Chapter 806

Lu Xiaoya was also attracted by the story Su Xinghui told. She asked, "What did they dig up?"

Su Xinghui said, "They dug up a big bell."

"A big bell? Is this the origin of the name Zhong Ming Lake?"

Su Xinghui nodded and said, "Yes. At that time, someone accidentally hit the bell, and as a result, thirty-two sweet springs sprayed out from the mouths of the thirty-two dragon heads cast on the bell. Everyone tasted the spring water, and it was sweeter than honey. They hurriedly went to hit the bell, and with each ring of the bell, the spring water kept gushing out, filling the lake. The common people here were also saved."

Lu Xiaoya said, "Then what happened later? Is that bell still there?"

Su Xinghui shook his head and said, "At that time, the county magistrate heard about this treasure bell and sent yamen runners to grab it. However, just as the yamen runners reached the lakeside, the treasure bell emitted a golden light and flew away without a trace. To commemorate the treasure bell, the common people built a Treasure Bell Temple on the small hill by the lake, which is still there today."

Su Xinghui pointed to the hill on the other side of the lake and said, "The Treasure Bell Temple is on that hill, and it still has incense burning today."

Lu Xiaoya said, "Then I really want to go see it when I have time."

Su Xinghui said, "There's no time today. How about we go tomorrow morning?"

Lu Xiaoya nodded and said, "Alright. But is that bell really gone? It's really a pity."

Su Xinghui said, "Don't say that; historically, a treasure bell was actually salvaged from this lake."

Lu Xiaoya said, "Is that true? When was it?"

Su Xinghui said, "It was during the Song Dynasty. A fisherman was fishing in the lake and salvaged a bell. The magistrate at the time verified that it was the Bo bell of the King of Chu from the Warring States period. He intended to present it to the Emperor, but he was transferred away. His successor didn't recognize the Bo bell and threw it into a furnace as scrap iron, where it was melted down."

Lu Xiaoya said regretfully, "That person was too muddled, melting down such a treasure!"

Su Xinghui said, "The great writer Qin Shaoyou at the time heard about this incident and specifically wrote an article called 'Lament for the Bo Bell,' which can be considered as letting the Bo bell leave its name for eternity!"

Lu Xiaoya looked at the calm lake water, very engrossed, as if she could still see a treasure bell in the lake water. Suddenly, she turned her head and asked, "Xinghui, have you drunk this lake water? Is it still that sweet?"

Su Xinghui laughed, "I did drink it when I learned to swim as a child; I choked on it. The water was quite sweet, but you can't drink it now. Look, there is trash on the lake surface, all thrown by nearby residents."

Lu Xiaoya looked at the lake surface near the shore. Indeed, there was a patch of trash floating on it. She frowned and said, "These people are too uncultured, turning such a good lake into this state."

Su Xinghui said, "People's lack of culture is one reason, poor government management is another reason, and the lack of economic development is also a reason. 'When the granary is full, people know etiquette.' As long as the common people have money and the government's management keeps up, I believe this lake water will have a day when it becomes clear again."

Lu Xiaoya nodded and said, "I also believe there will be such a day."

Su Xinghui laughed, "How about we choose our new home after we get married by this lake?"

Lu Xiaoya was suddenly shy beyond control: "Who agreed to marry you? You can buy a house wherever you want; why ask me?"

Su Xinghui said to himself, "After I sell my paintings next time, I will buy a private house by this lake, renovate it, and decorate the room a little better. In the future, this will be our new home after we get married. Every day when we wake up, we can see the lake water, see the green willows by the lake, and see the small hill on the other side. How good that would be!"

Although Lu Xiaoya was shy, she was also engrossed in listening. Her current home was by the lake, and how she hoped she could continue to live in such a house after she got married! Then she would be like the heroine in a fairy tale. This was a dream every girl had had.

It was rare for Su Xinghui to be so considerate, thinking about buying her a house by the lake. Lu Xiaoya's heart was full of emotion.

Lu Xiaoya couldn't help but say, "Xinghui, did you bring me here today specifically to tell me about this?"

Su Xinghui laughed, "Do you think I arranged it this way, and are you happy?"

Although Lu Xiaoya was shy, she still nodded and said, "Happy!"

Su Xinghui said, "Xiaoya, I said that I want you to live a good life in this life. If we get married, of course, I want you to live in a better house. Although my family's house is not small, living with my parents, it is inevitable that there will be some bumps. So I must buy you a house, and I must let you live by the lake."

In fact, Su Xinghui had another reason he didn't say: more than ten years later, the houses by this lake would be valuable. Buying a house here now could also be considered a means of preserving and increasing value.

Lu Xiaoya was moved beyond words. She reached out and held Su Xinghui's hand. Although she didn't speak, everything was understood without words.

The two stood side by side, looking at the lake water. A cool lake breeze blew, and Lu Xiaoya's body shivered. Su Xinghui then remembered that Lu Xiaoya was still wearing a dress. It was already October, and although the daytime temperature was quite high, it was still a bit cool by the lake at night.

He hurriedly said to Lu Xiaoya, "Xiaoya, let's go back; it's quite cool by the lake."

Lu Xiaoya nodded and said softly, "Alright."

The two held hands and walked on the small path home. Lu Xiaoya sang softly, "Slowly walking with you."

Su Xinghui continued to sing, "Slowly until forever!"

"Loving me more each day."

"Until the end of time."

"Love is"