Chapter 16: On The Self-cultivation Of A Mistress (A Jumping Leopard) - Part 2
Qin Mo was deep in thought, walking absentmindedly to the Fountain Square of Licheng University.
The large, round square had a classical fountain in the center, and in the southeast corner stood a huge LED screen, which would play campus interviews or self-produced videos.
The construction of her alma mater was becoming more and more complete. Qin Mo adjusted the strap of her shoulder bag and looked up at the large screen ahead.
What was playing was a fun interview video produced by the school’s news club.
A young girl, very pure and beautiful, the type that all boys in their adolescence would be fond of, appeared on the screen.
The young girl was accompanied by another girl who was the complete opposite, with a beauty that could be described as enchanting.
The two of them answered the campus reporter's questions in perfect unison, smiling at the camera—one pure, one alluring. They were sure to captivate many hearts.
Qin Mo couldn't help but smile herself.
She knew these two "youngsters." More precisely, she knew their mothers, who were prominent female entrepreneurs in Licheng.
"Two beauties, would you be willing to share your thoughts on love or your ideal partner?"
As student life is always filled with anticipation for love, Qin Mo watched with interest. The pure-looking young girl, Qiao Simu, said, "As for me... I prefer studying."
The girl next to her, Mo Zhen, immediately followed suit: "Studying makes us happy."
The screen then froze, and a crow flew by with a comical "caw, caw, caw" sound effect added for humor.
Qin Mo looked at the two young girls and suddenly smiled.
As she smiled, for some reason, tears started to well up at the corners of her eyes.
The idea of love and an ideal partner—Qin Mo had also been asked similar questions by a campus reporter back in her school days. Her answer had been rather clichéd: "Supporting each other through thick and thin, and growing old together."
Looking back now, it seemed so naive and laughable.
However, just three years of marriage had crushed her image of love, turning it into dust and smoke.
The screen suddenly went black, likely reaching the set closing time.
Qin Mo sniffled softly, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to fall. She raised her hand and quietly wiped the corner of her eye.
She shouldn't be crying; she knew it wasn’t worth crying over.
Shen Jin, hiding behind a tree several meters away, secretly glanced at Qin Mo, noticing her seemingly wiping away tears. Her heart twisted.
Why is she crying again? Is she a little crybaby kitten?
With a soft sigh, Shen Jin unzipped the long zipper of her costume and took off the small violin she had been carrying on her back.
The costume was already loose, so Shen Jin easily took the violin case from her back and placed it on the ground.
She pulled the violin out of the case and then peeked at Qin Mo. Seeing that she had sat down on a bench by the side of the square, Shen Jin felt relieved.
She rested the violin on her shoulder, gently pressing it to her chin, and holding the bow in her hand, she slowly drew it across the strings.
A delicate melody from Schumann's "Traumerei" drifted out, its soft tones sounding especially beautiful on the quiet campus.
Qin Mo heard the slowly flowing music, paused for a moment in surprise, and then turned around curiously to search for the source.
But she couldn't see anyone.
It was already late, perhaps someone was practicing the violin.
Filled with curiosity, Qin Mo couldn't help but be drawn to the beautiful and soothing violin sound, listening intently.
The violin's tender, expressive notes were like whispers of a love story. This piece, Schumann's "Traumerei,"* was inspired by his beloved Clara, full of passion, tenderness, and a romantic atmosphere.
*dream/reverie/fantasy
The night was enchanting, the moonlight pouring down, and the beautiful, deserted square. In the center, the classical fountain splashed gracefully, and the elegant violin music lingered in the air.
Qin Mo was entranced by the smooth and gentle violin performance, and her previously downcast mood seemed to be healed by the music.
She didn’t know how much time had passed, but suddenly, she snapped out of the romantic atmosphere and looked around, confused.
The violin music had ended as if it had just been a beautiful dream, a wonderful illusion.
The perfect "Traumerei."
Qin Mo glanced at her watch and was shocked to see it was already 11 PM. She hurriedly stood up, wanting to rush out of the school gates and head home.
But after walking a few steps, she suddenly remembered something. She quickly turned around and headed back toward the place where the violin music had come from.
Hidden behind a tree, Shen Jin happened to stretch out a furry "leopard leg." She had planned to follow Qin Mo out, watching her get into the car before driving off herself. However, Qin Mo unexpectedly made a sudden "turnaround."
Seeing Qin Mo swiftly approaching, Shen Jin dared not continue following. She hurriedly swung the violin case strap over her neck, turned around, and put on her headpiece before running off.
It seemed she had forgotten to adjust the costume when she was handling the violin earlier. Now the lower part of the costume hung loose, and Shen Jin had no choice but to awkwardly hold onto the headpiece with one hand while pulling up the drooping pants of the costume with the other, running and hopping clumsily as she fled.
Thus, Qin Mo witnessed a bizarre sight under the moonlight:
A "snow leopard" walking upright, hopping and running on the moonlit path, its large tail dragging on the ground. The hurried escape looked utterly comical.
Qin Mo stopped in her tracks, staring blankly at the snow leopard fleeing, and then remembered a video she had once seen.
"Never scare a snow leopard, because it will jump, jump, jump~"
So, little Station B* didn't lie to me? Qin Mo stood there, dumbfounded, her mind a bit muddled.
*Bilibili
"Didn't they say after the founding of the country, animals are not allowed to become spirits*? How come there is an exception with this 'big cat'?"
*The term originated from a bizarre ban by the State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television that went viral on the Internet in 2014. This phrase was often used to tease animals that are cute and smart, often behave like humans, and say that they seem to have become spirits. Nowadays, it is more broadly to describe not only animals but also other things or situations where something seems to have acquired qualities beyond the ordinary.