Along Gushu Creek in the dusk, clear water washed over stones amid lush grass and trees. The air carried the scent of an approaching downpour.
Chen Caozhi stood beside Crouching Ox Rock, bare above the waist, his lower body wrapped in a white ramie cloth. Broad-shouldered and narrow-waisted, tall and well-built, he stood perfectly still with his hands on his hips, his loosened black hair spilling over his shoulders, like a sculpture of serene beauty-
A soft pattering came from the water dripping off Chen Caozhi's soaking hair onto the grass at his feet.
The slender woman in the plain skirt watched with star-bright eyes as water dripped from the ends of Chen Caozhi's hair. A few drops landed on his fair, firm chest and swiftly slid down, tracing faint trails across his chest and abdomen-
Chen Caozhi said slowly, "Have you looked enough? Give me back my clothes."
A blush briefly appeared on the beautiful woman's face, but she was also somewhat annoyed. She had meant to see Chen Caozhi embarrassed; she had never expected him to remain so composed while exposed like this, leaving her feeling awkward instead. It seemed his skin was far thicker than most. Then she thought, Chen Caozhi is right. He could go back naked like this. It would be precisely the free, unrestrained behavior of a celebrated scholar and would do his reputation no harm at all.
"I told you, agree to teach me the recorder, and I'll return your clothes," the beautiful woman insisted.
"Outrageous," Chen Caozhi said. "Who ever sought a teacher through threats like these!"
Mosquitoes buzzed about. The woman gently waved a round silk fan, privately wondering why Chen Caozhi's exposed skin was not covered in red mosquito bites. "I did ask you nicely before, but you refused outright."