A Visit to Hei Lao (Part 2)

Zhao Dongchuan no longer dwelled on it and followed Old Hei into the house.

Inside, the decor was simple and elegant, with several sofas covered in white gauze in the living room. There was a long tea table, which looked like it was made of huanghuali wood, with several sheets of Xuan paper pressed down by a tiger-head paperweight, covered in calligraphy. Around it were scattered pens, paper, and a tea set.

On the side wall of the living room, in addition to the Chairman Mao portrait common in most homes, there was also a landscape painting not far away.

"Please excuse the mess, I was just practicing my calligraphy! Please, sit!" Old Hei said with a smile, inviting Zhao Dongchuan to sit.

With that, she picked up a teapot nearby and poured Zhao Dongchuan a cup of tea.

He respectfully took the tea and said, "Thank you, Old Hei!"

The two sat on the sofa and chatted.

"Xiao Zhao, I heard from Director Wang that you came to the provincial capital this time to publish a work?" Old Hei asked, taking a sip of tea.

"Yes, I finished writing it a while ago, so I came to try my luck!"

"Mm-hmm, it's great that young people have ideas and spirit, unlike an old woman like me, who finds it difficult to even pick up a pen and write!"

"What's the situation now? Is it going smoothly?" Old Hei continued to ask.

"Currently, negotiations are almost complete, and it should be officially published soon!" Zhao Dongchuan said with a smile.

"Good, good, good. No wonder you've been here so long and haven't come to see us. It seems what you've written is very good. Once it's published, I, this old woman, will also have to read it carefully."

As the two were talking, a shout came from outside the courtyard.

"Grandma! Grandma!"

A clear voice, like silver bells, rang out. As the saying goes, the voice arrived before the person.

When Zhao Dongchuan heard the voice, he felt a strange sense of familiarity and thought, "It can't be such a coincidence, it's that little girl!"

The door pushed open, and a slender woman in a floral dress walked in, her legs long and straight.

Who else could it be but Liu Yifei?

Zhao Dongchuan inwardly cursed, truly "no coincidence, no story!"

"Oh, why are you here too?" Liu Yifei asked, surprised.

"Surprised? Unexpected?" Zhao Dongchuan said with a slight smile, gesturing with both hands.

"Uh, you two know each other?" Old Hei was also a little surprised.

"Yes, Grandma, this is Zhao Dongchuan, the author of love of life whom I mentioned to you before!"

"Zhao Dongchuan... Zhao Dongchuan... Oh, I'm really getting senile... I wonder why that name sounded so familiar!" Old Hei suddenly realized.

"That old Director Wang, he didn't explain clearly on the phone, no wonder... no wonder..."

Zhao Dongchuan squeezed the letter of introduction in his pocket that he hadn't had a chance to take out. This really wasn't Director Wang's fault. Who told Zhao Dongchuan not to think about asking Old Hei for help? As a cheat himself, he really didn't need his help.

"You know my grandpa?" Liu Yifei asked.

"Uh, I've long admired him, but haven't had the chance to meet him. Coincidentally, on this trip to the provincial capital, Director Wang entrusted me to visit his old friend, Old Hei!"

"Is that so? That's quite a coincidence!"

"Hahaha, I didn't expect it either..."

Old Hei looked at the two conversing and couldn't help but nod secretly. This Zhao Dongchuan and Liu Yifei, one talented, one youthful and beautiful, truly a perfect match. However, she wasn't a gossipy old woman; young people's affairs should be handled by themselves.

"Xiao Zhao, why don't you have lunch with us today? Yifei, come with me to the kitchen to cook!"

Without giving Zhao Dongchuan a chance to refuse, Old Hei led Liu Yifei into the kitchen.

"Grandma, I remember the Cultural Bureau arranged someone to take care of you, didn't they? Where is she?" Liu Yifei asked, walking with Old Hei, holding her arm.

"Your grandpa wasn't willing. He said he didn't want to take advantage of public resources, didn't want to boss people around like capitalists, so he declined..."

Zhao Dongchuan watched as the two entered the kitchen, preparing to cook, and quickly followed them.

"I'll help out!" He naturally couldn't just stand by and watch an old person cook for him. Even if he was a guest, that wasn't right.

So, with Zhao Dongchuan's help, the meal was quickly prepared. For Zhao Dongchuan, who possessed basic cooking skills, making some home-style dishes was a piece of cake.

Old Hei saw Zhao Dongchuan cooking skillfully, while her granddaughter washed and picked vegetables beside him. The two cooperated seamlessly, chatting and laughing, which made her even more satisfied.

When the dishes were on the table, the three sat down. Old Hei also took out a bottle of aged Shaoxing yellow wine from the cabinet.

"Drink some of this yellow wine to warm yourselves up!" She then placed the yellow wine in a basin of hot water to warm it.

The three ate, occasionally drinking a cup of yellow wine, and chatted. Liu Yifei spoke about her experiences at the magazine, inevitably touching upon Shi Jian's matter a few days ago. Old Hei, being old and having seen much, merely shook her head.

.........

After dinner, Zhao Dongchuan said his goodbyes and left. As he was leaving, Old Hei told him to come back and gather again after Old Hei returned, not to rush off. Zhao Dongchuan nodded silently, noncommittal.

Old Hei didn't say anything more, only asking Liu Yifei to see him off.

"Are you leaving?" Liu Yifei asked.

"Yes, in a few days. After I look around a bit more, I'll prepare to go back." Zhao Dongchuan thought that once the system task was completed, he would prepare to return. He had been here for quite some time and wanted to go back and see.

Liu Yifei was silent. She felt a little reluctant, but she had no reason to ask him to stay. After all, they had only just met and could barely be considered friends.

When she first read the poem "Love of Life," she was moved by its profound message. She had experienced many upheavals in her childhood and could understand that feeling, so she naturally developed a fondness for the poet. Moreover, Zhao Dongchuan was not only talented, but also handsome, tall, kind to others, and had good character, which naturally sparked a young girl's romantic feelings...

Zhao Dongchuan waved his hand, bidding farewell to Liu Yifei.

Back at the guesthouse, Zhao Dongchuan washed up and then continued his studies. He hadn't neglected his schoolwork during this time.

Of the "self-study series of mathematics, physics, and chemistry," only one algebra book remained unstudied; the others were all completed.

In the following days, Zhao Dongchuan did not go to the magazine again; his "nanny" term had ended.

He began to tour this ancient capital alone, watching the human world amidst the surging crowds, sitting on the ancient city walls, touching the mottled bricks, experiencing the vicissitudes of time. He also secretly used the Breath Concealment Technique, combined with his system glasses, to enter the mausoleum of the First Emperor and observe the archaeologists' excavation work. However, nothing had been organized yet; it was all just dirt mixed with scattered remains.

From deep inside, he distantly felt a special aura, indescribable, seemingly the legendary malevolent energy. His body felt slightly uncomfortable, and he dared not go deeper, so he left after a quick look.

He constantly wandered through this ancient city, experiencing the collision of ancient times and the new era...