A broad stretch of river cleanly divided the two banks. Beneath clear skies and warm sunlight, a faint breeze brushed across the blue-green water.
The scenery here always lifted the spirits. A bamboo raft stirred up ripples that slowly drifted behind it.
"Even in Dongsheng Shenzhou, dangers still abound. I can't even say for certain that I'll get out unscathed. You really didn't need to come along."
Beneath the raft's canopy, Chu Xingchen reclined on the bamboo, looking back at Xie Lingyu as she gently worked the pole.
Xie Lingyu wore a long white dress, gently moving a long, verdant pole in her hands. Her expression barely changed, yet she fit remarkably well with the green mountains and clear waters around her.
Xie Lingyu drew back the pole and laid it on the raft. She had actually wanted to try her hand at it as a child, but had never had the chance. After all, if she went out with Qinghe and insisted on playing with a boat pole, Qinghe would certainly laugh at her.
This was the perfect opportunity. It didn't matter if Chu Xingchen saw that she wanted to play with it, anyway. He wouldn't tell anyone.
Only... it wasn't as interesting as she had imagined. Perhaps that had something to do with her no longer being a child.
After putting away the pole, Xie Lingyu took two steps toward the canopy without entering. Lowering her gaze slightly toward the languid-looking Chu Xingchen, she said:
"You're here on your business, and I'm here to clear my head. What do you mean, I came along with you?"
Chu Xingchen nodded in satisfaction at that. "All right, then. Once we reach shore, I'll attend to my business, and you can clear your head. I'll contact you when I'm finished."
Xie