Chapter 144 Life is but 30,000 days
Ouyang Qing slept on Shen Zhenzhu's bed until noon.
Her mobile phone and pager were both switched off, and she didn't plan to turn them on.
She was leaning against the bed, not fully awake, when an overwhelming wave of grief washed over her.
In just 24 hours, until the incident, Ouyang Qing, who thought she had a happy family, experienced a murder committed by her family and witnessed their hatred and resentment towards her.
I woke up to find myself all alone.
She gave a self-deprecating smile, her eyes stinging with tears.
Upon opening the door, she saw Yuan Juan, wearing an apron and happily wiping the table. Seeing that she was awake, she poured a glass of hot milk and handed it to Ouyang Qing: "Pearl wants us to go to the restaurant for dinner tonight to celebrate your rebirth."
Rebirth.
Ouyang Qing took the milk without saying a word.
Yuan Juan helped her sit on the sofa, then went to the bathroom to find a disposable toothbrush and said, "If you don't want to drink, that's fine. If you're free this afternoon, I'll go with you to a less crowded place to relax. There's a nice mountain there; I often go there. Pearl has been there too."
"Okay," Ouyang Qing said again, "thank you."
Yuan Juan watched her go to wash up, and sighed softly behind her. "Cheer up quickly."
A moment later, Ouyang Qing put on Chen Zhenzhu's sportswear. The cuffs were a little short, but with a baseball cap and a cotton mask, he was able to avoid many probing eyes.
"Take Sixth Sister's shoes. She said they're brand new and she hasn't worn them yet; the multi-layered soles are so comfortable." Yuan Juan opened the shoe cabinet and found Sixth Sister's old Beijing cloth shoes, then laughed: "You've never tried this combination before, have you?"
After he finished speaking, Ouyang Qing did not react.
Yuan Juan squatted down and followed her gaze, then got up and went over herself.
"These are the award certificates Pearl received for solving cases, framed and displayed."
Standing next to Ouyang Qing, Yuan Juan said, "This is the 'First-Class Hero' trophy, which I received along with the 'First-Class Hero' plaque hanging on the wall. The competition trophy was won after a month-long competition against the provincial criminal investigation police in Shenyang. I finally won first place. The 'Second-Class Hero' award is also extraordinary; I heard that the 'First-Class' ones are all gone... And all of these were earned from solving cases; the young lady cherishes them very much. She usually doesn't show them to others."
"She must have a strong heart." Imagine that Shen Zhenzhu has encountered so many of the darkest and most sinful things in the world, yet she can still maintain a positive and optimistic attitude. Ouyang Qing admires her and sees the light shining in Shen Zhenzhu.
"She's diligent at work, but loves to play and have fun after get off work. She also loves to eat all sorts of random snacks from outside, which Sixth Sister often nags about," Yuan Juan said with a smile. "This little girl gave my daughter and me a glimmer of hope."
Ouyang Qing knew about Yuan Juan's ordeal and reached out to hug her, saying, "When I'm better, I'll go see Niu Niu too."
"That's wonderful! Niu Niu loves you." Yuan Juan went back to the shoe cabinet and handed over some old Beijing cloth shoes, saying with a smile, "She sings your movie theme song, 'Flower Dance,' all the time."
"Flower Dance" is my first song, it's been quite a few years, and she actually knows it." Ouyang Qing sat on a small stool, trying to change the subject and distract himself.
“She liked ‘Flower Dance,’ ‘Mirror in the Water,’ and ‘One Heart Towards the Red Star.’” Yuan Juan tried to open the door, but couldn’t.
He pulled a spare key from the drawer and said with a smile, "Look at Pearl, she's still worried about the two of us adults at home and has to lock the door from the inside. She's always so anxious."
"It's the little things that reveal true feelings." After saying this, Ouyang Qing fell silent and put on his old Beijing cloth shoes.
Once outside, Ouyang Qing remained quiet the entire way.
After climbing the mountain, gazing at the distant, vast sky, Ouyang Qing sat on a rock, lost in thought.
After descending the mountain, I passed a newsstand.
Ouyang Qing stopped and saw that the gossip newspapers and magazines on the stall were all about her and Ouyang Aihua's family.
