Chapter Seventy-Six: When the Fragrance of Peach Blossoms Fills the Mountains

Chapter Seventy-Six: When the Scent of Peach Blossoms Fills the Mountain

Morning in the mountains was damp with mist, the air saturated with fragrance.

“Doesn’t running and practicing here feel better than jogging in some city park?” Zhang Le paused, watching Yang Xiner gazing into the distance.

“Yes,” she nodded. “The air here is unlike anything in the city. You’re right—I’m starting to fall in love with this place.”

“Let’s head back. Once we’ve eaten, I’ll take you around,” Zhang Le said, pointing into the distance. “See that mountain? It’s the tallest around here. If you’re up for it, we can get up early tomorrow and climb it to watch the sunrise. I think tomorrow will be clear. Of course, it’s not the best season for sunrises, so we might be making the trip for nothing.”

“Sure! Even if the sun doesn’t come out, it’ll still be good exercise.” Yang Xiner looked at the mountain and nodded, a hint of anticipation in her eyes.

When the two returned home, Zhang Huan and the others were already up, preparing breakfast.

“I was about to call you to eat, but you’re already up and have even gone out to exercise,” Zhang Huan said with a smile.

The reservoir near Zhang Le’s home wasn’t large, but it was long. In one spot, it circled around a small hill, which, except during drought, appeared as an island in the lake. From the top of the hill, the reservoir seemed even wider.

The hill wasn’t tall, but its base covered a considerable area. There were many flat sections at the foot of the mountain, one of which was at least a hectare—plenty of space to build a small square.

“If this little island were covered with peach trees, when they all bloom, it would be breathtaking,” Yang Xiner said with a smile as she stood beside a few peach trees at the summit.

“Then this island would be Peach Blossom Island,” Zhang Le replied, laughing.

“Peach Blossom Island! What a wonderful name!” Yang Xiner laughed, “When the peach blossoms bloom, the whole mountain will be cloaked in spring. Peach blossoms symbolize prosperity, and are said to ward off evil. By then, people will flock here just to see the flowers.”

“Oh, if the mountain is full of peach trees, I bet lots of single men would come,” Zhang Le joked.

“Why?” Yang Xiner asked, puzzled.

“Hoping for a stroke of luck in love,” Zhang Le grinned.

“You’re incorrigible!” Yang Xiner shot him a look, but then said, “Why only single men? Don’t women want a bit of luck in love too?”

“For women, it’s not called luck—it’s called a peach blossom calamity!” Zhang Le replied, feigning mystery.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Yang Xiner asked in curiosity.

“It means trouble in love,” Zhang Le laughed.

“So do men ever encounter a peach blossom calamity?” Yang Xiner’s tone sharpened slightly.

“Of course! Too much luck in love, and it becomes a calamity for a man, too,” Zhang Le replied, laughing.

“Nonsense. I’m going to find Sister Xiaoyun,” Yang Xiner huffed, turning to leave, but Zhang Le caught her by the arm and pulled her back.

“Xiner, let’s turn this place into a real Peach Blossom Island. See that open space over there? We’ll make a little square, plant peach trees all around. When the blossoms fill the air with their scent, we’ll hold our wedding here—an outdoor wedding,” Zhang Le said, looking into her eyes. “Would you like that?”

“Yes. We’ll create our own wedding venue,” Yang Xiner agreed, looking deeply at him. “No matter how beautiful a place is, it can never compare to one you’ve created yourself.”

“You don’t mind having it here? Most of your friends and family wouldn’t be able to come,” Zhang Le was surprised by her quick consent.

“How could I object to a place with so much meaning?” Yang Xiner smiled. “I don’t care where we get married, or how grand the ceremony is, or even if friends or family make it. What I care about is that the groom is you, Zhang Le.”

“It will always be me!” Zhang Le promised, pulling her into his arms.

They embraced, eyes closed, as if imagining peach blossoms blooming all around, the whole island perfumed with their scent.

Listening to his brother and Yang Xiner excitedly discuss their plans for the island, Zhang Huan was left a little dumbfounded. He hadn’t expected them to host their wedding here.

Tradition held that weddings should be held at the groom’s home. While this was Zhang Le’s hometown, he and Yang Xiner would settle in the capital after marriage, not here. It would be natural to hold the wedding there. Yet here they were, planning one for this little place.

Zhang Huan had never been to university, but he wasn’t ignorant. He knew that Zhang Le and Yang Xiner were constantly in the media’s spotlight, and their wedding would surely attract countless reporters. That kind of publicity would make this place famous nationwide.

Celebrity effect, he mused. If they held their wedding here, even if it didn’t bring couples from faraway cities, it would certainly attract plenty from this city and nearby ones.

Was Zhang Le trying to use his wedding to promote his hometown?

But watching Zhang Le and Yang Xiner, still deep in their excited planning, Zhang Huan dismissed that idea. Maybe it really was just as they said—a place designed and built by the two of them, a place with special meaning. Promoting their hometown would be just a fortunate side effect.

He knew his brother well. Zhang Le was pure-hearted about love, averse to anything tainted with self-interest, especially his own wedding.

When the peach blossoms perfumed the mountain, they would step into marriage. But what about him?

The thought made Zhang Huan look at Lin Yun. Shouldn’t he give her a promise too—not just words, but a real commitment?

Lin Yun noticed him looking, was startled, and then seemed to understand, breaking into a radiant smile.

Peach blossoms in full bloom—the phrase flashed unbidden through Zhang Huan’s mind.

Zhang Le glanced at Zhang Huan and Lin Yun. In his gaze, it seemed he could read their thoughts.

Lin Yun wasn’t a stunning beauty, but she was gentle and kind, devoted to his older brother. Her family wasn’t wealthy, but it was much better off than Zhang Le’s. Even so, when Zhang Huan was with her, most of his salary went to supporting his family, or to Zhang Le.

Lin Yun’s family had initially disapproved of Zhang Huan, but it was her persistence that won them over. Without her, his brother might never have brought her home.

“So, when are you marrying Sister Xiaoyun and letting me call her ‘sister-in-law’?” Zhang Le called out to his brother, glancing at Lin Yun, who had walked off with Yang Xiner.

“As soon as the resort is finished, Xiaoyun and I will be the first to marry here. Our wedding can mark the grand opening. How about that?” Zhang Huan replied.

“Perfect! When the time comes, Xiner and I will make sure to be here, standing by your side as best man and maid of honor,” Zhang Le said with a laugh.