The summer sun was high in the sky, a relentless, brilliant orb beating down on the land. A full year had passed since the climactic incident with the Seventy-Two Islands, and the intense heat hung heavy and still, a stark contrast to the turbulent events of the past.
But today, the heat was merely a backdrop to contentment. Ma Jingguo and Mu Dishi traveled side-by-side, having spent the past years happily journeying up north. Their current movements were unhurried, conveying a deep, settled peace that came from resolving years of conflict. They had made the significant decision to finally return home to Tong Village after their long absence, seeking the quiet normalcy of the place where their lives had first become intertwined. The dark shadows of their past were finally eclipsed by the bright, shared light of their future.
Ma Jingguo held a broad, oil-paper umbrella, its shadow encompassing both himself and the man walking calmly by his side, Mu Dishi. The dirt road beneath their feet was dry and hard, rutted in places from recent cart traffic, kicking up small clouds of dust with every step. They were heading toward their home in Jiangnan, now a destination of peace.
Ma Jingguo looked affectionately at Mu Dishi. "Xiao Shushu, Li Village is just ahead." He paused, offering a choice of their itinerary. "Should we stop at the inn where we usually stay? Or do you want to go straight to Wu Village?"
Mu Dishi replied, "There is nothing in Wu Village; let's rest at the inn."
Ma Jingguo and Mu Dishi walked across a bridge, and they saw a man and a woman arguing under the bridge. The woman seemed angrier with the man than he was with her.
The man pleaded, "You have to be quiet."
The woman raised her voice. "Why? I'm not wrong!"
The man tried to mollify her. "I have admitted that I was wrong. I swear I will never do that again. As your lover, please give me some face."
The woman raised her voice louder, insulted. "Lover?" She threw the wet clothes she was holding at the man. "So, you treat me as your lover, eh?" She angrily put both of her hands on her waist and stared pointedly at the man.
As soon as Ma Jingguo heard the word "lover," he stopped, his gaze fixed on the couple. Mu Dishi walked slowly ahead, leaving Ma Jingguo behind.
The woman pointed at the man, her voice ringing with clarity. "If I wanted to be your lover, what was the point of me marrying you? From the day we became husband and wife, I am no longer your lover. I am your wife!" She grabbed her husband's right ear and pulled him upward. "I hope you remember this. I am your wife, and I am not your lover!"
The man got up quickly because of the pain. He begged his wife, "I was wrong. I'm sorry. We are not lovers because you are my wife, and I am your husband!" He kissed her cheek. "My beautiful wife... I will wash the clothes. You stay right there and watch your husband wash the clothes."
Ma Jingguo looked at Mu Dishi, who had already walked across the bridge. He rushed over and embraced Mu Dishi from behind.
Mu Dishi instantly resisted. "Jingguo, don't hug me; we are in the open!"
Ma Jingguo squeezed him. "Xiao shushu... I understand now!"
Mu Dishi insisted. "You let me go first."
Ma Jingguo released his hug but grabbed Mu Dishi's hands, holding them tightly. He smiled joyfully. "Xiao shushu, I understand what you meant!"
Mu Dishi was confused. "What?"
Ma Jingguo laughed at himself. "I'm so stupid... so stupid... I don't know how stupid I am!"
Mu Dishi was perplexed by Ma Jingguo's sudden excitement. He looked at him and asked, "What's wrong? You look so excited."
Ma Jingguo beamed, his entire face alight with joy. "Because I am both happy and excited!"
He stopped, gently turning to look deep into Mu Dishi's eyes, his expression becoming serious and tender. "Xiao Shushu, when I asked you if we were lovers, your answer was 'no.' I was very angry, and because of that answer, I had always held a grudge against you. I was too stupid to understand your answer." He brought Mu Dishi's hand to his lips and kissed it softly.
"But today, I finally understand why we are not lovers," he confessed. "Because we are beyond lovers. We are a married couple, moving past short-lived passion to create a partnership built on strong emotional maturity and the willingness to work together to overcome life's challenges. That is the relationship that needs mutual support, communication, shared values, and respect to thrive."
Mu Dishi smiled, a sweet look of vindication. "That's good that you finally understand."
Ma Jingguo confessed his new wish. "From now on, I don't want to be your lover anymore."
Mu Dishi asked, his eyes wide. "Why?"
Ma Jingguo declared, his voice filled with commitment. "Because I would rather be your lao gong!"
Mu Dishi's cheeks flushed suddenly. "Stop talking!" He turned and started walking away quickly.
Ma Jingguo happily held the umbrella and walked quickly to catch up with Mu Dishi. He smiled warmly at him and said, "Xiao shushu... I am really happy."
The two men continued their heartfelt conversation, the shared intimacy of their words surrounding them like a private world, even as they finally arrived at the inn. The journey's end coincided with the close of the day; the evening sun began its slow, fiery descent, painting the sky in deep hues of orange and violet.
When they stepped inside the inn, the intimate bubble burst. The large common room was bustling and loud, filled wall-to-wall with martial artists from various sects. The air hummed with conversation, the clatter of bowls, and the smell of strong wine, transforming their quiet arrival into a sudden, conspicuous return to the center of the martial world.
Ma Jingguo smiled, observing the lively scene. "This scene is familiar." He went straight to the innkeeper. "Laoban, we would like one room."
