This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
With his equipment upgraded and wearing the fancy leather shoes donated by a kind soul, Lin Xian found walking on the paved road much more comfortable, and his steps quickened noticeably.
In half an hour, he and CC returned to the old street where they had first crossed over. It didn’t take long before they spotted the little black boy with the newspapers on his back, looking utterly dejected as he tried to sell them.
His voice was weak, almost lifeless: “Newspapers... newspapers... today’s paper...”
It reminded Lin Xian of an old, tired robot on its last battery.
The poor kid probably had scenes of getting scolded replaying over and over in his mind.
Lin Xian strode forward purposefully.
Hearing footsteps, the boy’s head shot up, excitement flashing in his eyes, but just as quickly his expression changed. His eyes widened, and he stepped back, inhaling sharply, clearly about to yell.
“Quiet. Don’t even think about screaming,” Lin Xian interrupted, flicking a coin from his right hand.
Instinctively, the boy caught it. When he opened his palm, he saw a ten-cent coin, enough to buy several newspapers.
He looked at Lin Xian, eyes wide in astonishment.
“Keep the change. Consider the rest a compensation for your trouble,” Lin Xian said, then turned away, waving his hand as he walked off with CC.
The boy watched them hurry away, finally realizing that he’d profited after all. Bowing hastily towards Lin Xian’s retreating back, he shouted, “Thank you, sir! Thank you! Have a wonderful day!”
...
“Sigh... you, you’re something else,” CC said, shaking her head with an amused smile as they walked further away.
“When you were broke, you’d shamelessly go to the church for food, and now, the moment you get a bit of money, you start acting like a big shot, wasting it all without a care. If you keep this up, no matter how much you earn, you’ll end up with nothing.”
“It’s only fair to compensate him,” Lin Xian replied. “After all, the newspaper I grabbed wasn’t the same as buying it properly, right? I know you probably didn’t think much of me at first, but that was really a desperate moment. I do have principles. At least, I’m not the kind to let others pay for my mistakes.”
CC nodded, her expression softening. “You’re right. My first impression of you wasn’t great. Especially when I saw you weren’t that devoted to the Lord, just looking for a meal. I really wanted to leave you behind.” She gave a small laugh. “But seeing you now, keeping your word and doing what you said you would... well, it’s changed my view of you quite a bit. By the way, are we really heading to Brooklyn Heights? Bus fare back and forth isn’t exactly cheap. It’ll eat into your meager funds.” Ṙ
“Oh, don’t worry about money right now,” Lin Xian said, smiling. “Life’s about enjoying the moment. Who knows what’ll come first, tomorrow or an unexpected event? As for the money, maybe once we get to the rich areas, the rich fools there will actually make me richer.”
They continued chatting until they reached the bus stop. Just then, a bus pulled up, and Lin Xian tugged CC along as they boarded.
“Come on, let’s go!”
...
The buses of the 1950s were slow, probably due to the road conditions.
After buying tickets, Lin Xian and CC found seats toward the back, watching the scenery pass by.
“This is as far as I’ve ever gone,” CC said softly about half an hour into the ride, pointing towards a noticeably wider and cleaner road ahead. “Since I was born, I’ve never left Brooklyn. Not just Brooklyn... I haven’t even left the Brownsville neighborhood.”
“My grandmother’s welfare home was there. After it shut down, I’ve been roaming around here. On lucky days, I could find a small job; on unlucky ones... well, like now, relying on church meals and hoping for work.” CC gazed out the bus window.
Lin Xian couldn’t see her eyes, but he could hear the hardship in her voice.
“It’s easier for men,” she added, scratching the back of her head where her ponytail lay messy. “Men can at least do physical labor and get by. I’ve never gone to school, I’m not educated... the bakeries and shops don’t want me.”
The bus rolled out of Brownsville, leaving behind CC’s “world boundary” and venturing into another part of Brooklyn.
It was immediately apparent that this area was wealthier. The streets were cleaner, the buildings more modern, the clothes more expensive, and there were more of those little boxy or rounded cars driving around. Life here was on a different level.
CC opened the bus window, sticking her head out to take in the view—her first glimpse of the world beyond.
“Never seen anything like this before?” Lin Xian asked.
CC shook her head. “No, I’ve only seen pictures in discarded newspapers... or maybe glimpses on the TVs in shop windows. Seeing it for real is a first.”
She blinked, taking a deep breath as if the air itself was fresher here.
