After saying goodbye to Bao Yulian, it was past nine o'clock.
Nearing the Yuming Teahouse, Xiaoru invited Shanzi to drink tea.
Shanzi said: Not in the mood.
Xiaoru said, since I have nothing to do anyway, I just want to drink a cup of tea to pass the time.
Shanzi completely ignored Xiaoru's advice and continued walking forward.
Xiaoru grabbed Shanzi and said, "I've wanted to talk to you for a long time, but I never had the chance. Today I finally have the opportunity. Please appreciate it."
Seeing that Xiaoru was speaking sincerely, Shanzi couldn't refuse, so he followed Xiaoru into the teahouse.
Because the Japanese army was searching the whole city, there were only a few elderly teahouse guests in the teahouse, and the scene was extremely deserted.
I also heard from the waiter that the teahouse had been raided twice by Japanese soldiers. Six male and female teahouse guests were taken away.
Make tea. Waiter exits the tea room.
Shanzi took a sip of fragrant tea and looked straight at Xiaoru: "If you have something to say, please tell me. This is not a hiding place."
Xiaoru asked: "Is the peach wood sword I gave you still there? Why have I never seen you take it with you?"
He knew clearly that he had given the peach wood sword to Chun'er, but Shanzi lied and said that the peach wood sword had been kept in a drawer in the dormitory.
Xiaoru said: "I hope the peach wood sword can really ward off evil spirits and keep you safe throughout your life."
Shanzi smiled perfunctorily and took another sip of fragrant tea.
Xiao Ru continued: "This peach wood sword looks inconspicuous, but Ru Han spent a lot of time before he remembered to carve it. Do you know why I gave it to you?"
Shanzi said: "It can ward off evil spirits."
Xiaoru sighed softly: "Actually, only half of it is right. As for the other half, maybe you avoid it intentionally. Maybe you are careless and don't understand it at all."
Listening to Xiaoru's sad complaints, Shanzi said vaguely: "Xiaoru, you can't disbelieve in superstitious things. You can't believe them all. But whether you believe it or not, I understand your thoughts."
Xiaoru sighed again: "Captain Wang, I can see that you are perfunctory with Ru Han. To put it bluntly, you don't want to face this topic. But whether you want to or not, please allow Ru Han to finish what he said."
Shanzi moved his lips and forced out two words: "Say it."
Xiaoru said...
Ru Han would first like to thank you for saving her from the devil's cave of Guangde Temple. From that day on, she regarded you as her benefactor and was ready to die for you at any time.
Later, Ru Han strangely discovered that your shadow often flickered in front of her eyes. This shadow could not be driven away or erased. It made her think about it day and night.
But it didn't last long. Ru Han discovered again that there was a woman who had been in love with you by your side. This woman was Sister Yumei.
To be honest, in the beginning, whenever Sister Yumei got close to you intentionally or unintentionally, Ruhan was so jealous and resentful. He even wanted to quarrel with her in public.
Fortunately, on the night when I gave you the mahogany sword, you said that the mahogany sword was something for children to play with. Just this sentence completely broke Ru Han's obsessed heart.
It's right. It's important for people to know themselves. After all, Ru Han is a woman who served in the national army. She is a woman who contributed her youth to the elite of the party and the state. She is not qualified to win your love.
To be fair, no matter which aspect you look at, Yumei is far more outstanding than Ruhan. Only Yumei is qualified to love you. Only Yumei is qualified to receive your love.
So later on, when you got to know Wen Hui, Ru Han was generous and righteous, willing to stand up for Yumei, and willing to protect her true love.
Speaking of this, Xiaoru took a sip of tea and said, "Brother Zikai, I'm done."
Shanzi buried his head in silence. He firmly grasped the tea bowl with both hands.
Xiaoru gave Shanzi a chance to drink tea. Xiaoru stood quietly beside Shanzi's left shoulder. Shanzi showed no reaction.
