tkworld #577 - Entering the village again
#577 - Entering the village again
Now that things have come to this, there's no use in thinking too much. Tang Yin clenched his fists, trying to calm the turmoil in his heart.
The moment the van passed through that mysterious entrance, time seemed to freeze. At the edge of his vision, a white figure suddenly flashed.
"--It's her!"
Tang Yin's eyes widened, staring intently at Hualu(花露: Hualu - name of person) who was faintly visible behind the rocks. In an instant, their eyes met, and those incredible red pupils were like two bright rubies, shining in the dim sky. Her slender figure, accompanied by her flowing white hair, drew a graceful arc in the air, turning back to gaze at the van that was about to pass her by.
Just then, an accident happened.
She lost her balance and fell backward, heavily hitting the ground.
"St-stone!!! She hit the back of her head on a stone, it looks like it hurts a lot!! Wait, sorry, stop the car!!" Tang Yin shouted almost instinctively, his voice full of anxiety.
"What's wrong!?" Xia Hui turned her head in surprise.
Zhou Zhengxiong immediately slammed on the brakes upon hearing this, the tires screeching against the ground. Tang Yin didn't care about anything else, pushing open the car door and rushing towards the fallen figure.
"A-are you okay!" He crouched down, asking with concern.
"Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh!" Hualu(花露: Hualu - name of person) clutched her head, letting out a series of painful groans. Seeing this legendary and mysterious woman in such a disheveled state, Tang Yin's sense of awe instantly vanished.
"It hurts!" she cried, frowning.
"It must hurt a lot!" Tang Yin couldn't help but respond.
"Ah! Who are you?" Hualu(花露: Hualu - name of person) looked up, tears glistening in her red eyes.
"Just a passerby!"
"Who am I?"
"Wait."
"I-I just wanted to say it once." Hualu(花露: Hualu - name of person) stuck out her tongue.
"You're even in the mood to make jokes!" Tang Yin didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"...It hurts too much, it's making me a little confused." She rubbed the back of her head, looking slightly embarrassed.
In this moment of close proximity, Tang Yin truly saw the girl before him clearly—no, judging from her demeanor, she should be older than him. At this moment, a faint blush appeared on her fair cheeks, making people want to take another look.
Hualu(花露: Hualu - name of person)—this name echoed softly in Tang Yin's heart.
Whether it was because of albinism or not, her skin was almost transparently white, her hair was as pure white as the first snow, and her pupils were as deep red as blood. She wore a unique kimono, and her words and actions carried a somewhat unconventional air, just like the mysterious woman in Tang Yin's memory.
However, what was with that sudden joke just now? On second thought, it didn't seem too strange, after all, they hadn't had much interaction the last time they met, and they couldn't be considered familiar.
"...Are you really okay?" Tang Yin still asked with some concern.
Hualu(花露: Hualu - name of person) gave a bitter yet playful smile: "...My mother used to say before she died, that pain means you're okay."
"That depends on the situation... Excuse my rudeness." Tang Yin couldn't help but sigh inwardly, this mysterious woman seemed much more interesting than he had imagined.
Tang Yin stood in front of Hualu(花露: Hualu - name of person), a hint of hesitation flashing in his eyes. He raised his hand slightly, his fingertips cautiously approaching the injured area. The gentle breeze of early spring blew softly through the open paper door, carrying a faint scent of cherry blossoms.
Hualu's(花露: Hualu - name of person) silvery-white hair shone softly in the sunlight, making her delicate little face even whiter. Tang Yin's fingers passed through her smooth hair, gently touching the injured area.
"It hurts..." Hualu(花露: Hualu - name of person) frowned slightly, a trace of pain flashing in her ruby-like eyes.
Tang Yin immediately withdrew his hand, his expression serious: "Ah... It's bleeding, and there's a little swelling... It's best to apply ice and rest."
Hualu(花露: Hualu - name of person) looked up, curiously sizing up the young man in the dark coat before her. His demeanor was calm and his eyes were gentle, making people want to trust him involuntarily. "Are you a doctor?"
