Chapter 85: Mist-Shrouded Clouds, The Old Home of the Whale and Deer

There were always plenty of artists settling in Lishui. It could well be called a village of artists. The houses, seemingly ordinary in their appearance, might in fact conceal a renowned painter or a bestselling author within.

“Hurry up, Wu, keep pace with me! Run!” came the voice of a man not far away.
“I’m coming, Brother Shouzi, slow down, the path is uneven…” replied the fading voice of a girl behind him.

Lin Shenlu smiled knowingly—such encounters were a kind of fate, to be able to live under the same roof.

…

Soon, Hailan Whale emerged, rubbing her sleepy eyes. Clearly, she was not in her best spirits.
“You didn’t really get me up this early just to go jogging with you, did you? Lin Shenlu, I know you enjoy this, but I… I wasn’t prepared…” Hailan Whale said, a little embarrassed.
“Relax, if it were just a run, I’d be happier alone. I brought you out because I had a new idea!” Lin Shenlu shrugged, grinning at Hailan Whale.
“Come on, let’s go…”

Hailan Whale sighed, casting a longing look back into the house.
Su Bao’er was still deep in sleep.
She felt a bit envious—nothing to worry about, nothing to do.
How wonderful.

Lin Shenlu’s pace was not hurried, retracing the route from their first day.
Morning mist drifted from the distant mountains.
From Lin Shenlu’s perspective, it was like a flood surging between the peaks.
For that instant, clouds and mist merged, enshrouding this world.
On the terraced fields, the fog flowed downward like water, layer upon layer covering the ground.
Such beauty made Hailan Whale’s eyes brighten.

Indeed, the mountain scenery was splendid.
This time, Lin Shenlu had a clear goal; after a brief pause, he continued leading Hailan Whale up the mountainside.
“Isn’t the view magnificent? Imagine if your inn were here—every morning, you’d open the window to see mist rolling through the deep mountains, like a river rushing toward you. Wouldn’t that be a unique feeling?” Lin Shenlu laughed.
“Don’t tease. It is breathtaking, but I can’t buy a mountain and build a house,” Hailan Whale laughed.
Not to mention whether she had the means to buy a mountain; who knew if it was even for sale.
“No, buying a mountain is a bit much, but if there’s already a house, take a look!” Lin Shenlu pointed to a house hidden, half-visible in a gap in the scenery not far away.
Hailan Whale paused, her eyes lighting up.
There was a house here?

They quickened their pace.
After climbing moss-covered stone steps, the old, rustic two-story house appeared before them.
A small clearing halfway up the mountain, and here stood this house—whether it had been a neglected ancestral hall or an abandoned school, it now lay quietly hidden in the mountains.
Standing on this empty slope, gazing out at the distant view.
The thick mist had begun to drift into the woods, swirling all around.

“The scenery here changes throughout the day. In the morning, you see the mist on the terraces, then the sunrise painting the clouds. By day, you admire emerald mountains and the shadows of bamboo, at night, you hear insects in the grass, see the moon hanging from branches, and stars scattered across the sky. If you could, you’d fence off a little yard and string it with fairy lights—what do you think of this place?” Lin Shenlu painted the scene from his mind.

Hailan Whale was utterly captivated by the old house before her.
It matched her ideal perfectly—in size, in atmosphere, in appearance, and in location.
She was genuinely curious that Lin Shenlu, after hearing her request, had managed to find a house that suited her so well.
Was this the self-discipline of a professional traveler?
He could remember every road he walked, every river he met, every bridge he crossed, and every house he saw?

At that moment, Hailan Whale’s gaze fell upon the large black tree to the right of the house’s entrance.
The tree was tall, though its leaves were sparse.

But its branches were laden with persimmons—bright orange, hanging like lanterns.
She wondered whether the house’s former owner had planted it or if it had grown wild.
The scene was steeped in atmosphere.

Seeing her gaze fixed on the persimmon tree, Lin Shenlu smiled, “It’s not autumn yet. When it comes, the mountain’s green fades to orange, leaves scatter all around, and the persimmon tree is at its most beautiful—bare of leaves, with countless large persimmons hanging. When winter arrives and snow falls, you’ll see a stretch of white for miles, only the black stones and trees beneath the snow, and at your door, a patch of orange—the dried persimmons left on the tree.” Lin Shenlu laughed.

Hailan Whale had to admit, the scene was stunning.
Especially after Lin Shenlu’s description, she could almost feel the place’s final form.
At last, Hailan Whale stopped gazing and looked at Lin Shenlu in front of her.
“I am completely certain—the Whale and Deer Inn of Lishui will be here!” Hailan Whale said earnestly.

Lin Shenlu was surprised.
“Hm? Still called Whale and Deer?” Lin Shenlu asked.
“Yes, why not? The inn owes half its glory to you, and besides, I like the name—isn’t that allowed?” Hailan Whale said, a bit proud.
“Alright, it’s your inn, you’re in charge. I can help you find your ideal location, but as for what this old house is used for, who owns it, whether you can buy or rent it—that’s beyond me. I don’t know much about these things here…” Lin Shenlu admitted honestly.

He couldn’t afford to open such an inn, nor did he have connections to pull strings, let alone friends to negotiate with the owner for a sale or lease.
He really couldn’t help with anything else.

“The rest is up to me. You’ve helped me find the place—I’m already very grateful, Lin Shenlu. I never imagined you’d choose the spot for me in just one night…” Hailan Whale said, feeling relieved.
The hardest part, finding the location, was solved.
The rest could be settled with money.

“No problem, come on, I’ll show you inside. The door’s not locked—I went in last time. I believe you’ll get an even different feeling inside,” Lin Shenlu said with a smile.