They had lunch at a small tavern by Changshou Lake. The place was only about twenty square meters in size. Inside, there were two sets of slightly chipped mahogany tables and chairs. The decor was simple and natural, exuding an old - world charm.
One advantage of this place was that when you looked up, you could see the shimmering waters of Changshou Lake. The gentle tides lapped against the shore, making a soothing "哗啦,哗啦" sound, creating a very leisurely atmosphere.
At first, Xiao Rongyu was wondering why Chen Hansheng had led them such a long way. But now she felt that the place was quiet and relaxing. She just wasn't sure how the food would taste.
"Xiao Chen, how did you know there was a restaurant here?"
Wang Zibo also thought the environment was nice, but the owner wasn't very friendly. He didn't even bring a menu when he saw the customers. Instead, he just took a look at them and started cooking.
"What a strange restaurant," Wang Zibo muttered again.
Xiao Rongyu and Wang Zibo had never seen a place like this, but Chen Hansheng knew that more than a decade later, this place would become a famous private kitchen restaurant by Changshou Lake.
What was a "private kitchen"? It meant that the restaurant only served one table of guests per night, and customers needed to make a reservation at least two months in advance.
Chen Hansheng couldn't be bothered to explain. He stood up and walked to the kitchen at the back. At this time, the tavern owner didn't have the idea of running a private kitchen yet, so people could freely enter the cooking area.
"Smoke?"
Chen Hansheng offered a Hongjinling cigarette. The middle - aged owner was cooking. He looked up at Chen Hansheng, silently took the cigarette, but didn't light it and just placed it on the shelf. The owner was from Wuzhong. Wuzhong cuisine emphasized freshness, mildness, and both the appearance and taste of the dishes. So when osmanthus - scented lotus root, water chestnuts with gorgon fruit, squirrel - shaped mandarin fish, and shredded dried tofu in chicken soup were served, they were not only fragrant but also looked and tasted delicious.
Wang Zibo and Xiao Rongyu were already starving and immediately started eating. Chen Hansheng and the restaurant owner smoked cigarettes at the door.
They hardly talked. The restaurant owner was a man of few words, and besides, he thought Chen Hansheng was just a college student, so he wasn't very interested in chatting.
Chen Hansheng didn't mind. After silently finishing his cigarette, he sat at the table and was stunned for a moment. The three plates of food were almost gone, and the squirrel - shaped mandarin fish was left with only fish bones.
Wang Zibo almost swallowed his bowl. Xiao Rongyu ate a bit more gracefully, but her mouth was also stuffed full, and she looked at Chen Hansheng with an innocent gaze.
She also felt her actions were a bit rude, but she really couldn't resist the melt - in - the - mouth fish. So she lowered her head and pretended not to see, just like Wang Zibo. "Is it really that good?"
Chen Hansheng quickly served himself some rice to fill his stomach. Soon, the three dishes and one soup on the table were completely eaten up, and the porcelain bowls were so clean that they could be used as mirrors.
The food was delicious, but the price wasn't cheap either. It cost a total of 156 yuan. Wang Zibo secretly gasped. He didn't expect it to be so expensive.
Wang Zibo wanted to bargain, but Chen Hansheng stopped him. This restaurant always charged fair prices. In the future, these few dishes would cost thousands of yuan, and some of its unique charm couldn't be measured by money.
Neither Wang Zibo nor Xiao Rongyu had the idea of going Dutch. In 2002, this kind of social habit was quite rare. They both planned to treat the others next time to make up for it.
For Chen Hansheng, it didn't matter if they didn't. He left their luggage at the restaurant and took Wang Zibo and Xiao Rongyu to stroll around Changshou Lake Park.
Changshou Lake wasn't actually very big, but after walking for a while, Wang Zibo started to complain about being tired. "It's so close to the train station and the bus station. We can just come and play here before going home next time," Wang Zibo suggested.
"Stop talking nonsense. This is the first time you're visiting Changshou Lake in your life, and it might be the last," Chen Hansheng said firmly.
