Ancient Dreams: 1-2 Sunny Surprises

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An incidental surprise, and an undecipherable painting. Who are the two men she met today?

Info

Style: No dress-up component Rewards: 3,000 , 600 , 1 , 1 , 1

Dialogue Choices

Note: Changing choices when replaying will cost 5

I think of Grandpa's earnest instructions in his letter. I decide to...

• Talk about Linyuan Temple
  • Affects dialogue in 1-5 Surprise Visitor
• Feign ignorance
  • Affects dialogue in 1-5 Surprise Visitor

Transcript

Expand for script.

• Everyone on the street is silent under the bright sun. No one dares to make a sound.
• I stand up. My knees are throbbing, but I manage to stay upright.
• ???: Wei Guo, bring some money.

• The man instructs his adjutant behind him.
• ???: Give her enough to cover any medical fees she may incur from this incident.

• You: There's no need for that.

• I see Xiaojing standing nearby. It's clear she wants to run to me, but I give her a warning look to stay hidden in the crowd.
• I look up at the man standing before me.
• You: (Huo Shao.)

• This is the famed commander, the most powerful person in Huating. I purse my lips.
• He's reputed to be young and capable, but he's also known for his temper. I don't want to provoke him.
• You: (It's better to have nothing to do with such people.)

• You: Commander Huo, it's only a small wound. You don't need to compensate me for this.

• You: I'm the one who dashed in front of you. I should be the one apologizing.

• I bow to him. Without waiting for a reply, I turn and hobble to the side of the street.
• I'm about to join the crowd when–
• Huo Shao: Wait.

• My whole body stiffens. I reluctantly turn around.
• You: Is there anything else I can help you with, Commander?

• He closes the distance between us.
• Huo Shao: You...

• Huo Shao: Look up.

• You: Commander...

• Huo Shao: Look up.

• I grit my teeth, take a deep breath, and look into his eyes.
• You: What can I do for you, sir?

• Huo Shao doesn't reply. He narrows his eyes and stares at my face.
• Huo Shao: What's your name?

• You: I'm... Gu Yunting

• Huo Shao: How do you spell it?

• You: Capital G, U, space, capital Y, U, N, T, I, N, G. It means "cloud pavilion caregiver." The "ting" is a play on Huating.

• Huo Shao: Oh.

• He crosses his arms and snickers.
• Huo Shao: You're more educated than you appear.

• You: ...

• I look down and force myself not to respond.
• Huo Shao: Are you from Huating?

• You: Yes, Commander. Is there something I can do for you?

• I've asked this question three times, but he still won't reply. He studies my face for a long time before he finally speaks again.
• Huo Shao: Have you ever been to Linyuan Temple in Jiangnan?

• You: (Hmm?)

• You: (Linyuan Temple in Jiangnan...)

• I've never been there, but I've dreamed of that place countless times.
• The bronze bell in the eaves... The withered lotus in the Lake of Release... I'm familiar with all of it.
• I'm also accustomed to hearing a wailing cry for a Mr. Huo every time I dream of the temple. My heart starts pounding.
• You: (Mr. Huo... Huo Shao... No, that was a dream. It's just a coincidence!)

• You: (But why is Huo Shao suddenly asking me about Linyuan Temple?)

• Huo Shao's features are sharp and handsome in the sunlight. I'm certain I've never seen his face before.
• You: (The only possible connection between us is the antique spirit of the outer vase that sneaked into the Commander's residence.)

• You: (I don't want to get tangled up with the likes of Huo Shao, but I have a responsibility to find the vase spirit.)

• I think of Grandpa's earnest instructions in his letter. I decide to...

Talk about Linyuan Temple

• You: (If I want to find that outer vase spirit, I need to get into the Commander's residence.)

• You: (But I can't tell Huo Shao everything about the antique spirits. I'd better think of a way to find out what he knows.)

• You: Commander, there are some things that can't be explained publicly.

• I take out a pen and paper from my handbag and write down an address for him.
• You: Why don't you come to my residence to talk about Linyuan Temple in detail when you're free?

• Huo Shao: Your residence...

• He contemplates my invitation, then nods his head.
• Huo Shao: All right.

• You: (It worked!)

• You: (Could it really be that simple?)

• You: (I wonder what he's thinking...)

• I suppress the joy I feel and keep my face neutral as he mounts his horse.
• He looks down at me and speaks in a calm voice.
• Huo Shao: Gu Yunting... I'll remember that.

• Huo Shao: Expect my visit.

Feign ignorance

• You: (Huo Shao wouldn't mention Linyuan Temple for no reason...)

• You: (But I must exercise caution when dealing with someone like him. Perhaps I can find another way to get into the Commander's residence.)

• You: Linyuan Temple... Never heard of it.

• You: Why are you asking me this, sir?

• Huo Shao arches an eyebrow.
• Huo Shao: You really haven't heard of it?

• You: No. I grew up in Jiangbei. How would I know about a Linyuan Temple in Jiangnan?

• Huo Shao: Humph... All right.

• It's clear he doesn't believe me, but he doesn't push the issue.
• Huo Shao: I really hope you're telling the truth.