"No, this is just first aid based on common sense," Tang Yin shook his head, his voice filled with concern, "Judging from the wound, it shouldn't be too serious... Are you okay?"
"...Ah, th-that." Hualu(花露: Hualu - name of person) suddenly stammered, her slender fingers twisting together unconsciously, her eyes darting around.
Tang Yin became nervous at the sight: "Are you feeling unwell anywhere!?"
Hualu(花露: Hualu - name of person) lowered her head, her voice almost inaudible: "...No, that, how should I put it, when you touched my hair, that, there was a ticklish feeling." A cherry-pink blush crept onto her cheeks, "Not that I'm uncomfortable, it's just, there's a strange feeling."
Watching Hualu's(花露: Hualu - name of person) shy appearance, a bold idea suddenly flashed through Tang Yin's mind—could she be the type whose sensitive spot is on her scalp?
"...So quickly having skin contact with the first villager, you really live up to your name, Tang Yin." A teasing voice suddenly sounded from behind. Xia Hui(夏慧: Xia Hui - name of person) crossed her arms, a mischievous smile on her lips.
"What are you talking about, Miss Rabbit?" Tang Yin replied helplessly.
"Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! The brown-haired man! Lady Hualu(花露大人: Lady Hualu - name of person) has been vi-violated!!"
A sharp scream pierced the tranquility of the room. An old woman in a brown kimono with gray hair rushed out of nowhere, her face full of panic.
Where did this old woman suddenly come from!!
"Granny Rong(蓉婆婆: Granny Rong - name of person)!! Listen to me, Granny Rong(蓉婆婆: Granny Rong - name of person)... oh no, this Granny!" Tang Yin quickly explained, "This Lady Hualu(花露大人: Lady Hualu - name of person) just fell and injured her head!"
"Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh..." Hualu(花露: Hualu - name of person) was at a loss from this sudden turn of events.
Granny Rong(蓉婆婆: Granny Rong - name of person) waved her hands excitedly: "Lady Hualu(花露大人: Lady Hualu - name of person), what lewd things did this man of unknown origin do to you! How pitiful! How terrible!"
Listen to my explanation! Tang Yin sighed inwardly.
...Sure enough, it feels like being kind to a dog.
After a barrage of explanations, the farce finally came to an end. The sunlight still shone gently in the room, as if the chaos of just now had never happened.
"...I've caused you trouble." Hualu(花露: Hualu - name of person) said apologetically.
"It's all your fault for doing something that caused such a misunderstanding." Granny Rong(蓉婆婆: Granny Rong - name of person) still said with a bit of reproach.
"Ah haha, sorry." Tang Yin smiled awkwardly.
"Lady Hualu(花露大人: Lady Hualu - name of person), let's go back and rest first!" Granny Rong(蓉婆婆: Granny Rong - name of person) said with concern.
"Granny Rong(蓉婆婆: Granny Rong - name of person), there's no need to worry." Hualu(花露: Hualu - name of person) comforted softly.
"Lord Qian Jin(钱进大人: Lord Qian Jin - name of person) happens to be in Wuyin Village(雾隐村: Wuyin Village - name of place)! I'll go call him now!" Granny Rong(蓉婆婆: Granny Rong - name of person) suddenly remembered something and said eagerly.
Zhou Zhengxiong(周正雄: Zhou Zhengxiong - name of person), who had been standing silently in the corner, finally spoke: "I'll take you down."
"...Oh oh, please..." Granny Rong(蓉婆婆: Granny Rong - name of person) nodded. The afterglow of the setting sun shone through the window panes, casting long shadows on them.
Tang Yin stood aside, silently watching this scene. Zhou Zhengxiong's(周正雄: Zhou Zhengxiong - name of person) tall figure enveloped Granny Rong(蓉婆婆: Granny Rong - name of person), and the pressure he inadvertently exuded made the old woman, who was usually picky about foreigners, seem unusually obedient. The sunlight cast long, oblique shadows between them, outlining a rather peculiar picture.