He knew from experience. Chen Hansheng had studied in Jianye for four years and worked there for over a decade. He had been to almost all the scenic spots, but he had never fully explored Changshou Lake.
At first, he had the same idea as Wang Zibo, thinking he could visit it before going home during holidays. But every time, he was in a hurry to catch the bus. The only part of the area he was familiar with was the Changshou Lake Square opposite the passenger terminal, and he had only been to this private kitchen because someone else had taken him there.
Xiao Rongyu, however, thought it was nice. Changshou Lake was a small inland lake surrounded by dozens of - story high - rises and two large - traffic stations.
In such a place, there was a clear water bay, with willows swaying by the embankment and bright lotus flowers emerging from time to time. This picturesque scene with green and red elements everywhere showcased the cultural charm of the ancient capital of six dynasties.
However, this reverie was quickly shattered by reality. Around 3 p.m., when Chen Hansheng and the others were on their way to register at school, several people accosted them as they passed by Jianye Train Station.
"Handsome guy, do you need accommodation?"
"Beautiful girl, want to take a rest?"
"Don't be shy, handsome guy. Come and take a look."
...
They weren't part of the underworld. The public security environment in Jianye was much better than that in Guangdong. They were just some women in their fifties holding "accommodation" signs, asking every passer - by one by one.
Chen Hansheng was walking in the front, and with his sunglasses on, looking like a tourist, this single young man became an important target. So the women focused all their attention on him, and their words became more and more suggestive. "Handsome guy, our girls are very pretty."
"And the service is great too."
Xiao Rongyu blushed, spat, and walked quickly past them. This was the first time Wang Zibo had encountered such a thing. He didn't have the guts to go himself, but he was curious.
Wang Zibo thought it would be great if Chen Hansheng would give it a try and then tell him the details.
Chen Hansheng just smiled and refused, "Sorry, we're in a hurry. Please let us through."
Xiao Rongyu walked faster and faster and finally stopped at the bus stop. It seemed that Jianye Train Station didn't leave her with a very good first impression, of course, partly because of her lack of social experience.
Here, they had to part ways again. Wang Zibo's Jianye University of Technology was in the Xianning Campus, and he needed to take bus No. 97. Xiao Rongyu and Chen Hansheng's schools were both in Jiangling University Town, and bus No. 137 could take them there directly.
"Xiao Chen, I'll come to Jiangling to visit you guys in the future," Wang Zibo waved his hand, looking very reluctant.
"Sure, sure. Be careful," Chen Hansheng said casually. Sooner or later, Wang Zibo would become overly familiar with this city.
After seeing Wang Zibo off, Chen Hansheng turned to Xiao Rongyu and said, "That annoying third wheel is finally gone. Now it's just the two of us."
"Be serious. Don't talk nonsense."
Xiao Rongyu felt a bit embarrassed. When she saw Chen Hansheng staring at her, although she couldn't see his eyes clearly behind the sunglasses, she knew it couldn't be a good look. So she added, "And don't have any improper thoughts either!"
"What can I do if my mind wanders?" Chen Hansheng said with a grin.
"You..."
Xiao Rongyu was at a loss for words. She really had no way to deal with Chen Hansheng now. When bus No. 137 arrived, she got on without waiting for him. Chen Hansheng slowly carried all the luggage onto the bus and then found that Xiao Rongyu had saved a seat for him. However, there were several reserved but eager male college students standing around, looking as if they all wanted to sit next to Xiao Rongyu.
Xiao Rongyu stared nervously at the door. When she saw Chen Hansheng get on the bus, she quickly waved her hand and shouted excitedly, "Xiao Chen, come over here."
Chen Hansheng thought these inexperienced guys were too timid. He swaggered over and sat down. This clear "territorial" act made these eager college boys give up their thoughts, and they quickly dispersed.
"Xiao Chen, are all college boys this eager?" Xiao Rongyu asked in a low voice.
"Of course not. I'm not like that," Chen Hansheng retorted righteously.
"Okay, I believe you. But can you please take your hand off my shoulder first?" Xiao Rongyu said with a worried look.
...