14 – The Tree That Blows Bubbles
The Tree That Blows Bubbles
The Dai village was quiet in the afternoon.
It was still siesta time. Walking along the street, she saw no familiar faces, only the occasional scattered tourist taking photos here or buying things there.
Liang Youyun wandered aimlessly with Jiang Muhe, heading from the tavern toward the direction of the Nanla River.
She realized it had been a long time since she had strolled like this—without worrying about work, without planning routes, and without the need to take photos or shop.
The Dai village was beautiful. Every household grew various flowers and trees, with pomelo trees laden with tender green fruits. Deep purple star fruits, small and clustered, hung among the branches and leaves.
A cold salad shop by the roadside was bustling, surrounded by a circle of tourists at its entrance. Cold salad was like the Dai people’s afternoon tea. In Banna, there was nothing that couldn’t be made into a cold salad—fruits, meat, instant noodles. As long as they were seasoned with lemon, litsea cubeba, tamarind, and chili peppers, pounded and mixed, they were ready to serve.
Jiang Muhe saw a table inside the shop filled with various prepared cold salads and asked Youyun, “Do you want to try some?”
Youyun smiled and replied, “I do, but I’m already full!”
He chuckled, “Another day, I’ll invite you to my home and make it for you. I can guarantee it won’t be any worse than this shop’s!”
His eyes sparkled as he said this, a sign that his cooking skills were something he took pride in.
But Youyun couldn’t accept his offer. She only ate at the homes of those she was very close to or trusted deeply.
So she smiled and waved her hand, saying, “Well… I appreciate your kindness, and I believe your cooking must be excellent, but… forgive me, I’m not very used to eating at other people’s homes.”
Jiang Muhe nodded slightly and said softly, “I understand, it’s fine.” He didn’t press further.
Out of the corner of her eye, Youyun noticed how much he loved this place. This made her curious, so she turned her head to look at this man. He had completely become a Dai person—speaking the Dai language, cooking Dai dishes, and even his eyes and brows had taken on a resemblance to the local men. He even looked a bit like a handsome Thai actor. If he wore traditional Dai men’s clothing, no one would be able to tell he was originally from the north.
Yu Xiang had once said that the environment shapes a person, and six years were enough to change someone’s blood and appearance. Youyun suddenly felt that perhaps Jiang Muhe was living for that person—the one who had died, who must have been very important to him.
She hesitated, feeling she shouldn’t ask.
“What are you looking at?” Jiang Muhe touched his face. “Is there something on my face?”
Youyun snapped back to reality and smiled awkwardly, shaking her head. She said it was too sunny here and suggested they go to the bamboo grove by the river.
There was a small bamboo grove by the Nanla River, and deep within it was a viewing platform where one could stand and enjoy the scenery of this small stretch of the river.
Jiang Muhe leaned against the wooden railing of the viewing platform, facing her, watching the breeze lift her hair.
Youyun simply undid her braid, let her hair loose, and then combed it back into place so it wouldn’t dance in the wind.
Muhe was captivated, her full cheeks and rosy lips seeming to exude a sweet fragrance, drawing him slowly closer.
“What are you looking at? Is there something on my face?” Youyun looked up, mimicking his words.
“…Nothing.” Jiang Muhe smiled and turned his gaze away.
Liang Youyun took a deep breath and said naturally, “Look, this scenery, this environment—it’s so atmospheric. It feels like anything you do here would be relaxing and soothing. No wonder this place is a wellness sanctuary. Maybe when I retire, I’ll buy a house here too, facing the rainforest, spending my later years carefree.”
Jiang Muhe looked at her again. She spoke as if she truly meant it, stirring a flicker of sadness in his heart.
“Have to wait that long?” he teased.
“Of course! I’m not like you, with no worries about food or drink. I still have to work hard!” Youyun clenched her fist and waved it in front of him, showing her determination, then added a similarly teasing remark: “You know what they say online—34 is the age to chase your dreams!”
“Why 34?” Jiang Muhe stared at her blankly, seemingly not understanding, as if asking DeepSeek with 2G internet speed.