Xia Hui(夏慧: Xia Hui - name of person) turned her gaze to Hualu(花露: Hualu - name of person), her cunning eyes now full of concern: "You're Hualu(花露: Hualu - name of person), right? Are you sure you don't need to go to the hospital?"
Hualu(花露: Hualu - name of person) shook her head gently, her silver hair drawing a graceful arc in the air: "There's a doctor here..." Her voice was soft, with a hint of fatigue.
"...Is that so? That's good." Xia Hui(夏慧: Xia Hui - name of person) took a few steps closer and extended her hand, "Let me help you, want to get in the car?"
Hualu(花露: Hualu - name of person) lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes casting faint shadows on her face: "I've caused everyone trouble."
Xia Hui(夏慧: Xia Hui - name of person) turned to look at Tang Yin, a mischievous smile on her lips: "Tang Yin, sorry, you sit in the back."
Tang Yin glanced at the van, thinking to himself: The equipment in the back must be piled up like a mountain.
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"Or should I walk?" he suggested casually.
"No way." Xia Hui(夏慧: Xia Hui - name of person) refused flatly.
Tang Yin looked at Xia Hui's(夏慧: Xia Hui - name of person) determined expression and understood. If he let this hot-tempered Miss Rabbit act alone, she would probably cause trouble. Recalling that they had passed through a dangerous bridge when entering the village via the God Valley(神格河谷: God Valley - name of place) earlier. Moreover, he was supposed to be a lost foreigner, so he couldn't appear too familiar, lest he arouse suspicion.
At this time, Hualu(花露: Hualu - name of person) suddenly spoke: "I'm really very sorry, that..."
"It's nothing, don't worry about it." Tang Yin quickly waved his hand.
"No, that." Hualu's(花露: Hualu - name of person) voice grew softer and softer, with a bit of shyness, "...I'm Hualu(花露: Hualu - name of person)."
Tang Yin then realized his rudeness: "...In that case, I haven't introduced myself either... that..." He cleared his throat, "I'm Tang Yin(唐隐: Tang Yin - name of person), Tang of the Tang Dynasty, Yin of invisibility."
In the end, Tang Yin still got into the back of the van, sitting side by side with Hualu(花露: Hualu - name of person). Although the journey wasn't long, neither of them deliberately started a conversation, but Tang Yin clearly caught a faint fragrance—a scent similar to dry sandalwood, clear and long-lasting, leaving a deep impression.
The car bumped along the uneven mountain road, and Tang Yin had to use all his strength to control his constantly bouncing body. Through the car window, he saw the van's tires rolling out two deep ruts on the sandy road, winding towards Wuyin Village(雾隐村: Wuyin Village - name of place).
As dusk deepened, the car successively passed the imposing Qian(钱氏: Qian - family name) Group building, the deserted construction site, and Granny Rong's(蓉婆婆: Granny Rong - name of person) quaint residence. Finally, they arrived at the village square.
At this time, Hualu's(花露: Hualu - name of person) mental state had improved a lot, but she still seemed uneasy because she had caused everyone trouble. Looking at the wound on her head, Tang Yin reminded himself to remind her to be more careful.
Accompanied by Xia Hui(夏慧: Xia Hui - name of person), Tang Yin escorted Hualu(花露: Hualu - name of person) back to her residence. Looking at the simple small house, a strange feeling welled up in Tang Yin's heart—it was here that he had once seen a crazy Hualu(花露: Hualu - name of person) locked inside. That scene seemed to have happened yesterday, but it was like a lifetime ago.
The afterglow of the setting sun dyed the entire village red, covering this peaceful evening with a faint layer of sadness. The air was filled with the fragrance of earth and grass, and the faint chirping of birds could be heard in the distance, everything seemed so peaceful and serene, as if the accident just now had never happened.
