Fish and Dragons Danced All Night

Taking An Nuan, Liu Yuewang, Professor Ling, and Han Zhizhi into account, since they were having dinner out that evening, Liu Chang'an did not set off from Hedong for Hexi until half past ten, intending to discuss some interesting yet proper topics with An Nuan.

Having run into Fujiwara Jiujing today, he had recalled some events from the Kamakura period—though even more of what came to mind were the many romantic tales of the corresponding Southern Song Dynasty.

He had happened to tell An Nuan a little about Xu Jiuzhou during their last time in Lin'an. Later, he could continue telling her more about what Xu Jiuzhou had seen and experienced in that era.

Once the Lantern Festival was over, winter break would end, and both elementary school and university students would have to return to class. When Liu Chang'an arrived at Mount Lu University Town, he occasionally saw returning students dragging suitcases toward the dormitories.

Liu Chang'an could even smell the scents of local specialties hanging in the air. For instance, a sturdy crew-cut boy had just passed him, his face shining with the healthy sheen of vitality and his gaze warm. The natural contentment and happiness of being cared for and missed by family overflowed from him. He was carrying a large plastic bottle filled with somewhat dried fermented black beans.

His fermented black beans did not seem as good as the ones Liu Chang'an made; that was certain. But he would not disdain them, would he? Otherwise, how could he possess such full-bodied vigor and spirit? Those who looked down on their family's thoughtfulness and took it for granted could not radiate such vitality. What they gave off was simply an unpleasant feeling at first sight.

After all, it was food his parents and family had carefully