Chapter 127: Tour of Mengyinhu (3)

After lunch, Yasushi's group set out for their next destination. The streets bustled with the usual clamor, but their progress was abruptly interrupted by a familiar voice.

"Hey, Jingliu! Long time no see. We heard you were back, but we couldn't believe it. Are you sticking around for good now?" The boy, with an air of casual familiarity, examined Yasushi with a scrutinizing gaze. His eyes flicked between Jingliu and the newcomer, taking in the contrast between them.

He was flanked by three others, each with their own brand of curiosity and skepticism. Their eyes roamed over Yasushi, assessing him with the sort of guarded interest that often accompanied small-town reunions. Yinhaie and Yunxue, the two maids trailing behind, observed this encounter with a growing tension. They subtly positioned themselves where they could act swiftly if the situation took a turn for the worse.

Jingliu regarded the group for a moment, her expression unreadable. With a measured nod, she replied, "I'm back for the summer holidays, and I've brought my boyfriend along. I'm just showing him around town. Is there something else you need?" Her tone was polite, but there was a steeliness beneath her words as she tilted her head slightly.

Yasushi stepped forward, extending his hand with a welcoming smile. "I'm Yasushi. Nice to meet you," he said, offering a handshake, his demeanor calm despite the scrutiny he faced.

The boy extended his hand with a self-satisfied grin, his fingers digging in a bit too eagerly as he shook Yasushi's hand. Yasushi, not one to be easily intimidated, responded with equal firmness. His grip tightened, and the boy's grin faltered as he winced, a yelp escaping his lips as he jerked his hand away.

"Is something wrong?" Yasushi inquired with a feigned innocence, his eyes meeting the boy's with an almost untroubled expression.

The boy's face flushed slightly, but he masked his discomfort with a forced smile. "N-no, it's nothing. Nice to meet you too. See you around," he stammered, turning on his heel and walking off with his companions. As they retreated, they shot Yasushi a look filled with subtle animosity and muttered under their breath.

Yunxue turned her gaze to Jingliu, her brow furrowed in thought. "If I recall correctly, they were relatively close with 'her,' weren't they, Lady Jingliu?"

Jingliu's eyes narrowed slightly as she considered Yunxue's words.

"They were. I wouldn't be surprised if they inform her about our presence. She'll likely be aware that we're back in town. Yasushi, I'd advise you to stay cautious, especially if you plan to go out alone. The townsfolk are generally friendly, but the actions of 'her' from before left a mark. Despite the truth coming to light and clearing most misconceptions, the past lingers. Be mindful of that." Yinhaie's warning carried a note of concern, a practical caution against potential fallout from lingering resentments.

"Got it," Yasushi said, his voice carrying a hint of weariness. "But I doubt they'll cause much trouble. Hopefully, they'll steer clear of doing anything rash. I'm here to unwind, not to dive into more drama."

He released a weary sigh, the kind that seemed to echo the exhaustion of his journey. With a nod, he signaled readiness to move on. The group resumed their trek, their path leading them toward the Feiying Bird Sanctuary, the next stop on their itinerary.

+-+

"This was quite a trek," Yasushi said, catching his breath as he wiped a bead of sweat from his brow.

Feiying Bird Sanctuary lay about fifteen kilometers southeast of Mengyinhu, nestled amid the rolling Qingxi Mountains. The sanctuary sprawled over approximately seventy hectares, its landscape a patchwork of diverse habitats framed by grassy hills.

"It is, especially with the weather we've been enduring," Jingliu responded, her tone pragmatic. "But aside from that, it's usually manageable. I used to visit here regularly after my grandparents passed away and established a good rapport with the owners. They'll be expecting us and will likely be quite hospitable."

Yasushi gave a nod of acknowledgment as they approached the building. The structure, predominantly wooden, exuded a rustic charm. Inside, the space opened up, revealing an array of bird-themed decorations and wildlife motifs scattered throughout the room. A reception desk stood prominently near the center.

As they made their way to the desk, the receptionist's eyes widened in recognition. "Jingliu? Is that you?" she exclaimed, momentarily halting her greeting as she took in the familiar face.

"Yes, it's me. It's been a while, Suzzy," Jingliu responded, a smile tugging at her lips as she greeted the receptionist.

The woman named Suzzy's face brightened with recognition. "It's been an entire year! I was wondering if you'd come back for the summer break! Hold on a moment, I'll fetch the owners!" With that, Suzzy turned and hurried off, her footsteps echoing down the corridor.

Moments later, Suzzy reappeared, accompanied by an elderly couple. The pair moved quickly to Jingliu, their faces alight with warmth. They enveloped her in a group hug, their affection evident. Jingliu's cheeks flushed slightly at the display of genuine welcome.

"Those are Mr. and Mrs. Li. Wei Li and Hua Li, respectively," Yinhaie said softly to Yasushi, pointing to the couple. "As far as I know, they've been in town as long as Lady Jingliu's grandparents were. Though, they were ten years younger than them before their passing."

Yasushi observed the heartfelt reunion with interest, noting the sincere gesture from the older couple. He pondered whether these were the figures Jingliu had often spoken of with fondness. As the trio stepped back, giving the group space to reconnect, they watched the exchange, ready to rejoin the conversation once the greetings had settled.

The trio approached Yasushi and his group, Jingliu introducing him with a warm smile. "This is Yasushi Futakao, my boyfriend from Japan. He's here with me for the summer break."

