Tang Li didn’t get it.
Little Monk scratched behind his ear, his cheeks flushing, and then said, "Isn’t there a village at the foot of the mountain? New Year’s Day is coming in a few days. We have a custom here that during the holidays, there will be activities at night. Aunt Zhang is worried that you’ll be bored on the mountain, so she asked me to find you."
"Like a bonfire," Little Monk described with some difficulty, but he still tried to explain to Tang Li, "There are few men, it’s mostly women and children. If you want to sing and dance, you can, and there will be food to eat; it’s really fun."
Tang Li bent down and lightly scraped his nose, "It seems that Little Master has not yet given up worldly desires."
Little Monk’s face turned so red it seemed he might bleed.
He eagerly asked Tang Li, "So will you go?"
Tang Li wasn’t very interested in these activities, probably because after being reborn, she was past the psychological age of playing and having fun; she often preferred being alone in tranquility.
Seeing her not responding, Little Monk added, "It’s really very fun."
Facing the child’s eager gaze, Tang Li’s refusal turned a corner at her lips and she asked him, "Do you really want me to go?"
Being young, under her gaze, Little Monk honestly confessed, "If you go, I can talk to the host and be your guide, then I can go down the mountain with you. I want to go home and see my mom. She’s alone at home; my dad is working elsewhere and definitely can’t come back right now."
Looking at his pure, large eyes, Tang Li couldn’t help but think of her childhood which she spent only with Tang Yin, always wishing to stay by her mother’s side forever.
But, her wish ultimately became a luxury.
Tang Li touched Little Monk’s head, deciding to fulfill his wish: "Go tell the host now, say that I want to go down the mountain to have fun, and ask you to accompany me."
"I’ll go right now, donor, please wait here for me."
After saying that, he turned and ran.
It was already dark, Tang Li was a bit worried, and put her hands in the pockets of her jacket, following him back along the path.
Just upon reaching the entrance of the cafeteria, she could hear voices inside.
Tang Li re-entered the cafeteria.
Little Monk was standing next to the old host, seemingly talking about the bonfire party down the mountain.
Her gaze moved from Little Monk to Song Baiyan, who had a freshly brewed cup of tea in front of him. Seemingly amused by the childish chattering, there was a faint smile on Song Baiyan’s face, catching her eye and making her lips slightly curve upwards too.
Little Monk, sharp-eyed, turned his head and spotted Tang Li: "Master, look, the female donor has come. She must have been anxious waiting for me."
"It is indeed me who wants to go," Tang Li stood at the entrance of the cafeteria, nodding in agreement, "I have never seen a minority ethnic group’s bonfire party, so I really want to check it out."
Eighteen or nineteen is the age when one loves to have fun the most.
Seeing her say this, the old host no longer objected, and suddenly remembering something, he looked kindly towards Song Baiyan, "The residents in this area are all ethnic minorities, and near the New Year, they indeed have lively bonfire parties. Minister Song, if you have nothing else tonight, you might also consider going down to watch and experience the local customs and people here."
Hearing this, Tang Li raised her gaze to look over.
Song Baiyan smiled, "If I go along, they might not feel comfortable playing."
"That won’t happen," Little Monk interjected, "Benefactor Song, if you go, everyone will certainly welcome you, especially the unmarried girls in our place."