Chapter 29: The Echoes of Taisan Pagoda

“Zhong Tian…” Su Linxi idly stirred the lemon slice in her cup with her straw. “Tomorrow, we should probably begin drawing, shouldn’t we?”

A subtle twitch appeared at the corner of Zhong Tian’s eye.

‘You’re far too eager.’

“It’s not that we can’t,” Zhong Tian conceded, similarly toying with her straw. “However, we’d still need to notify Mantang, considering we haven’t even prepared the serialization preview or anything of the sort yet.”

“Let’s save the drafts for now,” Su Linxi suggested. “That way, you’ll have a much easier time once school starts.”

There was, in fact, undeniable logic to her words.

Zhong Tian, acutely aware of the agony of having to draw manuscripts once classes resumed, began seriously contemplating the idea of pre-drawing some chapters.

A soft sigh escaped her lips.

While she didn’t detest drawing, it was undeniably exhausting work, especially during her precious vacation time.

All Zhong Tian desired during her holiday was to simply relax and do nothing.

Yet……

“Alright, I’ll begin drawing tomorrow,” she relented. “I’ll aim to complete three or four chapters before school resumes.”

“Excellent.”

Though her expression remained unchanged, her voice carried a distinct note of satisfaction.

Draining the last drop of her lemon tea, Zhong Tian inquired, “Where would you like to explore next?”

“Hmm—” Su Linxi mused, lowering her gaze in thought for a moment. “As a matter of fact, there is somewhere I’d like to visit.”

“Very well… let’s head there.”

Rising from their seats, the two women exited the beverage shop.

“Qiaoqiao,” Short-haired Girl whispered, “let’s follow them.”

Without awaiting Bai Ruijin’s response, Short-haired Girl took her hand and stealthily trailed after them.

****

‘They’re still trailing us, aren’t they…?’

A faint furrow appeared between Zhong Tian’s brows as she glanced back.

The pair swiftly ducked out of sight, preventing Zhong Tian from seeing their eyes and thus rendering her mind-reading ability useless.

They appeared to be high school students; surely, they couldn’t be from her own school.

‘Could they be the schoolmates Ren Gou mentioned, the ones who recognized me at the comic convention…?’

‘Never mind,’ she decided, ‘let them follow. It’s unlikely to cause any harm, so it makes no difference.’ Dismissing the thought, Zhong Tian turned to Su Linxi. “Where are you headed?”

“The Taisan Pagoda.”

“The Taisan Pagoda? Have you ever visited Taisan City previously?”

The Taisan Pagoda served as a landmark in Taisan City—or, more accurately, it *once* held that distinction. Erected during the Tang Dynasty, the pagoda wasn’t particularly towering, yet its perch atop Taisan’s highest mountain ensured it remained a conspicuous sight.

Designated a county-level cultural heritage site, the Taisan Pagoda held significant value as a tourist attraction. Consequently, the modest mountain upon which it stood, named Fengxin Mountain, had been transformed into a moderately sized park.

This was Taisan Park.

Unlike many other tourist destinations, Taisan Park was notably uncommercialized—it didn’t even charge an entrance fee. Both residents and visitors from outside the city could readily enjoy this scenic area, renowned for the Taisan Pagoda and its natural beauty.

Despite its charms, Taisan Park lacked widespread fame, a consequence of Taisan itself being merely an obscure, “18th-tier” (TL Note: A Chinese slang term used to describe a very small, undeveloped, and insignificant city.) small city. Many inhabitants of larger metropolises likely remained unaware of the city’s existence, let alone its park.

“Yes,” Su Linxi affirmed with a nod. “I visited a long time ago.”

As she spoke, her gaze drifted towards the distant heights, where the Taisan Pagoda, barely discernible, seemed to melt into the approaching night.

“That particular place holds great significance for me.”

“Significant, you say?”

‘Perhaps Su Linxi had visited it with her parents during her childhood?’

Su Linxi, lost in her reverie, ignited a spark of curiosity within Zhong Tian.

