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The three girls were still in a daze, feeling as if everything was like a surreal movie. Wasn't it just a traffic accident? Why did it involve Shrew Cursing in the Street?
Moreover, the way that police officer acted clearly indicated he knew Hu Ruoyun. How could he be discussing how to handle this situation with him? And who was Wang Zhiguo? What was going on?
After all the commotion, it was almost noon. Hu Ruoyun said to the shaken Jiang Qiuying and Zhang Meina, “Let’s get you back to school first.” Then he told the driver, “Please take us to Experimental High School.”
The driver stepped on the gas, and the police car sped away.
Annan County City was quite small; it was only three miles from the town center to Experimental High School. When they arrived at the school gate, Hu Ruoyun said, “I’ll come back for an ‘inspection’ another day. You two go inside now; I’ll head back with Sister Mona.”
Once the two girls entered the school, Hu Ruoyun told the driver, “Could you take us to the bus station? We’re heading back to Gaoqiao Town.”
The driver smiled and replied, “Brother Xu said wherever you want to go, I’ll take you.”
However, Mao Na opened the door and got out of the car. “Thank you, but we’re just going to wander around for a bit and then visit some friends.” She turned to Hu Ruoyun. “Get out; it’s close up ahead. Come with me.”
Hu Ruoyun also got out of the car and waved at the driver. “Thank you! Please say hi to Brother Xu for me and also to Director Qiu!”
The driver didn’t say anything more and turned around to leave.
Once the driver was far away, Mao Na grabbed Hu Ruoyun by one arm. “Let’s go; this afternoon you’ll follow my lead!” She pulled Hu Ruoyun through a maze of streets until they reached the back door of the Annan County Cotton Spinning Factory. Running up to an elderly man at the door, she mentioned a name, and he nodded while dialing an internal phone.
Soon, two girls around Mao Na’s age came running out. One had an oval face with Phoenix Eyes, dressed in a white dress, while the other wore a sky-blue work uniform that couldn’t hide her graceful figure. They rushed towards Mao Na, hugging her excitedly. “Mao Ni, you actually came to see us!”
This made Hu Ruoyun feel quite uncomfortable.
After they had their fun for a while, they finally remembered there was another person nearby. The girl in the blue work uniform looked at Hu Ruoyun with a teasing smile. “Mao Ni, did you finally dump that pretty boy?”
The girl with Phoenix Eyes sized up Hu Ruoyun, speaking without restraint. “Your skin is a bit dark, and you’re kind of short… Are you just looking for some tender grass?”
Mao Na stepped forward and punched both of them lightly. “What nonsense are you talking about? This is my Cousin!”
The other two girls chimed in unison, “Auntie Cousin, or Uncle Cousin, or what?”
Mao Na’s face turned even redder. “Stop messing around; we haven’t eaten yet.” Then she turned to the girl in blue work uniform. “Xi Shi, you’re treating us for dinner.” She then looked at the girl with Phoenix Eyes. “Zhaojun, you’re treating us for karaoke.”
Both girls agreed in unison, “Yes, Mao Gege!”
After that, they started making noise again.
The two girls led Mao Na and Hu Ruoyun to the front of the textile factory, where directly across was a newly opened place called Beer Duck. The girl in blue work uniform called over a waiter and ordered a large pot along with several servings of vegetables. Then she seriously asked Mao Na, “White or beer?”
Glancing at Hu Ruoyun, who looked slightly embarrassed, she hesitated before saying, “Beer, I guess.”
But the girl in blue work uniform waved her hand at the waiter. “Bring a bottle of Yanghe!”
Mao Na glanced sideways at Phoenix Eyes and said, "Look at you, not even a proper lady to begin with, yet you still want to hide things. Drinking a bit of alcohol and you have to watch Cousin's expression..." She emphasized the word "Cousin."
Mao Na was about to reach out to scratch her when Blue Work Uniform stopped her. "Stop messing around. Just tell us, did you really break up with that pretty boy?"
Mao Na pulled a long face and recounted what had happened that morning.
Phoenix Eyes poured drinks for the four of them. "I’ve said it before, pretty boys never have good intentions. I’ve never liked that family’s way of doing things—what are they even? You shouldn’t be angry or sad about today’s events; instead, you should drink three cups to celebrate!" As she spoke, she raised her glass. "Come on, ladies, let’s toast."
The dishes began to arrive one after another as they ate and drank.
After downing three cups of alcohol, Blue Work Uniform pointed at Mao Na and then at Hu Ruoyun. "Cousin or whatever, you should at least introduce him, right?"
