Chapter 223: Years and Months

The meaning of being alive, the meaning of starting over.

One cannot step into the same river twice.

Time will filter out the great from the small.

Yu Sheng thought about the words he had heard, the many things he had forgotten in his long life, and the past that he had not been able to forget until now. He felt a little melancholy and remained silent.

Gu Zhuo waited quietly, looking at the scenery reflected in front of him.

There is no wind and the lake is calm.

The starry sky is still picturesque, but it looks inexplicably ugly when reflected on the water, as if it has been soaked for too long and has become moldy and lifeless.

Is that the trace left by a hundred years?

Yu Sheng felt something in his heart.

A cool breeze is coming.

She looked up at the stars, her cascading black hair blown by the wind across her gentle face, dancing lightly to hide any expression that might have existed.

After a moment of silence, she asked seriously, “What’s your name?”

For Yu Sheng, this is probably the most important issue.

Gu Zhuo answered without hesitation: “Gu Zhuo.”

Yu Sheng paused and said, “Yu Sheng.”

There was another moment of silence.

Gu Zhuo turned his head and looked at Yu Sheng quietly.

Yu Sheng raised her hand, tucked her messy hair behind her ears, and looked at him.

“I agree with what you said. Doing the things you wanted to do but couldn’t do in the past is the meaning of starting over again.” She said, “But it was really a long time ago, so long that I thought I would forget it.”

Gu Zhuo looked at her and said, “There’s nothing wrong with forgetting.”

Yu Sheng said: “Even if you forget, do you have to do it again?”

Gu Zhuo said sincerely: “So isn’t this the meaning of living again?”

Yu Sheng was stunned for a moment, then realized that this sentence was right and didn’t know what to say.

So she handed over the wine jug in her hand.

Gu Zhuo took the wine pot, drank a few breaths, and said sincerely: “I have always felt that the name Yu Sheng is unlucky.”

Yu Sheng said: “It might be a warning.”

Gu Zhuo asked: “Don’t you feel tired?”

“tired.”

Yu Sheng looked at the lake surface disturbed by the wind and said calmly: “But I’ve long been accustomed to being tired.”

Gu Zhuo said self-deprecatingly: “You and I are both destined to work hard.”

Yu Sheng said: “If you can be a little more low-key this time and not make such a big fuss, then I think it will be a lot easier.”

When she said this, her tone sounded nonchalant and indifferent, but anyone who was not an idiot could tell that it was a mockery.

Wang Ji’s actions have been known to the world, and the speculation that follows is bound to be endless. If someone like Dao Xiu, who has met Gu Zhuo, has even a little more suspicion, it will be extremely troublesome.

Not to mention her younger brother.

Is it an easy task to deal with all these problems properly?

It’s not just ordinary trouble.

Thinking of this, Yu Sheng suddenly felt that she was at a great disadvantage, because the biggest problem this time fell on her.

But she said nothing, for a very simple reason.

It was the man she loved who had taken on the problem.

Gu Zhuo guessed what she was thinking and said, “Together.”

“You are my uncle, I am just doing what I should do, that’s all.”

Yu Sheng’s voice was calm and focused. “Also, I just think what you said before is correct. If you have the chance to live your life again, you should do the things you wanted to do but failed to do. It doesn’t mean that I agree to anything else.”

Gu Zhuo thought about what he had said before and repeated it, then laughed again and said hello.

Yu Sheng didn’t like this smile and looked at him with slightly cold eyes.

Gu Zhuo said, “Let’s go fishing first.”

Yu Shengmo frowned slightly, thinking, do you like disgusting me so much?
Before they parted last time, she sat in front of the lake for a whole night because of him, but she didn’t catch a single fish.

“I mean……”

Gu Zhuo took the fishing rod from her and said, “I’ll do the fishing.”

Yu Sheng’s mood improved slightly because she remembered that the other party didn’t catch any fish last time, and she thought it should be the same this time.

The next moment, there was movement on the lake.

The fishing rod suddenly sank.

A fish is hooked.

Gu Zhuo was slightly stunned.

Yu Sheng chuckled.

Gu Zhuo thought about it and decided to catch the fish.

