After returning from Mount Huang, all other mountains pale in comparison.

Not having to work and being able to freely arrange one's time always feels comfortable.

Du Ruo sat in the lobby of the guesthouse, enjoying the air conditioning and playing with his phone. Occasionally, he helped Yang Ling with small tasks, like changing a light bulb, delivering slippers or toothbrushes to certain rooms.

By four or five in the afternoon, Yang Chenguang would call Du Ruo and invite him over for dinner. Today, Yang Chenguang had returned to the village alone; his wife and child were still in town. The invitation was actually at his father’s insistence, to make sure Du Ruo was alright.

Seeing that Du Ruo was perfectly fine, Yang Shu finally relaxed. Yet, at the dinner table, he was much more talkative than usual, repeatedly reminding Du Ruo to avoid going up the mountain too often and to be careful.

Though the words were nagging, Du Ruo listened attentively. He was no longer a teenager; he could tell who truly cared about him.

After dinner, Du Ruo didn’t rush to leave. Holding a teacup, he continued chatting with Yang Shu, listening to news about the countryside, events in the nearby mountains, and updates on the village’s affairs.

Du Ruo gained a lot, and Yang Shu rarely enjoyed conversation so much. In his own family, Yang Shu and Yang Chenguang seldom found common ground; after a few words, Yang Chenguang would grow impatient. But with Du Ruo, conversation was comfortable. Du Ruo always asked questions, never contradicted, sometimes even flattered him a bit—no elder would dislike such a chat.

“Dad, what’s the point of these stories? I’ve heard them too many times. Let’s talk next time. Du Ruo, come on, let’s go for a drink.

Mom, leave the door open for me. I won’t be going back to town tonight after drinking.”

Yang Chenguang, tired of listening to his father and Du Ruo’s dry conversation, said a word to his father and then pulled Du Ruo out the door.

“Du Ruo, what are your thoughts now? Should my wife introduce you to her girlfriends, or are you interested in the tavern owner?”

Once outside, Yang Chenguang handed Du Ruo a cigarette and started talking about Du Ruo’s future.

“What, did my aunt ask you to talk to me?” Du Ruo glanced at Yang Chenguang, who seemed somewhat different from before. But it made sense; he was now the deputy party secretary of the village and the pillar of his family—maturity was expected.

“Whether aunt asked me or not, you need to give some answer. You’ve established yourself now, your family conditions are good, it’s time to settle down.”

“I know what I’m doing. Matters of the heart can’t be rushed; stop worrying. If I meet the right person, I’ll pursue her myself. Forget about your wife’s girlfriends. As for the tavern owner… I’ve only just met her. Don’t overthink it.”

Du Ruo made his position clear. With Yang Chenguang approaching him like this, it was surely at his mother’s behest; if he didn’t respond, his aunt would come to him herself next time.

“Do as you see fit. I’ve said what needed to be said. But if you really want to pursue the tavern owner, take it slow. I’ve known her for nearly a year—looks and character are impeccable, but when it comes to drinking…”

Yang Chenguang shook his head vigorously at this point, not saying any more.

“Alright, we’re almost there. Tonight’s drinks are on me.”

Their conversation ended as they arrived at the tavern door. Du Ruo pushed it open.

The tavern seemed busier tonight than last time. The owner, Xiang Yuanyuan, was still at her small table in the corner. Besides her, there were four other tables with guests.

One table caught Du Ruo’s attention: two men and a woman—the three university students who had checked into Du Ruo’s guesthouse earlier that afternoon. Strangely, there were only three, and although they’d mentioned night hiking, here they were drinking instead.

When Du Ruo looked over, his gaze met that of the one called Qiangzi; Du Ruo nodded in greeting.

He went to the counter, ordered two types of medicinal liquor and some snacks, then walked with Yang Chenguang to Xiang Yuanyuan’s table.

“Owner, thank you for tending my wound this morning. Tonight’s drinks are on me.”

Du Ruo greeted Xiang Yuanyuan, but didn’t sit down, only standing beside her. If she refused, he’d find another seat with Yang Chenguang—no need to force himself where he wasn’t welcome.

“Alright, have a seat. Xiao Juan, bring a bottle of Knockout Mule, put it on Boss Du’s tab.”

Xiang Yuanyuan was straightforward, inviting them to sit, and called out to the bar for the drink.

“No need to call me owner or boss, just Yuanyuan is fine.”

Xiang Yuanyuan was a heavy drinker and very forthright, not the shy type.

“Yuan… Yuanyuan, are you from Inner Mongolia?”

Du Ruo and Yang Chenguang sat down, and Du Ruo casually asked. Last time, Xiang Yuanyuan drank Lasso Pole, and now she ordered Knockout Mule—both strong prairie liquors, rarely touched by most.

“No, I’m from Fujian. I just like strong drinks.”

Xiang Yuanyuan shook her head; she’d been asked this many times and didn’t mind.

“That’s quite far. Why open a tavern here?” Yang Chenguang asked. He knew Xiang Yuanyuan a little, but not well; after all, he had a wife. If he went around asking too much, his wife might forbid him from sleeping in their bed.

“I have two hobbies: mountain climbing and drinking. They say, after visiting Mount Huangshan, no other peaks compare. The first time I climbed Huangshan, I was captivated by the scenery and couldn’t bear to leave. My family’s brewing skills have no successor, so I opened a tavern here—good mountains and good liquor.”

It seemed Xiang Yuanyuan hadn’t chatted over drinks like this in a long time, so she spoke freely.

“That’s the life—envy you.” Yang Chenguang didn’t have Xiang Yuanyuan’s free spirit. After graduation, he returned home, worked diligently, and everything was for his livelihood and family. He really did envy Xiang Yuanyuan and Du Ruo for being able to decide their own paths.

“I envy you! Your child is almost in elementary school, right?” Du Ruo chimed in. Life was like this: while one envied others, others envied oneself. Living well was most important.

“Bosses, mind if I join you for a drink?” As the three chatted and drank, Qiangzi came over, cup in hand.

“Sit. He’s a guest at the guesthouse, just arrived today—a university student practicing Xingyi Boxing.”

Du Ruo didn’t mind him joining. It was just casual conversation, and besides, the university student was much younger than them; chatting with younger people was enjoyable.

“Boss Du, won’t you learn martial arts from me? My master is really skilled—there’s a move called ‘Qi Infused Chest,’ truly amazing. Even if you can’t master it, practicing martial arts is good for health.”

Du Ruo had thought Qiangzi had come over to chat with Xiang Yuanyuan, attracted by her beauty, but instead, he was here for Du Ruo, showing him his phone, eager to demonstrate his master’s abilities.