"Stop looking," Yuan Juan said, trying to pull Ouyang Qing forward.
Ouyang Qing shook his head and said, "It's alright, I have to face it eventually."
"Yeah, that's true."
The report expressed sympathy for her, but also questioned her status as a victim.
Even though the perpetrators Shao Li and Ouyang Hao have been arrested, and there are blurry photos of them handcuffed on the cover, some people still talk about inside stories in the news, saying that she deliberately wanted to kill Ouyang Aihua, etc.
The old man at the newsstand was blasting his radio loudly, and even the local radio station in Liancheng was reporting on this shocking family murder case that had gripped the nation.
Whenever the name "Ouyang Qing" is mentioned, it boosts the listenership. The "listeners" on the phone, whether pre-arranged or not, speak without any restraint.
“They only pursue entertainment and don’t care about the truth.” Yuan Juan had also followed entertainment news because of Niu Niu, and the outside world’s speculation, conjecture, and smear campaign were just another blow to Ouyang Qing.
"Sister Qing? Are you Sister Qing?" Two female students on the street stopped and bent down, trying to see Ouyang Qing's true face through the gaps in her baseball cap and mask.
Yuan Juan immediately stepped between them and said, "No, it's because my friend is sick. Be careful not to catch a cold from her."
These words did not dispel their concerns, and somehow they became even louder as they exclaimed, "It's Sister Qing! So you're still in Liancheng! Sister Qing, how are you? We support you!"
"Ouyang Qing? The one who killed his own brother and fled?"
"That big star with a terrible temper, she's been in the headlines every day lately, you know it's never a good thing when you see her."
"Is a production team going to break up with her? I saw her in commercials on TV."
"Could you sign this?"
"She still has the nerve to sign autographs? Murderers are just mentally strong."
"......"
Passersby hurrying along the road frequently glanced at them, gradually surrounding them, and some even picked up their mobile phones to make calls.
Ouyang Qing was pulled into the car by Yuan Juan.
"Driver, to the commercial street of Tiesi New Second Village, to Sister Liu's Restaurant." Yuan Juan usually couldn't bear to take a taxi, but if she didn't now, she might be surrounded by more and more curious people.
The driver, who had stopped, didn't recognize Ouyang Qing and said politely, "Okay, I knew it when you said Sixth Sister's Restaurant. Close the car door, and get off on the right side later."
“Okay,” Yuan Juan said.
"Maybe I shouldn't eat there," Ouyang Qing said, still worried about Sixth Sister's restaurant. "What if it affects their business?"
Yuan Juan said, "Pearl said it's okay, you'll know when you get there."
Seeing that her words left no room for refusal, Ouyang Qing knew that Pearl would never harm him, so he nodded and silently looked out the window.
The last time she visited Sister Liu's restaurant, she was a big star surrounded by people, warmly greeting everyone. Now... she doesn't know how to face everyone.
Did they also read the report?
Are there any speculations?
Were they whispering amongst themselves, waiting for her to expose her ugly side?
As she got out of the taxi, Ouyang Qing nervously swallowed. This was also the first time she had entered a public place since the incident.
There weren't many people queuing outside yet. When the female server at the door saw Yuan Juan, she glanced back again.
Ouyang Qing took off his hat and mask and greeted her face to face: "Hello."
The waitress's eyes lit up with surprise, and she called out into the restaurant, "Sister Qing is here!!"
Sixth Sister rushed out of the kitchen, hugged Ouyang Qing tightly, pointed to the specially prepared dining table and said, "Great, sit over there. I was worried you wouldn't want to come."
"Sixth Sister, hello." Ouyang Qing didn't know what to say.
The diners, both old and new, all looked at her and greeted her with smiles, "Hello, Sister Qing!"
"Sister Qing is here again! Sixth Sister's cooking is amazing, isn't it?"
"I actually got to see Sister Qing! That's great, I'm so lucky."
"Hello, Sister Qing!"
The enthusiastic greetings that came one after another made Ouyang Qing feel as if he were in another world.
She was pushed forward by Yuan Juan, looking at one friendly face after another that smiled at her.
