Chapter 9, Serendipity

A young man is facing the flowing water, lightly tapping a rod-like object in the stream. Behind him stands a hunched fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy, who is extremely thin, with a bony frame clad only in trousers.

These words are indeed reasonable. Ouyang Yu, who has never had a proper meal or a good night's sleep, was deeply moved. She slowly turned her head, her clear, shimmering eyes quietly gazing at Liang Ye. After a moment of eye contact, she softly said: "Thank you"

She cautiously approached the flowing spring, and as she drew nearer, the sound became increasingly clear. Before long, she heard a pleasant, deep male voice say: "Li, don't be so tense"

As Ouyang Yu observed him, the young man was also sizing her up from head to toe. The more he looked, the brighter his eyes became, yet the brighter they shone, the more his expression was filled with regret

His words truly struck a chord with Ouyang Yu. This world is too unfamiliar, and she has no one to trust. Although this young man before her carries a high level of danger, he does possess the appearance of a civilized person. Perhaps, here she can obtain the help she desires

Ouyang Yu was startled by his words, which made her hesitate to extend her head. She never expected the other party to be so certain about her presence. After pondering for a moment, Ouyang Yu decided to remain still in her place and observe the young man's background a little longer

The sound of flowing water grew closer, ringing melodiously. Ouyang Yu felt a refreshing sensation throughout his entire body, prompting him to quicken his pace even more.

The young man slowly turned his head and said, "The girl's voice is truly melodious and enchanting; even the most beautiful music in the palace cannot compare to it." He gazed intently at Ouyang Yu, his face filled with curiosity and excitement

Having said that, he took the lead. From an angle that Ouyang Yu could not see, the corners of his mouth were raised in a smug smile, and a hint of pride appeared in his rather dark eyes. Li, standing obediently to the side, watched his master’s light steps and could not help but lower his head, slowly retreating behind Ouyang Yu. The two of them walked one after the other, surrounding Ouyang Yu as they made their way out of the woods.

At the nape of his neck, a vibrant green dragon tree pattern appeared. It was unexpected that his tattoo was of a tree, which, when paired with his demeanor, indeed matched the refined image that Ouyang Yu had envisioned.

This young lady," Liang Ye said leisurely, "has a graceful and captivating figure, and her eyes are as clear as the night sky. Although I cannot see her true face, I can guess that she must be a beauty. Have you encountered some trouble, young lady? Perhaps I can lend you a hand.

It was not until this moment that Ouyang Yu clearly saw his face. The young man was approximately twenty-one or twenty-two years old, with remarkably handsome features. He had a high nose bridge, slightly full lips, and even a slightly upturned upper lip, which gave his face a very approachable appearance

Ouyang Yu also slightly bowed, performed a Japanese greeting, and then raised her head to look at the young man. Under the young man's curious gaze, Ouyang Yu softly said: "My name is Ouyang Yu"

Ouyang Yu couldn't help but pout when she heard the young man call her a little rabbit. After a pause, she hoarsely said, "Which country is this from?"

The sound of water flowing through the leaves and over the stones clearly rang in his ears. Ouyang Yu cautiously extended his head to look towards the source of the voices.

Ouyang Yucai glanced twice, and the young man seemed to sense that he was being watched, quickly turning around. His reaction was so swift that Ouyang Yu was taken aback and hurriedly dodged, thus failing to see his face clearly

Moon Country

By the riverbank, there stands a tall and slender young man dressed in a blue linen robe, which gives him an air of distinction and sets him apart from the crowd

After a long silence, Ouyang Yu still did not come out. The young man couldn't help but smile; he no longer paid attention to Ouyang Yu and continued to use the fishing rod to strike the water surface.

She felt a stir in her heart and thought to herself: It would be wonderful if she could meet a refined gentleman

With this thought in mind, she cautiously took a few steps forward.

But your expression seems to understand everything very well! Ouyang Yu thought to herself. Her intuition told her that although the young man before her was rarely polite and courteous, that smile, no matter how she looked at it, was as cunning as a fox, and he was not someone to be easily trusted

Although Ouyang Yu was not seen, the young man fixed his gaze on the direction where she was hiding, frowning in silence. Upon seeing his master, the boy instinctively jumped in front of him, looking around warily.

Thinking of this, Ouyang Yu took a step back and said softly, "I did not mean to intrude, please do not take offense." After saying this, she turned around and prepared to leave

Just two hundred meters away from the flowing water, a low murmur of conversation reached Ouyang Yu's ears. Startled, he quickly dodged and hid behind a large tree.

Upon seeing Ouyang Yu's agreement, the young man's lips curled into a smile, but it was quickly suppressed. He said seriously: "No need, miss, let us go."

After a long gaze between the two, the young man slightly leaned forward, clapped his right hand against his chest, and said with a low laugh: "I have seen the young lady on this fine night in the Moon Kingdom"

Liang Ye smiled gently, his gaze occasionally shifting between Ouyang Yu's face and hands. When he looked up and noticed a hint of discomfort flicker across Ouyang Yu's face, he suddenly realized and withdrew his gaze, smiling as he said: "Liang Ye simply does not understand why the young lady would apply mud to her body"

This voice is different from the hoarse tone that Ouyang Yu hears in this world, carrying a hint of elegance. Upon hearing it, one cannot help but envision a handsome young man in white attire gracefully appearing in one's mind

Waving his hand to stop the lynx that was about to jump up the tree pole to take a look, the young man turned his head and said clearly: "Lynx, don't scare the guest, he means no harm."

Ouyang Yu thought to himself: This person seems to be cultured. He did not forcefully command me to come out

Thinking of this, she emerged from the thicket and slowly walked towards the young man under the watchful gaze of the wolf

Seeing Ouyang Yu hesitate, Liang Ye could not help but become serious. He bowed again to Ouyang Yu's back and politely said: "If the young lady does not mind, how about accompanying me to the Moon Kingdom for a visit? If you do not like it when we get there, you can leave just the same."

It was not until Ouyang Yu came to a stop that the young man turned his head away and said with a calm smile, "So it turns out you are a young lady, no wonder you are so cautious." He chuckled softly, his voice carrying a hint of light mockery: "Young ladies are as easily startled as little rabbits; it seems you are not from this country"