Yasushi inclined his head slightly and extended his hand toward the couple. "I'm Yasushi. It's a pleasure to meet you both."

Wei Li and Hua Li accepted the handshake, their smiles broad and welcoming. "Yasushi, we'd be delighted to give you a tour of our sanctuary," Wei Li offered with a note of pride in his voice. "It may not be grand, but it's a haven for bird enthusiasts. We host international groups every year."

"I'd appreciate that, Mr. Li," Yasushi responded, his tone conveying genuine gratitude. "I look forward to it."

Hua Li's eyes twinkled as she observed Yasushi. "My, what a respectful young man. We don't see many like you these days," she said with a playful lilt, her laughter soft and pleasant. "I'll fetch some snacks for us and the birds. It won't take long. Suzzy, could you lend me a hand?"

"Of course, Mrs. Hua!" Suzzy replied eagerly, her steps quick as she moved to assist Hua Li.

+-+

"You're the Disney Princess of birds, Yasushi," Jingliu teased, her laughter joined by the others around them.

Strange as it was, the moment Yasushi stepped into the designated viewing area, where they were allowed to use binoculars to observe the birds, an unusual scene unfolded. A flock of Chinese Night Herons, Warblers, and Flycatchers seemed to take an immediate interest in him. One by one, they fluttered down and began to perch on his head, shoulders, and arms. The sheer surprise of the situation rendered him motionless, his eyes wide as he struggled to grasp what was happening.

"Haha…" Yasushi managed to chuckle nervously, still standing as the birds settled on him. "What should I do?"

Wei Li observed the spectacle with a bemused smile. "This has never occurred before," he admitted, still chuckling. "I'd suggest you simply wait. They'll leave of their own accord soon enough. They don't tend to linger for too long."

Yasushi nodded in agreement, trying to remain as still as possible. After about five minutes, the birds began to disperse, lifting off in a flurry of feathers and vanishing into the sky. He exhaled deeply, a sense of relief washing over him as he brushed off the remnants of his avian visitors. "That was quite unexpected," he said, dusting himself off and looking around with a mix of amusement and surprise.

"Not many birds willingly approach people," Wei Li remarked, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "It does happen occasionally, but it's rare for them to swarm a single person like that. With that said, let's move on. There are better spots where you might experience more of this — perhaps storks and other birds might take an interest in you."

Yasushi's expression shifted to one of mild apprehension, though he managed to chuckle along with Wei Li's light-hearted comment. The group proceeded to a different section of the sanctuary, moving toward a small pond bordered by lush greenery. The pond was a haven for various bird species, and Yasushi's eyes caught sight of the Eastern White Stork and the Mandarin Duck among them.

From a distance, they observed the birds as they went about their activities. After a while, one of the Eastern White Storks approached the group. It tilted its head curiously, its gaze fixed on them as they offered it some of the pre-approved food. The stork accepted the treat with visible satisfaction.

To everyone's surprise, the stork then approached Yasushi. With an unexpected gentleness, it nuzzled its head against his stomach. Yasushi sank to his knees, at a loss for words. He settled into the moment, his posture rigid as he resigned himself to being a stationary figure for the next few minutes. The stork seemed content, continuing its gentle nuzzling while Yasushi remained still, embracing the unusual and serene experience.

"Thanks, Fred," Yasushi said, his voice tinged with a casual warmth as he addressed the stork. His comment drew puzzled looks from everyone around him, but he continued to refer to the bird as "Fred" as it gradually waddled away, returning to its flock.

"Why did you call it Fred?" Yunxue inquired, her curiosity piqued by Yasushi's choice of name.

"It was the first name that popped into my head," Yasushi responded with a shrug. Yunxue chuckled at the simplicity of his reasoning but decided not to press the matter further.

After an hour of watching the birds, the group made their way back to the main building. They enjoyed some snacks along the way, savoring a brief respite from their exploration. Jingliu caught up with Mr. and Mrs. Li, engaging in friendly conversation as Yasushi remained absorbed in his bird-watching. During this time, he observed a variety of remarkable sights and avian species.

Upon returning to the building, it became clear that their time for the tour was limited. With only a few places left to visit before the day ended, they decided to conclude their visit to the sanctuary.

"We'll be heading out now, Wei, Hua," Jingliu said, addressing the older couple. "We'll definitely make sure to return during our summer stay."

"Yes, we look forward to seeing you all again," Hua said warmly, her hands reaching out to give Jingliu another affectionate hug. "We'll make sure to have some snacks ready for your next visit."

Wei Li gave Yasushi a hearty pat on the shoulder, accompanied by a nod of approval. The gesture was simple but conveyed a deep sense of approval and camaraderie. Yasushi understood the unspoken message and felt a surge of contemplation as they walked away.

After a short while, Yasushi broke the silence. "Where to next?" he asked, his curiosity evident.

"We're headed to Yaoshan Herbal Gardens next," Jingliu explained, her tone animated. "And then we'll finish our day at Huanglong Waterfall. The views there at sunset and into the night are truly breathtaking."

Yunxue, catching up to them, interjected with a hint of intrigue. "Ah, there have been some changes made to Huanglong Waterfall recently, Lady Jingliu. It might be better for you to see them firsthand rather than have me explain."

Jingliu's interest was piqued. "Is that so? I'll look forward to it then," she said, quickening her pace as they moved towards their next destination.