Chapter 1, Where does the Jun family reside

She was quite dissatisfied and muttered softly, "How annoying"

He has said this several times. Since childhood, I have been taught by him not to easily reveal my emotions, not to waver easily. One must not allow others to glimpse into one's heart. It is essential to encase oneself in solid ice

Indeterminate

I am filled with trepidation. However, I was soon criticized: "As the group leader, you must prioritize the overall situation and always be mindful of your position. How can you get so close to the idol just because you see them? This is not their exclusive performance."

I am not accustomed to their collective concern, nor do I wish for others to notice anything unusual. I casually got out of bed and said, "I had enough sleep! The national private teacher is very handsome, it would be a shame not to go."

The flavor of the baked buns in Kyoto is indeed delightful. After a few bites, as the subway arrives at the station, I stand up and walk over, seeing the reflection of a well-dressed figure in the train window, as if it were inscribed with the words "hypocritical demeanor"; I can't help but smile.

The next morning, my father and I returned to Beijing

As I stepped out of the office, the girl was still there. With one hand on her waist and the other vigorously drinking from a bottle of mineral water, she suddenly furrowed her brows upon seeing me

I went out for a while, and my phone ran out of battery

May I not have the opportunity to meet you? Or perhaps, to hear you tell stories about Beijing

Song Ximing

The girl relaxed her expression but then turned to glare at me, introducing several other styles of calligraphy with even more enthusiasm: "Reisho (隶书), Gyosho (行书), Sosho (草书)..." She even used the term "Kokushui (国粹)," and the admiration from the foreigners was evident. The girl winked at me, as if to prove her extensive vocabulary. I smiled and walked away with my father and the others

"Hmm." I felt lethargic and did not even want to take a bath

I went to the cafeteria with Xiaoman, and halfway there, we encountered Zhu Ping running towards us, his sports bag swinging behind him. He shouted, "Why didn't you reply to my text?"

Is that so? It turns out you are quite talented. However, talent is everywhere, so it is not particularly remarkable

I left expressionlessly and boarded a bus. Without carefully looking at the bus stop sign, I sat in a daze until the final stop. It was the Summer Palace, where the heat was intense and the water of Kunyu River shimmered gently.

I ignored her and waited for the elevator. She was also by the elevator, glanced at me, and angrily climbed the stairs. Heh heh, let her suffer slowly running up twelve flights of stairs in this hot weather

I raise my hand to check the time and transfer to the bus to go to work.

Of course. I nodded and said, "Yes"

I understand," I smiled, "but that is not the reason I welcome you to stay. We cannot enter into marriage. All the real conditions do not permit it. Even if you can disregard it, can you accept being with a man who does not love you

"Pickled and fresh." I also smiled

I have never been to my father's new residence. My mother and I still live in the same place. My father accompanied me downstairs but did not go up; he simply instructed me to take the high-end skirt that I bought from Huaihai Road to my mother

It is very sad she said quietly

Yes. I only feel happiness. Three years ago, you came to China, did you not? You had a performance in Shanghai, and I attended. The piece you performed was "The Son-in-Law of the Ferry Boat," and it left a deep impression on me

However, the volunteers were not as easy to work with as I had imagined. All the members in the group were from professional backgrounds, and when they asked about my school, they all turned to me with scrutinizing gazes. Heroes do not ask about their origins, I laughed it off, spoke with a broad-minded attitude, distributed the materials to them, and clarified each person's tasks

It is you who is returning to Tokyo, not me

She was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and replied, "China has lost too much of its culture. Japan, which is closely connected to us, has preserved our fine traditions intact"

The sunlight in Shanghai during May is exceptionally pleasant The hotel window hinges are rusted and require considerable effort to open, leaving my hands stained with reddish-brown rust The Waibaidu Bridge is visible from here, with the water flowing slowly beneath it and boats passing by The Shanghai Hotel where we are staying has a history that dates back to the colonial period, its gray walls mottled, embodying the legendary spirit of the metropolis

What is the matter

The negotiations went smoothly, and everyone is encouraged to stay in Shanghai for a few more days. Out of courtesy, we decided to extend our stay by one day. My father would not allow me to act alone and insisted that I accompany him. We, as outsiders, merely skimmed through the sights of the Jin Mao Tower and the Oriental Pearl Tower. On that day, the weather was clear, and visibility was high; it is said that one can see London, New York, and Tokyo through the telescope at the Jin Mao Tower. The Japanese guests inserted coins to take a look, showing great interest, and they urged me to have a look as well. I leaned in closer, but all I could see was a vast expanse.

