Chapter 28

Chapter 28

Lincheng was a megacity with a population of over ten million, and its high-speed rail station was built spaciously. Standing inside it, Jiang Yicen felt like he was in a steel behemoth that could handle a massive passenger flow.

Nan Shuyi had asked for Jiang Yicen’s ID card the night before and bought two business class tickets.

Jiang Yicen and Nan Shuyi were pushed along by the crowd, but with Nan Shuyi guiding him, Jiang Yicen’s brief moment of confusion soon faded. Filled with curiosity, he entered the security checkpoint through the business class entrance.

Business class alleviated the crowding, giving Jiang Yicen and Nan Shuyi a brief respite.

The security officer at the front desk said to them, “Please show me your ID cards.”

Jiang Yicen tried to take out his ID card, only to realize his hand was still being held by Nan Shuyi.

“Nan Shuyi, I need to hand over my ID.”

Only then did Nan Shuyi release his wrist. He glanced at Jiang Yicen’s wrist—it was really thin. He wondered where all the food Jiang Yicen ate went. Maybe he’d used a bit too much force, since there was a faint red mark on the wrist.

Jiang Yicen took his ID card from his wallet. Nan Shuyi took it, put both IDs together, and handed them to the security officer.

After two beeps, the security officer returned the cards to them. Nan Shuyi put both IDs away for safe keeping.

Jiang Yicen thought for a moment, figuring it might be more convenient if he held onto the IDs, since he had no clue what procedures were needed to board the high-speed train.

The business class waiting area had super attentive service: unlimited drinks, tea, and snacks, and they even escorted you to the platform when it was time to board.

Driving from Lincheng to Ningzhou took four hours, but from Lincheng East Station to Ningzhou Station it only took an hour, and that wasn’t even the high-speed rail’s top speed.

Jiang Yicen learned this only after Nan Shuyi helped him download the dedicated high-speed rail app.

He remarked, genuinely impressed, “Traveling long distances is so convenient these days. It’s quick and easy—you can go anywhere you want.”

Nan Shuyi let out a mental sigh and handed the phone back to Jiang Yicen.

“Next time, you can buy the ticket yourself. You can go wherever you like.”

He was seriously exasperated with this Xiao Liuzi, who had zero clue about everyday life in China, not even having downloaded the most basic high-speed rail app. His phone was pitiful—nothing but work-related apps.

Jiang Yicen opened the high-speed rail app with a sense of curiosity and exploration, checking the station information for different trains, tapping into each function one by one.

“Brother Shuyi, this train app can even order takeout?” To him, this wasn’t just rapid change—it was a technological leap spanning a century.

He’d taken trains before—back in the Republic of China era there were trains, but they were really slow.

His maternal grandparents lived in Ningzhou. There were three ways to get there: by boat—super slow; by car—okay in the city, but outside it was all gravel and dirt, narrow and rough; or by train—not fast, but they could take first class and avoid the crowded second and third class carriages.

First class carriages were actually luxurious: soft seats, carpets, restrooms, dressing rooms, shared by two people per compartment, and they had a dining car with top-tier amenities that most people would never see in their lifetimes.

Modern high-speed trains are fast, and they definitely come with a dining car. But the takeout option was really astonishing—being able to eat local food from stations along the route right on the train. This wasn’t just a simple command—it was every link in the chain working seamlessly together. Wasn’t it also a really innovative form of promotion, taking convenience and speed to the extreme? You could only see scenes like this in a peaceful, prosperous era.

“You can order,” Nan Shuyi said, seeing how everything seemed new to him. “What do you want to eat?”

Jiang Yicen didn’t really want to eat that much; he just wanted to experience the new technology.

He tapped on the menu on his phone: “This one, and this one. I want to try both.”

Nan Shuyi gave him an incredulous look: “Are you sure? Do you miss the U.S.?” How could someone who appreciates such fine food only want to order junk with zero nutritional value? What’s so good about KFC?

Jiang Yicen had no idea KFC was an American thing: “What? I don’t miss the U.S.”

Nan Shuyi thought he might be craving it: “Forget it. Order whatever you want.”

Jiang Yicen happily prepared to place the order, but then—

The system showed that their travel time was too short and delivery was not supported. He closed the app regretfully. He couldn’t experience the new tech because the trip was just too short.

Nan Shuyi was sitting on the same loveseat. He leaned a little toward Jiang Yicen and offered him two solutions.

“If you want KFC, you can buy it inside the station and bring it on the train, or we can eat it in Ningzhou after we get off.”

Jiang Yicen shook his head: “Forget it. We’ll get it when we have time.”

It wasn’t that he absolutely needed KFC—he just wanted to experience the delivery process, which might be really interesting.

