The Way to You Chapter 5

 

You & Yu 5

Yu Nan returned to the restaurant and saw You Song sitting in a shady corner in the distance, looking at his phone.

Several tour buses had already driven away, and there weren't many people around. It was considerably quieter than before.

She walked over. He noticed her and raised his head, staring straight at her as she approached.

Yu Nan asked, “Where are they?”

You Song lifted his chin toward the right.

There was a market over there.

Yu Nan turned to leave, but after thinking about it, she turned back and asked, “Going to find them. Are you coming?”

You Song didn't move. His elbow rested on his knee, his hand hanging down as he held his phone.

The skin exposed to the air was a healthy bronze under the sunlight. She wondered if the rest of him was the same.

You Song didn't say whether he was going or not. Instead, he asked, “Were you with the youth hostel before?”

“Hm?” She frowned.

You Song touched his forehead with his index finger, then pointed at her. “Unprofessional.” He was referring to her leaving halfway through the meal.

Yu Nan took two steps toward the shade and joked, “Do you need someone to feed you while you eat, too?”

You Song seemed quite willing. “We can try it next time.”

“That'll cost extra.”

“There are services like that?” His eyes swept over her thigh. “What other services are there?”

Yu Nan's expression turned cold. “Boring.”

She ignored him and turned to leave.

You Song narrowed his eyes and watched her for a moment before getting up to follow.

***

It couldn't really be called a market. There were only a few fruit stalls, dried-fruit stalls, and miscellaneous-goods stalls lining both sides of the gray, dusty road.

The fruit here was all grown and sold by the villagers themselves, mostly to passing tourists. The value for money wasn't particularly good. Tourists bought it for the novelty, picking up a little here and there without caring too much about the price.

When the two of them arrived, Zhang Qihui was pulling Shi Ming along to buy dried fruit. They were red and green, each about the size of a grape and almost translucent all the way through. She tasted one. It was sweet and sour, delicious enough to make one's mouth water.

It wasn't cheap, though, at thirty yuan a jin. Zhang Qihui had bought quite a lot, and Shi Ming was taking out a hundred-yuan bill to pay.

Yu Nan walked over and stopped his hand, then smiled and greeted the stall owner.

The woman across from them smiled. “Oh, it's Nannan. Bringing tourists?”

“Yes, Uncle.” She asked, “Is A-Lan at home?”

A-Lan was the stall owner's daughter. The two of them had gone to middle school together.

The uncle said, “No, she went to her cousin's place. She was asking about you just a few days ago, saying, ‘When is she coming back? Tell her to come over and play.’”

Yu Nan repeatedly agreed.

The uncle handed the full bag of dried fruit to Shi Ming. “Nannan's friend. Just give me twenty yuan, whatever you like.”

Shi Ming froze, then hurriedly pulled some small bills from his wallet. Yu Nan smiled. “Thank you, Uncle. I'll bring you something good to eat next time.”

As they walked back, Zhang Shuo sidled up beside her and said ingratiatingly, “Guide Yu, help me out too, will you? I've already spent several hundred in just this little while.”

Yu Nan looked down, only then noticing that he was carrying a whole heap of fruit, large and small, in his hands.

Yu Nan gave him a sidelong glance and walked on. “What a rich man.”

Zhang Shuo stared at her back. “Hey, you can't treat people differently.” He turned indignantly toward You Song. “I'm filing a complaint against her.”

You Song glanced at the bags and said with a smile, “Eat it all yourself.”

Zhang Shuo stopped and looked at one, then the other.

Whose side was he on, anyway?

Everyone gradually boarded the bus, and Lao Hu also came out of the restroom.

They started the bus and got back on the road.

Yu Nan had already returned to the passenger seat. Beside You Song, in addition to his own black bag, there was now another bag of loquats.

Zhang Qihui opened a packet of dried fruit and shared it with everyone. She held it out toward the front. “You-ge, have some.”

You Song casually picked one up and tossed it into his mouth. It was green and slightly sour.

Zhang Qihui called toward the front again. “Yu-jiejie, do you want one? Thank you for earlier. If it weren't for you, we probably would've been ripped off.”

Yu Nan turned sideways and waved to indicate that she didn't want any, then said, “There are loquats over there. They're all grown at home, with no pesticides. You can eat them.”

“Ah!” Zhang Qihui was delighted. She reached out and took one. “Are all tour guides like you? You're practically a credit to the industry. All those people online cursing at tour guides for forcing tourists to shop, looks like that's just an isolated phenomenon after all. There are still lots of good people.”

She peeled it, took a bite, then asked, “If you do this, won't you lose your commission?”

Yu Nan didn't take up that thread. She only reminded them, “If you want to buy anything later, you can ask me first.”

Zhang Shuo hurriedly leaned over. “Guide Yu, what about us?”

Yu Nan turned around and met You Song's dark eyes, then looked at Zhang Shuo. “You need that too?”

Zhang Shuo nodded. “Of course. We're poor people.”

Zhang Shuo spoke with such exaggerated seriousness that Zhang Qihui giggled. Even Shi Ming, who rarely spoke, couldn't help curving the corners of his lips.

You Song remained silent for a long while. Zhang Qihui leaned over and asked curiously, “You-ge, what do you guys do?”

You Song said lazily, “Migrant workers.”

Zhang Qihui didn't believe him.

Zhang Shuo added, “Really migrant workers. Faces to the loess, backs to the sky, the kind who do hard manual labor.”

Zhang Qihui curled her lips. Knowing they were teasing her, she stopped asking. Since they weren't going to tell her the truth, there was no point.

The afternoon sleepiness set in. They hadn't talked for long before the bus fell silent. Everyone was catching up on sleep, and You Song also leaned back against his seat with his eyes closed.

Yu Nan didn't sleep. She chatted quietly with Lao Hu, keeping him awake.

Yu Nan had traveled this road for nearly seven years. She remembered every mountain and every tree, every tunnel and every overpass, with particular clarity.

She had started out as an unofficial guide at Dali Station. She was young then and didn't like talking, so she had very little work and couldn't make much money. Later, by chance, she got into a youth hostel. She no longer needed to solicit customers. As long as she took tourists to a few shopping stops, a trip would be worth making.

Gradually, her income increased and her life improved. But who could have expected that, after all these twists and turns, so many years later, she would end up right back where she started?

Lao Hu asked, “How come I haven't seen A-Yang around lately? He isn't in Dali, is he?” He sighed. “People like them who work in the arts have to run all over the country. Last time I saw him was half a year ago.”

Yu Nan gave a perfunctory reply. “He’s probably busy.”

Lao Hu caught onto something. “You two haven't seen each other either?”

The bus entered a tunnel, and the view darkened. The lights along both sides stretched into a long dragon, winding out of sight.

Lao Hu slowed down, keeping a safe distance from the vehicle ahead.

Yu Nan said casually, “We broke up a long time ago.”

Lao Hu froze. He took a chance to turn his head and glance at her, then thought for a moment. “What happened? You two had been together for so long.”

“Our personalities didn't fit.”

She looked like she didn't want to say more. Lao Hu hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping himself. In the end, he only sighed for a while and said nothing.

***

They stopped at a service area along the way. Everyone woke up and went to the restroom, then got right back on the road without lingering.

They were less than an hour's drive from Lijiang Old Town.

After traveling for a while longer, they could almost see the summit of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain through the windows.

Under the blue sky, it was blanketed in snow, layer upon layer of mountain peaks stretching into the distance.

There was still one last streak of sunset glow on the horizon, draped over the mountaintop, its red and white reflecting against each other.

Lao Hu dropped them off at the south gate of the Old Town, then drove away. The chartered car did not include accommodation. It was an unwritten rule among drivers who took private jobs, and those who regularly ran this route all had their own fixed temporary places to stay.

There was no need for a car inside the Old Town, so Lao Hu could take a rest.

