Tour of Mengyinhu (4)

On the outskirts of Mengyinhu, the Yaoshan Herbal Gardens stretched over fifty acres, a vast area of greenery and fragrant air. Each plot, meticulously arranged, showcased an impressive array of medicinal plants, a testament to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The gardens invited visitors into a world where education intertwined seamlessly with serene natural beauty.

"What made you want to come here?" Yasushi asked, his gaze shifting from the building to the diverse plants surrounding them. The rich, earthy aroma of medicinal herbs filled the air, almost tangible.

Jingliu glanced at him, a small smile playing on her lips. "Besides their usual uses for healing and medicine, some plants they grow here are perfect for certain dishes. Yinhaie and Yunxue plan to buy some to take back after our visit. They're heading home before us, so we'll be on our own when we go to Huanglong Waterfall." She led the way inside, the scent of herbs growing stronger.

The moment they stepped inside, Yasushi recoiled as the intensified scent of herbs assaulted his senses. Yunxue and Yinhaie caught his reaction and exchanged amused glances, chuckling softly. Yasushi quickly regained his composure, trailing behind Jingliu, who had reached a particular section of shelves.

Yinhaie and Yunxue began selecting items, placing them carefully into their baskets. Yasushi watched, curious and a bit perplexed by the unfamiliar array of ingredients they chose. Jingliu joined them, picking out a few items and adding them to the growing collection in their baskets.

"What exactly are we having for dinner?" Yasushi asked, his curiosity piqued by their selections.

"There are a few dishes we plan on making," Yinhaie began, her voice carrying the cadence of someone well-versed in culinary arts. "Braised Beef with Star Anise, Goji Berry Fried Rice, Lotus Seed and Pork Belly, and Stir-Fried Tofu with Medicinal Herbs. There will be more for you to taste during your stay, but tonight, we want you to experience these. Tomorrow, we'll try to incorporate some dishes with fish from the local lakes."

Yasushi acknowledged Yinhaie's response with a nod, but before he could fully process the information, Jingliu gently tugged him away. They moved through the herbal garden's bustling area, where visitors came to purchase both ingredients and medicinal herbs, their purpose clear and practical.

Jingliu led him into another part of the garden, quieter and more expansive, typically reserved for guided tours. At this hour, the area was mostly deserted. As they wandered, a tour guide approached, but Jingliu quickly mentioned their brief stay, so the guide nodded understandingly and left them to their own exploration.

Jingliu began to lead Yasushi around the area, pointing out various medicinal herbs. She offered detailed explanations about each one, sharing insights that Yasushi hadn't encountered before. He had heard of "ginseng" in passing, mostly through movies and anime, but the depth of knowledge Jingliu shared was new to him. Despite the late hour, he found himself absorbed in the information, appreciating her enthusiasm and the chance to see her so engaged. His primary concern was her enjoyment, and he was content to listen, even as the day wound down.

During their brief tour, Jingliu's phone buzzed with a message from Yinhaie. She glanced at the screen, noting that Yinhaie and Yunxue had headed home for the day to begin preparations for dinner with the other staff. Jingliu quickly sent a reply, wishing them luck, before returning her attention to Yasushi as they continued their exploration.

As their visit neared its end, they exited the garden and started their journey to the final stop on their tour. Outside, the sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a warm, golden hue across the landscape. Jingliu leaned gently against Yasushi as they walked down the familiar road they had traveled earlier.

"What you asked earlier… did you mean it?" Yasushi's voice broke the comfortable silence. Jingliu responded with a soft hum, signaling she was processing the question. After a moment, she turned to him, her expression thoughtful.

"Yes. I truly love Ginsukimura, but Mengyinhu holds a special place in my heart too. Despite the difficult experiences I've had here, and even now with some people being a bit distant, I still have a deep affection for it. Is it strange to feel this way?" She looked up at him, her eyes seeking reassurance.

"No, it's not strange at all," Yasushi said, his voice steady as he responded to Jingliu. "As I mentioned earlier, it's perfectly normal to have mixed emotions about different aspects of your life, including the place you call home. Mengyinhu stands on its own, separate from your grandparents or the current residents. It's its own entity. So, embrace it for what it is and… well, we'll make our own mark on it eventually."

Jingliu nodded thoughtfully, then stood on her tiptoes and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek. With a smile, she took his hand, and they quickened their pace, heading towards the last stop of their day's journey.

+-+

As Yasushi and Jingliu made their way closer to the center of town, they were intercepted by a group of young men and women. One of them, a woman who seemed to take the lead, stepped forward with an air of authority. She held her ground a few paces away from them, crossing her arms with a posture that exuded both confidence and challenge.

