Chapter 11

Chapter 11

The group had their lunch at a small eatery by Longevity Lake. The area was only about twenty square meters with two sets of mahogany tables and chairs that had slightly lost their paint. It was simply decorated with natural tones.

Despite its humble ambiance, it featured a shimmering view of Longevity Lake with the gentle lapping of the waves.

Xiao Rongyu had been wondering why Chen Hansheng insisted on walking this far. Now that she had arrived, she finally realized the reason. She just did not know how the food would taste.

“Hansheng, how did you know that there is an eatery like this here?”

Wang Zibo liked the ambiance of the place too. The only downside so far was the service – none of the staff had served them menus since they sat down. All they did was continue cooking and bustling about the eatery.

“What a strange place,” Wang Zibo muttered.

Xiao Rongyu and Wang Zibo had never experienced such a dining concept before. Chen Hansheng, on the other hand, knew of it because it would become a famous private kitchen in ten years.

A private kitchen essentially meant that only a fixed small number of tables would be served a night at the restaurant. Famous private kitchens would require people to book at least two months in advance to secure a table.

But Chen Hansheng was too lazy to explain all this to the others. He remained silent, stood up, and walked to the kitchen at the back. The chef and owner of the place did not know the concept of a private kitchen yet. Thus, their cooking space could easily be entered and exited at will.

“Want a smoke?”

Chen Hansheng handed over a pack of Hongjinling. The middle-aged owner-cum-chef was cooking when Hansheng approached him. He looked up at Chen Hansheng and silently took the pack of cigarettes but did not take one out to light. The chef just put it away on a shelf.

The owner was from Wuzhong, where the dishes are made delicately with the freshest ingredients, and cooked and presented with the highest quality, which was what the lotus root stuffed with glutinous rice; water chestnut and lily sweet soup; sweet and sour mandarin fish; and chicken broth looked like when they were finally served.

Wang Zibo and Xiao Rongyu were already hungry, so they started eating immediately while Chen Hansheng and the owner smoked at the door.

The two of them didn’t talk much. The owner thought Chen Hansheng was just a university student, so he didn’t really know what to talk about.

Chen Hansheng didn’t mind. When he was done, he returned to the table and was stunned. There were only three dishes left and the fourth dish only had bones.

Wang Zibo looked like he swallowed the rice bowl whole. Xiao Rongyu was more civilized but her cheeks were stuffed with food as she looked at Chen Hansheng innocently.

She did think that she had neglected her table manners. But the fish had tasted so good! In the end, she simply lowered her head and pretended not to have noticed Chen Hansheng, just like Wang Zibo.

“Come on, guys.”

Chen Hansheng quickly filled his stomach with food. Soon, the tableware in which the dishes were plated had all been licked clean. The porcelain bowl could even be used as a mirror.

Their dining experience was matched by the bill – a total of 156 yuan. Wang Zibo clicked his tongue. He did not expect the meal to have been so expensive.

Wang Zibo wanted to haggle a little more but Chen Hansheng stopped him. This eatery had always operated honestly. In the future, these dishes would cost thousands of yuan and the dining experience would still be worth more than the value on the bill.

The concept of splitting the bill was not well-known in 2002. Thus, Wang Zibo and Xiao Rongyu were ready to be the next to treat in the future.

It did not matter to Chen Hansheng. They left their luggage in the eatery and headed to Longevity Lake.

The lake was not that big, but Wang Zibo was already tired after walking for a while.

“This place is so close to the train station and bus station. Let’s come here again next time.” Wang Zibo suggested.

“Let’s not promise anything. This is just your first time visiting Longevity Lake. It might be your last time too,” said Chen Hansheng.

He had the same thoughts last time too. When Chen Hansheng studied and worked at Jianye for more than a total of fourteen years, he had visited almost all the scenic spots, including Longevity Lake.

He wanted to spend more time at Longevity Lake, but he would always end up rushing for other commitments. The closest he got to visiting Longevity Lake frequently was either going to the square near the train station or eating at the private kitchen.

Xiao Rongyu liked the place too. Longevity Lake was a small inland lake and strategically located near dozens of high-rise buildings and two stations.

Despite the huge flow of traffic beyond its perimeters, the lake still had clear waters decorated with bright lotus flowers and bordered by willow trees that swayed gently in the wind. The combination of colors reminded her of the scenic ancient capital of the Six Dynasties.

Unfortunately, their relaxing detour was cut short. It was already around three o’clock in the afternoon, and the group had to report to their universities. When they passed by the Jianye train station, a few people pestered them.

“Hey, handsome, do you need a room?”

“Lovely lady, would you like to take a rest?”

“Don’t be shy, handsome. Come and have a look.”

…

These women did not pose any threat. Public security in Jianye was much better than in Guangdong. The fifty-year-old-or-so women were simply holding up signs of accommodation and asking each passerby.

Since Chen Hansheng was walking in the front with his sunglasses on, he looked more like a tourist than a university student. His appearance made him a hot target for the women as the latter started to make more explicit comments and offers.

“Hey, handsome, our girls are very beautiful.”

“The service is also very good.”

Xiao Rongyu blushed as she walked past quickly. As for Wang Zibo, this was the first time he had encountered such a thing. He did not have the courage to go himself, but he was curious. The safest way was to let Chen Hansheng try it out first and learn from there.

Chen Hansheng just smiled and refused, “Sorry, we are in a hurry. Please excuse us.”

Xiao Rongyu walked faster and faster. It seemed that it wasn’t that easy to get to the bus station. Navigating Jianye was not looking like it was going to be easy. But it might also be because she was a newcomer.

Once they had arrived at the bus station, they had to split ways. Wang Zibo’s Jianye University of Technology was in the Xianning Campus, which meant that he needed to take Bus No. 97. Xiao Rongyu and Chen Hansheng’s schools were both in Jiangling University Town, which was directly accessible via Bus No. 137.

“Hansheng, I’ll come to Jiangling to look for you soon.”

Wang Zibo waved his hand, his eyes filled with reluctance.

“Okay, okay. Be careful,” said Chen Hansheng in a relaxed manner. At some point, Wang Zibo would be so familiar with this city that he could navigate it with his eyes closed.

After sending Wang Zibo away, Chen Hansheng turned to Xiao Rongyu and said, “The annoying third wheel has finally left. It’s just the two of us now.

“Be serious. Don’t talk nonsense.”

Xiao Rongyu was a little embarrassed, especially when she noticed Chen Hansheng staring at her. Although she could not see his eyes clearly under the sunglasses, she knew that if she made eye contact with him, it wouldn’t be good. “Don’t let your imagination run wild!”

“If your mind is running wild, why blame me?” asked Chen Hansheng with a smile.

“You-”

Xiao Rongyu choked for a moment. There was really nothing she could do about Chen Hansheng now. When Bus No. 137 had arrived, she got on first.

Chen Hansheng slowly moved all the luggage onto the bus. Only then did he realize that Xiao Rongyu had helped him take a seat. When he walked closer, he noticed a few older male university students surrounding her. They definitely looked like they wanted that seat next to Xiao Rongyu.

Xiao Rongyu stared nervously at the door. When she saw Chen Hansheng come up, she hurriedly waved her small hand and shouted excitedly, “Hansheng, over here.”

He walked over and sat down. Hansheng seemed to have marked his territory as the students dispersed, no longer interested. The male university students were too timid.

“Hansheng, are all university boys so desperate?” asked Xiao Rongyu softly.

“How is that possible? I’m not like that.” Chen Hansheng retorted righteously.

“Okay, I believe you, but can you take your hand off my shoulder first?” asked Xiao Rongyu with a frown.

…