The scenery was limited, after all, so it wasn't strange for us to run into each other. Besides, we hadn't turned on the lights along the way; it was hard to spot anyone unless you got close.
It wasn't hard to explain how we'd ended up together again by such a coincidence.
Though Fu Qian was more inclined to think there were other reasons—like how, for Clara, watching people was more interesting than watching the scenery.
Judging by everything she'd done so far, I was using this group of tourists as a probe. And wasn't she doing the same?
Perhaps her purpose wasn't entirely clear yet. She even seemed more interested in this place than she had been in the Royal Imperial Garden. Still, it was hard to believe Clara had really come here by accident.
But that was fine. I'd never been one to hold a grudge over little things.
"I couldn't find a suitable place, so I'm trying to put myself in the scene as it was back then."
Without even turning around, Fu Qian offered the explanation casually. He held the bundle of incense sticks in one hand and gestured toward the distant lake.
"...I thought you weren't the sort of person to take things so seriously."
Unfortunately, the excuse clearly wasn't very convincing. Clara's response was noncommittal.
She hesitated briefly, but in the end she didn't leave. Instead, she followed him out onto the terrace.
"That just means you're still too young. In life, the one thing you must never take lightly is finding ways to enjoy yourself."
Not minding in the least that the person beside him had nowhere to sit, Fu Qian leaned comfortably against the back of his chair and imparted this great truth about life.
"Every attempt to fool yourself will come