Chapter 61: Worn Out from Play

On the second day of the New Year, the weather was splendid, with bright sunshine illuminating the day as Ye Xin and Shen Zhuo set out to explore the temple fair. Their destination was a place called Jishan Temple, about seven to eight kilometers away from Liangshuitang. The temple was perched on a mountain, and the road leading there was narrow and winding, flanked by steep cliffs on one side and terraced rice fields on the other. Riding a bicycle was impractical, so they decided to walk.

If they walked briskly, they could reach their destination in just over an hour; a leisurely pace would stretch the journey to two hours. At first, Ye Xin felt a bit daunted by the prospect of such a long trek, but then she thought, “Isn’t this just part of the adventure? Even in modern times, exploring a tourist site takes several hours.” Besides, the mountainous region had its own transportation challenges. An hour’s walk was relatively short, so why not embrace the journey?

With her good health and ample energy, she was ready to tackle the mountain trails without a second thought. They planned to spend the entire day outside, so before heading out, they packed plenty of food and drink: homemade fried snacks, pancakes, and dumplings neatly arranged in Shen Zhuo’s lunchbox, which was filled to the brim. Each brought their own thermos filled with hot tea, guaranteed to stay warm throughout the day.

Just to be safe in case they returned late, Ye Xin insisted Shen Zhuo bring a flashlight as well. All their supplies were stowed in a sturdy fabric bag, which hung heavily from Shen Zhuo’s shoulder, while Ye Xin enjoyed the lightness of her own load.

Once everything was ready, Shen Zhuo offered her his hat and scarf. Although the sun was shining brightly, the air still carried a chill. Ye Xin brushed off the offer, saying, “No thanks, you’ve already worn it.”

Shen Zhuo felt a bit embarrassed but knew her well and explained, “I washed it… right after the last class. It’s freshly dried, and I haven’t used it for the New Year yet.”

Finally convinced, Ye Xin accepted the black scarf, woven from coarse yarn, long and wide, and incredibly soft to the touch. She playfully held it to her nose to check for any scent. Shen Zhuo watched her with a fond smile, finding her antics adorable. But then, a blush crept onto his cheeks as he recalled that the scarf had been wrapped around his own neck not long before.

Satisfied that the scarf smelled fresh, Ye Xin wrapped it around her neck, covering half her face and the tips of her hair, leaving only her bright, expressive eyes visible. “Let’s go!” she declared, stepping confidently out of the yard.

Relieved she hadn’t looked back, Shen Zhuo quickly rubbed his face to compose himself and hurried to catch up. After locking the yard gate, they made their way downhill.

By this time, around nine in the morning, the village was bustling with life. It was the second day of the New Year, the first day for visiting relatives. Families typically made rounds to their closest relatives, such as daughters returning to their parents’ homes or husbands accompanying their wives to meet their in-laws. In families with many daughters, the gatherings could swell to several households, often with over a dozen children, creating a delightful cacophony.

Liangshuitang was a large village, teeming with more people than usual. Laughter and chatter echoed from the front to the back of the village. As Ye Xin and Shen Zhuo walked through the village, they spotted unfamiliar faces—adults and children from neighboring villages visiting relatives. Curious glances were exchanged between the two groups.

Most families were preoccupied with their own visits, so fewer people were out enjoying the temple fair, making Ye Xin’s timing impeccable. However, she hadn’t considered one group: those who, like them, had no relatives to visit.

Not far from Liangshuitang, they stumbled upon a group of young intellectuals—Jiang Jingyu, Zhang Kangming, Sun Weiqiang, Liu Hongxia, Zhao Zhonghua, and Wang Xiaowei—all present and accounted for, not having returned home for the holiday.

Some carried water, while others had small baskets or bamboo baskets slung over their shoulders, ready for a day of fun. Hearing the sound of footsteps, they turned to greet their friends, their spirits high for the adventures that awaited them.

As they turned around, they spotted the two of them. There was no avoiding it now; they had to exchange greetings. Thankfully, a familiar face was there. Ye Xin smiled and called out, “Sister Xiaowei, are you also heading to the temple fair?”

