Chapter 27: A Promising Prospect in the Tavern

Chen Jiang shared with Yi Yunxue the story of how he had hired a tutor for his little niece.

She laughed until tears welled up in her eyes. "Chen Jiang, you’re so mean! Taking revenge on her like that—if your niece finds out, she’s definitely going to hate you."

"But I do have quite a lot of young fans. They’ve caused me plenty of trouble before and really ruined my reputation with the general public." Yi Yunxue sighed, sounding helpless. "But there’s nothing I can do about it; I can’t exactly stop them from liking me, right?"

"It seems you’re very popular with children," Chen Jiang said with a smile.

"Sister Li says the same thing. She even told me that if I weren't a celebrity, I could be a preschool teacher besides being a chef!" Yi Yunxue said proudly.

"Xiao Xue, have some fruit... who are you talking to? You’re laughing so happily."

At that moment, Chen Jiang heard the voice of a woman he didn't recognize on the other end of the line.

"My mom walked in, I have to hang up," Yi Yunxue whispered.

"Alright, bye."

...

In Shenzhen.

After hanging up, Yi Yunxue turned around to see her mother standing at the door holding a plate of fruit.

"I knocked, but you didn't answer." Li Fangru wore an inquisitive expression. "Who were you talking to that made you so happy?"

"Just a friend, a partner from the studio. Don't overthink it, Mom," Yi Yunxue said, her face flushing slightly.

"Are you sure your studio doesn't need an investment from your father?" Li Fangru asked as she set the fruit on the table.

"No, the money I’ve earned over the past few years is enough. If it weren't, I definitely wouldn't hide it from you," Yi Yunxue explained.

"That’s good. Eat some strawberries; your father went out specifically to buy them because he knows you like them. Strawberries are getting rare this time of year..." Li Fangru said.

Yi Yunxue picked up a strawberry and bit into the tip—it was sweet and tart.

...

In the blink of an eye, the fifth day of the Lunar New Year arrived.

Today, Chen Jiang was returning to Shenzhen. His mother had packed his trunk full of local specialties. Even though Chen Jiang pointed out that these things were sold in Shenzhen too, his mother replied bluntly, "Things outside don't taste as good as what’s from home."

"Mom, remember to check your bank balance. I transferred some money to you. Buy whatever you need and take better care of yourself," Chen Jiang said.

"I know," Chen Hualing replied.

"Alright Mom, I'm heading off," Chen Jiang said, waving from the driver's seat.

"Drive carefully!"

Chen’s mother called out toward the retreating taillights. Only after the car disappeared from sight did she look away. At that moment, her phone rang.

"Hello, Ah Zhen, what is it?"

"What? Three short of a fourth? Wait for me, I’m coming right over!"

...

Chen Jiang arrived at the residential complex by the afternoon. Although the roads were slightly congested, most of the journey had been smooth. He was quite lucky; shortly after he exited the highway, a sudden incident left the entire road gridlocked for those behind him.

Driving into the complex, he was about to enter the underground garage when he spotted a familiar figure. After parking, he hauled his heavy suitcase into the elevator. It took three trips back and forth to get all his belongings upstairs.

Once he finished, he went back downstairs and found Yi Yunxue sitting on a wooden bench by the greenery, holding her cat and staring blankly at the children playing nearby. Walking closer, he noticed a collar around the orange cat's neck; she must have put it on to keep the cat from running off.

"Yunxue," Chen Jiang called out.

"Chen Jiang? You’re back?" Yi Yunxue looked over, pleasantly surprised. "I didn't see your car earlier."

"I actually saw you while I was still in the car," Chen Jiang smiled.

The orange cat in her arms let out a bored yawn.

"Let's go. Haven't eaten yet? Come to my place; I saved some food for you," Yi Yunxue said.

"Alright." Hearing her words warmed Chen Jiang's heart. At the same time, he had a strange sensation. In his mind, an image flashed of a wife in a movie leaving food for her husband who had gone out. Why did this scene feel so strangely familiar?

Yi Yunxue walked ahead with the cat, her steps light. Chen Jiang followed close behind.

At her apartment, Yi Yunxue heated up the food in the microwave. As Chen Jiang ate, he listened to her complain about the cat. "I was only gone for a little while the other day, and it shredded the living room curtains. It even tried to steal some canned food, but couldn't open it, so it knocked everything off the cabinet instead."

"I don't even dare let it out when I leave the house now."

After lunch, Chen Jiang insisted on cleaning up. Yi Yunxue put the orange cat in its cage and said, "Chen Jiang, it’s Ma Ya’s shift tonight. Want to go listen to her sing?"

Chen Jiang nodded. "Sure. If she’s really talented, I’ll write a song for her myself."

"By the way, my mom sent some local specialties, including some ingredients. I’ll bring them up."

Chen Jiang went back downstairs to his apartment and brought up some seafood and other ingredients his mother had packed, storing them in Yi Yunxue's fridge. He then pulled out a bag of oranges. "These were grown by my old classmate's family. Try one."

Chen Ming had sent Chen Jiang a large crate of oranges two days ago. He couldn't finish them all at home—there were too few people there. His mother had shared some with the neighbors and his uncle, and Chen Jiang had brought back the rest.

Chen Jiang sliced two oranges. Yi Yunxue tasted a segment, and her eyes lit up immediately. "Mmm, delicious. It’s very sweet and juicy."

"Eat more if you like them," Chen Jiang said with a smile. He remembered that she loved fruit; he recalled seeing it on her coffee table almost every day, and it was rarely ever the same kind twice.

"Also, I bought this tea from home specifically for you. Keep it. You can drink it when you're tired or sleepy—it's more effective than an energy drink," Chen Jiang added.

...

That evening, after dinner, Chen Jiang drove Yi Yunxue to the tavern she had mentioned. On the way, she told him about the girl named Ma Ya who sang there.

"The tavern owner told me that Ma Ya is from Sichuan and is not Han Chinese. A few years ago, to escape an arranged marriage her parents set up—a man she hadn't even met—she resolutely broke ties with her family.

"At the time, she didn't have a penny to her name, just a battered old guitar. She survived by singing in various bars, traveling from place to place until she finally reached Shenzhen.

"I’ve met her once before. She knows who I am and expressed great interest in joining our studio. But I’m indecisive about the contract, so I wanted to ask for your opinion."

When they arrived, the tavern was located on a bustling street in a village-in-the-city area of Shenzhen. The sign outside was large, flashing with purple light. It read: *Yinyue Tavern*.

The interior was quite nice and spacious. It was crowded, and the two found a corner table to sit at.

"She told me she goes on stage at eight. She shouldn't be here yet," Yi Yunxue said.

Chen Jiang checked the time; twenty minutes left. He scanned the QR code on the table to order a cocktail for himself. After asking for her preference, he ordered a fruit juice for her.

Yi Yunxue looked around, noting that only a few children had fruit juice in front of them. She pouted, a helpless expression on her face. *Sigh, if only I could drink alcohol!*