"Waterfront Night Market at Huibo Bay"
Originally thought to just stroll around the town, but ended up at the wooden plank road southwest of the restaurant. The two boarded a painted boat moored there. After quietly instructing the two people waiting at the bow, Cheng Mo led the way into the cabin.
Facing them was a huge screen depicting morning scenery with towering green pines, lush green grass, and distant mountains extending towards the horizon. It seemed as if lightly brushed with faint ink, the mountains gradually vanished into the drifting clouds. The clouds, riding the wind, were adorned with golden rays, strolling across the sky, overlooking the vast land. Two sandalwood round-backed armchairs were arranged by the window, and Cheng Mo guided Xiaobei to sit on the thick golden brocade cushion. Across the long table, silver filament charcoal was added to the copper incense burner, and they sat facing each other, watching the slowly moving scenery outside the window.
The moonlight was clear, and the water surface sparkled. Various boats on the water, including two-story high ships, several zhang long flat-bottomed barges, and merchant ships mingled with people, were interspersed with elegant silk and bamboo flower boats. There were also fishing boats selling pastries and vegetable soup, with the aroma of Hu Bing and vegetable soup wafting through the air.
When the tip of her nose was soaked in the wafting tea fragrance, Xiaobei withdrew her long gaze from the bustling scenery on the water and looked at the person quietly brewing tea. The water was already boiling three times, rushing like a torrent. The jade-white slender hands lightly scooped away the black foam with a bamboo net and added water with a copper ladle. The boiling ceased, nurturing the tea leaves, until the foam of the tea gradually emerged on the water surface, resembling snow and flowers. The noble and pure-hearted man, seemingly as distant as the mountains, just calmly brewed this room full of fragrance, cutting off the lively and noisy fireworks outside the window. Lifting his gaze and offering a cup of precious and fragrant tea, his clear and profound eyes looked deeply, like a serene lake, seemingly looking into the clouds, suddenly a sacred and pure snow lotus bloomed in Xiaobei's heart, a man of virtue and nobility, carrying earthen jade like stars, resonating like a musical instrument, elegant and ethereal. The description from the Book of Songs about Wei Jie passed through her mind, feeling remarkably apt. In fact, not only in her mind but also at this moment, Xiaobei herself was unaware that she was already unable to forget this extraordinary person.
"Have you traveled on this water before?"
"No, I've only occasionally come to the town to deliver medicine and walked through North Street a few times."
"Here is the end of the water route along the Qingbo River from north to south. Whether for trade or travel, everyone needs to abandon the boat and disembark on the east bank ahead, changing to a land route. All boats must turn back north at this Huibo Bay, and those who need to load goods or wait for customers overnight anchor here. Therefore, even at night, it remains bustling and busy."
"Do all the boats selling pastries and soup on the river belong to local families in the town?"
"Most of them are families of itinerant (dan) people. They usually fish for some catch to supply restaurants and eateries. At night, they sell hot food for boat workers or passengers."
Xiaobei knew that itinerant people were also known as boat dwellers. In the Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, and Hainan areas, they were a type of fisherman who lived on boats for generations, making a living by fishing and not settling on land. So, her original guess was correct; this place is likely in ancient times around the eastern part of Fujian.
"Can I buy some pastries and soup from them?"
"The boat is equipped with night snacks. I'll instruct them to prepare the meal."
"No, I just want to taste these local snacks."
"People living on boats have several generations living together, and they are cramped for space. How can they make anything delicious? Go to the town to find some tomorrow in the daylight."
Without waiting for Xiaobei to reply, Cheng Mo reached out of the window, and the boat gradually moved away from the bustle, heading towards the southwest.