Wang Xiaowei had been worried about a possible argument between the two from yesterday, but seeing them all smiles and together eased her mind. She replied with a grin, “Yes! With nothing else to do, we’re on our way to Jishan Temple Fair now.”

Feigning surprise, Ye Xin teased, “I thought you went yesterday!”

Wang Xiaowei chuckled, catching on to the banter. “I didn’t go because it was too crowded. They went, but to the farther Shajiang Temple Fair, which is much bigger and livelier. There are several fairs around here these days; we could visit one each day just to enjoy ourselves. But since most of the team is visiting relatives today, it’s a bit quiet for those of us without local relatives. We might as well go together and join the fun!”

“We’re also going to the Jishan Temple Fair,” Ye Xin replied.

Wang Xiaowei sensed that Ye Xin preferred not to walk with them and suggested, “We walk slowly, so you two should go ahead.”

Ye Xin felt a rush of appreciation for her thoughtfulness; their friendly exchanges were clearly paying off. Just as she was about to agree, Liu Hongxia piped up.

“Why don’t we walk together? We’re all part of the same group and heading to the same place, so there’s no need to separate!” Liu Hongxia said, a bright smile on her face.

Sun Weiqiang chimed in, “Exactly! It feels awkward to split up like this; it makes us look divided.”

The rest of the group stayed silent, simply observing, as if indifferent to the decision to walk together or apart.

Ye Xin wasn’t keen on walking with them and countered, “I didn’t go out yesterday, so I haven’t seen the fair yet. I’m eager to find a good spot! I bet we can walk faster than you!”

With that, she quickened her pace and stepped ahead of them. Shen Zhuo naturally followed closely behind her.

Liu Hongxia called out from behind, a hint of defiance in her voice, “How fast can you really walk? We’re in much better shape than you! You might be quick now, but you’ll slow down later!”

Ye Xin pretended not to hear her, focusing instead on putting distance between them. The winding mountain path soon offered a sharp turn, allowing them to completely break away from the group.

Shen Zhuo was delighted she wasn’t walking with the others and kept pace with her, his spirits high. By the time the others turned the corner, they had already vanished from sight. Liu Hongxia couldn’t help but exclaim, “What the hell! How are they walking so fast?”

Sun Weiqiang frowned and replied, “It’s the first day of the New Year; don’t jinx it with those words. But honestly, Ye Xin, avoiding us like this—do you really see us as a plague?”

Both of them, being fit and light-footed, felt energized despite their pace. After a while, they began to see other fair-goers, and the atmosphere became more vibrant as laughter and conversation filled the air.

In the mountains, wherever there was a large flat area at the foot of a hill, there was likely a village of some size. So, as they walked, they would often spot a village, encountering more people along the way.

As they ventured further, the crowds thickened. Near Jishan Temple, many villages were named after water, like Liangshuitang, Heishuitang, Hetang, and Litang, signifying the abundant water systems in the area. Expansive ponds, mostly used for fish farming, dotted the landscape, although the lotuses had long wilted this season.

Ye Xin gradually slowed her pace, embracing the leisurely mood of their outing. She walked while glancing around, taking in the scenery. The mountain path was a refreshing change from the bustling town roads she was used to.

After about seventy to eighty minutes of walking, they finally reached the base of Jishan. The area was alive with excitement, overflowing with people. The grass at the mountain’s foot bore the signs of many footsteps, revealing that both yesterday and today had drawn a large crowd.

Jishan wasn’t a high peak; climbing to the fair midway up the mountain wouldn’t take much effort. The real challenge was navigating through the throngs of people.

Shen Zhuo furrowed his brow for a moment before reaching out to hold Ye Xin’s hand, explaining earnestly, “This way, we won’t get separated in the crowd.”

Ye Xin turned her head to glance at him but didn’t pull away, instead continuing to excitedly take in the bustling atmosphere of the temple fair.

Shen Zhuo, feeling determined, tightened his grip on her hand.

At the temple entrance, many vendors were selling woven bamboo and grass trinkets, or homemade snacks, seizing the opportunity to profit from the crowds. Children were particularly drawn to these goods, their little feet barely able to move as they spent their newly received red envelope money.

