Chapter 3, Encountering a Married Man in Lijiang

My boyfriend is Tong Yunfei

I do not wish to answer questions regarding Zhu Yesheng, I will simply say: "We have broken up"

When he walked out of the room, I was overwhelmed by an emotion I could not identify, and I ran over to wrap my arms around his waist from behind, saying: "Don't leave me."

He glanced at me and said, "The Baipingzhou Inn is definitely suitable for you, just over there"

A girl should still be cautious when going out at night. In any case, I have no plans and can take you around

Tong Yunfei has stayed with me many times; you are not the first girl. Last night, seeing you together, I checked the information registered under his ID card and found out that he is already married

The person who just registered is not our boss; the boss is not at the inn today, the waiter reminded me

I want to be alone in peace, rest assured, nothing will happen

"Why are you still researching? No research is more important than your marriage. You have waited for him for so many years, and Ye Sheng only comes back once every year or two, staying for just a few days before flying away. You are already thirty-two; a young woman is not like a young man. You cannot afford to waste your youth. He is still in his prime, and this is the golden period for men. It's not that I am being overly concerned; you need to be cautious. If he truly loved you, he would have married you long ago. It has been so many years of dragging this out... You are already thirty-two; a young woman is not like a young man. You cannot afford to waste your youth. He is still in his prime, and this is the golden period for men. It's not that I am being overly concerned; you need to be cautious. If he truly loved you, he would have married you long ago. It has been so many years of dragging this out..." Mom keeps nagging on.

The furnishings in the inn have a touch of antiquity, and even the waitstaff are referred to as "little second". Does that not mean the owner should be called "manager"? I called out, "Thank you, manager," and the owner nodded at me.

After disembarking from the plane and exiting the airport, I beheld a stark contrast between the ancient town before me and the hustle and bustle of the metropolis. It is quiet and subdued, possessing both an ancient charm and a modern trend, resembling a small town that has been transported from some idyllic paradise into the urban landscape

Such a pretentious conversation, if it were in the past, I would definitely think my head had been kicked by a donkey, and his head had been kicked by a donkey twice. I don't know if it's the heartbreak that has transformed my mental confusion into a split personality. In the corner, several branches of plum blossom, blooming alone in the cold, even if they fall to the ground and are crushed into dust, they still have the same fragrance. This seemingly affected sentiment, which appears pretentious to others, has always been hidden in my heart, not daring to reveal it for fear of being out of place. Because this sentence that understands me seems to bring my heart closer to his. This seemingly affected sentiment, which appears pretentious to others, has always been hidden in my heart, not daring to reveal it for fear of being out of place. Because this sentence that understands me seems to bring my heart closer to his.

The nights in every city are always much more beautiful than the days, not because of the colorful lights that illuminate the night, but because the night conceals the various ugliness of the day

I nodded and said, "Alright." He is so considerate and so attentive

In the journey of life, one should find joy and enjoy it

It has been a long time since I walked alone with a man on a charming little path, with a gentle breeze blowing, my thoughts drifting with the wind, discussing dreams, life, and various cities

The pearl is the tear of the ocean; for life and for love, are we not also the tears of the mortal world? Recently, I have been harboring a feeling of frustration in my heart. Today, the verses I recited seemed not to belong to others, but rather to resonate with my own inner voice. This drop of my tear has evaporated into water vapor, and its demise is rather tragic.

Dear mother, are you thinking of your precious daughter again

Do you want to go out

I heard that the boss has returned, and I wanted to see what this rather distinctive boss was like. As a result, when I turned around, I saw a familiar face

I have finished my makeup and am going to find Xu Zhimo

When the waves depart with resentment

You, who love smoking so much, also like these little trinkets? How peculiar. I glanced at the smoker; he was nothing like Zhu Ye, one being simple and sunny, the other shrewd and mature. Even Zhu Ye has outgrown childhood, and this person came to Lijiang to buy little trinkets either for a lover or for a daughter

He stood in the room getting dressed, and I felt everything was so unreal, yet I longed for a man to live with me. This feeling of home is so unfamiliar to me

"How do you have the leisure to come here?" he asked

At such an advanced age, still possessing such leisure and grace, I cannot help but feel a greater fondness for this carefree and unrestrained spirit

My gaze met his, as if I had committed a guilty act, and I quickly searched for an excuse in my mind, asking: "What is the name of this song?"

