On the streets, lanterns shone like dragons, while in the sky, the moon glowed like water.
“On the twelfth night of the tenth month in the sixth year of the Yuanfeng era, I took off my clothes, ready to sleep, when the moonlight entered my room. I felt delighted and got up to visit Zhang Huimin at the Chengtian Temple. Huimin was also awake, and we strolled in the courtyard together. The courtyard was filled with the sound of water, and the shadows of the bamboo and Chinese cypress trees danced on the ground. Is there a night without a moon? Is there a place without bamboo and Chinese cypress? It’s just that there are few people like us, who appreciate these things.”
Liu Chang’an left the KTV and saw Bai Liu standing under a streetlamp, with a long shadow cast behind her. Qian Ning and Lu Yuan were standing beside her, trying to comfort her with words, but their faces looked anxious.
Liu Chang’an put his hands in his pockets, smiled, and looked up at the moon as he walked home.
In the past, before the invention of computers and mobile phones, people’s leisure activities didn’t seem to differ much from those of ancient times. They would drink, have fun, play chess, go on trips, read books, appreciate flowers, and enjoy the seasons. The only difference was that they didn’t have electronic devices to keep them entertained.
In the past, people valued spiritual connections and friendships more than just seeking entertainment. For example, when Su Shi saw a beautiful moon, he would rush to find Zhang Huimin to share the moment with him. The most important thing was the moonlit conversation.
Su Shi was a master at describing the moon. He didn’t only write about the celestial moon in “Shui Diao Ge Tou” but also wrote about the moon in “Ji Chengtian Temple Night Roaming”. His descriptions were always crystal clear and ethereal.
Liu Chang’an walked under the moonlight, still enjoying his phone and computer. He took out his phone and saw a WeChat message.
“The moon is beautiful tonight. I’m taking a walk with my mom, and we’re discussing Zhu Ziqing’s ‘Lotus Pond Moonlight’.”
“I just thought of Su Shi’s ‘Ji Chengtian Temple Night Roaming’. But you’re discussing Zhu Ziqing’s solitary appreciation of the moon, while I’m reading Su Shi and Zhang Huimin’s brilliant descriptions of the moon.”
“Hehe, because there’s a lotus pond downstairs. My mom said that people who still appreciate the moon in this flashy world are either lonely or have strong character, and they can still find peace in the midst of chaos. Which kind of person are you?”
“A lonely person.”
“How can that be? I think you’re eloquent, knowledgeable, and should have many friends and admirers. How can you be lonely?”
“If your mom understands, then what kind of person is she?”
“She… she said she’s a lonely person too.”
“…”
Liu Chang’an went back home, feeling a bit hungry. The simple dishes like braised fish and fish heads couldn’t satisfy his hunger, so he needed to eat something more.
There were still some taro left at home, given by Liu Lao Tai, who owed Liu Chang’an five yuan after a game of cards. Liu Chang’an naturally understood that it was just a friendly gesture from their elderly neighbor.
Taro could be used to make porridge or replace rice to make flour. In ancient times, it was often taken as a staple food during wars, and it could be used to make a sweet and filling meal. Liu Chang’an boiled the taro, added some tender white cabbage, and seasoned it with soy sauce. The taste was sweet and satisfying.
After finishing his meal, Liu Chang’an took a walk to the mahjong hall, where he saw the old folks still gathered, playing mahjong. Liu Chang’an helped Liu Lao Tai with a hand but didn’t get any winning cards and was chased away.
As he walked past the van, Liu Chang’an hesitated for a moment, then unlocked the door and entered the van. He gently placed the bowl on the coffin lid and stared at the coffin, which seemed to be attracting his attention.
The things that could catch Liu Chang’an’s attention were very limited, but in the quietness of this night, the coffin, with its mysterious aura, seemed to be alive, radiating a strange glow. Liu Chang’an felt a bit uneasy and took the bowl away.
The feeling of unease disappeared immediately, and when he turned back to look, the coffin seemed to be just an ordinary object, like those in a museum, with only a historical aura remaining.
Tomorrow was a holiday, and Liu Chang’an planned to visit the museum. He washed the dishes, cleaned up, and decided to spend the day reading or taking a walk, so as not to waste the holiday.
Before going to bed, Liu Chang’an took one last look at the western sky, where the moon was shining brightly. The trees in front of his house seemed to be reflecting the water, and the shadows of the trees looked like they were dancing on the ground.
The next morning, Liu Chang’an used the leftover fire in the stove to cook a pot of rice, which was called “white cloud slice” in Jinling. Although his cooking wasn’t refined, the taste was good. He took a bowl and went to the door, where he saw the old folks gathered under the Chinese parasol tree, discussing something.
The tree had lost more leaves overnight, and Liu Lao Tai scientifically concluded that the tree was sick and needed to be injected. She had seen similar trees on the streets of Beijing when she visited her son’s family during the New Year.
Old Man Qian disagreed, saying that it wasn’t the right season, and the tree was just shedding its leaves as it usually did in the summer.
The old folks started discussing, and finally, they asked Liu Chang’an, who was reading a book, to provide a scientific explanation.
“Maybe there’s a treasure buried under the Chinese parasol tree that’s absorbing the essence of the universe,” Liu Chang’an thought for a moment and said confidently. “There’s a record of it in Li Daoren’s ‘Ji Xing Ji’.”
Liu Chang’an’s explanation was unscientific, but it sparked a new round of discussion. The old folks started telling stories of strange events and legends, and Liu Chang’an listened with interest, sharing his own knowledge from various novels and stories.
“Before liberation, this was a graveyard. I once dug up a bone when I was planting vegetables.”
“That’s just like the pig brain on the ground! Oh my!”
“You young folks don’t know about the Yellow Phoenix Ridge Dragon, which could absorb the essence of the universe and spit out pearls. That was in 1966, and the pearl landed right under this Chinese parasol tree…”
After chatting for a while, the old folks returned home for breakfast, and Liu Chang’an took a last look at the van before changing into a pair of trousers and a clean shirt, looking like a young student from the 1950s. He walked towards the museum, feeling neat and tidy.
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