Old Li grinned, showing his teeth. "See? I told you Mr. Yan looks like a big star, I wasn't kidding!"
The woman laughed along, "You were fooled after all! Mr. Yan is even more handsome than a big star!" She couldn't help but say, "Can I take a picture? I want to see him every day."
Old Li's expression immediately changed. Fearing that this request was too unreasonable and would anger Yan Heqing, he was about to pull the woman away when Yan Heqing answered first, "Okay."
Lu Lin kept his eyes on Yan Heqing, Yan Heqing patiently and carefully took a photo as the woman requested. The woman was overjoyed to receive the photo and held her phone, insisting on giving Yan Heqing several bottles of plum wine. "Last year I chose the largest plums to make it, and now is the perfect time to drink it. Please don't refuse!"
Yan Heqing didn't intend to refuse, but he and Lu Lin were going to the scenic area and it wasn't convenient to bring them along.
Old Li waved his hand, "It's no problem. You and Mr. Lu go ahead and have fun. I'll take the trees to the house after I've checked them. You can come back and have a drink then."
Yan Heqing stopped refusing. After saying goodbye to Mr. and Mrs. Old Li, the two walked along the bluestone path for about twenty minutes, exited the plum grove, and found a wooden gate leading to the scenic area.
Lu Lin had been here once, and he took Yan Heqing to a noodle shop. The noodles at Twenty Bridges were famous far and wide.
The prices at the scenic spot were significantly inflated, but the food was indeed delicious. Two bowls of noodles and three stir-fried dishes cost nearly 300 yuan, which Yan Heqing paid. Before Lu Lin could speak, he explained, "I didn't mean to haggle over the price; I just wanted to treat you to a meal."
Lu Lin finally realized that Yan Heqing was indeed different today, no longer so aloof.
Lu Lin smiled. "Not very clear, then is it just average clarity?"
Yan Heqing was slightly taken aback, but quickly realized that Lu Lin was teasing him, and he smiled, "I deleted one word, I'm not trying to settle things with you."
Lu Lin ruffled his hair again; he always liked to ruffle Yan Heqing's hair. "That's more like it."
Stepping out of the noodle shop, the scenic area was packed with tourists during the May Day holiday.
It was cool in the morning, and most tourists wore hoodies and jackets. By noon, when the sun came out, it was unbearably hot. Lu Lin and Yan Heqing were only wearing shirts, one black and the other white. With their striking looks, no fewer than a dozen men and women asked for their WeChat in just a short distance.
Lu Lin's dark eyes narrowed slightly. After passing a fork in the road, he suddenly took Yan Heqing's hand and turned into another alley.
Compared to the main road, the side streets had almost no tourists, only a few vendors selling trinkets.
The items sold in the scenic area are mostly the same, except that there is a particularly effective temple at Twenty Bridges, which is said to be especially accurate in predicting marriages. This has led to the creation of a popular small accessory: red bean bracelets.
Along the way, all the vendors were selling red bean bracelets, but most of them were fake.
Passing by an old woman's stall, her bracelets were different from those at the other stalls; they were of different shapes and a darker red color, resembling the color of a "sincere love child".
Lu Lin picked out a string of red bean beads. Yan Heqing didn't expect Lu Lin to be interested in these things. Just as he was about to ask the old woman the price, Lu Lin grabbed his hand and put the red bean bracelet on his finger.
She chuckled and said, "I'm not trying to settle scores with you, but I'll pay for this string of red beans."
Chapter 90
The acacia seeds felt cool and refreshing against the skin. Yan Heqing, with his fair complexion, looked stunning in the dark red acacia seeds.
The old woman enthusiastically promoted her product, saying, "Each of my love seeds is carefully selected by color. They're a bit pricey, but they're incredibly effective! Young man, you're going to have a lucky year in love!"
Lu Lin asked for two bracelets and wore them on his left wrist, next to the million-dollar watch.
She took Yan Heqing's hand again, their fingers intertwined and never letting go.
After that, no one else came to ask for my contact information.
Outside the scenic area, you'll find the famous ancient street of Twenty Bridges, with its artsy bookstores and shops selling tea and pastries packed with people.
Lu Lin seemed to have a destination in mind. He led Yan Heqing slowly against the flow of people. The number of people decreased, and as they approached the end, they saw another entrance on the left.
Several signposts hung among the colorful billboards, Yan Heqing immediately noticed two words: Pingtan (a type of storytelling and ballad singing in Suzhou dialect).
Lu Lin brought him here to listen to Pingtan (a type of storytelling and ballad singing in Suzhou dialect).
The most famous Pingtan (storytelling and ballad singing) hall in Twenty Bridges is located in this inconspicuous alley.
The narrow alleyway could only accommodate one person at a time. Lu Lin released Yan Heqing's hand and walked in first.
There are also a few teahouses and tattoo parlors in the alley, but they have very few customers and seem to be in a completely different place from the main street.
Walking a little further, the carved gate on the left is open. Compared to the deserted teahouse and tattoo parlor, the Pingtan (storytelling and ballad singing) parlor is a hidden gem, attracting many customers who come from far and wide.
The receptionist apologized, saying, "I'm sorry, there's a lot of traffic during the May Day holiday, so you need to reserve a seat a day in advance."
Lu Lin gave his name, and the receptionist immediately called a waiter to take them up to the second floor.
Mr. Lu booked a private room on the second floor half a month ago.
As soon as you reach the second floor, you can hear the gentle lyrics, like those sung over a flowing stream.
It was called a private room, but it was actually just a corridor with a table and a few chairs. Downstairs was the lobby and the performance stage.
On the stage is a woman in a cheongsam, holding a pipa, her fingers plucking the strings, evoking the gentle charm of a water town.
The waiter handed over a menu containing tea and a song list.
The Pingtan performances at the Pingtan Hall are scheduled daily, and during the breaks, audience members can request songs for a fee and listen along.
Lu Lin asked Yan Heqing to count the money. Yan Heqing counted the remaining cash, ordered two cups of Jin Jun Mei tea, and also ordered the Slow, Slow Song," which was a separate piece.
"Didn't bring your phone?" Lu Lin asked, whether he had just realized it or had noticed it earlier and was only asking now.
Yan Heqing didn't hide anything, "It's switched off."
The waiter came downstairs with the bill, and only then did Lu Lin speak, "Is your creditor still bothering you?"
"No, that doesn't count." Yan Heqing's voice was light and calm. "I want some peace and quiet for a few days."
He changed the subject, "Is there a mobile phone store nearby? I want to buy a new phone."
Lu Lin took out his phone and searched the map. "There should be a shopping mall there."
The scenic area is located in the Twenty Bridges urban area, just two subway stops away from the city center.
Lu Lin found a shopping mall, just a few hundred meters from the exit of the scenic area.