Her black hair was styled into twin tails that fell just to her shoulders, framing her face. Her red eyes, strikingly similar to Jingliu's, glinted with a mix of curiosity and disdain. She wore casual attire suited to the season, her stance casual yet commanding.

"Look who's back in town. Did you come crawling back?" she taunted, a smirk spreading across her lips as she assessed Jingliu and Yasushi.

Jingliu's expression hardened, her eyes narrowing as she stepped away from Yasushi to address the woman directly. "This is my hometown, Yan Jia. Of course, I came back," she retorted, her voice cold and unyielding.

Yan Jia's smirk widened, her tone dripping with derision. "Still as unpleasant as ever. It seems your time away hasn't changed you one bit." She leveled her gaze at Jingliu, her demeanor unrepentant.

"The same could be said for you, considering you're still clinging to that grudge after being dismissed for a good reason," Jingliu shot back. The two girls fell silent, their stares sharp and unyielding as they locked eyes, the tension between them palpable.

Yasushi observed the exchange quietly, piecing together the situation. 'Yan Jia… I'm guessing she's the one they mentioned earlier. The one who got fired and then started spreading lies to damage their reputation. From what I can see, she's quite the piece of work,' he mused, keeping his thoughts to himself as he watched the confrontation unfold.

One of the boys from the group nudged Yan Jia, tapping her on the shoulder and gesturing towards Yasushi. "He's the one from earlier, the boyfriend," he said, his tone matter-of-fact.

Yan Jia's gaze shifted to Yasushi. She assessed him with a dismissive glance, her smirk returning. "You picked quite a plain one, didn't you? I always knew you were a bit dull, but really?" Her laughter was derisive, echoing with a sharp edge as she took in Yasushi's presence.

Yasushi came to a halt, contemplating his next response. In his past, he could have hurled scathing, hurtful remarks with ease, aiming to wound with precision. Yet, he was aware that such an approach would likely unsettle Jingliu, so he sought a more balanced response.

"Plain?" Yasushi began, his voice calm but edged with a sharpness. "I'd certainly agree with that. Embracing some over-the-top, movie-like uniqueness isn't practical. But you," he said, turning his gaze directly at Yan Jia, "seem to fit right into that stereotypical role. You've got the look, the attitude, and — let me guess — the classic crybaby backstory of hardship used to justify your bitterness. The same old shit, really. Can't you break from the mold and try something different for once?"

His words cut through the air, surprising everyone around him with their unexpected force.

Before anyone could interject, Yasushi pressed on, his voice steady but charged with intensity. "I may not be fully aware of the details, but I'm confident that Jingliu's family wouldn't dismiss someone without cause. You must have done something truly egregious to be let go. Have you spent your life blaming others for your own failings and mistakes? Perhaps the biggest mistake so far is that your parents brought you into this world."

Though Yasushi had vowed to approach the situation with restraint and avoid toxic remarks, his emotions overruled his intentions, and he found himself unleashing harsh words. The atmosphere grew tense, the crowd around them falling silent, their gazes fixed on him. Even Jingliu's eyes widened in surprise, though a flicker of amusement danced within them.

But Yasushi wasn't finished. He continued, his voice cutting through the quiet. "What have you actually done to contribute positively to the world? All I've seen is a melodramatic reaction after your termination and a spree of false claims and misinformation in response. Tell me, what do you stand for? Is it just yourself, or is there anyone else who benefits from your existence? From what I can tell, you have nothing substantial to offer, even if you believe otherwise. Frankly, you're not worth the effort." He fixed Yan Jia with an unyielding, cold stare, his expression devoid of warmth.

In a roundabout fashion, Yasushi had conveyed a deeply cutting message to Yan Jia, one that was clearly understood despite its indirectness. Her eyes welled up with tears as his words sank in, and with a sharp cry of "You're an asshole!" she turned and fled, her group of followers trailing behind her with expressions of confusion and anger.

Yasushi exhaled slowly, the tension easing as he took a moment to gather his thoughts. "I might have gone a bit too far there," he admitted, glancing at Jingliu with a hint of regret. "Do you want to keep going with the tour or should we wrap it up for today?"

Jingliu took a deep breath, her gaze sweeping over the scene around them. After a brief pause, she made her decision. "Let's…head home for the day. We can visit the rest of the tour tomorrow." She reached for Yasushi's hand, and together they began walking away. The weight of Yasushi's outburst seemed to linger in the air, and both of them could feel the eyes of the onlookers tracking their departure.