Chapter 134: Chapter 133: Socializing

The sun gradually struggled out from the clouds, its rays shining down on the earth, and more people started arriving for the cemetery visit.

Lin Wanwan regained her composure, looked at the incense that had already burned out, and pressed the last bit of glowing ember onto the cement ground in front of the grave. Then, she carefully lit the scriptures she bought.

Both her grandparents were devout Buddhists. Although it’s now encouraged to have civilized rituals without open flames, Lin Wanwan found it hard to comply.

Once she finished burning the scriptures and saw the embers completely extinguished, Lin Wanwan exhaled a long, turbid breath and stood up.

As the cold wind blew, her cheeks felt icy, and she realized she was already covered in tears.

Walking down from the cemetery, Lin Wanwan’s mood noticeably grew somber. It’s hard for anyone to feel joyful when alone during a festive time meant for family reunions.

She didn’t even call for a ride-share, preferring to walk quietly to calm her suppressed emotions.

“Beep beep!”

While walking, she was suddenly startled by two short honks from behind. Lin Wanwan turned her head and saw Lu Shouyue smiling at her from the open car window: “What a coincidence, Wanwan, you’re here for the cemetery visit too? Get in, I’ll give you a ride.”

Lin Wanwan took a deep breath, quickly stepped forward, opened the car door, and sat in the passenger seat.

The car window rolled up, and the warm air-conditioning instantly isolated all the coldness outside.

The car moved steadily as Lu Shouyue asked, “What have you been busy with lately? I tried to contact you but you didn’t respond much.”

Lin Wanwan casually fibbed: “Retreating for cultivation.”

Lu Shouyue chuckled, understanding that she didn’t want to talk about it, so he didn’t press further. Instead, he said, “You seem to visit the cemetery quite early too. Who did you come to pay respects to?”

“And you? Why are you here so early?”

Lu Shouyue said with a slightly somber voice: “It’s my grandfather; he passed away relatively early.”

“In life, one inevitably goes through partings.” Lin Wanwan rested her hand on the edge of the car window, her face leaning as she watched the scenery swiftly retreating outside.

Sensing her low spirits, Lu Shouyue tactfully stopped talking and pressed the car’s audio system, letting the melody of Xiao Chong’s rendition of “High Mountain and Flowing Water” flow softly through the car.

After listening twice, Lin Wanwan’s mood completely recovered, and she turned her head to Lu Shouyue, saying, “Mr. Lu, why does the sound of this song feel enhanced to me? Has it been processed?”

Lu Shouyue replied, “No, it’s just restored.”

He then followed up on the topic: “Wanwan, this piece ’High Mountain and Flowing Water’ is now a sensation in the Ancient Zither community. Ever since I released the news of the Ancient Zither Score, along with the song’s popularity, the score’s value has significantly increased. In another month, I think it might be a good time for the auction.”

Lin Wanwan was delighted to hear this: “That’s wonderful news! Is it at the auction house in Yongcheng?”

Lu Shouyue replied, “I was just about to discuss it with you. I think it might be better to hold it in Hong Kong. What do you think?”

Lin Wanwan thought for a moment and said, “Sure, I have no objections. You’re the expert; I’ll follow your lead.”

Lu Shouyue laughed, his eyes gleaming: “Alright, I’ll proceed with the arrangements. Wanwan, have any plans for New Year’s? Traveling anywhere?”

Lin Wanwan thought for a bit and said, “Probably will go to Yu City, see West Lake, relax a bit. What about you, Mr. Lu?”

Lu Shouyue said, “Just got back from Beijing today, still need to visit many older relatives for New Year’s greetings, probably will spend the time doing that. Are you busy now? If not, why not come to Buzhou Studio? I’ve been practicing ’High Mountain and Flowing Water’ lately; maybe you could give me some pointers?”

Lin Wanwan laughed: “I doubt I have the skill to direct you! Does Buzhou Studio never take a break during the holidays?”

Lu Shouyue smiled faintly: “The employees take a break, but I like the feel of that place, so I’m staying there recently.”

Lin Wanwan exclaimed: “It’s indeed beautiful there, a great place.”

“Why not come along for a while?”

Lin Wanwan shook her head: “No, maybe another time; I got up too early today and want to catch up on some sleep.”

Lu Shouyue helplessly replied: “Alright, it’s up to you.”

Then he turned the steering wheel, driving towards the residential area where Lin Wanwan lived.

After dropping Lin Wanwan at the entrance of her neighborhood, they parted ways. As for sleeping, Lin Wanwan wasn’t lying to Lu Shouyue, but she was returning to sleep as per Great Tang’s normal routine.

Her biological clock now follows Great Tang’s time, as she spends most of her time there.

Yet, between the neighborhood’s entrance and the short walk to the villa, her phone kept ringing incessantly. With so few friends, how could her phone be so busy? Was it another social media kind of spam message?

Once inside, Lin Wanwan put the fruit she brought back on the coffee table, sat down on the sofa, and clicked open her phone to check WeChat. It turned out Gu Jingyu had pulled her into the junior high classmates’ group chat, where freshly contacted classmates were enthusiastically discussing a reunion, hence the endless notifications.

Lin Wanwan smiled wryly, having forgotten almost all of those classmates’ appearances. Was there really a need to reconnect? She immediately set the chat to “Do Not Disturb” and put the phone aside.

Just about to put the phone away, Xiao Junning’s icon lit up with a red dot. As Lin Wanwan opened to see, he swiftly retracted the message, leaving her puzzled.

Was it sent by mistake?

Ah, she recalled still owing this celebrity alumnus a meal, so Lin Wanwan proactively sent a WeChat message: “Hello.”

Almost the next instant, his reply appeared; however, the content was as aloof as his character: “?”

Staring at this tiny question mark, Lin Wanwan felt foolish. How could she greet a busy superstar with an empty “Hello”? Better cut to the chase.

“This is Lin Wanwan; don’t know if you remember, but recently on hot search, you helped me. Last time in Qiong State, you said I should repay you with a meal. I wonder when you’ll be free?”

The chat window hadn’t closed, and his reply immediately popped up: “Where’s good to eat in Yongcheng?”

As she was about to reply, he sent another message: “Haven’t been back to Yongcheng for a long time, recommend me a good restaurant.”

Though not too familiar with other matters, Lin Wanwan was confident that when it comes to food, nowhere could surpass Jie Yuting’s private cuisine restaurant.

“I know a place where the chef is exceptionally skilled; the food they cook is unlike anything else. But there’s a drawback: they don’t have private rooms, and the seating is only separated by green screens. Would that be inconvenient for you?”

“If you don’t mind trending on social media, I’m okay.”

Lin Wanwan chuckled; how ironic — shouldn’t she be the one saying this? As an ordinary person — or at most a slightly famous online influencer — she couldn’t possibly fear trending. If even this top star didn’t mind, what did she have to worry about?

“I certainly don’t mind; just worried it might affect you negatively. You know how crazy fans can be, ha (#^.^#)”

To sound more polite, Lin Wanwan deliberately added an emoji.

“Alright, I’ll contact you once I return to Yongcheng.”

“Great, it’s a deal.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep