Italian Women

# Chapter 32: Italian Women

Rome is the capital of Italy, and was once the capital of the ancient Roman Empire.

The city's origins can be traced back more than seven hundred years before Christ. Because it sits atop seven hills, it is also called the "City of Seven Hills" or the "Eternal City"—a truly historic city in every sense of the word.

The development of technology and economy has given this city a modern atmosphere, yet the well-preserved historical buildings within it also fill it with a sacred aura.

The Pantheon, the Colosseum, St. Peter's Basilica, and Trajan's Market are all world-famous tourist attractions.

Beyond these, Rome also has a world-famous country within a country: the Vatican.

The Vatican is the center of the Catholic Church and the smallest country in the world, both in area and population.

If one had to make an analogy, it would be like the Forbidden City's relationship with China.

On the plane, Fernandez was holding a travel brochure and giving Sun Hao a crash course.

If there was one good thing about traveling with Fernandez, it was that he handled all the preparations. Sun Hao just had to enjoy himself.

"Of course, compared to all this, what's really attractive are the people there—Italian women."

Fernandez closed the travel guide and grinned.

Hearing this, Sun Hao suddenly understood why Fernandez had chosen Italy.

Helping him forget his feelings was a lie; going to see Italian women was the truth!

Who knew how many women would suffer after this guy came of age.

Women from every country were different.

Chinese women were like silk and water; French women were lazy and casual; and Italian women... made you want to kiss them, sleep with them, and hold them.

It was a vivid description. Italian women were like goddesses and also like mothers, their embrace carrying a kind of earth-motherly care—natural and generous.

Sun Hao shot Fernandez a contemptuous look.

This guy talked as if he'd actually experienced it.

Still, it reminded him of a movie.

It was a film he'd watched in his past life, and also an introductory film for many boys' childhoods.

Malèna.

The first time Renato Amuroso saw Malèna, she had wavy, glossy black hair, wore fashionable short skirts and stockings, and stepped in high heels full of sensual allure into the tranquil, sunlit town of Sicily.

Every move she made drew attention and sparked fantasies; every smile and frown made men's hearts race and women burn with envy.

Monica Bellucci—the actress who played Malèna.

That woman with classical beauty, seductive eyes, and a slightly weary expression—she should be only thirty-one now, right in her prime.

The plane landed at Fiumicino Airport.

After Sun Hao and Fernandez arrived at the hotel and dropped off their luggage, they didn't rush to the tourist attractions. Instead, they first went to a nearby phone store.

Fernandez had been complaining about Sun Hao not having a phone for almost two years. Since they needed to buy local SIM cards in Italy, it was convenient to pick one up.

And two years had passed, with the mobile phone industry developing rapidly.

Especially last year, with the advent of Bluetooth technology, phones had undergone a revolution.

A phone Sun Hao could barely accept had finally appeared.

NOKIA 5110—Nokia's latest model.

Though it couldn't compare to the future global hit NOKIA 1100, it was the first phone in history to have a built-in game.

Snake. Never got tired of it.

But the new phone wasn't cheap—15,000 lire each.

Sun Hao and Fernandez each bought one.

Fernandez was excited about his new phone, but Sun Hao seemed indifferent.

Just like those people who time-travel and still worry about the ending of Celebrating the Year, he'd probably have to wait another ten-plus years to use a phone as comfortable as the one from his past life.

When Sun Hao took the phone, the female clerk handed him a small slip of paper, gave him a sweet smile, and made a "call me" gesture.

When Sun Hao came out, he saw a phone number written on it.

"Looks like you've got plans tonight."

Fernandez grinned when he saw it.

"Italian women are this direct?"

Sun Hao was a bit surprised.

Even though Fernandez had talked about it the whole way, this was fast.

"Yes and no. But if they're willing to give you their number, it means there's a chance."

Fernandez nodded. From what he knew, Italian women were very direct and passionate.

Sun Hao smiled. After walking a bit and spotting a trash can, he casually tossed the note inside.

After buying the phone, they started wandering around Rome.

From the ruins of Ancient Rome all the way up to the Pantheon, then to St. Peter's Basilica.

Street performers, corner cafes, roadside handicrafts.

The two of them sat down for a slightly bitter Italian coffee, fiddling with the world-famous Roman handicrafts in their hands.

A few steps further, they had an Italian gelato, passed a fruit stand and bought a few dripping-wet tomatoes and bright yellow lemons.

The travel pace here emphasized slowness—Italy's slow-food lifestyle.

When evening came, they had a bowl of butterfly pasta, something they'd never tried before, putting a fitting end to the day's leisurely sightseeing.

At night, Sun Hao entered the system for training. After finishing and taking a shower, he lay down in bed.

Normally by this time he'd be ready to sleep, but maybe because he was away from home, drowsiness just wouldn't come.

He took out his phone and found he couldn't watch any movies, so he could only play a bit of Snake.

After one round, he set the phone aside, and his mind involuntarily flashed images from Malèna.

Those images were indescribable, and they made it even harder for him to fall asleep.

He tossed and turned until the middle of the night before finally drifting off.

The next morning, Sun Hao made a proposal to Fernandez: instead of going to Venice, they'd change their itinerary and head to Sicily.

"If you don't go to Sicily, it's like you've never been to Italy, because in Sicily you find the true source of Italy's beauty."

That was Sun Hao's answer when Fernandez asked why he suddenly wanted to change the plan.

He'd picked up that line while chatting with Gasol, that cultured guy, and it came in handy.

Fernandez didn't think much of it. Their original plan was Venice, but Sicily was also one of Italy's famous tourist destinations.

Sicily—more accurately, the island of Sicily—lies in southern Italy, in the middle of the Mediterranean.

It was summer now, the hottest season here.

But because it was by the sea, a gentle sea breeze blew. As they took the boat over, gazing at the azure water and the emerald seabed, they were already captivated.

When they finally set foot on the island and saw the endless olive and lemon trees, it felt even more like stepping into nature.

Many of Sicily's small islands remain undeveloped to this day. Though people have lived here for a long time, it still preserves a very primitive natural and cultural landscape.

Sicily has two major landmarks. One is Palermo—Palermo's Teatro Massimo was the filming location for The Godfather Part III.

Anyone who's seen the movie should remember the final scene: the aging "Godfather" Mike, having lost his beloved daughter, crying out in anguish to the sky.

That scene was filmed right here.

As an epic film, The Godfather makes this a must-visit spot for many tourists.

The other place was where Sun Hao and Fernandez were headed.

Syracuse, the hometown of the ancient Greek scientist Archimedes.

This coastal ancient city was built by the ancient Greeks, with architecture and streets full of Greek style.

The Syracuse Cathedral stands out in particular.

Its ornate Baroque facade conceals the Temple of Athena beneath it, and the massive Doric columns built in the 5th century BC are still clearly visible.

This sacred cathedral, a symbol of history, is an iconic landmark of Sicily.

What drew Sun Hao here was that it was also the filming location for the most iconic scene in Malèna.

Sun Hao walked straight to the stone embankment by the roadside and sat down there.

He turned his head to look at the Syracuse Cathedral, and before his eyes seemed to appear that classic scene from the movie.

Cold, alluring, sexy, enchanting yet lonely and melancholic—Elena walked past him all alone.

The laughter and whistles of young boys seemed to echo in his ears.

"Sun, what are you sitting here for?"

But Fernandez's voice quickly pulled him back to reality.

When he looked again, that figure had already vanished.

"Come on, let's go inside the church and take a look."

Before Sun Hao could complain about Fernandez ruining the mood, the latter was already dragging him toward the church.

In front of the church stood a stone sculpture, the figure depicted being Archimedes himself.

That scientist who said, "Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it, and I shall move the world."

Above his head was Rome's iconic emblem, the Aquila Legionary.

As they entered, a wandering street performer was playing an accordion at the door.

The music was soothing, relaxing both body and mind.

Once inside the church, the atmosphere turned ancient and solemn.

The stone columns on both sides were rough and unpolished on the surface, and the centuries-old iron chandeliers showed the wear of time.

Rows of chairs filled the center of the church. Though it was a tourist attraction, it still opened regularly to Catholics for prayer.

Today, however, wasn't an open day, and there were hardly any people inside.

Sun Hao walked forward alone.

When he reached the front row, he noticed a woman leaning there.

Her slightly curled long hair draped over the chair, her head tilted back, her body arched.

A silver top, a floral skirt, the hem hanging along with her hand, long legs in sandals.

Hearing his footsteps, the woman turned her head and smiled at Sun Hao.

In that moment, Sun Hao suddenly understood why Fernandez yearned so much for Italian women.

Because they truly had an indescribable charm.

Thanks to Time Hill King and Deer as White Horse for the rewards.

Today's Cheesy Love Lines:

Are you a soft-serve cone? Because I want to lick every inch of you.