frightfiction Chapter 794 Bai Manjun
Chapter 794 Bai Manjun
The atmosphere in the kitchen had cooled slightly after Chen Nanxing's comment, "Who wants to listen to your bragging?", but it was quickly warmed up again by the topic of Da Mai's new book. Everyone chattered about Da Mai's supernatural novel ideas, laughing and joking, which dispelled the awkwardness from before.
Ma Qiushan listened quietly with a faint smile on his face. When everyone had finished discussing, he put down his bowl, cleared his throat, and looked at Hu Youyu: "By the way, Youyu, how was your trip to Kyoto for the music festival? Did anything interesting happen?"
Mentioning the music festival immediately perked Hu Youyu up, his face brightening and his posture straightening: "Hey, Mr. Ma, you've come to the right person! It's so awesome! The atmosphere is incredible—the crowds, the lights and sound, all those original musicians…it's amazing! Standing on that stage, with so many people listening to you sing, that feeling…tsk, it's so cool!"
Chen Nanxing, biting her chopsticks, suddenly brightened up and interjected, "Hey, Teacher Hu, when you left, didn't Lin Bufan say you were destined for romance, that your love star was shining brightly, and that you should keep an eye out for some kind older sister at the music festival? How did it go? Did you find anything? Did you meet any mature beauties who needed comforting?"
As soon as these words were mentioned, everyone's eyes immediately focused on Hu Youyu, and they also looked at Lin Bufan next to him, their eyes filled with curiosity and mischief.
Hu Youyu was still feeling excited about returning from the music festival, but upon hearing Chen Nanxing's words, the look on his face instantly fell.
"Hey! Don't even mention it! I was going to tell you about it as soon as I got back, but I completely forgot about it because of the ghost story!"
As she spoke, Hu Youyu turned to look at Lin Bufan, her face full of grievance: "Master Lin, didn't you predict that I'd be destined for romance, that my love star was shining brightly, and that I should keep an eye out for older women at the music festival who needed comforting or were kind to me? You even said something about mature and charming women... Well! I took your words as gospel! At the music festival, whenever I saw a woman with a mature air and nice clothes, I... I mustered up my courage and went up to her, showing concern and comfort, being incredibly considerate..."
And the result? Not a single one of them showed the slightest interest in me! They either treated me like I was crazy, or glared at me like I was a pervert! One woman, before I could even finish speaking, her boyfriend came over and almost beat me up like a thug! Another time, I almost got escorted out by security! Ms. Lin, your calculations... you almost made me never come back!
After saying that, Hu Youyu looked frightened and still shaken.
The crowd was taken aback at first, then burst into laughter. They hadn't expected Hu Youyu to be so honest as to actually believe Lin Bufan's nonsense.
"Hahahaha...Teacher Hu, you're too honest!" Chen Nanxing laughed so hard he slapped the table.
Nana couldn't help but chuckle: "How can you just go up to someone and ask about their well-being like that? Doesn't that just make people misunderstand?"
Da Mai whispered, "Teacher Hu... you seem to be interpreting comforting someone a little too directly..."
Xu Hongdou smiled and shook her head, then looked at Lin Bufan and said with a playful expression, "It seems that even our Master Lin has his moments of failure. That's truly rare!"
The laughter gradually subsided, and everyone's attention turned to Lin Bufan, wanting to hear how this "divine strategist" would smooth things over.
Lin Bufan stroked his chin, a look of contemplation and confusion on his face.
In the original drama, Hu Youyu did indeed meet Bai Manjun, a mature woman who had just divorced and needed emotional comfort, at a music festival, and the two became acquainted as a result.
I was just giving some pointers according to the plot, so why did it all turn out differently with Hu Youyu? Could it be because my interference made Hu Youyu's behavior too deliberate and eager, which backfired and scared away the fate that should have been there?
Or perhaps... the timing of this romantic encounter is wrong, and it's not at this music festival?
Lin Bufan was also a little unsure.
Just as Lin Bufan was pondering how to save face and shift the blame to Hu Youyu, footsteps and voices came from the entrance of Youfeng Courtyard.
"Miss Bai, this is it. The environment is quite quiet, and the neighbors are all very friendly." It was Xie Xiaochun's voice.
"Okay, thank you for your help, Manager Xie," a gentle yet mature female voice replied.
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Xie Xiaochun leading a woman into the courtyard. The woman was about forty years old, wearing a fine beige linen dress with a light brown knitted cardigan over it. Her long hair was loosely tied up, and she wore light makeup. She was beautiful, gentle, and her eyes revealed a sense of peace and a slight weariness from having experienced the world. It was Bai Manjun.
