Chapter 3 Encounter
After deciding to replace the prince with a cat, Xiaomai invited Pu Zhihe to the classroom to discuss the matter face to face. The 5'92" Mai Xu stood on the podium in the sunset, head bowed, as disciplined as a student standing for punishment. "Senior, here's the deal. I'm willing to pay you. Can you keep it a secret for me a little longer? I'll pay you whatever you say."
"No, I don't take money from kids. I can help, but if you're going to pay me, I'm leaving."
The sentence "We don't charge money from children" made him not know how to refute for a moment, and he could only turn his gaze awkwardly to the shadows of the two people on the blackboard.
Pu Zhihe was a little worried about other things that day.
Her loving father and mother, one devoted to the pleasures of life, the other to making a living. Her father was an artist, but his artistic talent wasn't as strong as his social aptitude. He'd been around for decades, writing and selling paintings, earning a bit of fame and fortune. He'd organize joint exhibitions with others, but he was often pushed to the side for photos. She would teasingly call him Master Pu.
My mother is in the travel business. She started out as a tour guide and later bought a small travel agency. Her fortune is quite good. Her last name is Ou, and Pu Zhihe sometimes follows her employees and clients in calling her Guide Ou.
Master Pu's artistic development was entirely due to his apprenticeship with a distinguished master, following his master's "ink revival" and painting freehand landscapes. Even on the day Pu Zhihe was born, he was still drinking and chatting about poetry and painting at the table.
Upon receiving the news of his daughter, he surprisingly thought before heading to the hospital and asked his teacher to pick a name for the child. His teacher, who was then obsessed with the Chu Ci (Song of the South), picked up his brush and thought without hesitation: "For a girl, 'make lotus leaves for clothes, gather lotus flowers for skirts'—let's call her Jiaohe."
Master Pu rushed to the hospital, holding their infant daughter in his arms, and proudly told his wife the name the master had given them. After reading it twice, both husband and wife fell silent. Director Ou, her lips dry and her voice hoarse, asked her husband, "Doesn't that sound a little strange?"
Master Pu changed one word behind his teacher's back, and from then on he trained Pu Zhihe as his successor.
When she was in high school and the class was divided into arts and science, her best friend and the boy she had a crush on both went to the science class. Pu Zhihe disobeyed her father's orders and refused to be an art student. She stubbornly studied math, physics and chemistry. In the end, they did not go both ways, but she put herself into the gold medal major of cultural relics restoration.
Master Pu and Director Ou turned out to be pretty cool parents. They thought she'd have a smooth path to graduate school after graduation, but she ended up going to Italy to study painting. They thought she'd stay in Italy after graduation to emigrate, but she ended up returning to China. They thought she'd come back for love, but she never mentioned marriage.
"Becoming an art teacher at an international school is lucrative and stylish; applying for a museum position is respectable and stable. I think neither of those two is interesting. Being an artist is still better, but that's a field that depends on whether or not God will support you," Master Pu said, taking a sip of his hand-ground coffee. "I'll be your agent and help you become a talented artist. How about that? Your father has been paving the way for you for twenty years..."
"Then you two, father and daughter, will be so poor you'll have to starve!" Director Ou interrupted, feeling he hadn't hit the mark at all. "Everyone can't escape the daily necessities of life. You have to live in this world with at least one of money and relationships. With the way you're acting every day, you're not destined for wealth. Why don't you just get married to Zhu Fu? You've been dating for nine years. Others would have gotten married, divorced, and remarried. Give us a clear idea of what you two are going to do next."
Pu Zhihe knew they were waiting for her here.
While visiting museums in Europe, she encountered Dunhuang murals lost overseas, and inspired to scribble two works. These were then purchased and signed by a classmate for their graduation project. With the small sums she earned through these opportunistic practices, she lived comfortably. But at her age, still living with her parents was considered freeloaders, and others considered her a vagrant living off her parents.
She also has a stable boyfriend, Zhu Fu, who joined a state-owned enterprise right after graduation, following his family's arrangement. He is currently actively seeking a promotion and is waiting to marry her.
The people around her thought that all this was a natural and urgent matter. Seeing that she was stuck and unwilling to move, they hurriedly gave her oxytocin, determined to complete this major event in her life.
Marriage was like a thread on Pu Zhihe's beautiful clothes. She wanted to pull it out, but found that all the warps and wefts were messed up.