After entering the Old Town, Yu Nan first took the group to their accommodation. The inn had been arranged beforehand. She came here often and was familiar with the owner, so they were able to get a very good deal at the travel agency's internal rate.

The Old Town in the afterglow of the setting sun was still bustling and crowded.

Yu Nan led the way in front, with the others following.

Someone greeted Yu Nan, saying it had been a long time since she'd come and asking her to drop by and sit for a while when she had the time.

Yu Nan didn't stop walking. She turned around and exchanged a few polite words with them.

“You know a lot of people.”

Amid the surrounding din, his voice came through clearly.

At some point, that person had started walking beside her.

Yu Nan gave a perfunctory reply. “I'm all right.”

You Song asked, “How did you leave the travel agency before?”

Yu Nan turned sideways to avoid the crowd. “I hit a tourist.”

You Song wasn't surprised at all. He only gave a mocking laugh. “With your little frame, were you the one hitting someone or the one getting hit?”

Yu Nan didn't take the bait and asked something else. “What do you want to eat tonight?”

“What specialties do they have?”

“Steam-pot chicken, salmon, cured pork ribs...”

You Song pulled out a cigarette and took a lighter from his back pocket. “Then cured pork ribs.”

Yu Nan looked at him. “Okay.”

She turned her head, then glanced back at him again, her eyes carrying a warning.

You Song beat her to it. “You still owe me a cigarette.”

She corrected him. “Half a cigarette.”

The flame gave off a faint, warm glow. You Song narrowed his eyes. Only after lighting the cigarette did he say, “Fine. Think about how you're going to repay me.”

The two of them walked a little faster and waited for the others in a secluded corner.

The alley was narrow, with weathered old city walls on both sides and a small path of bluestone slabs underfoot.

You Song leaned against the wall smoking, one leg bent, carefree and languid.

Neither said a word.

The sounds of people, singing, and hawking goods belonged to the world outside the alley. All the clamor became background music, while the space here was exceptionally quiet.

Yu Nan heard the faint sizzling of the cigarette burning.

You Song finished one cigarette.

The three of them finally had their fill of the bustle and came over.

They continued on, up a slope.

Shi Ming's wheeled suitcase rolled over the bluestone slabs with a rumbling sound, like an invisible hand suddenly dragging them back to reality.

Five minutes later, they entered a square courtyard.

The inn was tucked away in a secluded spot, but the surroundings were lovely.

Pavilions and separate courtyards, steeped in old-world charm.

There were four main rooms and five courtyards, with lantern flowers planted all around the yard. Their purple-red blossoms looked like hanging lanterns, or perhaps wind chimes. A century-old willow tree stretched over the wall, its branches drooping down to the ground. Beneath it was a red canvas hammock with two contrasting-colored cushions.

In the middle of the courtyard were redwood tables and chairs and a sun umbrella, with a tea table set beneath it.

The front desk was on the first floor, and Yu Nan went to check everyone in.

The rooms were on the second floor, accessible directly by an exterior wooden staircase. Along the corridor, the guest rooms stood in a row, each doorway hung with a large red lantern high overhead, casting a soft light.

Zhang Shuo carried their things upstairs and sighed regretfully. “A place this romantic, and it's a shame I'm here with you.”

“Then go back tomorrow.”

Zhang Shuo stiffened his neck. “No. I paid money.”

You Song couldn't be bothered with him and simply opened the door and went inside.

The room Yu Nan had booked for Shi Ming and Zhang Qihui was a cozy king-bed room, with a tasteful, charming atmosphere.

The two of them stayed holed up in the room, being lovey-dovey, for quite a while before finally being willing to come out.

They settled dinner in the Old Town. It wasn't a famous restaurant, but one hidden away in a quiet little alley. There were few people, but the cured pork ribs were authentic, and the prices were fair.

While waiting for the dishes, Yu Nan introduced everyone's itinerary for the next day.

They were going to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, which meant getting up early.

When the dishes arrived, there were still six of them: cured pork ribs, five-spice chicken wings, dried liver, pipa meat, and tofu soup with pickled bamboo shoots.

Yu Nan ordered another dish of fish-fragrant eggplant.

For the staple, they had the local specialty bean rice.

Everyone still ate with great enthusiasm. Even Zhang Qihui, who had been talking about losing weight, couldn't resist.

You Song was the first to finish, as usual, with two bowls of rice.

He sat on the stool smoking, turned slightly to the side, and said, “The cured pork ribs are good.”

He was speaking to Yu Nan.

Yu Nan picked up a piece of the eggplant in front of her. “Mm,” she answered, without looking up.

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The Way to You Chapter 4

You & Yu 4

You Song swung his long legs into the car first, and the vehicle rocked with his movement.

Yu Nan stood where she was for a moment before finally taking a step to follow.

She calmly sat in the back. Only after sitting down did she notice that the black leather bag that had originally been on the seat had already been tossed onto the passenger seat.

The two black bags, his pressing down on hers, were tightly nestled together in a twisted position.

Yu Nan withdrew her gaze and turned her head. He was looking at her too, one brow slightly raised, amusement in his eyes.

The car started. Zhang Shuo leaned over. “Being skinny really does have its advantages. If it were me, squeezing together like this with someone else would definitely be uncomfortable.”

Zhang Qihui picked up the conversation. “Yu-jiejie, how many jin do you weigh? You look so thin.”

Yu Nan smiled. “Definitely more than you.”

Zhang Qihui lowered her head and pinched her own thigh, pouting. “I’m over ninety too.”

Shi Ming, sitting beside her, cut in. “That’s already very thin. I told you not to lose weight.”

“What are you talking about...” She twisted her body. “Being skinny is what’s in fashion now.”

You Song let out a quiet snort of laughter. Zhang Qihui poked her head forward. “You-ge, what are you laughing at?”

You Song did not answer. Zhang Shuo answered for him. “Your You-ge has rather unique tastes. He likes curvy beauties.”

Zhang Qihui let out an exaggerated “Huh?”

Zhang Shuo’s expressions were animated as he curled his lips. “The really fleshy kind.”

You Song slid his body down a little, stretching out in an unrestrained manner as he leaned against the seatback. He turned his head and asked, “Over a hundred, right?”

Yu Nan had no idea what he meant. “What?”

“Your weight.”

Yu Nan answered carelessly, batting the question away. “Guess.”

You Song’s gaze slid downward. He narrowed his eyes and genuinely began to size her up.

Rubbing his chin, he deliberately said, “A hundred to a hundred and twenty?”

Yu Nan pressed her lips together and gave a little snort.

You Song said, “Got it right?”

Yu Nan: “...”

Zhang Shuo heard them. “Guide Yu, then you’re exactly You-ge’s type.”

Yu Nan asked, “What type?”

“Really fleshy?”

Yu Nan bent down to pick up the water. “A pig is even fleshier.”

Zhang Shuo went, “Pfft...”

You Song bit down on his cigarette, raised his eyes, and smiled soundlessly.

The water they had bought while waiting for the car earlier, she opened the packaging with her fingernail, took out several bottles, and handed them to the three people in the back and You Song, then passed another bottle to Lao Hu.

Lao Hu was driving with his mind fully on the road. Without turning around, he simply reached his hand backward. Yu Nan placed the water in his hand, and he said something in Bai language.

Yu Nan replied in kind.

You Song had not lit his cigarette. He tucked it behind his ear, twisted open the bottle of water, and took a drink. “That place just now was your home?”

Yu Nan said, “Yes.”

You Song looked at her inquisitively. “Couldn’t tell you were pretty well-off. That location must be expensive, right?”

“It’s expensive now. It was cheap before.”

He asked casually, “You live there alone?”

Yu Nan glanced at him and gave an ambiguous answer. “What do you think?”

You Song let out a derisive laugh and said nothing.

There were few cars on the road, and their speed picked up, gradually carrying them farther away from that expanse of rippling lake water. They climbed higher and higher, onto the mountain road. Outside the windows were towering mountains and ancient trees reaching into the sky. The scenery was not as beautiful as before, and the travelers gradually lost interest in looking.

