Tang Li thought Song Baiyan would not leave the mountain since he had been living a mundane life for the past few days, which she had witnessed with her own eyes.
Either attending lectures given by the abbot or playing chess with the abbot.
The only "entertainment" activity was occasionally hiking nearby.
Just as Director Bai had said, Song Baiyan’s lifestyle was indeed akin to that of an elderly person, leisurely and serene as depicted in the poem "gathering chrysanthemums beneath the eastern fence," but lacking any kind of passionate excitement.
Therefore, Tang Li was somewhat incredulous when she saw Song Baiyan being persuaded by the relentless Little Monk.
This disbelief made her feel uneasy all the way down the mountain.
There are several villages at the foot of Fengyang Mountain.
Like other ethnic minority inhabited areas, those left behind are typically the elderly, children, and women, and this kind of festival bonfire is usually a joint affair between several villages.
Upon reaching the foot of the mountain, a bonfire could already be seen from a distance.
Because Song Baiyan also came down the mountain, those accompanying him included Ji Ming and a middle-aged monk.
Along the way, the middle-aged monk introduced the ethnic minority at the foot of Fengyang Mountain who had migrated from the south, and Song Baiyan also asked a few questions related to the local livelihood, making Tang Li, who was walking ahead, feel as though they weren’t there for fun but rather it seemed like a leader inspecting an area.
When they arrived at the entrance of the village, Little Monk was holding Tang Li and wanted to take her home first.
Tang Li stopped and instinctively looked at Song Baiyan.
"Go ahead." Song Baiyan nodded, his gaze on her was gentle, only reminding her to stay safe. As for them, they would first head to the bonfire event and meet there later.
Little Monk’s mother, a plump woman, knowing that Tang Li was a distinguished guest from Guangyuan Temple, kindly offered her own clothes from before her marriage to borrow.
"All the girls here dress this way during the festivals." Little Monk became lively as soon as he got home, took a silver necklace and compared it on Tang Li: "You will look pretty. Benefactor Song will definitely like it."
Taking the necklace and placing it back on the table, she spoke: "Monks, do not lie."
"But I am not a monk, I just shaved my head. Master said I haven’t taken the precepts, not a real monk, just like Benefactor Song, I can also marry and have children."
He said, leaning over the table close to Tang Li: "Do you want to marry and have children with Benefactor Song?"
Before Tang Li could answer, he continued: "Last year, when Benefactor Song came to the mountain, he did not bring any women, and I noticed that he has something special for you. In the mornings when I was sweeping the courtyard, he always told me to sweep gently so as not to wake you."
"It might... just be a casual reminder."
Tang Li said this, but her heart stirred with different emotions, Little Monk quietly muttered while playing with the silver bracelet: "Definitely not, I can feel it, it’s kind of like how my dad treats my mom, but seems like Benefactor Song doesn’t plan to be with you, it’s really strange."
Tang Li couldn’t help but tighten her grip on the silver comb in her hand.
Little Monk lifted his head: "That’s why I asked you to dress up prettily; my dad says men like beautiful women, if you look beautiful, maybe Benefactor Song will change his mind."
At the site of the bonfire event.
Song Baiyan did not let the middle-aged monk reveal his identity, pretending to be just an ordinary devotee down to join the fun, he stood at the periphery, lit a cigarette, watched the young people and children play madly, not disturbing this lively yet peaceful scene.