Chapter 915: [Bonus chapter] Tour Guide

Chapter 915: [Bonus chapter] Tour GuideYoung Master Ru suddenly took out chocolate from his pocket and opened the wrapper to eat it. Raelle looked at the chocolate in his hands, "My husband likes that chocolate."        

Young Master Ru split the chocolate and offered some to her, "Want some?"    

Raelle looked at it for a moment before she actually extended her hand to take it but the other person retracted his hand and gave Raelle a look, "Didn't your parents teach you that kids should not take sweets from strangers? What if I'm a bad guy? Just because this young master is handsome, you shouldn't be so trusting."    

"Well, my parents really didn't teach me that," was Raelle's surprising answer. "In fact, they taught me nothing." She briefly paused and added, "Also, you're not a bad guy."      

Obviously, the words she said were simple but the meaning behind them was deeper than it seems. At least someone like Young Master Ru was able to read between lines very well. So, it wasn't surprising that he managed to figure out a few things from that simple sentence. For instance, Raelle's words either meant that she didn't have parents or that her parents had no time for her. Either way, it didn't sound good.    

"What makes you say that?" asked Young Master Ru in interest.    

"Intuition?"    

Ru chuckled, "Just enjoy the chocolate." He offered the split chocolate bar to her again and didn't pull it back this time. "Also, don't randomly walk around. There are other herbs growing here. This place is not for visitors. Be careful. The rules of the temple aren't as lenient as I am." He was saying this in goodwill and even Raelle could tell that. It seemed she really shouldn't be taking this temple lightly. Or else, she could get into trouble and she was definitely still the same person who didn't like troublesome things.    

"I'll keep that in mind," said Raelle. "You seem to know a lot about this place. Do you live here?"    

"These days, I am living here," came the answer.    

"For your research?" asked Raelle. "Does that mean you're a plant researcher? Also, can you really read a pulse?"    

"You can call me a plant researcher if you feel like it," replied Ru. "It doesn't matter what you call me. And you don't have to doubt me like that. Whether I can read the pulse or not, rest assured. You'll survive."    

"You seem to know a lot about this temple, so why don't you share something?" asked Raelle.      

"So, now you want me to be your tour guide?"    

"No, I just want you to introduce me to the things that make this place special."    

"It's the same thing however you put it. I'm still being treated as a tour guide."    

"Then let's start with a proper introduction," said Raelle. "I'm Raelle Xiang. And you are?"    

"Xiang... Which Xiang is it?" asked Young Master Ru curiously.    

"Xiang family of Xinji," answered Raelle.    

"Oh? Is that so?" Young Master Ru's smirk deepened. And all at once, he understood who was standing before him. There were only so many noteworthy clans that survived the turmoil of history. So, how someone like Ru who came from one of those clans couldn't know about the Xiang? Also, at this moment, this young master also understood why Raelle said her parents taught her nothing. "I'm Ru. It's very lovely to meet the youngest descendant of the Clan of Generals. Should I call it my honor?"    

"You're familiar with my family?"      

"Somewhat," replied Ru.    

"Then you don't mind being the tour guide."    

Ru stared at Raelle who was still stuck on that and sighed silently. "Okay, what do you want to know? The history of this temple?"    

"No, the most interesting places," repeated Raelle.    

"There is a cherry blossom forest in the back, you must have seen it. It's not the blooming season, so it looks desolate, but it's a picturesque place in the blooming season. In ancient times, it was a famous rendezvous place for noble ladies and lads. That just reminded me, that it's still months before I can open my jars of cherry blossom wine. What torture is this wait!"        

"I did pass through it," told Raelle.    

"There is a fish pond. If you pay attention you can actually see very interesting fishes in there," said Ru. "Feeding those fishes is considered accumulating merits for yourself. It's supposed to be a fun activity but in my personal opinion, it's boring."    

"I agree," said Raelle.    

Ru glanced at her and continued, "Beside the pond is the famous pavilion of life."    

"Pavilion of life?" asked Raelle. She didn't think there was anything special about that pavilion. Why was it named like that?    

Ru started walking and Raelle followed her back to the pavilion. Pointing at the carvings on the pillars, Young Master Ru told her, "Everything in the universe is believed to be made up of five elements. Namely, wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. That's why this pavilion is called the pavilion of life. On each pillar, you'll find the sign of the element it associates with. They say that the world changes according to the five elements' generation or overcoming interactions relationship. They are like the Yin and Yang."    

"Is it true?" asked Raelle with interest.    

"The five generating interactions are fueling, forming, containing, carrying, and feeding. If I have to explain that, it'd be like wood fuels the fire, fire in turn forms the earth like volcanos and ashes. The earth contains metals and metals carry water in the form of buckets or pipes you can say. And water feeds the woods like trees. Is it not a cycle of interaction?"    

Raelle was listening with interest and found this pavilion that was previously easily forgotten a lot more interesting. "Go on..."    

Ru gave her a look and felt like this young master was truly not being treated as a young master. He really was playing the role of a tour guide even more diligently than a real tour guide. But the only consolation was that the listener was quite interested. Rather than finding this topic boring, Raelle was showing a keen interest.