When Ping'an, Guo Baiyu, and Zhao Renshu returned to Sunshine Town, the innkeeper met them with an update: their friends had left the town about two days ago. The innkeeper asked them to stay another day, as the grateful townspeople wished to host a "thank you" dinner party in their honor. However, the lovers politely refused. Their hearts yearned to rush back to Capital City, their true home.
"If people want to thank us," Guo Baiyu stated, his tone polite but firm, "they can provide us with horses and prepare some dry food for our journey."
"Besides," Zhao Renshu added, a dismissive wave of his hand, "we don't need a party. They can simply pay for our accommodation and meals."
"This has been paid for by the mayor," the Innkeeper assured them, a wide smile on his face. "I am truly honored to have each of you in my inn. Since you have all been here, my inn's reputation has risen significantly. Thank you."
Ah Tin approached, a tray laden with steaming dishes in his hands. "Heroes, this is your food," he said, placing the plates on the table. "I asked the chef to make some special dishes for you. I am ashamed of what I have done." His voice was heavy with genuine remorse.
"If you and your boss say nothing," Ping'an replied, her voice soft but direct, "we will say nothing."
"Thanks," Ah Tin mumbled, a flicker of relief in his eyes, before returning to the kitchen.
"I want to supervise the new employees," the Innkeeper announced, excusing himself. "Your rooms are ready upstairs." He walked about ten steps, then smiled and looked back. "Heroes, please enjoy your food and your stay." With a final nod, he walked out the back door.
Guo Baiyu placed three teacups in front of him, then meticulously poured tea into each. He offered one to Zhao Renshu and the other to Ping'an. Just then, Ah Tin brought the last plate of food, carefully placing it on the table.
"If you need anything, please tell me," Ah Tin said, bowing slightly. "I have to take care of other customers."
Guo Baiyu and Zhao Renshu watched in quiet shock as Ping'an picked up a pair of chopsticks and began to eat her own food. Usually, she would lovingly pick up their chopsticks, select a piece of meat with each, and place the morsels carefully in their bowls before handing the chopsticks back. But this time, she simply ate. The two men exchanged a bewildered glance, wondering if she was still angry with Zhao Renshu. They noted she hadn't even picked up Guo Baiyu's chopsticks. Finally, they picked up their own chopsticks, each selecting a piece of meat and placing it in her bowl, a silent offering.
Ping'an looked at Zhao Renshu, her gaze thoughtful. "What color do you like?" she asked.
"Huh?" Zhao Renshu replied, momentarily confused.
"After returning to Capital City, I will make you a new outfit," Ping'an clarified. "What color do you like?"
"As long as it's not a girlish color, any color is fine," Zhao Renshu shrugged, a playful glint in his eye.
"How about dark navy and black?" Ping'an suggested.
"That's fine too," Zhao Renshu agreed.
"I remember the first time I met you in that temple," Ping'an mused, a soft smile on her lips, "you were dressed in navy blue and black."
"I don't even remember," Zhao Renshu chuckled, surprised by her recall. "You have good memories."
"I am very tired," Ping'an declared, pushing her bowl away. "I want to sleep alone tonight."
"Take a rest," Guo Baiyu said gently, understanding her need for solitude. "This is a two-day journey back to Capital City, so it's better to rest early."
With that, Ping'an placed her bowl precisely on the table and walked upstairs, disappearing from their sight. The two men sat at the table, staring at each other, the silence thick with unspoken questions.
"Is she still mad at me because of Qingge?" Zhao Renshu asked, his voice low, filled with a rare uncertainty.
"I don't know, but it's possible," Guo Baiyu admitted, a frown creasing his brow.
"What did she say to you while waiting for me?" Zhao Renshu pressed, eager for any clue.
"She didn't say anything," Guo Baiyu replied, shaking his head. "We didn't talk much while walking back. For a while, we rested, and she told me that once we returned to Capital City, she would make me an outfit."
"That's it?" Zhao Renshu asked, clearly dissatisfied.
"That's it," Guo Baiyu confirmed. "I sensed she has a problem, but she refuses to tell us."
"If you have to guess, what is it?" Zhao Renshu urged, his anxiety growing.
"If I had to guess, it's your problem with Qingge and my marriage," Guo Baiyu mused, his voice thoughtful, "but I'm not sure. Maybe she realizes that we are no longer hers. That's why she keeps her distance."
"Like you said before," Zhao Renshu sighed, a hint of resignation in his voice, "we will talk about it when we cross that bridge."
"I guess so," Guo Baiyu replied, a shared weariness in his tone.
Inside the dark room, Ping'an lay wide awake, her pillow quickly becoming soaked with silent tears. She knew, with a profound ache, that moments of happiness rarely lasted forever. No matter how fiercely she clung to joy, that fleeting moment would eventually disappear. An unbearable emptiness bloomed in her heart, and the suppressed sadness of the past two and a half years was finally reawakened, overwhelming her.
The two-day journey back to Capital City was not as difficult as they feared. Ping'an, Guo Baiyu, and Zhao Renshu arrived at the city gate, the sun almost touching the horizon. They stopped their horses in front of the familiar Brightness Inn. The door greeter, a bustling figure, came out to greet them, his eyes widening in recognition as he realized they were Master Fang's special guests.
