Time flies. It's been almost a year since she left me. I found a job nearby as a highway patrolman, which is similar to being a security guard. Many friends think that it's a waste of my talents to do this job as a retired mercenary.
However, I still chose this job because it's the closest to her. Every day, I spend half an hour at the place where we parted ways. I cherish this place and miss her.
In the end, I still couldn't let her go. This place is called Changjiangling, nestled against the mountains and overlooking the water. Green hills and clear waters are not far away. In this season, the surrounding area is full of dandelions, and when the breeze blows, the fluff flies everywhere.
I vaguely remember her saying that she liked the freedom of dandelions and their pure white plumage. Every time I passed by this place, I would stop the car and look into the distance through the car window, often hoping that I could miraculously see her standing there in the sea of dandelions, gazing at them.
"Attention all units, a major traffic accident has occurred on the Changjiangwan section of the road. All staff in the vicinity are requested to rush to the scene immediately to assist in clearing the traffic. I repeat, all units..." The loud and powerful voice of the highway patrol team leader interrupted my thoughts as the walkie-talkie hanging in the car crackled to life.
I smiled to myself, knowing I'd be busy again. So I started the car, put it in reverse, turned it 60 degrees, and with a screech, hiss, the wheels screeched against the ground as I sped towards the Changjiang Bay section of the road.
After finishing my work on the Changjiangwan section of the road, I took out my phone—the same phone she had given me—and checked the time. It was already past 11 p.m. This traffic accident was quite serious. I think I'll see it on the news tomorrow morning. After all, it was a PetroChina oil tanker that suddenly exploded while driving. It's a bit strange, but it's big news.
After I finished handing over my duties with the next shift staff, one of my colleagues drove back to the city, and I hitched a ride with him.
After getting off the bus, I wandered aimlessly through the streets, a cigarette dangling from my lips. I had no idea where I was. I just wanted to clear my head and release the stress and frustration of a day's work.
Ten minutes passed in this way, and a building resembling an ancient inn came into view, interrupting my thoughts. The bronze-colored doorway was flanked by large red lanterns, reflecting off the dark black signboard with the two powerful golden characters "Li Yuan" (meaning "Leaving the Garden"). It stood out from the modern buildings on the street, easily attracting the attention of young people. Retro style has been popular in China for years, and I can only say that the owner of this inn is very talented and has a good business sense.
Intrigued, I headed towards the inn to experience its retro charm. As I stepped inside, a cool breeze swept over me, gently caressing my face. A young man, who looked like a waiter, rushed out to lead me inside and seat me. He then habitually wiped the table and greeted me, "Sir, what would you like to eat? Our inn has everything you could want, all kinds of delicacies from around the world."
I was a little uncomfortable with his tone, so I replied, half-laughing and half-crying, "Just bring me a few jugs of fine sake, and a few of your signature dishes, that'll do."
The waiter smiled obsequiously and said, "Alright, just a moment, the food and wine will be ready soon, I'll be right there." Then he ran toward the counter, where there was an old, large cabinet with seemingly disordered yet orderly compartments, filled with earthenware jars and pots. Each jar had a red square piece of paper pasted on it, with a black character for "wine" written on it.
I turned around and looked around. I was almost scared to see all sorts of people here. There were people of all ages, some dressed in clothes from the old Republic of China era, some in Tang suits and hats, and some with long braids. I thought I had traveled back to ancient times. Fortunately, the people at the tables to my left were relatively normal. Some were wearing suits, and some were wearing casual clothes.
They all lowered their heads and ate their own food, completely ignoring what was happening outside. Some were whispering to each other, exchanging information in hushed tones.
There were four people sitting at the table next to me. The old man who was shouting and boasting about his skills was sitting diagonally opposite me. To his right was a drunken man with a felt hat on his head. To the old man's left was a fair-skinned young man, full of vigor and exuding the air of a scholar. He was wearing an old-fashioned white robe and a hat, and had a folding fan, a common accessory for cultured people, in his right hand.
Next to the scholar sat a man resembling a landlord, with a protruding belly, dressed in auspicious clothes, and a mustache hanging from his mouth, looking both comical and endearing. The old man, in a boisterous manner, drank wine while gnawing on braised lion's head meatballs, the clinking of glasses echoing loudly, "Bang...bang...bang..." He didn't forget to chat loudly with his companion.
"Back in the day, I single-handedly killed dozens of government officials in Pixian County. What a spectacular sight that was..." the burly old man boasted without blushing.
"Are you lying or exaggerating? They're government officials..." the slightly drunk young man sitting next to him mumbled.
“That’s right… Is it so easy to fight against the government?” the scholar replied.
“The kids are all honest and law-abiding…don’t try to fool me…” The landlord cast a questioning look at the old man.
"Hehe, don't doubt it, those scars and puncture marks on my back are souvenirs left by those government dogs... Now I'll take them off and show you..." The old man took off his shirt and showed it to his companions.
The people at the nearby tables, hearing this, also joined in the excitement and looked over. After they had all seen the knife wounds and stab marks, they gasped in shock and exclaimed in disbelief.
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