Chapter 92: Ancient Town

Of course, it wasn’t suitable for another kiss right then.

Sheng Shubai did want to do it, but she was afraid Lu Jia would get embarrassed and bite her in retaliation, so painting was the safer choice for now.

In front of them was a gentle stretch of the river, its waters clear and bright.

After mixing her paints, Sheng Shubai earnestly began “teaching” her fiancée.

From selecting materials to sketching the outlines, she pressed half her body against Lu Jia’s. She guided the girl’s hand on the brush, outlining the several stilt houses on the opposite riverbank.

The inspiration had come from Lu Jia, who had leaned close to Sheng Shubai’s ear to discuss it with her.

Her breath was warm and soft, and the skin under her palm was smooth and heated.

Sheng Shubai’s thoughts wandered for a moment before she reined them back in.

She had already planned it out: once they returned to C City, she would drag Lu Jia to that villa in the suburbs for another painting session. Then, she could kiss her however she wanted.

Though they were close, they maintained just the right distance in their interactions, not drawing undue attention.

When it came time to lay down colors, Sheng Shubai finally returned to her own easel. She and Lu Jia had painted the same sketch, which the girl teased her about, saying she wanted copyright fees.

Sheng Shubai pointed to her own cheek and raised an eyebrow. “Do you want to come collect it yourself, or should I deliver it?”

Lu Jia coughed lightly. “I’ll keep it on account for now. I’ll collect it from you later when we get back.”

They didn’t paint quickly, chatting leisurely as the river breeze blew.

Sheng Shubai finally understood why her friend always dragged her little girlfriend out for plein air painting. This way of spending time together was truly relaxing.

After all, she and Lu Jia had plenty to talk about.

Printmaking alone gave them endless topics—from works to techniques, to all sorts of industry anecdotes Lu Jia had never heard.

Lu Jia wasn’t the gossipy type before, but she loved listening to whatever Sheng Shubai said. Besides, the woman knew just how much detail to give, making her stories captivating. It was a waste for her not to host a radio storytelling show.

Since this was a trip for rest, Lu Jia naturally didn’t paint with the single-minded focus she had at home, ignoring her surroundings.

Right now, the most important thing was to accompany her fiancée.

When the sun shifted slightly past noon and the tree shadows moved, casting light on a small corner of the canvas.

Lu Jia scooted closer to Sheng Shubai.

She had just readjusted her easel when another figure appeared beside her.

“Miss Lu, Miss Sheng.”

A Qing carried her easel on her back and held a freshly completed painting in her hands. She greeted them with a beaming smile.

Little Tabby Cat was still draped over her shoulder, its paws resting on the easel, looking very well-behaved.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, A Qing saw their nearly finished works and knew their skill level right away.

She had run into professionals.

She unrolled her own painting and tentatively asked for advice on a few points.

Sheng Shubai and Lu Jia were happy to help. Lu Jia even yielded her spot, laid out a fresh sheet of paper, and explained a few color transitions and combinations to A Qing.

Halfway through, Lu Jia paused and turned to Sheng Shubai. “Sister, like this here?”

Sheng Shubai, who had her arm around the girl’s waist, curved her eyes in a smile, stood up, and pressed Lu Jia into her own folding chair. With one hand ruffling the girl’s hair and the other holding the brush, she explained the technique to A Qing.

The woman explained things clearly yet simply, her words concise and professional.

Lu Jia watched without blinking.

Once the explanation was done, A Qing thanked them sincerely. She glanced at their inseparably close posture and hesitated. “Can I… ask one more impudent question?”

What she wanted to ask was obvious.

Sheng Shubai raised an eyebrow and admitted it frankly first. “It’s what you’re thinking. We’re lovers.”

A Qing was stunned for a moment, then smiled sincerely. “That’s wonderful. Congratulations.”

She had accidentally witnessed their kiss earlier, and it was her first time seeing two women together, so it really was impudent of her.

Fortunately, Miss Sheng and Miss Lu didn’t mind her question.

The hand rubbing her lover’s head paused, and Sheng Shubai asked curiously, “So, are you as well?”

A Qing sat down on a nearby stone step, her tone light and carefree. “Maybe. I’ll know if it is when I meet the right one someday.”

She had no grand ambitions.

She just wanted to look after A Ma, the little cats at home, and these courtyards. As for whether she’d meet the right person, that was all up to fate.

After A Qing said goodbye, Sheng Shubai chuckled lightly and asked Lu Jia, “She seems a bit like you, doesn’t she?”

Lu Jia nodded. “Yeah, she really does remind me of my old self.”

She used to have similar views.

For twenty years, she hadn’t felt a stir in her heart and couldn’t imagine what kind of woman would make her fall. She figured she’d spend the rest of her life devoted to printmaking, perfectly content.

That was exactly why, during the New Year, her family had tried to set her up on blind dates, urging her to try romance while she was young.

Hmm… and then a certain someone had volunteered herself and cornered her in the restaurant, declaring she wanted to marry her right off the bat.

Thinking of that, Lu Jia couldn’t help but laugh.

“What are you laughing about?”

Sheng Shubai had packed up her easel and paints and came over to take her hand.

Lu Jia turned to look. The woman’s features were elegantly alluring, her demeanor even more refined in the sunlight.

She said, “I’m laughing at how impoverished my imagination used to be.”

“Hm?”

“So impoverished that… I never even dared to dream of dating such a perfect girlfriend.”

Sheng Shubai was delighted by the girl’s rare sweet words and quickened her pace as she led her forward. “Let’s head back first.”