It is time to eat

You are actually the examiner" She said disdainfully, wiping the water from her mouth with the back of her hand, and with a flick of her slender arm, "I didn't see that coming

Where have you gone? I am extremely worried, and Xiaoman and the others do not know either

The old man was very interested: "Could you write that down for me?" He then took out his notebook

I said with a smile, "Thank you"

However, I indeed have a surprise. On the surface, it remains subtle, but I have heavily marked her resume. Lu Qingye

The negotiation ultimately concluded with the enemy conceding. Our people remained composed, merely smiling and suggesting, "Let us charter a boat for a cruise on the Huangpu River tonight"

Lu Qingye

Recruitment... meeting? My vocabulary is still insufficient

"Lu Qingye, do your best." I told myself, "Lu Qingye, smile."

Next is the opening ceremony of the exchange meeting. The main performances are presented by the Chinese side, featuring songs, dances, and folk music, which are not particularly remarkable. However, to my delight, there was unexpectedly a Kunqu performance. Even more surprising was a segment of the Taga dance.

She loves to eat cherries

Hmm?

The girl is holding a triangular yellow guide flag in her hand, a novice indeed, explaining with great effort. The Japanese soldiers following her are not very interested in the telescope, but they are quite fascinated by the large calligraphy displayed on the exhibition hall walls

This is the Jin Mao Tower, which is the tallest building in China and the third tallest in the world. It was completed in early 1999 and is an iconic structure in Shanghai

He ordered glutinous rice chicken and celery beef, and I enjoyed it very much, also drinking a bowl of free soup. Zhu Ping likes to watch me eat; the better my appetite, the happier he becomes, as he sees it as a sign of my good mood. We are high school classmates. However, I was not his girlfriend before university. After they broke up, he started dating me. He is healthy and full of energy, and whenever he appears on the basketball court, it causes a wave of screams from the surrounding girls. Yet he always walks straight towards me without looking sideways. To be honest, I do not particularly enjoy being at the basketball court; I am afraid of getting hit by flying basketballs, I do not like the strong smell of his sweat, and I dislike being the target of envious glances from many girls. However, Zhu Ping believes that the moment he walks towards me is my happiest moment. Fortunately, I have various reasons not to attend his games, such as classes in the Japanese language course or intermediate interpretation training.

Because at that time, you always accompanied me for a long time

"You have been talking in your sleep, not knowing what you are saying, which is quite frightening." It was already dawn, and Xiaoman patted my face, "Don't tire yourself too much. Perhaps it would be better if you changed your position while lying down. Also—" She rummaged under my pillow and took out a mirror, a book, and various other items, "Don't put these under your pillow while sleeping, especially the mirror, as it can attract spirits."—Xiaoman is well-versed in this matter, and I couldn't help but smile. It was indeed somewhat interesting, and I fell asleep again, feeling much calmer, waking up at 7:30.

Ximing

The old man nodded repeatedly

Then, a slender and delicate female student entered. I had been engrossed in reviewing resumes and asking questions until she mentioned terms like "Noh theater," "Jingju," and "Kyogen." Only then did I look up; she smiled and began to talk about Kunqu opera, mentioning an event in a certain year and month when a leading young male performer from the Shanghai Kunqu Theatre collaborated on stage with a master of Kyogen in Japan

The other members of the group also recognized him and joyfully gathered around, saying, "Sir, you did not notify us in advance about your visit to Beijing. We had no idea."

I said coldly, with my nostrils raised: "It seems that these have nothing to do with this cultural exchange."

The second and third individuals are all students majoring in Japanese, with beautiful pronunciations. When mentioning Japanese culture, they all refer to landscapes, manga, films, and music. One girl even blushed and scratched her head, saying that the taste of sushi is her favorite

"Good morning, Song Jun." She learned Chinese very quickly, "The ultraviolet index is very high today, so you need to protect yourself from the sun when going out. When would it be convenient for you to meet me?"

Is this gentleman calling me? I turned around awkwardly, realizing that I had been staring blankly at the telescope, so I stepped aside. The girl smiled, revealing two sharp little canine teeth, with pink gums.

