When love draws near, it's like snow

Chapter 6

However, his somber expression didn't seem like he was faking it.

"Then, then..." I swallowed hard and stammered, "Could you tell me when the last time the flowers bloomed?"

“I don’t know. I’ve been here for more than two years and have spent 28 full moon nights.”

Wow! I'm going crazy! I'm dizzy!!! This book is first published on Xiaoxiang Novel Original Website. Please retain this information when reprinting!

[Volume 1: Encounter Chapter 6: A Hidden Paradise]

Since returning from the lake, I have been in a state of extreme shock—I can't believe that there are such ignorant people in the world.

"Taishan, don't you think you're being a little too... uh, too stubborn?" Actually, I wanted to call him stupid, but in the end, I didn't want to hurt his young heart. "What exactly is wrong with you? You should go to the hospital for treatment. Don't be superstitious. Science is so advanced now; whatever the illness, get a diagnosis first. In short, don't take these unorthodox theories seriously!"

"Even if you have a terminal illness, you should still pull yourself together, strive for excellence, and use your remaining years to do something meaningful. It's better than dying of old age in this desolate wilderness, isn't it?" I earnestly advised. "Besides, if it can't be cured in China, then we can go to America. Uh, you don't need to worry about money. Ironically, although my parents couldn't take care of me personally, they left me a considerable inheritance."

I was talking until my throat was dry, but strangely, Taishan didn't react at all. He just kept silent and looked at me silently—or rather, he was scrutinizing me with a research-like gaze. I felt like a corpse lying on an operating table waiting to be dissected.

I sighed softly. It seemed he wouldn't listen to my advice at all. I turned helplessly to look out the window—wait, when did it start snowing? As far as the eye could see, the world was a blanket of white. This was the third snowfall here; the previous two were light snowfalls, not as heavy as today's.

"It's only September, and it's already snowing? Winter has come so early this year!" I sighed softly.

"Who told you it was in September?" Taishan looked at me strangely.

"Isn't that right? The day I had the accident was clearly the Mid-Autumn Festival. I've only been here for 20 days, so it must be September. Even if I was unconscious for a few days, it shouldn't have been that long, right?" I asked him, puzzled.

He slowly shook his head, staring intently at me: "It is now the 17th day of the 11th month of the sixth year of Xuanhe."

"What six years? It's 2006, right? That's right, but it should be September 17th, how did it become November?" I was completely confused. "Wait, wait a minute, what do you mean by Xuanhe? And where exactly is this?"

"Wushan," he answered simply.

"No way? Impossible!" I shouted and jumped up—Oh my god! Could it be that time travel, as described in novels and TV shows, is actually real? I've always scoffed at it, but I never thought it would happen to me?

I looked at him intently and asked slowly, word by word, "Tell me clearly, which dynasty, which year?"

"The Great Song Dynasty, Emperor Huizong, the sixth year of Xuanhe, the 17th day of the 11th month. Wushan. Did you understand?"

"Impossible! Impossible! This is impossible!" I shouted instinctively. "I don't believe it! I absolutely cannot believe that such an absurd thing could happen to me! This is illogical and contrary to scientific principles!"

"Something must have happened?" Taishan looked at me thoughtfully—there was even a hint of understanding in his eyes?

I shoved him aside, rushed outside, and ran to the ancient pine tree on the cliff edge. Leaning against the trunk, I strained to see into the distance—I have a fear of heights and have never dared approach this place, but now I couldn't care less. There I saw: distant mountains stretching endlessly, layer upon layer, with a faint, emerald-green ribbon, like a giant dragon spiraling down, slicing the mountains in two. That must be the Yangtze River. The mountain peak across the river resembled a phoenix drinking water; the rock protruding into the water was its beak, and the ridges on either side were its wings. Yes, that was the famous Flying Phoenix Mountain. I remembered that day when I mistook it for a rooster and loudly crowing, "Rooster, rooster, so beautiful, with a bright red comb and a flowery coat," making Mount Tai laugh uncontrollably. Tears welled up in my eyes. How unbelievable, how absurd, how ironic!

"So, the place beneath our feet is the so-called Goddess Peak of Mount Wu?" I looked at Mount Tai blankly. "So, we've trampled the Goddess of Mount Wu under our feet?"

Taishan looked at me with pity, seemingly unsure how to comfort me.

No, I don't need pity, I need calm. Yes, he's a child, he doesn't know what he's saying at all, maybe he saw something on TV and is trying to scare me. Yes, that must be it.

But putting aside the change of time, how can I explain this change in geographical location? Would that driver really travel thousands of miles to transport me to Wushan to dump me there? That just doesn't make sense!

My mind was in turmoil, a jumble of thoughts. For a moment, I felt that the world was vast, yet there was no place for me.

