After driving for about half an hour, I finally arrived at “Liuan Jingyuan,” where I currently live. Mi Cai was already waiting for me under a willow tree outside the residential complex.
Autumn leaves swirled in the air as they fell, and the glow of the streetlights highlighted her silhouette, making her look like a figure stepped straight out of a painting—calm and serene.
I pressed the car horn lightly, and Mi Cai turned her gaze toward me.
I smiled at her and said, “Get in. Let’s go eat. If we’re late, there might not be any seats left.”
Mi Cai walked toward me, opened the passenger door, and sat down without even glancing at what kind of car I was driving. I, however, felt a bit uneasy and said, “What do you think? My car’s pretty good, right? Small engine, low carbon emissions, environmentally friendly.”
“It’s nice. Just like you, a bit sleazy,” Mi Cai said with a half-smile.
“Am I sleazy?” I asked, then grabbed the mirror inside the car and began inspecting my face doubtfully.
“Sleazy doesn’t necessarily refer to appearance. I meant your character.”
I put the mirror back and decided not to argue with her. I knew in her mind I had already been branded as someone with poor character. No matter how hard I tried to present myself as a national hero, she would still think I was sleazy.
Mi Cai seemed a bit surprised that I didn’t fight back, but I simply smiled at her and started the car. I thought to myself that Mi Cai probably didn’t understand that truly profound men are often quiet and reserved. By that standard, I was clearly a very deep and meaningful man.
…
The Alto drove through the city streets and alleys until finally stopping on an old street that was nearly scheduled for demolition. Mi Cai and I got out of the car. The restaurant I wanted to take her to required passing through a narrow alleyway, too small for cars, so we had to walk.
Only a few dim streetlights illuminated the narrow alley. Mi Cai followed closely behind me, a bit nervously asking, “Where are you taking me?”
“To a paradise, but first we have to pass through this dark tunnel,” I replied.
After walking through the darkness, the space suddenly opened up. Under a bright streetlight stood the “Kongchengli Theme Music Restaurant.”
I lit a cigarette and said to Mi Cai beside me, “This is the place. It’s run by a friend of mine who’s into music. The music atmosphere is great, although the main cuisine is Sichuan food.”
“That’s quite a mix!” Mi Cai remarked as she looked at the restaurant sign. Usually, music restaurants served Western food.
“Yeah, the owner is a girl from Chongqing. Can you handle spicy food?”
“Sure.”
As we talked, we walked into the restaurant. CC, the owner, was sitting on an adjustable barstool singing, a glass of draft beer beside her and a half-smoked cigarette in her hand.
CC noticed my arrival right away. During a break in the music, she snapped her fingers at me and said, “Long time no see, Zhaoyang.”
I nodded and gave her a thumbs-up to show my appreciation for her singing.
CC smiled, gestured that we’d talk later, and then continued singing “Moyang” by Chang Hsuan along with the rhythm of the music.
Mi Cai and I chose a seat. Mi Cai seemed to really enjoy CC’s singing. She didn’t speak to me, just listened quietly.
I ordered the food and focused on CC’s voice. As CC sang with her slightly hoarse yet deeply moving voice, I recalled some fragments of memory.
Three years ago, Jian Wei and I had fled from Shanghai to Suzhou because her parents strongly opposed our relationship. We were both broke and struggling to survive, so I sang at CC’s music restaurant for a living, earning a little money each day to support our lives.
At that time, Jian Wei would always wait in the restaurant listening to me sing. She would also help serve dishes and pour water for customers to earn tips. Every time the restaurant closed for the night, I would habitually light a cigarette while she carried the guitar on her back. We would hold hands and walk through that dark alley. At the corner, I’d buy her a roasted sweet potato from a small stall…
That winter was sometimes bitterly cold, sometimes rainy and snowy, but the feeling of relying on each other for warmth still makes me feel warm to this day.
“Zhaoyang, why is this restaurant called Kongchengli?”
Mi Cai’s sudden question broke the images in my mind. I was silent for a while before answering, “When everyone is born, they each have an empty city in their heart. As time passes and they grow up, the city gets filled with restlessness, coldness, and worldly fame and fortune, making it bloated and burdensome. Kongchengli is named to commemorate that original, innocent empty city.”
“Is that your understanding?”
“No, that’s what CC told me.” I said, glancing at CC who was still singing.
Mi Cai nodded, took a sip of her cold tea, and continued listening to CC’s song.
…
CC finally finished singing a song. She placed the microphone back on the stand and walked toward us.
CC is a uniquely beautiful woman. Her features weren’t particularly attractive, but together they were captivating and unforgettable, so as she walked over, she attracted many eyes from diners.
CC placed a large glass of draft beer in front of me with a smile and said, “This one’s on me.” Then she signaled to a waiter to bring Mi Cai a large glass of cola.
“I’m driving. I won’t drink tonight.”
Mi Cai chimed in, “Go ahead and drink. I’ll drive you later.”
CC then looked at Mi Cai and asked me, “Is this your new girlfriend?”
I looked at Mi Cai, who remained expressionless, and bravely replied, “Yes, she’s my girlfriend.”
CC shrugged her shoulders. I knew she felt regret for me and Jian Wei, but she still smiled and greeted Mi Cai, complimenting her beauty.
The lights in the restaurant dimmed slightly, while the old-fashioned candlesticks on the tables lit up, filling the entire restaurant with twinkling lights and a faint aroma of scented candles.
After a brief silence among the three of us, CC asked me, “By the way, what has Luoben been up to lately? He hasn’t been here in a long time.”
“What else could he be doing? Just running around performing gigs all the time.”
“Invite him over sometime. I miss him.” There was a hint of helplessness and sadness in CC’s voice. She liked Luoben, but Luoben had always been thinking about that girl from Beijing.
“Sure. Let’s plan a gathering. We can meet here.”
“You have to promise!”
I smiled and made a gesture of swearing, “I promise.”
Only then did CC nod with satisfaction.
…
After CC left, Mi Cai and I finally had some time alone. I raised my glass of draft beer toward her, and Mi Cai lifted her cola in response. We clinked glasses and each took a sip.
Just then, two more people walked through the door. As they entered, a gust of cold wind blew in behind them. I looked up and saw it was none other than Jian Wei and Xiang Chen.
A rush of emotions overwhelmed me. It seemed this wouldn’t be a peaceful evening for Mi Cai and me to enjoy dinner quietly. I was annoyed by this encounter, scared of it even, and hated the cruel coincidence that forced us to meet and embarrass each other.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage