Chapter 19 - Story56-59 (2/2)
Tang Yanzhi: It’s a nice day today. Let’s go out to have some fun.
Xu Chi: To where?
Tang Yanzhi: You live in the west of the city, while I live in the east of the city. Let’s go to the “Garbage Street” in the center of the city.
Xu Chi: Is there a “Garbage Street” in our city? Why haven’t I heard about this place?
Tang Yanzhi: Of course there is one. Grab a bite before you leave, or you’ll feel hungry.
Xu Chi: …
Xu Chi: Why are you sure I will come?
Tang Yanzhi: Because I know your thoughts.
Tang Yanzhi: See you later.
【57.]
Mr. Xu took a sigh of relief when he found Tang Yanzhi according to the GPS.
Having been living in this city for a long time, he hadn’t heard of this place.
It turned out that Garbage Street is a street lined up with roadside stalls and food carts, selling all kinds of tasty snacks.
At nightfall, the street was lively with hungry souls searching for delicious food. Amid the smell of kebab sizzling on skewers, Xu Chi fought his way through the crowd towards Tang Yanzhi.
What he heard on the way was all kinds of chatting and “Excuse me”. Xu Chi found Tang Yanzhi, wearing a beige coat and waving at him with his phone in hand. That made Xu Chi recalled a scene he had read in a book.
This is life.
【62.]
“So many people…”
“It’s always like this. Follow me and don’t get lost. What do you want to eat? It’s my treat.”
As soon as Tang Yanzhi saw Xu Chi, he handed a cup of yogurt ice cream into Xu Chi’s hand. Then Xu Chi took it directly. When he was eating, Tang Yanzhi could see his dimples.
“I don’t know why…” Xu Chi said with mouthful, “I always feel like you know me very well.”
Xu Chi held the cup in one hand and spoon in the other. Tang Yanzhi could only take him away from the crowd and to a quieter place. He smiled and asked, “Why?”
Xu Chi always said directly. “Every time I need something, you show up.”
“Last time I need an umbrella, you showed up. This time…”
Tang Yan asked, “What do you need this time?”
Xu Chi swallowed the yogurt in his mouth and said, “Satisfactions.”
“A satisfaction of being with a friend, a satisfaction that could fill all the vacant hole in my heart, and a satisfaction that can dispel all my unhappiness.”
“You got satisfied just after having a cup of yogurt ice cream?”
Hearing what Tang Yanzhi said, Xu Chi was a little distressed, “It’snot a good thing to be easily satisfied, isn’t it? Will such a person be fooled easily?”
“Don’t worry.” Tang Yanzhi stopped at a stall selling sour and spicy rice noodles with Xu Chi. “As long as I’m with you, no one could fool you into leaving me.”
【59.]
“Tang Yanzhi, I don’t know anything about you. But you always give me a feeling that we’ve known each other for a long time.”
“You know I am a writer, don’t you?”
“Except for this.”
“Then I’ll give you an opportunity to know me.”
“Forget it…” The face of Xu Chi was reddening due to the cold winter night, “I have nothing to ask you.”
“Well. Let’s play a game.”
“What?”
“It’s very simple. You ask me questions and I answer them without thinking.”
“… Okay.”
A few moments later, Xu Chi asked, “Your hobby?”
“Eating and sleeping.”
“Your goal in life?”
“Become a rich man.”
Xu Chi was amused and said, “You didn’t answer seriously.”
“Yes!” Tang Yanzhi said, “I am indeed serious.”
Xu Chi finished the last bite of yogurt ice cream and said, “I don’t want to ask you anymore.”
There were a lot of people waiting in line before the stall. They were not in a hurry to buy the noodles. Then, Tang Yanzhi said, “Well, it’s my turn.”
“OK.”
“Do you like Famine?”
“Yes.”
“Do you like sweet stories?”
“Not quite.”
“Do you like cats?”
“Yes.”
“Do you like dogs?”
“Yes.”
“Do you like me?”
“Yes.”
Xu Chi was stunned for a moment. Tang Yanzhi was laughing at him since he fell into his trap, then Xu Chi smiled helplessly.
“You’re so childish.”
“But it’s fair.”
“What?”
“You could tolerate my childishness. And I could accept all your unhappiness and sadness.”
“What about my happiness?”
“You can share it with your friends.”
“Aren’t you my friend?”
“Of course I am, but I prefer to be that kind of friend…” Tang Yanzhi smiled and stressed, “a friend who can change your unhappiness into happiness.”