I am confident: "I will definitely earn you double the subsidy"

What is this writing? a soldier asked

Thank you," I smiled as I accepted the materials. Xiaoman added, "Quickly call your Zhu Ping at home; you must have turned off your phone during the day, right? He has been looking for you.

Go die, I scoffed

My casual remark drew everyone's ire: "What do you mean by 'just'? You must be from out of town. No wonder. He is a prominent figure in our university's French department"

On the first day, we received various guests from the Japanese cultural, historical, and journalistic circles who had arrived in Beijing, along with dozens of Japanese middle school students. Including the Chinese representatives, there were no fewer than one thousand people. As I scanned the crowd, I felt a tingling sensation on my scalp; the simplest greeting got stuck in my throat and I could not utter it. The others in the group quickly got into the swing of things, behaving elegantly as they guided the guests. A girl from Beijing Foreign Studies University, who had just finished her second year, noticed my unusual expression and quietly tapped me, asking, "What’s wrong?"

Lu Qingye

Well, smile

Isn't it just studying abroad in Japan I said with a smile

Zhu Ping said, "Aoyama, I feel that you are a bit different now"

Father knocks on the door

I was taken aback, as he managed to pinpoint my weakness with just a few words. Yet I remained defiant, saying, "What else do you know about me? I will sue you for infringing on my right to privacy"

Just then, Song Ximing gently approached and softly translated: "If you are like the clouds in the sky, I am like the bird among the clouds. Together we follow and depend on each other, basking in the sun and enjoying the wind. If you are like the water in the lake, I am like the flower in the water. We are affectionate and in love, with fish leaping and casting shadows. Why do people gather and scatter in this world? How do joys and sorrows arise? I only wish to be with you for a long time, and not to be like a fleeting flower that blooms for a moment"

She left you a note. The mother, with an expressionless face, handed over the note and went upstairs with the flower scissors

I called Shichijuu on the road to apologize to her. She seemed to see hope and was very pleased. But I still said the same thing.

I am hungry, let's go eat. I smiled.

You can see New York, London, and Tokyo through the telescope here—today the weather is quite nice

Sigh, this week of cultural exchange has worn me out to the bone... Moreover, the compensation is so little that it would be better for me to work half a day at a travel agency or tutor a high school student for a day... I am sprawled out on my sister's dormitory bed, too lazy to even turn over, but soon I am filled with excitement: I get to see the fox-eyed braggart, it's worth it!

Oracle bone script! she murmured

Oh, no wonder the voice sounds familiar. The girl raised a small flag and led away the group of enemies behind her, not forgetting to give me a sidelong glance.

I received a call from Nanajuu while on the road. This girl is quite a headache for me; she has actually enrolled in a Chinese language training school in Beijing, adopting a posture of long-term vigilance.

Xiao Man woke me up

Why is it the French department again

Mr. Song, the leader of the volunteer group has arrived

"I am sorry." I suddenly stood up, my head throbbing painfully, composed myself, settled the bill, and left her alone. She stood there in a daze, yet she followed me, standing behind me

I refuse.

An elderly Japanese man beside me asked, "What is Taga?"

Facing the mirror in the restroom, I take a deep breath

My elder sister is pursuing her graduate studies there, in a rather peculiar field—plant archaeology. Her undergraduate major was biochemistry, and it is said that she was reassigned to this field. She initially struggled with the numerous specialized texts, lamenting her situation, but later she surprisingly told me with great enthusiasm, "It's quite interesting!"

This is all there is," he said coldly. "You volunteers are different from other ordinary volunteers; you possess a certain level of language proficiency and cultural knowledge. This is a rare opportunity, and the tasks are certainly not easy. Survival of the fittest; those who perform well will advance and receive greater rewards

She is not a major in Japanese language

"Um, an ancient script that the ancient Chinese carved on turtle shells or animal bones for divination," the girl explained, increasingly struggling, ha, she probably doesn't know the term 'oracle bone script.' I continued to listen to her explanation: "うらなう (divination)......" The foreigners were confused: "のろうですか?" (Is it a curse?) I chuckled to myself and interjected: "きっこうもんじですよ." (It is oracle bone script.) The younger generation in Japan has also been raised on KFC and McDonald's, and they do not have as deep an understanding of classical culture as we might imagine. In the past, when chatting with the landlord uncle over there about 'The Tale of Genji' and 'The Tale of the Heike,' he also stammered and seemed very lost, only saying that he had studied excerpts in his middle school textbooks. However, he did know Lu Xun; upon mentioning his name, he became solemn and respectful, with a face full of admiration.