• He turns and walks back to his horse.
• He remounts his horse and pulls hard at the reins.
• As the horse passes by me, the Commander keeps his eyes fixed ahead of him, but I hear him make a casual remark.
• Huo Shao: Gu Yunting... I'll remember you.

• Huo Shao: Let's go!

• The Commander and his men ride to the end of the road. When they're finally gone from view, I heave a sigh of relief.
• The crowd beside me gradually become livelier. Several people are looking at me.
• Passerby A: The Commander and that young lady...

• Passerby B: Hush! No gossip about the Commander!

• Passerby C: Let's get out of here. We don't have time for idle rumors.

• I keep my eyes down and put a hand to my chest, which hurts slightly.
• You: (What exactly does Huo Shao have to do with that Linyuan Temple?)

• Xiaojing: Yunting!

• My thoughts are interrupted.
• I turn and see Xiaojing struggling to squeeze through the crowd.
• Xiaojing: Are you all right?

• You: I'm fine.

• You: But don't you ever do something so reckless again! I won't always be here to save you!

• Xiaojing: Sorry, Yunting. I-I was being stupid.

• I sigh and caress her head.
• You: You're not stupid.

• You: But you have to understand that I'm not the only one who knows that antiques have souls.

• You: Not everyone who knows has good intentions. If you want to live in safety, you must be careful.

• Xiaojing: Are you saying that the Commander knows...?

• You: I'm not certain.

• You: But I do know that someone of his status isn't a simple man.

• You: Xiaojing, this world is dangerous.

• Xiaojing: I understand, Yunting. I will be very, very careful from now on.

• You: I believe you because I've always known you to be well-behaved.

• You: All right. It's getting late. Let's go and buy oil paper.

• Minghan boutique is the largest bookstore in Huating, with the most comprehensive range of framing materials for paintings and calligraphy around. It's a place I often visit.
• As soon as we arrive, Xiaojing runs up to the second floor to read playscripts like she usually does.
• I search the shelves and quickly pick out the oil paper I need.
• You: I'm lucky. This is the last one!

• I find a few more calligraphy books for Xiaojing and bring everything to the counter for payment.
• Mr. Fu: It's 20 yuan in total, but if you add–

• ???: Mr. Fu?

• I hear a man speaking lazily behind me.
• ???: Do you have any more oil paper?

• Mr. Fu pauses. I turn to look at the newcomer.
• It's a young man with handsome features. He's wearing a Manchurian robe with a golden pocket watch. He looks old-fashioned, but he also has the manner of someone who has spent time abroad.
• He's smiling, but his eyes are emotionless and distant.
• When Mr. Fu sees the man, he's momentarily stunned, then he dons a gracious smile.
• Mr. Fu: Ah, Mr. Pei... Oil paper? Yes, of course we have that!

• Mr. Fu: You've come just in time. This is the last set we have.

• Mr. Fu hands the oil paper I've placed on the counter to the young man. I panic.
• You: Mr. Fu!

• You: I was going to buy that! Isn't it first come, first served here?

• Mr. Fu: I don't need you to teach me the etiquette of Minghan Boutique.

• Mr. Fu: This is Mr. Pei Jingli, a brilliant architect. Professor Chen from Huating University personally invited him back to China!

• Mr. Fu: Huating University's new campus is now under Mr. Pei's supervision. It's such a big project, how can any of us consider delaying it?

• He stops paying attention to me and concentrates on flattering Pei Jingli.
• Mr. Fu: Mr. Pei, the next time you need something, just send someone to order it. Your time is too valuable to make a trip here personally.

• Pei Jingli: I'm not here just for the oil paper, though.

• Pei Jingli: Mr. Fu, I wonder if you've found a suitable person to restore the scroll painting I sent here previously.

• Mr. Fu: Well...

• The shopkeeper's smile falters. He sighs and fishes out a scroll out from under the counter.
• Mr. Fu: Mr. Pei, I'm not going to lie to you. I've already searched the whole of Huating.

• Mr. Fu: But honestly...

• Pei Jingli: There's no one capable of repairing it, right?

• Pei Jingli takes the scroll from Mr. Fu and unfurls it. He briefly examines it before shaking his head.
• Pei Jingli: This painting has extensive damage and won't be easy to repair.

• Pei Jingli: But I've decided to try restoring it on my own. That's why I came here to buy materials.

• Mr. Fu: You know how to restore ancient paintings?

• Pei Jingli: I can't say that I've done it much before, but it's worth a try.

• Mr. Fu: You're too humble, Mr. Pei. Professor Chen is always singing your praises.

• While they go about their pleasantries, I gaze at the scroll painting.
• You: (This painting...)

• It depicts someone fishing.
• There are pine trees on top of a mountain and a vast lake at the bottom. A boat floats on the lake, and a fisherman is at its bow.
• The whole piece is elegant, and it seems to bear deep significance. The scene looks like a hidden paradise, but...
• You: Pity.

• I let out a soft sigh.
• You: It's a forgery.

• The men fall silent.
• I look up, and my eyes happen to meet Pei Jingli's.
• Pei Jingli: What did you say?