Ouyang Qing sat down and saw a chubby boy sitting across the table, looking at her curiously from left to right.
"My name is Zhang Guojun, and my nickname is Little Fatty." Little Fatty Zhang came over to eat again.
Seeing that he was very familiar with him, Ouyang Qing nodded and said, "Hello, Zhang Guojun."
Zhang Xiaopang said, "I have something to tell you."
Sixth Sister watched Zhang Xiaopang nervously from the kitchen doorway, afraid he would say something inappropriate.
Ouyang Qing knew that children's words were innocent, but he was still a little nervous.
Zhang Xiaopang obviously knew this; he wasn't stupid! After hesitating for a while, he pulled out a math test paper with 29 points from his schoolbag and said somewhat embarrassedly, "You're an adult now, you must know how to do multiplication, right?"
Sixth Sister quickly came over, pinched his ear, and said, "Your homeroom teacher said last time when we came to eat that we shouldn't help you with your homework. Go over there and do it yourself! If you get another 29, you won't be able to come back for chicken legs."
Zhang Xiaopang was gesticulating wildly and shouting "Ahhh!", which made the diners in the restaurant laugh. Caught up in the atmosphere, Ouyang Qing's expression relaxed a bit.
"Pearl said she'll be here in half an hour." Sixth Sister brought Ouyang Qing some dark black duck: "Smack your lips first."
"Yes, thank you."
"Hey, don't be so polite with me. Just tell me what you want to eat, I'll cook something special for you today." He then said to the diners, "There's only one roasted lamb leg left, I'll put it on this table."
This table naturally belongs to Ouyang Qing.
Before anyone could answer, Zhang Xiaopang, who was covering his ears, shouted, "I have no objection!"
This remark made everyone laugh again.
I actually know quite a bit about these little gadgets.
Everyone knew about Sister Qing's situation but didn't say anything, and they all said, "We have no objections."
"Absolutely no objection!"
"Let's give Sister Qing some more nourishment."
"Yes, you're not allowed to leave until you finish eating. Haha."
"Sister Qing, I'm not being long-winded, but this is the time of year to eat lamb legs. You can't find the same skill as Sixth Sister at other restaurants."
"You're right. I ate at someone else's house once, and oh dear, the meat wasn't fresh. It really upset me."
"Old Lin's barbecue restaurant on North Street is alright, but it's not as good as Sixth Sister's."
"That's far from the truth; I wouldn't even bother comparing them."
Regardless of whether they were at the same table or not, the people in the shop chatted animatedly, as if they had known each other for a long time. Meeting under this roof gave them a warm feeling of coming home, which made them open up to each other.
Ouyang Qing could feel the encouraging looks in everyone's eyes. Not a single person pointed or gestured at her; all the words were sincere. It was as if she had gotten into a car on the street and entered another dimension.
"Look, I can already hear Pearl's laughter before we even arrive." Yuan Juan took the salted peanuts and edamame that were brought over, and also put the milk tea on the table, looking towards the door.
Shen Zhenzhu strolled home from get off work, pushing her bicycle, followed by four groups of hungry children: "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, I'm home!"
"Pickled cabbage fish, braised chicken with chestnuts, boiled sliced pork, Kung Pao chicken." Lu Ye sat down with great interest when he saw that all the meat dishes came from Shen Liuhe's private kitchen.
Wu Zhongguo also came. He never used to attend gatherings, but when his wife and kids heard that he was going to eat at Sister Liu's restaurant, they kept urging him to come and get takeout. Hey, he couldn't refuse to come and eat.
Shen Zhenzhu placed a bowl of fragrant Northeast rice on the table, stretched out her legs, hooked the chair, and squeezed herself to sit next to Ouyang Qing.
Zhao Qiqi had finally managed to snatch the feng shui throne, and he glared resentfully at Chen Zhenzhu. Chen Zhenzhu whispered, "I'll help you snatch a chicken leg later."
Zhao Qiqi was happy.
When Shen Zhenzhu was in a good mood, she secretly said to Ouyang Qing, "There's nothing wrong with eating with us, except for one thing: please don't be shy."