An uncle from Shanghai introduced that the owner of this vegetarian restaurant is a couple who are devout Buddhists. They traveled through various Southeast Asian countries and learned the authentic methods of vegetarian cooking in India. After returning to Shanghai, they opened this restaurant, and all the profits are donated to the Buddhist Association

Mr. Song, will you be working in Beijing permanently

Shu Jing and Kai Lin also said, after all, it is an elective course

Uh, it is oracle bone script

You probably do not know. This person has been studying English since elementary school, understands several foreign languages, majored in French, and also studied Japanese! They went to France as an exchange student for a year, and later obtained a doctoral degree in Japan at a young age. My goodness, do you understand how difficult it is to obtain a doctoral degree in Japan? Do you realize how young this person is?

A bowl of sweet and delicate pumpkin soup is rarely seen in the northern regions. It was she who once told me that in her childhood, her family had a garden filled with vegetables, fruits, and flowers. In autumn, when the pumpkins ripened, her mother would vigorously peel the pumpkin skins in the yard. The pumpkin would be cut open, the seeds removed, and then steamed until soft, mixed with glutinous rice, and shaped into pumpkin cakes. Adding a few osmanthus flowers enhances the fragrance even more

I glanced at him sideways and said, "How do you know? I didn't mention a single word about it on my resume"

That is a couple of comrades. That person has a truly unattractive physique. That person has nice curly hair. Oh, that couple has broken up... Xiaoman gossiped all the way. I nodded while my mind wandered. Physique, 体っき. Curly hair, 巻き毛. Couple, 恋仲.

I am too lazy to explain: "I know."

If I had not been overly ambitious and had not been at a loss for words from the beginning, could I have kept her

I was taken aback

Everyone responded loudly

Ah, Mr. Oracle Bone Script is actually the person in charge. He is enveloped in a beam of light on stage, and all that can be heard is their suppressed screams: "Song Ximing"

Nanajuu graduated with a major in English, and between Japanese and English, I would prefer to communicate with her in the latter. She also switched to English: "Shall we have dinner together after class? I will be done with my classes by then too"

"Go back and memorize more vocabulary." I handed her a document, "So that you won't say 'Excuse me, can I speak Chinese?' again at that time"

I came across a news article about the "Recruitment of Volunteers for Sino-Japanese Cultural Exchange" online, in July, in Beijing. This is great, as I had originally planned to go to Beijing to visit my older sister. Although my sister Qiansiren and I are not related by blood, we have a strong mutual understanding. I have very few friends, like pearls, carefully nurtured over the years, and I can only count those few on my fingers.

When it comes to the term "India," my heart suddenly skipped a beat

"It might be a bit strange, but it is truly beautiful," she smiled, "I apologize, my major is not Japanese, so I find it difficult to express myself in many areas"

Then you tell me, and I will help you charge it

The first day passed without any significant danger or incident

I came with the main group of the exchange team; I am here to learn as well. The fox-eyed individual blinked and swiftly blended into the crowd

Who says one can see London, New York, and Tokyo

I worked diligently and finished quickly. The air conditioning in the office was blowing cold air, and I shivered

He nodded seriously, saying, "Learning quickly and handling people and matters requires such clever transitions."

I was momentarily confused and instinctively searched for information, but there was no mention of the program "Taka" in the materials. Other volunteers exchanged puzzled glances and took out a Japanese-Chinese quick translation dictionary to check, but found nothing. I had to resort to the method I used last time to explain "oracle bone script," gesturing and saying: "It is an ancient dance; in ancient China, people would gather and travel together in March when the flowers bloom, singing and dancing in response..." Then a flash of inspiration struck me, "Just like the Taka dance performed at the beginning of the year in the Heian period court." Ah, Taka, how on earth did I remember that?

He smiled and said, "If I want to understand a person."

Who says I cannot do it

Once May has passed, the end of the semester is very near. The unfortunate aspect of studying law is that one must memorize everything by heart in order to cope with the exams. I have skipped too many classes, and I cannot afford to be negligent at this critical moment. Therefore, I will stay on the balcony, cover my ears, and diligently memorize the legal provisions.

