Half an hour later.
In the afterglow of the sunset, a bamboo boat was moored by the shore of Bai Mang Lake. A young man and woman sat cross-legged on the bow, savoring the aroma of rabbit meat while admiring the scenery before them.
On the lake, shimmering waves reflected a brilliant golden light.
The rolling mountains, bathed in the last rays of the setting sun, seemed to be gilded with a layer of golden Buddha light.
A gentle breeze caressed their faces. Some water birds rose and fell above the lake, their dances graceful and elegant.
Thirty-six date-red horses, aware that their master had brought his beautiful companion, frolicked on the waves in the distance, performing a dance solely for the two of them.
"Everything before me is truly beautiful!" Bai Yiling exclaimed, marveling at the exquisite scenery.
She felt a peculiar sensation, as if everything unfolding was orchestrated by Cheng Xiaofan specifically for her.
In Bai Yiling's heart, Cheng Xiaofan seemed to possess magical hands, capable of accomplishing anything.
"Yiling, come, have some Happy Wine!"
While Bai Yiling was lost in the beauty of the moment, Cheng Xiaofan, with a thought, produced a bottle of Happy Wine from his spatial storage and poured a full cup for her.
Bai Yiling asked curiously, "Where did you get this wine from?"
Cheng Xiaofan chuckled and immediately launched into his fabricated tale. "I had two bottles of Happy Wine hidden in a chest on this boat!"
"These two bottles were prepared for you. If you were to visit, one must greet a fairy-like beauty with good wine!"
"What fairy? You're being mischievous again!" Bai Yiling said shyly.
Cheng Xiaofan laughed, "It's not me being mischievous; Xianyu He himself praised you like that!"
Bai Yiling smiled sweetly, "Xianyu He said that out of respect for you. Did you take it seriously?"
Cheng Xiaofan shook his head. "I actually found what Xianyu He said to be very true and fitting, without any exaggeration!"
"Hmph, you actually believed it!"
Though Bai Yiling spoke this way, her heart was filled with sweetness.
In any case, being praised by Cheng Xiaofan made her feel incredibly happy.
Dinner concluded as dusk began to fall.
"Xiaofan, isn't today the fifteenth day of the lunar calendar?" Bai Yiling said with a smile. "The moon must be full tonight. Why don't we stay here for the night? I really want to see the moon!"
Cheng Xiaofan smiled. "That can certainly be arranged."
"However, you should call your mother so she doesn't worry!"
Bai Yiling smiled. "I'll call Mom right away!"
She immediately took out her phone and dialed Miao Xiuhua's number. "Mom, Xiaofan and I are staying overnight at Bai Mang Lake, so we won't be coming back!"
"Ah, Yiling, where are you staying at Bai Mang Lake?" Miao Xiuhua asked anxiously. "You're not going to sleep outdoors, are you? You'll be bitten by mosquitoes and insects, and you won't be able to sleep!"
Bai Yiling smiled. "Mom, you don't need to worry about me here. There's a boat, and the beds are very comfortable!"
"Oh, there are beds... Okay, okay!" Miao Xiuhua had nothing more to say and quickly hung up. She then turned to Cheng Fugui, who was eating opposite her, and said, "Fugui, Yiling and Xiaofan are going to sleep together tonight!"
Cheng Fugui rolled his eyes at her. "Young people nowadays are quite open-minded. What's so surprising about them sleeping together?"
Miao Xiuhua pouted. "I'm just curious, where did they get beds at Bai Mang Lake?"
Cheng Fugui glared at her. "Are you silly? With my son Xiaofan's intelligence, what kind of bed can't he make?"
"Weren't the bamboo tables, stools, and beds in the back mountain loft made by him and his friends?"
"In the Bai Mang Lake area, there are stone houses left by our ancestors. He can just tidy up a couple of rooms, set up a bed inside, and live there directly!"
Miao Xiuhua nodded upon hearing this. "You're right. If these two sleep together, I'll be happy. It seems before long, my Yiling will transform into my precious daughter-in-law!"
...
The night was clear and dust-free, the moonlight like silver.
As night fell, the birds in the deep mountains fell silent.
Around Bai Mang Lake, frogs croaked in rhythmic chorus.
Swarms of fireflies emerged from the reeds, like stars in the sky, flickering with their luminescence, a spectacular sight from afar.
On the boat, the surrounding mountains were reflected in the water, connecting mountain and water, water and sky.
The heart of the lake mirrored the moon and stars above, merging water and sky. In a daze, Bai Yiling recalled two lines from an ancient poem: "Drunk, I know not if the sky is in the water; a boat of clear dreams presses down upon the galaxy."
What an apt description!
"The night at Bai Mang Lake is truly breathtaking!" Bai Yiling was completely enchanted by the beauty before her.
"Yiling, it's getting late. Let's rest early!" Seeing that the night was deep, Cheng Xiaofan said to Bai Yiling.
Although it was summer, the temperature in Bai Mang Lake in the deep primitive forest at night was relatively low. The night breeze carried moisture, making the air chilly.
Bai Yiling nodded and said, "Okay, let's rest!"
There were two quilts in the cabin. One was laid on the cabin floor, and the other was used as a cover, making for a comfortable sleep.
After Bai Yiling lay down, Cheng Xiaofan tucked her in. He then took down the solar-powered lamp hanging at the front of the boat and placed it on top of a chest in the cabin.
Bai Yiling fluttered her beautiful eyes, hesitated for a moment, and then whispered, "Xiaofan, sleep next to me."
Upon hearing Bai Yiling's words, Cheng Xiaofan genuinely wanted to sleep beside her.
However, his initial excitement quickly subsided, and he calmed down. After all, he was full of vital energy. If he slept next to his goddess and couldn't control himself, how would he explain it to her?
Furthermore, as a genuine successor of Shennong, his words and actions should have a certain degree of discretion, lest he lose his dignity.
Most importantly, when he slept, he often transformed into a golden dragon uncontrollably. He might be sleeping soundly in the cabin, but in his dreams, he could fly to the treetops or leap into the lake.
If that happened, it would surely frighten Bai Yiling to death!
Thinking of these possibilities, he even regretted agreeing to spend the night at Bai Mang Lake so readily.
"Xiaofan, what are you thinking about at this moment?" Bai Yiling, seeing his furrowed brow and pensive expression, couldn't help but ask curiously.
Upon hearing her question, Cheng Xiaofan smiled faintly and said, "Yiling, I'm not thinking about anything. You go to sleep first. I want to lie on the shore for a bit and connect with the earth's energy!"
Bai Yiling understood. Cheng Xiaofan was embarrassed to sleep beside her.
Who would use connecting with the earth's energy as an excuse to sleep on the ground?
To use such a reason to brush her off seemed too comical!
"Xiaofan, don't bother connecting with the earth's energy. There are many insects up there; don't get bitten. Come sleep on the boat!" Bai Yiling struggled to suppress a laugh but managed to say with a smile.
"Then... alright!" Cheng Xiaofan couldn't insist further. "Yiling, I'll sleep at your feet!"
Unexpectedly, Bai Yiling immediately refused. "No, you must sleep at my head!"