It’s a grass carp, a very big one.

The fatter, the more beautiful.

About ten pounds?

Yu Sheng looked at the stupid fish and his smile gradually disappeared.

Gu Zhuo asked: “How to eat?”

Yu Sheng said expressionlessly, “I don’t want to eat.”

Gu Zhuo was puzzled and asked, “You don’t want to eat?”

“Let it go.”

Yu Sheng took the fishing rod from Gu Zhuo and said word by word: “I’ll fish.”

Before she finished speaking, she had already released the grass carp back into the wild, causing it to splash water.

The fishing line sank into the water again, waiting to fall.

Gu Zhuo wondered what to say at this moment?
Yu Sheng suddenly asked, “What kind of fish do you want to eat?”

Gu Zhuo said, “No pickled fish, anything else is fine.”

“I’ve never pickled sauerkraut before, so I can’t make it if you want to eat it.”

Yu Sheng’s voice was very casual and he seemed to be very relaxed, just like the way he usually passed the time.

Only by looking deep into her eyes could one discover that she was always concentrating and her sight had never really left the water.

Gu Zhuo was still thinking about eating, so he didn’t notice this subtle change. After thinking for a while, he said, “How about grilled fish? I happen to have some spices that can be used.”

Yu Sheng said calmly: “Okay.”

Gu Zhuo didn’t think much about it and went to prepare firewood.

At the foot of Cangshan Mountain, the blue lake is like the sea.

The starlit sea surface was rippling with the wind, producing countless silver leaves, which was very beautiful.

The fishing line swayed slightly, attracting Yu Sheng’s attention and making her eyes reflect a beautiful silver light.

Gu Zhuo was not beside her. He found a place to pile up firewood, and rummaged through the boxes and cabinets in the San Sheng Tower to find a lot of spices. He began to arrange and prepare for the grilled fish in advance.

As long as the fat grass carp is caught, the fish grilling business can begin immediately.

During this time, Gu Zhuo went to pick some wild vegetables.

However, after an hour, there was still no movement from the fishing line, so Yu Sheng could only sit on the stone and turn himself into a stone sculpture.

Gu Zhuo looked at the girl’s back outlined by a silver edge, and her black hair and skirt blown by the wind. He had a feeling that they were getting farther and farther away, and that she would fly away with the wind in the next moment.

I don’t know if it’s because of embarrassment or not.

This premonition did not come true because Yu Sheng said something next.

“Come again.”

Her tone still sounded calm, but there was a hint of stiffness, as if she was holding back something.

Gu Zhuo couldn’t think of a reason to refuse.

So he took the fishing rod again and sat side by side with Yu Sheng.

Unlike last time, the fat grass carp didn’t take the bait this time.

However, Yu Sheng’s expression did not improve, it even got worse.

Because this time the fish caught was a black bass.

What remains unchanged is the same plumpness.

Gu Zhuo looked at her and said nothing.

After a moment of silence, Yu Sheng smiled and asked, “Would it be convenient for you to wait a little longer?”

Gu Zhuo thought to himself, I’m not an idiot, how can I say it’s inconvenient at this time?

Yu Sheng once again took the fishing rod from him, released the black bass, and felt the residual warmth on the rod. Although there was a gentle smile on his face, his eyes were cold.

Gu Zhuo felt a little helpless. He felt uneasy for the first time in a long time and didn’t know what to do.

In fact, the moment he held the fishing rod, he was talking to the world, hoping that no fish would be caught.

However, the fish swimming in the lake had no intelligence and could not understand what he was saying. Instead, they were curious about his voice and subconsciously moved towards him.

That would be fine, but the problem is that those things that can actually hear his voice are all excited about it and are trying very hard to send the fish to the hook.

They say those who are willing take the bait.

No matter how unwilling he is, the fish still takes the bait.

Isn’t this a kind of understanding?

Thinking about these things, Gu Zhuo turned his head and looked at Yu Sheng.

Yu Sheng’s smile had long since disappeared.

She noticed the gaze on her face and said in a slightly cold voice, “Try again.”

Gu Zhuo remained silent.

