WSSAPF chapter 5

“So coincidental?” Li Zhuoyao immediately stood up, unable to suppress his joy.

“Here to buy something.” Zhou Chulan lifted the plastic bag in his hand, containing a small bag of glutinous rice.

“Do you think this embroidered fabric looks good? It looks quite primitive.” Li Zhuoyao bent down, picked up the piece of fabric, and held it up for him to see.

“Not really, it’s machine-embroidered.” Zhou Chulan stood with arms crossed, expressionless.

“Oh, I’ll look at something else then.” Li Zhuoyao awkwardly put down the embroidered piece.

Zhou Chulan turned his head to look and then bent down, pulling out another piece from a pile of fabrics.

“This one is better.”

He held the corner of that fabric and handed it to Li Zhuoyao.

Li Zhuoyao took it. The embroidered fabric was unique, the material slightly aged, but the patterns on it were exceptionally intricate, resembling a coffered ceiling, with four butterflies embroidered in the center.

“Grandma, how much is this embroidered fabric?”

“Seven hundred and eight.”

“What about the one just now?” Li Zhuoyao pointed to the one with the coin flower pattern.

“One hundred and five.”

“Why such a big difference?” Li Zhuoyao was a bit puzzled.

“This piece is our old embroidered fabric.” The Miao ethnic grandma picked up the piece with butterflies. “This fabric was originally used to make a hat, and the piece on the top of the hat was embroidered by me. It was removed later. It’s been over ten years. Here, the older the fabric, the more valuable it is.”

“Interesting, I’m planning to buy it. What do you think?” Li Zhuoyao really liked this piece of fabric, holding it in his palm and showing it to Zhou Chulan.

“If you like it, then it’s fine.”

Zhou Chulan didn’t look at the embroidered fabric; his gaze casually swept through the bustling crowd ahead.

“I’ll pick some batik items later.”

Li Zhuoyao said to himself, looking up to find that Zhou Chulan had already walked a short distance away. He quickly paid and caught up.

However, Zhou Chulan stood still. Li Zhuoyao followed his gaze and found that he had been staring at a girl in front. The girl was wearing a moon-white linen cheongsam with a whole indigo phoenix printed from the collar to the hem. At the moment, she was picking cherries at a fruit stall with her friends.

Zhou Chulan’s gaze remained on the girl, unwavering.

Li Zhuoyao felt a bit uncomfortable, not having had the chance to speak yet. Zhou Chulan strode towards the girl.

He froze, standing still, watching Zhou Chulan talk happily with the girl, his face full of a dazzling smile.

Li Zhuoyao felt a stifling sensation in his chest, as if unable to catch his breath, and after a while, a trace of bitterness inexplicably emerged.

After a few minutes, Zhou Chulan nonchalantly walked back, holding a plastic bag with a small bag of cherries inside.

“What were you talking about? You look so happy.”

“Just chatting. Come, let’s go check out that shop ahead.” Zhou Chulan pointed ahead, then took out a cherry from the bag and threw it into his mouth.

“Why go to that shop? Did she ask you to go?” Li Zhuoyao looked at Zhou Chulan, speaking coldly.

“She recommended the shop.”

“And the cherries? Did she give them to you?”

“Yeah.”

“I’m not going. If you want to, go by yourself.”

Li Zhuoyao still stood still, not moving, simply turning his face away and not looking at Zhou Chulan. Zhou Chulan’s expression remained calm, but his look seemed to be able to see through him. Li Zhuoyao didn’t want to face him.

A shadow cast over.

Li Zhuoyao turned his head and found that Zhou Chulan had walked a step closer. At the moment, he was staring straight at him.

“Aren’t you going to buy batik? Aren’t you sure about not going to that batik shop?” He lifted the corner of his mouth, showing a hint of mockery.

“The batik shop?” Li Zhuoyao then lifted his head.

“The cheongsam she’s wearing, the batik craftsmanship is authentic, and the pattern design is special, a whole phoenix. Bought it from that shop.” Zhou Chulan pointed to a small shop not far away with bamboo and wood decorations.

“…Then let’s go. There should be a lot of good things in the shop.” Li Zhuoyao felt a bit guilty, urging Zhou Chulan to hurry, but at the same time, he also felt a sense of relief.

The small bag of cherries, separating them, was bright red, still covered with morning dew.

“I’m hungry, haven’t had breakfast yet.” With the small bag of cherries patting against Li Zhuoyao’s legs as Zhou Chulan walked, Li Zhuoyao simply snatched the bag and started eating the cherries.

He was indeed hungry. He didn’t sleep well last night and drove over early in the morning, neglecting to eat. However, the cherries were sweet and sour, not filling at all. After eating, he even felt hungrier. By the time they reached the entrance of the batik shop, Li Zhuoyao was lured by the enticing aroma of a nearby stall.

“What’s this?”

“Sticky rice dumplings with pork.” Zhou Chulan answered casually.

“Smells so good. I would like to buy.” Li Zhuoyao said.

The stall owner lifted the lid of the thermos containing sticky rice, and a fragrance of rice filled the air.

“Which kind of sticky rice dumplings do you want? Plain or green?”

She pointed to the two different-colored rice dumplings in front of her.

“What’s in the green one? Is it infused with mugwort?”

Li Zhuoyao leaned in and smelled; the rice emitted a faintly bitter fragrance.

“Sagebrush.” Zhou Chulan said.

“Sagebrush is edible?”

Li Zhuoyao was somewhat surprised. Last year, he hosted a celebrity talk show, which received good reviews online. The last episode featured Ms. Zuma Long, who shared the classic “Sagebrush and Sea Salt” fragrance blending story and even personally crafted a limited edition to give him.

