Chapter Twenty-Nine: Has Dalang Changed Careers to Sell Beef Patties?

Qin Xuan lay on his bed, turning over the tangled events of the day in his mind. So Lin’er wasn’t his real sister after all? But that didn’t matter much.

In another room, Qin Lin’er lay wide awake, eyes open, absentmindedly stroking Maru, who had leapt onto the bed. She felt lost; on the one hand, she was delighted that her brother didn’t care whether she was his biological sister, but on the other, she wished he wouldn’t see her as a sister at all. Secretly, she harbored the dream of becoming his sister-in-law. Oh dear—what a strange thought!

Burying her face in the pillow, Qin Lin’er tried to chase away those bizarre notions.

On the night of October 20th, the three young people each nursed their own thoughts. In her room, Liu Ruoxi was still scolding herself, kneading the Stitch plush in her hands while muttering, “Coward! Why didn’t you just go for it? Who knows, maybe you could’ve been holding him to sleep tonight!”

But what was done was done. She’d read plenty of novels about “missing a chance means missing a lifetime,” but Liu Ruoxi wasn’t one to give up so easily. Rubbing her overly full stomach, she thought, Maybe I’ll just be lazy again today? Yes, that’s settled.

Pulling the covers over her head, Liu Ruoxi slowly drifted off to sleep.

So the next morning, none of the three managed to get up early…

Fortunately, it was the weekend. By the time they all got out of bed, it was nearly noon, and they ran into each other at the door, exchanging awkward glances. Each of them couldn’t help but wonder, Why do the other two seem so useless?

After rolling their eyes at one another, Qin Xuan started boiling some dumplings. They’d eaten too much the night before and still felt stuffed.

“Qin Xuan, what are we doing this afternoon?” Liu Ruoxi asked, munching on a dumpling—just right in flavor.

“I don’t know. Maybe we should just sleep some more?” Qin Xuan was at a loss. He thought, If you two weren’t here, I’d probably just go hang out at the internet cafe! Of course, he couldn’t say that aloud; Liu Ruoxi hated it when he went there and came home reeking of smoke.

Liu Ruoxi shook her head. She’d heard sleeping too much made you gain weight, though she wasn’t convinced—after all, why didn’t Sleeping Beauty get fat after a hundred years?

But today was Qin Xuan’s birthday; lazing at home seemed like a waste.

Qin Lin’er, meanwhile, picked up her phone and started searching for ideas. Suddenly, her eyes lit up.

“Bro! Let’s go here!” She held her phone up to Qin Xuan’s face.

“The old town?” It wasn’t common back home, and most places were just replicas anyway. He was curious to see an authentic one, so he had no objections.

“It’s a bit far!” Liu Ruoxi noticed the distance—it was in the neighboring city.

Qin Lin’er replied without hesitation, “Then let’s play for an extra day! It’s the weekend anyway!”

“Wait, you’re not afraid of all the walking?” Liu Ruoxi suddenly asked, curious.

“I can have my brother carry me!” Qin Lin’er said matter-of-factly, making Liu Ruoxi want to swat her. Only for Qin Xuan’s birthday did she spare her a beating.

Qin Xuan thought: So that’s what you were waiting for?

“What about Maru?” he asked.

“Now you’re worried about him? You never worried about Maru the last few times we went out,” Qin Lin’er replied in surprise.

“I just don’t want him to go hungry.”

At that, Maru stretched lazily, the fat on his body jiggling with the movement.

The three exchanged silent looks. Qin Lin’er said, “Don’t worry. The food bowl is on a timer; he won’t starve.”

Since Qin Lin’er had made up her mind, Qin Xuan had no objections, and Liu Ruoxi could only go along with it.

After tidying up the house and rejecting Maru’s eager attempts to follow, each of them packed a set of clothes into Qin Xuan’s bag—none of them minded sharing.

They called a cab to the high-speed train station. Qin Lin’er, hopeless with directions, clung tightly to Qin Xuan’s hand, which made Liu Ruoxi suspect she was using her poor sense of direction as an excuse just to hold his hand.

By the time they got off the train, it was already half-past two. Outside the station, they transferred to a bus heading straight for the old town.

A light rain fell over the ancient town that day. The wet flagstones gleamed with a particular charm, rainwater collecting along the eaves and dripping into the water jars by each doorway with a crisp and pleasant sound. A small river flowed quietly through the heart of the town.

For some reason, there were few tourists that day, though plenty of vendors, mostly selling snacks and handicrafts.

As soon as Qin Lin’er spotted food, she let go of Qin Xuan’s hand and joined Liu Ruoxi at a stall called “Da Lang’s Yellow Beef Pie.”

Qin Xuan’s first thought at the name was: Da Lang has switched to selling beef pies now?

Qin Lin’er bought one especially for Qin Xuan. The crispy crust and unique yellow beef filling nearly sent juice flying onto his shirt—delicious indeed!

Before long, Qin Xuan was laden with bags of snacks, while he hadn’t even finished the beef pie in his hand.

When they reached an inn, Qin Xuan hesitated. He wanted to book two rooms, but Liu Ruoxi and Qin Lin’er insisted one was enough. In the end, the three shared a double room. The bed was big enough; Liu Ruoxi and Qin Lin’er could squeeze together without issue.

After dropping off their things, they headed out again. Perhaps tired from walking, Qin Lin’er clamored to be carried by Qin Xuan. But she didn’t get her wish—upon stepping outside, they spotted a boat ride. Five yuan per person would take them from one end of the town to the other, though coming back would cost another five.

With so few tourists, only the three of them and the elderly boatman were aboard. The old man, hair as white as snow, was surprisingly energetic—Qin Xuan doubted if he could best him in an arm wrestle.

The boatman talked about the town’s history and special features—mostly the food. That was what interested Qin Lin’er and Liu Ruoxi. He recommended a blood stew that, according to him, had been around for over a century. Qin Lin’er declared she had to try it later.

Half an hour later, the three found themselves in a restaurant—and there was the same old man from the boat!

It turned out the restaurant was his family business; perhaps he used the boat rides to attract customers. Clever fellow!

But the blood stew truly was delicious, richer in flavor than any they’d had elsewhere. Qin Lin’er devoured three bowls of rice without hesitation—such was her robust appetite.

After the meal, they returned to the inn. Qin Xuan stood on the balcony, letting the cool breeze brush his face.

“What’s up?” Liu Ruoxi and a stomach-rubbing Qin Lin’er came to stand beside him.

“Nothing. It’s just, compared to the city, I think I prefer these towns—so peaceful and calm.” Qin Xuan shared his thoughts.

“Oh, listen to you! Anyone would think you were eighty, talking about peace and serenity,” Qin Lin’er interrupted, ever the mischief-maker, giving him no chance for sentimentality.

Qin Xuan was exasperated. “Seriously? Do you have to ruin my moment?”

“Yes, I do. That’s exactly my job.” Qin Lin’er pulled out yet another snack and, after a few bites, tossed it to Qin Xuan. “Forget it, I can’t eat another bite.”

Qin Xuan caught the snack, bemused—why buy so much if you can’t eat it?

They took turns showering. Qin Xuan got his own bed, while Liu Ruoxi and Qin Lin’er fought fiercely for territory in the other. Several times, flying pillows meant for each other struck Qin Xuan by mistake. Eventually, they tired themselves out and drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, Qin Xuan woke to find his childhood friend on his left and his “sister” on his right. He couldn’t help but fall into deep thought…