Chapter 38

Chapter 38: The Lantern Festival

The Lantern Festival was lively all day long. Lian Cheng first found a roadside shop with Lian Xiusheng and ate steaming hot vermicelli, ordering a steamer of crystal shrimp dumplings and pork xiaolongbao. Just then, Ceng Gui and Ceng Yi also arrived after paying respects at the City God Temple, and the four of them shared a breakfast together. Afterward, they walked through long streets and short alleys, watching a lion dance with a rolling embroidered ball.

Lian Cheng spent money freely. Before leaving home, he had specifically asked Huqiu to bring a large pouch of loose silver. Whenever he saw something he liked, he would give some to the vendors, especially those who worked hard for their living. Lian Cheng had never imagined that his childhood dream—“when I have money, I’ll save the suffering”—could come true after traveling into a novel.

After all, he had no use for so much money, and it also served as a good example for his younger brother.

Lian Xiusheng, however, differed from his third brother. He took no pleasure in worldly amusements. Instead, he used his silver to buy a few branches of apricot blossoms from an old flower seller in an alley. In the end, he didn’t keep them for himself but gave them to his third brother.

Lian Cheng accepted them happily and recited, “Red apricots bloom every year in Zhao Village; in fifteen years, how many times have I seen them?”

“May the flowers bloom forever, and may we live forever,” Lian Xiusheng said, looking at his third brother.

Lian Cheng grinned. “Forever remain, forever remain.” With that, he plucked a branch of apricot blossoms and extended it toward Ceng Yi.

Ceng Yi waved it away with her fan. “Minzi, you’ve forgotten—I don’t like flowers. Besides, these were given to you by Sheng Geer. I won’t take them.”

Lian Cheng wasn’t one to stand on ceremony. If she didn’t want them, so be it. He found a tavern on his own, climbed to the third-floor Moon-Viewing Terrace, and settled in to watch a play.

The stage was set up in the center of the upper floor, performing a play called “Little Peach Red.” Screens surrounded the area on all sides. Lian Cheng found one with no one behind it, sat down, and ordered a pot of Fragrant Snow tea. He could watch the play and listen to the music, or lean on the railing to gaze at the bustling street scene below—truly a delightful way to pass the time.

“Lian Cheng?” A hesitant voice came from nearby. “I haven’t seen you in a while. Have you been busy lately?”

Lian Cheng followed the voice and saw two men standing a few tables away. Only then could he see them clearly. He stared at their faces but didn’t recognize them at all.

Huqiu wasn’t there; he had gone to find Li Wan and his household. Lian Cheng had hoped Lian Xiusheng and the others would come up after him, but they didn’t. So now he had to rely on himself.

Seeing the two men approach his table with tea and snacks, he rolled his eyes and said he wasn’t busy.

Likely they were just drinking buddies from the original owner’s past—easy to handle with wine and meat, nothing complicated.

Each of the two men had a fair-faced, delicate-looking young boy with them. Both boys quickly glanced at Lian Cheng and blushed.

As soon as the men sat down, they competed to pour tea for Lian Cheng. “Qiao Er sent a visiting card to your residence before the New Year. Did you receive it?”

Lian Cheng said no and learned that the one in the skullcap was Qiao Er. “Who received it?”

“I don’t know the name. I only remember it was someone with a serious expression, a straight, bamboo-like figure, and he seemed to be a martial artist?”

Among the servants at home, the only one matching that description was probably Jin Cai from the Qiu family. But if Jin Cai had received the card, why wouldn’t he have given it to Lian Cheng? Regardless, Lian Cheng had no intention of disparaging his own people in front of strangers. He accepted the tea they handed him and changed the subject, praising its fragrance.

“My wife roasted some Longjing tea herself last year. She gave it to several gentlemen, and after they finished it, they sent people to ask for more, saying they’d pay any price for another taste. But I don’t have that much to give them. I managed to keep a little. If Third Lang likes it too, just send someone to my house later, and I’ll wrap up two liang for you.” Qiao Er said, then picked up the teapot and refilled Lian Cheng’s cup.

“Good, many thanks.” Lian Cheng cupped his hands in gratitude.

The two young boys stepped forward to serve, but Lian Cheng hadn’t forgotten the disaster he had encountered before the New Year. He didn’t dare meet their eyes and instead chatted with his original body’s two young friends. Both men brought up the Xia family incident.