"You two are back!" the Door Greeter exclaimed, beaming.
"Please feed the horses," Zhao Renshu instructed.
"Is my maid still here?" Guo Baiyu inquired, a hint of anticipation in his voice.
"Childe Guo, your friends are also resting here," the Door Greeter confirmed. "They are eating dinner inside now."
"Lead the way," Guo Baiyu requested.
Ping'an smiled faintly at Guo Baiyu and Zhao Renshu. "I'm going to the clothing store to buy some fabrics. The two of you go ahead and have dinner with your friends."
Zhao Renshu grabbed Ping'an's right wrist, his grip firm. "Ping'an, spill it out," he pleaded, his voice tinged with frustration. "You've behaved very strangely these past two days. If you're still angry with me, then let us talk."
Ping'an offered him a soft, almost ethereal smile. "Silly, I'm not angry with you."
Zhao Renshu's unease grew. "Then why are you acting weird?" he pressed, his brow furrowed with confusion.
"Nothing," Ping'an confirmed, her voice light, too light. "I am very happy to make new clothes for the two of you. I've put a lot of thought into it, maybe it might leave a wrong impression." Her words were vague, almost evasive.
"Are you sure?" Guo Baiyu asked, his gaze piercing, trying to read her.
Ping'an smiled, a hint of playful exasperation in her eyes. "You two are wasting my time! I have to hurry up before the store closes." She gently removed her hand from Zhao Renshu's grasp and quickly ran towards the shops on the bustling street, leaving them bewildered.
When Zhao Renshu returned to the room with a tray of food later that night, Ping'an was already there, meticulously sewing sleeves onto a shirt. Zhao Renshu placed the food on the smaller table, then walked back to close the door, his eyes lingering on her. Ping'an raised her head, offered him a small smile, then returned to her sewing. Zhao Renshu sat opposite her, resting his elbows on the table, chin propped on his hands, simply staring at her.
"Baiyu go home?" Ping'an asked, her voice calm, not looking up from her work.
Zhao Renshu exhaled, a weary sigh. "Yes... His fiancée, friends, and brothers are here, so he can't refuse." He carefully studied Ping'an's expression, searching for any tell. "We didn't see you at the table. I brought some food."
"It's good that he decides to go home," Ping'an replied, her voice flat. "His family must be worried for him." She looked at him for a brief moment. "I've eaten."
"Ping'an," Zhao Renshu began, placing his hands flat on the table, leaning forward slightly. "You didn't ask me what Qingge and I talked about."
Ping'an looked at him, a faint smile on her lips. "No need," she said simply, returning to her sewing. "If you are tired, go to sleep."
Zhao Renshu sighed deeply, a profound weariness in his voice. "I don't think we are as close as before. I know a lot has happened recently. I don't know why I kissed her or even went further..." He hesitated, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Or touched her, but that was it. We did not sleep together. It was the heat of the moment, but then I realized that if I went further, I would hurt you..... I...."
"Renshu, to be honest, I am not angry at all," Ping'an interrupted, her voice soft but earnest. "I swear...I don't know what else I could do to make you believe me that I am not angry at you."
Zhao Renshu stretched out his hand, his eyes filled with a dawning dread. "I think you are ignoring me. You are sewing to avoid me and Baiyu." His heart ached when he looked at her perfectly calm face. They said that when a big storm is approaching, the surrounding air will be very calm, and there will be no signs of danger until the storm rushes in and destroys everything in its path without any warning. When he thought of this, his heart trembled.
Ping'an smiled gently at Zhao Renshu. "I have been thinking a lot recently. I am happy that everyone is where they are supposed to be."
"I don't believe it," Zhao Renshu said, his voice raw with disbelief.
"We go home the day after tomorrow," Ping'an stated, avoiding his gaze, her voice firm, changing the subject.
Zhao Renshu walked to the bed. "If that's what you want," he said, a faint, melancholic smile on his face. "Oh, by the way. Baiyu talked to me that on the wedding day, he will change places with someone. Once the ceremony is over, the person with Lady Wu will be her husband." He sat on the bed and took off his shoes. "He will find someone who is willing to switch places with him."
"Don't be silly," Ping'an replied, a faint frown creasing her brow.
"I think this is a perfect plan because he doesn't want to marry that woman at all," Zhao Renshu said, lying on the bed, looking at the ceiling. "Ping'an, he wants me to tell you that he won't come in these two days."
"If you can," Ping'an said, her voice softer now, "tell Xiao Mei to come and get the clothes I made for him. It should be finished by tomorrow afternoon."
Zhao Renshu stared at Ping'an's back and he suddenly stood to his feet, walked to her and kneeled beside the stool she was sitting on. He stretched out his arms and hugged her waist tightly, burying his head on her right upper thigh. With a defeated voice, he muttered, "I'm pretty sure she will come tomorrow." He paused for a moment, his voice softening further. "Ping'an... I'm sorry..."
Ping'an looked down at Zhao Renshu's handsome face, her gaze finding his fine jawline. She reached over and traced her finger along his jawline. "Renshu... when we get home, I will shave the stubble for you." Her words were a tender, unspoken forgiveness, a promise of comfort and continuity.