Chapter 91: Travel

After returning to the country, Lu Jia did not rush back to C University for classes. Instead, she requested half a month off.

It was not for her own sake.

After the incident, Sheng Shubai stuck to her side almost without leaving a step, afraid that if she was not careful, Lu Jia would suddenly disappear again just like before.

On the third time she discovered the woman waking up in shock in the middle of the night and holding onto her, refusing to sleep for a long time, Lu Jia came up with this plan.

She wanted to travel with Sheng Shubai, to temporarily change to a new environment and relax their minds.

Without work or studies to disturb them, she could stay by the woman’s side at any time, so the other would not overthink.

A leave of more than a week required not only her mentor’s approval but also the dean’s signature. However, Lu Jia had just won the gold award at the Qinghui Cup and had gone through a perilous experience abroad, so the leadership naturally would not make things difficult for her.

The reason was fully justified, not to mention that her girlfriend was a professor in the same department.

Although considering certain influences, their relationship was not widely publicized, it was no secret in their familiar circles.

When Shi Mengxi learned that Lu Jia’s application had smoothly passed, she could not help but envy her: “Does this count as a honeymoon for you two?”

Lu Jia laughed: “How could we have a honeymoon before even getting married?”

Their wedding was set for next spring, the day before Sheng Shubai’s birthday.

But given how they got along, there probably would not be much difference before or after marriage. Treating it as an early honeymoon was not out of the question.

Neither of them liked crowded places. It happened to be the off-season for travel, so they specially chose a quiet little city in the province with beautiful scenery, planning to stay for a short while.

When they returned, they still had to go back to work and school respectively, and also handle the engagement matters.

The engagement date was set for June, a lucky day specially calculated by a fortune teller.

Even though most matters were handled by specialists—they only needed to provide ideas and make final decisions—Sheng Shubai still put in a lot of effort.

From ring design to dress details, she and Lu Jia handled it all personally.

Casually mentioning Shi Mengxi’s reaction to Sheng Shubai, Lu Jia could not help but smile: “From what Senior Sister said, she spent days grinding on Advisor Rong before getting permission to travel together during summer vacation, heading to Advisor Rong’s hometown.”

Rong Yi’s hometown also had beautiful scenery, not far from their travel route.

It had originally been one of the options her assistant selected, but Lu Jia quietly deleted it first before handing the list to Sheng Shubai.

No need to guess; she knew this woman definitely would not choose it.

They departed at dawn, with the first rays of sunlight.

The two did not bring much luggage; anything missing could be bought along the way.

This trip’s destination was not far from C City—a small city.

They stayed in a standalone courtyard in the Ancient Town, with bluestone slab paths, flying eaves and upturned corners, and sparse figures on the streets.

Several nearby standalone courtyards belonged to the landlord. Lu Jia and Sheng Shubai arrived during the off-season, and among the remaining five courtyards, only one was occupied by other guests.

The landlord was an A Ma, and there was a young woman helping with cleaning—her granddaughter.

The girl was called A Qing. She had returned here after graduating a couple of years ago.

Now a freelancer, she taught herself painting and writing, accumulating quite a few fans on online platforms.

She usually shot videos of the Ancient Town. Occasionally, she live-streamed painting; people bought online, or she sold them at stalls to tourists— all sources of income.

Lu Jia pointed at the wall, curiously asking: “Are these all your paintings?”

As soon as she entered A Ma’s courtyard, she was drawn to the few paintings on the wall and had quietly pointed one out to Sheng Shubai.

There were oil paintings, watercolors, or simple sketches.

Not particularly professional, but each carried a sense of freedom and uninhibitedness, forming their own style. The cursive signature was hard to make out, but the color was a shade of blue.

A Qing smiled and nodded: “Just painted casually. Nothing to show off.”

Perhaps there was a kindred spirit resonance between fellow artists.

Even though the two in front of her showed no trace of anything artistic from head to toe—at most exuding a gentle scholarly air—she vaguely sensed that they might be in a similar line of work.

Handing the room cards to them, A Qing led them to the reserved courtyard:

“The courtyard’s main gate has an electronic lock, and the two-story building inside opens with this card. If you lose it, just message or call me anytime. A Ma goes to bed early, and her old phone might be turned off.”

The courtyard was cleaned spotlessly.

Sheng Shubai looked around and noticed a bicycle leaning against the wall, wiped to a shine. It was not the common modern road bike style but similar to old bicycles from many years ago, with a square front basket and a rear seat for passengers.

A 28 Big Bar.

The old lady’s few bikes from back then were still well-preserved at home.

Sheng Shubai curved her eyes in a smile, tugged Lu Jia’s hand slightly, gesturing for the girl to look: “Do you know how to ride?”

Lu Jia nodded then shook her head: “I could when I was little, but it’s been many years, and I’ve never ridden this kind.”

“Then when we have time, I’ll take you.”

Sheng Shubai examined it more closely and casually asked the girl beside them: “Does the rent include it?”

From their interactions, she had already guessed their relationship. A Qing smiled: “Of course, feel free to use it. Just be safe.”

After showing Sheng Shubai and Lu Jia the details inside the lodging and confirming no changes were needed, she politely said goodbye.

“Sister, I really like it here.”