Zhu Fu is actually a very suitable person for marriage. He has a cheerful personality, a simple mind, and most importantly, he is very pragmatic. His biggest flaw in the past was his chatterboxing, but he has improved a lot in his work.
But her marrying him was another matter.
In the eyes of others, he had been waiting patiently in the cold kiln, and now that she was back, if he didn't give her a legitimate status, it would be a waste of his sincerity. But she doubted how much sincerity was left between the two of them. Their feelings had already faded, so they couldn't get married in such a half-hearted way.
But Zhu Fu made it clear that the marriage must take place. Why not get married now that he is old enough? If he doesn't get married now, he will miss the best childbearing period.
She hated his mindless, follow-the-crowd attitude, and she also hated other people urging her on to do this or that.
They insisted on having it, but she refused.
Master Pu and Director Ou were thankful their daughter had a calm, indifferent demeanor that usually fooled people. In reality, she was a complete troublemaker, always going against the grain. They had once thought this was a good thing, that a girl with strength wouldn't be easily taken advantage of. But seeing her nearly thirty and still so rebellious was a real problem.
Pu Zhihe's affinity for Dunhuang and its murals was instinctive. During her childhood, Master Pu took her on field trips around the city, and one day when she was six, they visited Caotang Temple, where Kumarajiva translated Buddhist scriptures.
At that time, Caotang Temple had just been renovated. The Bodhisattvas and immortals in the murals had fluttering robes and the walls were swaying in the wind. She looked up and tried hard to make out the story being told in the paintings. She was so engrossed that she fell asleep on the cushion in front of the Buddha statue.
Master Pu was so engrossed in the wonders of the smoke well that he finally realized his daughter was missing. After searching for her for so long, he lost interest in painting and left, dragging Pu Zhihe, who was crying and unwilling to go home.
After returning home, Director Ou found out that that day should be the day Pu Zhihe reported to the elementary school, and he scolded Master Pu again.
That night, the father and daughter used "Painted Wall" as a bedtime story. She had a dream all night, and when she woke up, she casually drew a picture based on the temple and the murals she saw in her dreams. Even Master Pu said she had received a divine revelation.
Later, Pu Zhihe's painting skills improved, but he could no longer find the spiritual energy he had when he was six years old.
From the moment she heard that Xiaomai's grandmother was Hang Liumei, she was extremely eager to meet Hang Liumei in person. Forget about her job, forget about her marriage, she just wanted to meet Hang Liumei.
Now, she sat quietly beside Xiaomai, listening to Hang Liumei recount her memories of Dunhuang. Twenty-nine-year-old Pu Zhihe envied the sixty-nine-year-old Hang Liumei. Two hours passed quickly, and Hang Liumei stood up and bowed to say goodbye. Pu Zhihe stepped forward to help her off the stage.
"Grandma, didn't you ask me to help you find an online friend? I found one." Xiaomai stood beside Hang Liumei, bent down with her hands on her knees, and explained to her as if she was talking to a child, "Her real name is Pu Zhihe. Sister Zhihe just returned to China not long ago, and she came to see you specially."
"What netizen? The one I have is a real pen pal." After correcting Xiaomai, Hang Liumei tugged at her clothes and turned to Pu Zhihe.
Pu Zhihe had already raised his arm to shake her hand. Hang Liumei instinctively shook it, then stared at Pu Zhihe's face in disbelief: "Is it really you?"
"Why didn't Xiaomai say hello to me in advance? I was completely unprepared. I'm still the elder, I can't be too cheap. Is it really that fun to meet in person as they always say on the Internet? It would be even more awkward if it was just a man and a woman..." Hang Liumei thought as she squinted her eyes to study Pu Zhihe's appearance. Realizing that she was too absorbed, she suddenly raised her voice and said, "Oh, look—you even made a special trip. I didn't expect that we could meet again. It's great, great!"
Pu Zhihe's hands were warm, and she didn't dare to hold Hang Liumei's cold, skinny fingers tightly. "I started to have fun as soon as I left the country. Xiaomai said you were looking for me. I should have contacted you earlier."
"Good things are never too late. We've met now, haven't we?" Hang Liumei still held her hand and said, "Before, we were only concerned with old-fashioned romance and writing letters. If I had known you were such a beautiful girl, we should have met back then."
