Chapter Forty-Seven: What Makes It Special Is the Story
The shop was adorned with all kinds of camel bells, and the walls were covered with photos of the owner alongside actors. Each picture seemed to recount a touching story that had taken place in Lijiang. As for its authenticity, who really cared?
Xiaoxiao immediately set her sights on a particular camel bell. Without bargaining, she purchased it and tucked it into her bag like a precious treasure. Even during dinner, she couldn’t help but take it out repeatedly to admire it.
Seeing how she cherished it, Lin Shuo couldn't help but let a faint smile play at the corners of his lips.
Given Ying’s halting Chinese, Xiaoxiao conversed with her entirely in Vietnamese. Ying asked, “Is the camel bell really that special?”
She laughed. “It’s the story that’s special.”
Brother Han interjected with mock dejection, “Since you arrived, little sister, I’m about to be banished to the cold palace by my wife.”
“With your spirit, I doubt your wife would ever dare let you go,” Lin Shuo teased, casting a glance at Xiaoxiao and joking, “In any case, no one’s competing with you for your wife.”
“Thanks for your blessing,” Brother Han replied, then urged the waiter to bring the food quickly. From their conversation, Xiaoxiao caught a subtle hint and tried to probe Ying for details. But Ying was tight-lipped, and no amount of coaxing could pry anything from her, so Xiaoxiao had to give up.
They continued wandering the ancient town, and by chance, Xiaoxiao stumbled upon an intriguing shop. Every culture has its own unique artifacts, and for the Naxi people, Dongba paper was the best medium. The shop sold only Dongba paper products. The rough texture and earthy yellow color made it seem as though each sheet was an extension of a tree’s life. At the entrance, many tourists were trying their hand at making Dongba paper, spreading fermented pulp over molds, shaping the sheets bit by bit in clear water—a process both fascinating and delightful.
She picked out a few lanterns made of Dongba paper, thinking to give them as gifts to colleagues when she returned. Yet Brother Han sincerely suggested, “Choose a sheet of Dongba paper and have the old man write something for you.”
His advice made sense, so she did as he said. The white-bearded old man, dressed in traditional attire, picked up a brush and wrote on the paper with ease and grace. Brother Han explained, “This is Dongba script, a type of pictograph.”
“Sorry, I don’t really understand what it says.”
The old man pointed to the characters formed from images of cattle and sheep and said devoutly, “Good fortune and happiness.”
“Thank you.” She accepted the paper with both hands, equally devout.
That night, she sat on her bed for a long time, thinking, before finally knocking on Lin Shuo’s door. The entire day, neither of them had forced conversation, yet she could always feel Lin Shuo’s gaze on her—intense and unwavering.
“This is for you. It’s not worth much, really,” she said.
Lin Shuo lowered his head. In her hand was the very same camel bell. He was surprised. “Why?”
“It makes a lovely sound,” she replied, turning to leave. In truth, she had her own reasons. They say that each camel bell has its own unique sound, and in the past, travelers crossing the desert could tell who the caravan belonged to by the bell’s tone. But this required great familiarity, just as she had once been so very familiar with Lin Shuo.
To him, her figure seemed so delicate as she walked away, clutching the camel bell’s red cord tightly. In the end, he couldn’t hold back and called out, “Xiaoxiao!”
“Hmm?” She turned around, but before she could see clearly, he rushed over and pulled her into his arms. The camel bell sang out a joyful tune, and her heart raced wildly. He bent down, his lips close to her ear, and after a long moment of hesitation, whispered, “Thank you…” His breath tickled her, sending a shiver through her heart, leaving her flustered and unprepared, as if caught in a dream.
Lonely Hours, Do Not Speak of Love — Chapter 47: What’s Special Is the Story. End of update.