“The Xia kid was truly unlucky. But then again, in the cage of powerful families, who can escape?”

“If Vice Minister Xia weren’t so uniquely ruthless, Grand Secretary Ye wouldn’t have favored him.”

“He was only demoted to a governor, and in a beautiful place at that.”

“If you ask me, building that Dew Hall cost so much gold and silver, and how many common people were ruined in the process? Sigh.”

Lian Cheng held a piece of honey pastry as he repeated “Dew Hall” after Qiao Er. From his experience with gossips, even if they had discussed a topic a thousand times, mentioning a keyword would make them happy to repeat it all over again.

Sure enough, Qiao Er slapped the table and said, “Who says otherwise?”

Lian Cheng didn’t know what he had said or why it was “otherwise,” but he still sighed cooperatively.

So Qiao Er continued, “The Former Crown Prince was benevolent and filial, possessing a gentleman’s character. If His Majesty wants to honor his elder brother’s legacy, he could simply continue his ideals. Why make such a fuss, wasting resources and exhausting the people? If the Former Crown Prince knew, he would surely order His Majesty to stop this undertaking.”

Hearing this, Lian Cheng understood everything. He used the other man’s own words again: “Who says otherwise?”

Another man in brown robes gestured with his hand. “This is already the third case involving the Dew Hall. I think there will be more to come.”

Lian Cheng: “Who says otherwise?”

Qiao Er savored his Longjing tea, shaking his head. “Shoddy work, cutting corners, faking accomplishments—why wouldn’t they get rich?”

Lian Cheng: “Who says otherwise?”

After three straight repetitive answers, the two men finally noticed Lian Cheng’s unusual behavior. They exchanged glances, finding it strange. Qiao Er urged the other man, “Zheng Leatherwhip, ask Third Lang why he’s so quiet today.”

Lian Cheng didn’t want to be questioned deeply, so he said, “My family lined up a job for me. I’m afraid I won’t be able to come out for drinks and fun as often in the future. Whenever I think of that, I feel sad.”

Qiao Er quickly said there was nothing to be sad about—others would be thrilled to get such a job.

Zheng Leatherwhip asked, “What job did you find?”

“The Southern Office.”

Hearing this, the two men stood up to offer congratulations. Qiao Er said, “Even though the Southern Office has less real power than the Northern one, it’s leisurely and free. I won’t speak for others, but with your noble family background, Third Lang, a meteoric rise is just a matter of time!”

After all that flattery, Lian Cheng’s face was stiff from smiling so much. But then he saw the young boy next to Qiao Er reaching for the teapot to pour tea for him. Qiao Er blocked the boy with his hand. “You disrespectful little servant! Didn’t we just have two boy prostitutes kicked out of the Lian mansion before New Year’s? Now you see this fine gentleman and lose your senses, pressing forward? Do you want to die?”

The boy retreated, and Qiao Er asked Lian Cheng why he had dealt with those two boy prostitutes so harshly. Even though it’s a lowly trade, if a master fancied them and took them home, there was usually some affection. Even if the affection faded, the usual thing was to give them some silver and send them off. Rarely would a male prostitute, knowing he had been rejected, use the silver to start a business and make something of himself. Being too harsh might bring you bad karma.

Zheng laughed and said they were nobodies—killing them wouldn’t matter. The Lian family could handle anything.

But Lian Cheng felt uncomfortable inside. After all, he was a modern person, with the principle of equality engraved in his bones. He had no intention of treating lives like grass, and he couldn’t tolerate Lian Xiusheng’s ruthless methods either. But he couldn’t say anything; Lian Xiusheng had only done it to get revenge for him.

So he just smiled and kept quiet.

Qiao Er sighed. “Everyone’s born of a mother and father, right? If you don’t respect people, how can you expect them to respect you? Step on someone, and they’ll step on you. It pains me to say it—I’m naturally soft-hearted. I can’t bear to see decent people struggling in the mud. The other day, I found him on the street and took him home, called a doctor. Even though he couldn’t walk anymore, he could still eat and drink. The other boy prostitute came to my door and offered to take care of him. That saved me some trouble.”

Lian Cheng’s expression hardened. “You found him? Wasn’t he supposed to have packed up and gone home?”