Zhang Qihui found it boring and wanted Lao Hu to play a few popular songs, but what did Lao Hu know about pop music? Apart from the radio, all he had were Bai folk songs.

Zhang Qihui was defeated, and with a helpless expression, took out her own phone to play music.

The car was quiet, without a sound. Zhang Shuo’s head lolled to one side as he fell asleep.

A young couple leaned against each other, quietly watching the mountainsides outside, unchanging through the ages.

Music flowed softly, accompanied by an ethereal female voice tinged with sorrow, carrying a hint of repression.

The midday sun was scorching, and the temperature had risen as well. Yu Nan clearly felt the outside of her thigh growing hotter and hotter, her bare skin touched by a trace of dampness.

His window was open, but the air was not circulating. The car was stuffy and hot. He was like a huge furnace, radiating heat from his entire body.

All of a sudden, the smell of sweat reached the tip of her nose, mixed with the distinctive scent of a man and a faint soap fragrance. Strange, familiar, it left her momentarily dazed.

Yu Nan moved slightly away under the pretext of opening the window.

The window opened, air began to circulate, and a dry, cool breeze blew in, refreshing her to the core.

The scent lingering at the tip of her nose also drifted away with the wind.

Outside the window, the forest was dense. Amid the rustling leaves, a strand of sunlight was caught up and scattered freely through the mountain ravine.

Because the Dali Expressway had not yet been completed, they were taking the old road from before. The old road went the long way around and was difficult to travel, requiring four or five hours for the entire journey.

Two hours later, they finally came off the mountain road.

They turned onto a dirt road, and dust billowed outside the car.

You Song closed the window on his side and looked toward Yu Nan. Yu Nan did not move, so he leaned over directly.

She had originally been on his right, yet he reached across with his left hand to close the window on her right. The two faced each other as his entire large frame pressed over, his chest almost brushing past the tip of her nose.

Yu Nan turned her head away. You Song maintained the position. Looking down, he could see the whorl of hair at the top of her head, the pert tip of her nose, and then the high swell of her chest. The rounded, full curves rose and fell gently with her breathing. He leaned back against the seat, his Adam’s apple moving as he picked up the mineral water beside him and drank more than half of it.

This was a village. A few scattered households appeared here and there, with roadside stalls selling local fruit and public restrooms that charged a fee.

After driving for another few minutes, two restaurants appeared ahead. They were three-story buildings of considerable size. In the open space in front of the restaurants, several tour buses were parked, their bodies marked with the words “Youth Travel” or “China Travel.”

Lao Hu found a place to park the car. The group followed him out, all of them stretching their limbs and breathing in the fresh air first.

They walked toward the restaurant, You Song in front and everyone else close behind. It was right around mealtime, and the restaurant was almost completely full. They settled into a table in the corner.

They called over a server and ordered. Six people, six dishes.

There was no point talking about the quality of a place like this. None of them were picky. They had been on the road all morning and were starving, so everyone lowered their heads and ate ravenously.

Yu Nan had taken only a couple of bites when she said something to Lao Hu. He put down his chopsticks, took the car keys from his pocket, and handed them to her.

Yu Nan gave no explanation either, simply turned and left.

You Song shoveled rice into his mouth, watching Yu Nan’s back until she disappeared from sight before finally withdrawing his gaze.

He ate extremely quickly. After finishing one bowl, he asked the server to give him another. Before long, that bowl was empty too.

He put down his bowl and chopsticks, finished the half-bottle of water from the car, then turned his head and lit a cigarette. He took a hard drag before slowly exhaling.

You Song leaned against the back of his chair. Smoke filled the air around him, making his expression difficult to see clearly.

He glanced at Lao Hu beside him, who was eating with his head lowered.

He called, “Lao Hu.”

Lao Hu’s cheeks were puffed out. “Hmm?”

You Song asked, “Where’s Yu Nan?”

Lao Hu took two seconds to react before stumbling over his words. “Something came up. She went home for a while.”

“Her home is here?”

Lao Hu furrowed his brows and scratched his head. “...Apo?”

You Song thought for a moment. “You mean her grandmother?”

Lao Hu let out an excited “Ah,” nodding repeatedly. He pointed at himself. “My family and Xiao Yu’s family are here.”

You Song said, “You and Yu Nan are both from here. You’re neighbors?”

Lao Hu gave him a thumbs-up and smiled. “I watched her grow up.” He held up his left hand and indicated a height about half a chi above the dining table.

You Song watched his gesture and nodded. He took a drag of his cigarette, his eyes unconsciously narrowing slightly. After a while, he asked again, “She’s Bai?”

Lao Hu picked up a serving of food and put it into his bowl, saying casually, “She was seven... when she was brought here. Very well-behaved.”

You Song froze, the cigarette raised to his lips, forgetting to move.

“She isn’t a local?”

Lao Hu reflexively looked around. The others were all absorbed in eating with their heads down and had not heard the conversation over here.

He lowered his head and shoveled rice into his mouth. Realizing that he had said too much, he stopped responding.

When he did not answer, You Song did not ask again either.

After the cigarette burned out, he got up and went outside.

Zhang Shuo, his mouth full of rice, called out twice, “Hey, hey. Where are you going?”

He did not turn around. “Getting some air.”

Zhang Shuo shouted, “Don’t go too far. It’ll be hard to find you later.”

You Song stepped outside. The sun was even more scorching than before. The area was mostly filled with tourists, dressed in shawls, sunglasses, and sun hats. Even most of the men were wearing sunglasses.

He walked to a shaded corner and sat down. Before long, sweat had soaked through his back.

He planted one leg on a stone slab, took out his phone, and opened the map to check his location. The small blue arrow moved twice before finally settling.

The place name displayed above it was three characters: Banqiao Township.

***

The restaurant was not far from Yu Nan’s grandmother’s home. It would take fifteen minutes on foot, or five minutes by car.

She drove Lao Hu’s car back. Her grandmother’s house and Lao Hu’s were next door to each other. He usually worked in Dali, only returning home once on weekends.

Yu Nan parked the car by the roadside and went to the passenger seat to retrieve the black bag. Before entering the courtyard, she took most of the money from her left back pocket and stuffed it into the black bag.

She called softly, “Apo.”

Apo was sewing the sole of a shoe beneath the eaves. Her hair was coiled into a bun, wrapped in a wax-dyed cloth headscarf. She wore a blue cross-front jacket, its collar decorated with plain floral patterns, blue trousers, and black cloth shoes.

Hearing the voice, Apo raised her head. The moment she saw Yu Nan, she happily got up to greet her. “My Nannan is back? You brought tourists?”

Yu Nan put down the things and pulled Apo to sit with her on the low stool in front of the door. “Yes. I came back to see you, and brought you some things while I was at it.”

Apo covered her mouth and coughed twice, chiding her. “Wasting money again. Save more for yourself and make a dowry.”

“I want to stay with Apo for a few more years.” Yu Nan smiled as she gently patted Apo’s back, helping her catch her breath. “Do you have a cold?”

Apo continued coughing. “It’s nothing. Maybe I caught a chill.”

Yu Nan got up to pour her some water. Apo called out, “Bring out the aluminum basin from inside.”

The aluminum basin was filled to the brim with loquats. Apo picked one up and peeled off the skin, revealing bright yellow-orange flesh.

She stuffed the loquat into Yu Nan’s mouth. Yu Nan bit down, finding it cool and juicy, sweet and refreshing.

Yu Nan said, “Apo, how about moving to Dali and living with me? Let me take care of you?”

She had said this to her more than once.

This time, Apo still shook her head. “I’m used to living here. I can’t leave. Just come back and see me from time to time.”

Yu Nan held her aged hand and pressed her lips together.

Time was tight, so she did not stay long. Apo saw her out and stood at the doorway, wanting to say something but hesitating.

