"The bird... 'The Empress' isn't a prop. It might be the fairy of this mountain."

"Possibly?" Jiutiao Meijie said with a tone that was both dismissive and slightly irritated.

"Go and wash up. Oh, and wake them up as well."

After the two ladies woke up, the three of them took their clothes and went to the hot spring.

They split into two groups when they left, but they returned together.

For breakfast, they had grilled fish, vegetable salad, rice, and miso soup - a simple island-style breakfast.

The air was cool at the mountain top on a late May morning, making the miso soup just right.

"I'm no chef, so don't be too critical," Dubian Che said.

"It's okay; even a plain picnic tastes good," Mrs. Kiyono remarked, though it was hard to tell if it was a compliment.

"Let's not talk about breakfast first. What's with this bird called 'The Empress,' Mr. Dubian?" Mrs. Jiutiao asked.

"I encountered it during a morning run in the forest. Maybe it knows today is the anniversary of my relationship with Meijie and came specially to congratulate us?"

"Saying it in such a romantic way. It's just a bird," Jiutiao Meijie said while eating her grilled fish.

"It's just one of the gifts," Dubian Che said.

"Oh?" Mrs. Jiutiao asked curiously. "What else is there?"

"Please allow me to keep that a secret."

"Only telling Meijie?" Mrs. Kiyono asked.

"Only telling Meijie," Dubian Che confirmed.

The conversation gravitated back to 'The Empress.'

The two ladies were very curious about it; they asked what kind of bird it was and where it was caught, and even discussed not being in a hurry to build a villa and campsite but instead capturing a few of them to keep as pets first.

After breakfast, the five of them went for a walk to the lake.

They walked along the mountain ridge, under a sky so vast it felt like walking at the edge of the world.

'The Empress' disappeared from sight now and then, only to fly back from unexpected directions, chirping merrily at Jiutiao Meijie.

After walking for fifteen minutes, they came upon a hillside blooming with wildflowers.

White, yellow, blue, pink - flowers tight against each other, covering the entire hillside, a dazzling sight.

"After lunch, we'll come here to paint and nap!" Mrs. Kiyono announced, thrilled.

"Be careful of bees stinging you," Mrs. Jiutiao joked.

"I have a straw hat; I'll just cover my face with it."

"What if they fly under the brim?"

"Are bees that smart?"

"Look at 'The Empress'. This place might have spirits, and animals could be very smart here."

The two ladies chatted happily.

Kiyono Lin was too tired to speak; Jiutiao Meijie was silent, pondering something; Dubian Che was trailing behind, glancing occasionally at the scenery and then at Jiutiao Meijie's delicate figure.

Upon reaching the highest point of the ridge, they were facing a descent, with the lake just below.

The lake was smooth like a mirror, its blue waters reflecting the blue sky and fluffy white clouds.

A simple scene, yet exhilaratingly beautiful.

"A lake on top of the mountain," Dubian Che muttered to himself.

"Yes, this place used to be a volcano," Mrs. Kiyono said. "Nice, right? I made the purchase."

"Generous," praised Dubian Che.

"Did you do it on purpose? Why not praise my investment foresight?"

"We haven't made money yet, have we? What if it flops?" Dubian Che said.

"If it flops, we'll just turn it into a private campsite and villa."

"Very generous!" Dubian Che exclaimed again.

Everyone descended the slope to the lakeside.

The shore was rocky, without mud, occasionally washed by waves that left the rocks smooth and shiny.

Standing near it felt like facing the ocean.

"Let's go boating," Mrs. Jiutiao said, leading the way to where boats were docked.

Two wooden boats, each equipped with life jackets and oars.

"Us two young women in one group, and you three in another, okay?" Mrs. Jiutiao said.

In the ladies' minds, the best scenario was to let Kiyono Lin and Jiutiao Meijie share a boat without Dubian Che, but that was impossible.

"I'll be with you," Kiyono Lin said. "Today is their anniversary, let them have some time alone."

Mrs. Kiyono looked at Mrs. Jiutiao, who after a thought, said, "Alright, Lin, you come with me..."

"Wait," Jiutiao Meijie suddenly spoke up. "You're coming with us."

Kiyono Lin looked at her, surprised.

She had suggested giving the couple some alone time because she felt off today, but Jiutiao Meijie seemed even more off.

Not just Kiyono Lin, but Dubian Che and the other two ladies were also surprised by her words.

Kiyono Lin regained her composure and nodded, "Okay."

Dubian Che watched Jiutiao Meijie, and she gave him a deep look in return.

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