Chapter 10: Twilight Gently Embraces, Dawn Softly Warms

"Designated driver, designated driver..." Lin Shenlu was struggling to find the city gate. The Dali Ancient Town wasn’t large, yet it was easy to get lost within its winding streets.

Her designated driver had already arrived at the main entrance, but she herself hadn’t. According to her phone’s navigation, she should be close by.

It was already half past six in the evening. Lin Shenlu carried the little clay figurine she had just bought—a princess with long flowing hair, bearing a striking resemblance to An Muxi.

Night was slowly deepening, and evening stars began to emerge. At last, Lin Shenlu found her car.

Dali Ancient Town was a fascinating place. She thought she would probably return someday.

Handing the car keys to the driver, Lin Shenlu leaned back in the passenger seat and quietly lit a cigarette. This was the last one in her pack, a box she’d brought from Chengdu, now finally exhausted.

She exhaled a deep ring of smoke and pulled a pink notebook from her pocket.

Dali Stories: 3. Pirate Song Bar in the Ancient Town—strong drinks, intoxicating girls.

Dali Stories: 4. The night in Dali is beautiful. The evening stars are like your eyes—bewitching and dangerous.

Leaning against the car window, Lin Shenlu watched the faint glow of the cigarette inside the car. The flickering red seemed to whisper of this lonely night.

“Brother, why are you heading back to the inn so late? The nightlife is just starting!” The driver asked curiously.

“Had too much to drink this afternoon… Tonight, I can only go back and collapse.” Lin Shenlu flicked the ash gently.

She gazed at the world outside the window.

The evening by Erhai Lake was so beautiful, it was almost intoxicating. For someone already tipsy like Lin Shenlu, the breeze only made it more dreamlike.

You are the dusk that never falls in the night.

You are the morning that refuses to rise at dawn.

Your voice is like a mountain spring flowing.

Your touch is as gentle as the soft clouds of late spring.

This season by Erhai Lake—

Perhaps it was the arrival of the rainy season, but the sunsets were dazzlingly vibrant.

Through Lin Shenlu’s eyes, the heavy clouds outside seemed to be brewing abundant rainwater, as well as vivid, fiery sunsets.

Erhai’s evening could be a delicate ink painting in the rain, or as bold and colorful as an oil painting.

How many people became enchanted by Erhai’s sunsets and decided to stay in Dali, guarding a small courtyard, raising dogs and planting flowers?

Every day, watching Erhai’s sunset, a warmth rising from the heart.

The sun finally set.

Glorious rays of light slowly appeared. The thick clouds atop Cangshan Mountain began to turn crimson, eventually flowing like a sea of fire.

Not everyone sees the same Erhai.

Many come to Erhai and encounter rainy weather; the gloomy sky and persistent drizzle dampen their passion.

But only those who stay long enough by Erhai know—

How beautiful Erhai is after the rain.

The sudden sunshine warmly bathes the landscape.

Gray clouds turn pure white.

The wind blowing off the lake brushes your face, then moves on elsewhere.

The world after the rain—

Soft and clear.

Amidst this gentle clarity,

What one anticipates most is Erhai’s evening glow.

So Lin Shenlu knew Erhai’s beauty was never just a fleeting glance.

It was the ever-changing splendor of every moment.

Night had truly fallen.

Twilight circled gently, the floating light tender.

For Lin Shenlu, nothing seemed important now; nothing felt unbearable. Loneliness was more beautiful than anything else.

Between the gap of sky and water lay a long, distant journey toward home.

Suddenly, Lin Shenlu felt that such beauty, enjoyed alone, was truly wasted.

Loneliness wasn’t always the most beautiful thing.

Sometimes, one needs to learn to enjoy solitude.

At other times, one must learn to share.

She took out her phone, wanting to capture this breathtaking scene.

She’d show it to An Muxi later, to remind her not to refuse these outings…

How stunning was the world outside?

To come to Dali and not see the sights, lying in the inn’s bed—what was the point?

But then, she realized she hadn’t asked her to join her either…

Lin Shenlu pointed her camera at the sky ablaze with fiery clouds, at the scene where the sun had vanished but the dusk had painted the heavens.

The lake was calm, the wind blowing softly—

Comfortable.

If only she had An Muxi’s WeChat; she could send it straight to her.

Now, she’d have to show her the video when she returned.

Hmm…

What did the red dot on WeChat mean?

Lin Shenlu noticed she had many Moments notifications.

She tried to recall—right, she had posted a Moment before setting off.

So many comments?

She frowned and tapped to check.

Three likes, four comments.

The likes came from her aunt, her best college roommate, and a former colleague.

The comments were from these three—and the last one, her former boss?

Aunt: Shenlu, why did you go to Yunnan? The news says there are many imported and asymptomatic cases. Hurry back.

Lin Shenlu: Don’t worry, Auntie. That place is eight hundred miles away from me.

Roommate Xiao Zhang: Busy traveling lately, old pal? When shall we meet up?

Lin Shenlu: Miss you too, Third Brother. I’ll visit you in Beijing when I can.

Colleague Ding Xiaoxiao: Brother Deer, they say you resigned to travel? Is it true?

Lin Shenlu: Take a guess.

After replying to the first three, Lin Shenlu hesitated at the last.

It was her former boss’s comment.

She had left her resignation letter on the desk that morning, then walked out, switching her phone to airplane mode…

Now, things felt a bit awkward.

She had been with the company for years, and in recent times, this female boss had mentored her.

Coincidentally, they shared the same surname—Lin. She was a few years older, and treated Lin Shenlu almost like a little brother.

Lin Shenlu rubbed her head—better see what she said first.

Boss Lin Qingchen: Erhai is wonderful—a place for dreams. Remember to take lots of beautiful photos, meet interesting people, stay in unique inns, and post more Moments. I have a friend who runs an inn by Erhai; you can go and experience it.

To be honest, Lin Shenlu’s eyes stung a bit.

Her boss was a real powerhouse—a woman who had studied abroad, inherited the CEO position, rarely traveled herself but was wise and knowledgeable. Many of the big copywriting projects and route reviews for TravelNet were her work.

TravelNet remained an industry leader, largely due to her management.

She had promoted Lin Shenlu over the years and treated him well.

Ah, the past was behind him.

He couldn’t go back.

Just as his boss said—take more beautiful photos, meet more interesting people, stay in more unique inns, post more Moments…

Lin Shenlu: Thank you, Qingchen Sister.

…