Noticing Ye Xin lingering at a candy stall, Shen Zhuo pulled out some money to buy her some. These treats were quite affordable. Ye Xin curiously tasted a piece but found it unappetizing and too sticky, so she handed it back to him.

Shen Zhuo wasn’t a fan either, but with no other choice, he tucked it away into his bag.

While the stalls were merely a fleeting distraction, what truly captivated Ye Xin was the tall performance stage inside, where a local opera was being showcased. She had initially thought that such folk art would be suppressed in this modern age, yet here it was, vibrant and lively.

On stage, several performers sang with resonant voices, their melodies flowing with rhythmic highs and lows, accompanied by the clapping of bamboo boards. Their faces were painted white, with bright red blush on their cheeks. Though their clothes were rather ordinary and not traditional costumes, the vibrant scarves tied around their heads and waists set them apart as performers.

The area around the stage was crowded with spectators, all engrossed in the performance. Those who whispered did so quietly, creating a more respectful ambiance compared to the outside noise.

Ye Xin and Shen Zhuo had arrived a bit late, and the front was packed, making it hard to squeeze in. Ye Xin wasn’t keen on pushing through the crowd, so she found a spot on the periphery where she could see the stage. With her current eyesight and hearing, she could make out the performers’ every movement and hear their singing, though she couldn’t quite understand the lyrics.

She wiggled her hand, looking up at Shen Zhuo and asked, “What are they singing about?”

Shen Zhuo leaned closer, cupping his hand to her ear, and began to explain softly. The local dialect made it difficult for her to grasp the content. Shen Zhuo had seen these performances a few times as a child; the stories were mostly about overthrowing landlords and liberating the people.

A young man nearby, casually turning his head, caught sight of Shen Zhuo. His eyes lit up as he approached, but when he noticed Shen Zhuo leaning in to whisper to a girl, their intimate posture made him hesitate.

As the performers finished a song, the audience erupted into applause, cheers ringing out as the atmosphere became electric.

Seizing the moment, the young man squeezed through the crowd and slapped Shen Zhuo on the shoulder. “Hey, you came to see the local opera too?”

Shen Zhuo turned to see it was Huang Zhihao, looking pleasantly surprised. “What are you doing here?” He was surprised that Huang Zhihao wasn’t visiting relatives, as he had none nearby.

Huang Zhihao laughed heartily. “Come on, I’m too old to be going to my grandma’s for red envelopes! It feels a bit awkward, so I decided to skip it this year. Since this place isn’t far from my home, I just came to join the festivities.”

As he spoke, his curiosity was piqued by the girl beside Shen Zhuo. Given their previous whispers and the way they held hands now, it was evident that this was Shen Zhuo’s fiancée.

During their training sessions, Huang Zhihao had been endlessly curious about Shen Zhuo’s fiancée, eager to see the “thoughtful, smart, beautiful, and knowledgeable youth” he often mentioned. Now that he had the chance to meet her by chance, how could he not introduce himself?

With excitement, Huang Zhihao asked, “Shen Zhuo, who’s this? Why don’t you introduce us?”

Shen Zhuo wasn’t keen on making the introduction, wishing to keep Ye Xin from being scrutinized. However, since they had bumped into Huang Zhihao, he stiffly replied, “This is my fiancée.”

Turning to Ye Xin, he quietly added, “This is my classmate from training, Huang Zhihao.”

Ye Xin pulled down her scarf to reveal her face, smiling at the stout, good-natured Huang Zhihao. “Hello, I’m Ye Xin. Thank you for helping with the brick and tile matter. Shen Zhuo often mentions you and how well you take care of him.”

The moment Huang Zhihao laid eyes on Shen Zhuo’s fiancée, he was instantly captivated—she was stunningly beautiful!

With her fair skin and rosy cheeks, Ye Xin’s large, bright eyes sparkled with clarity. Her long, silky black hair cascaded down her back, and her voice had a soft, charming lilt. She exuded a refreshing vibrancy that set her apart.