Yu Nan bit her lip. “Zhenyang-ge has been pretty busy lately. When I came back, he asked me to tell you to take care of yourself. He’ll come back to see you as soon as he has time, so don’t worry about him.”

Apo seemed to have been waiting for her to say this, yet stubbornly replied, “I’m not worrying about you. As long as you two are safe and well, that’s enough.”

Yu Nan lowered her head without saying anything.

Apo stroked her cheek. “It’s our A-Yang who’s no good. I don’t have the good fortune to have a grandson-in-law who dotes on you.”

“Wouldn’t it be better if I were your own granddaughter?”

Apo hurriedly said, “Good, good... Wait a moment.” As if remembering something, she turned around and went back inside. She found a clean bag and put the basin of loquats into it, then carried it out and handed it to Yu Nan. “Take these with you to eat on the road.”

Yu Nan looked at the full bag of loquats and complained playfully, “How am I supposed to finish all these?”

Apo pinched her cheek. “Our Nannan has loved eating them since she was little. If you can’t finish them, give some to the tourists.”

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The Way to You Chapter 3

You & Yu 3

Zhang Shuo went to get the car.

The others stood by the roadside waiting.

Before long, a battered minivan stopped in front of them. It was a Jinbei, with seating for eight. The driver was a Bai man, wearing a short, front-opening jacket, black wide-legged trousers, and a white headscarf wrapped around his head.

He got out and smiled at everyone. Yu Nan stepped forward and spoke with the Bai man. The two conversed in a local dialect, chattering away in a jumble of sounds that left everyone else staring at each other, completely unable to understand.

Yu Nan had a smile on her face, her tone gentle. No one would have thought such soft, lingering words could come from that little mouth of hers.

You Song stared at her lips. He instinctively reached for a cigarette, only to remember that he had given the whole pack to Zhang Shuo just moments ago.

Yu Nan introduced him to everyone. “This is Lao Hu, a member of the Bai ethnic group. He only speaks simple Mandarin, but he’s a good man, and he’s a good driver too. He’s been driving for a long time, so he’s steady behind the wheel.”

Lao Hu greeted them in Mandarin. “Hello, everyone.”

Zhang Qihui was clearly not very satisfied. She complained under her breath, “Yu-jiejie, don’t you have a better car? This one is so dirty and beat-up...”

Yu Nan did not respond.

Zhang Qihui’s voice was low, and with the language barrier, Lao Hu could not make out what she was saying.

The others had no objections.

Lao Hu came forward to help Shi Ming and the others with their luggage. Shi Ming was kind-hearted and could not bear to let him do it, so he quickly waved him off and carried the luggage into the trunk himself.

You Song stood beside the car without moving. He was carrying a medium-sized black leather travel bag that looked quite expensive from its quality.

They stood there for two minutes before seeing Zhang Shuo running toward them from a distance.

You Song stubbed out his cigarette and got into the car first, taking a seat in the middle row at the back. Zhang Qihui and Shi Ming followed him in, while the young couple took the last row.

Yu Nan remained where she was waiting. Only after Zhang Shuo had put away the luggage and gotten into the car did she settle into the passenger seat.

Zhang Shuo plopped himself down beside You Song. When he sat, his momentum knocked into You Song’s shoulder.

There was little room in this row. Two men, both tall and broad, with a black bag wedged between them. The already cramped space felt even more constricted.

You Song kicked him. “Go sit in the back.”

Zhang Shuo clicked his tongue and muttered, “As if I wanted to.”

The Jinbei had already merged into the traffic, gradually picking up speed.

Zhang Shuo hunched over and squeezed his way toward the back, grinning at the two of them. “Let’s squeeze in. It’ll be easier to chat.”

Shi Ming and Zhang Qihui were both slight in build, so the three of them fit reasonably well in the last row.

This was Zhang Qihui’s first time traveling, and she was very excited. She pulled Zhang Shuo into introductions, not showing the slightest trace of unfamiliarity.

After they talked for a while, she looked toward You Song in front. Leaning her body forward, she gripped the back of the seat with both hands and rested her little face against it as she asked, “Gege, what’s your name?”

You Song turned his head. “My surname is You.” He did not give his name.

Zhang Qihui gave an “oh,” then sweetly called out, “You-gege.”

You Song’s scalp prickled. He said amicably, “Just call me You-ge.”

Zhang Qihui stuck out her tongue and said softly, “Oh.”

***

The traffic gradually thinned, the road grew wider, and Lao Hu drove with an even, steady hand.

The car soon left Dali Station behind. The bustling crowds and roadside vendors gradually shrank into the distance, eventually disappearing from view.

The clamor outside dissolved into silence inside the vehicle, with only the cool mountain breeze blowing in through the half-open window.

The mountain wind tousled Yu Nan’s hair. The fine down along her right temple all flew onto her face at once, gently brushing against it.

It tickled. Yu Nan wrinkled her nose, then brushed the strands at the corner of her mouth back behind her ear.

After a while, everyone had settled down, and Yu Nan prepared to speak.

She raised her head and happened to glance at the rearview mirror.

You Song was looking at her.

A pair of eagle eyes, sharp-edged, with a hint of probing interest. His nose was high and straight, making his eye sockets appear especially deep, and his pupils were pitch-black.

He was watching her through that tiny rearview mirror.

Yu Nan’s expression remained blank. She pressed her lips together and stared into those eyes, her gaze as cold as the wind in a mountain stream.

She turned around and cleared her throat.

Everyone’s attention focused on her face.

She said, “Let me formally introduce myself. My name is Yu Nan, Yu as in ‘remaining,’ Nan as in ‘man and woman.’ You can call me Guide Yu or Xiao Yu. It’s an honor to have the opportunity to be of service to everyone. China is such a big place, and the fact that we’ve met here in Dali can also be considered a kind of fate. I hope that over the next five days, we’ll get along happily. I used to be a tour guide for a youth hostel. I’ve been in the industry for a long time and have traveled this route many times, so please rest assured. I’ll use my extensive experience and professional knowledge to show everyone a colorful and vibrant Yunnan. We don’t have many activities on our itinerary, and we won’t be rushing to beat the clock. All you need to do is relax, follow my pace, and look, listen, and experience things as we go. In the end, I hope everyone will come away with an experience that feels a little different.”

It was a very official introduction, delivered with the distinctive rises and falls in tone of someone in the tour industry.

She paused, then continued, “Next, let’s exchange phone numbers. If anyone gets separated from the group, you can contact us by phone.”

Everyone rustled around with their heads lowered, looking for their phones, except You Song.

Yu Nan glanced at him but said nothing.

She gave her own number first.

Zhang Shuo raised his voice. “Hey, hey, Guide Yu, slow down. 13836 and then what?”

She repeated it slowly, and everyone bent their heads and committed the number to their phones.

Yu Nan looked at You Song. “You’re not writing it down?”

He was a large man, occupying an entire row by himself, stretched out across the front, making him impossible to ignore.

Shi Ming, sitting in the corner at the back, was almost completely blocked from view by him.

His arms were folded across his chest, the muscles of his upper arms raised and taut. His legs were spread apart, his knees almost reaching the seat in front.

...A very domineering posture.

“I memorized it.”

Yu Nan: “...”

Zhang Shuo cut in, “His brain works pretty well. Once it goes through his head, he never forgets. He used to pull this trick all the time when picking up girls, using his superior IQ to attract beautiful women’s attention.”

His tone was sour with envy. You Song glanced sideways at him and teased, “Jealous?”

Zhang Shuo snorted. Having been hit where it hurt, he automatically shut up.

Zhang Qihui cheerfully picked up the conversation. “Really? You-ge, what’s your IQ?”

Yu Nan paid no attention to their idle chatter. She craned her neck around You Song and looked at Shi Ming from the side. “Shi Ming, got it down?”

Shi Ming answered, “Got it.”

“Good.” She continued, “Everyone, give me your numbers.”

Zhang Qihui leaned over the seatback in front and raised her hand. “Me first, me first.”

