Chapter Twenty-Eight: Turning the Tables

Chen Tianyu acted as he said he would. Early the next morning, he called the middle-aged woman by the lake—Yiruo’s Aimi—and informed her that he wished to enter Yiruo’s family with honor, following Mosuo tradition, insisting that he at least pay a formal visit to her home. The woman was taken aback, silent for a time before finally assuring him she would do her best to arrange it, asking him to wait patiently for news.

In Chen Tianyu’s plan, once he publicly entered Yiruo Jieker’s family, he could fend off most of her suitors in the short term and divert Yunji’s attention, freeing himself from scrutiny. Most importantly, he wanted to clarify Yiruo’s role in all this—was she merely a victim, or was there more beneath the surface?

From his shallow understanding, Mosuo women were not supposed to be so devoted, especially to an outsider, a wandering rogue. How could she be so unwavering? At first, he attributed it to changing times and shifting attitudes, supposing perhaps some would rebel against tradition.

But after meeting her, the delicate Yiruo Jieker, with her self-pity and lingering sorrow, hardly seemed a warrior defying tradition or daring to reshape the patterns of love. What was reasonable anywhere else seemed out of place at Lugu Lake—there was simply no need.

Chen Tianyu considered several possibilities:

First, Yiruo Jieker genuinely loved Xiao Su, deeply and irreversibly, sworn to eternal devotion. Yet this seemed highly unlikely; her current state was more dazed than passionate.

Second, Xiao Su was a skilled manipulator, a high-level PUA, who had successfully brainwashed Yiruo and was advancing his plan, laying new traps. Mosuo women, for all their different concepts, were still women, prone to certain weaknesses. If this were the case, Chen’s intervention could be meaningful, at least psychologically freeing Yiruo.

Third, Yiruo Jieker was controlled by some mysterious force, merely a pawn in a brewing conspiracy. He even suspected Qianya Liangzi was part of this group. As the detective of Beiting, he would never act out of emotion, and exposing her identity was but the first step. Did Qianya Liangzi truly intend to use Yiruo Jieker to wipe out the PUA syndicate?

Fourth, all were caught in an elaborate scheme, including himself and Zichen. Qianya Liangzi, a shinobi, was born for secret missions. Her real objective couldn’t be as simple as she claimed—for justice, to right wrongs. To believe her would be foolish.

Fifth, a hypothesis: Mosuo people value promises over formalities, even marriage is sealed with words. What secrets could not be kept? Perhaps Xiao Su had entrusted something crucial, even vital, to Yiruo Jieker, moved by this spirit of keeping promises… The idea came to him from that USB drive.

Given his impressions of Xiao Su, all five were possible. In this fog-shrouded situation, his greatest leverage was his repeated encounters and careful observations of Xiao Su.

Thus, except for the first possibility, Chen Tianyu felt compelled to approach Yiruo Jieker closely, and required a degree of privacy—so a walking marriage was imperative.

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Fire is the soul of the Mosuo, their foundation for existence and hope. Mosuo people are born beside the hearth, live beside it, and leave the world beside it; thus, the hearth is everything in their lives.

Hearths are passed down matrilineally. Women give birth beside the hearth, continuing the lineage. Meals are prepared by women beside the hearth, and in the end, women choose to pass away beside it. The hearth brings light, hope, and warmth, so the Mosuo revere fire as a deity in their hearts.

Chen Tianyu hadn’t expected Yiruo’s Aimi to invite him to her home for a meal the very next day. When he gladly accepted, he entered the ancestral grandmother’s house, not the fresh, modern flower house.

Though both the grandmother’s house and the flower house were built from thick, round logs and appeared sturdy, their age was evident at a glance. The grandmother’s house was inhabited by elders and children, while the flower house was for unmarried girls. Yiruo’s exquisite flower house was right beside the grandmother’s house, and he could see it at once.

He was curious and paid special attention to the flower house’s arrangement: along the eaves hung a row of colorful flags inscribed with symbols, and most striking were two windows suspended in midair, just wide enough for a person to pass through, their curtains dazzlingly bright.

Judging by the height, an ordinary person would struggle to climb up, though it was nothing for him. Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but smile inwardly, ashamed at his own awkwardness.

His partial knowledge of Mosuo culture made Chen Tianyu somewhat self-conscious, especially given the difference in ethnicity; he feared any misstep in conduct. Fortunately, the family was warm and welcoming, smiling repeatedly, assuring him there were no strict customs, just a simple meal.

After entering the main gate, there was a second door, with a passage naturally encircling the house, leading to the feed storage, kitchen, and pens for pigs, cattle, and horses.

Aimi led Chen Tianyu into the grandmother’s house.

Inside, the light was dim. In the faint glow, Chen Tianyu could vaguely see the spacious interior, the high ceiling. The entire Mosuo family lived in such a house, with the hearth, dining area, bedrooms, and living room all sharing a single space—a truly unique people.

The first thing he saw was the clean upper hearth, reserved for entertaining guests.

In the corner was a simple lower hearth, likely used by the Mosuo for their own meals.

The simplicity and darkness of the room, the sparse furnishings, made Chen Tianyu’s eyes mist. He recalled his days secluded in mountain villages, and the principle was much the same: simplicity breeds happiness.

Yiruo was absent, perhaps living apart from Aimi, usually hiding in the nearby flower house. This surprised him—could parental arrangements or matchmaking be at play, or had customs been assimilated?

Aimi vanished suddenly, and Chen Tianyu wondered if there were secret passages in the grandmother’s house. Soon she reappeared, her smile even warmer.

He guessed she must have just seen Yiruo.

Such ingenious architecture was a first for him.