Zheng Leatherwhip: “Third Lang, you must be confused. That boy prostitute was punished at your residence and then tortured at the yamen. They crushed his fingers with bamboo sticks, and he was left without a human shape. He could only crawl on the street with his hands and feet. Even among the beggars, there are those fond of men. Without silver to visit the brothels, they saw him as an easy target. Several men surrounded him and did what they wanted. If Qiao Er hadn’t taken him in…”

Zheng didn’t finish; he just clicked his tongue, but Lian Cheng understood.

-

Lian Xiusheng and Ceng Gui had chosen a few books upstairs and searched the Moon-Viewing Terrace, but couldn’t find Lian Cheng. They asked the waiter, who said he had just been drinking tea with those two hangers-on. Lian Xiusheng found the two sycophants—Zheng Leatherwhip and Qiao Er. The former made a living by lending money in the capital; the latter was a scholar but sponged off the powerful, judging paintings for one family one day and accompanying guests for another the next.

When asked about Lian Cheng, both said they had only exchanged a few casual words and didn’t know where he had gone afterward.

Lian Xiusheng glanced at the two teapots on their table and the scent of orchids clinging to them. He knew it hadn’t been just a few casual words.

Lian Cheng had run off, not wanting to see Lian Xiusheng for the moment.

He went to the spot he’d arranged to meet Huqiu. Seeing a carriage parked under the willow tree, he ran over. Huqiu was squatting by the river, munching on a flatbread.

Hearing footsteps, the carriage curtain lifted up, and Lu Zhen leaned out the window. “I knew it was you by your footsteps. You’re early. Siqi and Du Heng haven’t arrived yet.”

Then he added, “Those apricot blossoms are nice. Give me two branches.”

Lian Cheng said they were a gift from Lian Xiusheng, so he couldn’t give them away.

"That's fine, I'll have Meixin buy some," Lu Zhen said, then stared at Lian Cheng. "You don't look well—what happened?"

Lian Cheng thought Lu Zhen might be more broad-minded than himself, so he asked, "If someone deceived you, what would you do?"

Lu Zhen jumped down from the carriage, fanning himself with a smile. "If it's as Minzi says, that he's dishonest—well, in this world, if you don't strip away someone's disguise, how much truth can you get? I say, just look at whether he can benefit you. Only wealth and gold in hand are real."

Lian Cheng placed the apricot blossoms he was holding onto the carriage but said nothing.

Then Li Wan arrived on a tall horse, followed by three others on horseback: one was his attendant, and the other two were martial arts masters from his household. Zhang Xian came later, also on horseback, sitting awkwardly with a pained expression on his face.

"Siqi, you didn't have to come. Why force yourself?" Lu Zhen closed his fan and struck Zhang Xian's backside.

Zhang Xian grimaced. "Tonight is the Lantern Festival—I had to come out and enjoy myself. I've been cooped up at home for so long, I'm going stir-crazy. Besides, Minzi said there was something important to do. How could I refuse?"

Li Wan looked behind him. "You didn't bring a servant?"

"I snuck out—how could I bring one? I had him lie in my bed pretending to be me to fool my mother."

"…"

Lian Cheng bowed deeply before Zhang Xian's horse. "Minzi offers his profound thanks to Brother Siqi."

Seeing that time was running short, the four of them squeezed into Lu Zhen's carriage. The three servants sat outside, while the two martial arts masters followed on horseback. All remained silent as they reined in their horses and began their journey.

Inside the carriage, Lian Cheng briefly explained the situation to the other young gentlemen. Upon hearing it, Lu Zhen slapped his thigh. "To think there is such a shameless man in this world! Lady Lian was renowned in the capital for her beauty in her youth—he should have been grateful to win her favor, yet he harbors such vile intentions."

Zhang Xian asked, "Why not just take care of him directly?"

Lian Cheng quickly said that wouldn't do. "Everything must follow the law and reason."

Lu Zhen chuckled behind his fan. "How would Minzi judge our sneaky antics today?"

Lian Cheng told him to shut up.

Just as annoying as his roommate.

After all the clamor, they finally arrived. This place was far from the bustling streets, quiet and secluded. The carriage stopped in a corner, and Li Wan helped Lian Cheng down. Peering around at the desolate and dilapidated surroundings, Li Wan sighed at how devoted Lian's aunt was. Zhang Xian followed Lu Zhen down and, seeing it was getting dark, asked which house the servant belonged to so they could have the guards sneak in to steal—er, retrieve the items.

