In the Cemetery of Pessimism, the tombstones were actually like monuments with quotations written on them, the topics mostly funny or thought-provoking, all about how to combat stress, worries, pessimism, and depression.The goal of the one who built the park was probably to share to people a unique attraction where they could not only reflect and chill out, but laugh and learn of some good sayings that were both meaningful and useful in daily life.
"The real meaning behind the name of the place is suggesting you to bury all the negative thoughts in your mind so you"ll be freed from stress and things depressing you," Selena explained as they joined the people roaming the beautiful green park with "gravestones" and fortune trees scattered here and there. "As you know, no matter the age, everyone is susceptible to stress. It doesn"t discriminate between young and old, or rich and poor. Depression is also like that."
He nodded, "You"re right. … Those are things looming above the heads of every human, in varying degrees and forms. Students worry about their grades, or performance at school, and perhaps interactions with friends too. Adults constantly worry about work and expenses at home. Those at marriageable age that are having difficulties finding partners always have to worry when their parents would nag at them or send them to a blind date. Some elderly are having trouble sleeping at night thinking of how long they"ll live or if their children would visit them even once a month once they die…. I"m sure what I mentioned are only among the few."
"Even a baby can feel stress according to the research I read before. If you"re curious just searched about it from Baidu," she added.
Jiang Li saw that there were even some people bowing and praying before those. He thought of something funny and laughed, "I hope that what the people coming here wanted to bury, the sources of their stress and worries, are not actual people."
Indifference was on her face. "Why not? Online, some people confessed that"s what they did when they visited this tourist spot, wis.h.i.+ng to the G.o.ds or spirits in the monuments to take them away from their lives."
He was a bit surprised and silent for some time. "Is she praying the same and I"m the target?"
The thought was ridiculous but to be safe, he wrapped his hand around her waist and led her outside the "cemetery."
"Let"s leave. I think we"ve seen enough. The place is not something people would want to visit more than once."
She neither agreed nor disagreed. Her focus was on something else.
"… You"ve been getting used to holding me without my permission." While frowning, she whispered in a low voice.
He heard no trace of anger, so he merely smiled.
There were other spots nearby which they could visit so they naturally checked those out. One of the places was a mansion allegedly owned by one of the emperors from thousands of years ago. A pity it was closed that day for maintenance.
It was around three in the afternoon when they arrived back at the department store where they had their items stored. However, they did not really stop there, but instead crossed the street and walked around the park opposite it. The place was a tourist attraction as well with many amazing sights. The pair did not settle with appreciating the garden, landscapes, and everything the place could offer though walking.
Jiang Li rented a quadricycle, a human-powered one since it was those vehicles emitting black smoke that were forbidden inside.
He had to affix an idiotic smile on his face for more than thirty seconds before Selena recovered from the daze and reluctantly entered the sidecar.
"…You"re the first guy to make me ride a children"s vehicle…" she said while giving him a side glance.
She took in the sight of a tall and mature-looking man sitting on a seat that was so small and holding onto a hand bar which was also very disproportionate from his stature. Then she laughed, feeling like her situation was a lot better than his.
He shrugged helplessly as he pedaled. "There is nothing that can be done about this. The rental shop doesn"t have anything better to offer. At least it has a vehicle attached to the bike which can accommodate a single pa.s.senger. I"m sure you won"t want to take the seat behind mine."
"… True." Although she was slim, she had no confidence that the small s.p.a.ce there would be able to accommodate her.
She lightly looked away and up at the sky which already had some orange and dark blue hues faintly spreading on the western side. She had been to this city before so she knew once the evening falls, it would be very cold, as if it was heralding the winter season.
Should she request the man to take her back to the capital?
For a long while, she couldn"t decide. She had to admit that the tour had been quite memorable, and since the city had more places to offer, there was a part of her wanting to go all the way and visit every scenic spot with him. Don"t ask her the reason why.
He circled the park thrice, letting her see more of the pleasant sight there. He then urged her to try moving the quadricycle by herself while he takes a rest. It took him another cycle to make her agree. But when the scriptwriter took over, even he felt like it was a mistake. Without even completing a whole lap, she had already b.u.mped against five vehicles… and among those, three were being run by kids…
It was totally unfair for him to receive her sharp glares when she was the one at fault. But of course, he had to keep his silence or else she might walk out and then ignore him for days.
…
The two returned the quadricycle around five pm then crossed the street to get their belongings from the opposite building. After that, to Jiang Li"s surprise, she walked towards the large hotel situated only two buildings away.
When she was showing her ID to the receptionist and getting a room, he asked, "Why did you suddenly decide to stay a night here?"
The response he first got was a belittling look probably targeted at his IQ.
That made him think and then when the answer came to him, and hurriedly took back what he said. "Forget that I ask. I know, it"s not safe to take a return trip at night."
Selena watched him as he awkwardly nodded.
"En. This city is on top of a mountain and the way here has many twists and turn. A large part of the road has or near a cliff and some parts have streetlights so distant from one another. Of course, it"s not advisable to travel at night," she added.
"Should I be guilty now that I made her stay this late in this city?" he wondered.
A while later, a thought popped up in mind. "… In second thoughts, maybe I should not, since if she"s determined, her bodyguards are hiding nearby and could drive her home. Or is also being considerate of them, not wanting them to drive along the roads at the cliffside in the middle of the night?"
Shaking his head, he also presented his ID and asked for a room.