Chapter 1 (3)

  Zhouzhuang is indeed an ancient town, even the parking lot has a strong antique flavor, it's made of mud. The other day, after the continuous autumn rain, the ground of the parking lot was dry and its appearance was miserable, as if it were the reenactment of the earth being hit by massive planets when it was first formed. All sorts of potholes are gathered here to greet old friends and make new ones.

  The members of the Literature Society got off the bus, and Ma Debao counted the number. Originally intended for a group activity, considering that Zhouzhuang's streets are too small, a large group would surely block the way, so they were divided into groups of three. In addition to Lin Yuxiang and Luo Tiancheng, there was also a girl. The girl was Lin Yu

  The representative of the language class in Class 1 is Shen Xi'er. She doesn't get along with Lin Yuexiang because she's always on guard against him, fearing that he'll use his extensive knowledge of classical Chinese to steal her position as class representative. When they were young, Shen Xi'er was a neighbor of Lin Yuexiang's family and knew how formidable he was back then. However, Lin Yuexiang has never paid much attention to girls and doesn't remember having such a neighbor. In fact, Lin Yuexiang's interest in the language class representative seems to be as non-existent as his interest in girls, except for one slip of the tongue where he said that he should be the language class representative, which scared Shen Xi'er into trying her best to curry favor with their original language teacher and doing a perfect job of preventing theft.

  For men, the most difficult thing is to travel with two men and one woman, which can never be united internally; Fortunately, Shen Xi'er's appearance is not enough to make her male compatriots kill each other, and there are more girls like this under the sky, and men will have more peace. More fortunately, Lin Yuxiang claims to be a monk who keeps away from worldly desires; Luo Tiancheng seems to have converted to Buddhism and won't indulge in worldly pleasures either.

  The entrance of Zhouzhuang was packed with all sorts of buses, showing that the government attaches great importance to improving the artistic cultivation of officials. Chinese people love to drill into their houses when they have nothing to do, while foreigners are the opposite, so as soon as we entered Zhouzhuang, there were many white people on the streets, and I suspected that we had arrived in the "White Citizen Country" of "Jing Hua Yuan". At first, it was okay, and we could still tell east, south, west, and north apart, but later, even Yu Xiang San couldn't tell directions anymore, and yet they were having a great time.

  To fully appreciate Zhouzhuang, one must immerse oneself in its history. The layout there is complex yet harmonious, chaotic yet orderly.

  This structure is easy to get bored with, but also easy to like. However, you have to immerse yourself in Zhouzhuang first before making a judgment.

  With this characteristic, Zhou Zhuang can distinguish people's nature. Those who are overjoyed at first sight are hypocritical; those who are deeply saddened are realistic; and those who are neither happy nor sad, probably only Luo Tiancheng is one of them. Lin Yuxiang played for two or three hours, feeling that it was nothing special, just a few rivers. Shen Xi'er was so excited that she pulled Lin Yuxiang's hand to hurry him up, and every time Lin Yuxiang tried to pull his hand back, he was too late, being dragged by his "enemy" like a dog for a walk.

  Shen Creek children want to take a boat. The success rate of ugly girls' coquetry is actually higher than that of beautiful girls, because when beautiful girls are coquettish, men can't help but look at them for a while and then decide in their hearts whether they are worth it; the coquetry of ugly girls, like the writing style of Western writers learned by Chinese scholars, always has a sense of awkwardness; watching them be coquettish will give people a sense of guilt, so men will hastily agree to stop them from continuing to be coquettish.

  Shen Creek pulled Lin Yuxiang's excitedly jumping head. Waiting for an empty boat, the business of Zhouzhuang's boatmen was extremely good, and everyone wished they could row with their feet to get more business. Fifty meters away on the river, there was a boat that had finished its tour and was slowly approaching; the two eyes of the boatman on the boat were not looking at the river, but staring at the passengers talking and laughing. There was only one person sitting on this boat, with their back to Lin Yuxiang, wearing a skirt in the deep autumn, like a polar bear that didn't feel cold. A head of long hair covered most of the backpack. The dazzlingly beautiful long hair could illuminate people's hearts, making women look at it and feel inferior, wanting to cut their own hair, while men looked at it and hated that their hands were not as long as the greedy official's magic palm, so they could only use their eyes to caress it.