I shut down the computer, helplessly following behind

Xiao Man was walking with me on the way to the teaching building

It suits you quite well," said Xiaoman, "not many people in our school pass the Japanese Level 2 exam

This "very interesting" directly influenced my elder sister's temperament. When she was engrossed in academia and all things elegant, she had become accustomed to analyzing all the men who showed her affection with a calm and profound gaze. After a few exchanges, the other party had long since lost their armor, while my sister remained quite innocent, saying, "What I said is all true." Before long, there was a serene quietness beneath her pomegranate skirt, and no one disturbed her anymore. Now, as a single, highly educated woman of advanced age, she often faces the awkwardness of being pressured to marry. In a fit of anger, she gritted her teeth and decided to stay at the university, preparing to continue her doctoral studies.

When I arrived at the cultural exchange center, it was only 7:30. I presented my name badge to the front desk staff, and a beautiful young lady guided me to the office of the person in charge

I stood on guard like a hedgehog facing an enemy, ready to fight, but to my surprise, he offered me tea and invited me to sit down, starting with, "Miss Lu, you are majoring in law and minoring in Japanese and French, correct"

I concealed my feelings and said, "Oh, you all go ahead, I will just go to the restroom."

"You must tell me where you are going, I am really worried." Zhu Ping emphasized, "I heard that you are working as a tour guide? How do you have so much time? Won't it interfere with your studies? Also, Japanese people can be quite lewd and perverted. You need to be careful."

There is nothing. I am extremely tired and cannot find the words to say, "You are overthinking. I will talk to you later." So I hung up, turned off my phone, washed up, and went to sleep

After she left, there were still three candidates. I handed the filtered volunteer information to the staff and pointed to Lu Qingye's application, saying, "This child will be the leader of the volunteer group"

They all resentfully said that he should have been asked to sign

The unanswered call made my hand tingle. After some thought, I dialed back, and Zhu Ping quickly answered

There is no need for that

Everything proceeded smoothly thereafter, with the guests being seated and the respective representatives from both Japan and China taking the stage to deliver their speeches

The team leader, please wait a moment while I organize the materials

There was once a romantic drama in which a woman from Taipei fell in love with a man from Wuzhen. The two were separated by a thousand miles. The woman had a dream in which she built a tall tower, and by climbing it, she could see Wuzhen and her man

The congee and dim sum were heating in the kitchen, but my mother had not yet gotten up. I did not have time for breakfast, so I bought two pepper-salt sesame cakes downstairs and headed to the subway station

After rushing back to Shanghai from home to catch the night shift bus, and then transferring to Songjiang University Town, I was utterly exhausted. Before I could even throw myself onto the bed, my roommate Xiaoman leaned over and said, "You weren't here last night; the head of the International Office at Nagoya University gave a lecture specifically about studying abroad. I got some materials for you."

My father noticed that I was distracted

Nanajuu still has a somewhat childish temperament, innocent and adorable. She also picked up her tea, her expression gradually showing a sense of grievance: "Let's all go back to Tokyo"

It is often said that middle-aged men in Japan have peculiar tastes, particularly a preference for Loli, and this statement holds true. Several Japanese guests cast their eyes toward the girl, and aside from admiration, there seemed to be a deeper meaning behind their gazes. Just then, a dish was served, and the girl, neither servile nor arrogant, introduced it in Japanese. I heard her explain that "Yandu Xian" is a specially crafted delicacy of bamboo shoots that evokes nostalgia, particularly from the Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions, which made me smile; she was indeed clever. The Japanese guests became quite interested, with one even asking her name. She smiled without responding and looked at me. I was taken aback and involuntarily spoke up: "In China, it seems somewhat impolite for a stranger male to ask a young girl for her name." The Japanese guests immediately composed themselves and apologized earnestly. Just then, a slightly older waiter came over to serve soup, and the girl wished everyone a pleasant meal in both Chinese and Japanese before retreating behind the curtain. The Japanese guests then shifted their attention to a table of visually and gastronomically appealing vegetarian dishes.