As dusk fell, Hualu(花露: Hualu - name of person) stood in front of the door, her slender figure particularly thin in the dim light. She opened her mouth hesitantly: "...Then, just in case, I'll wait for Qian Jin(钱进: Qian Jin - name of person) here."
"Take care." Xia Hui(夏慧: Xia Hui - name of person) said softly, a look of concern in her eyes.
Hualu's(花露: Hualu - name of person) gaze turned to Tang Yin, her moon-white hair fluttering gently in the breeze: "Mm... Mr. Tang Yin(唐隐先生: Mr. Tang Yin - name of person), I will remember your kindness." Her voice was soft, with a hint of imperceptible trembling.
"It's nothing, don't take it to heart." Tang Yin waved his hand, pretending to be relaxed.
Just then, a childish voice broke the delicate atmosphere: "Baa..."
"Woof." Tang Yin was startled by the sudden sound, and then remembered that Hualu(花露: Hualu - name of person) had an inseparable little follower beside her.
Xia Hui's(夏慧: Xia Hui - name of person) eyes lit up immediately: "Oh, this child is?" Her professional instincts were instantly piqued.
Hualu(花露: Hualu - name of person) looked down at the little girl beside her: "...Didn't you see her yesterday? She's a child who wandered into Wuyin Village(雾隐村: Wuyin Village - name of place) the day before yesterday."
"Oh... From Baifeng Village(百丰庄: Baifeng Village - name of place)? I'll take her back today." Xia Hui(夏慧: Xia Hui - name of person) offered enthusiastically.
"No, that." Hualu(花露: Hualu - name of person) was about to explain when Tang Yin interjected in time: "Ah, why don't we go ask others about the situation first? Hualu(花露: Hualu - name of person) should rest more."
"...Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh!" Hualu(花露: Hualu - name of person) nodded repeatedly as if grasping at a life-saving straw.
Xia Hui(夏慧: Xia Hui - name of person) looked at the two suspiciously: "...Indeed, then Hualu(花露: Hualu - name of person), we'll take our leave first... This child is okay, right?"
"...Little Baa(小咩: Little Baa - name of person)." Hualu(花露: Hualu - name of person) called softly.
"Baa." The little girl responded obediently, following Hualu(花露: Hualu - name of person) into the house. As the door opened and closed, a strong fragrance wafted out, seemingly the smell of some aged sandalwood burning indoors.
"She's very cute." Xia Hui(夏慧: Xia Hui - name of person) looked at the closed door, a gentle smile on her face.
"Yes." Tang Yin replied casually.
Xia Hui(夏慧: Xia Hui - name of person) suddenly became interested: "Moreover, her appearance coupled with this outfit is really full of mystery."
"Outfit?" Tang Yin didn't react for a moment.
"Didn't you notice?" Xia Hui's(夏慧: Xia Hui - name of person) eyes flashed with excitement, "Although it looks like a shrine maiden's outfit, that kind of ink dyeing is actually in the style of Buddhism. Obviously, her outfit has religious significance, I didn't expect this remote place to have an independent belief... It's really exciting to think about."
"It's not a bad thing to be passionate about work, but it's better not to be nosy." A cold voice suddenly came from behind.
Tang Yin sighed inwardly: This time, there are really a lot of people making unexpected appearances.
"Oh, that, Qian Jin(钱进: Qian Jin - name of person), excuse me, sorry, are you here to treat Hualu(花露: Hualu - name of person)?" Xia Hui(夏慧: Xia Hui - name of person) immediately restrained her excited expression and showed the smooth smile characteristic of a professional reporter.
Qian Jin(钱进: Qian Jin - name of person) brushed past the two with a cold face: "Yes, if you know, quickly make way... Oh, who is this person?" He suddenly noticed Tang Yin's presence, his eyes with a bit of vigilance.
"Ah, that..." Xia Hui(夏慧: Xia Hui - name of person) quickly explained, "He is Tang Yin(唐隐: Tang Yin - name of person), under Qin Zhi's(秦治: Qin Zhi - name of person) arrangement, preparing to move here."