Yu Sheng turned his head and looked at him.

Gu Zhuo couldn’t find any reason to refuse, so he took it and repeated the previous scene once again.

What is very interesting is that the fish caught this time is still different, it is silver carp.

Yu Sheng looked into the eyes of the silver carp and said to Gu Zhuo, “I admire you.”

She said it calmly, as if she was expressing admiration, but it sounded like she was gritting her teeth.

Gu Zhuo didn’t want to talk anymore.

Yu Sheng said: “For the last time.”

Gu Zhuo is quick to follow advice.

The moment Yu Sheng took the fishing rod, she suddenly raised her head slightly and pointed to the night sky with her free left hand.

The sleeves of her dress slid down her arms, revealing her fair skin again, kissed by the starlight.

“very beautiful.”

Gu Zhuo was stunned for a moment and subconsciously looked up at the night sky.

It was as if a god stretched out his hand towards the sky and casually pulled the dark curtain. The stars dotted in between were suddenly forced to move, and countless flame tails appeared out of thin air.

The picture couldn’t be more gorgeous.

At the same time, Yu Sheng’s voice happened to sound.

It is three parts excitement, three parts joy, and three parts surprise.

The last point left is impeccable performance skills.

“The fish is hooked!”

Yu Sheng put down his fishing rod and pointed at the three fish jumping on the rocks, with a fake smile on his face.

Gu Zhuo wondered if it was too ironic to say admiration at this time.
He looked away, pretending seriously that he couldn’t recognize the three fish, and said in distress: “We can’t grill all three fish, right?”

Yu Sheng had an idea in mind and said, “One can be grilled, one can be stewed into fish soup, and the remaining one can be braised or steamed.” Gu Zhuo said, “Okay.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he picked up the three somewhat pitiful stupid fish and went to work on the firewood pile that had been prepared long ago.

Yu Sheng naturally wouldn’t just stand there and watch. He rolled up his sleeves quickly and worked with him.

From the perspective of quality of life, the two can undoubtedly be said to be pampered, but this does not mean that they have no common sense, at least not when it comes to cooking.

It didn’t take too long before the pot of fish soup appeared in front of us. The grilled fish was emitting an enticing aroma, and the remaining steamed silver carp also looked very good.

Sitting by the lake, the starlight is like water blown by the night breeze.

Gu Zhuo and Yu Sheng sat opposite each other, picked up their chopsticks and ate fish with wine.

After a few quick drinks, there were words, and there was a hint of sourness in the words.

“Why didn’t I see you fishing so well last time?”

Yu Sheng asked as if he didn’t care.

Gu Zhuo said without thinking: “It’s luck.”

Yu Sheng was very dissatisfied with this answer.

Her expression did not change. She unnoticedly picked up a piece of fish and put it into her mouth. Then she felt better and said, “Your luck is too good.”

Gu Zhuo thought, if you can catch three fish at once, wouldn’t that mean you are invincible?
Of course he still wouldn’t say this, so he asked, “How does the grilled fish taste?”

Upon hearing this, Yu Sheng took another bite and said nothing.

Gu Zhuo asked: “Hmm?”

Yu Sheng thought about it and said seriously: “Why don’t we make porridge next time.”

Gu Zhuo was quiet for a moment, picked up a piece of meat for himself to taste, and then said: “I think it’s delicious.”

Yu Sheng thought to himself, how could it not taste good if you put so many spices in there randomly?
The question is, how can you grill fish like this?

How is this different from eating spices?
“I’m just offering a suggestion.”

Yu Sheng changed the subject somewhat awkwardly and asked, “How did you solve the problem of food when you were in the wilderness?”

After recalling for a moment, Gu Zhuo said, “In the first half of the journey, we followed the caravan, so we didn’t have to worry about this. After entering the mountains, we didn’t eat most of the time, and only nibbled on some dry food occasionally.”

Yu Sheng wondered what was the difference between this and swallowing the wind and drinking the snow?
Just at this moment, Gu Zhuo suddenly recalled a small incident.

He took out the sweet potatoes baked by Wang Ji himself from the Sansheng Pagoda and said, “Try it.”

