Chapter 52: Your Wish, Returned to You

On the way back.

Mr. Bao sat in the back seat and began discussing professional matters with Lin Shenlu.

“I’m a travel photographer. I’ve been stationed in Dali for the past six months, mainly taking orders from tourists who want photo shoots here. My surname is Bao—my full name is Bao Te Man… By the way, I’m the man who once photographed Kim Taeyeon!” Mr. Bao’s smile was genuinely warm and approachable.

“Are you sure that’s your real name?” Lin Shenlu asked skeptically.

“And… I’m really not your peer. I only spent two years in the photography circle because of work a few years ago, just got in touch with it, that’s all…” Lin Shenlu glanced sideways at An Muxi.

An Muxi didn’t pay it any mind.

“Alright, brother, you and I both know the photography scene. I have principles, too. I really don’t want to do private portrait shoots—after a few sessions, you barely make any money, and you have to do free retouching, wasting time and energy… Not to mention the physical toll… That’s why, after refusing a client, I had to leave alone… Ah!” Mr. Bao shook his head helplessly.

“But you’re a private photographer, aren’t you? Don’t you still have to deal with clients for the final selection and retouching?” An Muxi asked curiously.

“We take orders through websites, and the follow-up is handled by others. At most, I earn a bit less, but with my frail body… Health comes first!” Mr. Bao said with a smile.

He paused. “By the way, where are you headed?” Mr. Bao asked.

“Where do you want to go?” Lin Shenlu replied with a smile.

“Me… Actually, I really want to visit the Ideal State of Santorini. I don’t know if you’ve seen it online, but recently a hotel called Whale & Deer has set up a wishing pool and message bottles—it’s gone viral, and I’m planning to take some shots there…” Mr. Bao held up his phone as he spoke.

Lin Shenlu and An Muxi exchanged smiles.

“Muxi, come with me for a bit. I need to pick up my luggage anyway, and I’ll go with you…” Lin Shenlu said softly.

“Why?”

“…”

“Let’s go to my place… I’ve got my luggage, and I’d like to see it for myself… And maybe leave a message bottle of my own…” An Muxi said quietly.

Lin Shenlu was a little surprised.

She turned to look at An Muxi.

There was no ripple in An Muxi’s gaze—her eyes were steady and calm.

Was she truly unbothered?

“Are you really… okay with it?” Lin Shenlu probed.

“What difference does it make?”

…

Night had fallen.

Lin Shenlu had already brought An Muxi and Mr. Bao back to Dun Jing Inn.

The owner, Dun Jing, was a young man in his mid-twenties.

“So, you’re leaving already? Hope you had fun!” Dun Jing greeted An Muxi.

Then he glanced at Lin Shenlu.

He discreetly whispered to Lin Shenlu, “Congratulations, brother. At last, you’ve waited for the wind to arrive, the flowers to bloom…”

“Thank you…” Lin Shenlu smiled, offering no further explanation.

“You wouldn’t believe it—this beauty stayed here for three or four days and never smiled once. But with you here, she was grinning ear to ear today… That’s how it should be! Coming to Dali should be all about happiness, leaving your worries at Erhai Lake!” Dun Jing said, rolling walnuts in his palm.

“All right, wishing your inn booming business!” Lin Shenlu pressed his hands together in a gesture of respect.

“No need to be so formal—business is secondary, I’ve got my own passions! Mountains and rivers will reunite us, storms will pass, and we shall meet again in this world!” Dun Jing waved his hand.

Lin Shenlu nodded, bid the owner farewell, and helped An Muxi with her luggage as they set out again toward Whale & Deer Hotel.

And once again, as they drove, bathed in the silver moonlight, Lin Shenlu steered the car onward with An Muxi beside him.

It was another journey of nearly two hours.

With An Muxi in the car, Lin Shenlu naturally couldn’t drive too fast.

He gently tapped the music app.

The playlist automatically played the first song.

The familiar intro made An Muxi pause in surprise.

Wasn’t that her own ringtone?

Lin Shenlu smiled and said, “Since you left, this song has been pinned at the top of my playlist. Every time I drive, I listen to it.”

An Muxi smiled silently, leaning back in her seat to quietly listen.

After the song ended, Lin Shenlu suddenly heard a familiar voice coming from Mr. Bao’s phone in the back seat.

He glanced at the time—it was the start of Blue Whale’s livestream.

He turned down the music a little.

Lin Shenlu listened as the livestream unfolded.

Blue Whale: Good evening, everyone! Today is a very special day! Before we start fishing for bottles, let me introduce two good friends! They arrived at our hotel today at one and three in the afternoon… And anyone who frequents the livestream probably knows them both!

Lin Shenlu was curious—who had come today?

Blue Whale: Please welcome our two distinguished guests… Here is my long-time leaderboard champion, the Vampire Prince! And this is my Diamond Guardian, Dreamer! Honestly, I didn’t expect you two to say you’d book tickets in the chat yesterday, and now you’re actually here in Dali!

“We’ve been planning this for a while. Always wanted to check in with you, but never got the chance. Now that you’ve launched the wishing pool, we thought we’d come together for some fun!” said a middle-aged man with a rich, magnetic voice.

“Yes, and if I’m not mistaken, the day after tomorrow is your birthday, right? We’ve known you online for two or three years, so we came to celebrate with you… Whatever you wish for, just say it!” said a younger man, his voice clear and bright.

Lin Shenlu recalled that, indeed, two wealthy fans had been gifting in the livestream yesterday, talking about buying tickets. He hadn’t expected them to actually show up.

Blue Whale: You guys even remembered my birthday! Truly, thank you both for traveling so far to celebrate with me. But as for wishes… let’s leave it. I can’t make a wish right now… I… never mind, let’s just go and fish for bottles together…

…

Lin Shenlu was silent as he drove, listening to the conversation from the livestream in the back seat.

Was Blue Whale’s inability to make a wish because of him?

Was it because of the five-cent issue?

If it really was because of him…

Lin Shenlu glanced at An Muxi beside him.

Did that make him a bit of a scoundrel?

If misunderstandings were likely, it was best to clear them up soon.

After all, his heart was now entirely set on An Muxi, and he didn’t want others to be hurt needlessly.

“Muxi, do you have a five-cent coin? Give me one,” Lin Shenlu suddenly said.

“Hm? Yes, I do. What is it for?” An Muxi was surprised, a little curious.

“Nothing much. I owe a friend five cents, and I want to return it.” Lin Shenlu spoke softly.

An Muxi didn’t respond, seeming to contemplate something. Gently, she took a new five-cent coin from her purse and handed it to Lin Shenlu.

The Whale & Deer Hotel was getting closer.