***

The car had been on the road for about half an hour when it suddenly changed lanes and turned off the highway. On both sides were Bai residences, all white walls and gray-tiled roofs, their buildings arranged in pleasing disorder. In front of the houses, Bai aunties sat in the shade doing their handiwork, while two or three children laughed and played.

A narrow, winding path stretched deep into the distance. After rounding a bend, the view suddenly opened up, revealing a corner of Erhai Lake ahead, its deep-blue waters flowing in tranquil stillness.

A fishing boat passed in front of them. The fisherman stood at the bow, wearing a conical hat, poling the boat along as he called out a couple of loud cries.

In the distance, the Cangshan Mountains were dark as ink, stretching endlessly in rolling peaks. Wisps of mist hovered around the mountaintops, like a mirage.

The scene before them was harmonious and peaceful.

The car pulled over and stopped. Before getting out, Yu Nan told them they had ten minutes of free time. They could take pictures or use the restroom, but they were not to wander too far.

This was Dali’s most famous cluster of lakeside inns. The inns were distinctive in style, some quaint and understated, others artsy and stylish. Two- and three-story buildings stood along the lake, with covered walkways, tables, and chairs by the water for visitors to rest or take pictures.

Zhang Qihui was the first to jump out of the car, excitedly crying out as she pulled Shi Ming along to take pictures.

You Song was the last to get out. The air was fresh, and he could not help loosening his muscles, rolling his neck.

Zhang Shuo spread his arms and sighed, “We came and went so quickly last time that I didn’t really feel anything. The scenery this time is pretty good, though.”

You Song said, “Your state of mind is different.”

Zhang Shuo blinked. “The state of mind is better, or the person?”

You Song curled his lips, his meaning unclear. “Both are good.”

Zhang Shuo leaned closer and sniffed him. “I smell something lewd.” He burst out laughing. “At your wolf-and-tiger age, that’s understandable.”

He raised a leg and kicked him. “Get lost.”

Zhang Shuo brushed the shoe print off his backside. “Come on, let’s go take pictures.”

You Song lowered his head and lit a cigarette, waving him off.

Zhang Shuo did not try to persuade him either, running off alone toward the two people in the distance.

You Song walked forward for a while, then half leaned against a railing and silently smoked, his eyes turned toward the path on the right.

It was the direction Yu Nan had disappeared in just now.

He smoked until the cigarette burned to the end, crushed it out against the railing, then looked around before tucking the cigarette butt back into his pocket.

In the distance, after Zhang Qihui and Shi Ming finished taking pictures, she dragged Zhang Shuo into them as well, striking all kinds of poses and treating him entirely as a backdrop. Zhang Shuo’s movements were stiff, while Shi Ming wore an expression of helpless indulgence.

You Song smiled and lit another cigarette.

He had only taken two puffs when he saw the person from the path on the right returning.

Yu Nan now had a small backpack over her shoulder and was carrying a huge travel bag in her hand. It looked heavy. Her small frame was having some difficulty carrying it.

You Song watched her, his back slightly hunched, without moving.

Yu Nan seemed to glance this way. Her figure paused, then she walked toward him.

The man had his hips against the railing, broad shoulders relaxed in the most casual posture. One leg was slightly bent while the other stood straight, his legs long and sturdy.

His gaze was open and unguarded as he followed her approach.

The shimmering lake lay behind him, yet he remained utterly at ease. Only the smoke curling around his nose stirred. One part of the scene was moving, the other still, as though a camera could capture a striking photograph simply by framing it at random.

Yu Nan stopped in front of him.

He was too tall. Even with him half leaning against the railing, she still had to tilt her head up slightly.

You Song raised one arm, resting the elbow of his other arm on it, the cigarette held between his fingers.

His arms were very muscular, with heavy body hair, rough skin, and broad, thick palms, like some... “beast” that had not quite finished evolving. But the lines of his arms were still fairly smooth, with clear veins running onto the backs of his hands, one after another, relaxed and crisscrossing, wild and taut.

Yu Nan studied him for a while, neither avoiding nor dodging his gaze as she met those deep eyes head-on, her expression as still as a cold pool.

You Song’s fingers moved. Before the cigarette even reached his lips, she suddenly rose onto her toes and snatched it away.

His raised fingers remained by his lips. He did not seem to understand, and asked, “Not allowed to smoke?”

Yu Nan bent down and picked up the cigarette end on the ground. Together with the half cigarette she had just taken from him, she put both into the right back pocket of her pants.

“If you’re going to throw them on the ground, then don’t smoke.”

You Song did not explain.

He looked at her, amusement tinting the corners of his eyes. A fine breeze flowed between them, gently stirring the tassels on her clothes.

You Song said, “Tourism Bureau regulations?”

Yu Nan smiled. “Basic morality. Even children know that.”

You Song knew that Yu Nan was getting back at him for touching her waist earlier. The fingers that had been holding the cigarette pressed against his forehead. He said nothing.

Zhang Shuo called toward them, “What are you two doing? Coming or not?”

The three of them had had enough fun and came back laughing and talking.

Yu Nan said, “Get in the car.”

She turned and walked toward where they had parked.

After a few steps, she sensed the person behind her following. His footsteps came quickly, accompanied by a rush of wind. The next second, the hand holding the bag was suddenly empty.

The man’s chest was almost pressed against her. Her shoulder trembled, and an unfamiliar warmth brushed her ear.

“Remember, you owe me a cigarette.”

Yu Nan’s scalp went numb. That faint trace of cigarette smoke suddenly rushed into her nose, while a low, slightly hoarse voice sounded beside her ear.

Only for an instant, You Song straightened.

He took a long stride past her and reached the car in a few steps.

He opened the passenger-side door, tossed the bag inside, and shut the door.

Then he turned and said, “Sit in the back.”

✦

PREVIOUS    ❀    CONTENTS    ❀    NEXT

The Way to You Chapter 2

You & Yu 2

The next day, You Song and Zhang Shuo went out for their morning run.

The morning sunlight was warm and gentle, bathing the entire earth in its radiance.

They jogged at an even pace around the lake. Suddenly, You Song asked, “Have you been tired after all these years of being busy?”

Zhang Shuo froze for two seconds before instinctively answering, “...Tired.” Then he hurriedly added, “Now that we’ve found Liu Daba, at least I can finally put down one of the stones weighing on my heart.”

You Song said, “Then that’s perfect. Stay here and play for a few days.”

Zhang Shuo’s steps involuntarily slowed. His round eyes stared fixedly at You Song’s back. After taking a moment to process it, he caught up and asked for confirmation, “You mean travel?”

“Don’t want to go?”

“I do, I do.” Zhang Shuo’s face lit up with joy as he hurriedly nodded, practically ready to jump. “Then I’ll go find a tour guide later.”

“...No need.”

***

After breakfast, You Dong ordered the people who had accompanied them this time to return to Yixian ahead of them. Zhang Shuo drove toward Dali Railway Station.

When Lü Changmin learned that they were staying in Dali to sightsee, he had specially sent them a Buick business van.

You Song could not very well refuse, so he accepted the “kindness.”

The weather was still beautiful today, with only a few more clouds than yesterday. They hung in clusters across the sky, very low, seemingly within reach.

Vegetation surrounded the road all the way. The straight highway seemed to stretch between Cangshan and Erhai. Emerald green, deep blue, snowy white, pale gray, the colors struck the eyes with tremendous force, as though Heaven itself had taken up a brush and carved out a gigantic painting. Everything was wandering within the picture.

Zhang Shuo was in an excellent mood, feeling completely refreshed. He could not remember when he had last been in such a harmonious state.

He hummed a song, lightly tapping out the rhythm on the steering wheel with his fingers, occasionally sneaking a glance at You Song through the rearview mirror.

You Song leaned back with his eyes closed, his expression more relaxed than Zhang Shuo had ever seen it.