Yu Sheng took a look at the sweet potato and then looked at Gu Zhuo. He felt that this was extremely weird.

Even though she thought so, she still took the sweet potato, carefully peeled off the skin, and took a bite.

Then, she looked at Gu Zhuo suspiciously and took another bite.

“Did you bake this?”

“It won’t work without me.”

Gu Zhuo said honestly.

Wait a minute, if it wasn’t in his hands, why would Wang Ji squat beside the campfire that night and carefully bake sweet potatoes for the whole night?
This is the premise for everything.

So, of course, what he said these four words are the facts.

Yu Sheng vaguely felt that there was something wrong, but out of politeness, he still gave a compliment.

“delicious.”

Then she said with emotion: “The Sansheng Tower is really convenient in this regard.”

Ordinary practitioners couldn’t see it, but how could she not know that the sweet potato in her hand was from a few days ago?

The passage of time left almost no trace, and the taste is still the same as at the beginning.

Gu Zhuo said: “It is indeed good in this regard.”

Yu Sheng picked up a bowl of fish soup and took a sip. He was very satisfied with his cooking skills. After thinking for a while, he said, “The reason why Pei Jinge stopped in Chaozhou City and did not overthrow the Tianming Sect was because you met her.”

Gu Zhuo had no intention of hiding anything, so he nodded.

Yu Sheng served him soup and said, “No wonder she cares about you so much.”

Gu Zhuo was wondering how to respond to this.
With nothing to say, he could only lower his head to drink the soup and express his praise with sighs.

Yu Sheng continued, “She is continuing to follow the footsteps left by Yingxu. Perhaps the day she gains something will be the day she breaks through and enters the realm of immortality.”

Gu Zhuo still felt very strange, put down the bowl and looked at her.

“what happened?”

Yu Sheng’s voice was very light, without any trace of gloom, and of course without any other meaning.

Gu Zhuo was silent for a moment and said, “Nothing.”

Yu Sheng said nonchalantly: “Pei Jinge’s attitude towards you is actually very interesting.”

Gu Zhuo said without changing his expression: “Really?”

Yu Sheng glanced at him, lowered her head to eat sweet potatoes, and said casually: “I never asked her to go to the capital to save you. This is her own choice. It has nothing to do with me.”

“I’ll find a chance to thank her some other day.”

Gu Zhuo’s tone was normal.

Hearing this, Yu Sheng felt inexplicably unhappy, but she didn’t show it.

“You should thank me.”

She said: “Pei Jinge is under a lot of pressure now. The entire Sky Patrol Department is on his shoulders.”

Gu Zhuo reminded, “The Sky Patrol is also mine.”

Yu Sheng thought for a moment and said, “But you are not that strong now.”

It was a very tactful remark, leaving Gu Zhuo speechless.

Yu Sheng suddenly asked: “So, why did Pei Jinge become friends with you?”

Before asking this question, she hesitated for a moment, but finally asked it.

The main reason was curiosity…that’s what she told herself, anyway.

Gu Zhuo answered very frankly.

“I met her in Wangjing last year. I didn’t like her very much at the time because she was not only troublesome but also dangerous.”

He said: “Later, we met several times in Shendu, but the reunions were never pleasant.”

Yu Sheng hummed and said, “Otherwise you wouldn’t have deliberately resorted to such means to make her unemployed.”

After a moment’s silence, Gu Zhuo briefly recounted the story of Xiu Hu Zhenren’s death.

Yu Sheng thought that this was indeed hard to like.

As she spoke, she took a bite of the grilled fish with her chopsticks and found that the taste seemed to be quite good.

Gu Zhuo recalled the past and said, “I don’t deny that this approach is correct, but it makes me unhappy after all. This is the contradiction.”

Yu Sheng suddenly felt that his appetite had improved.

“As for what happened later, it all happened in Wangjing and Shendu this year. I don’t think I need to talk about it anymore.”

Gu Zhuo looked at her and said in a very calm voice.

Yu Sheng was slightly startled when he heard this, and his right hand holding the chopsticks became a little stiff.

Then she calmly picked up a piece of fish for Gu Zhuo and said in a gentle voice, “Try it.”