  Lin Yuxiang couldn't help but steal a few glances, but he remembered the wise saying from a book: "Beautiful women face people with their faces, ugly women face people with their backs." He was convinced that she was an ugly woman and couldn't help but feel sorry for her hair.

  Shen Creek also stared at the back, forgetting to jump. Luo Tiancheng had already "seen through the red dust", but it was just seeing through, and the worldly things could still be done, so he simply stared at the long-haired back in a daze.

  Three people fell silent at the same time.

  The boat drew closer, and Shen Creek murmured: "It's her, it's Sl...Sl" Apparently she knew the girl on the boat, but didn't dare to confirm, only mentioning the first two letters of her English name, in case she was wrong. The boatman (Poler) should feel lucky that Shen Creek recognized her at a glance, otherwise who knows if she would have randomly said "PoP."

  Shen Creek finally believed his own eyesight, as if a hen had just laid an egg, "cluck" a few times and finally squeezed out a loud cry: "Susa, Su-sa".

  The girl on the boat slowly turned around, her skin as white as snow in the north. Any girl who is like Shanghai's snow is done for.

  Shen Creek was determined, excitedly wanting to swim over. The girl on the boat waved at her and smiled with a hint of mischief.

  The scope of that swing was extremely wide, and although he only aimed at Shen Xie'er, Lin Yuxiang and Luo Tiancheng were also affected by the aura, and their hands involuntarily rose to swing a few times. This is why the tyrant's bullet needs to be within a certain distance to exert its maximum power.

  Shen Creek regarded the light on his body as a treasure and was unwilling to give it to Lin Luo, so he rolled his eyes and said: "She's not even waving at you, what are you getting excited about!" As he spoke, he thought that the Chinese word for "you" wasn't like the English "YOU", which didn't have the magical effect of scolding someone. He immediately turned around and laughed at Luo Tiancheng: "Hey, don't pretend to be so deep, you're just being self-righteous."

  After training, Susa welcomed him. The boat was approaching the shore quickly, and Susa smoothed out his hair, smiled at Shen Qier, and said: "You're also here, what a coincidence." Then he took a small step to get ashore, unfortunately underestimating it, almost jumping into the water, stumbling for a moment. Lin Yuxiang hurriedly stretched out his hand to pull him up, but Shen Qier wouldn't let Yuxiang pollute her, slapping away his hand and steadying herself, smiling at Yuxiang with embarrassment. Yuxiang was stunned, Du Fu's "Jia Ren" was the first to be awakened in his mind, murmuring "peerless beauty, peerless beauty". The second to awaken was Cao Zhi's "Mei Nu Fu": "beautiful woman, seductive and leisurely...", this thought only flashed by; immediately it turned into the scene from "The West Chamber" where Zhang Sheng first sees Cui Yingying: "it makes one's eyes dizzy and tongue tied, soul flying in mid-air". Then it transformed again, naturally giving rise to Lin Daiyu's feelings when she first saw Jia Baoyu in "Dream of Red Mansions": "how strange, as if I've seen her somewhere before, how familiar!" After a wild ride through ancient texts and Ming-Qing literature, Yuxiang finally came back to himself, still smiling.

  Shen Creek occasionally met friends, who didn't want to row the boat again and wanted to pull them along. Lin Yuxiang chased after him seriously: "Hey, Ma Debao said no"

  "Ma Debao Ma Debao, what's your relationship with him? You're so obedient! Go, Susa." Shen Xi'er said angrily.

  "Susa had some reaction and asked: 'Is he Lin Yu, that expert in classical literature you mentioned?'"

  "It's this kid." Shen Xi'er replied.

  "Wow, ancient text!" he said, extending his hand and saying, "Nice to meet you, I've long admired your work."

  Lin Yuxiang excitedly stretched out his hand, causing Luo Tiancheng to blush beside him. Shen Xi'er patted Lin's hand and said in pain, "What are you holding onto? Aren't you afraid of getting dirty?" Lin Yuxiang held onto nothing, awkwardly withdrawing his hand to scratch his head and say: "Nothing, I just read a little bit."