She was nothing like the typical farm girl; it was evident she had grown up in the city. Truly, she was a proud product of the educated youth movement!

Standing next to the tall, lanky Shen Zhuo, she appeared petite and adorable, making her irresistibly charming.

Huang Zhihao, taken aback at first, couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy. He had previously thought Shen Zhuo’s praise for his fiancée was exaggerated, but now it was clear that he had been entirely accurate. No wonder Shen Zhuo beamed with pride whenever he mentioned her—if he had a fiancée like that, he’d be grinning from ear to ear every day!

Feeling a bit flustered, Huang Zhihao chuckled, “Oh, really? Actually, I didn’t help much at all! It’s Shen Zhuo who always brings tasty snacks to share with me—thanks to you both! I should be the one thanking you!”

Ye Xin couldn’t help but smile, thinking Huang Zhihao seemed a bit goofy.

Seeing her smile, Huang Zhihao felt his heart leap. She was even more enchanting up close. He couldn’t help but think of his older brother and how he must have felt upon seeing such a beautiful girl—who wouldn’t be captivated?

Shen Zhuo frowned slightly and stepped sideways, positioning himself protectively in front of Ye Xin to block Huang Zhihao’s view. “We’re off to grab a bite, so we’ll be on our way,” he said firmly.

Only then did Huang Zhihao snap back to reality. “Oh, alright. I’m getting hungry too and planning to munch on some dry rations. Are you all planning to watch in the afternoon? I saved us some good spots up front with a few villagers—you should come join us!”

Shen Zhuo decisively declined. “No, thanks. We’re worried about the crowd, so we’ll just look around outside.”

Feeling a bit disappointed, Huang Zhihao waved goodbye as he turned to leave. As he walked back, he couldn’t help but think how lucky he was that his brother had gone to their grandmother’s house with their parents. Otherwise, seeing Shen Zhuo and Ye Xin so close and cozy would have made him feel pretty envious.

Once Huang Zhihao was out of sight, Ye Xin playfully nudged Shen Zhuo and shot him a mock glare.

Shen Zhuo quickly stepped back, no longer blocking her, but he didn’t offer any explanation. Instead, he casually reached for the heavy, bulging cloth bag slung over his shoulder and said, “Are you hungry? Let’s grab some pancakes. The local opera just took a break for lunch.”

Ye Xin nodded, not wanting to dwell on the earlier awkwardness. “I am hungry,” she admitted. She had only snacked in the morning, and after hiking for over an hour and listening to the opera for more than an hour, it was definitely lunchtime.

Many villagers, unwilling to leave their spots for the afternoon performances, gathered around eating and drinking, their homemade meals spread out on the grass.

Since they hadn’t claimed a prime viewing spot, Shen Zhuo found a quiet place away from the crowd. He pulled Ye Xin down to sit, unpacking some food and drinks from the bag, and they began to eat leisurely.

As they enjoyed their meal, Ye Xin spotted some familiar faces from the educated youth team but chose to pretend she didn’t see them.

At one o’clock, the opera resumed, and Ye Xin eagerly dragged Shen Zhuo back to listen. Although she didn’t understand the lyrics, the local art form was intriguing, far more entertaining than merely wandering around tourist sites. She felt it was worth the long trek just to experience this.

Shen Zhuo settled close beside her, explaining the themes of the performances. Besides the usual tales of overthrowing landlords and fighting against warlords, there were also songs celebrating the bravery of the Red Army and the hardworking spirit of the farmers. The melodies ranged from poignant and heart-wrenching to light and humorous. It was surprisingly diverse—no wonder so many people were captivated!

As the clock approached four, they planned to head back, but then they heard that a movie would be showing in the town square at six o’clock. Since they were only an hour’s walk away, Ye Xin excitedly suggested they stay to watch the film.

Shen Zhuo hesitated. “It starts at six, and by the time it ends, it’ll be eight. We didn’t ride our bikes today, so we’d be walking back really late.”

But Ye Xin was in high spirits. “It’s fine! We brought flashlights. We can walk back together, and with so many villagers around, there’s nothing to worry about! It’s the New Year, after all—it’s all about having fun! Being a little late won’t hurt anything!”