While drinking tea, he kept staring at me. The white bathrobe made me feel embarrassed, so I said I wanted to change my clothes. He took my hand and said, "You are more charming now, especially your profile, which always gives me a feeling of being in a paradise, making my heart feel very calm"

I have truly tormented myself, I have betrayed myself, I have sought revenge on Zhu Yesheng, but what have I gained? Can I obtain the love of another man? Can I, like Xiaoningzi, lose someone who does not love me and still find a man who loves me again?

Thank you

Writing poetry is not something that a person living in the mundane world should do, yet unfortunately, I have always lived in this worldly realm and have long since forgotten the essence of poetry

At a soirée, he represented the poetry society in reciting Li Bai's "The Difficulty of the Shu Road." Holding a wooden sword, he recited while waving it on stage. In a moment of deep emotion, he executed a downward strike, causing the wooden sword to break into two. This incident became a well-known anecdote about him

I found you! You, the carefree wanderer who disappeared right after graduation, have been hiding here all along

I have always looked down upon men who seek momentary verbal triumphs. I ignored him and asked the street vendor, "Brother, where can I find a more distinctive inn nearby"

I will handle my own matters, so you need not worry. I am still at work and will call you back later

What is the rush? Their research institute is conducting some research and will return once it is finished, but it may take some time. Although it is already in the past, new wounds have emerged today, yet I have no way to tell my mother

Just checked out

Those of your age who come to Lijiang are all artistic youths. They find ordinary hotels lacking in character and are willing to spend a little extra to stay in these old houses

I have not been here these past few days; has anything happened

Two people walking together feel that the distance is long yet close, while one person walking a short distance feels that it is long. Unknowingly, we have walked quite far. Although the spring city at this moment is warm, there is still a slight chill when the evening breeze rises, and I unconsciously hugged my arms tightly.

Impossible, impossible

As if the pale yellow tears of the sea are falling

Upon arriving for the first time, everything appears novel. After a trip, I bought many small trinkets and finally found myself unable to carry them all, only then did I realize that I hadn't even found a place to rest.

The best way to forget someone is to fall in love with another person

I simply have a fondness for the small trinkets made of bamboo; they feel nice to the touch. He took another puff before extinguishing the cigarette

My palms are sweating, and I am thinking about what to do later. I am not ignorant of matters between men and women, but the time we have known each other is still short. However, when I think about how I have kept myself pure for Zhu Yesheng, he cruelly says he wants to break up. "I want revenge," I tell myself, as if torturing myself could somehow torture him.

Following the direction of his finger, I saw an inn that did not hang the red, cheerful lanterns like other inns. In front of the door, there were two peach trees, pruned to resemble a piece of jade.

"Waiter, please take the guest to the private room upstairs," the owner called out after registering the identification card

The jealous sun

Xu Zhimo? I called out tentatively

I brewed a good pot of tea, drinking a cup of tea before sleeping will make my sleep even more pleasant

A pearl was placed in the palm of my trembling hand

This is an inn that teaches people to forget

He kissed my forehead and said, "A call came in while you were sleeping, it was from the inn's front desk. I guess it was the manager wanting to speak with you, but I didn't answer. I will go out for a walk by myself later; you haven't seen each other for a long time, and it wouldn't be convenient for me to be here. You two can have a chat."

He held me tightly, gazing at me with a dazed look in his eyes. I tilted my head back, locking eyes with him. His lips pressed down, warm and moist. I felt like an innocent little girl, bewildered yet courageously unafraid. The lights of the night added a touch of romance to the atmosphere, and I responded with a kiss. In this moment, there was no Zhu Yesheng, no Dou Jingwen, no one at all.

I would like to go see the night view

In the blink of an eye, the airplane arrived at Lijiang Airport. I beheld this pristine high altitude, much cleaner than Beijing, with the drifting clouds presenting an exquisite beauty.

Thus, I recited Shu Ting's "Pearl Shells - Tears of the Sea," expressing my own emotions through the poetry of others

His subsequent words struck me like a bolt from the blue, leaving me in disbelief

When I woke up the next day, it was already noon. It was rare to have a day where I could sleep so soundly. He woke up, looked at me, and I couldn't show my displeasure, so I smiled at him. Now, I must raise the stakes in this gamble, adding my feelings, so that I can win the love of another person

The coat is still warm, pressed against the skin, evoking an inexplicable feeling. Perhaps others would call this a romantic encounter, an abundance of hormones, or flirting

After dinner in the evening, I wanted to go out and enjoy the night view, but I heard the sound of a harmonica coming from the next room. Through the window of the inn, I saw that the one playing the harmonica was actually the man who accidentally burned me with a cigarette today

Xu Zhimo frequently called me, concerned that I might encounter an accident

Once, when we returned to the inn together, the waiter saw me and said, "Miss Dou, your flowers." I was puzzled as to who would send me flowers in this place. When I looked at him, he smiled at me, and upon examining the card among the roses, I saw it was signed "Tong." I finally understood that it was a surprise from him. I smiled back at him, expressing my satisfaction and happiness, but to truly fall in love with him would still take a long time.