“…It’s just a popular internet meme.” Youyun rubbed the tip of her nose, cleared her throat awkwardly, and said, “Not funny, huh…”
Jiang Muhe had no choice but to say, “Sorry, I don’t go online much.”
“It’s fine, no need to apologize. It was just a joke,” Youyun said, then looked at him with a puzzled expression. “But you’re really good at it—you don’t seem like someone who doesn’t go online much.”
Jiang Muhe found himself at a loss again. “Good at… what?”
Good at flirting. Youyun swallowed her words, holding back.
Who knew if he was genuine or pretending? But he looked a bit troubled. Maybe flirting was a skill unrelated to being online—perhaps it was just a natural talent.
They began walking back, leaving the bamboo grove and retracing their steps along the same path.
Perhaps feeling a bit drowsy, Youyun yawned and glanced back—only to find Jiang Muhe gone!
Looking further ahead, she saw him standing under a large physic nut tree.
This tree was taller than most physic nut trees. Jiang Muhe stood on tiptoe, reaching his arms into the branches and leaves. His fingers traced along a leaf stem and plucked a palm-sized leaf.
“Youyun, come here,” he called excitedly, waving her over.
The address made Liang Youyun pause. Among her friends, she was most often called “Sister Youyun” or, like Zhang He, addressed by her full name with a sense of entitlement, as if she owed him money.
But Jiang Muhe had unexpectedly changed how he addressed her, calling her “Youyun” when she least expected it.
“Come on!” he stood there, still waving, the leaf swaying in his hand.
It was just a nickname, after all—it was only natural to call her that. Otherwise, should he call her “Secretary Liang”? Too formal. Or “Liang Youyun”? Forget it—their relationship was far from as close as hers with Zhang He.
She hurried over. Jiang Muhe stretched out the physic nut leaf in his hand, broke the stem with both hands—but not completely, leaving it partially connected. A stream of sap immediately oozed from the joint.
Then, facing Youyun, he gently blew on the still-connected part. Instantly, countless shimmering, smooth bubbles flew out from that tiny spot, as if by magic—as if someone had filled the leaf with soapy water in advance.
Liang Youyun tilted her face upward, watching the beautiful bubbles. She poked them one by one with her index finger, popping them. The final target of her finger was the tip of Jiang Muhe’s nose.
It was the largest bubble, as if intentionally flying in front of him to lure Liang Youyun into popping it.
Liang Youyun’s fingertip felt as if it had been scalded, and she quickly withdrew her hand. Even the tip of his nose was warm.
“…I’m sorry.” She felt extremely embarrassed.
Jiang Muhe lowered his gaze, taking in her flustered state, and smiled. “It’s fine.”
In high spirits, he reached out to pluck another leaf.
As he stood on tiptoe, his waistline was fully revealed. Youyun couldn’t help but glance at it—such a firm waist, such powerful arms.
Perfect for hugging.
Jiang Muhe handed her the leaf he had picked. “Want to give it a try?”
Actually, she knew that physic nut leaves could be used to blow bubbles—Yu Xiang had told her, because the base of the leaf stem contains natural saponins. But she had never tried it herself. The sap was toxic and required extra caution.
Alright, she might as reluctantly try it once. After all, she was leaving soon, so she should seize the chance to experience what she could.
She mimicked Jiang Muhe’s technique, trying to snap the leaf stem. One attempt didn’t work—the stem felt like a limp rubber band, refusing to break. Her hands trembled, afraid she might accidentally get the sap on her skin.
But the more nervous she was, the harder it became to snap.
In her moment of impatience, Jiang Muhe’s long, elegant hands came to rest on hers.
He didn’t completely cover her hands but instead pinched her fingertips, adjusting the angle and guiding her to apply force. The leaf stem instantly turned brittle and snapped with a crisp “crack!”
Yet his hands didn’t pull away immediately. He continued to hold hers, gently rubbing the broken end until the sap flowed out, forming a small, transparent film.
Only then did he withdraw his hands.
“Be careful not to touch the sap—it’s toxic,” he reminded her, his brow unconsciously furrowing.