  Susa took this as a humble remark and asked further: "I heard Shen Creek say that you can recite the 'Historical Records'?"

  Lin Yuxiang was also startled, hating Shen Xi'er for bragging without using his brain. With Lin Yuxiang's memory, reciting "Laozi" was already very difficult; let alone in the Lin family, "Shiji" was a forbidden book, and Lin Yuxiang didn't even know what "shijia" meant.

  "All biographies" will be confused, who has this skill, busy saying: "It's a childhood thing in the past, it doesn't work now, I'm old!"

  The humor that was forced out made Susa laugh loudly and she stroked her hair, commanding: "That's not allowed, you must recite it!"

  Lin Yuxiang was forced to throw up his hands: "Really can't! Really!" As he spoke, he still sneaked a few glances at Susa.

  Luo Tiancheng was left aside, blaming himself for not having read "Records of the Grand Historian", otherwise he would have been able to confidently come out and show off in front of Susa.

  Lin Yuxiang changed the subject and asked: "Don't you have a Chinese name?" Shen Xi'er replied on her behalf: "What business is it of yours? I've been calling her that since we were in Canada."

  Lin Yuxiang asked: "Canada, how is it?"

  Shen Creek again became a spokesperson: "Haven't you heard? There's a Canada abroad, but in China, everyone just takes!"

  Lin Yuxiang heard this and his patriotic heart surged, but he was too lazy to argue with Shen Xi'er, so he asked Susa: "Aren't you cold like that?"

  This remark reminded Susa of the "cold" she had forgotten, and said: "Of course, I'm so cold that I can get close to the small town in Jiangnan. The beauties in Jiangnan are all like this."

  Lin Yuxiang saw that Susa's attention was diverted, and for the time being, there was no danger of having to recite books, so he relaxed instantly, taking a deep breath.

  "You must recite 'Records of the Grand Historian' by heart, no excuses!" Susa said with a smile.

  Lin Yuxiang was covered in cold sweat. Shen Xi'er feared that Yuxiang would be tortured to death, so she said: "Alright, Susa, don't make things difficult for Lin the great talent anymore. What brings you to Zhouzhuang? It's really strange."

  "Come and play. Shanghai is not fun at all, Jinshan is like a small steamer basket. Hmm! It's hard to look at, but Zhouzhuang is more fun. How long have you been here? And dragged a great talent! Haha, I didn't disturb you guys, did I? If I were a light bulb, then I'd better disappear!"

  Lin Yuxiang was convinced by her evaluation of Jinshan and smiled foolishly. Luo Tiancheng was greatly disappointed, originally thinking that Susa had not discovered himself after so long, hating himself for being too serious, and having overdone his heart's cultivation, losing face when he returned to the mortal world.

  Shen Creek saw Susa misunderstood, disgusted and left Lin Yuxiang a distance, saying: "Ah! You're too bad! Me and this kid?" Then spit out his tongue, indicating that Lin Yuxiang was not worthy.

  "Oh, I saw you and him holding hands on the boat." Susa listed the evidence.

  Shen Creek's face turned red, she frantically waved her hand, as if wanting to cut off her arm to prove her innocence: "Where? He insisted on holding onto me!"

  "What! I didn't!" Lin Yuxiang explained anxiously. Susa interrupted, "Genius, good fortune is calling, don't mistreat my friend, otherwise..."

  That "otherwise" scared Lin Yuxiang's heart, Shen Xi'er was still resisting and said "no no". Susa didn't pursue it either, calling out to play together. After walking for a while, they discovered another boy and asked in a hurry: "What's your name?"

  Lu Tiancheng was surprised and said, "My name is Lu Tiancheng, the 'Lu' in Romeo's 'Lu', and 'Tian' as in sky." He regretted not having a pen and paper to show off his calligraphy skills. Susa said, "I know, Lu Tiancheng, I've heard of you." Lu Tiancheng was amazed that his name was known far and wide, and asked, "Which school are you from?"

  "Really? You too." Susa was slightly surprised.