When he had just suggested coming to the railway station, Zhang Shuo had been completely unable to make sense of it. Even though he was puzzled, he had not asked any more questions.

The road was clear all the way, and the Buick came to a steady stop in the lane in front of the station.

From a distance, You Song saw that woman, still standing in the same place as yesterday.

Only this time, she was not sitting. Her back was toward them as she spoke with a man and a woman standing in front of her.

You Song rolled down the window, and that gray back suddenly became real.

She was still wearing yesterday’s clothes: a white T-shirt with tassels decorating the hem, denim short shorts, and a pair of sneakers.

Yu Nan had a hot figure, her neck slender as a brittle branch, the narrow waist beneath her shirt hem appearing and disappearing. She had a pair of beautiful legs, long and straight, with clearly defined curves. There was a slight hollow on the inner side of her thighs, enough to give rise to endless imaginings.

The overall impression she gave was... very soft.

Only...

The braid tied at the back of her head did not move in the wind, as though it carried a certain toughness.

You Song looked her over from top to bottom, his gaze returning to her buttocks. The two of them were about ten meters apart. She stood beneath the open daylight, the exposed skin on her body seeming to have absorbed too much of the sunlight, giving off the scent of the sun.

With his eyes, he measured the width of her hips, the proportions of her legs, buttocks, and upper body.

The shorts were too short, barely covering the roots of her thighs. Across the upper part of her thigh was a red mark about five centimeters long, left behind by sitting for too long just moments ago. Its color was glaring against the rest, making it more forbidden, more likely to stir a person’s impulses.

Lust was a man’s nature. The first things the senses received were a woman’s figure and face. Only afterward came the soul.

All those solemn vows, all those promises to love someone’s soul until death, were nothing but bullshit.

In a man’s eyes, there was only a woman’s lower half.

And Yu Nan was precisely the kind of woman who could satisfy all of a man’s sexual fantasies.

Zhang Shuo followed his gaze. “What are you looking at?”

The man among the pair outside had already taken out his wallet, pulled out some money, counted it, and handed it to Yu Nan.

Yu Nan’s fingers moved quickly. At the end, she nodded and stuffed the money into the pocket on her left buttock.

She turned around and picked up the sign, with the man and woman following behind her one after another.

You Song was still watching.

Ten meters, nine meters, eight meters, seven meters, six...

Step by step, closer and closer.

Yu Nan turned her head slightly, her gaze seeming to fall this way. In the next instant, it was as though she had not looked at all.

The group was about to pass the Buick.

You Song opened the car door and stood there, one palm resting on the roof.

“Hey...”

His voice was languid, a husky rasp with an unmistakably distinctive quality. It was difficult not to notice.

Two girls walking along the roadside were drawn by the voice and turned their heads. They saw the tall man leaning beside the car, arrogant and languid, wearing a smile that was not quite a smile.

In Dali, a burly man like You Song was indeed a rare sight. What was more, there was something slightly roguish about him, the kind of handsome that carried a rough edge.

The girls kept turning their heads, whispering to each other, looking him over shyly and timidly. They even took out their phones and secretly snapped pictures.

You Song was completely unaware of them, his gaze remaining fixed on the person diagonally ahead of the Buick.

Yu Nan stopped and looked back at him too.

You Song crooked his finger. “Come here.”

Yu Nan did not move. She stood sideways, tilting her head as though thinking it over.

You Song had no choice but to call out from a distance, “I’m giving you money. You don’t want it?”

Yu Nan pressed her lips together, said something to the man and woman, then came over this way.

You Song’s gaze followed her. Suddenly, a flash of blue streaked before his eyes. He narrowed them slightly and looked again.

Beneath the tassels of her shirt hem was a blue point of light, flickering on and off with the sway of her hips.

It was a navel ring.

Yu Nan stopped steadily in front of him. “What is it?”

You Song withdrew his gaze. “You know perfectly well.”

Yu Nan frowned and wanted to turn around.

You Song said, “What, you don’t want to make money?”

Yu Nan studied his expression and asked, “Which day?”

“Today.”

“Today is already booked. You’ll have to wait five days.” Yu Nan lifted her chin, indicating the couple standing ahead.

Zhang Shuo had come out at some point. Tall and lanky, he propped his elbow on the roof of the car and rested his chin on his hand, watching the two of them exchange words with some interest.

This clearly wasn’t their first meeting. He clicked his tongue inwardly. No wonder he had rushed over here.

Zhang Shuo was practically beaming, the corners of his lips still curled happily, when You Song suddenly looked at him and lifted his chin.

Zhang Shuo startled. Fortunately, his ability to understand was exceptional, and after years of working together, they had developed an unspoken rapport. Give him a direction, and he knew what to do.

Zhang Shuo walked over to the couple.

You Song turned back and continued staring at her.

Yu Nan had no idea what he was looking at. You Song asked, “Business good?”

Yu Nan smiled. “Just making enough to get by.”

You Song asked, “How long?”

“What?”

“How long have you been at this station?”

Yu Nan said nothing. She raised her head and met his eyes. Tilting her face upward, she felt the muscles in her neck tighten.

The two of them stood by the roadside, with a row of street vendors behind them: barbecue stalls, fried rice cakes, preserved vegetable pancakes. All kinds of smells mingled together. The air could hardly be called good, but it was the unmistakable smell of everyday human life.

A sweet-potato cart passed behind them. With her back turned to it, Yu Nan was thinking about what he had just said.

You Song’s gaze did not shift even slightly, yet he suddenly extended an arm. In an instant, Yu Nan felt a tightening around her lower back. His large palm, unusually warm, passed through the tassels around her waist and pressed against her skin.

You Song exerted a little force and drew her slightly toward himself. After a few seconds, he lowered his hand properly. The entire movement was composed and gentlemanly.

You Song put his hand back into his pocket. He seemed to lower his head slightly and said with a half-smile, “Mm, just making enough to get by.”

His hand rubbed at something where it could not be seen, that slick, smooth sensation lingering from the moment he had rubbed and lightly pinched her skin.

Just as he had imagined, she really was... very soft.

Yu Nan’s expression turned cold. “You could have grabbed my arm.”

You Song smiled. “I could also have not grabbed you.” Then she would have run straight into the car.

Zhang Shuo had already brought the two over.

Zhang Shuo said, “We can travel as a group. There’ll be more people and more fun along the way, and if we run into any trouble, we can look out for each other. You-ge, what do you think?”

You Song nodded. “Good idea.”

Yu Nan immediately refused. “No. I promised...”

“Yu-jiejie, it’s okay. This handsome guy is right. It’ll be more fun with more people.”

The girl speaking was named Zhang Qihui.

Yu Nan: “...”

This girl had insisted just now on having “one-on-one” service. A moment ago, she had looked like she had gotten an incredible bargain, so how had she suddenly...

Shi Ming nudged his girlfriend, sounding a little jealous. He called softly, unwillingly, “Huihui.”

Shi Ming was a typical southerner, fair-skinned and slender, with a decent-looking face and glasses that gave him the appearance of a scholar. But standing before the two northern men, he could hardly have looked more “delicate.”

Zhang Qihui twisted around and hooked her arm through his, coaxing him in a soft, syrupy voice, “This trip is just the two of us girls and one man, so it won’t be safe no matter what. There are lots of ethnic minorities here, we don’t speak the language, and we don’t know the place. What if we run into some bad people? With these two big brothers around, we’ll be a little safer. Don’t you think?”

Yu Nan was speechless. Did they look like good people?

The group had already been standing beneath the blazing sun for quite a while. You Song hated the heat, and fine beads of sweat had already gathered across his forehead. The chest of his black T-shirt was damp with sweat, the darkened fabric tracing the contours of his pectoral muscles and making him look even more powerfully built.

You Song took out a cigarette case and first offered one to Shi Ming. The other man froze, clearly not expecting it.

Offering a cigarette was a signal of friendliness between men.

Shi Ming felt ashamed of his own physique and awkwardly waved it away. “Thanks, I don’t smoke.”

