Chapter 512

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Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

But when they saw Ouyang Chengren and Qianqian traveling together, they still couldn't help being attracted by the two's bearing, stopping one after another to take a few more looks.

The two walked side by side, heading all the way toward the city's south. Qianqian had originally thought the further south they went, the fewer people there would be, and the more remote the place would become.

However, to her surprise, as their steps continued forward, the people around them grew more and more numerous, and the streets became increasingly lively.

Qianqian couldn't help feeling some doubt in her heart. She turned her head to look at Ouyang Chengren and asked curiously: "Why are there more and more people?"

Ouyang Chengren smiled faintly, as if he had anticipated her question. He kept her in suspense and said slowly: "Because there's a river up ahead."

Hearing this, Qianqian grew even more curious and pressed: "What river?" Ouyang Chengren didn't answer immediately but smiled mysteriously and said: "You'll know when we get there."

Seeing this, Qianqian didn't ask further but continued forward together with Ouyang Chengren. As they walked, they discovered the young men and women ahead gradually increasing in number, among them quite a few wearing masks like them, and some even secretly holding hands.

This scene made Qianqian a bit embarrassed to keep watching; she hurriedly averted her gaze.

Not long after, a bridge appeared prominently before Qianqian's eyes.

Beneath the bridge flowed a broad river; on the water small boats glided slowly past. The boatmen rowed skillfully, and aboard sat young people in twos and threes, some chatting and laughing, others admiring the scenery on both banks.

However, not far away, one boat was particularly eye-catching. Rather than calling it a boat, it would be more apt to call it a flower boat.

This flower boat's surroundings had been meticulously arranged into a sea of flowers; colorful blossoms vied to bloom in splendor, beautiful beyond description.

And in the very center of the flower boat, a woman dressed in pink was dancing lightly, her figure like a water spirit, graceful and enchanting, making one involuntarily captivated.

Qianqian was drawn by this beautiful sight; she involuntarily stopped her steps, gazing fixedly at the woman on the flower boat.

At this moment, Ouyang Chengren explained from beside her: "The women on this flower boat are the courtesans of Chunding City's largest brothel — Yuanhua Wu. They come to this flower boat to dance every day to attract customers to patronize them."

Hearing this, Qianqian nodded, indicating she understood. Afterward, the two stood on the bridge, quietly watching the boats not far off, taking in this unique atmosphere.

Qianqian slowly withdrew her gaze from the distance, when suddenly her line of sight was caught by the many locks hanging on the bridge.

These locks were not only numerous but also strangely shaped — they were actually all heart-shaped!

Just as Qianqian was feeling curious about these heart-shaped locks, Ouyang Chengren spoke up in timely explanation: "Once you cross this bridge, you'll see a huge ginkgo tree. That's our Marriage Tree here!

The reason it's called the Marriage Tree is because ginkgo leaves look like little hearts, so people here believe it represents love."

Ouyang Chengren continued with a smile: "Precisely because of this, many people come here to make wishes, hoping to find their own happiness.

Only right now it's the season when all the ginkgo leaves have already fallen completely. But this doesn't stop people from hanging red silk or wooden plaques on the tree to express their beautiful hopes for love.

So even without leaves, those red silks hanging on the tree are just like leaves, fluttering in the wind, very pretty. Once we get off the bridge you'll see for yourself!"

Listening to Ouyang Chengren's account, Qianqian couldn't help nodding, indicating she had understood.

The two chatted idly as they slowly walked down the bridge. When they finally reached the bottom, the sight before them made Qianqian gasp in amazement.

That tall ginkgo tree was hung full with bright red silks, some of which had small wooden plaques tied to them.

A breeze blew past, and the red silks on the tree seemed to have been given life, swaying lightly, like dancing fairies.

And on that ginkgo tree were also dotted colorful little lanterns, making the whole scene even more gorgeous and colorful, filled with a romantic atmosphere.

An originally ordinary tree now emanated a mysterious and solemn aura at this moment, like a divine tree descending to the mortal world.

Qianqian and Ouyang Chengren were drawn by this tree and slowly walked up to it.

Just then, a nearby street vendor suddenly called out loudly: "Young Master, Miss, want to buy a red silk or a twin-heart lock?" The voice was clear and resonant, attracting the two's attention.

They looked toward the sound and saw the little vendor standing before his stall with a beaming smile, waving enthusiastically at them. Ouyang Chengren and Qianqian exchanged a glance, then walked toward the vendor together.

Seeing this, the vendor grew even more excited in his pitch: "Please look, you two guests. Here are red silks; you can write your name and the other's on them, then hang them on the tree.

Note: you must hang them on two adjacent branches, then twist the red silk into a single rope. The old saying goes well: 'Red string ties twin branches, white heads never part' — this is just like the Matchmaker's red string, able to bless your love as firm as gold!"

Ouyang Chengren and Qianqian listened carefully to the vendor's explanation, their eyes falling on those bright red silks, as if they could see them dancing in the wind, conveying beautiful blessings.

Then the vendor pointed to the wooden plaques nearby and continued: "Write your wish on this wooden plaque and hang it on the tree — not only can it bless peace, it can also bring about a perfect marriage!"

Ouyang Chengren casually picked up a wooden plaque, examined it for a moment; its surface bore exquisite patterns, smooth to the touch. However, he didn't linger long and soon put the plaque back in place.

Finally, the vendor pointed at a third item, smiling: "This is a twin-heart lock, also our specialty here."

Qianqian's gaze was caught by this small, exquisite lock; she curiously picked one up and examined it closely.

The bottom of this twin-heart lock had been meticulously carved into a perfect heart shape, while the top was much longer than an ordinary lock — just like those locks Qianqian had just seen on the bridge.

The vendor was clearly very experienced; he immediately noticed Ouyang Chengren and Qianqian's interest in this lock and very perceptively began introducing this twin-heart lock.