Guardian Angel

While Zhang Heng was speaking with the old man in Tang suit, Chen Huadong came over carrying the poetry collection. He froze when he saw the old man, but the latter greeted him warmly instead. "You're Chen Huadong, right? It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Oh, uh, it's a pleasure to meet you too." Chen Huadong replied groggily, somewhat unable to make sense of the situation. He was pretty sure he didn't know the old man in Tang suit, but when someone knew your name and greeted you, most people would answer first. Besides, the old man seemed to have exchanged a few words with Zhang Heng earlier, so he looked like some sort of elder or teacher of Zhang Heng's.

As he answered, Chen Huadong looked toward Zhang Heng. Yet Zhang Heng showed no intention of explaining anything and instead said to Chen Huadong, "The books are all found. Looks like there's nothing else for me to do here, so I'll head out first."

"All right, go take care of your business." Chen Huadong still couldn't figure out what relationship the old man in Tang suit had with Zhang Heng, but that didn't stop him from seeing that the two had something to discuss. He nodded.

The old man in Tang suit went to the counter to pay for the books in his hands. Apart from the one tucked beneath his arm, he also bought a self-driving travel guide and a book on feline behavior, making it impossible to tell whether he planned to travel next or stay home and raise cats.

Zhang Heng, meanwhile, went straight downstairs and out through the bookstore's front door.

Half a minute later, the old man in Tang suit came downstairs carrying the bagged books. "I remember there's a yogurt ice cream place