Because her breathing quickened, Xiaoru's chest rose and fell: "Brother Zikai, Ruhan has a request. I hope you can agree to her."
Shanzi remained silent.
Xiaoru called out again: "Brother Zikai, if you don't mind, please allow Ruhan to kiss you once. Say goodbye to her love for you from now on."
Shan Zi finally raised his head. His tone was unusually heavy: "Ru Han, please forgive me. We are comrades-in-arms."
Xiaoru smiled and nodded, but there were sparkling tears in her eyes.
16
According to Bao Yulian's suggestion, Shanzi and Xiaoru rushed to Rongle Gate half an hour early at seven o'clock.
Rongle Gate is a three-story building. It faces south and faces north. It is located on Yushi Street. Both the exterior and the interior are decorated with luxury that is unparalleled in Qiaonan. Moreover, this building is the only one that uses electric lighting. Neon lights are flashing outside the foyer.
Just on the easternmost side of the first floor of Rongle Gate, there is a drugstore named "Kangshoufang". The store is not large, only about fifty square meters.
Shanzi didn't know that Wen Hui was the hostess of this pharmacy. When he looked inside the store, there was only a middle-aged man operating the store.
Enter the lobby on the first floor of Rongle Gate. On the left is the ballroom.
Spending one yuan to buy a ticket. Shanzi and Xiaoru entered the dance hall side by side.
It was the first time he set foot in this kind of entertainment venue. Shanzi felt dizzy and clumsy. He felt like he couldn't find his way around. Thanks to Xiaoru, who was able to lead Shanzi to a seat next to the coffee table on the east side of the dance floor.
At this time, there were few dancers in the dance hall. The music was melodious. Except for a few couples drinking and chatting, a dozen professional dancers were waiting for guests in the rest area on the west side of the dance floor.
The waiter quickly brought the food list. Shanzi was confused and made a gesture to Xiaoru.
Xiaoru didn't need a list. She simply ordered two cups of coffee, a plate of melon seeds, and two cups of oolong tea.
Taking a sip of coffee that was sweet but bitter, Shanzi felt like vomiting.
Xiaoru wanted to laugh but didn't dare. She whispered, "Don't make a fool of yourself."
Shan Zi swallowed it painfully like swallowing coptis.
Xiaoru deliberately teased: "It's not as good as old baijiu."
Shanzi said: "Get a bottle quickly."
Xiaoru said: "This is not a grocery store."
Shanzi scolded: "Nonsense."
While they were talking, a pair of dancers wanted to take their seats from the seats next to them.
Xiaoru stood up hurriedly: "I'm sorry, sir. This seat has been reserved. The guests will arrive soon."
Shanzi subconsciously glanced at his watch. It was already past seven-thirty.
Another quarter of an hour passed in the boredom. Bao Yulian walked straight towards Shanzi with a small milky white bag on her shoulder. The man following closely behind was Yan Gaoming.
Bao Yulian and Shanzi did not say hello, let alone exchange pleasantries. There were only knowing glances.
As soon as she sat firmly, Bao Yulian took the initiative to call the waiter.
The waiter rushed over. Bao Yulian didn't follow the script. She just finished it with her mouth.
A bottle of brandy. A salad. A grilled fish fillet. A plate of pistachios. Two cups of Longjing tea.
The waiter left. Yan Gaoming said: "Mrs. Wang used to drink tea instead of wine. Why is she so popular today? She is interested in strong foreign wine."
Bao Yulian said: "I invite you today."
Yan Gaoming was flattered: "No, no, it's not possible. Letting Mrs. Wang spend money is a loss of manly face. A mouse would laugh his teeth off. How can this be unreasonable?"
Bao Yulian followed the trend: "In that case, Sister Bao, please do as you please."
While Bao Yulian and Yan Gaoming were whispering, the number of dancers in the ballroom increased several times. The three Japanese officers who attracted Shanzi the most were the three Japanese officers. They all took seats next to the dancers.