Youyun’s heart raced so fast it felt like it might cramp, and her face flushed hot. She blew gently on the film, and in an instant, bubbles swarmed out…
She turned away, pretending to chase those fragile bubbles, while inwardly reminding herself fiercely: It’s out of friendship that he treats you this way. He’s probably done this with countless girls before. Don’t fall for it—stay rational. He’s a high-level hunter, and you’re no ordinary prey either!
She took a deep breath.
Liang Youyun turned back, wearing a bright smile, and complimented Jiang Muhe, “I never expected you to have such a playful side!”
Jiang Muhe laughed happily. “I was just as amazed when I first saw it. I never knew leaves like this existed.”
“Was it when you first came to Mengla?” Youyun asked, crossing her arms as she walked forward.
“It was during my time in the military, on my first mission in the rainforest. That’s when I learned about it,” Jiang Muhe replied, following her. It was Yan En who had told him.
Liang Youyun tried to keep the conversation light, casual, and indifferent. She playfully nudged his arm with her elbow and chuckled brightly. “Look at you, saying you don’t know how when you clearly do! You make it seem so romantic—girls must really fall for that, right? Fine, since you’re handsome, I, the secretary, won’t hold it against you!”
Jiang Muhe listened, and his smile instantly froze at the corners of his mouth. So that’s what she meant.
“I’ve never done this with anyone else,” he said firmly, stopping in his tracks and addressing her retreating back with solemn emphasis. “Never.”
His tone was so resolute that Youyun, staring at the ground, could almost see the shadow of a well-trained special forces soldier in his upright silhouette.
“Ahem, I was just joking! Lighten up—don’t take it seriously!” Youyun didn’t turn back and continued walking forward.
She escorted him to where his car was parked and watched as he stood by the door, hesitating to get in.
His expression grew more serious than before, while Youyun deliberately kept it light, giving him a sheepish smile. “You’ve eaten, you’ve had fun, now please rate today’s service!”
Jiang Muhe was disarmed by her comical expression and sighed, saying, “Five stars.”
“Thank you!” Youyun clasped her hands in gratitude.
But he didn’t seem ready to leave yet, so Youyun could only cast a puzzled look his way.
Understanding her meaning, Jiang Muhe asked, “You said earlier that you’re 34?”
Youyun thought for a moment. “Mm-hmm.”
“Have you celebrated your birthday yet?”
“Later this month.” She checked her phone calendar. “Yes, the 22nd.” Looking up, she asked, “Why? Do you have something in mind?”
Jiang Muhe chuckled. This woman really didn’t hold back at all, which left him at a loss.
“Could I get the chance to celebrate your birthday?” he asked with a smile.
“Well… I usually go drinking with friends on my birthday,” Youyun said honestly.
“I have wine at home.”
“Uh… What I mean is, I celebrate with my friends, a big group, very noisy.”
“My place has room.”
This time, it was Youyun’s turn to laugh, but she fully embraced her assertive nature and replied directly, “Then I can only say sorry, my friends and I already have plans!”
Jiang Muhe looked at her intently, making one last effort. “Could I join? Your birthday party.”
He spoke earnestly, and Youyun showed a reluctant expression. “Well, you probably wouldn’t get along with them—my friends, I mean.”
As soon as she said it, she felt it was a bit too harsh. It wasn’t a good reason to refuse, and it even seemed disrespectful. But she was determined—words spoken were like water spilled. Even if she regretted it, it was better than being vague. At 34, she shouldn’t stir up trouble in matters of the heart!
“Do I seem that unsociable?” Jiang Muhe shifted his gaze into the distance, as if talking to himself.
Youyun lowered her head and said nothing more. She had made herself clear.
“I understand.” Jiang Muhe focused his gaze and nodded at her. “It’s fine. I was just asking casually, don’t feel burdened.”
She heard him take a slow breath. His resolve crumbled in their exchanged glances, turning into scattered bubbles that she then popped.
He turned, got into his car, started the engine, and waved briefly to Liang Youyun through the windshield before driving off.
Youyun watched the car disappear into the green trees not far away and finally let out a sigh of relief.
She told herself: Liang Youyun, you did great. You overcame yourself and didn’t easily step into a relationship that would go nowhere. See? Beijing’s dazzling days are waving at you—you mustn’t lose the big picture over something small!