"It seemed you'd already made your choice." Third Uncle sensed the change in Zhou Ping's demeanor and smiled.
Zhou Ping sat in the chair for a long time before finally speaking.
"I... probably won't be staying."
Third Uncle did not seem surprised by that answer. He even looked rather happy, his mouth splitting into a wide grin.
"Third Uncle, what are you laughing about?" Zhou Ping asked doubtfully.
"Actually, if you'd said you wanted to stay, I would've been a little disappointed," Third Uncle said with a smile. "Staying would mean that your life consisted of nothing more than this little hometown restaurant and an old man nearly fifty like me... Your world would be too small, and that wouldn't be a good thing. On the contrary, choosing to leave means you've found somewhere that suits you better than this tiny restaurant, somewhere... where you can shine with your own brilliance. Zhou Ping, you've grown up."
Zhou Ping froze as he looked into Third Uncle's eyes.
He pressed his lips together, rose from his chair, and gave the old man who had raised him with his own hands a deep bow.
"Thank you, Third Uncle."
"No need to thank me. I only did what an elder ought to do."
Third Uncle stood as well and waved casually. He gathered the empty bowls and chopsticks in front of Zhou Ping, then headed toward the kitchen. "From now on, I'll wash the dishes myself. You... should go where you belong.
"When one day you're tired from making your way through the world, come back. Third Uncle will cook for you."
With that, Third Uncle disappeared behind the curtain leading to the kitchen.
Zhou Ping watched his departing back. After a long while, he slowly turned around and took one last look at