Ouyang Qing, unaware of the "dangerous" situation at the fourth team's meal, nodded and said, "Alright, I won't stand on ceremony with you. Where's Sister Yuan?"
Yuan Juan and Yuan Jiangxue sat at another table next door. Yuan Juan glanced at the members of the Major Crimes Unit and lied to Ouyang Qing for the first time: "It's the same for me here."
The waiter then brought over braised sea cucumber with scallions, stir-fried baby sea hare, and salt-baked prawns, saying, "There's also a mutton soup. Sixth Sister told you to eat it first, and save it for last."
Lu Ye eagerly picked up his chopsticks: "Shall we begin?"
Shen Zhenzhu nudged Ouyang Qing with her elbow and whispered, "Are you ready?"
Ouyang Qing had no idea what was going on. What could she possibly prepare for a meal? She had just eaten some roasted lamb leg and wasn't actually that hungry anymore.
The next second, I finally understood how to write the phrase "wind sweeps away the clouds".
"Hey, eat slowly. I haven't treated you badly even though Brother Zheng isn't here. Eat slowly." Although she said this, Chen Zhenzhu had already stood up and quickly scooped a spoonful of braised chicken with chestnuts into an empty bowl, then pushed it to Ouyang Qing: "You eat quickly."
Then he picked up three more large shrimp and put them in his own bowl, and sat down to peel them for Ouyang Qing.
Ouyang Qing was so caught up in the fast-paced meal that he had no time to think about anything else. He was also used to listening to Shen Zhenzhu, and when she told him to eat, he quickly picked up some food and ate it.
Yuan Jiangxue, standing nearby, laughed heartily. Every time she watched the four teams having a meal together, her appetite would increase, and she couldn't help but eat an extra bowl.
Fortunately, everyone still cared about appearances and didn't wolf down the food like Pigsy swallowing ginseng fruit. They ate Sixth Sister's delicious food quickly and in an orderly manner.
As more and more delicious dishes were served, the pace gradually slowed down.
Shen Zhenzhu served Ouyang Qingsheng another bowl of rice, pressing it down with a rice spoon as she said, "It's all new rice from the crab fields, pure green and pollution-free, eat more."
Ouyang Qing had already eaten more than usual, but he didn't feel full at all. Under Shen Zhenzhu's expectant gaze, he took the rice and nodded: "Okay."
Shen Zhenzhu scooped the last bit of braised chicken with chestnuts into Ouyang Qing's bowl. Seeing that she was eating well, she then picked up her chopsticks and started sucking on the shrimp shells.
Because I'm too lazy to peel them.
Braised chicken with chestnuts—this hearty autumn comfort food brought Ouyang Qing a sense of comfort and contentment.
Even though we had already eaten quite a bit, the chicken pieces were still glistening with oil, and the golden, plump chestnuts added a wonderful aroma that blended perfectly with the thoroughly cooked chicken. The chicken meat fell off the bone with just a gentle touch of chopsticks.
The first taste is the savory and salty flavor of the sauce, followed by the tenderness of the chicken, and finally the soft and sweet taste of the chestnuts.
This is a rich flavor that has solidified under the autumn sun, even more intoxicating than meat.
“You have good taste if you like this dish.” Wu Zhongguo said to Ouyang Qing from the opposite side, “This is the flavor that Sixth Sister slowly simmered on the old stove in the backyard. The method is simple, but it has a way of making you know how delicious it is without having to make a big fuss. Life is like cooking. How can you cook with a raging fire every day? Eating a dish like this will make you stand tall when you go out.”
Ouyang Qing nodded, seemingly lost in thought.
She's practically frying oil on a hot plate right now.
Zhao Qiqi sat next to him and quickly promoted her favorite boiled pork slices: "I think boiled pork slices are pretty good. Sister Qing, let me tell you, when you're feeling down, you need to wash it off with chili oil. The flavor is domineering, as spicy as fire, and it's so numbing that you feel like you've lived, that's when you're satisfied."
After finishing his braised chicken with chestnuts, Ouyang Qing heard this and parted the red oil to pick up a thin, even slice of meat. The slice of meat, still coated with oil, curled slightly and trembling as it came to his lips.
