Xiao Meier brushed the hair from Chen Cheng's neck, nodding as she did so.
"It must have been fate! I left the hotpot restaurant with nowhere to go, so I just got on a bus, thinking I'd get off wherever it took me."
She sat back down and said, "I still remember the day I arrived at the Big Willow Tree, it was raining so hard."
Chen Cheng picked up the bottle of liquor and toasted her.
"As soon as I got off the bus, I was drenched. The rain, hitting my reddened hands, stung." Instinctively, Xiao Meier protected her arm that had been scalded before.
She said softly, "I just ran and ran, until at last I saw a place with lights on up ahead. Without a second thought, I took shelter at its entrance."
"Then, let me guess." Chen Cheng made an effort to respond. "You ran to Xin Chuanji?"
"You're so clever, kiddo!" Xiao Meier returned the toast, "Back then, it was still called 'Old Sichuan'."
Only then did Chen Cheng realize, "So, that's when the seed of your dream was planted, huh?"
Xiao Meier shook her head.
"No?" Chen Cheng blinked.
"Actually, yes." Xiao Meier nodded this time, "Because it was there, that I met Mr. Zhai."
Chen Cheng was surprised, "My grandpa?"
"Yes. That day, he had been drinking at the Old Sichuan. As soon as he stepped out, he saw me, a lost soul in the rain."
Xiao Meier's eyes filled with tears as she continued, "He asked me whose girl I was, out alone in such heavy rain."
"Then he saw the wound on my arm and asked if I wanted a warm meal," she went on.
Chen Cheng had never heard about this incident from his grandfather, Zhai Tiansheng, but knowing his warm-hearted nature, it was very likely true.
"At the time, I was so hungry I could barely see straight; I didn't think twice and just nodded my agreement."
Xiao Meier lowered her head and muttered, "Mr. Zhai took me to the back kitchen of Old Sichuan, where the chef about to finish his shift made me a plate of egg fried rice and a bowl of Mapo Tofu."
She wiped the tears welling up in her eyes, and then lifted her chin to face the ceiling, as if reluctant to let them fall.
"Xiao Cheng, that was the most delicious meal I've ever had in my life."
Chen Cheng was deeply moved, knowing that Xiao Meier, alone and helpless in the pouring rain, in a strange place, must have been deeply touched by the experience.
"Later, Mr. Zhai helped me find this current shop location and got me a business license."
Xiao Meier looked at Chen Cheng, a blaze in her eyes, "So, Xiao Cheng, you don't need to worry about the kindness I've shown you; it's what I ought to do."
"Sister Er, I . . ."
Xiao Meier smiled, "As long as you live your life honestly and safely from now on, I believe that Mr. Zhai, in spirit, can rest in peace too."
Chen Cheng took a few large gulps of the alcohol; this night, he had learned so much that he had never known before.
"Sister, I still stand by my words. I will definitely help you fulfill your dream!" Chen Cheng said earnestly.
Xiao Meier smiled faintly, "I've told you, I'm set in my ways. You also shouldn't . . ."
Chen Cheng grabbed her hand abruptly, his breathing heavy.
At that moment, he was no longer the Xiao Cheng in Xiao Meier's eyes, but spoke to her with the full presence of a man: "My word is my bond."
Xiao Meier was stunned by the intensity before her.
She saw in Chen Cheng's eyes a promise, a fierce longing.
She struggled to pull her hand free, "You're hurting me."
Only then did Chen Cheng come to his senses, "I'm sorry, Sister Er."
Xiao Meier's face flushed deeply, "I didn't expect you to be so strong."
"Ha ha..."
Chen Cheng laughed awkwardly and quickly changed the subject, "So, after you came here, have you never gone back?"
"I'm back!" Xiao Meier said: "That summer of your freshman year, I went back once. Grandma passed away."
Chen Cheng coughed dryly and said, "I'm sorry, I didn't know."
"It's okay, it's been so many years." Xiao Meier said calmly: "I was wondering whether or not to come back at that time."
Chen Cheng asked, "What was it that made you decide to return to Big Willow Tree?"
"It's simple, I've seen the prosperity of the big city, and I didn't want to go back."
As she said this, she paused and added, "Besides, there was no one left at home."
Two people connected by fate sat under the same moon, at the same small table.
Fate, perhaps, is just that full of drama.
"I will take care of you in the future," Chen Cheng said.
Xiao Meier stared, but soon, a smile appeared on her face.
She leaned forward, resting one hand on Chen Cheng's shoulder, "Little brother, don't make empty promises, okay?"
"I'm serious." Chen Cheng met her beautiful eyes, "Sister Meier, I'm almost thirty, not a young lad anymore. What I say, I mean."
Xiao Meier felt Chen Cheng's determination and stared at him, not knowing whether to be happy or shocked.
"Let's start by opening a restaurant for you!" Chen Cheng said calmly: "Tomorrow, I'll think of something."
"What can you do?" Xiao Meier asked confusedly.
Chen Cheng grinned, "Earn money! Buy back Grandpa's Wanbao Hall, and open a fine little restaurant for you."
Hearing Chen Cheng say this, Xiao Meier leaned back, "That's two million! Where are you going to get that much money?"
"Money, there's always a way." Chen Cheng smiled confidently, "Like, I could reach out to some former clients, help them with investments and stuff."
Xiao Meier blinked, "Just with the code you wrote this afternoon?"
"Yes! I help them make money, and they give me a commission. If I'm lucky, in half a year, I think it might be enough."
Chen Cheng's heart was racing as he continued, "And if I'm a bit luckier, maybe even half a month could work."
"Is it legal?"
Xiao Meier was not familiar with quantitative trading or financial matters, those dry and dull codes looked like something sophisticated in her eyes.
But she was very concerned about Chen Cheng's safety: "Xiao Cheng, we mustn't do anything illegal or disorderly!"
Chen Cheng replied with a smile: "My sister Meier, just have peace of mind! Every penny I earn is clean and clear."
He paused for a moment, then retorted: "Otherwise, wouldn't I have been thrown in jail a long time ago?"
"Tsk tsk tsk!" Xiao Meier frowned, "Quickly knock on the table! Why are you always talking nonsense!"
Chen Cheng laughed and knocked, "Do you really believe in that?"
"I'm just worried about you straying from the right path for the sake of money."
Xiao Meier spoke seriously: "Xiao Cheng, you must promise me one thing."
"Tell me."
"No matter what, you need to be alright, understand?"
Chen Cheng looked at her sincere face and nodded, "Don't worry, sister Meier. Our good days are just around the corner!"
Xiao Meier bit her lower lip, and reminded him again, "You have to be obedient!"
"Yes, madam!"
Chen Cheng saluted.
"I'm not a police officer," Xiao Meier complained.
"Ah, you understood that?"
Xiao Meier giggled, "I've watched a lot of Hong Kong movies!"