With that, he felt a certain confidence, thanks to their initial, if shallow, conversation and Qianya Liangzi’s mediation. Yiruo likely understood his intentions.

“We are very easygoing here,” Aimi said with a cheerful smile. “Let’s eat first.”

The dishes were simple local fare, modest in quantity and variety, just like everyday family meals, helping Chen Tianyu relax.

Despite Aimi’s taciturn demeanor by the lake, at home she became talkative: “Actually, many tourists come to eat at my home, mostly uninvited. They pay extra for meals.” She paused, joking, “But their food is better than this.”

Chen Tianyu laughed, finding her candor refreshing. He replied, “I quite like it.”

“You must be curious why I chose you at a glance, and invited you to dinner?” Aimi stirred the rice in her bowl.

“I really don’t understand, since I’ve other girls around me,” Chen Tianyu answered honestly, eager for the real answer.

Aimi nodded, “Young man, I appreciate your frankness.”

She continued, “But you probably won’t get the answer you seek. Maybe it’s just that we Mosuo women have a unique intuition. I think you’re fated for Yiruo—and for me as well. The Living Buddha always tells us, everything is a matter of fate; greet those who come with a smile…”

Chen Tianyu was momentarily stunned, but glancing at the main hall’s decorations, he recalled they followed Mahayana Buddhism, which indeed emphasizes fate.

So he chose not to press further, just put down his chopsticks, folded his hands in gratitude. Aimi smiled and said nothing.

“These years, more and more tourists come to Lugu Lake, and our lives have improved…” Aimi spoke, but her eyes betrayed a trace of sadness.

Chen Tianyu caught it and responded, “I suppose the influx of outsiders has seriously damaged Lugu Lake itself?”

Aimi smiled bitterly, “Without these tourists, we’d struggle to survive.”

Chen Tianyu nodded, “That’s true, there are pros and cons. I imagine the biggest impact is on Mosuo culture and the original residents. I noticed few real Mosuo among those doing business on the lakeshore.”

Yiruo’s grandmother’s house and flower house were built on the mountainside, far from the lake’s edge.

“Yes,” Aimi agreed. “We’re not as savvy in business as outsiders—our minds are as simple as this meal.”

Chen Tianyu laughed, “Aimi, you’re too humorous.”

“Child, you’re the first to call me humorous,” Aimi smiled, her eyes reddening slightly.

“Do you want to formally walk a marriage with Yiruo?” she suddenly asked, straight to the point.

Chen Tianyu couldn’t bring himself to lie, so he replied honestly, “I can’t truly walk a marriage with Yiruo. I have only one love, the girl who follows me.”

Aimi showed no surprise, nodding and asking, “Is Yiruo not beautiful enough?”

“Not at all,” Chen Tianyu blushed, scratching his head.

Aimi saw his embarrassment and laughed, “It’s a matter of mutual consent. I won’t force you. Besides, walking marriage is for the long term. You really don’t know how to comfort me, do you?”

Chen Tianyu replied, “How could I dare? With your sincerity, I could never repay you with lies.”

He guessed Aimi was wise enough to understand his plan: “But I may need to walk a marriage with Yiruo in form. Would you permit it?”

Aimi answered readily, “True or false, I don’t mind. Young people’s affairs are for them to handle… From now on, I’ll no longer meddle in this matter.”

Chen Tianyu thought for a moment, “What about the others? Will they object, since I’m an outsider? Are there cases of Mosuo girls marrying outsiders?”

Aimi smiled, “Not many, but it happens.”

“Are many pursuing Yiruo?” he asked.

“They used to come in droves,” Aimi sighed. “But ever since she met that roguish wanderer, she’s never opened the door to anyone else. You know, we Mosuo never force things; they soon give up. As for outsiders, they’re just passing through, hoping for a bargain. Guides tell them stories, but nobody wants trouble.”

“Oh.” Chen Tianyu understood. “Aimi, why do you only have one daughter?” He decided to press the issue, not wanting to waste his visit.

“I can only say my daughter and I share the same character.”

Chen Tianyu suddenly understood—clearly, Aimi herself had only ever loved one man.

He fell silent, lost in thought.

Aimi explained further, “My daughter has always been obedient, but deep down very stubborn. Especially after university, her views seem different from ours.”

“Leaving the Mosuo village, changes are inevitable,” Chen Tianyu agreed.

They chatted idly through the meal, and he learned much; Aimi held nothing back, sharing many stories about Yiruo and Xiao Su.

Before he knew it, an hour had passed, and Yiruo never appeared.

Chen Tianyu finally confirmed, “Does Yiruo herself agree?”

Aimi laughed, “That depends on your ability. Our Mosuo men win women with charm.”

“Uh… well.”

Aimi suddenly leaned in, whispering a few mysterious words in his ear. Chen Tianyu was delighted—these must be the secret code for entering the flower house. He nodded, took his leave.

As he reached the door, Aimi muttered as if to herself, “Young man, I truly like you!”

Chen Tianyu dared not look back, his heart weighed down.

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Returning from the grandmother’s house to the lakeside inn, Chen Tianyu nearly collided with a burly figure. Lost in thought, he had been distracted.

Standing by the roadside was Yunji from Eagle Detective Agency, a wall of a man.

Yunji said little, only, “Off to the flower house so early?”

“And you’re here waiting for me so early?”

Chen Tianyu shot him a cold look, guessing when Yunji had arrived.

“Don’t rush, I haven’t gone to the flower house yet. First, I need to visit the Walking Marriage Bridge!”

With that, he slipped past Yunji and left, leaving the man alone, his cigarette smoke swirling beneath the brim of his hat, which glinted coldly.