Weasel Old Man ambled into the shop, holding his cup of the Ever-Unchanging Old Tea.
He had arrived a little later than usual today. The sparrows nesting at the entrance to the alley had gotten into another squabble, and he had lost track of time watching the commotion.
The old man was still muttering as he stepped over the threshold.
"Young sparrows these days have no sense of order when they argue. Nothing like our generation. Even when we fought, we tried courtesy before force."
Then he looked up and saw Zhang Qingxuan sitting on a stool.
Zhang Qingxuan had relaxed considerably and was chatting with Wen Ning.
The moment Weasel Old Man entered, the ease on his face turned to fury.
Veins bulged on his forehead, and he shot to his feet.
Weasel Old Man recognized him, too.
The hand holding his teacup froze in midair, and the smile slowly faded from his face.
He neither teased the new customer as he usually did nor filled Wen Ning in on the alley gossip. He simply stood quietly in the doorway, looking at Zhang Qingxuan.
Neither of them spoke. The only sound in the shop was their breathing.
"I finally found you."
Zhang Qingxuan's voice was low, as if he had forced it out from deep in his throat.
Veins stood out on the hand gripping his water bottle.
Wen Ning looked at Zhang Qingxuan, then at Weasel Old Man.
"What's going on?"
Weasel Old Man sighed and set his teacup on the table.
"No wonder. I thought that girl Siyu looked familiar."
"I've been looking for you for over twenty years."
Zhang Qingxuan could no longer suppress the fury in his voice.
"And today, I finally found you."
Zhang Siyu stood rooted to the spot.
She looked at her