Gu Zhuo naturally would not refuse.

The stars are bright tonight, and the night wind brings inexplicable warmth. It doesn’t feel like late autumn, but more like mid-spring.

The light that came from nowhere fell on the lakeside, illuminating the figures of the young boy and girl, giving a warm and beautiful feeling.

The two of them didn’t talk very fast, and most of the time they spoke intermittently, because they helplessly discovered that… the three fish were really too plump and it was not easy to finish them all at once.

As for putting it in the Sansheng Tower, from an objective point of view it is not a very beautiful thing.

The subjective reason is that the two still have something to talk about.

If this scene had fallen into the eyes of Gu Zhuo and Yu Sheng before tonight, it would have seemed like a dream, because they were no longer hesitant in their conversation, and the more they talked, the more casual they became.

Along with the fish, the wine also disappeared.

Neither of them are real young boys or girls, so they don’t have too many scruples in this regard, but it’s not to the extreme either, and they can hardly be considered slightly tipsy.

Many things in the world are always like this. They seem to be very important, but when you really talk about them, you find that they are just that.

The night is getting darker.

Deeper.

Very deep.

There was a mess in front of the two people, and only the remaining fish bones silently told how plump they were when they were alive.

It is darkest before dawn. The light that came from nowhere has disappeared, and dense clouds are gathering in the sky again.

The autumn rain falls silently, like silk threads, and the chill gradually rises.

The sound of conversation faded and died away.

However, neither Gu Zhuo nor Yu Sheng got up and left. They sat quietly where they were, letting the drizzle wet their faces and take away their sleepiness and tiredness.

The conversation was very pleasant, far exceeding the two’s expectations, even in terms of unfamiliar yet familiar aspects, and it was because they hadn’t chatted like this for a long, long time.

Most of the time, they are taking on the responsibility of being listeners, because there are very few people in this world who are qualified to chat with them, and these very few people often have nothing to talk about.

Even though loneliness is the norm in life, and they have long been accustomed to this kind of life, but in the end… there is still no need to reject this kind of comfort, right?

“Dawn is coming.”

Gu Zhuo’s voice sounded again.

Yu Sheng hummed, and it sounded very light.

Gu Zhuo raised his head, looked at the rainy sky, and said, “What if it rains heavily?”

Yu Sheng said calmly: “It’s just a matter of sooner or later.”

The conversation was about the future.

That future is almost inevitable.

“Before that…”

Yu Sheng said slowly: “Just hold up the umbrella first.”

Gu Zhuo retracted his gaze, fixed his eyes on the distance between them, and said, “That umbrella might have to be very big.”

Yu Sheng paused and said, “So it’s difficult.”

When she said this, two words inexplicably emerged in her mind – side by side.

This is something that could not be done back then.

So, what about this time?

Yu Sheng had no confidence.

Gu Zhuo guessed what she was thinking and thought that this was a very difficult matter.

The atmosphere became somewhat depressing.

No longer as beautiful as before.

“There’s something I haven’t asked you before.”

Yu Sheng stood up, facing the lake full of autumn rain, and said softly: “I think maybe I can ask now.”

Gu Zhuo was still thinking about the previous question, thinking about the torrential rain that was bound to come, and he didn’t react for a moment, so he asked, “What’s the matter?”

Yu Sheng suddenly fell silent.

After an unknown amount of time, she slowly wiped away the traces of rain between her brows with the back of her hand and said calmly, “What do you think about Lin Wanyi?”

Yes, this was the topic she had been avoiding from the beginning.

But after going around in circles, at the end of the conversation… she found that this was still something she couldn’t avoid.

Then ask.

Who knows if we miss tonight, which night we will have to wait for?

Gu Zhuo didn’t go in this direction at all. After hearing this sentence, he was naturally stunned. It took him a long time to come to his senses.

He subconsciously glanced at the bowl in front of him containing the three fishes and found that it was already filled with rainwater, a shallow layer that inexplicably reflected his eyes at the moment.

So he stood up, walked to Yu Sheng, and said, “This is what I think.”

(End of this chapter)