Lian Cheng pointed to the deep alley. "The last house."

The two guards exchanged a glance, then strode quickly into the alley. When they reached the door, they leaped directly onto the high wall and disappeared into the courtyard. Their movements were fluid and silent, leaving Lian Cheng wide-eyed. *Lightness skill! That's real lightness skill!*

The process went much smoother than Lian Cheng had anticipated. In less than a quarter of an hour, the two men had climbed back over the wall, carrying a bundle.

The young gentlemen—likely having never done anything like this in their lives—stuffed the bundle into the carriage, their faces flushed bright red. They pushed and shoved each other in their panic, stumbling as they finally scrambled back into the carriage, wishing they could grab the reins themselves and drive the horses away.

The carriage rushed to a restaurant. Li Wan found a waiter and led them upstairs to a reserved private room. Lu Zhen immediately wanted to see what was in the bundle, but Lian Cheng wouldn't let him. Zhang Xian said, "Those are all women's things. Aren't you embarrassed to look? Be careful—if you get rouge on you, your godfather will come after you again."

Lu Zhen didn't hesitate; he lifted his leg and kicked Zhang Xian's backside.

They didn't look, and neither did Lian Cheng. He tied the bundle tightly again, knowing that it held a woman's reputation—almost equivalent to her life. He handled it with utmost seriousness and hid it under the bed.

Just as he finished stashing the "evidence," there was a soft knock at the door. Huqiu opened it to see the visitor. He quickly bowed. Lian Biyun's heart was pounding as she bypassed him and entered the room directly, only to see several unfamiliar young gentlemen. Before she could ask, Lian Cheng came from the other side and called out, "Aunt."

"Did you get the things?"

Lian Cheng crawled under the bed again and handed her the bundle.

Lian Biyun glanced at the unfamiliar young men, then turned her back to examine the contents carefully. Nothing was missing—neither the hairpins nor the letters. She let out a huge sigh of relief, handed the bundle to her maid to secure, and turned back to Lian Cheng. She didn't stand on ceremony; she grabbed his hand. "In the past, I was too harsh with you. I looked down on you in every way, always finding fault. Though I said I hoped you would bring glory to our Lian family, in my heart, I truly despised you. But you still agreed to help me with this. I don't know how to thank you." She began to cry.

Lian Cheng quickly took the handkerchief Zhang Xian offered and wiped her tears. "Aunt and I may have had differences in the past, but in this matter, we should not let those come between us. You don't need to thank me, and you don't need to cry. I'm helping you—I'm also helping Cousin Ruzhuo and Cousin Miaozhen."

Lian Biyun stopped crying and thanked Zhang Xian and the others. Her maid took silver from her sleeve and gave tips to their servants and guards. Lian Biyun followed the maid, thanking each person individually. It was the Lantern Festival, and she was dressed elaborately: golden hair ornaments, many jeweled flowers, a silver-red sleeveless jacket, a peach-red skirt, and a white satin overcoat. She looked lovely and youthful. If Lian Cheng hadn't known her and seen her married woman's hairstyle, he would have been hard-pressed to guess her age.

Zhang Xian's eyes followed her as she left. When he was about to discuss their next plan, he suddenly asked, "Minzi, is your aunt married?"

"…"

Before Lu Zhen and Li Wan could react, Lian Cheng's mind was quickest. "Go tell your parents and see if they'd allow it."

After the realization hit, the two of them started beating Zhang Xian until he curled up.

While waiting for Lian Biyun to meet the servant in the adjoining room, the four men ordered tea, drank some warmed wine, ate several snacks, and chatted nonsense. Lian Cheng was more sober than the rest. He lay on the couch, cracking melon seeds, staring blankly into space. He was thinking about Lian Xiusheng—so he had nearly killed someone.

Li Wan, wine cup in hand, quietly sidled up to him. "Minzi."

Lian Cheng glanced at him. "What is it?"

"Will you come to my residence tonight? We can talk through the night, how about it?"

Lian Cheng shook his head. "Tonight is the Lantern Festival. I'm going home."

Li Wan said he was heartless.

