That morning, after first going to the government office and then to the Hundred Knowledges Tower, Liu Ming'an and Jiang Ning felt famished once all matters were settled.
However, as they approached their home, they found Zhang Shun and Zhou Yi waiting outside the door, each holding a large food box which undoubtedly contained dishes from Fusheng Restaurant.
"Brother Liu, Miss Jiang, I hope you don't mind us dropping by unannounced," Zhou Yi greeted them with a smile as he saw the pair.
"Not at all! I'm delighted you're here," Liu Ming'an replied as he opened the door and invited them into the courtyard. Just like last time, he and Zhang Shun carried the table out to the yard and set out the dishes and utensils.
After taking his seat, Liu Ming'an explained, "How long have you two been waiting? Jiang Ning and I were called to the government office, which delayed us. Please forgive us."
"Not long at all, just about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea," Zhou Yi responded, then asked, "You went to the government office—was it about the case of who burned down your house?"
"Yes, indeed," Liu Ming'an confirmed, then briefly recounted the details of the case.
After they finished eating, Zhou Yi poured a cup of wine for Liu Ming'an and Jiang Ning, then said, "Brother Liu, Miss Jiang, we actually came to bid you farewell."
Liu Ming'an was taken aback, and then heard Zhang Shun say, "We'll be departing for the Capital City tomorrow. We'll meet again if fate allows."
"Didn't you both say you were planning to stay in Lingshan Town for a few months?" Liu Ming'an recalled Zhang Shun mentioning this when they first met.
"Haha... Brother Liu, you have an excellent memory. That was indeed our original plan," Zhou Yi said as he poured wine for himself and Zhang Shun. He continued, "What you don't know, Brother Liu, is that apart from celebrating my uncle's birthday, I came to Lingshan Town to escape my parents' nagging. At home, they always complain that I'm not doing anything worthwhile, that I'm restless and they disapprove of everything I do. I argue with them constantly. But after being away for over a month, watching my uncle's family laughing and joking every day, I've become quite homesick. Haha... I must seem ridiculous to you, Brother Liu."
Zhou Yi bowed slightly to Liu Ming'an, somewhat embarrassed about expressing his homesickness.
Liu Ming'an shook his head at Zhou Yi, indicating he wouldn't mock him. His eyes held a faint mixture of envy and sorrow. He too wished he had parents to talk to, to bicker with, to live a noisy family life, but that was ultimately an unattainable dream.
After Zhou Yi finished speaking, Zhang Shun added, "I also miss my wife and children dearly and am eager to return home. So I decided to leave with Zhou Yi."
Liu Ming'an nodded and raised his wine cup, "Then I wish you both a safe journey. May we meet again if fate allows."
The other three also raised their cups, said "Until we meet again," and drained their wine in one gulp.
"Brother Liu, you'll definitely come to the Capital City next year. When you do, remember to find me at the Jun Yue Restaurant on Xichun Road. We'll have a proper drink then," Zhou Yi said, patting Liu Ming'an's shoulder.
Liu Ming'an agreed with a simple "Alright."
Afterwards, the three men said their goodbyes. Jiang Ning had been listening quietly, and only when Zhou Yi and Zhang Shun were leaving did she get up to join Liu Ming'an in seeing them off at the door.
Zhou Yi glanced at Jiang Ning and smiled, "Miss Jiang, you can go rest. Let Brother Liu walk with us a bit further."
Jiang Ning guessed they had something to discuss, so she nodded and returned to her room.
As soon as Jiang Ning left, Zhou Yi eagerly pulled Liu Ming'an aside and asked, "How's it going? Did you follow my advice?"
Thinking of certain events, Liu Ming'an's ears reddened slightly, and he only said, "Brother Zhou, don't worry about me..."
"How can I not? I promised to help you win Miss Jiang's heart. Even though I'm leaving soon, I can leave you with three infallible strategies that will guarantee Miss Jiang falls deeply in love with you!" Zhou Yi declared, thumping his chest confidently.
