Liu Chang’an and Ann Wan went to eat bitter melon stewed fish, a rare specialty dish, even in Junsha, its place of origin, there were only a few restaurants that served it.
The fish was a sturgeon, steamed and simmered to perfection, with a tender and smooth texture. The bitter melon was sliced and added to the pot, fresh and delicious. They ate the fish meat first, then drank the soup, which was exceptionally clean and flavorful, leaving them wanting more.
Ann Wan took out her phone to check the Wi-Fi password, before settling the bill. “I won a free meal on an app, so we don’t have to pay,” Ann Wan said with a smile, as she sat back down, looking pleased with herself. “This luck is unbeatable.”
“You can say whatever you want, I’ll believe you,” Liu Chang’an said with a smile.
Ann Wan’s face turned slightly red, knowing that Liu Chang’an’s family situation was average, and that he would appreciate such a treat. The bitter melon stewed fish cost around 200 yuan, which was nothing to Ann Wan, but it would take Liu Chang’an a whole day of hard work to earn that much.
Ann Wan didn’t want Liu Chang’an to know her thoughts, as a girl, she had her own pride. She didn’t want Liu Chang’an to feel uncomfortable or hurt, even though he usually seemed carefree and unaffected. But at this age, boys often had a sense of vanity and pride.
“I didn’t know you were so good at basketball,” Ann Wan tried to change the subject, picking up a piece of fish meat and blowing on it.
The fish meat was tender and delicate, and Ann Wan’s red lips looked soft and alluring, even with a slight hint of friction on her nose. It was hard not to notice.
Liu Chang’an withdrew his gaze from her lips and shook his head. “I just threw the ball in, that’s all. Where did you see me play basketball well?”
“That’s still very impressive,” Ann Wan said with a gentle smile, thinking to herself that it was hard to believe Liu Chang’an could throw the ball like that.
“After the college entrance exams, I’ll practice with you,” Liu Chang’an said hesitantly. He knew Ann Wan’s wish, which was to win the basketball league championship for their school, but in his eyes, their school team wasn’t good enough. However, with Ann Wan as the main player, they might have a chance to win.
“Okay.”
Ann Wan’s mouth curled up slightly, revealing her white teeth, and her smile spread across her face, with a hint of sweetness and anticipation.
It was rare for Liu Chang’an to take the initiative to do something for others.
“I’ll be your training partner, worth a stewed fish,” Liu Chang’an said with a smile.
It was just a small gesture, but Ann Wan still smiled and nodded, thinking that Liu Chang’an was just being polite.
After finishing their meal, they went their separate ways, Ann Wan heading back to her home in the Xiangnan University teacher’s residence area, while Liu Chang’an had to walk a significant distance to the Guangjiang Bridge, which would take him around half an hour… with his lazy pace, it was quite normal.
The streets were bustling, with many unfamiliar faces passing by, forming the vibrant scene of the city center. Liu Chang’an stopped to watch a TV show on an outdoor screen.
It was an episode of “Yun Zhong Ge”, with Yang Ying playing the fictional character Yun Song, and Mao Xiaotong playing the historical figure Empress Xiaozhaung, the youngest empress in history… This legendary woman became the empress at six years old and the empress dowager at fifteen, and was able to depose Emperor Liu He. According to legend, she remained a virgin all her life.
On the TV show, the actresses didn’t have the same air of dominance as the historical figures, even when they were at the peak of their power. But in history, Empress Dowager Xiaozhaung was able to refer to herself as “we”, and could depose emperors.
Liu Chang’an smiled, thinking that was 2100 years ago.
He remembered a poem from that time:
“I wish to know you, and be with you forever, without worry or fear.”
It was hard to do that, with short and fleeting lives, it was difficult to promise eternal loyalty. Even Liu Chang’an couldn’t guarantee it.
Liu Chang’an continued on his way, passing by a vegetable market, where the fresh produce was not as abundant as it was earlier, especially the vegetables, which were much cheaper. He bought some scallions, a piece of meat, and a small bag of pepper, all for just six yuan.
That night, he cooked himself a meal of pan-fried meat buns, with a bowl of lamb soup sprinkled with pepper. Liu Chang’an still went to the mahjong hall and played for a night, winning twelve yuan. Old Man Ma said that with his level of skill, he could definitely participate in the community mahjong competition.
Someone agreed, someone doubted, and someone thought it was a fifty-fifty chance of winning. But Liu Chang’an was disappointed to realize that the competition was only for seniors above fifty-five years old.
The next morning, Liu Chang’an woke up early, hearing the radio playing a Huangmei opera, “Tian Xian Pei”, as he stretched his arms and got out of bed. He planned to go for a run, taking a route towards the train station, then circling back, to avoid running into Zhu Jun Tang.
The city was big, with many people, and it was hard to run into someone again, especially in the city center. Liu Chang’an didn’t care about being seen by Zhu Jun Tang, but he felt that it was better to have fewer encounters.
As he opened the door, Liu Chang’an saw a large armored vehicle parked under a big tung tree, with thick tires, a black exterior, and a shooting hole. It was definitely not an ordinary civilian vehicle.
Several old men and women were gathered around, pointing and discussing, excitedly chattering away. Liu Chang’an smiled, seeing a retired old man saying he had seen it in Vietnam.
Then, he saw a woman in a black western-style suit and long pants getting out of the vehicle, her long hair tied up, and a simple necklace around her neck. She was tall and slender, with a confident and elegant aura.
Liu Chang’an could see that there were still people inside the vehicle, with steady and powerful footsteps, exuding a sense of hidden strength and máu flows.
“Good morning, Mr. Liu Chang’an, I’m Qin Yanan, the granddaughter of Qin Peng,” the woman said, looking at Liu Chang’an with a measured gaze, her tone polite but slightly cold.
Liu Chang’an nodded, “With elegance and refinement, with no excess.” He thought of a woman who had a gentle smile, and a quote from the poem “Gu Feng Zhi Shi” in the Book of Poetry.
“Thank you, Mr. Liu,” Qin Yanan said, her eyes slightly smiling, this young man who could recite poetry was quite rare, especially in this era.
“I only knew the person who gave you your name,” Liu Chang’an smiled, thinking that Qin Yanan’s facial expression was similar to Qin Peng’s wife, Ye Sijin, who had passed away many years ago. But Qin Yanan was taller and more slender, with a colder and more reserved aura.
Qin Yanan’s smile was more pronounced, but Liu Chang’an could still sense a hint of coldness from her. However, it didn’t matter.
“Where did you meet my grandfather?” Qin Yanan asked, her eyes narrowing slightly, not willing to play along with this young man who seemed to have ulterior motives.
But this was her grandfather’s arrangement, and Qin Yanan had no choice. She really didn’t understand why her grandfather wanted to set this up.
How could this young man, who called himself “Mr.”, possibly know her grandfather? Her grandfather Qin Peng rarely left Beijing, and it was impossible for ordinary people to meet him, let alone hear him talk about Qin Yanan’s name.
Previous Chapter | TOC | Next Chapter