Snowflakes danced relentlessly, landing on my exposed arms. I shivered, suddenly feeling a bone-chilling cold. I instinctively hugged my arms tightly and squatted down. Looking at him pitifully, I murmured, "Taishan, I'm so cold, so cold! I want to go home..."

“Okay, let’s go home. Let’s go home.” Taishan awkwardly tried to calm me down.

Little White appeared out of nowhere and hugged me tightly. Then it leaped onto the tree trunk. Mount Tai followed behind—so that's why I couldn't find any footprints; they always moved in and out of the trees. I thought to myself, somewhat bewildered.

But this isn't going back to the cabin—but what does it matter? What difference does it make to me now? I smiled bitterly.

The wind howled in my ears, and blizzards raged across the sky, relentlessly pelting my face and body. But I felt nothing. I can't go back, I can't go back...

I don't know how much time passed, but the wind finally stopped, though the snow was still falling. I was led to a cave. The cave was warm, comfortable, clean, and bright. Several lamps on the cave walls emitted a warm, yellowish light. There was a genuine wooden bed—made of rosewood, carved with floating clouds and distant mountains, the kind with a very antique feel. Xiao Bai settled me on the bed and even thought to cover me with a soft silk quilt.

I glanced around indifferently. Besides the bed, there was a stone table, stone chairs, and what seemed to be nothing more than books—all sorts of books, some thread-bound, some silk-bound, and even some on bamboo slips—truly a cunning rabbit with three burrows. I never imagined he had such a place here.

It seems I've been completely fooled by this brat all along. I looked at him coldly—he's no ordinary kid; his cunning is astounding. Ironically, I was so presumptuous, worrying about him the whole time—what a ridiculous joke.

Taishan seemed quite uncomfortable under my gaze, and coughed lightly. "I'm sorry I didn't bring you here sooner, but I..."

"I wouldn't dare. I'm just a nobody of unknown origin. Thanks to your kindness in taking me in, otherwise I would have been left to rot in the wilderness long ago. I have no way to repay your life-saving grace. However, judging from your appearance, you don't need my repayment—besides, great kindness is beyond words, isn't it?" I replied with a cold laugh.

"I have no other choice but to do this, and I hope you can understand. Given my current situation, I can only proceed with caution to ensure everything goes smoothly."

"Really? That's truly an act of imperial grace." I turned away, my back to the bed, and ignored him.

It's truly pathetic to think that, to this day, I know absolutely nothing about him—he didn't even tell me his name. I don't know how old he is. Perhaps nine out of ten things he said to me were lies? No, that's not quite right either, because he basically didn't speak unless absolutely necessary. It was all me talking to myself, presuming to know for myself; he could say he didn't lie to me, could he? He simply didn't deny my suspicions.

To have such a deep-seated cunning at such a young age, what will he be like when he grows up? I wonder what kind of environment he grew up in that led to his calculating and cautious personality? —Ye Qing, are you crazy? Even at a time like this, you're still defending him. It seems I'm really quite influenced by him!

It's ridiculous how people are. When I was in the 21st century, I was often dissatisfied with society and only thought about how to escape. But when I actually left and could never go back, I felt a deep longing for it.

Right now, I miss Jona terribly. Seriously. She's practically the only person in this world who truly cares about me. But what am I going to do now—do I even have a future?

My head was spinning, and I don't know how long I was thinking, but I actually fell asleep. When I woke up again, everything was quiet—he wouldn't just leave me here like that, would he? With that thought, I quickly threw off the covers and jumped out of bed.

After turning two corners along the cave, I heard someone speaking softly. It was Mount Tai. I breathed a sigh of relief—he was still there.

Wait, someone's talking? So, there's a third person here? I was pleasantly surprised. I tiptoed towards the cave entrance. In the dim twilight, I could only see two figures standing at the entrance—afraid of being discovered, I dared not get too close. I quietly pressed myself against the wall to eavesdrop—I never thought I'd be so dishonest. Sigh!

"Young master, are you really not coming back with me?" an old male voice asked—I knew it! Judging from the situation in the cave, he didn't seem like a poor man. Turns out, he's just a spoiled runaway child!

"Then let this old servant stay and take care of you! I'm worried about you being alone." I pouted and muttered under my breath: He doesn't need anyone to worry about him; he's the one who's always causing trouble!

"No need, Steward Zhou, you can go back. Remember, don't mention to anyone that you've seen me. I didn't call you, so you don't need to come again." Taishan's voice was devoid of any emotion, as cold as ice—what an ungrateful brat! This old man has come all this way, and it's getting late; he doesn't even keep him, just sends him away. What if he encounters a wild beast?

"Well..." The guy called Lao Zhou was about to say something when he suddenly noticed me, and froze on the spot, his mouth agape.