Guo Longtong smiled and said, "Baiyu did it. He gave up everything, from being the most respected and a role model of the entire Guo family, just so he could be with the woman he loved. He was very wealthy and the heir to my uncle's fortune, but he left everything behind. He was a man who had everything, but that day, he walked out with nothing. He didn't even have a single coin with him, only the clothes he wore when Renshu carried him out of the Guo Manor that day. Now you see, that is pure love, and nothing more."
Huang Yueliang was so touched by the story. "I knew they had a history, but I didn't know their story would be like that." Tears welled in her eyes. "To love someone so much and not even be afraid of death, I envy their love." She recited, "When it snows in summer, when heaven and earth mingle, not till then will I part from you."
Guo Longtong flapped his fan, a slow, deliberate motion. "Well said. Very well said," he mused, a smile playing on his lips. "I believe the only reason they returned here is because Ping'an's grandmother is buried here. Otherwise, they would never come to this place." He chuckled softly, a private memory of Zhao Renshu mocking the townspeople crossing his mind. "Brainless town..." he murmured, a faint echo of the past.
"Why?" Huang Hongse pressed.
"Stop cutting me off. I will explain," Guo Longtong retorted, annoyed.
"Then keep talking and stop pausing!" Huang Hongse replied madly. "No one applauds!"
"According to the town priest," Guo Longtong continued, "Ping'an was cursed for having two markings on her palms. Everyone in town treated her badly since she was a child. Her father is the owner of the famous Sunrise Inn down the road. Her step-sister grew up as the lady of the Inn, and Ping'an was raised as a servant. Her father did not allow her to use his surname. Renshu can be out of control when someone speaks ill of her. He is very protective of Ping'an."
"We have learned it the hard way," Huang Yueliang said, looking pointedly at Huang Hongse. "We almost died because someone spoke ill of her."
"They are both protective, but Renshu shows it more," Guo Longtong added. "When it comes to Ping'an, they will give their lives to save her. Miss Huang Hongse, if you fall in love with Renshu, please quit while you still can. Miss Hu is a good example, and so was Miss Wu, Baiyu's ex-fiancée." Guo Longtong sipped his tea. "That's their story." Guo Longtong then realized that he was telling the two ladies too much. "Please don't tell Baiyu," he whispered quickly.
"Such a coward!" Huang Hongse scoffed. "You dare to speak of others behind them, but you are not man enough to admit it in front of their face!"
"Baiyu and I have known each other since childhood. I am not afraid of him," Guo Longtong protested.
"Baiyu may be your cousin, but does Renshu think of you in the same way?" Huang Hongse continued with her assault.
"Of course. I have known him for many years," Guo Longtong replied, his confidence wavering slightly. He looked at Huang Hongse. "We also have history."
When Huang Hongse was about to speak again, Huang Yueliang stopped her. "Thank you very much for your story," she said to Guo Longtong. "I hope their story will enable some people to make better decisions."
"How about tonight, I will take you two to the Lantern Festival?" Guo Longtong offered, trying to change the subject. "In the evening, all the candlelight is very beautiful."
"Hongse, do you want to go?" Huang Yueliang asked her cousin.
"Do you want to go?" Huang Hongse countered, looking at Huang Yueliang.
"Why not?" Huang Yueliang smiled, a glint of genuine enjoyment in her eyes. "This is our first time here; since we're here, why not enjoy it?"
"Fine, we'll go," Huang Hongse conceded.
Just as the waiter put six dishes of food on the small table, the lovers happened to walk through the front entrance.
Guo Longtong waved at the lovers, and the lovers walked to their dining table.
"What are you doing here?" Guo Baiyu asked, surprised.
"I am the host tonight," Guo Longtong announced. "I will take these two lovely ladies out to the Lantern Festival. Do you want to join?"
"Good. We will join tonight because we have to leave tomorrow," Zhao Renshu said, accepting the invitation.
"Leave? Where?" Huang Hongse asked, her eyes widening.
"Go home," Zhao Renshu replied simply.
Ping'an smiled at Guo Longtong. "Childe Guo, since you are here, I have something for you to give to Childe Lee. I will go get it."
The two men were about to follow Ping'an, but Guo Longtong stopped them. "She was just walking upstairs, not like she would go into a worm's mouth!" He pulled the two men towards the table. "Sit. Sit."
A moment later, Ping'an returned and sat next to Guo Longtong. She handed him eight books.
"These are for Childe Lee and you," Ping'an said.
"What is this?" Guo Longtong asked, confused.
"Baiyu said, Childe Lee has always wanted to be a teacher, and you like adventures," Ping'an explained. "These copies are adventures we have experienced."
Guo Longtong was astonished with joy. "Really?"
"In the journal, I record what kind of ghoul, spirit, or creature we have taken down and what we used to suppress them," Ping'an continued. "Perhaps maybe one day it will help the younger generation."
Excitement coursed through Guo Longtong's body, making the hair on his forearms stand on end. His hand, trembling slightly, reached out and carefully took the journal records from Ping'an. "Thank you. I will make sure Dachin gets it," he said, his voice brimming with undisguised gratitude, his eyes shining and a wide smile splitting his face.
"Thank you, Childe Guo," Ping'an replied with a smile on her face.
"When you told us you were going to give this to some men," Zhao Renshu said, turning to Ping'an, "was this for them?"
Ping'an nodded.
"Did you mention about his pairing with...?" Zhao Renshu teased, a mischievous glint in his eye.
"Who are you pairing me with?" Guo Longtong asked, surprised.
"Don't listen to his nonsense," Ping'an confirmed with a gentle smile.
"Ping'an, I am overjoyed with this," Guo Longtong said, holding the books. "I could've kissed you!"
"If you still want to keep your front teeth, you'd better not," Guo Baiyu warned, his voice calm but firm.
"Why? Are you going to punch me?" Guo Longtong asked, bewildered.
"No, I am going to punch you," Zhao Renshu corrected with a teasing smile. "When Ping'an told me she would be giving those journals to a man, my knuckles were already itching back then." He taunted by curving the left corner of his mouth.
"Please don't," Guo Longtong pleaded, shrinking back playing along with Zhao Renshu's teasing. "Every time I think of the day when you hit Baiyu, I still tremble." He moved the books to his left, away from Zhao Renshu. "Baiyu, Yingyu told uncle, and he decided to face you face to face."
"I am not afraid to confront him," Guo Baiyu stated, his expression unwavering. "His son is dead."
"Let's eat," Guo Longtong quickly interjected, his voice attempting to diffuse the rising tension. "Let's not talk about the past that only brings us sadness. Instead, let's discuss what we'll do in the future to make life more exciting, just like these beautiful, continuous stories that Ping'an gave me."