Chapter 53

Chapter 53

Wen Miao took a bus to Guiziyuan Square, entered through the South Gate, and followed yesterday’s route all the way to the lakeside that cut across the square.

Nan Mu was standing on a pier by the lake with his back to her. A number of sculling boats were docked nearby, their boatmen shouting energetically to attract customers.

“What are you looking at?” Wen Miao walked up behind Nan Mu and followed his gaze.

Nan Mu pulled his gaze back and let it rest on Wen Miao. After a couple of seconds, he suddenly flashed a grin. “Want to go for a boat ride?”

Wen Miao was stunned. “What?”

Wait, weren’t they here to investigate Gu Zhishu’s movements?

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The lake that ran through Guiziyuan Square was called Shifeng Lake. Based on the name alone, it sounded like a small pond, but it was actually the largest lake in Jin’an District. Originating from Lion Mountain, it meandered through Jin’an District and flowed past Guiziyuan Square.

Ten years later, Shifeng Lake would be developed by the government into a premier tourist attraction for City A, drawing a never-ending stream of visitors. The most popular tour route would be a boat trip from Lion Mountain around Jin’an District, as it was the most effortless way to see the sights. Along the way, tour guides would explain the history of the district’s development and point out the various landmarks at every stop. There were also many designated boarding points along the route, allowing tourists to hop on and off at their leisure to explore other attractions.

But for now, this viral route had yet to be commercially exploited. Without the intrusion of commercialization, it possessed a certain rustic charm.

“You young couple on the shore-want a boat ride?”

The boatman on a sculling boat leaned out from under the roof, bracing himself against the edge as he looked at Nan Mu and Wen Miao.

“Yes!”

Without waiting for Wen Miao to answer, Nan Mu gave a crisp reply and nimbly hopped onto the boat.

He turned back to Wen Miao and reached out his hand. “Come on.”

Wen Miao looked at his hand, hesitated for two seconds, and then placed hers in his palm.

Nan Mu closed his fingers around hers and gave a gentle tug, pulling Wen Miao onto the boat. The bow wobbled in the water under the weight, and in a moment of panic, Wen Miao grabbed the lapels of Nan Mu’s clothes.

“Haha. Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid,” the boatman laughed as he steadied the boat.

Just as Wen Miao let go, the boat rocked again, frightening her into grabbing Nan Mu once more.

“It’s okay, it’s okay,” Nan Mu comforted the frantic Wen Miao as he led her under the boat canopy.

Once the two of them sat down and stopped moving, the sculling boat gradually stabilized.

In the future, these sculling boats would be replaced by medium-sized tour boats that followed monotonous routes according to uniform regulations. When Nan Mu had brought friends from out of town to visit City A, he had taken those tour boats many times. However, an old-fashioned experience like a sculling boat had been phased out early because it couldn’t compete with the profits of motorized vessels. Thus, this was his first time riding one as well.

Unlike the larger tour boats that could cause seasickness, the sculling boat was very comfortable.

The scull was installed at the stern, which curved slightly upward. There was a canopy in the middle of the boat that looked like a small pavilion. Under the canopy sat a small table set with tea.

The boatman’s movements were crisp and practiced as he rowed. The sculling boat swayed slowly through the water with a rhythmic motion. The distinct creaking of the wood blended with the sound of the lake water into a harmonious melody of movement and stillness. With the white walls, black tiles, small bridges, and flowing water along the banks, the scene felt deeply Zen.

The boatman asked, “Where would you two like to go?”

“Where can we go?” Wen Miao gripped the edge of the boat tightly. She was a bit nervous, but more than that, she felt a sense of novelty.

Wen Miao had spent the first twenty years of her life buried in her studies. Lacking both time and money, all her life experiences had come from books. Later, she finally had the time and the money, but she no longer had the opportunity.
Nan Mu’s gaze gradually darkened as it settled on Wen Miao.

“There are plenty of places we can reach,” the boatman said with a smile, listing them off one by one. “Santan Ying, Silu Jing, Qiandeng, Guli, Jiangtongli, Lion Mountain, Baimajian…”

“Lion Mountain?” Wen Miao leaned forward, looking at the boatman. “Let’s go to Lion Mountain.”

“Lion Mountain?” the boatman echoed. “What’s the fun in going there? Hardly anyone goes up that mountain anymore. It’s exhausting to climb. You two would be better off going to Qiandeng or Baimajian…”

“I just happen to like climbing mountains.” Wen Miao smiled, then turned to give Nan Mu a look. “Right?”

Meeting Wen Miao’s eyes, the corners of Nan Mu’s lips curved slightly as he played along. “That’s right.” He then poked his head out from under the canopy to address the boatman. “Master, please row slowly. We’re in no rush.”

“You got it!” the boatman replied readily.

Sculling boats were charged by the hour, and rowing slowly was less tiring. Besides, having a handsome man and a beautiful woman on board was a pleasant sight to behold.

Naturally, the boatman was more than happy to oblige; there was no reason to hesitate.

Wen Miao, however, looked quite hesitant.

“Aren’t we here to investigate where Gu Zhishu went?” Afraid the boatman might overhear, Wen Miao leaned in close to Nan Mu and whispered her question. She remembered rushing over here thinking they were about to solve the mystery of Gu Zhishu’s whereabouts, only to end up sightseeing with Nan Mu.

Nan Mu calmly poured boiling water from the tea stove over the tea set, scalding the cups to rinse them before emptying the water into the lake. He then poured two cups from the teapot and pushed one toward Wen Miao. “Try some?”

Wen Miao looked at the steaming tea cup in front of her and sighed, picking it up to take a sip.

“How is it?”

“A bit bitter at first.” Wen Miao paused for three seconds. “But it has a sweet aftertaste.”

Nan Mu gave her a thumbs-up and refilled her cup to its original level.

Wen Miao took another sip, starting to lose her patience. “So, what we’re doing today is…”

Nan Mu chuckled and beckoned her over, signaling for her to sit beside him.

Wen Miao hesitated for a moment, asking, “It won’t capsize, will it?” before finally moving over.

“It won’t. Don’t you worry, this boat is steady as a rock,” the boatman chimed in with a laugh after overhearing her.

Only then did Wen Miao sit down comfortably. She didn’t say another word, simply fixing her eyes on Nan Mu.

Nan Mu had intended to take Wen Miao out to relax, but seeing her current expression, it was clear that if he didn’t give her a proper explanation, she wouldn’t be in the mood for any sightseeing.

“Do you remember the question we were considering before? If the person who messaged Gu Zhishu didn’t want to meet him at Guiziyuan Square, then why did they have him go there in the first place?”

Wen Miao shook her head. They hadn’t been able to figure that out yesterday.

Nan Mu tilted his head, gesturing for Wen Miao to observe the surroundings of the waterway. “Take a look around. See if you notice anything.”

Wen Miao looked around blankly. Reeds lined both sides of the canal, swaying in the wind; the lake surface rippled with green waves, and a gentle breeze brushed against her face… What else was there besides a sense of leisure? She strongly suspected Nan Mu had only done this for the sake of an outing.

Nan Mu was in no hurry to explain, leisurely sipping his tea.

Occasionally, he would offer a hint. “What do you think is the difference between going to Lion Mountain from the South Gate versus going there from here?”