Chapter 11: Chapter 11 You’re Pretty Strong Chapter 11: Chapter 11 You’re Pretty Strong Xiao ier brushed Chen Cheng’s hair away from his neck, nodding as she did.
“It was a lucky coincidence, I guess!
I left the hot pot restaurant with nowhere to go, so I got on a bus, thinking that I’d get off wherever it ended up.”
She settled back into her seat and said, “I still rember when I ca to Big Willow Tree that day.
It was raining so heavily.”
Chen Cheng picked up the wine bottle and toasted her.
“As soon as I got off the bus, I was soaking wet.
The rain on my reddened hands felt like it was burning,” Xiao ier instinctively shielded her burned arm.
She spoke softly, “I just ran and ran.
Finally, I saw a place with its lights on, and without thinking, I took cover at the entrance.”
“Let guess,” Chen Cheng responded with effort, “Did you end up at Xin Chuanji?”
“You’re smart, kid!” Xiao ier replied with a toast of her own, “Back then, it was still called Old Sichuan.”
Chen Cheng finally understood, “So that’s when the seed of your dream was planted, wasn’t it?”
Xiao ier shook her head.
“No?” Chen Cheng blinked his eyes.
“Well, yes,” Xiao ier nodded, “because it was there that I t Mr.
Zhai.”
Chen Cheng was surprised, “My grandpa?”
“Yes.
That day he was drinking at Old Sichuan, and when he walked out, he saw all forlorn,”
Xiao ier said, her eyes reddening imdiately, “He asked which family I belonged to and why I was out alone in such heavy rain.”
“Then he saw the burn on my arm and asked if I wanted a hot al.” She continued.
Chen Cheng had never heard this story from his grandfather Zhai Tiansheng, but knowing his warm-hearted nature, he felt it was entirely possible.
“I was so hungry and dizzy at the ti that I couldn’t think about anything else, so I just nodded and agreed.”
Xiao ier lowered her head and murmured, “Mr.
Zhai took to the back kitchen of Old Sichuan and had a chef, who was about to finish his shift, make a plate of egg-fried rice and a bowl of Mapo Tofu.”
She wiped the tears forming at the corners of her eyes, then lifted her chin and gazed at the ceiling, as if unwilling to let her tears fall.
“Xiao Cheng, that was the most flavorful al I’ve ever had in my life.”
Chen Cheng was deeply moved.
The solitary, friendless Xiao ier he once knew, caught in a pouring rain in a foreign place, experienced such profound feelings.
“Later, Mr.
Zhai helped find the place for this shop and dealt with the permits.”
Xiao ier looked at Chen Cheng, a fiery glow in her eyes, “So, Xiao Cheng, you don’t need to worry about my kindness to you.
It’s what I ought to do.”
“Sister E’er, I…”
Xiao ier smiled, “As long as you live a steady and safe life in the future, I believe Mr.
Zhai would be at peace if he were watching over us.”
Chen Cheng gulped down several mouthfuls of wine.
That night, he learned so many things he never knew before.
“Sis, I still say what I an.
I will definitely help you fulfill your wish!” Chen Cheng said earnestly.
Xiao ier smiled faintly, “I said before, I’m all set.
Don’t…”
Chen Cheng suddenly grabbed her, his breathing turning heavy.
At that mont, he was no longer Xiao Cheng in Xiao ier’s words, but a man saying to her, “A promise made is a promise kept.”
Xiao ier was taken aback by his determination.
She saw in Chen Cheng’s eyes his commitnt to her, an intense desire.
She pulled her hand away with effort, “You’re hurting .”
Chen Cheng finally realized, “Sorry, Sister E’er.”
Xiao ier’s face turned beet red, “I never thought you were this strong.”
“Haha…”
Chen Cheng laughed awkwardly and quickly changed the subject, “Have you not gone back since you ca here?”
“I did go back!” Xiao ier said, “I went back during the sumr after your freshman year.
Grandma passed away.”
Chen Cheng cleared his throat, “I’m sorry, I didn’t know.”
“It’s okay, it’s been years.” Xiao ier said calmly, “I was just deciding whether to co back.”
Chen Cheng pressed on, “What made you decide to return to Big Willow Tree?”
“It’s simple, after seeing the splendor of the big city, I didn’t want to go back.”
She paused for a mont, then added, “And besides, there is no one at ho anymore.”
Two people bound by similar fates sat under the sa moonlight, at the sa small table.
Fate, perhaps, is just filled with such drama.
“I will take care of you from now on,” Chen Cheng said.
Xiao ier was stunned for a mont, but soon her face lit up with a smile.
She leaned forward, placed her hand on Chen Cheng’s shoulder, “Little brother, don’t boast too much.”
“I’m serious.” Chen Cheng t her beautiful eyes, “Sister E’er, I’m almost thirty now.
I’m not a young naive boy anymore.
What I say counts.”
Xiao ier felt the vigor in Chen Cheng’s whole being.
She gazed at him blankly, unsure whether to be happy or surprised.
“Let’s start by setting you up with a restaurant!” Chen Cheng calmly stated, “I’ll think of a way tomorrow.”
“What way could you have?” Xiao ier asked, puzzled.
Chen Cheng grinned, “Make money, of course!
Buy back Grandpa’s Wanbao Hall and open a fine little restaurant for you.”
Hearing Chen Cheng say this, Xiao ier leaned back, “That’s two million!
Where are you going to get that kind of money?”
“Money, well, there’s always a way.” Chen Cheng smiled boldly, “For instance, I could revisit my forr clients, help them with so investnts and such.”
Xiao ier blinked, “Just based on the code you wrote this afternoon?”
“Yeah!
I help them make money, they give a share.
With a bit of luck, I think it would work in half a year.”
Chen Cheng’s heart was pounding as he continued, “And if luck’s even better, maybe in a couple of months.
Who knows?”
“Is it legal?”
Xiao ier had no experience with quantitative trading and didn’t understand financial matters; those complex codes seed highly sophisticated to her.
However, she was very concerned for Chen Cheng’s safety, “Xiao Cheng, we can’t do anything illegal to make money!”
Chen Cheng laughed and said, “My dear Sister E’er, don’t worry!
Every penny I earn will be clean.”
He paused and then asked, “Otherwise, wouldn’t I have already gotten in trouble?”
“Phooey, phooey, phooey!” Xiao ier frowned, “Knock on wood!
Why are you talking nonsense all day?”
Chen Cheng smiled and knocked on the table, “You believe in that stuff?”
“I’m just worried about you taking the wrong path for money.”
Xiao ier said seriously, “Xiao Cheng, you must promise one thing.”
“Tell .”
“No matter what, you have to be well, you hear?”
Chen Cheng looked at her sincere face and nodded, “Don’t worry, Sister E’er.
Our good days are almost here!”
Xiao ier bit her lower lip and reminded him again, “You must listen, okay?”
“Yes, madam!”
Chen Cheng saluted.
“I’m not a cop,” Xiao ier jokingly scolded.
“Oh, you understood that?”
Xiao ier giggled, “I’ve watched a lot of Hong Kong movies!”
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