After the rain, Yuncheng enjoyed many days of clear skies—sunny and cloudless.
Jian Ran visited the Embroidery Workshop a few more times. Teacher Chen was about to go on a business trip for over a month, so Jian Ran's brief study of Bai ethnic embroidery came to an end.
"If you have any questions, feel free to send me a WeChat message anytime," Chen Hongxiu said, patting Jian Ran's shoulder with a kind expression. Craftspeople of her generation generally cherished talent, and Jian Ran had a high aptitude for embroidery. Chen Hongxiu truly liked her.
Jian Ran smiled and agreed. She stretched out her arms and gave Chen Hongxiu a hug. "Thank you for your guidance these past days, Teacher Chen. I've learned a lot. I hope we'll meet again someday."
The phrase 'hope we'll meet again' wasn't just a polite formality.
In recent years, embroidery as an intangible cultural heritage had developed rapidly, with events and activities for exchanging skills among various embroidery styles popping up frequently. To promote the integration of embroidery, inheritors and practitioners from different regions often gathered at various industry associations.
Since they were in the same field, they might cross paths again at any time.
When Jian Ran returned to the villa, it was already evening. She quickly showered and changed clothes, and then the doorbell rang.
Opening the door, she found Chu Lulin.
"Big Sister, are you ready? We can head out."
Jian Ran was almost ready. She went back to get a jacket, then left with Chu Lulin.
They were going to the mountaintop to watch the stars.
Thinking back, this plan had come quite suddenly.
That day, while playing cards with Jiang Man and the others, they had chatted about going up the mountain to see the stars. Jian Ran had casually remarked, 'It must be so nice to see the stars from the mountain.' Who knew Chu Lulin would take it to heart?
He had checked the weather in advance and said tonight would be a clear, cloudless night with a stargazing index as high as 99%—a rare, perfect night for star-gazing.
So, the two of them had rushed out the door.
Although Quanyun Mountain Villa was located halfway up the mountain, the path had been built almost all the way to the top. It was said there was a 'Stargazing Platform' at the summit, specially built for guests to enjoy the stars.
Chu Lulin had borrowed a car from the villa in advance, and they drove all the way up.
After getting out of the car, Jian Ran felt the mountain breeze carrying the fresh scent of grass, trees, and night dew brushing against her cheeks, bringing a hint of coolness.
There was still a short distance from the parking spot to the summit. The path was not easy to walk, especially at night, so they carefully made their way along.
Chu Lulin stepped onto a jagged rock, then turned and reached out his hand to Jian Ran. "It's steep here, Big Sister. Let me help you across."
Jian Ran's eyelashes fluttered slightly. She wasn't really used to physical contact with others, especially with someone of the opposite sex.
And holding hands... it kind of broke normal social distance, didn't it?
But this spot was indeed a bit steep, and Chu Lulin acted very naturally. If she refused, she might seem overly sensitive.
Slowly, Jian Ran extended her hand. The next second, a warm grip encircled her wrist, neither too tight nor too loose.
Before she could react, her body was pulled upward by the force, and she landed steadily on the rock.
"Watch your step," Chu Lulin's voice came from beside her.
He then released her wrist, but his fingertips accidentally brushed across her palm.
It tickled a little.
She looked up, but Chu Lulin had already turned and continued exploring the path ahead.
It was clearly just an accident.
Jian Ran couldn't help but laugh to herself. What was she thinking? Of course it was an accident—what else could it be?
She shook her head and quickly followed.
Chu Lulin didn't go far before stopping and turning around, waiting for Jian Ran. In the cover of darkness, he lightly rubbed his fingertips together.
When they reached the summit, Jian Ran realized that the so-called 'Stargazing Platform' was just a small flattened mound of earth with a bluestone slab on it—a place for people to sit and look at the stars, hence the name.
Chu Lulin took a fleece blanket from his backpack and spread it over the bluestone. They sat side by side, one on the left and one on the right.
A sudden mountain breeze made Jian Ran shiver.
She pulled her jacket tighter, not expecting it to be this cold at night here.
But even if she had known, there wasn't much she could do—this was the thickest jacket she had.
"Big Sister, wear mine," Chu Lulin said, taking a thicker jacket from his backpack and handing it to her. "I washed it before. It's never been worn."
Jian Ran didn't mind that. She glanced at his short-sleeved shirt and asked, "Then what will you wear?"
Chu Lulin took out another jacket from his bag, though it looked thinner than the first. "I have another."
Jian Ran smiled. He really was consistently thoughtful and considerate.
She didn't refuse anymore and put on the jacket, instantly feeling much warmer.
"Your future girlfriend will definitely be very happy," Jian Ran couldn't help but remark.
Chu Lulin was taken aback. He turned to look at Jian Ran. "Does Big Sister really think so?"
Jian Ran nodded matter-of-factly. "Of course."
At least among the guys she knew, Chu Lulin could definitely be considered a 'warm guy'—considerate, good-tempered, and what's more, he was handsome.
Young girls really fell for that sort of thing.
"Believe in yourself," she said, patting his arm encouragingly.