  Luotiancheng, though like a Buddhist, couldn't achieve the "sudden enlightenment" advocated by Zhudaosheng of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. He asked Susa: "What is it?"

  "What a school."

  "What, a school!" Luo Tiancheng's mind was already in great disarray. Lin Yuxiang was also shocked and speechless, amazed that such a broken-down school could produce a great beauty, and one he had never seen before. He couldn't help but feel a deep respect for the school, thinking that this small town was indeed a place where hidden dragons and sleeping tigers lay.

  Four people walked together in Zhouzhuang. Some of the ancient streets in Zhouzhuang were wide enough to accommodate four people walking side by side, which led to a problem - who would walk next to Susa. Shen Xie'er could only cover one side, while Susa's other side was completely defenseless.

  Lin Yuxiang had a good impression of Susa today. If it's said that no boy can remain unmoved when seeing a beauty, this is absolutely true; at least on the surface, some people like Luo Tiancheng seem unaffected, but inside they're surging like the waves at Cape of Good Hope. Lin Yuxiang was consistent in his words and actions, walking beside Susa and lavishing praise: "Wow, what shampoo do you use for your hair?"

  "Who are you and what business do you have meddling in other people's affairs?"

  "Hey, I was asking Susa, who are you and why are you butting in? The most painful thing when scolding someone is that they use your own words to scold you back, and the impact will be greatly increased. Shen Xi'er has fully experienced her own viciousness, hating that she doesn't have an antidote for this kind of remark, so she can only admit defeat."

  Lin Yuxiang asked again: "What is your relationship with Susa?"

  "A good friend is a good friend." Shen Xi'er had learned from her past experiences and gained much wisdom, now speaking as if she were playing chess, thinking several moves ahead.

  "Alright, can you mind your good friend's business?"

  Shen Creek didn't expect the grave he dug himself to be so deep, and sighed shaking his head. Susa, on the other hand, was following the spirit of the Qing dynasty's way of handling affairs, allowing Russia and Japan to fight on her own territory, while she sat back and watched the tigers fight.

  When it was necessary, Susa gave a slight indication and let the two stop fighting: "Okay, you're bored. I'm hungry and want to eat lunch, are you eating?" Shen Xi'er said angrily: "We'll eat, don't call them."

  "It doesn't matter, let's eat together." Susa was very magnanimous.

  "Hey, think it through clearly, this is inviting a wolf into your home, understand?"

  "Susa smiled slightly: 'What wolves, they're not promiscuous.'"

  Yu Xiang's subconscious said "è zhèng shì", but his face was serious and he said: "Of course not, Luo Tiancheng, right?"

  The difficulty of answering this question is extremely high. Luo Tiancheng suddenly realized that he couldn't answer "yes" or "no", so he had to give up.

  "Hey, Lin Yuxiang, didn't you say you weren't close to women? How is it?" After asking this question, he felt extremely pleased with himself, thinking that there was no way he could be counterattacked.

  Lin Yuxiang hastily said, "Friend, isn't that possible?" In fact, the most intimidating men in this world are those who claim to be unapproachable by women. They simply haven't met their ideal woman yet. Once they do, relying on the profound and complex nature of Chinese characters, "unapproachable by women" will immediately change to "irresistible to women". Therefore, there's no need for historians to further investigate whether Chinese characters were created by Cang Jie or not. In short, Chinese characters must have been created by men, and more specifically, charming men.

  We were about to leave Zhouzhuang when we found an old-fashioned noodle shop. The brown tables and chairs inside emitted a musty smell, which was the breath of history. Four hungry people rushed in. The owner, over 40 years old, was whiter and plumper than the steamed buns in his shop, a typical "heart broad and body stout" type as described in the Four Books. Having a gentleman's appearance doesn't necessarily mean having a gentleman's heart. Although the owner had seen many beautiful women in Jiangnan, he couldn't help staring at Susa like a hungry wolf among the four of us. He rubbed his hands and asked Susa, "Little girl, what do you want?" The other three people seemed to be invisible in the shop.

  "Hey, you're still asking us?" Shen Xi'er said discontentedly.

