6 The Date

"Haha! That happened?" Ren Dong laughed as she looked at sheepish Wen Tu.

"Ha, it's true, not my best moment in life," Wen Tu smiled in embarrassment. The two of them were walking side by side to the nearest town, talking and telling each other stories as they passed the time. At the moment, Wen Tu finished telling Ren Dong a somewhat embarrassing story about her younger self.

'I've learned a lot about her,' Wen Tu thought as she shyly peeked at Ren Dong's face every so often. From the casual conversations between them, Wen Tu learned that Ren Dong's favorite color was white and blue. Her favorite hobby is swimming in the river, and her favorite dish was roasted duck and pickled vegetables.

'Ha, I can't wait to tell A-Kuai my findings!' Wen Tu cheered victoriously.

"Who knew you were so mischievous," Ren Dong commented. "Oh, we're close," coming over a hill, the pair looked over a city in celebration as red lanterns illuminated the town.

"Wow," Wen Tu gasped in awe as her watery eyes reflected the glowing red lanterns of the town. She had stayed deep in the forest for most of her life and hadn't stepped out into the human world until Ren Dong stepped into her life. This festival would be her first time going into a densely populated area. "This is amazing!"

Ren Dong smiled at awestruck Wen Tu's reaction and looked back over the city. "I've been to festivals plenty of times before, but only now does it feel special."

"Wha!" Wen Tu blushed. Her pale face almost became as red as the lights below. However, under cover of night, her embarrassment was hidden.

"Come on, let's go," grabbing onto Wen Tu's hand, Ren Dong guided them to the city gates. Above the large gates hung a wooden plaque that read, Yin Yuan City. What an auspicious name.

"What are you staring at, let's go," snapping out of her daze, Wen Tu followed Ren Dong as they began to merge with the local citizens.

All around them were people of different backgrounds as they all gathered together for the festival. Hung high above stalls and the streets were colorful lanterns of different chaps and sizes.

"What's the writing on the lanterns for?" Wen Tu questioned, pointing at a lantern with two rabbits painted on the yellow surface.

"Ah, that's a riddle written on it. It's a tradition for scholars to write riddles on the lanterns in which people would try to answer," Ren Dong answered.

"Oh? Is that a riddle too?" Pointing at the writing on the other side of the lantern, Wen Tu tried to read what it said; however, with her mediocre abilities, she couldn't read the complex characters.

"Eh, no," Ren Dong said as she squinted her eyes slightly to read the tiny font, "its a love poem."

"Eh? A love poem?" Wen Tu looked up at the squiggly letters at was suppose to be a love poem. "Can you read it for me?" Wen Tu asked innocently. "I can't read well."

Ren Dong quirked a brow as she looked at Wen Tu's pleading face and the love poem above. "Are you sure?"

"Eh, I'm sure," Wen Tu replied. "Please? For me?" Wen Tu begged as gave Ren Dong her signature pout.

'Ah, how can I resist such a cute expression,' Ren Dong sighed, giving into Wen Tu's demands. "Fine, but only because you asked so nicely," and patted Wen Tu's head before looking up at the poem. Clearing her throat, she read:

"Night deep – the memorial draft finished;

mist and moon intense piercing cold.

About to lie down, I warm the last remnant of the wine;

we face before the lamp and drink.

Drawing up the green silk coverlets,

placing our pillows side by side;

like spending more than a hundred nights,

to sleep together with you here." [1]

After finishing the poem, Ren Dong looked to see what Wen Tu's expression was. The little bunny's eyes glistened with awe as she looked up at the poem written. "Are you happy?"

"Eh! I'm thrilled," Wen Tu smiled with glee. 'But only because you're here.'

"Let's keep moving, there is more to see around town," and the couple continued their walk.

Along the way, Wen Tu found a teahouse that advertised food and performance. "Let's go in!" Pulling Ren Dong's hand, she nodded her head towards the teahouse.

"Eh? Isn't it kind of expensive?" She didn't have much money on her person.

"Don't worry, I have some pocket money," Wen Tu replied. "Plus, consider it my treat," and showed Ren Dong the bag of coins that A-Kuai had given her. Honestly, when did her brother plan all of this out?

"Alright, if you insist on paying," Ren Dong gave a helpless sigh. She couldn't help but feel if Wen Tu kept on spoiling her, then she would become rotten. However, it looked like the little bunny enjoyed spoiling her.

Walking into the teahouse, a beautiful hostess came up to greet them. "Good customers, where do you wish to be seated?"

"Uh, we will have the middle class sitting, please," Wen Tu answered. Bowing her head, the hostess leads them up the second floor of the teahouse, where paper screens divided sections of seats. The second floor circumferenced the first floor below, above, giving all patrons an elevated view of the stage below.

"Good customers, are these seats to your satisfaction?" The hostess questioned. The seats faced the center of the teahouse to the stage. In the middle between the two chairs was a small table for refreshments.

"These are fine, thank you," Wen Tu answered. "Can you also get us some fresh tea as well?"

"Right away, sir," the hostess bowed and excused herself.

"What do you think?" Wen Tu asked Ren Dong.

"These seats have a great view of the stage," Ren Dong responded as she looked over the balcony in curiosity. "This is a fairly fancy place. They even have intricate cravings along the railings."

"Eh," Wen Tu responded as she took her seat. "Be careful not to lean too far."

Ren Dong looked back at the bunny and smiled, "Why? Do you fear I will fall?" And she smiled as she crossed her arms as she leaned slightly against the railing.

"Yes," Wen Tu answered without hesitation, eyes focused only on her form. "What would I do without you if you fell?"

'Tsk,' Ren Dong clicked her tongue and lightly turned her head away. She didn't want Wen Tu to see her blushing.

The lights began to dim in the teahouse as the show was about to start.

Seated side by side, Wen Tu and Ren Dong waited in anticipation for the performance to start.

Suddenly a light from above shined down on the circular stage below. In a puff of sweet-smelling smoke, a large red flower blossomed on stage. The crowd collective gasped as the blossom slowly began to bloom as large red petals opened one by one.

"Wow," Wen Tu gasped as she watched the last petal open up. In the center of the flower was a beautiful maiden dressed in red silk.

'Is he attracted to the dancer?' and jealous thought flashed in Ren Dong's mind as she watched Wen Tu's awestruck appearance. Looking down at the dancer, she could see why one would be entranced with her.

The dancer's body ultimately emerged the viewer into the performance as their eyes followed her lithe body bend to the music of the pipa player. With each step of her delicate feet, the bells around her ankles ringed along with notes of the music. Her waist seemed to be made of bamboo as it swayed seductively in each movement.

Ren Dong was so absorbed in her envy, that she didn't realize that Wen Tu had taken hold of her clenched fist.

"Are you okay?"

"Huh," snapping out of her trance, Ren Dong noticed Wen Tu looked at her with concern in her eyes. "Oh, yeah. I'm fine."

"Do you not like the performance?"

"What? No, no, the performance was great."

"But your face had black lines when you looked at the dancer.."

'Busted,' Ren Dong thought as she looked guiltily at Wen Tu. "Look at me, being jealous of a dancer," she mumbled.

"Eh? You were jealous?" Wen Tu asked innocently. "Why?"

Ren Dong couldn't bear look at the large watery eyes and turned away to hide her embarrassment. 'Why did she feel so envious all when she watched Wen Tu look at the performer?'

"Ren Dong, look at me, please," the bunny pleaded.

Turning to face the bunny, a soft pair of lips met her own.

[1] A love poem between poet Bo JuYi to his lover, Qian Hui.