I’m really immortal Chapter 61

Some people swim from this side to that side, while others swim from that side to this side.

It’s hard to imagine that in the 10th year of Taiwan’s economic takeoff in the 1970s, when Taiwan’s per capita GDP was close to $2000, someone would bring a basketball from the Silver Gate and swim all the way here. This person said: As a Taiwanese, I deeply love this land that has nurtured me, and I’m willing to dedicate my life to its prosperity and happiness. However, as a Chinese, I feel that Taiwan should contribute more to the country’s history… Our generation has ambitious young people who won’t stand idly by… From now on, I firmly believe that the mainland will take off… When I stand by the river, listening to the rushing water, it really makes me feel like a great hero who can’t compare to Li Bing and his son, who contributed to the happiness of future generations for thousands of years… I have a sense of guilt about this life!

There are always some people who can see into the future, making decisions that others can’t understand.

Liu Chang’an’s decision to swim from Antan to Taiwan is even more unbelievable, because someone had tried it before – a few people took turns swimming, with a lifeboat following to replace the swimmers, and it still took several days and nights to cross the strait.

But Liu Chang’an is a different kind of person. Normally, going to Taiwan would be a bit troublesome, and time-consuming. Su Mei and Ye Siyin are around the same age as Qin Peng, and they’re all older than Qin Yanan. They’re living day to day, and who knows when they’ll leave?

Crossing the strait is actually a pretty ordinary thing to do. If you don’t hurry, you can bring a large log to the beach, dig a hole in the middle, and sit inside. The log will float with the current, and as long as you adjust the direction in time, you can reach any coastline in the world, passing through the Bering Strait, around the Arctic Ocean, and down to the South Pole, where you can see penguins on the ice caps.

Of course, this isn’t a particularly enjoyable process. Most of the time, traveling on land is a more comfortable and beautiful journey, with varied scenery at every turn. One turn of the angle, and you can see a beautiful landscape, or a primitive tribe’s stone axe and hunting bow.

There are also many delicious foods, especially some fruits and other things that can poison ordinary people, which are really tasty.

The long-distance swim in the sea can get a bit boring, although you can occasionally play and explore the marine life.

When dawn broke, Liu Chang’an had already arrived at the coast of Juzhun, which is only a few dozen kilometers away from the administrative center of Taiwan, his destination. He changed into dry clothes in a secluded spot.

He took out his phone screen as a mirror and tidied himself up, adjusting his facial expression.

After resting for a while, Liu Chang’an found the Juzhun high-speed rail station and bought a ticket to get in.

Taiwan’s high-speed rail stations don’t require identification or security checks, and the platforms are like those in the mainland 10 years ago, with no safety barriers. There are usually only two platforms, one for southbound and one for northbound trains.

Individual Taiwanese people don’t seem to differ much from those in the mainland, but when a group of Taiwanese gather in a train car, you can feel their distinct cultural and spiritual atmosphere.

This is the peak hour for commuters, and the monthly pass from Juzhun to Taipei is only a few thousand local currency, which isn’t too burdensome for white-collar workers with decent salaries.

Of course, someone with a $22,000 salary wouldn’t be so extravagant.

Liu Chang’an got off at Taipei Station, looking around like all the new tourists, taking in the sights and sounds of the city. Most of the street surfaces don’t have designated pedestrian paths, and many stores open directly onto the motorway. The urban greening is also average, but his purpose wasn’t to sightsee. Fortunately, there are no large commercialized residential areas like those in the mainland, and Taiwan’s city districts have basic amenities like self-service banks, kindergartens, post offices, supermarkets, ticket machines, and express delivery cabinets, all making it easier for Liu Chang’an to navigate the city.

Taipei has its own advantages and bustling areas, but if you want to take in the entire city, most of its regions look more like the old county towns in the mainland’s Taihang Mountains, Wuling Mountains, and South Mountains… The infrastructure in X County is not even comparable, because the new city planning designs have progressed too much, with a gap of several eras.

When you come to a new city, you should take a stroll and leave some impressions. You’ll have many feelings and reflections. Life needs some sentiment or excitement; otherwise, it would be too dull, and you’d forget you’re part of this world.

Or maybe you need to pretend to be part of this world.

The Zhu family has already branched out, with many relatives and acquaintances scattered throughout Taipei.

The Zhu family has a big mansion, but Su Mei might not be there. She should be rarely seen in public, or else there wouldn’t be no news about her on the internet.

Liu Chang’an turned on his phone, but his SIM card didn’t have international roaming, and he couldn’t connect to the network. He couldn’t apply for an official free Wi-Fi account since he didn’t enter the country through normal channels. He had to go to 7-Eleven to eat and surf the internet.

Liu Chang’an originally planned to find Qin Yanan himself, but he decided against it. He didn’t download a network phone app, so he tried to find Qin Yanan’s WeChat ID and added her as a friend.

“I’m now in Taipei, and I want to see Su Mei.”

“What? You’re in Taipei now?” Qin Yanan asked, still surprised, even though they had lunch together just yesterday. Despite the advanced transportation, it still felt a bit unexpected.

“Yes.” Liu Chang’an took a photo of the 101 Building, which is Taipei’s highest, and a landmark. On a clear day, you can see it from many places.

“It’s hard to see Madam Su, except for Zhu Juntang and Zhu’s third lady. The others in the Zhu family can’t easily see her.” Qin Yanan replied, somewhat troubled.

“I only need to know where she is.”

“You need to tell me why you want to see her.”

“Because I’m someone she would want to see, and I want to see her before she passes away.”

“That’s not right. Why didn’t you come to see my great-grandfather?” Qin Yanan asked, puzzled.

“Don’t argue with me.”

Qin Yanan took a deep breath, trying to calm down. This little brother-in-law is really infuriating, but she shouldn’t be like that, especially considering her great-grandfather’s instructions.

Qin Yanan sent Liu Chang’an the address, “I’m not entirely sure about this address. Zhu Juntang said she was there when he returned to Junsha. Normally, she’s by Old Lady Zhu’s side, but since Zhu Juntang just returned to Junsha, Old Lady Zhu should still be there. If not, you can contact me again, and I’ll ask Zhu Juntang.”

“Thank you, Little Southern Girl.”

“What?” Qin Yanan was startled by his term of endearment.

“Your grandmother was often called Little Ye Girl when she was young.”

“Then I should be Little Qin Girl, too!”

“It’s obvious that Little Southern Girl is cuter. Shouldn’t the term of endearment be based on cuteness? Does it have something to do with the surname?”

Qin Yanan felt that Liu Chang’an’s thinking was hard to understand. At least he finally learned to flatter people… No, that’s not it. He’s just giving people nicknames based on his own preferences. He didn’t say she was cute.

Liu Chang’an finished his orange juice, memorized the map, and headed to the address Qin Yanan provided. To his surprise, Su Mei’s residence was near the Tulin Official Residence. It seemed her physical condition was still good, or else, at her age, she would want to live in a more remote area with better medical care.

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