The moment Ouyang Qing tasted it, his taste buds felt like they were being bombarded by a storm; it truly was a domineering numbing sensation and a fiery, burning spiciness.
A burning sensation surged in her mouth, the tip of her tongue scorching her throat, causing sweat to bead on her forehead. Only after resisting the intense heat of the numbing spiciness could she truly appreciate the tenderness and amazing aroma of the meat slices.
The smoky flavor of boiled pork slices is a roar of chivalry and brotherhood. It directly forces people to sweat, to shed tears, and to awaken Ouyang Qing's originally numb nerves. He slurps and slurps as he enjoys a refreshing dip in the scalding red oil, feeling thoroughly satisfied with the spiciness, and his eyes become much brighter.
Shen Zhenzhu prefers sauerkraut fish. The sauerkraut is made by her mother, and the fish is a large grass carp carefully selected by the fish farmers of Xishan Reservoir.
The sauerkraut fish soup base is milky white, with the fish bones simmering to create a rich flavor. It complements the tangy cabbage leaves and tender fish slices, offering a gentle taste that comes after experiencing a multitude of flavors.
Judging a person is like judging a person. Chen Zhenzhu scooped half a bowl of sauerkraut fish for Ouyang Qing and said considerately, "Zhang Xiaopang said you ate a little bit of roasted lamb leg, so I won't urge you to eat too much. Eat as much as you want."
Anyway, there were more than ten dishes on the table, and Lu Ye and Zhao Qiqi could clean them up by themselves, let alone with Chen Zhenzhu.
As for Wu Zhongguo, he's too old and prone to indigestion, so he needs to go for a walk outside after eating.
Ouyang Qinggang needed a sip of sauerkraut soup to soothe her taste buds after eating boiled pork slices. She scooped up a spoonful of hot soup, its tangy and scalding flavor instantly reawakening her stimulated taste buds.
A warm current slid from the mouth into the throat, driving away the cold. The sauerkraut that Sixth Sister pickled was not a harsh, sour taste, but a refreshing and invigorating one.
It cleanses the palate and stimulates the appetite.
This gave Ouyang Qing a much-needed boost.
The fish slices are so tender they melt in your mouth, and the umami flavor is enhanced by the sour soup, making them refreshingly sweet. Chewing on the pickled cabbage adds a touch of saltiness, sourness, and crispness, which is the essence of the whole dish.
The greasiness of life needs to be countered with something tangy and refreshing, and the blandness of life needs to be filled with delicious food.
As Ouyang Qing held his chopsticks and looked at the enthusiastic crowd around him, a sense of warmth gradually seeped into his heart.
Shen Zhenzhu said seemingly casually, "Sixth Sister's pickled fish has a rich and mellow flavor, and it's refreshing and delicious. At first, I was always afraid of sourness, but life has many flavors, and you can't always eat sweet and greasy things."
Life is but a fleeting 30,000 days; we've tasted the bitterness and sweetness of life, and no hardship can't be overcome with a good meal. If it can't, then have another meal! A full stomach, warmth, and the strength to stand up again will allow us to continue battling life's challenges.
Ouyang Qing understood her unspoken meaning; she was quite good at sweet-talking despite her young age. This wasn't the first time he'd felt this way.
A faint smile appeared on her face as she felt the powerful yet gentle force emanating from Shen Zhenzhu trying to pull her up time and time again.
She then looked at the many diners eating nearby. The barriers between strangers were melted away by the steam from the food and their shared goodwill. There was no cold wariness, no overstepping boundaries. Everyone had gathered here because of the food, not knowing each other's names, and treating her, who was embroiled in the news, with the most genuine kindness.
Whether it was Chen Zhenzhu and the four teams, or strangers, this selfless and friendly support was more nourishing than any precious delicacy.
It was lunchtime, and the restaurant was bustling with noise.
The clinking of cups and plates, the sizzling of food cooking in the kitchen, and the shouts of waiters blended into a lively cacophony. Ouyang Qing, like an ordinary diner, felt as if he were being gently embraced by a warm blanket amidst the noise, and his loneliness and frustration were largely squeezed out in the bustling restaurant.
