The boats heading to Jin Hu Island were all private vessels.
Jin Hu Island was not a tourist attraction, but an artificial island painstakingly built at a great cost by wealthy magnates to escape the hustle and bustle.
Besides eight villas, it also featured a garden for leisure and recreation.
Everything had been artificially carved out. While not excessively large, it was certainly ample.
The lake's surface was tranquil, its water clear, shimmering under the sunlight.
Gliding on it was incredibly refreshing.
"What a grand undertaking!"
Lin Fan couldn't help but exclaim. The feng shui here was exceptional, a place where dragons gathered!
Viewed from the small boat, it resembled two giant dragons intertwined, swallowing the heavens and expelling the earth.
The dragon heads converged at Jin Hu Island, appearing like two dragons playing with a pearl.
The essence of heaven and earth gathered on the island, forming a dragon-gathering locale!
Such feng shui could nurture prosperity, wealth, and longevity, blessing future generations.
However, to artificially create such a blessed land required immense skill.
Ordinary feng shui masters could not possibly achieve this.
Who knew how many talented individuals these wealthy people had sought across the country for this dragon-gathering site.
Although Lin Fan recognized this feng shui arrangement, with his current strength, it would be difficult to execute alone.
"When we get to the island, remember to speak less and observe more, and try to remain quiet, understood?"
The young woman, while rowing, carefully instructed.
She was Ye Zi's maid, and a remarkably beautiful and poised woman.
From her rowing technique, Lin Fan noticed that this young girl was no ordinary person. She possessed a hidden power within her; she was likely a martial arts master.
"Miss, what should I call you?" Lin Fan asked with a smile.
"You can call me Ling'er," the young woman replied.
"Ling'er miss, with technology being so advanced now, and the people living here not lacking money, why don't they buy a speedboat?"
"Doesn't it tire you to row like this?"
The small boat they were in was less a boat and more akin to a single leaf.
Bundled together with hemp ropes, bamboo stalks formed the raft. Ling'er stood on it, using a bamboo pole to propel forward, exhibiting the demeanor of a martial arts hero from a wuxia film.
From the dock to Jin Hu Island was at least three to four kilometers. To cross this distance by just pushing with a bamboo pole, who knew when they would arrive.
"The island's owners dislike noise and prefer quiet, so there are no modern means of transportation."
"This way, it reduces environmental pollution and also eliminates engine noise."
"When Miss Ye Zi wishes to go boating, I would pole the bamboo raft around the lake with her. I've grown accustomed to it."
Ling'er explained with a smile.
Lin Fan marveled at the ingenuity, thinking these wealthy people truly knew how to have fun, foregoing the benefits of technology to live like people of old.
Seated on the boat, he dabbled in the water, watched the fish, and felt a sense of returning to nature.
Seeing him fidgeting, Ling'er merely smiled, not scolding him.
Essentially everyone who visited Jin Hu Island for the first time was as playful as he was.
"The fish in the lake are ornamental. Don't get any bad ideas. If the island owners find out you're stealing fish, they'll surely hold you accountable."
Lin Fan chuckled awkwardly and released the fish he had managed to catch, "I was just worried the fish were bored and decided to keep it company."
After a long while, the small boat finally stopped.
Ling'er disembarked first, tying the small boat to a large tree, then gestured for Lin Fan to get off.
The path on the shore was paved with pebbles, making for a very comfortable walk.
In the park beside them, an old man in a Tang suit was quietly practicing Tai Chi.
"The movements are quite standard."
Lin Fan, unable to stay still, looked around like a monkey.
Ling'er lowered her voice and reminded him, "Don't talk nonsense. This is Grandpa Liu from Villa Number Two."
Grandpa Liu heard their voices and chuckled, "It's fine, it's fine. Ling'er, is this young friend a distinguished guest of your Miss Ye?"
Ling'er nodded, "Grandpa Liu, this is Lin Fan, a villager from Luofeng Village. He's here to deliver watermelons for my lady."
"Oh?" Grandpa Liu raised his eyebrows, seemingly surprised that a mere farmer could be invited by Miss Ye to Jin Hu Garden.
He looked at Lin Fan, "Does young friend Lin also understand Tai Chi?"
Lin Fan shook his head, then nodded, "It's alright. This kind of superficial style doesn't require much understanding. One look and you know what it's about."
"Silence!" Ling'er sharply rebuked him. No one on Jin Hu Island dared to speak to Grandpa Liu like that!
Grandpa Liu, however, waved his hand, unoffended.
"Ignorance is forgivable. Since young friend Lin looks down on Tai Chi, then you must be an extraordinary recluse."
Lin Fan grinned, "Not an extraordinary recluse, but I can certainly defeat someone like you."
"..."
Ling'er was speechless. Indeed, a country bumpkin with no worldly experience!
"Young friend Lin, how about we spar a little?"
Grandpa Liu narrowed his eyes, wanting to exchange blows with Lin Fan.
Just as Lin Fan was about to agree, Ling'er stopped him.
"Grandpa Liu, my lady is waiting. Could we have him deliver the watermelons first, please?"
Grandpa Liu nodded gently, "Very well. I shall wait here. Young friend Lin can come anytime."
"Thank you."
Ling'er quickly thanked him and hurried Lin Fan away.
Lin Fan wondered why this old man spoke as if he would be staying for a long time.
After delivering the watermelons, he would come back for a spar.
Primarily to see if the old man was ill, and to earn some money.
"Have you forgotten what I told you earlier?"
Ling'er's expression was displeased.
Lin Fan shrugged, "The old man didn't get angry, did he? Besides, he was the one who invited me."
"Sigh!"
Ling'er sighed helplessly. This fellow truly didn't listen to reason!
"Alright, alright. After you deliver the watermelons, leave quickly. Don't cause trouble here."
Lin Fan followed behind her. The scenery along the way was pleasant, with excellent landscaping.
There were only eight villas in total, spaced far apart from each other.
From Villa One to Villa Eight, arranged in order.
Miss Ye Zi's Villa Number Three was nestled within a bamboo grove.
"Miss, I've brought him."
Ling'er pushed open the door and called out.
Lin Fan followed closely. The first thing that caught his eye was a stream diverted from the lake, forming a small pond in the courtyard.
In the center of the courtyard stood a large cherry blossom tree. With every gentle breeze, petals would drift down.
The entire surface of the pond was covered with pink cherry blossom petals, making it exceptionally beautiful.
Seated by the pond was a woman, draped in a white cloak.
"Come in."
A voice as pleasant as a yellow oriole came from her.
Lin Fan was momentarily stunned. The voice sounded somewhat familiar!
"Yes." Ling'er responded.
Then she cautioned, "Lin Fan, this time, please, please do not speak carelessly. My lady detests people who speak without restraint."
"Whatever she asks you later, answer truthfully, understand?"