A Chanting Night in the Clear River

Chapter 16

Chapter 16

It Was Brittle

Outside Lotus Pier, just before the docks.

The lampposts were brightly lit, making the water appear auric.

Jiang Cheng let his feet lead him, alongside the night wind. He had several options for destinations in mind, but...

Where to go first?

He couldn't decide.

'Whatever.' He nonchalantly concluded.

He resorted to just... strolling around.

There were a few street vendors at the dock.

'There aren't many of them left.' He notes, unsure how to react.

Back then, no matter how late it was, this place was crammed with vendors selling all kinds of food (since many people in Lotus Pier came out for late-night snacks). There were also many boats, possibly even more than in Caiyi Town.

That... was... before.

Lotus Pier wasn't the same as it used to be.

Jiang Cheng approached and looked at their wares.

Baozi.
Jianbing.
Yang rou chuan.

Jiang Cheng was overcome with nostalgia, seeing Yunmeng's midnight snacks.

Noticing someone staring at her delights, "Nianqing ren, have you eaten?" a lady in her late forties questioned, her attitude accommodating.

Does he have the appearance of someone who hasn't been fed?

Jiang Cheng did not answer, "..."

"Come here, come here," She said warmly, gesturing at her product. "the pie's really good!"

"Nansheng, I have cifantuan," Another xiaofan offered, "it's delicious, I tell you!"

A young man greeted, "Good evening! Lai, lai, we sell bing tanghulu!"

Jiang Cheng pursed his lips.

He couldn't have any (no matter how badly he wanted them), much to his dismay.

Jiang Cheng let out a muted sigh, "Bu, xiexie."

A pity, he doesn't have money.

He only sauntered away.

He hadn't distanced himself for long when he overheard a familiar address: "Oh, Lan-gongzi...!"

Abruptly, Jiang Cheng came to a stop.

"...Wanshang hao."

With a voice gentle and courteous, the boy says, "Ye zhu ni wanan. Can I have four pies please?"

Jiang Cheng looked behind him.

Grinning, the (old) lady wrapped four pies in greaseproof paper. Lan Sizhui stood there, a modest curve in his lips.

Doing so, she questioned, even starting a small talk, "How are you, gongzi? It has been a while."

"I am fine, Nushi." He politely replied, expressive of his sentiment, "I missed Lotus Pier. Six months is really a long time."

"True." She pointed out then. "You've grown more handsome in six months, Lan-gongzi," Hearing the compliment, Lan Sizhui's ears turned pink (but his expression remained composed and collected, a trait he inherited from Lan Wangji). "looking so much like your father."

His amber irises shined, not unlike the gleam of an unsheathed sword, "Really? Though, Yima said I resemble Muqin more." Lan Sizhui said, his smile deepening.