Lian Cheng pretended not to hear him. Just as he was about to ask about some matters concerning the prince's mansion, voices came from the neighboring room—a waiter's greeting. That room was the one Lian Biyun had booked for her secret meeting with the servant. Hearing the commotion, they knew the main character had arrived. The four of them scrambled to press their ears against the door, while their guards and servants stood behind them, looking utterly resigned.

Inside, the servant first poured wine for Lian Biyun and asked when he could send a matchmaker. He mentioned that March had several auspicious dates and they shouldn't miss them. Lian Biyun said she had already told her sister-in-law about their situation, and after the New Year, her sister-in-law would speak to her elder brother. The servant was visibly relieved. He pulled a round stool to sit beside her, took her hand, and began reciting lines like "The blue, blue collar, my heart yearns for you," followed by the rustle of clothing.

Zhang Xian muttered, "Lecher."

The three of them turned to look at him. Lu Zhen said, "Siqi wants another beating from his father."

"Crash!"

They used the breaking of a cup as their signal.

Lian Cheng kicked open the wooden door. "Who's causing trouble here?"

The servant, named Liu Yuer, was annoyed at being interrupted. When he saw the usually sharp-tongued Lian Biyun cowering and silent, he looked up and saw several richly dressed young gentlemen followed by guards as imposing as the gods Guan Gong and Zhou Cang. Terrified, he fell to his knees and kowtowed. "This woman is my wife. During the Lantern Festival, we're just having a drink together—it's proper and lawful, not at all…"

"Nonsense! I don't even know you. You said you had a beautiful handkerchief and tricked me into coming here. Who would have thought you would…" Lian Biyun's eyes filled with tears. "I'd rather die!"

Zhang Xian stepped forward to stop her. "Madam, please don't be rash."

Liu Yuer never expected Lian Biyun to lie so brazenly. He sneered, "If you don't admit it, then don't. Why play the virtuous widow? Since you've treated me this way, I won't spare your face. Everyone, send someone to the box on my dressing table at home—you'll find all the tokens of love this woman gave me. If I'm lying, feel free to tie me up and take me to the authorities."

-

Huqiu rode off quickly and returned in less than a quarter of an hour, saying he found nothing.

Liu Yuer was stunned for a long moment, then realized he had been set up. His face darkened as he cursed, "You hired these scoundrels to trick me! Fine, Lian Biyun! I never thought you had such a hard heart. Just because you don't want to marry me, you spent money to find these thugs to scare me? But truth is truth, and lies will always be lies!"

He thought these well-dressed young men were actors hired by Lian Biyun. As a married woman having an affair, she wouldn't dare tell anyone. If she slipped up, she would be ruined.

"Let me tear off your masks!" Liu Yuer cursed and lunged at Lian Cheng.

Behind Lian Cheng, a guard kicked Liu Yuer flying several meters away. He crashed to the ground, gasping for breath. Before he could recover, a figure crouched in front of him. Li Wan took a jade token from his sleeve, engraved with a four-clawed dragon and the character "Xun" (merit). He shook it and smiled, "I'm afraid your dog eyes won't recognize this, so I'll tell you plainly: I am Li Wan, Du Heng, the Heir of Prince Hui. I never change my name."

At that, Lu Zhen handed a confession document from behind. Liu Yuer was utterly terrified. He immediately pressed his fingerprint and kowtowed repeatedly.

Li Wan put away his token. "This matter isn't about me, but you should never have raised your hand against my Minzi. So I'll cut off a piece of your tongue so you can never speak again, and chop off your ten fingers so you can never hit anyone again—and to prevent you from ruining any more virtuous women in the future."

Before Lian Cheng could react, a cold gleam flashed before his eyes, and a warm, wet piece of tongue flew out of Liu Yu'er's mouth.

The fingers weren't cut off with a blade but smashed with the handle, sending blood and flesh flying. Liu Yu'er's mouth was covered tightly, so he couldn't even cry out.

The maid took Lian Biyun downstairs. The guard dumped Liu Yu'er, cleaned up the mess, and escorted the four young gentlemen back to the carriage.

Lu Zhen noticed Lian Cheng's face was as pale as paper, clicked his tongue twice, and tapped Li Wan on the head with his fan. "People who know you would say you're spoiling Minzi; people who don't would think you're trying to scare him."

Li Wan quickly said, "No, no, my bad. I won't wave a blade or swing a club in front of Minzi again."

