We, two people with plenty of time to spare, found a shady spot and waited there from six to seven.
I complained to Yang Sisi for a long time, but it was no use. I closed my eyes and lay down on the curb made of stones, feeling completely exhausted. I imagined myself on the shore of Erhai Lake, and then threw my unbearable past and troubles into the twenty-meter-deep sea.
I opened my eyes again and saw the woman I had rescued on the highway. She exuded an aura of elite status, representing the pinnacle of that city's elite. I, on the other hand, had always lived in stark contrast to her, feeling utterly insignificant. Undeniably, in close proximity, she was even more captivating than when I had seen her from the observation deck at sunset. Caught completely off guard, I didn't even know how to speak to her.
Fortunately, she spoke first: "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."
"Uh...it's okay, we're both free anyway."
After I finished speaking, I smiled at her and lit a cigarette to make myself feel more at ease. She returned a faint smile and said, "I left in such a hurry that night. If I hadn't exchanged contact information with Sisi, I probably wouldn't have had the chance to treat you to a meal to express my gratitude."
"It was just a small favor, don't worry about it too much."
She didn't seem very good at finding topics to talk about and communicating with people, and we quickly killed the conversation. Fortunately, Yang Sisi was there. After glancing at us, she said, "Aren't you going to introduce yourselves first? Otherwise, you can just call each other 'that' or 'this' when you meet in the future."
I finally met her gaze, then looked away first and said, "My name is Michael, I'm from Sichuan, and I've been working in Shanghai for a few years."
She nodded and then said after me, "My name is Ye Zhi, and I'm practically a Shanghainese."
I was curious to tell her that she was half Shanghainese, but then I noticed that her features were much more defined than the average woman's, and her skin was whiter, but she didn't completely look like a person of Asian descent, so she was probably of mixed race.
Sure enough, Yang Sisi quickly said, "Sister Ye Zhi's maternal grandmother is British. If I do the math, she should have one-quarter British blood."
I nodded and glanced at her again. She stood in the wind, seemingly a world unto herself. Meanwhile, ordinary people like me were separated by countless barriers, only able to see her from afar, even though she was truly so close at that moment. I imagined a possibility: if Yang Sisi weren't there, and it was just the two of us alone, could I bring her down from her ethereal state? Then I could exchange a few jokes with her and show her my true self.
Actually, this idea is quite boring. I'm really not good at dealing with elite women. If Yang Sisi hadn't stirred things up, it would have been even more awkward.
That evening was perhaps the most enjoyable time of my life. Yang Sisi walked beside me on my left, and Ye Zhi, whom I had just met, beside me on my right. Because the gazes of strangers are the most genuine. They looked at me with a "what have you done to deserve this?" kind of look, and after we walked away, the same gazes were cast upon me from another group of people.
I have a feeling that I'm about to be killed!
...
Finally, Ye Zhi, who had treated us to dinner, led Yang Sisi and me to a farmhouse courtyard located by Erhai Lake. Before knocking on the door, she turned to us and said, "This is a private restaurant run by a Taiwanese friend of mine."
Yang Sisi eagerly added, "I've been starving all day just waiting for this meal. Is it good?"
"Of course, he was a Michelin-starred chef before coming to Dali."
I don't really understand what Michelin is, but Yang Sisi seems to understand perfectly. She looked at Ye Zhi incredulously, but this time she didn't ask any more questions.
The person who opened the door for us was a middle-aged Taiwanese man, whom Ye Zhi called "Brother Cheng." Accompanying Brother Cheng was a middle-aged woman, whom Ye Zhi called Sister Li. They were a married couple, and Brother Cheng was the one who cooked for us.
Stepping into the courtyard reveals a completely different scene. Cheng Ge's private restaurant is a converted old Bai ethnic house, mostly constructed of earth and wood. With the addition of many flowers and plants, it immediately evokes a feeling of returning to a primitive way of life. Many of the furnishings inside also show a sense of craftsmanship, making one unconsciously want to sit there a little longer and have some tea.
Sister Li then led us to the second-floor balcony, where a long Western-style table was set with many desserts and appetizers. This was a tempting treat for my taste buds, while the quietly flowing Erhai Lake in the distance was a visual temptation.
I have to admit, the place that Sister Li and Brother Cheng chose, although out of touch with the market, was extremely cost-effective. Anyway, if I have the chance in the future, I will definitely come back here as a repeat customer. At this moment, Yang Sisi and Ye Zhi also stood by the balcony railing, looking at Erhai Lake, which was very close to us, and the line of lights on the opposite shore.
Watching their retreating figures, I felt a comfortable tranquility. Finally, after Sister Li left, I took the initiative to speak to Ye Zhi and said, "Staying in Shanghai for too long fills me with an inescapable restlessness. This place is quite nice, like another world."
Ye Zhi turned to look at me, smiled, and replied, "Really? I just think the night view of Dali is beautiful." After a slight pause, she added, "Actually, Shanghai has its advantages too, at least there are more opportunities. However, if you approach it with an escapist mentality, you'll likely end up in a rather passive position."
I'm not stupid; I could tell she seemed to be targeting something. Thinking about it further, Yang Sisi had always kept her contact information, so I'd probably already told her about my resignation and move to Dali. Therefore, she wanted to offer me some advice.
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