“Thanks for bringing me here, Lin Xian,” she said, turning back with a smile that made her eyes crinkle and her dimples appear. “If I ever have the means to go to Manhattan, I’ll take you with me.”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Lin Xian chuckled. “You called me a liar, but aren’t you painting a pretty picture for me too? You can’t even afford bus fare—it’s all on me.”
“Hey!” CC protested, blushing slightly.
“I mean it!” she said, taking his right hand and hooking her pinky around his—a universal symbol of promise.
“Pinky swear,” CC said earnestly, locking eyes with him. “I promise, if I say I’ll take you to Manhattan, I will.”
Lin Xian looked at her familiar face, and an image of Chu An Qing smiling appeared in his mind. Manhattan...
He had been there with Chu An Qing, standing atop the Aman Hotel, with her facing the wind, arms outstretched, mimicking that scene from “Titanic.”
Lin Xian stood beside her, also taking in the old Manhattan skyline. He pointed to a spot near the Empire State Building.
“In about twenty years, there’ll be twin towers here. The World Trade Center—about the same height as the Empire State Building.”
“Huh?” CC turned her head. “How do you know that?”
Lin Xian smiled faintly. “Read it in a newspaper.”
What he didn’t tell her was that on September 11, 2001, the famous 9/11 attacks would take place—two planes crashing into the towers and destroying them completely. After that, a memorial would be built there, known as “Ground Zero,” becoming a new landmark of New York City.
“The mighty Yangtze River flows east...” Lin Xian murmured softly in X Country.
That was history—a river flowing endlessly, seeing all things rise and fall.
He turned to look at CC, who seemed lost in admiration. “By the way, is your biggest dream in life really just to go to Manhattan?”
“Yes,” CC nodded, her eyes reflecting the sparkling waters of the Hudson River. “It might sound silly, but I really want to see Manhattan. If I don’t, I’ll regret it forever.
“I know... and Grandma always told me that there are many valuable things to pursue in life, that it doesn’t matter where you live, but... I still want to see Manhattan, even if it’s just like living in a dream—I want to see the center of the world.
“But who knows how long I’ll hold on to this dream? Maybe I’ll grow up, mature, give it up, and just live my life here in Brooklyn.”
“Don’t give up,” Lin Xian said, shaking his head. “I believe you will. You’ll be like those other girls—dressed in your favorite white dress, standing at the highest point in Manhattan, looking down at the world like a princess.”
CC burst out laughing. “Hahaha! A princess? What is this, the dark ages? Do you still live in a fairytale world? There are no princesses anymore!”
She wiped her eyes, still giggling. “Besides, I’m no princess—I’m not even close to being Cinderella.”
“Hey, enough about me,” she said, her laughter finally subsiding. “We’re here—a rare occasion—so what about you? What’s your dream?”
Lin Xian stepped forward, leaning against the railing, looking out at the horizon. “My dream...”
He pressed his lips together, and, facing the wind, he spoke.
“My dream is probably... to not let down those who believe in me, to save everyone... to be a true hero.”
...
...
The air grew still and quiet for a moment.
“Huh?” CC stared at him, puzzled. “Are you... serious?”
Lin Xian nodded. “Does it sound unbelievable?”
“Yeah, ‘hero’ and all that... it’s like listening to a fairytale.”
CC paused, then continued, “But, every dream deserves respect.”
She grinned, giving him a pat on the shoulder. “Then I hope you make it—become the greatest hero the world has ever seen.”
Lin Xian smiled, looking at her. “Then I hope you... become the most beautiful princess in all of Manhattan.”
They looked at each other and burst into laughter.
“Alright, alright, enough with the jokes.” CC waved a hand dismissively. “Let’s be real. What are we eating tonight?”
Lin Xian looked around. “How about we buy something nearby?”
“No way, that’s way too extravagant,” CC protested. “Let’s head back to where we belong... grab some bread for dinner, and we can go to the church for breakfast tomorrow.”
...
By the time they returned to the Brooklyn slums, night had fallen. Lin Xian bought some bread and milk, sharing it with CC. It was much better than the morning’s charity meal.
CC wanted to take Lin Xian to the park to sleep, but he insisted on finding a cheap motel.
“Lin Xian, even the cheapest motel costs thirty cents a night. That money could feed us for days! Why waste it?”
“It’s different, CC. This is something we can’t save on,” Lin Xian said seriously.
Tonight, there was something important he needed to do.
Would he still dream after crossing over to 1952? Would the dreams be different?
He was curious.
Tonight, he needed a safe place to find out.