Chapter 53: Waiting for Someone, Through Many Years

The Whale and Deer scenic spot was ablaze with lights at night. Warm-colored strings of lights encircled the courtyard. By the wishing pool, forty or fifty people gathered as if sightseeing, keeping watch around it. One had to admit that Azure Whale possessed a sharp economic mind. In just a single day, the courtyard had sprouted numerous new seats. Now, nearly every table and chair was occupied—some sipping wine, others tea, all enjoying themselves.

Today, little Ai wore a perfectly fitting bikini, darting through the water and sending up sprays. Lin Yaichen stood off to the side, checking his watch with a furrowed brow. It had already been a full day. Where was Lin Shenlu, that rascal? He’d still been around when Lin Yaichen left last night; how had he vanished without a trace today?

Azure Whale, meanwhile, betrayed no unusual emotion, remaining as beautiful as ever. Like a spirit of the night, she wore a white dress and streamed live. The wishing pool and the drifting bottles had, over the past two days, fermented a considerable buzz. Many from neighboring hotels came to visit. Guests staying in Santorini all dropped by for a look, bought a bottle of wine, and left their stories behind.

Lin Yaichen had already arranged for the second batch of workers, as per the previous plan, to renovate one side of the large swimming pool. The pool would be split in two: one side the Pool of Time, the other the Pool of Encounters. Given the current popularity, the plan seemed sound. Yet, as the chief planner of the whole affair—where was Lin Shenlu?

Little Ai leaped from the water as usual, a white wine bottle in hand. Water droplets scattered, her allure and charm on full display, wet strands of hair trailing over her chest—a vision of a dream goddess. At that crucial moment, Azure Whale’s live chat exploded with a single phrase, repeated over and over.

Pure Little Hand: Mouth-popped cork
Teacher Three: Mouth-popped cork
Copper Tooth: Mouth-popped cork
Half Acre South Hill: Mouth-popped cork
Quality Giant: Mouth-popped cork
...

The skill had become a sensation online. Others aside, Yaichen himself had experienced the power of Ai’s mouth-popped cork last night.

As the saying goes... the suction was formidable.

“Pop!”
With a vacuum-like sound, the story slipped from the bottle into Ai’s mouth. She handed the water-dampened paper to Azure Whale once again. The chat erupted anew.

Pure Little Hand: Thread-pulling...
Teacher Three: Thread-pulling...
Quality Giant: Thread-pulling...
...

Lin Shenlu’s car rolled slowly through the night. An Muxi sat quietly by his side, eyes closed, resting. The three of them listened to Azure Whale’s live storytelling in the darkness.

“This wishing pool is truly beautiful! I’ve traveled to many countries, seen all sorts of wishing pools, but the one at the Whale and Deer Hotel is the finest and most exquisite I’ve ever seen,” Teacher Bao couldn’t help but say. “And the concept is brilliant. In all my time in Dali, I haven’t heard of anyone combining a wishing pool and drifting bottles. I’ve seen storytellers, and encounter cards, but never anything so grand and beautiful as this. I suspect the owner of the Whale and Deer Inn must have some wise advisor behind the scenes!”

Was Lin Shenlu that wise advisor? He immediately denied it in his heart. He wasn’t a sage. He simply hoped, on his travels, to embody his ideal utopia. Yet not all beauty is true beauty; not all scenic wonders are as stunning as they appear on a phone screen. When one approaches a place with heartfelt longing, only to find the feedback lacking, it becomes necessary to cultivate one’s own vision. That was Lin Shenlu’s belief—not just on the shores of Erhai in Dali, nor merely in the shattering of the Sky Mirror, nor simply in building a wishing pool.

After so many years of waiting, at last, he had set out on his journey. All those things that had once appeared before him, and now appeared again—he needed only one thing: to stay true to himself.

“We’re almost there,” Lin Shenlu said quietly.

Teacher Bao gently closed his phone.

The live stream ended. Tonight’s stories were finished.

“What a shame—I thought we’d catch the live broadcast. Still, it doesn’t matter; there’ll be another tomorrow. Tonight’s story was a bit dull; it seems not everyone’s tale is interesting, nor is everyone’s love so strange and dramatic,” Teacher Bao remarked.

“Of course. Did you think every story would be as romantic and exciting as yesterday’s?” Lin Shenlu smiled.

“Ah, brother, you saw yesterday’s too?” Teacher Bao exclaimed.

“I... I was there in person last night.”

...

Near nine o’clock, Lin Shenlu parked the car. Carrying An Muxi’s luggage in one hand and supporting her with the other, he helped her down. Teacher Bao, unable to contain himself, rushed ahead.

“I actually came here half a year ago, but never stayed. Too expensive—about a thousand a night. I came often for photos, though. But this time, for the wishing pool and drifting bottles, I’ll pay the thousand,” Teacher Bao said as he climbed.

“Enjoy it while you can. You might still get a room now, but with all this hype, prices will rise, and soon there might be no rooms left at all,” Lin Shenlu replied.

“Why? Will it really get so crowded?” Teacher Bao asked.

“Of course. Besides the wishing pool you see now, the Pool of Encounters and the Pool of Time will debut in the next two days. Their impact is no less than the wishing pool!” Lin Shenlu said softly.

“Brother, how do you know all this?” Teacher Bao asked curiously.

“Because... I used to live here! Didn’t I already tell you?” Lin Shenlu laughed.

...

Soon, the three reached the entrance. An Muxi stopped at the door. The enormous whale at the gate was entwined with roses, beautifully illuminated by the night lights. Beside it, the deer gazed gently up at the whale, antlers curling upward in complex patterns. The roses’ various hues glowed under the lights, soothing and lovely. On a wooden plaque nearby, several words struck deep.

An Muxi softly said, “Indeed, this is a place waiting for someone, for many years. Deer, I believe it now.”

Lin Shenlu felt his heart struck.

“What is it... Muxi?”

“Nothing. Let’s go inside, take a look,” An Muxi replied quietly.