To make friends through music and communicate with music.
Qin Junyao and the other two quickly became acquainted. Besides Bai Qing, who could play multiple instruments, Ling Manshuang’s Ruan playing was also excellent.
Tingyin Pavilion was in a secluded location, and they could play and discuss freely within the shop without anyone disturbing them.
“I’m so happy, no one is allowed to leave at noon. Junyao, you’re amazing,” Ling Manshuang praised Qin Junyao, holding her Ruan.
Just now, this girl had taught her an exotic tune, which she loved very much.
“Sister Manshuang, don’t tease me. You are more formidable than I am,” Qin Junyao said, not out of modesty.
In the realm of Qin and Zheng, she had always been confident.
Taught by famous masters since childhood, diligent in her practice, and influenced by various aspects of Western and Chinese music, Qin Junyao's musical attainments were far beyond those of her peers.
Yet, Bai Qing and Ling Manshuang, both in their early twenties, had never studied or experienced modern music, but they could fully understand Qin Junyao's meaning when they communicated.
Bai Qing’s Xiao and Ling Manshuang’s Ruan would be considered top-tier in the modern era.
The lunch was a banquet delivered by Huiluan Restaurant.
“Sister Manshuang, there’s too much food,” Qin Junyao thought, wondering how three people could possibly eat this much, it was enough for ten.
Ling Manshuang poured a cup of warmed wine for Qin Junyao, “It’s fine, I have a lot of servants in my backyard. I usually don’t like them bothering me, so I don’t let them come out.”
“Junyao, your Sister Manshuang has a large estate, this is nothing,” Bai Qing said after finishing a cup of yellow wine and pushing it towards Ling Manshuang.
Ling Manshuang placed the wine pot in front of Bai Qing, “Pour it yourself.”
Then she nudged the wine cup in front of Qin Junyao, “Junyao, have a taste, this is brewed by myself.”
Looking at Ling Manshuang’s expectant expression, Qin Junyao felt a bit hesitant. She couldn’t drink, not because of alcohol allergies, but because of her poor alcohol tolerance.
She would get drunk after just one cup and would do anything once drunk, forgetting everything after sobering up.
The most exaggerated incident was at a post-performance banquet when she mistakenly drank a beverage containing alcohol. Under the influence, she climbed onto the roof of the sixteenth floor and sang “Happy Breakup.”
Who knew why she, who had no boyfriend, would sing that song.
The organizers thought Qin Junyao was going to commit suicide, which alerted the fire department who “rescued” her and almost made it into the social news.
Now, in front of Qin Junyao was not a beverage containing alcohol, but actual wine. Even in a different body, she dared not take the risk.
“Junyao, your Sister Manshuang came to the Northwest specifically to taste the yellow wine she liked, and she painstakingly researched and brewed it,” Bai Qing said, seeing Qin Junyao not drinking and trying to persuade her.
Ling Manshuang glared at Bai Qing, “Junyao, don’t listen to his nonsense. I just prefer sweet wine.”
“The wine here has a rich flavor, but it’s too strong. I’m not used to it.”
“Try it quickly, it’s sweet and delicious.”
Qin Junyao couldn’t refuse and could only use her sleeve to cover it as she poured the wine into her left hand and into her space.
It was quite a difficult maneuver.
Seeing Qin Junyao drinking so readily, Ling Manshuang kept pouring wine for her.
Qin Junyao, unaffected by the wine due to her cheating, didn’t show any signs of drunkenness. Ling Manshuang, on the other hand, had a high alcohol tolerance, and after drinking a pot of wine, her face only had a rosy hue.
Seeing that Qin Junyao could drink, she even gave Qin Junyao a small jar of yellow wine when they parted.
“Junyao, I had so much fun today. It’s a shame you have to leave the day after tomorrow.”
“When you get back, draw the blueprints for the twenty-one-string zither and give them to me. I’ll find the best craftsman to make it for you.”
Qin Junyao bowed and thanked her. She had plenty of money now and would definitely commission a guqin.
* * *
Returning to the inn, the sun was already setting in the west.
Qin Junyao, carrying fabric, books, and a bundle of small items, helped the waiter pick up dropped items and successfully reached her room.
After thanking the waiter, just as Qin Junyao was about to unpack, she saw Grandma Qin enter the room with a displeased expression, hands on her hips. “You really know how to shop. I thought you walked all the way home.”
“You still bought so many things, your legs aren’t worn out, and your shoes aren’t scuffed. You’re quite something.”
After Grandma Qin finished speaking, she turned and went back to her own room. She was really angry.
Besides her granddaughter being late, there was also the fact that Zhao Liangcai hadn’t shown up, and hadn’t even sent a word.
Had she misjudged him?
Grandma Qin was unwilling to admit this.
From their crossing the forest together, it was clear that Zhao Liangcai was interested in her granddaughter. Could it be that his identity couldn’t be revealed?
Qin Junyao, left alone in the room, was bewildered. By the time she rushed out, Grandma Qin had already closed the door. From inside the room, she shouted for Qin Junyao to stay away and ignored her.
Qin Junyao apologized outside the door, but Grandma Qin didn’t pay her any mind, so she had to return to her own room.
After eating dinner in her room, Qin Junyao wanted to check on her grandmother again, but suddenly felt unwell.
She quickly took out the sanitary pads she had bought upon arriving in the Northwest and put them on in her space before sitting back on the bed.
The sanitary pads weren’t fitting properly, coupled with abdominal pain and heavy bleeding, Qin Junyao had to lie on the bed, propped up, and remain still.
It would be bad if she stained the inn’s quilt.
Bored, Qin Junyao could only read her newly bought travelogue to pass the time. She planned to wait until late at night to go into her space.
Gradually, the noises outside disappeared, and the sound of the night watchman could be heard outside the window. Qin Junyao slowly moved to the edge of the bed, and a warm current rushed over her.
Qin Junyao took a deep breath, stood up, and wanted to check the doors and windows one last time.
Creek.
The sound of the window opening startled Qin Junyao. Before the person appeared, the voice preceded him, “It’s me, Zhao Liangcai.”
Then, a head, blindfolded with black cloth except for the eyes, emerged from the window.
Qin Junyao recognized the voice, but wasn’t entirely sure if it was him. “What am I afraid of?”
“Mice.”
Upon hearing the word “mice,” Qin Junyao instinctively shivered. Zhao Liangcai then climbed in through the window, though his movements were not very agile.
“How did you get here?” Qin Junyao stood still, looking at Zhao Liangcai, who was completely wrapped in black clothes.
Zhao Liangcai moved to a spot not illuminated by light from the window, and pulled down the cloth covering his face. “I had some unexpected circumstances today and couldn't make our appointment. I’m here to inform you, I’ll rest for a bit and then leave.”
Qin Junyao covered her mouth with her hands, looking at Zhao Liangcai’s revealed face. Her jaw had dropped into an ‘o’ shape.
Looking at a beauty under the light only makes them more beautiful. This saying applied equally to men.
Zhao Liangcai grinned when he saw Qin Junyao’s reaction. His deep voice became even more charming in the silent night. “My beard was fake. This appearance makes it difficult to establish authority in the army.”
After speaking, he even tilted his head and smiled at Qin Junyao.
Qin Junyao blinked. She refused to admit that her heart was beating faster or that her cheeks were flushing.
Wuwu~~ Zhao Liangcai was truly handsome, so young and handsome.
Coming back to her senses, Qin Junyao found it strange. When had she made an appointment with Zhao Liangcai?
Meanwhile, the instigator, Grandma Qin, was sleeping soundly in the next room.