The Confucius Temple in Nanjing.

Although it's called a temple, it's more like a pedestrian street steeped in commercialism.

The crowds surged, shoulder to shoulder.

The air was filled with the aroma of duck blood and vermicelli soup and the burnt smell of stinky tofu.

The midday sun cast a greasy golden sheen on the turbid surface of the Qinhuai River.

"Boss, four bowls of duck blood and vermicelli soup, please!"

"Okay, do you want chili oil?"

The boss asked in a perfect Nanjing accent.

"Yes! I want the whole glass noodle soup! Duck liver, duck intestines, and duck gizzard too!"

Shen Qingqiu stood in front of the window of a time-honored shop.

He waved his phone payment code with great bravado.

"Teacher, please put less chili oil in."

Zhao Zichen pushed up his glasses, glanced at the bright red soup base on the table next to him, and his Adam's apple bobbed.

"What should I eat with less spice? When you're out having fun, you should enjoy yourself to the fullest!"

Shen Qingqiu was in an unusually good mood and turned to look at the human-shaped pendant behind her.

"Lin Que, would you like to add a duck leg?"

Lin Que was carrying two boxes of osmanthus cakes and three bags of salted duck.

There was also a bunch of Yuhua stone souvenirs that Zhang Ya had just bought.

He struggled to peek half his face out from the gap in the shopping bag and sighed weakly.

"Teacher, forget about the duck leg."

If you really pity me, could you let me find a bench to sit on for a while?

Even squatting on the curb would be fine.

"How can someone so young be so weak?"

Shen Qingqiu glanced at him with disdain, but still handed him a bowl with the most filling ingredients from the window.

"Eat something nourishing, we still need to go to the Jiangnan Examination Hall later."

That's where the ancient imperial examinations for top scholars were held. Go and share in the good fortune, especially Zhao Zichen!

Zhao Zichen nodded.

Zhang Ya held the soup bowl, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons with a smile:

"Lin Que, you should be content."

Teacher Shen is usually stingy... cough,

"I'm usually so frugal, but today I'm spending a fortune."

"Alright, eat your duck blood."

Shen Qingqiu glared at her, then picked up a bowl herself.

He stood by the roadside and ate without any regard for his image.

At this moment, there was no Teacher Bing, no grand prize winner.

There were only four tourists who were jostled and pushed around in the scenic area.

After eating and drinking to their hearts' content,

The group continued to navigate through the enormous maze.

Shen Qingqiu enthusiastically recounted the legends of the Eight Beauties of Qinhuai to them.

Zhao Zichen would occasionally chime in, reciting lines from "The Peach Blossom Fan," drawing sidelong glances from passersby.

Lin Que lagged behind, swaying slowly.

He had little interest in these so-called cultural landscapes.

In his view,

This overly commercialized ancient street is like an old lady wearing heavy makeup.

He desperately tries to prove he's still young, but he can't hide the weariness in his bones.

As I passed by a secluded alley behind the Dacheng Hall,

The noise had faded into the distance.

This place is right next to the back entrance of the Jinling Grand Theatre, with red walls and black tiles.

Several old sycamore trees cast dappled shade.

Lin Que was about to find a trash can to throw away the empty water bottle in his hand.

My gaze inadvertently swept over a stone lion in the corner of the wall.

Behind the stone lion, a white, fuzzy thing was crouching.

Taking two steps closer, Lin Que raised an eyebrow.

The enormous white lace skirt, like melted cream piled on the dirty cobblestones,

He was wearing a black men's windbreaker on his upper body.

The girl was squatting on the ground in a completely unseemly manner.

He was holding an oil paper bag in his hands, his cheeks bulging.

She ate quickly and attentively.

They didn't notice anyone approaching at all.

Lin Que walked to the trash can and threw the bottle in with a "clatter".

The girl looked up abruptly, as if startled.

Their eyes met.

Lin Que raised an eyebrow.

She has delicate features, big eyes, an oval face, and skin so white it reflects light.

There was a ring of red sweet and spicy sauce around his mouth.

He was holding a half-eaten plum blossom cake in his hand.

"cough."

Out of politeness, Lin Que looked away.

It's probably one of the students who came to take the art exam.

There are many art schools in Jinling.

Every year around this time, there are always a lot of unfortunate kids who are forced by their families to practice vocal music, musical instruments, or dance.

This girl must be starving.

That's why they'd be wearing their performance costumes and hiding here to sneak food from roadside stalls.

"Eat slowly, no one's going to take it from you."

Lin Que casually said,

Then he took out a pack of tissues from his pocket, pulled out a tissue, and handed it over.

"Wipe your mouth, it's covered in sauce."

The girl paused for a moment.

She didn't take the tissue.

Instead, he stared wide-eyed at Lin Que's face.

That look in his eyes was strange.

They weren't looking at passersby, but rather at some rare animal.

Surprise, astonishment

Then it quickly transformed into a sense of understanding and...

A subtle excitement?

Did she recognize herself?

Lin Que had some doubts.

Although I just won an award,

But it shouldn't be so popular that every foodie you bump into on the street becomes a fan, right?

The girl quickly stuffed the rest of the plum blossom cake into her mouth.

He mumbled something indistinctly.

It sounds like the word "evil spirit".

Before Lin Que could hear clearly,

Suddenly, a series of rapid high-heeled footsteps and shouts came from the alleyway.

"Xiao Xi! Xiao Xi! Where are you? Check-in is in ten minutes!"

The girl was startled.

"Ugh! Ugh! It's coming!"