"Four Poems on the Footsteps of the Song" by Liu Yuxi, particularly fond of the line "New words are elegantly passed on, as the sleeves sway and the hairpin tilts in the wind and dew before us"

Because our sky is so vast and desolate

In fact, there is no need to look so far. I only need to see a water town adjacent to Shanghai, called Qingmian. That is her hometown. Every time she mentions Qingmian, her eyes are filled with tenderness

A Japanese person took a bite of yam puree and exclaimed, "Delicious food," showing great interest in what it was made of. Just as I was about to explain that it was "yam," I heard a clear voice nearby say, "It is yam, isn't it"

I repeat my question: "It is 'the culture of both China and Japan', not just the culture of Japan alone"

However, when I reached the first floor, I unexpectedly saw her in front of me, looking quite pleased with herself, rolling her eyes at me without any courtesy, and then hopping away as swiftly as a rabbit

"Tired? You should go to sleep first." Xiao Man is very considerate

Song Jun is indeed my good fortune

I must go? I have no interest in the business negotiations after arriving in Shanghai. My father is currently working on a project with the Shanghai side, and the negotiating party is a certain Japanese materials corporation. The cunning and shrewdness of the Japanese, I have fully experienced during my six years of study in Japan. If it were not for my father's strong insistence that I come to observe and learn, I would certainly not have left my work to come here to watch the negotiations

But... at that time, I was dating you, and you were also willing to meet me. She spoke with a tone of sorrow, as if to say.

Chen Jiuxun. I cannot help but miss her.

I nodded, and the examiners were surprised: "Song Ximing? ... ..." I smiled and nodded to indicate her to continue. Her Mandarin had a slight southern accent, with indistinct nasal sounds and a difficulty in distinguishing between flat and retroflex sounds, yet it was very pleasant, and her speech was extremely fast: "We have not forgotten our culture. Our nation has faced various historical issues. ... ... Many people are making efforts. ... ... I strongly oppose the viewpoint of 'learning from Japan to recover our lost culture.' ... ... I believe that a country must possess a great national spirit to thrive. Since the Manchus took over the Central Plains, Chinese academic culture has completely stagnated. The sins of the Qing dynasty over two hundred years are too numerous to list, and at the time of the nation's life and death, the people blame the failure on traditional culture. The inherent great spirit of Chinese civilization has suffered tremendous destruction ... ... I'm sorry." She switched back to Japanese, "The sins of the Qing dynasty over two hundred years are too numerous to list, and at the time of the nation's life and death, the people blame the failure on traditional culture. The inherent great spirit of Chinese civilization has suffered tremendous destruction ... ... I'm sorry." She then bowed slightly, "I did not speak well, I apologize."

I apologize. I used a silver spoon to scoop out the tofu pudding, as if nothing had happened. The pudding was adorned with cherries resembling droplets of blood

"Get back to work." I caught a glimpse of Song Ximing glaring at me from the front, so I naturally had to stop daydreaming

Isn't that the waiter from the jujube grove yesterday? A Japanese guest suddenly exclaimed on our side, looking very excited, "So it turns out he is the tour guide"

Someone is waiting downstairs. The father remained expressionless

The charlatan with fox-like enchanting eyes raised the corner of his mouth and said with a glint in his eyes, "Is that so?"

The sunlight is blinding, and my eyes are sore

Standard Tokyo accent

I cannot be angry: "I had no intention of concealing anything."

Why not enjoy it, my dear elder sister

He also said: "When answering others' questions, one must pay attention to technique. By responding in this way, you are essentially loudly telling me, yes, everything you said is correct"

In the blink of an eye, it was that girl I encountered in Shanghai

However, working in Japan is also quite good. With Song Jun's talent and abilities...

I struggled forcefully to break free from the nightmare: "What happened?"

Later, my father summarized for me that sometimes, in a peak confrontation, it is ultimately a matter of endurance and composure. The one who remains calm until the end is the winner

I also smile

I have received it, opening: "Song Jun, I have arrived in Beijing. Fujisawa Nanako."

This summer, my older sister refused to return home under the pretext of writing a thesis, in order to avoid the crisis of being pressured into marriage. She commanded over the phone: "Come to Beijing and accompany me! I will take care of finding part-time jobs and everything else."

Song Ximing held a meeting with us volunteers alone and surprisingly praised me: "To master a foreign language, one must first be proficient in their mother tongue. Among you, who else can recite 'Four Poems of the Treading Lyrics'?"

Qichong, you are no longer a child. There are many good prospects ahead; when you encounter them, how could you have such thoughts

"Restless in spirit." Xiaoman observed me with great mystery, "I see that you will have a significant romantic fortune soon."

