The architecture of Drum City was filled with ancient charm, and on both sides of the stone-brick avenue, neon signs and rows of shops blended modern business vibes into something strange yet uniquely harmonious.
Qin Nanfeng held the young girl’s delicate hand, and amid the bustling crowd, they found themselves, almost without realizing, on the Intangible Cultural Heritage Street.
From afar, they could see a large group of people gathered, watching something. As the two approached, they discovered an old man in the center of the crowd giving a stone carving demonstration.
The elder appeared to be about seventy, brimming with energy, his gaze focused, never straying from the stone on the table that had already taken a basic shape.
His calloused hands gripped the tool, tapping with a rhythm that carried its own musical beauty…………
Looking at the finished pieces beside him, he was probably carving a Stone Dog.
Lin Xinyuan shrank close to Qin Nanfeng, watching curiously for quite some time.
Stone Dog Culture originated from ancient worship and had existed locally for a long time, but it wasn’t until people migrated in during the Tang and Five Dynasties Period, after ethnic integration, that it gradually became a unique culture.
Although she had seen Stone Dogs before, it was her first time watching someone carve one in person, and she couldn’t help but feel a little curious.
It was also Qin Nanfeng’s first time witnessing this. He watched intently, though most of his attention was still on Lin Xinyuan beside him.
The shapes of the Stone Dogs were varied—realistic, silly, even fierce and full of hostility…
To locals, they were believed to ward off evil and protect the home.
But what was surprising was that while locals revered dogs, they also put them on the dining table. This was something Lin Xinyuan couldn’t quite understand…………
Still, since dogs were once considered domestic animals, and many places in the Celestial Empire still kept the tradition of eating them, it didn’t seem like a big deal—at most, it felt a little odd to both “honor the gods and eat the gods”……
After watching for a while, the two moved on.
The cultural depth was certainly admirable, but for them, just standing and watching felt a bit boring.
Next, they visited various intangible heritage handicraft demonstrations, wandered around Drum City, and browsed almost all the shops.
Perhaps because it was daytime, there weren’t many events.
So, while buying skewers for the girl, Qin Nanfeng asked the vendor.
The vendor was a middle-aged woman who was very enthusiastic toward them. “You came at just the right time. Tonight there’s a Long Street Banquet, and over at the Ancient Opera Stage there will be live drama performances. Later in the evening, there will be a Fireworks Show! And also……”
“Mm, thank you, we know now.”
“Hehehe, no problem! Enjoy your time tonight with your girlfriend!”
“I’m not…”
Hearing this, Lin Xinyuan looked up, her almond eyes round with surprise. She was just about to explain, but Qin Nanfeng had already pulled her away.
“Hey, what are you doing…”
Lin Xinyuan pouted her lips in protest, but Qin Nanfeng only grinned at her. “Why bother explaining to strangers? What’s the point?”
“But still… mmm~~”
Lin Xinyuan still wasn’t satisfied with this explanation. She just opened her mouth, only for a skewer to be stuffed in by Qin Nanfeng.
“Eat up.”
Lin Xinyuan took a bite of the lamb skewer, grumbling, “Hmph…”
She didn’t argue further. Since they’d already walked away, there was no point dwelling on it.
“Did you hear just now? There are lots of events in the city tonight. How about going back a bit later? Stay and have fun with me,” Qin Nanfeng asked, turning to look at the girl, who now had oil all over her lips.
A hesitant look flashed across Lin Xinyuan’s face. “But…”
She was a bit worried about what her mom would say.
Qin Nanfeng seemed to sense her doubts. He blinked and smirked mischievously. “Don’t worry, I already told Auntie. I’ll take you home tonight.”
“What?! You told my mom?” Lin Xinyuan’s face was filled with disbelief, soon turning to anger. Her cheeks puffed out like a little bun. “If we’re going out, we’re going out. Why did you have to tell my mom?”
She wondered what her mom was thinking, actually allowing her to go out with a grown man.
So her mom really hadn’t given up on the idea of her getting married and having kids?
Lin Xinyuan wasn’t as resistant to the thought as before, but the idea of being pinned down by a grown man still made her skin crawl… She felt grossed out…
But if it was this guy…
Lin Xinyuan couldn’t help thinking of the dream she’d had before, and her face flushed red. She hurriedly turned her head away, not daring to let Qin Nanfeng see.
No, wait… even if he’s just some annoying blond, that kind of thing is absolutely impossible!
“I just didn’t want Auntie to worry, so I let her know yesterday.”
Lin Xinyuan was left speechless, holding back her words, but in the end, she couldn’t bring herself to refuse.
After all, things had reached this point—if she refused again, it would be awkward.
As for her cousin and the others, she could just send them a message…
It was still early, and there was some time before evening. The two decided to find a place to rest.
They sat down at a stone bench beside a stone table, and Qin Nanfeng finally let go of Lin Xinyuan’s little hand.
Because of her period, Lin Xinyuan didn’t dare eat too many skewers. After a few, she handed the rest to Qin Nanfeng.
Now, she rested her chin in her hands, gazing at the passing tourists, her eyes growing absent-minded as she drifted off.
For once, the two sat in rare quiet, as if the passersby didn’t exist.
No one knew how much time had passed. When Lin Xinyuan started feeling sleepy, her forehead was lightly tapped. She looked up at the person beside her in confusion.
Qin Nanfeng jerked his chin toward something in the distance, signaling her to look.
Following his gaze, Lin Xinyuan saw a girl in Hanfu walking past!
She was actually quite pretty…
“What’s so interesting… Did you fall for that girl?” Lin Xinyuan mumbled, blurting out the question without thinking.
Her heart suddenly felt a twinge of sourness, an emotion called annoyance spreading inside her.
Qin Nanfeng couldn’t help but laugh. “Do you really see me as such a desperate guy?”
“Aren’t you?”
Lin Xinyuan pretended to look down on him, glancing at him as if he were a scumbag. Just thinking about all his ex-girlfriends made her feel upset…
Was this… jealousy?
Normally, Qin Nanfeng wouldn’t explain such things to others, but with this girl, he was making an exception…
His eyes were sincere, staring straight at Lin Xinyuan.
“I remember telling you before, didn’t I? They all made the first move, and nothing ever really happened.”
Lin Xinyuan couldn’t stand the way he looked at her, so she turned her head away, mumbling quietly, “Still makes you a scumbag.”
“Alright, just think whatever you want.” Qin Nanfeng shrugged, not caring.
“Hmph…”
She said that, but Lin Xinyuan found that strange, uncomfortable feeling inside her was fading, replaced by a bit of happiness…
No, that can’t be right…
Lin Xinyuan bit her lower lip unconsciously, her fingers clenching.
Her emotions were actually being swayed by this annoying blond…
Was she… already at that point?
Lin Xinyuan’s eyelashes trembled as she hurriedly lowered her head, trying to hide her feelings.
But she didn’t realize her every expression was perfectly within a certain pervert’s expectations…
Qin Nanfeng quietly watched the girl’s lovely profile, his fingers drumming on the stone table, face calm.
His gaze drifted down, sliding past the small expanse of her exposed neck—fair, slender, so fragile it begged to be touched…
He was much taller than her, and the two were sitting close. As long as Lin Xinyuan kept her head down, she’d never notice where his eyes were wandering.
He couldn’t help but indulge himself…
His gaze slid lower, to just below the girl’s collarbone, to the two subtle curves that were already beginning to take shape.
With every breath she took, they gently rose and fell, carrying with them the unique scent of oranges that lingered on her body…