The Bund.
When it comes to travel, Chu Ge once said he was only interested in historical sites, not scenery.
The significance of historical sites doesn't necessarily lie in their antiquity, but in the era they represent.
So, since he was in Shanghai, the Bund was a must-see. Looking at the Republican-era buildings along the riverbank, he felt as if he could travel back in time to the wars and the glamorous era depicted by writers.
Qiu Wuji, in a shirt and jeans, her ponytail swaying, happily munched on a jianbing (Chinese crepe), showing absolutely no interest in Chu Ge's "Shanghai of Eileen Chang."
Cultural differences exist; she found it difficult to empathize with the myriad thoughts that flowed through people's minds here. Even though she had studied Marxist philosophy and diligently read several modern history books to fully grasp it, the sense of immersion was different. She simply couldn't understand Chu Ge's contemplative stroll along the riverbank, as if he were about to compose a hundred poems.
In Qiu Wuji's eyes, the Huangpu River was more captivating than the buildings.
Of course, nothing tasted as good as a jianbing. Actually, Chu Ge was also eating a jianbing (Chinese crepe); that was lunch.
Qiu Wuji misunderstood. Chu Ge wasn't lost in thought about the myriad thoughts of history. Rather than being absorbed in the present, he simply didn't know how to strike up a conversation with Qiu Wuji appropriately…
Should he ask, "Qiu Qiu, how did you learn that trick?"
Or, "Qiu Qiu, have you ever seen this trick on license plates before?"
It felt like he'd get punched no matter what he asked.
Strictly, he'd just keep quiet and make his fortune… Watching Qiu Qiu eat her food, her cheeks bulging, looking around at the scenery, was quite adorable.
She was adorable no matter how you looked at her!
Qiu Wuji paused, puzzled.
Chu Ge also paused.
Qiu Wuji walked forward, and Chu Ge walked forward too.
Qiu Wuji understood: "Hey, are you looking at those Western-style buildings over there or at me?"
Chu Ge honestly replied, "I'm looking at the buildings out of the corner of my eye, but mainly at you."
Qiu Wuji ate some fruit: "...Boring. Why would I bother coming all this way to see you?"
Saying it was boring, a hint of joy flickered in his eyes. So he was still looking at me after all. Yeah, what's so interesting about those dilapidated buildings?
"Is there any story behind this river?" Qiu Wuji asked. "It's called Huangpu, is it because it's very yellow and turbid? I think it's alright, the South River isn't much clearer either."
"It's said that the name Huangpu comes from Lord Chunshen, Huang Xie, not because the water is turbid, but of course I don't know the specifics," Chu Ge said. "Are you more interested in the river?"
"Yes, water and sky are related, both are my path." Seeing that shirt-wearing ponytail holding a jianbing (Chinese crepe) and saying such things so seriously, it actually made him seem even cuter. Chu Ge couldn't help but laugh: "Go back and listen to some music, 'The Waves Flow,' it's a classic. My head's been ringing with that song ever since I got here." Qiu Wuji nodded: "Listen to it later. Music really does resonate with people; it's not surprising you're so engrossed. Last night's opponent… um… never mind, don't spoil the mood."
Chu Ge couldn't contain his curiosity: "What's wrong? Wasn't he playing with sound waves? Is it related to music?"
"Music… can resonate with people, stir emotions, and stimulate the blood and qi," Qiu Wuji said. "Those who cultivate the Way of Sound can't be purely vocal. To enter the Dao through sound, one must be a master musician. Although supernatural abilities are different from immortality, they're probably similar in this respect. There must be a reason for awakening supernatural abilities, just like your writing, Wan Zijun's copywriting, and Panda's gaming—supernatural abilities are often related to these things."
Chu Ge paused: "Musician… I have to tell Gu Ruoyan about this clue."
Qiu Wuji's eyebrows furrowed, but she suppressed a "humph" and turned to look at Jiang.
"That woman really tricked you, making your oxcart drift into the mountains! You must suppress this unnecessary jealousy in the future; it only benefits her and serves no other purpose..." Qiu Wuji angrily finished his jianbing (Chinese crepe), threw the paper bag into a roadside trash can, and then huffed and puffed into Chu Ge's personal space, pulling out a bottle of milk tea and gulping it down.
Chu Ge sighed helplessly, "Next time you want to access my space, just say so first. I need to open it beforehand."