You Song smiled, shook out a cigarette, and put it between his lips. He tossed the remaining pack to Zhang Shuo.

He lowered his head to light the cigarette. “Zhang Shuo is the city’s Sanda champion. He’s built stronger than a bull, worth ten men on his own.”

Zhang Shuo, cigarette between his lips, froze for a moment before quickly playing along. “Right, right...”

Zhang Qihui looked at him with admiration, her eyes following You Song the entire time. She tugged on her boyfriend’s arm and swung it back and forth. “Can we? Can we?”

How could Shi Ming bring himself to say no again? He could only nod.

Everyone looked at Yu Nan in unison. Yu Nan glanced at You Song, her gaze provocative, then shrugged. Who would be stupid enough to turn down money?

Only then was You Song satisfied. He curled his lips and said, “Get in.”

Zhang Qihui took the lead. Just as she was about to open the car door, Yu Nan said, “Wait.”

“What?”

“Pay first.”

You Song bared his teeth, the cigarette held at an angle between his teeth as he looked at her. He reached into his back pocket for his wallet, pulled out a thick wad of bills, counted roughly, and handed it to Yu Nan.

Yu Nan took it and did not even count it. “Not enough.”

You Song paused slightly, then smiled. “How much is enough?”

“Six thousand.”

“Raising the price on the spot?”

Yu Nan explained, “It’s calculated per person. Three thousand a head, so two heads means six thousand.”

Beside them, Zhang Qihui covered her mouth and giggled. She secretly squeezed Shi Ming’s hand and shot him a glance, feeling that this trip was becoming more and more worth it.

You Song curled his lips, held the cigarette between his fingers, and exhaled a cloud of smoke. Looking at her, he said to Zhang Shuo, “You pay for your own head.”

Zhang Shuo: “...”

Yu Nan finally collected the full payment, including Shi Ming and Zhang Qihui’s share. She folded the thick stack of bills together and stuffed it into the back pocket over her buttock. It bulged visibly.

Zhang Shuo asked, “We can get in the car now, right?”

“Not yet.” Yu Nan took out her phone. “I’ll call and arrange a vehicle.”

Zhang Shuo asked, “You’re not riding in ours?”

“No. I’ll arrange it myself.”

Zhang Shuo looked at You Song. The latter had both hands resting across the open car door. He glanced at Yu Nan, then finally nodded.

He asked, “What about this car?”

You Song said, “Find a parking lot and leave it there. We’ll pick it up when we come back.”

✦

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The Way to You Chapter 1

You & Yu 1

Dali, Yunnan

The station plaza was teeming with people. Locals, small vendors, backpackers, they were everywhere.

People like Yu Nan were among them, too.

She sat on the guardrail across from the station, both legs dangling in the air, chewing gum. Her lips moved slowly as she sucked at it, making a soft “pop-pop” sound.

The weather was nice today. Beneath the bright, clear sun, a cool breeze kept blowing in waves. The sky was a deep, dusky blue, vast and cloudless, with the occasional airplane streaking overhead.

Yu Nan squinted at the sky, shifted her butt a little. The railing was too thin, pressing painfully into her flesh.

She adjusted her position and continued watching the passing crowd. Another wave of pedestrians poured out through the entrance, most of their faces bright with smiles, some excited, others relaxed.

A couple stopped not far away, their backs to Dali Station, and raised their phones, searching for an angle for a selfie.

After taking a few pictures, they put their heads together to look through the shots. The girl seemed dissatisfied. She pursed her lips and pointed toward the station behind them, saying something to the boy. The boy looked troubled. He glanced around, then his gaze settled on Yu Nan.

The boy lowered his head and said a couple of reassuring words to his girlfriend before walking over to Yu Nan. He asked politely, “Excuse me, could you take a picture for us?”

Yu Nan jumped down. “Sure.”

She took the phone, and the boy ran back to his girlfriend and stood beside her, putting an arm intimately around her shoulders.

Yu Nan adjusted the angle. She could not see the screen clearly in the sunlight, so she tilted her head and looked directly at the two of them instead.

“One, two…”

she called.

Just as “three” was about to leave her lips, the boy suddenly turned his head and kissed the side of the girl’s face.

Under the clear sky and brilliant sun, the girl’s face blossomed into a smile, while the boy lowered his eyes affectionately. The scene froze at that very moment.

Yu Nan was slightly stunned. The girl clearly had not expected it either. Surprise mingled with shyness as she widened her eyes like a startled fawn and glared at the boy.

The boy scratched his head and ran back toward Yu Nan.

“Thank you.” His cheeks were actually a little red. He lowered his head, not daring to look at her.

“You’re welcome.”

Yu Nan pressed her lips together and pointed at the sign leaning against the railing. “Interested?”

The boy finally looked up. He glanced at it, then became awkward again. “Sorry, we’re traveling on a tight budget.”

Yu Nan smiled. “It’s fine.”

She watched the two of them leave, then returned to her original spot.

The little interlude was as though it had never happened, and everything returned to how it had been before.

This time, she sat there for a long while. No one paid any attention to her.

That was how the highland climate was. Summers were hot and dry, the air thin, and people coming here for the first time would have trouble adjusting. But after living here for a while, they would come to love the crisp, dry climate.

The blazing sun beat down on Yu Nan, scorching her.

The light cast a small shadow on the ground behind her. Its outline was sharp, making her look even thinner. Yu Nan shifted and pulled a tissue from her pocket. She brought it to her mouth, spat out the gum, rolled it up, and stuffed it back into her pocket.

Several people passed in front of her. After walking only a few steps, they stopped. One man turned back and came to a halt in front of her, looking down at her from above.

The sunlight suddenly disappeared from above her head. She was enveloped in shadow.

The man was extremely well-built, with broad, solid shoulders, long arms and legs. His hands were in his pockets as he stared at her without blinking.

Several people were waiting behind him, looking nervous and obedient, as though they would do whatever he said.

Yu Nan’s eyes gleamed. She lifted her head and met his gaze. He was simply too tall, and her neck began to ache slightly.

The man finally spoke. “Have we met?”

It was a question.

Perhaps the sunlight was too glaring. She felt slightly dizzy, and then, suddenly finding herself in the shade, her tear glands were stimulated, leaving her eyes strangely swollen.

Yu Nan looked away and smiled. “Even if you’re trying to hit on someone, you should keep up with the times.”

The man paused, gave a crooked smile, and left.

Yu Nan was exposed to the white glare of the sun once more. She frowned and thought to herself: Damn weather. It’s really killing me.

The man had barely taken two steps before he turned back again. This time, he did not block the sunlight for her. He stood beside her spot and pursed his lips. “How much?”

A sign stood beside her. It read:

“Lijiang Ancient Town - Jade Dragon Snow Mountain - Lugu Lake, Five-Day Pure Sightseeing Tour, No Shops, No Shopping.”

The two large lines of writing were crooked and uneven, as though whoever had written them had done so without putting any thought into it.

It was the most ordinary tourist route, yet also one of Yunnan’s classic itineraries. For someone visiting for the first time, not going to these places would count as a regret.

“Three thousand,” she said.

The man touched his forehead, his eyes narrowed skeptically. “Worth that much?”

“Worth it.”

He looked as though he wanted to laugh but did not. “How is it worth that?”

Yu Nan pointed at the sign. “Pure sightseeing. No shopping.”

“Other places can do that too.”

Yu Nan said with certainty, “They can’t.”

The man said nothing. He lowered his head and looked at Yu Nan again, his gaze straight and unabashed, without the slightest sense that he was being abrupt or overstepping.

Because of the requirements of her work, the skin exposed outside her clothes had taken on a faint honeyed color. It was not the dark, glossy tan of the locals. Yu Nan’s skin was fine-textured, the honey color even throughout, more like the very embodiment of extreme good health.

Her forehead was full, her ponytail tied high, the ends not very long and braided into a rope-like plait.

