Chapter 34: Filming a Documentary at the Prince's Mansion Pool

During the Daoguang era, "Jinan Prefecture Chronicles: Landscapes II" recorded that Zhuoying Spring was once called a lake, previously located within the palace of Prince De, now found outside the west wall of the Shandong Provincial Governor's Office, a hundred steps away, commonly referred to as the Prince's Pool.

This pool, over forty yards in length, flows north from the ditch, passes through residential alleys, emerges beneath Qifeng Bridge, and, traversing the Baihua and Quehua bridges, enters Daming Lake.

Around the Prince's Pool, springs abound, their waters converging into a river, winding through small bridges and twisting alleys, deep mansions and shallow courtyards, where green willows sway. Everywhere is the picturesque scenery described by Liu E, the poet of the Qing dynasty, in "Notes on Old Travels," with every household’s spring water and every door’s drooping willows.

—

The young girl's beautiful eyes sparkled, her smile gentle and charming; every expression seemed worthy of a painting.

This delightful scene not only pleased the children playing in the pool but also drew the gaze of passing pedestrians.

"Hey, guys, quick, look—who is that?"

"Isn't that our class monitor?"

"She looks like a completely different person after changing clothes. She's making my heart flutter."

Qu Peng, Wang Fan, and Li Liang, summoned by Gu Bin’s call, hurried from their respective homes. Passing by the Prince's Pool, they happened upon a film crew shooting.

The roar of the motorcycle abruptly ceased. Wang Fan stared at the girl standing gracefully by the water's edge, pure and ethereal like a lotus emerging from the lake. His mouth fell open in astonishment, and it took him a long while to regain his composure.

"Hey, snap out of it."

Qu Peng, unable to watch any longer, slapped Wang Fan’s shoulder hard. "Your drool is about to come out."

Page (1/3)

"Get out of here, stop talking nonsense."

Wang Fan’s handsome face darkened, brushing off Qu Peng’s hand. "Don’t ruin my image in front of the beauty."

"Pfft—"

Qu Peng teased him with a grin. "You have an image? That pitiful image of yours was destroyed by the discipline director ages ago. Don’t forget, she’s the class monitor—she despises troublemakers like you the most…"

"Sigh, if only I hadn’t acted up back then…"

Wang Fan smacked his lips, regret washing over him. "I’m dying of remorse. Why didn’t I get closer to the class monitor during school? Even asking her about mistakes could’ve been a chance to hold her hand."

"Enough already…"

Li Liang couldn’t bear to listen and kicked him. "Get lost, you’re blocking the way. Gu Bin is still waiting for us at home."

"Who says he’s at home?"

Wang Fan, unfazed by the kick, grinned. "Are you blind? Don’t you see that big guy standing by the pool, teaching a bunch of kids how to swim…"

"Where?"

Li Liang really hadn’t noticed, and his confusion was obvious.

"This guy, all he cares about is the pretty girl."

Page (2/3)

Qu Peng, enjoying the drama, fanned the flames.

"Ahem."

Li Liang’s ears turned red from their combined teasing.

"Hey, Li Liang, let’s make this clear."

Wang Fan, noticing Li Liang’s strange expression, seized the moment. "I saw the class monitor first—none of you can compete with me."

"Why should you get her?"

Li Liang was clearly displeased, snapping back.

"Exactly, why should you?"

Qu Peng switched sides, joining Li Liang in teasing Wang Fan. "A fair lady is pursued by gentlemen—why can you chase her but we can’t? Just because you reek of money? The class monitor isn’t that shallow."

"Oh? You two really want to compete with me?"

Wang Fan’s crafty eyes darted around, a plan forming. "How about this: Gu Bin said he wanted to climb Mount Tai, right? Let’s bet—whoever can invite the class monitor to join us wins. The losers must withdraw and never again try to steal a brother's girlfriend."

Page (3/3)