Chapter 248 - 137: Secret
Su Ran turned on his phone’s flashlight and went over to look at the photograph stuck to the Deng Lijun poster.
The yellowed photograph was very old and a little blurry, but you could still clearly make out what was in it.
The photo showed two people: a young man in a tunic suit and a beautiful girl in a school uniform from that era. It was the very picture of youth.
It had to be the white-haired Old Qin beside him, back when he was young.
"Uncle Qin, where was this taken?"
"The Summer Palace."
"Oh. And who’s the woman in the picture?"
"Shumin."
"Who’s Shumin?"
"The woman I love."
"Oh..."
He seemed a little more lucid now, gazing intently at the woman in the photograph. Su Ran could see a story in his eyes but didn’t dare press for details, worried the man might get agitated and descend into madness again.
"What year was this taken?"
"’63. It was taken when we got engaged. She was so beautiful."
"Yeah, I can tell. Is she from the Imperial Capital?"
"No, she’s from Beiping."
"..."
Su Ran was speechless. ’Isn’t Beiping the Imperial Capital? Damn it, he’s starting to lose it again.’
He quickly asked, "Uncle Qin, what’s your full name?"
"Me? I’m Qin Shubao."
"...Sigh. This is hopeless."
"Uncle Qin, what’s Shumin’s family name?"
"Shumin’s family name is Liang. Liang Shumin. We met in London. She was studying abroad there and had lost her passport. She came to the embassy for a replacement, and I was the one who helped her. I fell in love with her at first sight."
’Love at first sight?’
’I get it. He was just after her body.’
"Do you know where she lived?"
"Shumin? She lives in my heart."
"..."
’Wow, this old man’s still got some game.’
"I mean, where in the Imperial Capital did she live? Her official address. Do you remember it?"
"She lives in my heart."
The old man just kept repeating that same line.
"Alright, I get it."
Su Ran took a picture of the photograph. ’I’ll have to figure out how to find her myself. Even if he knew the address, it probably wouldn’t be much use now. Half a century has passed, and the Imperial Capital has changed beyond recognition. The address probably doesn’t even exist anymore.’
"I’m heading out, Uncle Qin."
"Alright."
Old Qin gazed vacantly at the photograph without looking back.
Su Ran went home to pack. He wrapped up some of the cured sausages and pork belly that had finished drying the day before to take to Hangzhou; they’d be ready to eat in a couple of days.
He didn’t have to worry about the meat he was leaving behind. Uncle Qin would watch over it, mainly to keep birds and mice from stealing a bite.
Of course, Su Ran wouldn’t mind if Uncle Qin helped himself, but the old man was a man of principle. He would only eat some if Su Ran called and told him to; otherwise, he wouldn’t touch a single piece.
...
On the flight to Hangzhou, Su Ran kept thinking about where to start.
He racked his brain but came up with nothing.
’Looks like I’ll have to make a trip to the Imperial Capital.’
’The Imperial Capital.’
’Su Ran had always wanted to see Tian’an Gate, watch the flag-raising ceremony, visit the Forbidden City, and try the Imperial Capital’s famous cuisine. Well... actually, it seemed the Imperial Capital didn’t have much great food, just a lot of "authenticity."’
The plane touched down at Hangzhou Airport.
Su Ran walked out of the airport, pulling his suitcase. It was filled entirely with meat, not clothes. He hadn’t brought any.
’It was a little embarrassing, but...’
’Shan Weizi had said, "I bought you several handsome outfits, plus a bunch of Hanfu to wear."’
’Xiao Wanqing had said, "I bought us matching outfits, so you don’t need to bring any clothes to Shanghai."’
’Liu Jinyu had said, "I bought you some super-stylish clothes. You’ll look drop-dead gorgeous in them."’
’Xie Yiren had said, "I’ve woven several sets of Miao Clan traditional outfits for you. You can wear them when you get here."’
’Aina had said, "Uighur clothing—you deserve to have some."’
’With all that, what clothes did Su Ran possibly need to bring?’
’To be honest... Su Ran didn’t really want them to be so good to him. When they were, he felt a sense of guilt, as if he was bound to hurt them someday.’
’That was what he truly thought.’
Saying no more, he walked out of the airport and immediately spotted a stylishly dressed girl waving at him.
’Shan Weizi?’
Su Ran stared for a moment, sizing her up. She was wearing a short down jacket over a short skirt with leggings that made it look as if her legs were bare. They looked long and flawless.
’It was just that she always wore Hanfu, so he’d never seen her legs before.’
"What’s the matter? Don’t you recognize me?"
Shan Weizi walked up with a smile and did a little twirl in front of Su Ran, causing nearby passersby to look back in admiration.
"I honestly didn’t recognize you for a second. You always wear Hanfu, so I didn’t clock it was you when you were dressed so... normally."
"Are you saying Hanfu isn’t normal?"
"That’s not what I meant. Hanfu is our traditional Chinese dress, so of course it’s normal. People in Japan wear kimonos, people in South Korea wear hanboks, and we wear our traditional clothing. There’s nothing wrong with that."
"Exactly. Come on, let’s go home."
The Bentley Continental pulled away from the airport.
In the car, Su Ran told Shan Weizi Old Qin’s story in detail, hoping she could give him some advice.
Shan Weizi said, "There’s someone that incredible in your village? A Tsinghua graduate?"
Su Ran replied, "Yeah. Yesterday, he even recited a poem in English."
Shan Weizi asked, "What poem?"
Su Ran said, "Death and life are rich, and Zicheng said. Hold your hand and grow old together with you."
Shan Weizi went "Oh," and recited, "For life and death, parted or drawn together, to you I made my vow. I will hold your hand, and with you, I will grow old."
Su Ran asked, "You know that one?"
Shan Weizi said, "Of course. I love that verse. Do you like it?" she asked, looking at Su Ran with a bright smile.
Su Ran replied, "I do."
Shan Weizi said, "Finding people is really hard, especially when the information isn’t reliable. Your best bet is to go to the Imperial Capital. Didn’t you say he went to Tsinghua? You should try looking at Tsinghua University. You might find some information on him there. Actually, I have a classmate at Tsinghua. I’ll ask them to help you look into it."
Su Ran said, "Okay. If you find anything, I’ll treat you to a big feast."
Shan Weizi asked, "What kind of feast?"
Su Ran replied, "A very, very big feast."