Lian Cheng shook his head, saying it was fine. In a very short time, he had already thought it through thoroughly: he couldn't change this era, and this era couldn't change him. He would stand his ground and not go with the flow.

"Good, so shall we go see the Da'ao Mountain now?" Li Wan suggested.

Lian Cheng smiled and said, "Not yet. I have to go find my sixth brother first. I forgot to tell him when I left. He's been waiting most of the day, and he'll find some excuse to pick a fight with me again."

Li Wan couldn't bear hearing Lian Cheng mention others. He pouted. "He's not just some ordinary person. What does he have to argue with us about? We're not the same kind of people. It's only natural to ignore him."

Lian Cheng said nothing, but he was becoming more anxious inside. As soon as they reached the tavern where they'd parted, he grabbed the apricot blossoms and jumped out of the carriage, running upstairs.

The stars and moon hung in the sky. The Moon-viewing Platform was even livelier than before—opera performers, clappers, zither players, all the lanterns lit. Many ladies crowded along the railing, looking down.

The third young master of the Lian family pushed through the crowd searching for someone, unexpectedly ending up with several handkerchiefs tucked into his clothes. He couldn't bother to return them first, and finally found the person.

Lian Xiusheng sat alone deep in a painted hall, with no guests before or behind him. Jin Cai stood by his side. Only one carp-shaped lantern was lit. He sat with lowered eyes, playing chess against himself, until someone sat opposite him. Then he raised his eyes and asked his third brother why he didn't sit next to him.

Annoyed, Lian Cheng put down the apricot blossoms and sat beside him, unable to help explaining, "I had some business to attend to earlier and couldn't tell you, so I left first. Please forgive me."

Lian Xiusheng then said, "Third brother's affairs are naturally more important than mine."

Lian Cheng was overjoyed. "You get it? I'm so relieved!" He laughed heartily.

Lian Xiusheng turned his head and stared with no expression at his heartless third brother. His brow bones were naturally prominent, his eyebrows pressing down over his phoenix eyes. Even when he smiled, there was little warmth. Without any expression, he seemed especially sinister. Stared at like this, Lian Cheng could only force a dry laugh. Then he saw the black chess piece between Lian Xiusheng's fingers crumbled into a pinch of ash. His eyes widened, and he was about to exclaim at the young master's excellent skill, when his shoulders were grabbed and he couldn't step back.

"I searched for you most of the day, everywhere, but couldn't find you or Huqiu. I nearly reported it to the authorities. Now that we meet, you only laugh and joke. May I ask you—are your heart and guts soft and warm?"

Lian Cheng, taking no offense, grabbed Lian Xiusheng's hand and pressed it against his own stomach. "Since you ask, why don't you feel for yourself?"

Lian Xiusheng's eyelids twitched. A flush crept from his neck to his ears, then reddened his eyelids as well.

Seeing this, Lian Cheng knew he'd appeased him and grinned. But unexpectedly, as he moved, several handkerchiefs fell from his sleeve onto their laps. Judging by the patterns, they belonged to both men and women.

Lian Cheng had almost forgotten about those. So he started to tell his brother in detail how popular he was. "Xiusheng, if I were to also win the top scholar title and ride through the streets on horseback, the handkerchiefs and flowers thrown at me would be... mmph!"

Lian Cheng was pressed down onto the couch. His wrists were seized. His eyes went wide, staring in disbelief at Lian Xiusheng's eyelashes, so close they almost swept across his face. Lian Xiusheng hadn't closed his eyes; he was staring back at him, like a wolf or a tiger, hungry and thirsty, no longer restrained.

His lips were bitten painfully by Lian Xiusheng. For a moment, Lian Cheng didn't know if this was a kiss or a punishment. A hand pulled open the belt at his waist. His clothes fell open. That hand was cold, reaching inside to knead his chest lewdly. As their tongues touched, Lian Cheng finally realized how immoral this act was, going against all human decency. He struggled frantically, trying to cry out for Jin Cai, but found that Jin Cai, who should have been standing behind them, had moved in front of them—an accomplice!

"Let... Lian Xiu..." Lian Cheng tossed his head wildly, but his jaw was caught. Lian Xiusheng looked down at him from above, his thin lips bright red. His voice was hoarse. "I'm in love with you, third brother. Do you feel the same?"