Chapter 240: Music Enthusiast Qin Yun

June is the best time to visit Guilin.

The mountains and waters are emerald green, with frequent mist and clouds—perfect for photos. Every snapshot Qin Yun casually took looked as if painted with ink by a master.

The next morning, the two first visited Guilin's city emblem, the Elephant Trunk Hill, and took the classic photo of the "elephant drinking water." Due to the rainy season, the river below Elephant Trunk Hill reflected the scenery beautifully.

Aside from the crowds, everything was perfect.

At noon, they ate braised delicacies, osmanthus cake, and rice noodles at Dongxi Alley, strolled through the Ming and Qing ancient streets, then visited the Ming Dynasty princely mansion, climbed Duxiu Peak for a panoramic view of the city, and took a photo with the original stone inscription reading "Guilin's mountains and waters surpass all under heaven."

At night, they took a boat cruise along the Two Rivers and Four Lakes, admiring the Sun and Moon Twin Pagodas and the illuminated mountain-and-water scenery—the poetic atmosphere of "water reflecting mountains, mountains encircling the city" was utterly complete.

"It's mainly because you're good-looking—anyone photographing you can't make you look ugly."

Watching Su Huan gaze at the photos on the camera, Qin Yun said this.

Su Huan smiled sweetly, her face blooming like a flower—undeniably a beauty from every angle.

"You've got a way with words."

The two leaned against the railing, gazing at the river, clinging to each other.

"I wish we could always be like this."

Su Huan murmured.

Qin Yun tightened his arm around her, inhaling her hair's fragrance, and ruined the moment: "You'd get bored of this forever. People can't avoid working."

Su Huan replied flatly: "If you don't want to talk, no one thinks you're mute."

"Pfft—!"

Laughter came from beside them. Qin Yun turned to see two girls, dressed lightly, covering their mouths and stifling giggles—they'd clearly overheard.

"Sorry, we didn't mean to eavesdrop."

Seeing the two look over, the girls' eyes lit up, and they quickly apologized amid their laughter.

Su Huan laughed: "It's fine."

"You're so beautiful," one girl said, staring at Su Huan's face with awe.

"You're beautiful too."

"I'm Qi Muyao, and she's my boyfriend, Meng Tian."

Su Huan froze. Qin Yun glanced at the girl beside Qi Muyao, his eyes full of confusion.

Boyfriend? Girl? Are you kidding? I knew the world was twisted, but I never expected two such gorgeous girls to be this twisted—it's such a waste.

Seeing their expressions, Qi Muyao said openly: "You guessed right—we're lesbians."

"I'm sorry," Su Huan apologized. "This is my first real-life encounter—I've only seen it online before."

The girl named Meng Tian said: "Since you're not from this circle, you naturally see fewer of us—but there are actually many like us."

Her voice was somewhat androgynous, but her appearance and figure were distinctly feminine—and she was beautiful.

Meeting is fate. Since they were talking, the four began chatting casually.

But Qi Muyao and Meng Tian found Qin Yun strange—he wore a hat and glasses.

Later, Qi Muyao curiously asked: "Qin Ge, why are you still wearing a hat at this hour? Are you going bald? I heard men are going bald younger and younger these days."

"..."

"Pfft—!"

Su Huan covered her mouth and burst out laughing. Qin Yun's face darkened with exasperation.

He thought: I know you can talk, but I didn't know you could talk like poison.

"Still laughing," Qin Yun pinched her chin as she laughed uncontrollably. "Your man's going bald."

"It's fine," Su Huan tilted her head, gazing at him adoringly. "I love you whether you're bald or not."

"Yi~~~"

Qi Muyao and Meng Tian were so grossed out they broke out in goosebumps.

After the joke, Qin Yun stopped hiding—he took off his hat and sunglasses.

Seeing Qin Yun's face clearly, their eyes widened—what a handsome man! And why did he look familiar? Wait—

Qi Muyao's mouth dropped open. She pointed at Qin Yun, her eyes filled with shock.

"You… you… you…"

Meng Tian blurted out: "Qin Ye!"

Many people nearby were admiring the view and turned at Meng Tian's shout—but the night was too dark to make out details clearly.

Qi Muyao quickly covered her mouth, staring at Qin Yun in stunned delight: "Qin Ye, what are you doing in Guilin? I—I get it now! That's why Su Jie seemed familiar!"

Meng Tian whispered: "Qin Ye, are you here to livestream?"

Qin Yun smiled and shook his head: "No, we're just here to travel."

"Wow, Qin Ye, I want a photo with you!"

What could Qin Yun do? He naturally agreed.

