Chapter 663

Chapter 663 In Perfect Harmony

“Then… why are we moving in circles?” Lysander questioned.

Finished

“I was simply testing the waters,” Josiah replied with a wry smile, summoning the courage to put his sailing lessons to use. Leaning forward with determination, he straightened his arm and, gathering his strength, plunged the oar back into the water with vigor.

This time, the boat didn’t merely spin in circles as it had previously, but instead, it began to veer off course, heading in the wrong direction. If it weren’t for the steps protruding from the shore, the boat might have crashed onto the land, creating a spectacle.

Seeing this, Nilou began to doubt Josiah’s proficiency in rowing. Wanting to preserve his dignity while offering gentle guidance, she advised, “Josiah, don’t rush. Take it slow.”

Nearby villagers, seasoned in navigating these calm waters while collecting lotus seeds, offered their insights. “The water in the pond is still; it’s nothing like rowing in a river. You can’t rely on the current to carry you here,” one villager noted, sharing a slice of local wisdom.

“Indeed, rowing a boat is more than just the physical action; you must harness the force created on the water’s surface to propel yourself effectively!” another added insightfully.

“No need to rush; otherwise, you’ll wear yourself out too quickly… chimed in another.

Their simple yet profound understanding, born from daily life rather than scholarly study, was straightforward and accessible.

Josiah wasn’t embarrassed by their guidance but was rather grateful for the communal knowledge. “Thank you, I’ll give it another try,” he responded with appreciation, his tone respectful.

He adjusted his technique, lightening his strokes, and finally, the boat began to navigate in the correct direction. Yet, after only a short distance, the boat showed a tendency to start spinning again.

Lysander, seated across from him at the bow, watched with a barely suppressed smile. “How about I give rowing a try? Perhaps my lack of sailing experience might actually be an advantage here,” she suggested, her voice laced with mild amusement.

Indeed, Josiah’s extensive experience with sailing–which did not involve oars–ironically seemed to hinder rather than help his current endeavor.

It had been some time since Lysander had seen Josiah so unguarded and joyful, free from any traces of sorrow or stress. Rather than feeling embarrassed about receiving a lesson on rowing in front of an audience, he found the situation amusing.

“No need, I’ve figured it out now. Let’s head to that less crowded area in the middle. I noticed the lotus flowers there are almost wilted; it thight be easier to collect the seed pods,” he proposed confidently, now steering the boat with more assurance toward their intended destination.

The villagers, initially concerned that the city youngsters might find themselves in trouble, now relaxed as they watched the boat navigate/successfully. They returned to their tasks, keeping a watchful eye from a distance.

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Balance 720 + 115

1 Coins = 1 Pearls

81%

Chapter 663 In Perfect Harmony

the firm stem of a nearby leaf.

Finished

By the time Josiah reached a promising cluster of lotus pods, Lysander had inadvertently collected at handful of mud.

Pausing the boat, Josiah moved to assist Lysander, who declined with a polite shake of her head. Instead, she stood up carefully, balancing on the edge of the boat, and began selecting the best lotus pods. “This is one of the village’s main sources of income,” she explained judiciously. “We can’t just pick them indiscriminately. Those that haven’t fully matured or are still blooming should be left alone.”

“Understood,” Josiah agreed, joining her in the careful selection. Without scissors, they both quickly found their hands covered in mud as they worked to safely detach the pods.

Filled with a sense of accomplishment, Lysander smiled broadly, wiping her mud–streaked hands on her clothes before dipping them back into the water to rinse them off.

Josiah soon followed suit, cleansing his own hands before taking up the oars once again. As he rowed them back toward the shore, he engaged Lysander in light conversation. “People are often shaped by their environment. No matter how beautifully a water tank in a courtyard is arranged, it cannot replicate the natural habitat necessary to grow lotus pods like these…

Their return journey was smooth, and as they neared the shore, Josiah prepared to assist Lysander with the lotus pods. However, upon noticing the mud smeared across her face, he hesitated, his words faltering.

Lysander, noticing his pause, asked, “What’s wrong?”

Josiah instinctively reached out to wipe the mud from her face but stopped, mindful of the many eyes on them. Instead, he gestured to his own cheek, hinting, “You have something here…”

Catching her reflection in the water, Lysander’s expression froze. More than just a spot, her face was comically streaked with mud, resembling a patchwork of earthy tones. Flustered, she hastily cleaned her face, feeling embarrassed about stepping ashore.

The villagers, observing the scene, chose not to tease further. Instead, they began to commend her efforts.

“Dr. Thorne, you’ve gathered so many lotus pods on your first try, that’s quite impressive,” one praised.

“Mr. Guerra must be a natural at rowing,” another speculated, admiring their haul.

“Wow, look at that lotus pod; it’s the largest we’ve seen today,” pointed out another.

As Lysander stepped onto the shore, her arms brimming with lotus seed pods, she overheard a comment from the bystander and glanced down at the large, ripe lotus po she was holding. Intrigued by its size and freshness, she couldn’t help but lean down to savor the rich, sweet aroma that enveloped her.

Josiah, observing Lysander’s struggle with the heavy load, quickly came to her aid, taking on the bulk of the weight. Together, they handed the boat over to Nilou and made their way back to the quaint house by

the lake.

The bounty of lotus pods was more than Lysander could possibly consume at once. Concerned about wasting such a precious resource, she decided to keep the largest pod as a keepsake, offering the rest to Nilou.

Balance:

720 +67

1 Coins = 1 Pearls

08:32 Tue, 2 Jul

Chapter 663 In Perfect Harmony

downward, they’ll keep for quite a long time,” she advised.

Finished

She quickly retrieved a traditional clay jar, typical of those found in the village. With a practiced hand, she immersed several lotus flowers into the jar, enhancing its aesthetic with their vibrant freshness.

The evening meal mirrored the lunch they had earlier, with the notable inclusion of a hearty mint oatmeal. After dinner, Nilou’s parents had to attend to their duties at the pond’s edge, vigilantly guarding against ducks from neighboring villages that might prey on the young fish not yet fully grown. Their responsibilities often required them to stay out late into the night.

Nilou and Rhizone had long adapted to this routine. They fetched a flashlight from their home and led Josiah and Lysander to the small house nestled amidst a dense thicket where fireflies glowed and darted.

Upon opening the door, they revealed a room with just a simple bed and a table with chairs.

The space was clean but unmistakably worn. The walls were covered with old newspapers, and one side of the window frame had succumbed to rot, cracking under the strain. Weeds had even begun to sprout from the gaps in the brickwork.

The modest accommodations were a stark contrast to the more sterile environment of the health center’s dorm. For anyone unaccustomed to such rustic living, the house’s condition would be challenging to accept at first glance.

As Lysander turned to discuss their plans, Josiah preemptively announced, “I’m stepping out for a moment, please wait for me here.”

“All right, Rhizone, lead the way,” Nilou instructed her younger brother, who followed Josiah out. Taking initiative, she then gathered the bedding and pillows. “Dr. Thorne, let me prepare the bed for you two,” she offered graciously.

Josiah responded kindly, “There’s no need for that. I’ve brought along a camping tent, and we won’t be sleeping on the bed.”

Lysander felt a wave of confusion at his words but before she could express her concerns or ask for clarification, Josiah had already departed toward the parking area with Rhizone in tow.

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