Chapter 157: Hiding Deep Among the Lotus Flowers
Near the lotus pond was Lunar Heart Lake whose vast surface was half-covered by lotus flowers over the clear water. Some boatmen nearby were clever enough to develop the lakeâs tourism, renting out boats to visitors or rowing boats to show them around.
After Qianqian had left, Ye Xiaoxian went to find Xiao Baoshan. Xiao Baoshan was waiting for her in a shady spot by the lakeside. He had rented a boat, waiting to tour the lake with her.
âEverythingâs done?â he asked with a smile when she came up to him.
âYes! They will make a sweet couple!â Ye Xiaoxian announced the good news in excitement. Then, she told him everything that happened from beginning to end.
Her vivid narration amused him. âYouâre so capable and admirable!â
âI couldnât have done it without your help.â
âIt was you who came up with the idea.â
âWell, this is one of my rare merits,â she said as she noticed the boat behind him. It was neither too big nor too small, just the same as the one in The Legend of White Snake, a romantic TV play. A canopy arched over the boat, providing shelter from rain or sunlight.
âBaoshan, are you planning to row the boat?â Ye Xiaoxian asked.
Xiao Baoshan stretched out a hand and said, âCome with me. It will be an impressive day.â
Ye Xiaoxian had a slightly dirty mind as she mistook âimpressiveâ as âcaressiveâ.
She considered that she had become so weary from helping Liu Qianqian these last few days, so it was reasonable for her to have auditory hallucinations.
Xiao Baoshan helped her aboard and followed behind. To her surprise, he was such a skilled rower that it took him only a short while to reach the middle of the lake.
Just then, Ye Xiaoxian faced a dilemma over whether to enjoy the scenery fully or to avoid sunburn under the canopy. Although she had applied some of the sun cream that she had made to her skin, she would still get burned if exposed to intense sunlight.
After a mental struggle she finally said, âAlas, I love my skin better. I think I should stay under the canopy.â
Seeing her slightly frowning face, Xiao Baoshan felt that she was more adorable than ever before. Since they had got on the boat, Xiao Baoshan had been rowing hard away from the sh.o.r.e. Several boats had been with them on the lake at the beginning, but the lake was so expansive that they couldnât see any of them after turning a corner.
A few moments later, Ye Xiaoxian heard something rustling against the wooden hull. The boat was brus.h.i.+ng past the lotus leaves. Immediately, the light faded as she found herself surrounded by lotus flowers and leaves. Xiao Baoshan had steered the boat deep among the lotus flowers.
âBaoshan, why are you taking the boat in here? We may get lost!â Ye Xiaoxiao got a bit nervous.
Xiao Baoshan put down the paddles and squatted down to pick several seed pods. Then, he moved under the canopy and handed the seed pods to Ye Xiaoxian. âThese are edible.â
Ye Xiaoxianâs eyes suddenly lit up. âLotus seeds!â
Lotus seeds were thought to have medicinal use in relieving the acc.u.mulation of excess yang energy. They could be used to simmer the soup or be eaten raw.
When she was about to peel the lotus seeds, she found that Xiao Baoshan didnât go out to row the boat. Curiously she asked, âWhy are you still here?â
âI want to stay with you for a while,â he said. âLittle Ye, I feel so comfortable here. Itâs just like weâre hiding in a haven of peace. Donât you think so?â
Hearing that, Ye Xiaoxian also looked around. The lotus flowers and leaves surrounding the boat isolated them from the outside world. The secluded s.p.a.ce was indeed a peaceful haven and it was so quiet that she could only hear the melodious gurgle of the water and the tender wind.