In the dream, I am tossed about, feeling extremely unstable. Endless images surge forth, and all I remember is running with all my might, crying with all my strength, until my voice is completely hoarse

He had divorced his mother, which happened while I was studying for my doctor's degree in Japan. Everyone kept it a secret from me. By the time I returned, my parents had been separated for a long time

There is no way to decline; one can only agree

I smiled and picked up the barley tea

My elder sister repeatedly reminded me before going to the laboratory to bring more water, carry an umbrella, and not to exert myself too much while explaining. I sent her off to the laboratory saying, "I know, I know."

I opened the door, and my mother immediately said, "A Japanese woman is looking for you"

Qichong invited me to the Red Leaf Japanese Restaurant at Haidian Xinjiekou. After transferring several times, I still arrived first. She kept apologizing, saying the traffic was terrible. I nodded and let her order. With a flash of her clever eyes, she asked for my opinion on each dish: "Eel roll, is that okay? Matsutake, is that okay? ..." When studying in Japan, I rarely went to formal restaurants—it was too expensive. Homemade cold noodles were quite good. Jiuxun even taught me how to mix rice with soy sauce. She said that when she had cold cucumber at home, she couldn't bear to pour the leftover soy sauce away, so she poured it into her rice bowl to eat. With a flash of her clever eyes, she asked for my opinion on each dish: "Eel roll, is that okay? Matsutake, is that okay? ..." When studying in Japan, I rarely went to formal restaurants—it was too expensive. Homemade cold noodles were quite good. Jiuxun even taught me how to mix rice with soy sauce. She said that when she had cold cucumber at home, she couldn't bear to pour the leftover soy sauce away, so she poured it into her rice bowl to eat.

Stop. Song Ximing. Do not think anymore

Song Ximing

Xiao Man disappeared automatically, and I stuck out my tongue: "The phone is about to run out of battery"

Xiao Man asked me if you seem to not care much about Zhu Ping

One summer vacation, she traveled light and bought a ticket from Tokyo to New Delhi, with a layover in Shanghai. She called me, laughing and speaking in a Jiangnan dialect, soft and melodious. I couldn't understand her at all, only vaguely remembering the phrase "I miss you". I was momentarily stunned, and the call ended. It wasn't until later, when I watched Hou Hsiao-hsien's Shanghainese film "Flowers of Shanghai", that a flash of realization struck me, and my emotions froze. A week later, she returned from India, looking thinner, her skin even fairer. She distributed small gifts to classmates, and I stood by, receiving nothing from her. Yet, as she turned to leave, she suddenly walked over, with no one around, kissed me directly, and whispered clearly in my ear, "I miss you."

"Leave it to this young lady," Song Ximing smiled and said to me, "Don't tell me you don't know the four poems of 'Stepping Lyrics.' Let's copy them together for her."

Indeed, Shanghai is steeped in Eastern culture. I recall my first arrival at Pudong Airport, where the announcement included Japanese, something that even Capital Airport does not have. Now, even this small restaurant is a hidden gem. I glance at the quick-tongued waiter, slender and fresh-looking, dressed in a uniform with a light-colored collar and right lapel, with a portion of his wrist exposed from the wide sleeves, holding a menu in his arms

Upon returning to the hall, I unexpectedly encountered a certain renowned master of rhetoric whom I have admired for a long time. My infatuation surged, and naturally, I was eloquent: "Sir, please come this way. Hmm. I truly appreciate your works."

"The best time is late spring, when all the gardenias are in bloom, their fragrance is almost overwhelming," Jiu Xun said

Recruitment meeting for volunteers of the China-Japan Cultural Exchange Conference. The staff invited me to the position of the chief examiner. I opened the first document, and the first volunteer entered. She was a girl with a ponytail. She introduced herself as a third-year student from the Japanese Department of Beijing Foreign Studies University, with experience traveling to Japan. When asked about her views on the cultures of China and Japan, she spoke passionately, her fluent expression fully demonstrating her obsession and deep affection for Japanese anime and dramas.

After class, while organizing my notes, I came across the materials that Xiaoman left for me yesterday. Nagoya University’s Faculty of Law is accepting exchange students. The requirement is Japanese Language Proficiency Test Level 2. I meet all the conditions, and most importantly, there are subsidies for tuition and living expenses. I plan to go there in December of the second half of the year to study for a year, and when I return, I will be in my senior year, which may make it easier to find a job

I thought I could

She is already someone else's wife

"Because the Earth is round!" said the lovely woman

I slightly parted my lips. They still complied.