Dragged by Qi Muyao and Meng Tian, they took dozens of photos in every possible pose.

In the end, they still wouldn't stop.

"Qin Ye, Su Jie, if you're going to the Li River tomorrow, come with us—I remember the bamboo raft for four is the most comfortable."

Su Huan nodded: "Sure. Let's exchange contact info—we'll meet at Yang Di tomorrow."

"Yes! Yes!"

The two eagerly added Su Huan's contact. As for Qin Yun's? Obviously impossible.

When the boat returned to the dock, the four bid farewell.

Su Huan pulled Qin Yun's hand, smiling slyly: "Someone didn't add a pretty girl's contact—feeling disappointed? Should this lady take pity on you and give you theirs?"

"Hmph!" Qin Yun tossed his head up, sneering. "Little girl, I'm not interested. I've always been loyal—I'm only interested in someone."

"Good thing you're sensible!"

Back at the hotel, after their passionate encounter, Su Huan suddenly noticed a reply to her private message on TikTok.

"Honey, Lan Duo replied."

"Oh? What did she say?"

Su Huan opened the private message, read it, and her expression changed.

"What's wrong?"

Su Huan looked up at him: "That little girl named Lan Duo is gone."

Qin Yun's heart jolted: "Gone? Already?"

When he saw the photo in Zhoushan, he thought the girl must have had some terminal illness—her shaved head and frail appearance made it obvious.

But only a month later, she was already gone? It truly felt like the cruelty of disease.

"Yes, gone," Su Huan said. "She was discharged a month ago and returned to Jiaping Village."

"..."

Qin Yun's shock hadn't even settled yet, and his face nearly twisted.

"What do you mean 'gone'? You mean she was discharged and went back to the village? Not that she died?"

Su Huan rolled her eyes at him: "Lan Duo used this nurse's phone to send the message. Right after sending it, she was discharged and went home."

"Didn't she say anything else?"

"No."

Qin Yun thought for a moment: "Then let's do this—after we visit the Li River tomorrow, the day after won't be Yangshuo. We'll go straight to Hechi and find this nurse to learn more."

"Fine, you decide."

Putting down her phone, her slender hand brushed over some guy, leaving her feeling invigorated—Su Huan's heart surged, her spirit stirred, her joy bloomed.

Then, chest to chest, belly to belly, they made love again, another hymn rising upon the bed.

…

The next day, they met up with Qi Muyao and Meng Tian, and the four arrived at Yang Di Wharf.

This morning, sunlight shimmered on the water; stretching before them, mountains encircled the river like a mirror, willow bamboo swayed along the bank, and a breathtaking scene unfolded before their eyes, opening their hearts.

Not far from Yang Di, a crimson cliff jutted abruptly from the riverbank. The rock's natural striations twisted and interwove, forming the unmistakable shape of a giant red carp leaping into the air. Its scales were clear, its head raised against the cliff, utterly natural.

"Click!"

With the shutter's snap, the first checkpoint on the system panel lit up.

The other three on the bamboo raft were also captivated by the beauty, each frantically snapping photos with their phones.

After a short while, distant layered peaks rose in staggered arrangement—Guilin's mountains were truly unique, unlike any other.

In the distance, a main peak stood noble and majestic, wreathed in mist, resembling a Bodhisattva seated in meditation. Before it, a small stone peak stood bowed, its posture docile, like a child kneeling in reverence—vividly lifelike.

"Wow, that's so lifelike," Su Huan exclaimed, gazing at the sight.

"Yes, truly nature's miraculous craftsmanship," Qi Muyao also marveled.

Qin Yun snapped a photo, lighting up the second checkpoint, and smiled: "Perhaps the Bodhisattva Guanyin once sat there, with a child paying homage."

"You believe in that stuff, Qin Ye?" Meng Tian looked at him strangely.

"I'm from Zhoushan. What do you think?"

As they spoke, fine raindrops drifted down from above, dispersing the summer heat.

The river breeze, carrying cool moisture, brushed their faces, instantly banishing the stifling heat. Raindrops struck the emerald river, sending ripples spiraling outward; the karst peaks on both banks were half-hidden by mist and rain, their peaks dark with jade-like hues, blurred and dreamlike—a tranquil, ink-wash painting feeling washed over them.

Qin Yun held Su Huan as they stood at the front of the bamboo raft, watching the scene like a watercolor painting. He felt comforted, healed, serene—a quiet romance slowly flowing through his heart.

…

【Checkpoint completed. Random reward obtained: Songwriting +1】

【Songwriting LV1: Kid, write a song.】