The local specialties Wang Cheng had mentioned really were local specialties.
There were dried seafood products such as dried abalone, dried sea cucumber, and dried squid, along with Western curiosities such as telescopes, compasses, and red wine.
Since no money was involved, Yang Ge happily accepted these tokens of affection from Old Wang, Zhou Fu, and the others...
Over the next fortnight, the savory aroma of seafood often drifted through the Welcome Inn, and the layabouts all enjoyed a feast alongside Yang Ge.
Time never stood up to squandering. In the blink of an eye, the season of heavy snow had arrived, and the year's end was just around the corner. The inn's layabouts began bidding Yang Ge farewell in twos and threes, setting off home for the New Year.
Only a few homeless layabouts remained, still gathering at the inn every day, undeterred by wind or snow.
At last, the inn grew quiet...
Perhaps infected by that desolate atmosphere, the usually cheerful and lively Zhao Cha had grown listless lately. Taking over Yang Ge's old spot, she spent every day slumped over the counter, staring into space. No matter what juicy gossip the layabouts in the front hall discussed, she couldn't muster any enthusiasm.
That day, Yang Ge walked into the front hall from the rear courtyard, tearing at a freshly roasted piece of dried squid. At a glance, he spotted Zhao Cha sprawled over the counter, staring out the front door. A rebellious tuft of hair stood straight up above her forehead, utterly motionless...
Unable to suppress a smile, he crept over, tore off a strip of roasted dried squid, and slowly fed it toward Zhao Cha's mouth.
Her eyes remained fixed on the doorway, but her mouth honestly followed the aroma. With an "om," she gobbled up