Xie Xiaochun spotted the group gathered in the kitchen at a glance and greeted them with a smile: "Oh, everyone's here? That's perfect, let me introduce you."
She stepped aside to let Bai Manjun pass: "This is Bai Manjun, Miss Bai. She is a new resident of Youfeng Courtyard. She will be living in room number 2, where Master Ma used to live. Let's get to know each other. We'll be neighbors from now on. If you need any help, please lend a hand."
After the introductions, Xie Xiaochun noticed Ma Qiushan sitting at the table and was taken aback: "Mr. Ma? Why are you back? This room of yours... I just rented it out a couple of days ago..."
Ma Qiushan quickly waved his hand with a smile: "It's nothing, Manager Xie. I just came back from Shanghai and was passing by. I stopped by to see everyone. I have to leave soon and won't be staying here. Please arrange the rooms as you see fit, don't worry about me."
Xie Xiaochun breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good. Mr. Ma, with your career going well, you'll definitely be staying in the big city of Shanghai from now on. Just keep this little courtyard as a memento and come back to visit anytime." She then turned to Bai Manjun: "Miss Bai, this is Mr. Ma Qiushan. He used to live in room number 2, and now he's a big businessman."
Bai Manjun smiled and nodded at Ma Qiushan!
Maqiushan also replied politely!
Xie Xiaochun then said to everyone, "Alright, you all chat. I have something to do in the warehouse, so I'll be leaving now. Miss Bai, here's the key. If you need anything, or if there's anything you're not used to, just let Nana in room number one know or call me."
Xie Xiaochun gave Bai Manjun a few more instructions and then left in a hurry.
Bai Manjun smiled gently at everyone and said softly, "Hello everyone, I am Bai Manjun. I have just arrived in Yunmiao Village and will be living here from now on. Please take good care of me."
Lin Bufan, Xu Hongdou, Nana, and others responded amicably and briefly introduced themselves.
When it was Hu Youyu's turn, he seemed not to hear, staring blankly at Bai Manjun, his eyes filled with surprise and a hint of barely perceptible panic, his mouth slightly open, but he didn't say a word.
Bai Manjun noticed Hu Youyu's unusual behavior. She turned her gaze to him, a gentler smile appearing on her face, and took the initiative to say, "Hi, we meet again."
The kitchen fell silent instantly upon hearing this.
Everyone's eyes darted back and forth between Hu Youyu and Bai Manjun, their eyes gleaming with gossip.
Chen Nanxing was the first to react. He nudged Nana next to him with his elbow, lowered his voice, and said excitedly, "Something's up!"
Nana smiled, her eyes saying, "Tell me quickly!"
Xu Hongdou looked at the two of them thoughtfully, then glanced at Lin Bufan, who was stroking his chin with a "I knew it" expression on his face.
Da Mai opened her eyes wide and curiously looked at Bai Manjun and the still bewildered Hu Youyu.
Hu Youyu was jolted by Bai Manjun's words and the focused gazes of everyone. He suddenly came to his senses, his face showing even greater surprise: "Really... really is you? Sister... Sister? How... how did you get here?" His voice was slightly stuttering due to his surprise.
Bai Manjun smiled, her tone calm and slightly explanatory: "Didn't you say at the music festival in Kyoto before that if you were feeling down and wanted to relax for a while, you could come here because the people here are very nice? I recently... was looking for a change of scenery, so I came to check it out."
Immediately afterwards, Bai Manjun looked at Hu Youyu again, with a hint of joking: "What? Judging from your tone... you don't welcome me here?"
Hu Youyu snapped out of her daze, quickly waving her hand and forcing a smile: "No way! Welcome! You're so welcome! I just... I just didn't expect you to actually come! Right? You didn't even leave me your contact information or anything!"
Bai Manjun smiled, a hint of teasing in her eyes: "Can't I just search it online myself?"
Hu Youyu was taken aback, then scratched his head: "Yeah, that's true. With information so readily available these days, you can just search for 'Feng Xiaoyuan'. But... it's a pity. If you had told me in advance, I could have talked to Xiaochun and maybe even gotten you a discount on the rent."
“Heh,” Nana, standing to the side, bluntly exposed him: “Teacher Hu, if I remember correctly, Xiaochun didn’t give you a discount on your rent, did she? I’m afraid your favor won’t work very well.”
