical prose and recited it.

“Mother, what does that mean?” Wen Cha asked. She had always disliked academic, high-flown talk.

“I mean: time flows like this water, but it doesn’t truly disappear; the moon changes its shape, but it doesn’t actually grow or shrink. From the viewpoint of change, everything in the universe is in constant motion, never stopping for a blink. But from the viewpoint of the unchanging, all things—and we ourselves—are eternal…”

“So you mean, Mother… that today is already eternity, right?” Wen Cha asked.

“Yes, exactly. Wen Cha, you’re so smart,” Rongrong said. She understood well that Nan Nuan and Wen Cha came from different worlds. But if Nan Nuan truly had the heart for it, nothing was impossible.

“But… I still wish it could be today forever,” Wen Cha murmured…