She turned to Mai Xu and said, "I'm getting old. I'm afraid of being sad, but I'm also afraid of being happy. I'm most afraid of being happy in vain."
Some classmates came over to ask Hang Liumei for an autograph. Hang Liumei then let go of Pu Zhihe's hand, took out a pen and reading glasses from her bag, walked aside and sat down to write a message for them.
Xiaomai sighed and leaned over to whisper to Pu Zhihe: "Sister Zhihe, my grandma is very smart, so remember not to let anything slip later."
Pu Zhihe said that she knew that the key to lying was to avoid details and to mix one lie among nine truths.
After returning, Hang Liumei invited Pu Zhihe to join her and Mai Xu for lunch. "Do you like Huaiyang cuisine? The rice cake and yellow croaker at Dream in the Garden is excellent. Let's go try it today." Hang Liumei walked ahead, her beloved black bamboo-knotted gold bag slung over her shoulder, and waved for them to follow.
The shop's walls were decorated with stained glass windows, reminiscent of Jiangnan gardens. A birdcage hung in front of the door, chirping. It was a shame the shop was packed today, and the cacophony of voices ruined the atmosphere. The room was filled with Chinese armchairs and celadon bowls, perfectly complementing Hang Liumei's outfit. Pu Zhihe tacitly assumed she'd chosen this spot for a good chat.
The waiter came over and said that business was good today and three people would have to wait for about half an hour in line.
"It seems like today is a good day," Hang Liumei turned around and said to Pu Zhihe apologetically, "Are you hungry? If you are, we can find another one. If not, we can go to -"
An elderly woman emerged from a private room in a peach-colored Chanel-style tweed suit. Her hair, dyed jet black and tied up in a bun, was still radiant with joy. The door behind her was open, revealing a table of people bustling with activity.
Hang Liumei was talking halfway when she saw someone coming towards her, she was shocked as if she had seen a ghost. She suddenly stopped talking and took Pu Zhihe and Xiaomai's hands and sat down at the very end of the waiting seats by the door. The three of them turned their backs to him and did not dare to turn around until the man went into the bathroom.
Xiaomai asked her if she met anyone she knew but she didn't answer, just said they might as well go upstairs and eat at Chang'an Food Stall.
Pu Zhihe pretended to be deaf and dumb and followed him out. Hang Liumei was afraid of running into the person again, so she hurried forward in small steps, turning her head to urge Xiaomai and Pu Zhihe, but she bumped into a passerby without noticing, and both of them cried out "ouch".
As soon as she stood firm, her elbows were supported and she heard a familiar voice exclaiming above her head: "Mom?!"
Xiaomai also shouted: "Mom?!"
"Mai Sui? Are you coming for dinner? Is it Qi Xiuchun's daughter today—" Hang Liumei bumped into her former daughter-in-law, not caring about being polite, and was anxious to confirm.
Mai Sui nodded: "Yes, it's Aunt Qi's granddaughter's birthday today. Mom, you're here now, why don't you come in and sit down? You two still haven't spoken yet?"
Hang Liumei waved her hand, no, no, then suddenly remembered her savior was right next to her. She pointed at Pu Zhihe and introduced her, "This is my student, Xiao Pu. We came out today to discuss serious matters. You should go eat first. Um, don't tell her you saw me at the door. She didn't invite me, and I didn't come here for her."
Mai Sui shook hands with Pu Zhihe and asked her son, "Will Xiaomai and Mommy go in?"
Pu Zhihe noticed that Xiaomai had not spoken since he called her "Mom". He just shook his head and agreed with his grandmother. Then they said goodbye and left separately.
Pu Zhihe was still watching Mai Sui's back as she walked away with long, brisk strides. Mai Sui was a well-maintained middle-aged woman with the air of a career-defying, triumphant winner. She was endearing, perhaps because her enthusiasm was genuine and effortless.
She was familiar with Hang Liumei and Xiaomai at first, but the atmosphere between the three of them was unnatural. Hang Liumei's abnormality was due to the people in the restaurant, and why was Xiaomai? It turns out that Xiaomai has the same last name as her mother.
She didn't want to dwell on other people's private affairs, so she shrugged. Hang Liumei and Xiaomai were already waiting for her at the escalator entrance.
"Hey? Zhihe?"
Pu Zhihe frowned when she heard someone calling her from behind. Why was it him? Why was he here too?
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