The attendant led me into the room, and the entire layout, along with the wooden bed draped with fabric curtains, evoked a sense reminiscent of a martial arts drama

Lijiang is not as beautiful as I imagined. The ugliness that is hidden at night reveals itself on this day of clear blue skies and white clouds. I recall the words of Xu Zhimo, "Half of the men who come to Lijiang seek romantic encounters, while the other half will gradually desire them." It is only now that I understand what it feels like to be abandoned by the whole world, and how foolish I have been.

Thank you then

Returning to the guest room, I arranged the flowers in the room, took a shower, and was just about to sleep when Tong came to knock on the door

One mistakenly believes that loving someone can save one's soul, yet little do they know that the descent of the soul occurs at a speed akin to a waterfall cascading down three thousand feet

Lijiang is like the concubine of the great lord in Beijing, possessing a certain beauty, a touch of talent, a hint of charm, and a sense of tranquility and freedom amidst the worldly chaos. This always reminds me of Su Dongpo's Wang Chaoyun, who faced numerous misfortunes yet was always accompanied by the morning clouds. As I boarded the plane to Yunnan, with the azure sea and sky and white clouds above, I couldn't help but recall the scene from "Lost on Journey" starring Wang Baoqiang—where he drank an entire bucket of milk before boarding, felt nauseous as the plane took off, and in his local dialect exclaimed, "Flight attendant, stop the plane." His simple and endearing foolishness brought a smile to my face.

As if the pale yellow tears of the sea are dripping down

I lost this gamble, completely lost, lost utterly

"After countless sails have passed, none are the same; the slanting rays of the setting sun gently illuminate the flowing waters, my heart aches for the White Pingle Isle." Thus, the inn is named the White Pingle Isle Inn, and the first two lines of the poem are displayed as couplets hanging on either side of the door

In the dark room, without the lights on, my tears fell down

These topics that are not suitable for urban life have found an opportunity for discussion after many years. The night also makes me want to recite a poem

"You are like the plum blossom in winter," he said again

A small stall selling local handicrafts was surrounded by several people, and I joined them to admire those exquisite and delicate items. Just as I was about to pick up a small rocking chair carved from bamboo, my hand accidentally touched a lit cigarette, causing a slight burn, and I immediately withdrew it.

Where are the guests of this room

There are only stairs and no elevator, the waiter said that the boss is a person who does not like modern tools, does not have a mobile phone, and does not go online. If it were not for the needs of the public security system, he would not even be allowed to use a computer

Since you still have a childlike heart, I will let you have it, after all, my childhood is still long

I apologize, did I burn you?

Given your age, your way of speaking is quite adorable

Let me recite a poem for you, this is my only specialty

He took my hand, and I did not resist. To be precise, I did not want to resist; I hoped for a period during which I could forget Zhu Yesheng. As a young woman in her late twenties who had just experienced a breakup, I was engaging in irrational and reckless behavior in an ancient town where romantic encounters were likely to occur.

The phone rang, and I glanced at it; it was my mother. I couldn't let her sense anything unusual, so I pretended to still be at work, feeling good, and optimistic about the future

As we returned, our fingers were interlocked.

Aren't you saying that you are preparing for the wedding? When will Ye Sheng return to the country? When do you plan to go home to hold the banquet? Your father and I would like to prepare in advance. Your eldest aunt and the others are all waiting to celebrate your wedding.

Place a pearl in the palm of my trembling hand

I pretended to be shy and turned my face away. Since he said my profile was beautiful, I let him look to his heart's content. Sure enough, a kiss landed near my ear. Then I was held tightly in his arms, and he said in a hurried and nervous voice: "I love you, I am captivated by all of you"

His first question to me was: "When did you meet Tong Yunfei? To what extent has your relationship developed? What about Zhu Yesheng?"