"Perfect for testing your tacit understanding," Qiu Wuji said, sipping his milk tea. Turning to see Chu Ge's strange look, he said irritably, "Is your brain filled with this liquid now? Everything looks weird to you." Chu Ge smiled obsequiously.
Qiu Wuji gulped down his tea, mumbling indistinctly, "Whose softness?"
Finally, the topic had come up again, this whole whole old Republican-era vibe and Huangpu River thing...
Chu Ge could only cautiously reply, "Of course it's Qiuqiu's softness... no, actually, I never really cared whether she's soft or hard."
"You mean I'm just being presumptuous?"
"No, no..." Chu Ge forced a smile, "Well... Qiuqiu..."
"What?"
"I think Yunji Mountain can be renamed."
Qiu Wuji was taken aback: "Rename it what?"
"That's your mountain, right? Named after Qiu, it can be called Qiuming Mountain from now on."
Qiu Wuji took a sip of tea, thought for a moment, and then affirmed, "This name is alright, change it if you want. Should you change it in the book or should I change it myself when I get back?"
"Changing it in the book would be jarring, we can just use it as a nickname in private..."
"What nonsense." Qiu Wuji realized he was definitely up to no good, and decided to ask Baidu when he got back.
"It's infuriating! I think I'm so modern, yet I still manage to expose my ignorance in the smallest, most unintentional details, whether it's the song he just hummed or that weird mountain."
"I'm not going anywhere!" Qiu Wuji snapped.
"Then let's rest by the river? Or should we take one of those boats?"
Qiu Wuji hesitated, glancing at the distant boats, then shook her head. "Let's just go boating ourselves."
She paused, then said softly, "The cityscapes are all pretty much the same; I already know that. On this trip, I've seen buffet parties, the atmosphere of the Republic of China era, the pearl of the river… I've also seen playboys chasing each other, bloodshed in the suburbs, and sonic attacks against powerful enemies… This trip has been fulfilling, my desires are satisfied." This damned literary type hadn't used such classical phrases in a long time. The fierce tenderness of the previous moment didn't seem to have left much of a ripple in her heart; it sounded like she wanted to go home.
Chu Ge didn't quite understand. He felt Qiu Wuji's visit was merely a cursory glance. For someone with a genuine desire to "understand the world," such a superficial approach was inappropriate. Logically, she should have wanted to see the full panorama of this world's major cities.
The prosperity of first-tier cities—there were things truly unseen in Nanjiang—and Chu Ge was prepared to spend a fortune.
But she seemed genuinely satisfied.
Perhaps it was because cities were all too similar, lacking any other particularly interesting aspects?
Then, as if talking to herself, Qiu Wuji murmured, "Actually, what I'm more looking forward to now isn't sightseeing in this world… but rather returning sooner, to paint our world, to let the world see its magnificence, the blood of humanity, the sword light in the sky, the brilliance of magical treasures, the earth-shattering flames, the waves that sweep across the four seas… my martial world, my immortal mountains, my music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, my Taixu Divine Sword." Chu Ge's heart stirred slightly, and he turned to look at Qiu Wuji's profile as she gazed at the river.
Perhaps he had underestimated the importance of comics in Qiu Qiu's heart; she valued it highly… No wonder she was so enthusiastic about learning comics; she genuinely wanted to bring it all to life.
Qiu Wuji turned to look at him, smiling slightly: "If we're talking about traveling, my heart has already flown to that world, to wander there with you. Chu Ge, the laws here are too restrictive, sometimes it feels a bit oppressive. That's where our true freedom lies—the world of immortals and heroes you create, the carefree world of martial arts in your heart."
Chu Ge gently held her hand: "Alright. Then… this is the end of our journey, we can return now."
Qiu Wuji suddenly pulled out her phone, completely ruining their long-standing romantic gesture: "I haven't posted on Weibo in ages, at least take a picture before you go…"
Chu Ge almost threw out his back.
"What kind of expression is that? Come a little closer, yes, this angle is perfect for capturing that pearl, isn't it beautiful?"
"...Beautiful."
"Cheese!"
"Click!" In the photo, Early Autumn Love makes a V-sign, her smile incredibly sweet.
Chu Ge stares at it somewhat dazedly, feeling as if he himself is the one with a split personality.