"These clams are quite plump, send a plate over there." Grandpa Zhang, who came to have dinner with Zhang Xiaopang, saw him still gnawing on a lamb leg. When he learned that it was a gift from Ouyang Qing, he waved his hand and said, "It's on my tab."
Ouyang Qing was astonished; he had never experienced such a domineering way of giving gifts before.
"Sixth Sister's clams are so fresh and plump, you have to try them when you come." Grandpa Zhang chuckled and stroked his white beard. "I'm practically halfway to the grave, I've tasted everything, and I've overcome all kinds of hardships. Let me tell you a secret: once you've had your hard times, good fortune will be lining up behind you."
Ouyang Qing stared blankly at the old man. She had no parents, no other relatives. The old man's wrinkles were deep and wavy, and his eyes contained the purest and most simple kindness. He seemed to have just said something ordinary, but that moment of warmth was like the old wine in his glass, enough to soothe the coldness in her heart.
Grandpa Zhang slowly picked up a piece of mutton with his chopsticks, waved it at Ouyang Qing, and said, "Girl, thank you for the mutton. I'm going to have a couple of ounces of wine today."
With tears welling up in his eyes, Ouyang Qing said, "Please eat, thank you."
Seeing that his grandfather had struck up a conversation with Ouyang Qing, Zhang Xiaopang pulled out his crumpled homework book and presented it to Ouyang Qing: "Could you sign this for me?"
Ouyang Qing wiped his eyes and said, "What do you want me to sign?"
Zhang Xiaopang shouted, "Just sign 'I-am-Ou-yang-qing!'"
"I am Ouyang Qing..."
The child's words, though not earth-shattering, precisely nourished Ouyang Qing's heart.
Yes, she is Ouyang Qing.
She is none other than Ouyang Qing, with her unyielding spirit and defiant attitude. She is one of the most outstanding actresses in the country, the brightest star under the spotlight, and the focus of all media reporters.
"Wow, I'm so full!" Zhao Qiqi said, rubbing her stomach. "I'm going for a run when I get back later."
Lu Ye, with a toothpick in his mouth, said, "You seem to have gotten a bit rounder lately."
After everyone finished eating, Wu Zhongguo packed up the leftovers at the counter.
Shen Zhenzhu noticed that a number of reporters had gathered outside the door. They were spotted by the diners who came out, and everyone spontaneously blocked their prying eyes, blocking the doorway to prevent them from coming in and disturbing Ouyang Qing.
Ouyang Qing ate very contentedly. He had put on a baseball cap and a mask, but took them off again when he saw this.
"Sister Qing?" Shen Zhenzhu asked doubtfully, "Or should we go through the back door?"
The diners stopped talking and frowned, looking displeased at the reporters who had suddenly appeared outside the door.
Someone shouted "Sister Qing, keep going!" and then cheers of encouragement surrounded Ouyang Qing.
Ouyang Qing stood in front of the counter, clasped his hands in gratitude, and said, "I will come again. See you next time."
The concern in those kind eyes touched Ouyang Qing's heart, and gradually she knew what she should do. In her confusion, someone had already helped her dispel the fog before her eyes.
She smiled and looked at Chen Zhenzhu, silently saying "thank you" in her heart.
Shen Zhenzhu pointed to the back door: "This way?"
"It's alright, let them take pictures." Ouyang Qing walked towards the main entrance, head held high, facing the aggressive reporters: "Hello, I am Ouyang Qing."
Even if it's against the current, she will go against it.
Water reaches its end and becomes a beautiful landscape; people reach their end and are reborn.
It's time for her to live for herself.
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Author's Note: Ouyang Qing goes out: [Sunglasses]
Pearl: [Sprinkling flowers]
Everyone at Sixth Sister's Restaurant: [Go for it!][Go for it!][Go for it!]
***
See you tomorrow, there are 100 red envelopes! [Let me see]
***
This article and the food section of this chapter reference and modify works such as "Little Delights", "Worried About This World", "Flavors of the World", "Life's Kitchen", "Yan Shi Ji", and the internet.
Water reaches its end and becomes a beautiful landscape; people reach their end and are reborn.
Selected Works of Mao Zedong
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