At this moment, Mao Na relaxed a bit. "This is Hu Ruoyun, my brother Mao Jie's classmate. He’s just like my little brother; he’s here today as my bodyguard!"
Blue Work Uniform's eyes widened in surprise. "He’s the one Jiezi mentioned who can take on eight people?"
Seeing Mao Na nod, Blue Work Uniform exaggeratedly stood up. "I’ve long admired your prowess, little brother! Today I finally get to see the real deal. Come on, let me toast you."
Hu Ruoyun raised his glass and drank with her.
Phoenix Eyes, enjoying the spectacle, chimed in, "Is what Jiezi said true? I don’t think this little brother is that impressive. Show us a trick so Sister Li can see." With that, she clinked glasses with Hu Ruoyun.
Hu Ruoyun drank and humbly replied, "Sister, I’ve had my drink; it’s time for introductions."
Mao Na first pointed at Phoenix Eyes. "Her last name is Li; her father is the head of the textile factory. She’s Director Li from the office there—Sister Li, her full name is Li Shengnan."
Hu Ruoyun respectfully poured a drink for Li Shengnan with both hands and said, "I toast Sister Li with this cup; your name is quite powerful." Li Shengnan accepted the cup and drank. "I’ve heard Jiezi talk about you before; it’s great that you could accompany Mao Ni here today—you're just like brothers with us and Jiezi!"
Mao Na then introduced Blue Work Uniform. "This is Ouyang Xiaxue; she’s the workshop director of the second workshop at our county's textile factory. Her father is the Vice President of our county's Agricultural Bank."
As Blue Work Uniform stood up to take the drink from Hu Ruoyun, she scolded Mao Na playfully. "Let’s just talk about ourselves; don’t mention my dad." Turning back to Hu Ruoyun, she added, "Little brother, today whether it’s eating or singing, don’t worry about anything. Just perform well when I take Sister Li to Gaoqiao next time!"
Hu Ruoyun drank along with her and replied, "Sure thing; I’ll listen to my sister."
Mao Na explained for Hu Ruoyun, "Don’t underestimate my brother; his monthly writing fees are almost higher than my salary."
Feeling awkward, Hu Ruoyun turned to the other two girls and said, "Sister Mona has had too much to drink; she’s talking nonsense."
After finishing their meal, the bottle of Yanghe Daqu was empty. Ouyang Xiaxue settled the bill as the three girls walked ahead together. Mao Na suggested, "Call your respective someone along too; let’s go sing."
The two girls declined: maybe next time when they visit Gaoqiao.
Li Shengnan waved down a tricycle and once all four squeezed in comfortably, she told the driver, "To Misty Star."
"Misty Star" was the largest karaoke venue in Annan County City. Li Shengnan booked a small private room and ordered an expensive fruit platter that looked good but wasn’t tasty at all. She also ordered two servings of sunflower seeds and thirty bottles of beer.
Li Shengnan, with a name that exudes masculinity, was the first to take the stage, belting out a male rendition of "Feel It." Ouyang Xiaxue followed with a Cantonese song titled "True and False." Next up was Mao Na, who sang "Let Me Be Happy, Let Me Worry," a classic by Zhou Huajian.
The three of them took turns singing several songs, downing a few bottles of beer in between. It was only then that they remembered Hu Ruoyun, the green leaf left out on the side, and began to urge her to perform.
Hu Ruoyun didn’t decline. She stood up and sang "Plum Blossom Melody," the opening theme of the television series "Plum Blossom Trilogy," originally sung by Jiang Yu-Heng, with lyrics by Qiong Yao and music composed by Chen Zhiyuan. The song had not yet been released at this time, nor was there any accompaniment.
“Red dust has its infatuated ones,
Do not mock those who are too passionate.
If not for the chilling bone-deep cold,
How could the plum blossom scent be so strong?
What is love in this world?
It only teaches life and death to be pledged.
Look at how many stories there are in this world,
The most soul-stirring is 'Plum Blossom Melody.'
The plum blossom’s first note breaks hearts,
The second note stirs deep thoughts.
'Plum Blossom Melody' stirs up waves,
In the depths of clouds and mist, water is vast.
Red dust has its infatuated ones,
Do not mock those who are too passionate.
If not for the chilling bone-deep cold,
How could the plum blossom scent be so strong?
What is love in this world?
It only teaches life and death to be pledged.
Look at how many stories there are in this world,
The most soul-stirring is 'Plum Blossom Melody.'
What is love in this world?
It only teaches life and death to be pledged.
Look at how many stories there are in this world,
The most soul-stirring is 'Plum Blossom Melody.'”
As the singing and chanting came to an end, the three girls stood up and applauded enthusiastically.
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