364 The Glorious Years 7 (2/2)
Probably afraid that she was cold, Su Zhinian turned the heater in the car up before starting the engine. Then he drove off the driveway.
Beijing at 4 am had practically no cars on the road, so they went uninhibited. While they were waiting at the first red light, Su Zhinian switched on the radio, probably because Song Qingchun would get too bored.
It was playing some classics. The familiar tune smoothed Song Qingchun's heart. The car drove for about half an hour before stopping at the roadside.
Song Qingchun glanced out of the window and realized they had stopped in front of a row of shops. She frowned in confusion and turned to ask Su Zhinian with some measure of disbelief in her voice, ”We're here?”
”Yes, we are.” Su Zhinian stopped the engine and got out of the car to help Song Qingchun with the passenger door.
Su Zhinian locked the car after Song Qingchun got out, and he then pointed at a small alleyway between two of the buildings, adding, ”Let's go.”
Song Qingchun glanced at Su Zhinian with enquiry in her eyes; however, since Su Zhinian didn't seem like he was going to explain himself, she had no choice but to follow obediently behind him.
They didn't share a word along the way, and he stayed a distance of about half a meter away from her.
After they entered the alleyway, the light was much darker. Due to the sudden nature of this trip, Song Qingchun was wearing her usual high heels, and when she accidentally tripped on an empty can, it was Su Zhinian who reached out to catch her.
The alleyway was short, only about two hundred meters long. The other side of it was a one-way street. The man pulled her along as he turned left and headed east.
Along the way, they passed a night market hawker stall selling barbeque. Trails of smoke rose into the air from the pot of coals.
A middle-aged woman, probably the proprietor, sat before the pot, minding the flame while a song was playing on her phone.
When Song Qingchun passed, through the tune alone, she could recognize the song.