“Mm. Then next time we’ll take a longer ride and you can experience it,” Nan Shuyi said, seeing right through him. Of course, he didn’t really want to eat that dry stuff like burgers and fries, but if Jiang Yicen wanted, he’d take a couple of bites.

When it was time to board, a business class attendant led them to the platform so they didn’t have to wait in line.

Along the way, Jiang Yicen saw a lot of people: women carrying kids, business travelers with suitcases, stylish young people, and even elderly folks checking their IDs against the train number over and over. Everyone waited in an orderly way—so different from back in his time. He wished the people who died in the wars could see this: the grand vision of a peaceful, prosperous nation—fulfilled eighty-eight years later.

Standing on the platform, watching the orderly queue of passengers board, Jiang Yicen sighed with emotion: “Heaven does not let the scholar’s eyes down, leaving the world to witness peace.”

Nan Shuyi thought he was being sentimental and reminded him, “Watch your step. Don’t trip.”

Jiang Yicen replied, “Mm.”

He and Nan Shuyi sat in separate seats, one each. He eagerly tried every button and function.

The dignified young master from the Republican era blushed in embarrassment—he had no idea the seat could recline into a lie-flat position, and he awkwardly lay flat in front of strangers.

He fumbled around for the restore button and adjusted the seat back. Nan Shuyi watched the whole thing from next to him. If he hadn’t turned away in time, he would have burst out laughing.

Nan Shuyi told himself to keep a straight face. This Xiao Liuzi was thin-skinned and got embarrassed easily. This inexperienced Xiao Liuzi was unbearably cute.

For his first time on a high-speed train, aside from his initial curiosity about the electric seat functions, Jiang Yicen spent the whole trip admiring the beautiful scenery of his motherland outside the window.

The attendants handed out snacks, water, and slippers—the service was attentive and thoughtful. What impressed him most was how smooth the ride was despite the high speed—no jolts at all. He was still wanting more even after getting off.

Their ride was short; they hadn’t had enough time to appreciate it before they had to leave.

Getting on and off the high-speed train was really convenient. Some people scanned their IDs to exit, while others used QR codes. He’d just registered an account on his phone but hadn’t used the QR code yet—he’d definitely use it next time.

Nan Shuyi had booked a car in advance. As they headed to the waiting area, he noticed Jiang Yicen’s expression clearly showed he was eager to ride again.

A lot of people were waiting for their ride-hailing cars. A person with a huge suitcase almost bumped into Jiang Yicen, who was still savouring the high-speed rail experience. Quick as a flash, Nan Shuyi pulled him close, keeping the huge suitcase from hitting him.

Jiang Yicen turned sideways, nearly falling into Nan Shuyi’s arms. He pressed his hand against Nan Shuyi’s shoulder to create some distance, but they were already very close. Jiang Yicen took a breath, catching the faint scent of Nan Shuyi’s cologne among the gasoline smell of the waiting area—refreshing and pleasant.

Nan Shuyi’s hand was still on Jiang Yicen’s slender waist.

The temperature had shot up quickly in recent days, so Jiang Yicen had dressed lighter: a cotton shirt underneath, a loose light blue cardigan, khaki casual pants, and white sneakers. The outfit was fresh and comfortable, full of youthful energy.

This Xiao Liuzi really has a slender waist.

That was the thought that popped into Nan Shuyi’s head at that moment.

Jiang Yicen had been protected by Nan Shuyi several times since entering the station. He felt a little embarrassed—he’d been too distracted.

Pressed close together, Jiang Yicen whispered, “Thank you, Shuyi.”

Nan Shuyi let go of Jiang Yicen's waist; if he got any closer, he'd smell not just his body wash but his natural scent.

He closed his eyes for a moment. "The car's here. Let's get in."

Jiang Yicen had been to Ningzhou before, but it felt like his first time again—the rapidly developing city now felt foreign to him.

As the car drove from the bustling main roads of the city into streets filled with the smells of everyday life, a sense of familiarity washed over him.

He knew this cobblestone street well.

When he was a child, he used to pass by this very street on his way to his maternal grandparents' home. There were many shops along the street, and vendors hawked their wares in the alleys. Back then, as a child, he was more eager to try the sugar-coated hawthorns, aniseed beans, and candied winter melon sold by the vendors than the snacks from the stores.

However, he was frail back then, and his family didn't allow him to eat such things. As he grew up, he learned to restrain his cravings and never tried them again—perhaps having lost that childhood craving.

Now, the shops he passed were selling exactly those treats, catching his eye as they drove by.

Nan Shuyi noticed Jiang Yicen's curiosity, his heart practically flying out of the car.

He said, "We can take a stroll here after we meet Chef Liu."