The hosts and guests are enjoying themselves, while I am in no mood. The river breeze is gentle, and both banks are resplendent. The invaders are taking out their digital cameras one after another. Regardless, in the face of the tranquil river and the gray-blue night sky, they still appear humble and cautious.

I focused my mind, forbidding myself to think of her again

Ultraviolet Index, He: "Today there is a volunteer recruitment meeting at the communication center, which I will be hosting, so I might be a bit late. Is there anything?"

You are working very hard and need to take on multiple part-time jobs, is that correct

Objectively speaking, he treats me very well. Many times, I need him. It is merely a need.

Is that so? However, for me at that time, not expressing emotions was nothing more than a show of strength, a sign of being taciturn

"What is wrong with you? Your complexion looks so bad." Zhu Ping pulled me; he is a tall man, and I am not even up to his shoulder.

Qichong happily wound up the line

His smile was so gentle that I did not have time to utter a sarcastic remark

Indeed, we have many cultures that have not been well preserved to this day, but this cannot be solely attributed to any one place; it is a very complex issue ... ... Excuse me, may I speak in Chinese?

Qingye

"You shouldn't go to the morning international private law class." Xiao Man said while applying toner, "You should catch up on your sleep as well."

Lunch was at the vegetarian restaurant in the jujube grove, a tranquil place with a spacious dining hall. The loft offered a unique experience, adorned with lush potted Southeast Asian plants that seemed almost unreal. As I passed by, I discreetly plucked a leaf, and the green sap was alive. The guests were all leaders from both negotiating parties, and no translator was called; I filled in temporarily, striving to be faithful, elegant, and accessible, and the atmosphere was relatively harmonious. A few cold dishes were already arranged on the table. I have never been fond of temple vegetarian food, which often resembles meat dishes and is even flavored to taste like fish or meat, a complete indulgence of fantasy. Since the guests were all leaders from both negotiating parties, and no translator was called, I filled in temporarily, striving to be faithful, elegant, and accessible, and the atmosphere was relatively harmonious. A few cold dishes were already arranged on the table. I have never been fond of temple vegetarian food, which often resembles meat dishes and is even flavored to taste like fish or meat, a complete indulgence of fantasy. If one is to eat vegetarian, one should maintain a clear mind and desires; otherwise, one might as well indulge in a feast of meat. As a child, I accompanied my father to the Wofosi Zen room at Xiangshan to drink tea, where he taught me to play Go. The temple served vegetarian snacks—so-called vegetarian sausages and chicken. My father said they were well made, but upon seeing them, I felt a deep aversion, though I did not yet know how to use the term "indulgence of fantasy" to describe it. However, this vegetarian restaurant was quite refreshing, with clean tofu pudding, yam puree, and red date lotus seed soup.

As the dishes were served, the salmon was fresh and exquisite, the light reflecting off the plum wine in the bottle made it appear clear and chilled. I bit into the rice ball and listened as she continued: "If Song Jun is unwilling to go, then I will stay in Beijing"

Someone is smirking

I just remembered to turn on the machine

Qichong, you should go back

Geniuses are like this, yet they are also handsome... truly too adorable and infuriating

He ignored my joke: "Is the information well-read? If the performance is not outstanding, no additional subsidies will be issued"

The early summer in Shanghai is abundant with rain. There are numerous Paulownia flowers and gardenias, as well as seemingly everlasting oleanders, their fragrances intertwining, creating a beautiful scene

After the meeting, the Japanese were still reluctant to leave. However, there could be no compromise on the matter of negotiations. The Chinese side continued to maneuver, steadfast in their original proposal. The Japanese leaders were finally left in a state of indecision. There was hope. I observed the expressions of those around me, feeling both anxious and restless. As dusk approached, the outcome remained uncertain, and I could no longer contain my impatience, resentfully thinking that it would be better to simply disagree and seek cooperation elsewhere. A glance at my father, who remained as steady as a mountain, filled me with shame. Negotiations are like war, and the marketplace is indeed a battlefield. As dusk approached, the outcome remained uncertain, and I could no longer contain my impatience, resentfully thinking that it would be better to simply disagree and seek cooperation elsewhere. A glance at my father, who remained as steady as a mountain, filled me with shame. Negotiations are like war, and the marketplace is indeed a battlefield. The translator invited from Shanghai was a young girl, with straight hair, a fitted skirt, and a charming smile, quite professional. I observed silently, waiting.