My love, too, is like the bamboo that blooms—just once in a lifetime.

Afternoon, at the foot of the mountain

The Bamboo Sea was not far from Taoyuan Town; even on foot, it took just four or five minutes to reach the base of the mountain. The Bamboo Sea was composed of endless groves, surrounded by verdant hills, and beside it flowed a crystal-clear stream as smooth as a mirror. Watching the water wind its way between the peaks and the mountains reflected in the stream created such a marvelous scene that even Zhao Chengxian, who was no stranger to beautiful landscapes, couldn’t help but exclaim, “This really is a paradise on earth, so beautiful!” He cupped the stream water in his hands and gently washed his face; the coolness of the water instantly dispelled the fatigue he had been feeling. Hui Yue’er, by his side, was also washing her face and arms. If one were to use such pure water to wash every day, perhaps even the elderly could delay aging and erase wrinkles.

After they had finished, Zhao Chengxian casually wiped the drops from his face with his sleeve. Hui Yue’er took out a handkerchief she always carried, wiped her own face first, then handed it to Zhao Chengxian with a smile, teasing, “A prince is a prince, isn’t he? I bet you always have servants to do these things for you, right?” Zhao Chengxian took the handkerchief, smiling a little sheepishly. Hui Yue’er glanced at him with a gentle smile and then turned to head up the mountain. Zhao Chengxian followed close behind. To reach Yue’er’s relatives’ home, they had to cross the mountain, and it was easy to get lost in the Bamboo Sea. Thankfully, Yue’er had a decent sense of direction, or they might have wandered astray.

From time to time, Zhao Chengxian spotted a few little monkeys swinging between the bamboo stalks. Curiously, he remarked, “There aren’t any fruit trees or big trees for them to rest in here, so why are there monkeys?” His confusion was understandable; he’d seen monkeys in other places before, but people there always said that monkeys lived on wild fruit.

Hui Yue’er glanced at the playful monkeys and replied with a smile, “They eat bamboo, and usually live among the bamboo. Did you know there are edible grubs inside bamboo?” The bamboo grubs could be eaten—fried in oil and dipped in sauce, they were delicious. Just the thought made Hui Yue’er’s mouth water. (Yingying: I’ve heard some of Yunnan’s delicacies are really unique—some people can’t get used to them, like fried bee larvae or the fried grasshoppers I ate as a child. They’re all delicious, but now that rice fields use pesticides, it’s too risky to eat grasshoppers anymore. What a pity!)

Zhao Chengxian shook his head, regarding Yue’er with skeptical eyes. “Is that really possible? I’ve never heard of that!” He looked around at the bamboo again, still unconvinced—it was unheard of to eat the insects inside bamboo. He was sure Yue’er was teasing him, for the idea of eating bugs was simply unimaginable to him.

Hui Yue’er smiled at Zhao Chengxian. “You don’t believe me? Tomorrow, when we go up the mountain, I’ll have my uncle fetch some for you to try. I can’t prepare them myself, otherwise I’d make a batch for you right now!” She grinned mischievously, and the two continued on, chatting and laughing as they walked.

Still, after a sleepless night, both were rather tired. When they finally reached the mountaintop, they sat down with their backs against a bamboo stalk. Zhao Chengxian gazed contentedly at the sea of bamboo surrounding them and asked with a smile, “Do bamboo ever bloom?” He’d never seen bamboo flowers before.

Hui Yue’er nodded gently. “Yes, they do. Bamboo blooms only once in its lifetime, and after it flowers, the entire grove withers away. I’d rather not see the bamboo in bloom!” Though the flowers were beautiful, after their moment of glory, life itself would vanish. Bamboo truly left the world with its most beautiful moment—perhaps there was a kind of happiness in disappearing at the peak of beauty.

Zhao Chengxian, hearing this, lowered his head and chuckled softly. “Bamboo is indeed steadfast—just like love. If you’ve loved once in your life, that’s enough.” He lifted his head and looked at Yue’er, saying all he wanted to say without words—he was speaking to her.

Hui Yue’er smiled lightly, stood up, and said as she walked, “Yes, it’s quite similar. To love once—whether it’s passionate or gentle—is happiness enough.” Zhao Chengxian rose and caught up, taking Hui Yue’er’s hand as they walked on together.

Ladies and gentlemen, old and young, and those who are neither old nor young—hurry and shower me with medals, red envelopes, and gifts! Don’t hold back—let the storm come even fiercer!