Zhong Tian felt a strong urge to read Su Linxi’s mind, hoping to uncover the reason behind her profound nostalgia for the seemingly unremarkable Taisan Pagoda.

However, ever since her last experience—collapsing after attempting to read Chu Han’s mind at Chu Lenghu’s home—Zhong Tian had felt a strong need to exercise restraint. She had no idea if more severe consequences might arise from such actions.

Furthermore, delving into another’s mind felt inherently wrong, leaving Zhong Tian with a faint sense of moral transgression.

Resolving not to pry further, Zhong Tian reined in her thoughts and continued walking alongside Su Linxi.

Approximately ten minutes later, the two arrived at Taisan Park, situated at the base of Fengxin Mountain.

A sizable plaza stretched out at the mountain’s foot, equipped with various recreational facilities. Even at this hour, a fair number of people were enjoying a leisurely stroll. Had they arrived later, they would undoubtedly have witnessed the square dancing aunties in full swing.

Su Linxi, appearing intimately familiar with the route, guided Zhong Tian directly across the plaza and onto the winding path that led up the mountain.

The ascent path was quite broad, accommodating bicycles, and Taisan Park even boasted shops offering bike rentals.

“Would you like to cycle up?” Zhong Tian asked Su Linxi. “It’ll likely take at least half an hour to walk to the summit.”

“Yes,” Su Linxi replied, indicating a nearby bicycle rental shop. “Let’s rent the tandem kind.”

Su Linxi was pointing to a tandem bicycle equipped with a small canopy.

“Alright.”

****

“Um, Qiaoqiao, perhaps we should just let it go…” Bai Ruijin suggested, a troubled expression clouding her features. “We’ve been trailing them for quite a while now, and I really don’t think this is right… What do you say we just call it quits?”

“I feel… this is pointless.”

Short-haired Girl watched the two women ahead mount the tandem bicycle and set off up the mountain path, a momentary indecision flickering across her face.

Gritting her teeth, she declared, “We’ve come all this way! Let’s just consider it exercise and rent a bike ourselves.”

“…Fine.”

****

Frankly, pedaling this tandem bicycle was proving to be exceptionally strenuous.

Of course, it was entirely possible that the exertion was compounded by Su Linxi, who was merely applying minimal pressure to her pedals beside her.

Su Linxi, her face devoid of emotion, glanced left and right, seemingly observing the surrounding foliage and passersby.

‘A familiar sight… yet subtly altered.’

Her gaze shifted to Zhong Tian beside her.

Then, she closed her eyes once more.

She appeared to be simply basking in the evening breeze.

“…”

‘You’re truly enjoying yourself, aren’t you? I’m practically exhausted to death,’ Zhong Tian grumbled inwardly. ‘Thankfully, we’re almost there; we’ll have to dismount and ascend the steps to the summit anyway.’

A few moments later, the two women dismounted their bicycles, secured them by the roadside, and began their ascent up the mountain steps.

The ascending steps were embraced by a dense bamboo grove, and as they walked along the relatively short stairway, both could distinctly smell the refreshing aroma of bamboo. Their bodies and minds alike relaxed with the subtle, calming fragrance.

The Taisan Pagoda now stood clearly in view. It was not a towering structure, reaching a height of merely ten meters. The passage of time had etched undeniable marks upon its facade, and while not dilapidated, these signs powerfully conveyed the pagoda’s humble insignificance against the vast expanse of history.

Touching the Taisan Pagoda was prohibited, let alone entering it.

From several meters away, the two could only gaze upon the ancient, unadorned pagoda.

It was precisely as Zhong Tian remembered it: an ancient pagoda steeped in history, yet devoid of any truly remarkable features.

“What draws you to this particular pagoda?” Zhong Tian asked.

“Because of nostalgia,” Su Linxi replied, her gaze fixed on the ancient pagoda, her eyes slowly becoming distant and hazy. “This place holds immense importance.”

Zhong Tian’s curiosity intensified with each word.

“Zhong Tian.”

Su Linxi turned, her eyes lifting to meet Zhong Tian’s.