“It is. I picked it from the mountain, cleaned it, and then cooked rice with it. The rice turns green, and it’s more fragrant than ordinary white rice. Would you like this one?” The stall owner said.

Li Zhuoyao nodded.

A few minutes later, the rice ball was ready. Li Zhuoyao took it, tore open the bamboo leaves wrapped around it, and took a bite. The rice ball was incredibly fragrant, with the sticky and chewy texture of the glutinous rice from Dushan. The cooked glutinous rice was crystal clear, chewy, and not sticky. Wrapped in slices of fragrant pork, topped with homemade pickled vegetables and chili, tightly packed, it created an exquisite flavor.

In no time, he had eaten more than half.

“There’s something on your face.” Zhou Chulan stood beside him, quietly watching.

“What? Rice?” Li Zhuoyao reached up to touch his face, as if not finding anything, he used the back of his hand to wipe his mouth.

“Here, there’s rice.” Zhou Chulan grabbed Li Zhuoyao’s wrist, lifted his hand, wiped the corner of his mouth with his hand, and quickly let go.

His palm was large, warm, and strong. He could easily grasp Li Zhuoyao’s wrist in his hand.

“Embarrassing.” Li Zhuoyao looked at him and found it somewhat amusing.

They entered the batik shop, and indeed, there were many things they liked. Li Zhuoyao bought a lot of batik works, including sachets, hanging bags, fabrics, etc. Part of it was intended for villa decoration, and the other part for collection at home.

The sun gradually rose higher, and the temperature became hotter, with more people on the street.

There seemed to be a lively area ahead. A sturdy man moved a millstone from the shop, and two large wooden hammers stood beside it. The surroundings were crowded.

“Let’s go take a look.” Li Zhuoyao, excited by the scene he had never seen before, dragged Zhou Chulan forward.

“Handmade sticky rice cakes.”

“Seems interesting.” Li Zhuoyao handed the things to Zhou Chulan and walked forward excitedly.

“Mister, how do you make this? Can I try?”

“Sure. If you can make sticky rice cakes today, I’ll give them to you for free until you’re full.” The boss guaranteed with a hearty pat on his chest.

“Well, then I won’t be polite.”

Li Zhuoyao held one of the wooden hammers. He didn’t expect the hammer to be much heavier than he imagined. It took quite an effort just to lift it. By the time it was halfway up, his arm was already sore. He forcibly concentrated his strength, slowly lowering the hammer, and striking heavily on the soft and sticky rice cake.

After just one strike, he was panting.

The owner of the rice cake shop laughed heartily. He picked up another hammer and skillfully started hammering while gesturing to Li Zhuoyao to watch his movements. Using the force of his biceps, he raised the hammer high and slammed it down.

Li Zhuoyao imitated his actions and struck again. The hammer hit the surface of the millstone, making his wrist numb.

Zhou Chulan stood in the crowd. He was tall, very eye-catching, and Li Zhuoyao could easily spot him with a glance.

“Come and help; today, I must eat these sticky rice cakes.” Li Zhuoyao shouted to him.

Zhou Chulan walked through the crowd.

“Haven’t you eaten enough?”

“It’s not about being full. I must eat them today.” Li Zhuoyao’s face was determined, as if he were not making sticky rice cakes but engaged in an intense battle.

“Okay.”

Zhou Chulan took off his black shirt and tied it securely around his waist. Underneath, he wore a gray vest, and his muscular biceps showed clear veins, very handsome. On his solid bronze chest hung a jade Bodhisattva pendant, strung on a black cord. The Bodhisattva pendant was not a common style seen on the market; it was quite special, but Li Zhuoyao felt a bit familiar.

“Stand straight.” Zhou Chulan patted Li Zhuoyao’s back from behind and then wrapped his arms around him from behind, enclosing him in the middle. Zhou Chulan was very tall, taller than Li Zhuoyao by a good half a head. The morning sun was already high, casting a shadow of his face on Li Zhuoyao. The closeness of their bodies made Li Zhuoyao feel an urgency that disappeared when Zhou Chulan suddenly released him.

However, the person beside him was still there. Unable to resist, Li Zhuoyao tilted back, allowing his stiff body to slightly rely on Zhou Chulan’s body, lightly leaning against his chest. Then he turned his head to look at Zhou Chulan.

At this point, it was almost noon, the sky was dazzlingly blue, the clouds were thick, and the sun was scorching. When Li Zhuoyao turned his head, he found Zhou Chulan also looking at him, his gaze burning like a hidden fire.

At this moment, Li Zhuoyao heard the strong heartbeat from the chest beneath him, making a clear “thump-thump” sound. His own heart was also in chaos, like the claws of a wildcat scratching.

“Tired?”

Zhou Chulan slightly bent down, the breathy sound still lingering in his voice with a bit of huskiness.

He lowered his head, gently resting his chin on Li Zhuoyao’s hair, feeling warm and slightly ticklish.

“Not bad, the two of you did better than me. Alright, sticky rice cakes are on the house for you both.”

The owner’s loud voice abruptly interrupted at this moment, waking them up from their reverie.

Li Zhuoyao noticed that the fiery spark in Zhou Chulan’s eyes instantly extinguished, returning to his usual calm and indifferent demeanor.

He quickly retreated into the crowd. The heat that enveloped Li Zhuoyao dissipated rapidly in the air.

The owner cheerfully cut a large piece of sticky rice cake, packed it in a bag, and handed it to Li Zhuoyao.

“Here you go, handsome. Enjoy. Come back again when you have time.”

“Thank you.”

Li Zhuoyao took a bite of the sticky rice cake; it was soft and sticky, very delicious.