"That won't be necessary..." Liu Ming'an refused with a bright smile.
Perplexed by his lack of concern for such an important matter, Zhou Yi urgently said, "Don't be shy, let me tell you..."
Zhang Shun, however, had noticed something and interrupted Zhou Yi's words: "Zhou Yi, I don't think Brother Liu needs your strategies anymore. It seems they're already in love."
"What?" Zhou Yi looked at Liu Ming'an in disbelief, only to see him nod and say "Yes" with a face full of joy.
"Haha... You rascal!" Zhou Yi patted Liu Ming'an's shoulder, clearly pleased. "Well done! Very impressive! Much better than Zhang Shun!"
Zhang Shun, innocently dragged into the conversation, smiled slightly and said pointedly, "At least better than some people."
"What do you mean?"
"What do you think?"
"Are you mocking me?"
"Yes."
...
Seeing that the two were about to engage in a verbal sparring match, Liu Ming'an intervened, "Alright, brothers, take care on your journey. Until we meet again!"
"See you in the Capital City," Zhou Yi and Zhang Shun gave Liu Ming'an a final pat on the shoulder, both as encouragement and a promise.
After returning to the courtyard, it wasn't long before a waiter from Fusheng Restaurant came to collect the dishes and food boxes, bid them goodbye, and returned to the restaurant. Liu Ming'an looked at the courtyard that had been filled with laughter just moments ago, and suddenly felt a sense of emptiness, as if all warmth had left with his friends.
Jiang Ning, perceiving his mood, casually quoted, "A bosom friend afar brings distant land near."
Liu Ming'an understood Jiang Ning's attempt to comfort him. He took her hand and said solemnly, "But I want to be with you always, not willing to part even for a moment."
Jiang Ning's lips curled into a smile, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Alright!"
In the following days, Liu Ming'an took Jiang Ning's advice and stopped painting landscapes. Instead, he painted various auspicious subjects with good omens. On market day, dozens of paintings featuring Guanyin bringing children, the God of Longevity, the God of Wealth, the God of Literature, and the God of Marriage were sold out faster than Aunt Hui's osmanthus cakes.
"Oh my, Ming'an, I can finally understand what you're painting this time. They're truly beautiful!" Aunt Hui exclaimed, watching Liu Ming'an and Jiang Ning busily attending to customers all morning.
When Aunt Hui said this, Liu Ming'an only had a few paintings of the God of Literature left on his stall. Compared to those seeking children, wealth, longevity, or marriage, those seeking academic success were in the minority.
Liu Ming'an sold each painting for 100 wen, earning nearly five taels of silver in one morning. Hearing Aunt Hui's comment, he smiled and replied, "It was all Jiang Ning's idea."
Aunt Hui praised, "That girl is so clever!"
Liu Ming'an looked at Jiang Ning sitting at the stall, his smile soft and warm. "Yes, she's the cleverest girl in the world!"
Aunt Hui, being experienced in life, immediately noticed something in Liu Ming'an's expression. She lowered her head, wrapped an osmanthus cake in oiled paper, and handed it to him, saying, "She's not just a little sister anymore, is she? She's your wife now, right?"
Liu Ming'an took the steaming osmanthus cake, smiling a bit bashfully. "We're not married yet, so not quite."
"It's only a matter of time!" Aunt Hui said with certainty. "You have your exam at the government office tomorrow, right? Do your best. Pass the provincial exam, then go to the Capital City to take the imperial exam. Then you can bring her home as your bride in grand style."
Liu Ming'an agreed, "I will."
"Ah, it'll probably be hard to see you after this. Ming'an, take good care of yourself."
Aunt Hui sighed, feeling quite reluctant to see him go. But then she thought that for someone like Liu Ming'an, it would be a shame if he stayed in this small town for life. So she put aside her feelings of parting sorrow and urged, "Alright, go on now. Take this osmanthus cake to your wife."
Liu Ming'an smiled and responded with a cheerful "Okay."