Chapter 55: About to Make a Wish—Will It Come True?

“Then I won’t go downstairs. The bed of One Thousand and One Nights—I intend to rest well, take a bath in the cave pool, and perhaps capture some shots of the night view from my room,” Teacher Bao said expectantly.

Lin Shenlu nodded with a smile, “While you’re at it, why not invite a girl over for a private cave photoshoot? Earn back tonight’s room fee!”

“Short-sighted! That’s too small-minded!” Teacher Bao snorted, opened his door, and entered his room.

Lin Shenlu chuckled and accompanied An Muxi to her room.

“Go ahead and change. I’ll wait for you outside,” Lin Shenlu said.

After a long day in the Rose Manor and another two hours on the road, both of them needed to freshen up.

It didn’t take long. Lin Shenlu washed up and changed, then waited at An Muxi’s door.

An Muxi belonged to that type who, even without makeup, was quietly beautiful.

By the time they both went downstairs, it was already past ten.

Downstairs, only three people remained.

Old Qin and Mengmeng, the new arrivals, had already retired to their rooms. After a tiring day, an early night was the healthiest routine for middle-aged men.

But Ye Yaoren and Xiao Ai were still with Hailan Jing, waiting for Lin Shenlu.

Of course, if it weren’t for Lin Shenlu, Ye Yaoren would have taken Xiao Ai upstairs for a romantic rendezvous long ago.

Softly, Lin Shenlu sat beside Hailan Jing, while An Muxi took the seat at Lin Shenlu’s other side.

The two women exchanged glances and nodded gently.

The first meeting of two women always carries an inexplicable sense of tension.

“Let me introduce everyone—this is An Muxi. I picked her up today, and the one upstairs too; they’re both here to stay,” Lin Shenlu said, smiling at the others around the table.

“An Muxi… Yogurt? The Yogurt Lady?” Ye Yaoren leaned back, grinning.

“Stop it, don’t be cheeky,” Lin Shenlu scolded.

“Hello, I’m Hailan Jing, owner of this inn. It’s a pleasure to have you, and welcome to your stay,” Hailan Jing extended her hand graciously to An Muxi.

Hailan Jing was confident.

Very confident—her looks, her presence, and her smile all gave her the conviction to reach out to the cool, aloof woman beside Lin Shenlu.

An Muxi nodded slightly, her delicate hand reaching across Lin Shenlu to shake Hailan Jing’s.

Both hands rested momentarily on Lin Shenlu.

The handshake was brief.

It seemed that, aside from Lin Shenlu, who had managed to open a small crack in An Muxi’s emotional defenses, she rarely greeted others with a smile.

It wasn’t coldness, but the obvious sense of distance made it hard for others to approach her.

“Is Sister An the girl Lin Shenlu wrote about, the one he was searching for in Dali?” Hailan Jing suddenly recalled something.

Lin Shenlu was startled, looking at Hailan Jing.

An Muxi was also taken aback, glancing at Lin Shenlu.

Lin Shenlu turned to look at An Muxi.

“Oh… It must be the piece I wrote for Lonely Planet. I told you before—the beginning of the article was written here,” Lin Shenlu explained.

“I read the beginning, and thought it was a made-up story, giving Dali a beautiful tale of love. After all, everyone who comes to Dali dreams of romance. I never imagined it was real, and that you two actually reunited after your separation…” Hailan Jing smiled.

“Thank you.” An Muxi nodded gracefully, maintaining her composure.

“I’ve followed this place for a long time; I love the style and atmosphere. I’ve watched many of your videos online these past days. Sorry to intrude for the coming two days,” An Muxi said.

“Not at all, Sister An. If you like it, stay longer. We welcome everyone who believes in love,” Hailan Jing replied, her gaze lingering on Lin Shenlu.

It made Lin Shenlu feel awkward.

The two of them were chatting, but kept looking at him.

Ye Yaoren and Xiao Ai felt even more uncomfortable.

Suddenly, Ye Yaoren clutched his stomach and exclaimed, “Oh! Stomachache, stomachache… Xiao Ai, do you have any medicine?”

Xiao Ai was puzzled. “Hm?”

“Quick, help me find some medicine…”

“Oh…” Xiao Ai helped Ye Yaoren to his feet.

“You all go ahead and eat—I need to take some medicine. Must’ve eaten something that upset my stomach.”

As the pair left the table, only three remained.

The atmosphere grew even more awkward.

“By the way, the friend who came back with us today said she watches your videos and mentioned your birthday is coming up?” Lin Shenlu asked curiously.

Hailan Jing nodded gently.

“Yes, my birthday is the day after tomorrow,” Hailan Jing said seriously, looking at Lin Shenlu.

An Muxi glanced at Lin Shenlu without speaking, lowering her head to sip her tea.

Lin Shenlu pursed his lips and smiled, “Then let me wish you a happy birthday in advance. Is there anything you’d like as a gift?”

“A gift… Can I make a wish?” Hailan Jing tilted her head, her meaning clear in her gaze.

“Haha… Why wouldn’t you?” Lin Shenlu glanced at An Muxi, who was still quietly drinking her tea.

“You said I couldn’t make a wish until you returned my fifty-cent coin,” Hailan Jing continued.

Lin Shenlu’s smile faded.

“That’s right, I did say that.” Lin Shenlu lowered his head and gently placed the fifty-cent coin he’d taken from An Muxi on the table.

He pushed it toward Hailan Jing.

“This is another fifty-cent coin. When the two are together, it makes one yuan. You can make your wish now,” Lin Shenlu said, looking at Hailan Jing.

Hailan Jing stared at the coin before her, then raised her eyes to Lin Shenlu.

Her gaze was filled with complicated, layered emotions.

After a long moment, a single tear fell from Hailan Jing’s eye.

She inhaled softly.

Wiping away the tear at the corner of her eye, she picked up the coin from the table, holding it before her.

“All right.”

Hailan Jing stood up, suddenly smiling.

Her smile carried tears.

“Sister An, may I borrow Lin Shenlu for a moment? I’d like to speak with him alone,” Hailan Jing said, smiling at An Muxi.

An Muxi put down her teacup and nodded gently.

“Thank you!” Hailan Jing still held the coin, looking at Lin Shenlu silently, then walked toward the door.

Hailan Jing pushed open the door and, through the window, headed to the wishing pool.

Lin Shenlu sighed, glancing at An Muxi, who remained elegant and serene as she sipped her tea.

“Go if you wish. It’s your choice and your decision,” An Muxi murmured without raising her head.

Lin Shenlu gently patted An Muxi’s shoulder. “Wait for me.”

…

He walked to the wishing pool, where Hailan Jing stood alone in a white dress.

She wept quietly.

The coin in her hand seemed to bear the imprint of her fingernails.

“Lin Shenlu, I’m about to make a wish. Do you think it will come true?”