But Jiang Yicen didn't agree. Jiang Yicen said to Nan Shuyi, "Can we stop at that shop selling rice wine up ahead?"

Nan Shuyi asked, "What for?"

Jiang Yicen: "To buy some gifts for Chef Liu."

Nan Shuyi: "I've already had someone buy them. We'll just pick them up at the door when we arrive."

Jiang Yicen asked, "What did you buy?"

Nan Shuyi listed a few expensive tonics. Jiang Yicen shook his head after hearing them. "These are all high-end gifts. How about adding something more modest? Chef Liu started out as an ordinary guy. He's seen plenty of exotic delicacies. It might be better to buy something more down-to-earth."

In Jiang Yicen's memory, Liu Tan enjoyed drinking rice wine with peanuts. Back then, he had even shared a couple of drinks with him. Once Liu Tan had his rice wine, he would agree to anything.

They got out of the car. Jiang Yicen picked a mid-priced jar of wine and bought some snacks from a neighboring shop.

Nan Shuyi was puzzled. "Will this work? The wine looks ordinary, and the age seems off. The shopkeeper is obviously lying about the age."

Jiang Yicen said cryptically, "It's fine. Since you've been rejected once already, what's one more time?"

Nan Shuyi, not used to being teased back, replied, "Jiang Yicen, you're getting bold, daring to mock me."

"But it's the truth." Jiang Yicen said confidently, knowing Nan Shuyi wouldn't hold it against him. It was just a harmless joke.

When he smiled, his beautiful eyes sparkled, and he looked radiant. Nan Shuyi averted his gaze, taking the jar of wine from the shopkeeper.

They arrived at the Liu residence close to noon. Visiting at this hour seemed like an excuse to mooch a meal.

Nan Shuyi had informed the Liu family in advance.

The gate of the Liu house was wide open. Following the familiar route, Nan Shuyi headed to the living room.

As soon as they entered, a man in his forties came out to greet them.

The man: "Mr. Nan, sorry to have you come all this way again."

Nan Shuyi: "Where's your old man?"

The man: "My dad is in the courtyard with the grand old master, enjoying the sun."

Nan Shuyi: "The grand old master?"

The man chuckled: "Yeah, this morning the grand old master insisted on practicing with his saber in the yard. My dad went to stop him, and now he's keeping him company."

Nan Shuyi: "Then I'll go pay my respects to the grand old master."

Jiang Yicen was puzzled and whispered to Nan Shuyi, "Aren't we here to see Chef Liu Tan?"

He felt he had gotten something wrong.

Nan Shuyi smiled. "The grand old master is over a hundred years old. There's no way we can ask him to come out of retirement. But he's still quite healthy for his age."

Jiang Yicen suddenly realized; he had lost track of time—he only remembered the other man as a child, forgetting to calculate his age.

"The Chef Liu you're looking for is also named Liu Tan?"

Nan Shuyi clarified, "His name is Liu Dan, with the character 'dan' as in 'cotton batting.' Didn't I tell you? He's Master Liu's son and also his successor."

Jiang Yicen realized his mistake. "I hadn't thought of that."

Nan Shuyi shook his head at him. "Sometimes you seem so sharp, and other times, such a fool."

Jiang Yicen glared at him and said, "For the next three minutes, I'm not talking to you. I'm angry."

Nan Shuyi wanted to see him angry.

But this time, he had really upset him. For what seemed like an eternity, Jiang Yicen ignored him with a tight expression.

Nan Shuyi: "What do I need to do for you to stop being mad?"

Jiang Yicen was firm in his principles—he said he wouldn't talk, so he didn't. He just shot him a quick, lively look, his angry little expression full of life.

Nan Shuyi was about to pull him closer by the shoulders when he saw Old Master Liu sitting in a rocking chair, basking in the sun.

Before the grand old master even saw them, his nose twitched. "Liu Dan, help me up. I smell rice wine, aniseed beans, and peanuts."

Liu Dan: "Dad, you're mistaken. We don't have any at home. The doctor said you can't drink every day."

The grand old master scolded him, "I'm almost dead, and you won't even let me eat and drink to my heart's content. You unfilial son! I tell you, these days only my former boss treats me well. Every time he sees me, he brings me rice wine and aniseed beans. I raised you for nothing—you're not even as good as my former boss!"

Liu Dan rubbed his forehead. "...Here we go again."

Nan Shuyi turned his head and happened to see Jiang Yicen's face light up with a smile. The soft sunlight fell on his profile, casting a soft veil that made his skin even paler and more translucent, and his delicate nose seemed to glow. His heart skipped a beat.

He leaned toward Jiang Yicen, his voice conciliatory and cautious. "Not angry anymore?"

Jiang Yicen smiled and shook his head. "Not anymore." After all, there was still someone in this world who remembered him.