When Ping'an, Guo Baiyu, and Zhao Renshu returned to Sunshine Town. The innkeeper told them that their friends had left the town about two days ago. The innkeeper asked them to stay another day because people wanted to give them a "thank you" dinner party. The lovers refused. They want to rush back to Capital City.
Guo Baiyu, "If people want to thank us, they can give us each horse and prepare some dry food for our journey."
Zhao Renshu, "Besides, we don't need a party. They can pay for our accommodation and meals."
Innkeeper, "This has been paid by the mayor. I am honored to have each of you in my inn. Since you have all been here, my inn's reputation has risen. Thank you."
A-Tin, "Heroes, this is your food. I ask the chef to make some special food." A-Tin put the food on the table. "I am ashamed of what I have done."
Ping'an, "If you and your boss say nothing. We will say nothing."
A-Tin, "Thanks." He returned to the kitchen.
Innkeeper, "I want to supervise the new employees. Your rooms are ready upstairs." He walked about ten steps, then smiled and looked back. "Heroes, please enjoy your food and your stay." He walked out the back door.
Guo Baiyu put three tea cups in front of him. He poured tea into the cups. He gave one to Zhao Renshu and the other to Ping'an. A-Tin brought the last plate of food and put it on the table.
A-Tin, "If you need anything, please tell me. I have to take care of other customers."
Guo Baiyu and Zhao Renshu were shocked by Ping'an's actions. Usually, she would pick up the chopsticks of two men, pick a piece of meat on each chopstick, and put the meat in their bowl. She would hand them the chopsticks, but this time, Ping'an picked up the chopsticks and started eating.
The two men looked at each other, wondering if she was still angry with Zhao Renshu, she would pick up Guo Baiyu's chopsticks, but she did not do that. Then, the two picked up their chopsticks, each took a piece of meat and put it in her bowl.
Ping'an looked at Zhao Renshu, "What color do you like?"
Zhao Renshu, "Huh?"
Ping'an, "After returning to Capital City, I will made you a new outfit. What color do you like?"
Zhao Renshu, "As long as it is not a girlish color, any color is fine."
Ping'an, "How about dark navy and black?"
Zhao Renshu, "That's fine too."
Ping'an, "I remember the first time I met you in that temple, you were dressed in navy blue and black."
Zhao Renshu, "I don't even remember. You have good memories." He chuckled.
Ping'an, "I am very tired. I want to sleep alone tonight."
Guo Baiyu, "Take a rest. This is a two-day journey back to Capital City."
Then, Ping'an put the bowl on the table and walked upstairs. The two men sat at the table, staring at each other.
Zhao Renshu, "Is she still mad at me because of Qingge?"
Guo Baiyu, "I don't know."
Zhao Renshu, "What did she say to you while waiting for me?"
Guo Baiyu, "She didn't say anything. We didn't talk while walking back. For a while we rested, and she told me that once we returned to Capital City, she would make me a outfit."
Zhao Renshu, "That's it?"
Gou Baiyu, "That's it. I sensed she has a problem, but she refuses to tell us."
Zhao Renshu, "If you have to guess, what it is?"
Guo Baiyu, ""If I guess, it's your problem with Qingge and and my marriage, but I'm not sure. Maybe she realizes that we are no longer hers. That's why she keeps her distance."
Zhao Renshu, "Like you said before, we will talk about it when we cross the bridge."
Gou Baiyu, "I guess so."
Inside the dark room, Ping'an lying wide awake in bed, on the bed awake, with tears, soaked the pillow. Ping'an knows the moment of happiness will not last forever. No matter how long she persists in happiness, the moment of happiness will eventually disappear. She felt empty in her heart, and the sadness of two and a half years was finally awakened again.
The two-day journey back to Capital City was not too bad. Ping'an, Guo Baiyu, and Zhao Renshu arrived at the gate, and it was almost dusk. They stopped their horses in front of Brightness Inn. The door greeter came out to greet them, but he realized that they were Master Fang's special guests.
Door greeter, "You two are back."
Zhao Renshu, "Please feed the horse."
Gou Baiyu, "Is my maid still here?"
Door greeter, "Childe Guo , your friends are also resting here. They are eating dinner in there now."
Gou Baiyu, "Lead the way."
Ping'an smiled at Gou Baiyu and Zhao Renshu, "I'm going to the clothing store to buy some fabrics. The two of you go ahead and have dinner with your friends."
Zhao Renshu grabbed Ping'an right wrist, "Ping'an, spill it out. You behaved very strangely these two days. If you are still angry with me, then let us talk."
Ping'an smiled at him, "Silly, I'm not angry with you."
Zhao Renshu was a little uneasy, "Then why are you acting weird?"
Ping'an confirmed and said, "Nothing, I am very happy to make new clothes for the two of you. I put a lot of thought into it, maybe it might leave a wrong impression."
Gou Baiyu, "Are you sure?"
Ping'an smiled, "You two are wasting my time. I have to hurry up before the store closes." She removed her hand from Zhao Renshu and quickly ran towards the stores on the street.
When Zhao Renshu returned to the room with a tray of food. Ping'an has sewn sleeves on the shirt. Zhao Renshu put the food on the smaller table, then he walked back and closed the door. Ping'an raised her head, smiled, and then returned to her sewing. Zhao Renshu sat opposite her. He put his elbows on the table and leaned his chin on his hands staring at Ping'an.
Ping'an, "Baiyu go home?"
Zhao Renshu exhaled, "Yes.... His fiancée, friends, and brother are here, so he can't refuse." Zhao Renshu studied Ping'an's expression. "We didn't see you at the table. I brought some food."
Ping'an, "Good. His family must be worried for him." She looked at him. "I've eaten."
Zhao Renshu, "Ping'an." He put down his hands on the table. "You didn't ask me what Qingge and I talked about."
Ping'an looked at him and smiled, "No need." She returned to sewing. "If you are tired, go to sleep."
Zhao Renshu sighed deeply, "I don't think we are as close as before. I know a lot has happened recently. I don't know why I kissed her or even go further..." Zhao Renshu hesitated. "Or touched her, but that was it. We did not sleeps together. It was the heat of the moment, but then I realized that if I go further, I will hurt you..... I...."
Ping'an, "Renshu, to be honest, I am not angry at all. I swear..."
Zhao Renshu stretched out his hand, "I think you are ignoring me. You are sewing to avoid me and Baiyu." His heart aches when he looks at her calm face. They said that when a big storm is approaching, the surrounding air will be very calm, and there will be no signs of danger until the storm rushes in and destroys everything in its path without any warning. When he thought of this, his heart trembled.
Ping'an smiled at Zhao Renshu and said, "I have been thinking a lot recently. I am happy that everyone is where they are suppose to be."
Zhao Renshu, "I don't believe it."
Ping'an, "We go home the day after tomorrow."
Zhao Renshu walked to the bed, "If that's what you want." He smiled. "Oh, by the way. Baiyu talked to me that on the wedding day, he will change places with someone. Once the ceremony is over, the person with lady Wu will be her husband." He sat on the bed and took off. Shoes. "He will find someone who is willing to switch place with him."
Ping'an, "Don't be silly."
Zhao Renshu, "I think this is a perfect plan because he doesn't want to marry that woman at all." He was lying on the bed. "Ping'an, he wants me to tell you that he won't come in these two days."
Ping'an, "If you can, tell Xiao Mei to come and get the clothes I made for him. It should be finish by tomorrow afternoon."
Zhao Renshu, "I am pretty sure she will come tomorrow."