Hu Youyu was speechless and glared at Nana, then looked at her irritably: "Nana, were you an excavator in your past life? Why do you like to undermine people so much?"
A chuckle rippled through the crowd.
After chatting for a few more minutes, Xu Hongdou reminded Hu Youyu, "Teacher Hu, how can you be so inconsiderate? Sister Manjun just arrived and is tired from her journey. Aren't you going to help her carry her luggage to her room? And see if there's anything you can lend a hand with."
Hu Youyu then realized what was happening and slapped his forehead: "Right, right, right! Look at me! Sister, give me the suitcase, I'll help you carry it upstairs!" He then reached out to take the suitcase from Bai Manjun's hand.
Bai Manjun quickly waved her hand: "No need, no need, I can do it myself, it's not much."
"Don't mention it! We'll be neighbors from now on, it's only right to help each other!" Hu Youyu grabbed the suitcase without further ado and said warmly to Bai Manjun, "Come on, I'll take you to your room, room number 2, where Master Ma used to live. It has great lighting and ventilation!"
Watching Hu Youyu carrying his suitcase and attentively leading Bai Manjun upstairs to the second floor, disappearing around the corner, the atmosphere in the kitchen suddenly became subtle and lively.
Chen Nanxing was the first to lose his temper, leaning closer to Lin Bufan, lowering his voice, and his eyes gleaming with gossip: "Hey, Lin Bufan, this Bai Manjun... wouldn't she be the kind older sister you predicted Hu Youyu would meet if she had a lot of romantic encounters?"
Lin Bufan slowly took a sip of soy milk and nodded with a profound expression: "Otherwise what? Do you think my title of Lin the Half-Immortal is just for show? So, how accurate was your prediction?"
Xu Hongdou frowned slightly, her tone tinged with uncertainty: "But the two of them... isn't the age difference a bit..."
"That's none of my business," Lin Bufan said, shrugging and interrupting Xu Hongdou. "As for marriage, I've already pointed out the red thread. Whether or not to tie it, and for how long, is up to Lao Hu himself. Besides, it's only a ten-year age difference, isn't it? It's not a big problem!"
Upon hearing this, everyone agreed that outsiders really couldn't interfere in matters of the heart, so they stopped dwelling on the matter.
Nana looked at Lin Bufan in surprise: "President Lin, you really know how to tell fortunes? I always thought you were just... well, just saying it casually before."
Lin Bufan raised his chin slightly, adopting the air of a reclusive sage, his tone carrying a hint of arrogance: "Of course. Otherwise, do you think what I said before was just boasting? I, Lin, either don't say anything, or when I do, there must be some basis for it."
The group exchanged glances, momentarily speechless. Thinking it over, from Miss Liu's affair to Hu Youyu's "peach blossom luck," although the process was absurd, the outcome... seemed to have actually come true, as Lin Bufan had predicted? Could this guy really have some kind of charlatan... uh, metaphysical talent?
Chen Nanxing's eyes darted around, and she moved closer to Lin Bufan, grabbing his arm and shaking it: "Hey, since you can tell Hu Youyu's fortune, why don't you tell mine too? Let's see where my future true love is, what he looks like, and when he'll appear?"
Lin Bufan pushed Chen Nanxing's face away with disdain: "Go away, haven't you heard? A doctor can't heal himself, and a fortune teller can't calculate for himself. There are rules in our line of work."
Chen Nanxing was pushed away, muttering in dissatisfaction, "Who told you to do the calculations for yourself? I told you to do the calculations for me!"
Xu Hongdou couldn't stand it anymore, so she pulled Chen Nanxing to her side, leaned close to her ear, and whispered, "Are you stupid? He means that he is your true love. If he calculates your destiny, it's the same as calculating his own destiny!"
Chen Nanxing was taken aback at first, then realized what she meant and scoffed, "Shameless!" But the smile that she couldn't suppress and the laughter in her eyes revealed her true thoughts.
Then, without waiting for everyone to speak, Lin Bufan glanced at Xu Hongdou, Nana, and Damai and said, "The same goes for the three of you, it doesn't count!"
Having learned from Chen Nanxing's experience and with Xu Hongdou's explanation, everyone naturally understood the meaning behind Lin Bufan's words. Chen Nanxing, Xu Hongdou, and Nana glared at Lin Bufan with annoyance. If Da Mai weren't in a difficult situation, she would have buried her head in her chest!
However, to be fair, the barley's condition has improved after this period of training!
Yes—playing ball at night really does help!