The innkeeper looked up apologetically. "Sorry, sir, our inn is full. We have no more rooms."
Ma Jingguo protested, "This is the only inn. It's going to be dark in the new few hours; where are we supposed to sleep?"
The innkeeper explained, "There's nothing I can do. We are truly full due to the competition in Shaolin that's held every two years. There are even people sleeping in the wooden shed."
Ma Jingguo asked, "What about food?"
The innkeeper smiled. "That we can do." He called out, "Waiter, take these two people to a table!"
When they sat down and the waiter brought their food, they looked around and noticed that most of the guests were young martial artists. Ma Jingguo grinned at Mu Dishi. "Should we barge into Shaolin?" Mu Dishi stared at Ma Jingguo coldly. Ma Jingguo chuckled. "I'm just kidding."
The innkeeper walked up to Ma Jingguo. "Sir, the martial artists refuse to sleep in the wooden shed. If you two don't mind..."
Ma Jingguo replied, "We don't mind, but if you can, please find someone to clean it before we finish eating." He tossed a small gold ingot to the innkeeper.
The innkeeper smiled broadly. "I will send someone to deal with it immediately!"
Early in the morning, the young martial artists left, heading north to Shaolin. Ma Jingguo and Mu Dishi headed south toward home. After leaving the Sunset Sect a year ago, they had stayed in Tianshan. It took them two days to get from their village back to Sunset Mountain. Now, leaving the mountain, they would be home within two days.
As they approached the dock, Mu Dishi stopped suddenly. Ma Jingguo turned around and asked, "Xiao Shushu, what's the matter?"
Mu Dishi looked at Ma Jingguo and said, "Jingguo, let's buy a boat and sail to the south of the Yangtze River."
Ma Jingguo looked at him. "Are you sure?"
Mu Dishi smiled sweetly. "I promised you a long time ago to accompany you to the south of the Yangtze River."
Ma Jingguo smiled in response. "I had forgotten. Xiao Shushu... as long as I am with you, there is no need to travel across the Yangtze River to make me happy. My biggest dream is to be by your side and take my last breath in your arms. Honestly... I already accomplished half of it."
Mu Dishi started walking slowly toward the dock, and Ma Jingguo, seeing his resolved pace, quickly followed. When they asked around, no one wanted to sell their boat to them. Ma Jingguo finally persuaded a boatman to rent his boat.
Ma Jingguo and Mu Dishi got onto the small boat. The boatman slowly rowed it into the open water. Ma Jingguo and Mu Dishi put their bags on the table and rested inside. Ma Jingguo saw the red horizon and the beautiful, colorful orange sunrise. Ma Jingguo stood up and walked to the front of the boat. Mu Dishi hurriedly followed.
Ma Jingguo sighed contentedly. "Xiao shushu, I have always wanted to watch the sunrise and sunset with you." He turned to Mu Dishi and smiled. "To be honest, I really wanted to give up on you at that time, forget you, and concentrate on becoming the best martial artist in the martial art world, but no matter how I tried, I couldn't forget you."
Mu Dishi asked, "Why?"
Ma Jingguo smiled. "Because I came to love you before I loved martial arts."
Mu Dishi and Ma Jingguo stood side-by-side at the front of the boat, watching the sunrise. Mu Dishi held Ma Jingguo's hand tightly. "Thank you."
Ma Jingguo gently chided him. "Xiao shushu, we talked about this. There should be no thank you or apologies between us. Have you forgotten?"
Mu Dishi looked up at him. "I haven't forgotten. I also want to say thank you for loving me. This is also the truth." Mu Dishi stretched his arm around Ma Jingguo's waist, and Ma Jingguo hugged him close.
Ma Jingguo stroked Mu Dishi's hair. "Xiao shushu, I have dreamed of this moment since I was a teen. Thank you for making this dream come true."
Mu Dishi apologized playfully. "Sorry, this dream of yours took a long time to complete."
Ma Jingguo smiled at Mu Dishi, then lowered his head and kissed Mu Dishi's lips.
Ma Jingguo murmured, "Xiao shushu, have I told you that I really, really like you?"
Mu Dishi replied, tenderly, "Yes. Jingguo... I really, really like you too."
Ma Jingguo teased, looking ahead. "This time of the year is perfect for boat travel. Do you want to go to Tianshan next year or Mu Village?"
Mu Dishi surrendered the decision to him. "Do whatever you want. You lead the way, I will follow."
Ma Jingguo teased, "Whatever I... I want to touch the smooth skin of xiao shushu." He laughed.
Mu Dishi sighed happily, walked back to the table, and sat down beside the guzheng. Ma Jingguo looked at Mu Dishi and chuckled. He reached to his belt, took out his jade flute, started playing their favorite tune, walked slowly back to the table, and sat opposite Mu Dishi. Mu Dishi unwrapped the guzheng and looked at Ma Jingguo. His slender fingers began to pluck the strings.
While the young martial artists continued to strive to gain their reputation and position in the martial arts world, Mu Dishi and Ma Jingguo happily sailed freely along the Yangtze River. Sitting opposite each other, Ma Jingguo played his flute and Mu Dishi played his guzheng. As their small boat sailed between the mountains along the Yangtze River, the gentle, intertwining melodies of the guzheng and flute drifted several miles away in the late morning sky.