Boss, you have returned

If I had brought the harmonica, it would have been even more perfect he said

It is no wonder that some art enthusiasts like to settle here; upon seeing it for the first time, one feels an urge to be buried here... the small taverns, old inns, cinemas, stone bridges, flowers and trees, the calls of vendors... all so unique. I believe this is a land that can heal inner wounds. Lijiang is not about nostalgia; it is about tranquility

How do you know what is suitable for me? I am puzzled

He took off his coat and handed it to me, saying, "It will be cold tonight"

In the university, there is a friend whose appearance resembles that of Zhimo and whose demeanor is as carefree as Li Bai. He does not use a mobile phone, nor does he play QQ; to find him, one can only wait at the dormitory in the evening. His greatest talent is recitation, and he is the only person in my heart who can recite everyone’s poetry beautifully. I have always believed that he was born for poetry. In those years, under his influence, I fell in love with recitation and stood on stage to recite several remarkable verses. My definition of him was not found until I saw the character Thirteen Master in "Scarlet Heart"—a carefree hero with a chivalrous spirit, traversing the world with a jug of turbid wine. In those years, under his influence, I fell in love with recitation and stood on stage to recite several remarkable verses. My definition of him was not found until I saw the character Thirteen Master in "Scarlet Heart"—a carefree hero with a chivalrous spirit, traversing the world with a jug of turbid wine

Oh, this is "Those Flowering Days" by Shui Mu Nian Hua, a song I used to like. He walked towards me. My heart suddenly began to race

I quickly ran down, but he was no longer in the hall. I ran outside the inn and chased for quite a distance, yet I could no longer see him.

Check-out

I hurriedly hung up the phone. My mother has already chosen a backup for me; as soon as I break up, my aunts and uncles will immediately bring excellent single young men to my home. However, my mother does not know that I have lost all hope for love and marriage.

Bean, I am aware of the relationship between you and Zhu Yesheng. You are so devoted to your feelings, how could you possibly end up with Tong Yunfei? What is going on?

As we were conversing, I forgot that Tong was still waiting for me. It was only when Xu Zhimo asked why I was holding flowers in my hand that I began to introduce myself.

I wanted to reminisce, but Tong said it was too late and that there would be plenty of time in the future. The shopkeeper had just returned and was certainly tired, so he needed to take a shower and change clothes first. I thought this was reasonable; Tong is indeed thoughtful. Therefore, I made an appointment with Xu Zhimo to have a good chat tomorrow

also as loyal as a hero

Mom, please don't worry. You know what kind of person Zhu Yesheng is. If I were to regret the engagement, wouldn't he be clinging to my leg and crying? How could he possibly let me go? Let him try if he has the guts!" Speaking into the phone, my voice was loud, and my tone was nonchalant, yet tears streamed down my cheeks, cold to the touch

You are still the same, still so fond of wearing long gowns, not using a mobile phone, and the inn doesn't even have an elevator. Climbing the stairs every day is exhausting for me

It is the burning tears in the eyes of heroes

I hurried upstairs, and his room was already empty, with the cleaning staff tidying up

During this period, I have been experiencing a lot of insomnia. I have long finished the tranquilizers, so drinking some tea would be good.

I thanked the boss and walked towards the inn

In the following days, he accompanied me to explore the entirety of Lijiang. I stood by the riverbank and shouted loudly, "Ah—", releasing all the displeasure in my heart. The blue sky and white clouds complemented the scene, and the weather was exceptionally good. My mood gradually calmed down, and I slowly began to get used to the days with another person.

I feel ashamed of my shamelessness. I thought I had fallen madly in love with someone else at that time, but in reality, it was merely the overwhelming pain of a breakup that led me to choose this way to escape

Boss, I would like a room

I remained indifferent, allowing him to take control. Yet at the last moment, I still could not betray myself, and I asked him while holding onto my underwear: "Am I your girlfriend?" He replied, "Yes." I then asked, "Do you love me?" He said, "I do." I let go of my grip, and he, like a famished wolf, tore my underwear apart.

Anyway, Mom is worried. Children your age, aren't they all running around with their waists already? What about you? What is this even about now! Send me Zhu Yesheng's phone number, and I will tell him that he must come back this month to collect the certificate!

It can never be transformed into a drop of clear water

He said, "Nonsense, how could I leave you? I will be back in just a moment." He turned around and held me in his arms. I leaned against his chest, as peaceful as a baby.

Choking on the white expanse of the earth

I am like a gambler, betting all my chips

Even a place like Lijiang must have its ugly aspects

To a stranger man, I did not refuse for the first time. Perhaps it was the atmosphere of Lijiang that made me feel there were no bad people here, or it was the way he looked at me as he approached that led me to mistakenly believe that the feeling of my heart racing was love at first sight.

Little Bean