It made her look even more pretty and sunny.

The man looked for a while longer before asking, “A wild guide?”

Yu Nan instinctively reached for her tour guide certificate, only to remember that a few days ago, she had gotten into a conflict with a tourist and, in a moment of impulse, hit the other person. The travel agency had given her an extended leave, and she was now waiting for the final decision on how the matter would be handled.

Yu Nan nodded. “Yes.”

The other man seemed to be merely amusing himself by teasing her. He did not seem particularly interested either. After exchanging a couple of casual words, there was nothing more to say. He turned around, got into the business van that had been parked by the roadside for some time, and drove away.

***

Once You Song had settled into his seat, he could not help glancing sideways. Outside the window, the woman was still sitting in the same spot as before, head lowered, back slightly hunched, seemingly lost in thought.

His gaze moved downward. The thin railing pressed beneath her thighs, making them sink slightly. From his angle, he could see her buttocks, the tight denim hot pants wrapping around them and outlining a rounded, full curve.

Her top was very short, and her waist was very slender. The fringe along the hem brushed against the skin of her waist, faintly revealing a thin black strap beneath the denim.

You Song calmly withdrew his gaze. The car accelerated, and that slender, beautiful figure was gradually left behind.

The business van sped along the road, with another vehicle following behind. It belonged to Lü Changmin.

He closed his eyes for a short rest. Before long, his phone rang.

You Song glanced at the caller and answered. “Hello?”

The other person said, “You-ge, have you arrived?”

“Mm.”

“Did Lü Changmin send someone to pick you up?”

“Yes,” he replied, then asked, “Are you done with things on your end?”

“Mm. I’m at the airport. I’ll be able to get to Dali tonight.”

You Song gave a quiet “mm,” intending to end the call.

The other party was in high spirits and hurriedly asked again, “You haven’t taken a train in years. How does it feel?”

You Song had previously had two very small collaborations with Lü Changmin.

He had come this time because of Phase Two of Dapingdi. Lü Changmin was in such a hurry to meet him that he insisted You Song arrive before yesterday evening. You Song and several employees happened to be in Chengdu, but when they reached the airport, they ran into air traffic control restrictions and all flights were delayed. After weighing their options, he had Zhang Shuo book several sleeper berths.

That was how he ended up making his appointment with Lü Changmin a day late.

A family of three occupied the sleeper compartment. Their child had just turned one month old and cried incessantly throughout the night. The train moved at a leisurely pace, swaying and jolting without end, and You Song had barely closed his eyes.

He turned his neck and could not help laughing as he cursed, “Don’t fucking bring it up. My head still hurts, and my waist isn’t moving properly either.”

Zhang Shuo teased him. “At your prime, when you’re as young and handsome as a flower, you’re already ‘not up to it’?”

He deliberately stressed the words, then added gleefully, “In this condition of yours, don’t let Lü Changmin wind you around his finger.”

You Song snorted and spat out three words. “Not a chance.”

The other side continued laughing. You Song had no intention of humoring him and simply cut off the call.

After another half hour or so, the business car stopped in front of the Donglai Hotel in Haidong Town. Someone opened the car door and took his luggage.

This was not You Song’s first time here. He knew his way around, took the room card from the person who had come to receive him, and headed straight upstairs.

Once inside, he went to take a shower.

A quarter of an hour later, You Song came out bare-chested, a white bath towel wrapped around his waist, pulling taut across his hip bones and accentuating their hollows and ridges. A narrow line of dark, fine hair ran below his navel, with several drops of water clinging to it, faintly glinting in the sunlight.

He raised a hand and tousled his damp hair. The short, stiff ends bounced against his fingertips, while droplets of water traced tiny arcs through the air before landing on his forehead, chest, abdomen, and the carpet.

He shook a cigarette from the pack, held it between his lips, and stopped in front of the window.

Outside, the view of Erhai was laid completely bare. The lake was ink-blue, blue without end, with a light breeze rolling up ripples that shimmered silver. In the distance, the outline of Cangshan was hazy, as though draped in a thin veil of mist, seeming both real and unreal.

Tilting his head slightly, he could see a corner of Dapingdi. Steel bars, piles of sand, construction waste. High-rises under construction rose from the ground, yet by contrast, the place looked desolate and bleak.

You Song watched for a while. When the cigarette between his fingers had burned out, he turned and went back inside.

He lay on his back on the sofa and casually turned on the television, flipping through the channels. His eyelids gradually grew heavy, and before he knew it, he had fallen asleep.

***

He was awakened by the urgent sound of the doorbell.

When he opened his eyes, night had already closed in.

You Song’s heart gave a jolt. His first reaction was to reach for his phone. There were no missed calls.

He wiped his face with his hand, got up, and went to open the door.

Zhang Shuo grumbled resentfully, craning his neck to sneak a look inside the room with a nervous air. “What were you doing? Took you long enough.”

You Song ignored him and sat back down, looking at his phone. He opened the phone app and dialed.

The other party was still switched off.

Zhang Shuo asked, “Who are you calling?”

“Lü Changmin.”

“What time were you supposed to meet?”

“Still haven’t gotten through.”

You Song had already told Lü Changmin beforehand that he would arrive a day late. The other party had said he understood and asked which train he was taking, saying he would send someone to pick him up. But since this morning, the phone on that end had remained switched off.

Zhang Shuo said, “What the hell is he playing at?”

You Song said nothing. His gaze remained fixed on the phone, thoughtful.

It was not until eight that evening that Lü Changmin finally called, apologizing repeatedly. “You-ge, I’m sorry. A project suddenly came up at the company. It’s pretty urgent, and I couldn’t get away. I’ve gone out of town. I’ll be back in a week. What do you think…”

You Song hurriedly said, “President Lü’s business is more important. Once you’ve finished things over there, we can arrange another meeting.”

Zhang Shuo strained to listen.

Music thundered from the other end, mixed with the din of voices. A woman’s voice could vaguely be heard saying, “If you came out to have fun, then don’t be on the phone…”

Her tone was coquettish, languid and suggestive.

Zhang Shuo raised his middle finger toward You Song.

The other end burst into laughter. “Brother, I like the way you talk. Straightforward. How about this? When I get back, it’s on me. I’ll give you a proper welcome.”

You Song gritted his teeth, yet his voice remained smiling. “President Lü, you’re too kind.”

After a few more pleasantries, he hung up.

Zhang Shuo said indignantly, “What the hell is this bastard playing at? Is he fucking around with us?”

You Song’s gaze darkened. “Let him keep us waiting for now.”

Zhang Shuo asked, “You think he’s figured something out?”

You Song sneered. “He’s done too many things he has a guilty conscience about. Naturally, he’s bound to be cautious. But we’re businessmen. We’re legitimately here to discuss business with him. It shouldn’t be a problem.”

Zhang Shuo frowned. “You think he really knows something about Jinzuo?”

You Song pondered. “Liu Daba said the person handling things on the Yunnan side was Lü Changmin. Seventeen years have passed. Jiang Jinzuo, she…”

Zhang Shuo ventured, “What if she’s already dead?”

You Song shot him a sidelong glance, and Zhang Shuo shuddered.

A moment later, Zhang Shuo heard him say, “In any case, there’s no turning back.”

Zhang Shuo had nothing more to say. He propped the back of his head against the sofa. “What do we do next? … We’ve got a week free. Go back to Jinan or Yixian?”

You Song answered the first question. “This is a long-term plan. We can’t rush it.”

You Song rested his elbow against his knee and looked out the window.

There were few nearby residents, scarcely any signs of human habitation. The lake and distant mountains seemed to have fallen asleep. The faraway moonlight could not illuminate the whole night, revealing only a single strand of reflected light on the water.

A figure suddenly surfaced before his eyes.

You Song did not answer whether he would go to Jinan or Yixian. He only smiled and said, “Let’s eat first.”

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One-Sentence Introduction: Do you know? Your existence has made my love possible.

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