  The shop owner changed his tone: "You guys want something too?"

  Shen Xi'er was so angry that she wanted to leave, but Yu Xiang pulled her back and said it's okay, the shopkeeper wouldn't have any improper thoughts about her.

  Four people sat down to enjoy the street view after ordering. Shen Xier said that the shop owner was not a good person, and Luo Tiancheng said seriously: "As a human being, you are either very ordinary or very elegant, and half-ordinary and half-elegant is the most painful; Susa, you are elegant, the shop owner is ordinary, and I am half-ordinary and half-elegant." Susa listened with admiration, smiling and saying: "I'm not elegant at all, but what you said is quite right!"

  Lin Yuxiang felt that this phrase was eerily familiar, and finally remembered that he had said it in the car, only with Xu Zimo changed to Susa, Ma Debao changed to shopkeeper, while Luo Tiancheng himself, having moved by worldly desires, voluntarily descended from a saint to a half-vulgar state.

  Lin Yuxiang jumped up from his chair and said: "You've said that before! You were"

  Shen Creek suddenly interrupted with a calm tone: "What's the point of saying it again, we didn't hear it anyway."

  "You're so selfish, once you've heard it, no one else is allowed to hear it."

  Luo Tiancheng said: "Lin Yuxiang, you are too concerned with fame and wealth. You will regret it later. I've said before, when a person is about to die, what"

  Lin Yuxiang has learned his lesson this time, and together with Luo Tiancheng said: "What fame, what benefit, what love, what is precious, are all just a wisp of dust on the coffin, for a wisp."

  "Is dust!" Luo Tiancheng corrected. Taking advantage of Yu Xiang's daze, he quickly said the second half of the truth: "Is it worth suffering for a lifetime for a wisp of dust?"

  Susa applauded and thought it was a collaborative masterpiece, delightedly saying: "You two are too amazing, one can recite 'Historical Records' and the other understands philosophy. Come on, Comrade Lin Yuxiang, please recite 'Historical Records'."

  Yuxiang was surprised, Susa still hadn't forgotten "Historical Records", thinking that a beautiful woman's exceptional memory was indeed a regrettable thing. She made an excuse: "A good man doesn't mention his past bravery, besides, my throat isn't feeling well."

  "Alright, you two wait here, I'll go buy Coke, you have to recite it!" Susa said and rushed out to buy drinks. Lin Yuxiang hurriedly asked Shen Xier: "Hey, which class is she in?"

  "Nothing to report."

  "What's with you?!"

  "Nothing to report."

  Two men who were unable to move, Susa ran back and said: "Which of you can help me carry this?" Shen Qi'er had a premonition, pressed down the two men who were about to stand up, and said: "I'll do it, you two rest."

  Lin Yuxiang finished drinking and couldn't avoid it, so he said: "The 'Historical Records' has no artistic value, let's recite Song poetry instead. I'll recite Ouyang Xiu's 'Die Lian Hua'"

  "No, I want to hear Liu Yong's 'Butterfly Lovers'." Susa said.

  Lin Yu thought in surprise, this girl Susa is not easy to deal with, she actually knows Liu Yong. He remembered reciting Liu Yong's lyrics at the age of 7 or 8, thanks to his father's ignorance, who didn't know about Liu Yong's scandalous affairs with prostitutes, and allowed him to recite them. Now thinking back, the impression of Liu Yong's "Die Lian Hua" has been crushed by the years, not completely dead, but still lingering, he stammered: "Ren Yi that precarious tower, the wind is fine, looking at spring with extreme melancholy".

  "Wrong, it's Wàng Jì Chūn Chuī," Susa corrected, "The melancholy is boundless. In the faint light of the setting sun, who can understand the intention of leaning on the railing? I'd rather indulge in a carefree painting and get drunk with wine, singing a song to force out the joy that has no taste. My belt will gradually loosen, but I won't regret it, for her, I'll become haggard. Is that right?"

  Lin Yuxiang couldn't say a word and exchanged glances with Susa.

  Shen Xi'er teased: "You used to recite ancient texts when you were young! Haha, it's laughable. Susa, good job!"