Shen Zhuo sighed, conceding to her enthusiasm.

Following the bustling crowd, the two of them made their way to the town.

By the time they arrived, darkness had already settled in. Thankfully, the square was brightly lit, and they simply followed the glow. A white movie screen had been erected, and a sea of one or two hundred people had gathered, eagerly awaiting the film to start. Some were chatting, others munching on sunflower seeds, and many had brought their own stools to sit on.

Amid the crowd, they spotted familiar faces—Dr. Xu, his wife, and their two children. After a half-year of exchanging vegetables last year, the families had grown acquainted. Dr. Xu’s wife, Wu Xiao Jie, beamed at Ye Xin and exclaimed, “Oh, Dr. Xu brought back quite a few vegetables from you! He said they were far superior to what you find at the market. I thought to myself, what a talented girl must have grown such wonderful produce! I’ve been wanting to meet you to thank you in person, but it’s a shame it took so long. Now that I see you, I’m even more surprised! Not only are you talented, but you’re also stunning! After all my years in this town, I’ve never seen a girl as lovely as you. Shen Zhuo is truly fortunate!”

Though Ye Xin was usually sociable, she felt a bit shy in front of unfamiliar faces. Dr. Xu’s wife’s praises made her blush. “You flatter me. I’m just happy the vegetables are to your liking, and I appreciate all the help Dr. Xu has given us.”

Wu Xiao Jie waved her hand dismissively. “Oh, it’s just putting away the bicycles. It’s no trouble at all! From now on, feel free to leave your bikes anytime—there’s no need to bring more vegetables. We’ve already had plenty from you; it would be too embarrassing!”

Ye Xin found Wu Xiao Jie’s warmth overwhelming, and unsure of what else to say, she was relieved when the movie began, cutting off further small talk. Wu Xiao Jie mentioned they didn’t have stools and would send the kids home to fetch a couple. The two quickly declined, saying they were fine standing and wouldn’t take up space.

The film kicked off, showcasing the renowned classic Railway Guerrillas, a staple from the 1950s. Ye Xin had heard of the film’s name in her later life but had never seen it until now. She found herself captivated by the story unfolding on the screen.

After the movie, the crowd dispersed, buzzing with excitement. Ye Xin and Shen Zhuo bid farewell to Dr. Xu’s family before starting their journey home.

As expected, the path was lively with villagers, some carrying kerosene lamps while others wielded flashlights. Laughter and chatter filled the air, and the dark mountain road didn’t seem daunting at all.

Ye Xin, having enjoyed herself thoroughly throughout the day, now felt a wave of fatigue wash over her. As they walked, she couldn’t help but stifle a yawn.

“Are you tired?” Shen Zhuo asked, his voice breaking through her sleepy haze.

Ye Xin nodded, rubbing her eyes.

With a gentle tug, Shen Zhuo took her hand and held up a flashlight in the other. He suddenly stopped, squatting in front of her. “Hop on. I’ll carry you.”

Ye Xin was taken aback for a moment, waking up a little. “But you’ll get tired! It’s still a long way to go.”

“I’m not tired. I can handle it,” he insisted.

Her heart fluttered at his offer. Glancing around to ensure no one was watching, she climbed onto his back, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Just remember, you offered! This isn’t me taking advantage of you!”

With a soft “Mm,” Shen Zhuo adjusted his grip on her legs and stood up slowly. He was surprised by how light and soft she felt—almost weightless.

At first, Ye Xin felt a bit guilty, stealing glances at the others, but she noticed children being carried by their parents, too. Shen Zhuo focused on the path ahead, not engaging anyone in conversation. Maybe no one would notice them after all, and that eased her mind.

Though Shen Zhuo appeared lean, he was surprisingly sturdy on his feet. With each step, he walked confidently, and Ye Xin felt secure on his back. The excitement of the day and the warmth of his presence lulled her into a gentle slumber.

As he felt her rhythmic breathing against him, a smile crept onto Shen Zhuo’s lips. A wave of tenderness and contentment surged within him as he carried her along the moonlit path, each step bringing them closer to home.