Sheng Shubai set down her bag and saw Lu Jia standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at the tree shade peeking in from outside the courtyard.

She walked over, embracing the girl’s waist from behind: “Mm, I like it too.”

Though they had visited many places over the years and seen all sorts of scenery without lacking experience, this was her first time truly letting go of those emotions to travel with the person she loved.

The courtyard was planted with flowers and plants; sunlight spilled down, and faint crisp bird calls could be heard.

Sheng Shubai lifted her hand to hook Lu Jia’s chin, kissing her in front of the floor-to-ceiling window.

A little tabby cat somehow flipped over from the wall. Spotting their actions, it meowed and boldly approached the window, even trying to paw at it.

“Sister.”

Lu Jia caught sight of the little thing in her peripheral vision and tilted her head back: “It… it’s watching us.”

After all, it was a living creature with a pair of glossy black pupils staring straight at them; she felt a bit uneasy.

But Sheng Shubai was not satisfied yet.

She pecked Lu Jia’s lips once more before reluctantly releasing the girl. “Ignore it. Shameless little brat cat, peeking on others kissing.”

Her tone was light and airy, similar to how the woman teased her at night with various pet names.

Lu Jia’s ears heated up, and she averted her gaze: “…Mm.”

After simply unpacking their luggage, Sheng Shubai checked the time—it was nearing noon.

The local cuisine here was quite distinctive. With small appetites, they planned to try them all bit by bit over the days. Sheng Shubai picked a nearby well-reviewed restaurant. Just as she led Lu Jia out the door, a little tail followed behind.

“So unafraid of strangers?”

Lu Jia saw the little tabby cat trailing them at a distance, occasionally meowing. She simply walked back a couple of steps to approach it.

But the little guy twisted around and leaped away farther.

Sheng Shubai laughed and chided: “Scaredy cat.”

After lunch, as they strolled along the streets, the little tabby cat emerged from some corner again, following them all the way back near their lodging.

A Qing was preparing to head out with her easel. She greeted the two and then noticed the little cat trailing behind them, surprised: “Little Flower? No wonder I couldn’t find you at noon.”

She and A Ma kept four cats; the little tabby was the laziest but also the most punctual for meals.

Even a minute late, and it would smack the food bowl with its paws, banging away.

But it had not shown up for feeding today.

A Qing picked up the little tabby cat and let it perch on her shoulder, smiling at Lu Jia and Sheng Shubai: “We’ve hosted so many guests before, but this is the first time Little Flower has been so enthusiastic about anyone.”

Lu Jia leaned in and rubbed Little Flower’s head before watching A Qing carry it away.

The girl was heading to the riverside to paint with Little Flower.

Seeing her lover’s gaze lingering on the tabby cat, Sheng Shubai asked: “Want to get one?”

Lu Jia shook her head, curving her eyes in a smile: “Better not.”

She was not ready to care for any living pets yet.

Her daily life already had Sheng Shubai, printmaking she loved, family, and friends—she could not spare the energy for more.

Besides, if a mischievous cat snuck into the studio, it could easily get cut by the carving knife or step on wood shavings.

Sheng Shubai had only asked casually.

She was very satisfied with their current two-person world. If they really added a cat to the home, it would have to wait at least two or three… three to five years, until she and Lu Jia had enjoyed enough of each other.

Before leaving, A Qing had specially mentioned that their courtyard had several easels available for guests.

Lu Jia had not done any plein air painting in a long time and felt tempted.

She just glanced at Sheng Shubai, and the woman understandingly took her hand, heading to the outermost courtyard.

The gate was open. They saw A Ma sunning herself on a rocking chair in the yard, with two large cats of different colors curled at her feet and a slightly smaller one in her lap.

Lu Jia greeted her first.

The girl looked soft and obedient, clever and pretty.

Plus Sheng Shubai’s refined temperament—she was the type elders liked anywhere.

Seeing their joined hands, A Ma chuckled, rose to pour two cups of her homemade roasted tea, and invited them to sit at the small square table.

They chatted about everyday things.

Ages, current jobs, which scenic spots they planned to visit.

Learning they were both from C Province—one studying, one working—A Ma’s gaze toward them grew even kinder.

“Good, good.”

A Ma murmured softly, rubbing the cat on her lap. “You should travel more while you’re young. Unlike A Ma here—too old to move around.”

Lu Jia smiled warmly: “Seeing tourists from all over every day like you is quite enviable.”

After bidding farewell, they carried the easels to the nearby riverside.

They picked a spot with no one around, under the tree shade, with only the two of them within seven or eight meters.

Sitting beside her was none other than C University’s watercolor professor.

Lu Jia deliberately joked that she did not know watercolors and asked Sheng Shubai to teach her.

The woman glanced over with a half-smile: “And what will you use as tuition?”

Lu Jia pointed to her cheek: “After we get back.”

With no one paying attention, using the motion of getting up to mix paints, Sheng Shubai leaned in close and quickly kissed the corner of the girl’s lips.

A soft, fleeting warmth.

Lu Jia shot Sheng Shubai a coquettish look: “I meant the cheek—how did you kiss here?”

Sheng Shubai drawled leisurely:

“Maybe I was too eager and missed. Want to try again?”