“Do you… do you…”

She hesitated, seemingly grappling with an internal conflict.

This was the first time Zhong Tian had witnessed such a pronounced shift in her otherwise composed expression.

Zhong Tian discerned Su Linxi’s hesitation, her underlying melancholy, and even a profound sense of sorrow.

“Do you… remember this place?” Su Linxi asked, her voice barely a whisper.

“Hm?” Zhong Tian responded, puzzled. “What exactly are you referring to?”

“If by ‘remember’ you mean ‘recognize,’ then yes, I certainly do; I’ve lived in this city for quite some time, after all…”

“No!” Su Linxi interjected sharply.

The sudden elevation of Su Linxi’s voice startled Zhong Tian.

Realizing her momentary lapse in composure, Su Linxi took a moment to regain control. “No, no, not in that sense. I… I wanted to ask… to ask…”

As she spoke, the light in her eyes slowly faded, and her voice dwindled to a near whisper.

“Perhaps I shouldn’t have asked,” she murmured, her face gradually resuming its customary placidity. “At least, not right now.”

Zhong Tian’s burgeoning curiosity had now morphed into profound bewilderment.

‘Perhaps, I should attempt mind-reading after all.’

‘It’s not merely to sate my own curiosity; seeing Su Linxi so burdened, she might actually require my assistance.’

Zhong Tian met Su Linxi’s gaze, and a fleeting golden shimmer flickered deep within her own eyes.

Following a bewildering kaleidoscope of light, a tower and a solitary figure abruptly materialized before her inner vision.

She recognized the tower as the Taisan Pagoda, and the person…

Boom!!

Before Zhong Tian could even discern the person’s features, a resounding chime boomed through her mind.

Then came an overwhelming sense of impact.

Zhong Tian felt as though a heavy hammer had struck her forehead, shattering her consciousness almost instantly.

She stumbled back several steps, her entire body rapidly losing strength.

The world began to twist, to sway, and the ground surged up towards her eyes—

“Zhong Tian!”

Zhong Tian collapsed, caught just in time by Su Linxi.

Su Linxi instantly panicked, calling out her name repeatedly. Yet, the person cradled in her arms offered no response.

She vaguely felt a damp sensation against her chest.

Under the faint glow of the streetlamp, she looked down at the fabric of her shirt.

It was blood…

From Zhong Tian’s eyes.

Startled, she sank to the ground, her mind ringing.

“Zhong Tian, you… no, don’t…”

She frantically pulled out her phone, attempting to dial for help.

****

What was happening!?

Hidden nearby, the two observers froze as Zhong Tian unexpectedly collapsed. Short-haired Girl was the first to react, quickly rushing over.

“Um, excuse me, what happened to her?” she asked, crouching beside the beautiful, doll-like girl. “Do you need help? What should I… what should I do?”

The girl cradling Zhong Tian didn’t respond, merely holding her phone and waiting.

The call connected, and Su Linxi hastily spoke, “H-hello, I… I’m at… I’m…”

She was desperate, her voice trembling, but the more she tried to speak quickly, the more she struggled to form words—her condition prevented her from speaking fluently in such distress.

“I… I’m at Taisan Park, we… we…”

Her urgent anxiety gradually morphed into despair.

“Um, if you don’t mind, I can speak for you.”

Short-haired Girl offered from beside her.

Su Linxi’s tear-filled eyes fixed on the girl’s face, then she tremblingly handed over her phone.

Taking the phone, the girl spoke quickly and clearly, “Hello, we have someone here who suddenly fainted and is bleeding. We don’t know what’s happening. We’re currently at the Taisan Pagoda…”

“…Okay, okay.”

The girl hung up the phone and returned it to Su Linxi. “Someone will be here soon. Just wait here.”

Su Linxi nodded at her. “…Thank you.”

Her choked voice pained Short-haired Girl.

“Um…” She yearned to comfort the girl before her but was unsure how to speak without making things worse, so she sadly closed her mouth.

‘Even if she’s Xiao Bai’s love rival… I still hope nothing serious happens to her…’

‘Zhong Tian…’