Luoben, who had been standing beside me smoking, glanced at the man next to Leyao and said to me, “He is Cao Jinfey. Since we’ve met by chance, why don’t you say hello?”
I nodded and then looked at this man who had always existed in rumors. I couldn’t quite describe the feeling he gave me, but in terms of first impressions, he wasn’t as flashy as I had imagined. Judging from his attire, he didn’t have much of a businessman’s air, but rather seemed like someone from the fashion industry. He had slightly tousled side-swept hair, wore a brown V-neck leather jacket, and dark blue three-quarter-length trousers. His outfit matched very well with Leyao’s dark blue scarf around her neck. Their model-like figures made it seem like they were walking a fashion show… truly a perfect couple!
Soon CC joined us, walking alongside Leyao and Cao Jinfey. Leyao seemed to be in a good mood. She greeted Luoben first, then looked at me, though her smile was no longer as obvious. I didn’t say anything, just threw the half-finished cigarette I was holding onto the ground and stepped on it to put it out… this act of not smoking was a sign of respect for Cao Jinfey, the stranger. In fact, I didn’t really feel as repulsed by him as I had imagined, because those rumors about his questionable conduct were just rumors. I didn’t need to approach him with the mindset of believing hearsay.
Leyao introduced to Luoben and me, “This is my fiancé, Cao Jinfey…” Then she turned to Cao Jinfey and continued, “These two are Luoben and Zhaoyang. They are good friends of mine from Suzhou. As you know, I’ve always considered Suzhou my second hometown, so…” Leyao paused, as if searching for an appropriate way to put it, finally saying, “So they’re like brothers from my family back home.”
Cao Jinfey smiled at us and said, “Since Yaoyao regards you two as her older brothers, then you are also my older brothers. Thank you both for taking care of Yaoyao all these years. If there’s anything I Cao Jinfey can do for you in the future, please don’t hesitate to let me know.”
Undeniably, this was a very proper and courteous statement, indirectly proving that Cao Jinfey wasn’t a man who, because of his privileged background, lacked social graces. This was precisely his charm, and I could imagine no woman being able to resist such charm. So his reputation for being flirtatious seemed almost like something naturally expected. However, I still hoped it was merely a rumor.
I finally responded with a smile and said, “No need to be so formal. I just hope that from now on, you’ll treat Leyao well.”
Leyao looked at Cao Jinfey, her eyes revealing a woman’s admiration and adoration for a man. Cao Jinfey also gazed back at her, gripping her hand tightly as he said, “That is a man’s inescapable responsibility.”
I nodded, then turned to everyone and said, “Well then, why don’t you all go have dinner? As a matter of fact, this Empty City restaurant is run by me. Let me treat you all tonight, and I hope you enjoy your meal and have a good time.”
Leyao finally looked at me properly, and Cao Jinfey asked somewhat puzzledly, “Aren’t you coming with us?”
“I had already eaten with the girl earlier today, and I also went on a business trip to Yangzhou. I’m really too tired and should take my leave first.”
CC grabbed Leyao’s hand and said to her and Cao Jinfey, “Let Zhaoyang go back first. We’ll have our fun, and later we can give you a few impromptu performances. Everyone should really enjoy themselves.”
No one insisted further, and they gradually left. As Cao Jinfey walked away, he said to CC, “I’ve recently become quite fond of folk songs. I’ve long heard that CC is a very unique folk singer. Today is truly a treat for my ears!”
Leyao chimed in, “CC’s singing is beyond doubt. Mine isn’t bad either. Today, this empress especially wants to sing, so I’ll humbly serve as your personal jukebox. Enjoy it later.”
Cao Jinfey put his arm around Leyao and readily agreed. Amidst everyone’s laughter and welcoming voices, they entered Empty City.
I finally lit another cigarette, called the front desk of Empty City, and told them to charge tonight’s bill to me. Then I walked alone through that dimly lit alley.
…
Night fell over the city from east to west. I drove along the congested main road, feeling somewhat restless. Finally, after repeated stops and waits, I lost my patience. At a junction, I turned onto a less crowded side road, but it was already taking me away from the direction of my home.
Following the flow of traffic, I drove again toward that less populated old town, heading to find the girl named Xiao Yun from the flower shop. Earlier, I had promised to help her obtain a tobacco monopoly license. The task was already completed, and the identification documents I had taken from her should now be returned.
Moments later, I arrived at the old street and immediately spotted Xiao Yun sitting in front of the flower shop eating her homemade boxed meal. After parking, I took her documents and walked toward her. I instinctively glanced into her lunch box—it contained only a bowl of plain rice and half a pack of pickled vegetables. Upon seeing me, she put down her meal and smiled at me. I felt momentarily dazed by her pure smile, and only in the ensuing silence did I remember that she couldn’t speak.
I took her documents from my bag, handing them to her while saying, “Xiao Yun, I’ve already helped you get the tobacco monopoly license. In ten working days, you can go to the Tobacco Bureau with these documents to collect it.”
Xiao Yun continued communicating with me by typing on her phone: “Thank you, but how much did it cost?”
“Not much—just a small processing fee.”
Xiao Yun shook her head: “No, that’s not right. My small shop doesn’t meet the reasonable layout requirements for obtaining a license, which is why I couldn’t get it before. You must have asked someone for help… I can’t let you owe anyone a favor on my account!”
I smiled and said, “It really was a small matter. You’re only setting up a small counter. If it were a large tobacco shop, it wouldn’t have been so easy to get approved… You really don’t need to worry about these kinds of social obligations.” Changing the subject, I glanced again at her boxed meal and added, “You stay at the shop late into the evening, doing all this physical work. How can you survive on just this?”
She quickly signaled that it wasn’t necessary, typing again on her phone: “If you insist on treating me to dinner, then I should treat you instead! If you’re this polite with me, I won’t know how to face you next time.”
I didn’t mind her politeness and immediately grabbed a stool to sit beside her, indicating that I would wait until she closed the shop before we went out for a late-night snack together.
My enthusiasm left Xiao Yun somewhat helpless, and I myself didn’t know why I was so eager. Anyway, seeing her, my sympathy couldn’t help but overflow. Although she might not necessarily need this kind of sympathy, I still wanted to help her within my ability because I could understand the difficulties she faced. As a member of a vulnerable group, she couldn’t even obtain a small counter’s tobacco sales license, which was the harshest proof of her situation.
At that moment, Xiao Yun brought out a stack of celebrity postcards from the shop. At first, I didn’t understand her intentions, but later, with her reminder, I recalled that I had previously mentioned wanting to send flowers to Mi Cai in the United States every day. These postcards were naturally meant for writing messages expressing my longing.
After thanking her, I took off my watch and leaned on the flower counter to start writing… When I truly had the heart to send these flowers, Mi Cai might receive them in just a few days. In fact, I really missed her. Every time I had free time, I couldn’t help but think about her… yet the more I thought about her, the more distant our relationship seemed!
Perhaps this was also one of the sources of my lack of security. I really didn’t know what my feelings would be when she returned to China one day and appeared by my side—maybe I would be overjoyed, or maybe I would stop growing altogether!
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