Peach Blossoms in Chang'an

Chapter 269: The Little Happiness in a Quiet Life

After seeing their good friend off, Wu Tao and Hu Bugui both felt heavy-hearted. Although they were living in a peaceful era, their past experiences had taught them that danger often lurked in the dark and was hard to guard against.

"Taotao, don't worry," Hu Bugui held Wu Tao's hand, his eyes full of determination, "We will protect each other and the world."

"Yeah!" Wu Tao nodded vigorously. Hu Bugui's words gave her great strength.

In the following days, Wu Tao and Hu Bugui continued their lives while secretly strengthening their precautions. Hu Bugui strengthened the security measures of the martial arts school and began to secretly investigate the whereabouts of the mysterious organization. Wu Tao used his influence to post some obscure information on the Internet, trying to lure the snake out of its hole and explore the other party's true and false.

They know that the road ahead is still long and challenges are everywhere, but they are ready to face every challenge together.

On a sunny afternoon, Wu Tao and Hu Bugui were walking in the city as usual. Suddenly, Hu Bugui's eyes were attracted by a strange color at the corner of the street. He took Wu Tao's hand and walked in that direction.

Turning the corner, a small garden hidden between tall buildings appeared before their eyes. In the garden, there bloomed a beautiful flower they had never seen before, with crystal clear petals and a faint fragrance, as if it came from another world.

"It's so beautiful!" Wu Tao sighed softly. There was actually such a pure land hidden in this city.

"Yes," Hu Bugui also nodded in admiration, "As beautiful as you."

Wu Tao rolled her eyes at him playfully, but couldn't help but smile. The two of them strolled in the garden, enjoying this rare tranquility.

"Why don't we have a picnic here?" Wu Tao suggested, "Invite everyone to come together and let them feel this beauty."

Hu Bugui naturally had no objection. He took out his mobile phone and sent a message to the friends they met in the Tang Dynasty, inviting them to gather in this secret garden on the weekend.

As soon as the news came out, it immediately received a warm response from everyone. They hadn't been together for a long time, and everyone was looking forward to this picnic.

The weekend arrived quickly, and Wu Tao and Hu Bugui came to the garden early to set up the venue. They prepared sumptuous food and drinks, and bought some flowers for decoration.

Soon, friends also arrived one after another. Everyone couldn't help but admire the beautiful garden.

“It’s so beautiful here!”

"Yes, it's like a fairyland!"

Everyone sat on the soft grass, enjoying the delicious food, chatting, and sharing each other's recent situation. Wu Tao and Hu Bugui also joined their conversation, with happy smiles on their faces.

"Do you remember the first time we met?" a friend asked with a smile.

Wu Tao and Hu Bugui looked at each other, their eyes filled with memories.

"Of course I remember," Hu Bugui said with a smile, "At that time..." "At that time, you thought I was an assassin," Wu Tao took over the conversation, his eyes full of smiles, "If I hadn't reacted quickly, I might have been knocked down by your palm."

Everyone burst into laughter after hearing this, as if they had returned to that era full of thrills and laughter.

The sunlight shines through the gaps in the leaves, casting mottled spots of light on the ground. The breeze blows by, bringing the fragrance of flowers and plants, adding a bit of comfort.

"By the way, Taotao, do you still remember the time we danced at the palace banquet?" a friend asked, "You stunned the whole audience, and even the emperor praised you highly!"

“Yes, yes,” another friend echoed, “At that time you were standing in the center of the stage, shining brightly, like a fairy descending from the sky.”

Wu Tao's cheeks flushed slightly. She gently pushed Hu Bugui beside her and said angrily, "It's all your fault. You insisted on dragging me to attend the palace banquet and made me the center of attention."

Hu Bugui just smiled and looked at her, his eyes full of doting. He knew that although Wu Tao complained, she actually enjoyed the feeling of being noticed.

"Okay, let's not talk about that anymore," Hu Bugui took out an exquisite box from behind him, "Taotao, this is for you."

Wu Tao took the box curiously, opened it and saw that it contained a handmade photo album.

The first page of the album was a picture of Wu Tao when she first traveled to the Tang Dynasty. At that time, her face was still somewhat confused and uneasy.

Turning the page, it is the scene of their first meeting in the Imperial Garden. In the painting, Hu Bugui is tall and straight, with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, full of heroism; while Wu Tao looks panic-stricken and on edge.

Turning the pages further, there are scenes of them fighting side by side, escaping hand in hand, and confessing their deepest feelings to each other... Each photo records every detail of their time in the Tang Dynasty, and also witnesses the budding, growth, and expansion of their love.

The last page is a group photo of them in modern society. In the photo, their faces are filled with happy smiles, and the background behind them is a modern city with tall buildings.

Wu Tao flipped through the pages one by one, her eyes gradually moistening. These photos not only recorded their past, but also carried their future.

"Do you like it?" Hu Bugui asked softly.

Wu Tao raised her head and looked at the man who loved her deeply. She nodded vigorously, and then...

Wu Tao was deeply moved. She leaned gently into Hu Bugui's arms, and tears finally fell from her eyes. "Thank you, Bugui. These are my most precious memories." She sniffed and tried to calm down. "For you, I will cook a table of your favorite dishes today!"

As the sun sets, the kitchen is filled with smoke and fragrance. Wu Tao is wearing an apron, humming a cheerful song, busy at the chopping board. Hu Bugui is like a child, coming up to her from time to time and stealing a few bites of the freshly cooked dishes, which makes Wu Tao scold her repeatedly, and the kitchen is filled with laughter.

As night fell, the sky was dotted with stars. After a sumptuous dinner, Wu Tao and Hu Bugui walked hand in hand in the garden of the community. The moonlight fell on them, as if they were covered with a layer of silver gauze.

"Bugui, what do you think will happen to us in the future?" Wu Tao looked up at the starry sky, his eyes flashing with longing for the future.

"In the future..." Hu Bugui pondered for a moment and held her hand tightly, "Let's work together and live a peaceful and happy life, just like today."

"But I always feel that we can do something to make this love that transcends time and space more meaningful." Wu Tao said thoughtfully.

Hu Bugui stopped and looked down at her, his eyes full of tenderness, "What do you want to do?"

Wu Tao took a deep breath and said with a firm look in his eyes: "We...we can..."

"We can build a cultural exchange center together," Wu Tao said with excitement in his eyes, "to bring the culture of the Tang Dynasty to the modern era, so that more people can understand that heyday of poetry and your story!"

Hu Bugui was slightly startled, then a doting smile appeared on the corner of his lips, "Okay, I'll listen to you." He knew that Wu Tao was always concerned about that era in her heart. Establishing a cultural exchange center could not only satisfy her wish, but also make the connection between them closer.

They started preparing right away. Wu Tao, relying on his understanding of the history and culture of the Tang Dynasty, collected a large amount of information, from clothing, food to poetry and music, striving to present the style of the Tang Dynasty in its original form. Hu Bugui used his connections in modern times to contact venues and recruit personnel to ensure the establishment of the exchange center.

The days passed by in a busy and fulfilling way. Wu Tao and Hu Bugui's life was full of sweetness and warmth. They would go to the museum together to visit Tang Dynasty cultural relics on weekends, practice calligraphy and learn guqin together in their spare time, and read Tang and Song poems in each other's arms at night, feeling the cultural resonance across time and space. Their love also became deeper in this peaceful and tacit relationship.

On the opening day, the Cultural Exchange Center was packed with guests and was bustling. Wu Tao, wearing a Tang-style dress designed by herself, stood elegantly on the stage and introduced the concept and goals of the exchange center to the guests. Hu Bugui, dressed in a straight suit, followed Wu Tao with his eyes full of pride and love.

However, at this moment, a waiter walked up to Hu Bugui and whispered, "Sir, here is a letter for you."

Hu Bugui frowned slightly, took the envelope, opened it, and his face suddenly became solemn. There was only one line of words on the letter: I know your secret, if you don't want it to be exposed, come and see me...