Lu Jia asked, “Hm?”

“Go back and kiss. I want to kiss you.”

–

They stayed in the Ancient Town for two days.

The town wasn’t large. They slept until they woke naturally, took a simple stroll, and had already visited several nearby attractions.

The people here all seemed so relaxed.

Perhaps because it wasn’t tourist season yet, rather than hustling for business, everyone mostly lived their own quiet lives.

There were plenty of small shops that were half-commercial, half-residential along the streets. Lu Jia and Sheng Shubai picked out various handicrafts to bring back as souvenirs for friends while chatting casually with the young or elderly shopkeepers.

It was another fine, sunny day.

Lu Jia checked their plans. Their destination wasn’t too far, but it was still two or three kilometers on foot.

“Should we bike there?”

Sheng Shubai pointed to the bicycles leaning against the courtyard wall and asked Lu Jia.

Lu Jia hesitated a bit. “Didn’t you say it’s been a long time since you rode one? What if you fall while carrying me?”

She had grown up wild and free in Linchang as a child, left to roam by her family, so she wasn’t afraid of falling.

But she couldn’t bear for Sheng Shubai to get hurt. Every inch of her was a place Lu Jia had kissed, so soft and delicate—it would hurt so much if she scraped it.

Sheng Shubai laughed at the girl’s reasoning. “I can’t bear for you to fall either. I’ll be careful.”

Many years ago, when she was still little, she had gone plein air painting with Sheng Ling and Sheng Shuyun, who took turns carrying her on the bike.

Once, the wheel hit a stone, and Sheng Shuyun wobbled the handlebars unsteadily. They nearly toppled over due to the shift in balance.

Sheng Ling had pulled them back just in time, or both sisters would have bled.

Later, when Sheng Shubai learned to ride, she was timid at first. Sheng Ling and Sheng Shuyun flanked her, steadying her, and it took a long time to teach her.

She had fallen several times during that, and though she couldn’t remember the exact pain, it definitely wasn’t pleasant.

Which was all the more reason not to let Lu Jia experience it.

There was another option: rent bikes from a shop and ride separately. But neither mentioned it—or even considered it.

There was a back seat, after all. What kind of couple rode apart?

They were openly fiancées and needed to ride pressed together.

That was what Sheng Shubai thought, and Lu Jia felt it was only natural.

They planned to return in the evening, so they had quite a few things packed in their bag, which Lu Jia carried.

Sheng Shubai had deliberately skipped the long skirt today. She rolled her shirt sleeves to her elbows, her straight pants crisp, and the metal buckles on her short boots glinted in the sunlight.

Her slightly wavy long hair fell over her shoulders, softening her capable air with a touch of gentleness.

With her slim waist and long legs, the woman easily held the bike steady and looked back at Lu Jia.

“Hop on.” Sheng Shubai’s tone was soft.

Lu Jia settled sideways on the back seat, smoothing her skirt. She reached out with her right hand to wrap around the woman’s slender, supple waist. “I’m steady.”

The girl’s arms around her waist, her warm palms pressing close, her curves against her back—it was a pose of complete trust.

Sheng Shubai was very satisfied.

Though the bicycle was styled like an old model, it was brand new overall.

When she had wheeled it out earlier, Sheng Shubai had tested the handbrake and bell—they worked fine, and she quickly got the feel for riding it.

Now, she carried her fiancée down the streets of the Ancient Town.

It was still early, with few tourists on the road, though some shops along the sides were open.

They had been wandering the area these past couple of days and were familiar with many shopkeepers. An old lady was setting out youtiao and multigrain porridge on a small stone table outside her door. “Little Sheng, Little Lu girl, out so early today?”

Sheng Shubai called back, “Yes, early to you too.”

Lu Jia wanted to wave to the old lady, but one hand pinned the bag under her skirt, and the other clung to Sheng Shubai, unwilling to let go. So she just curved her eyes in a smile at the elder.

Their destination was on the edge of the Ancient Town—not a proper attraction, and especially deserted in the off-season with no tourists around.

But A Qing had said the scenery was nice and perfect for a date, so Lu Jia had suggested going.

They followed the navigation, riding farther with fewer and fewer people.

Occasionally passing a side road off the main artery, they saw shops on both sides with doors tightly shut, quiet and desolate, evoking the true ancient town vibe.

Sheng Shubai picked up speed a little.

They were in the country during the daytime, so she wasn’t truly worried about anything happening. It was just that the person behind her was being a bit… reckless.

“You’re not worried about falling now?”

Sheng Shubai held back for a moment before asking.

Her light, playful tone drifted into her ear with the wind.

Lu Jia wiggled her fingertips, brushing a familiar soft curve. Only then did she realize and hastily shifted her hand lower. “…I didn’t mean to.”

Sheng Shubai chuckled softly. “Even if you did, it’s fine.”

When they arrived at the spot A Qing mentioned, they parked the bike under the western city wall. Passing through the gate tower, they were greeted by nearby green grass, a wide expanse of pebble beach farther out, and the clear, open river beyond.

The open breeze brushed their faces.

Lu Jia held the woman’s warm hand and turned to ask her, “How about we come here every day for the next few days?”

…

No one around.

Only their voices and the rustle of trees and grass could be heard.

It really was a great spot for a date, Lu Jia thought.

If only Sheng Shubai hadn’t wrapped her arm around her waist and kissed her for a full eight minutes without letting go.

Her legs had gone soft.