"Brother Lu! Sister Wan!" It was Zhang Weili who ca to pick them up. "Little Saber is with the crew, he'll co over after filming tonight."
"In a new film already?" Lu Zheng asked, "Who's he falling in love with this ti?"
"Falling in love?" Zhang Weili was stunned for a mont. She still wasn't used to Lu Zheng's way of speaking and didn't react imdiately.
Lin Wan rolled her eyes at Lu Zheng, "What are you talking about? Little Saber's film is about rural life; he gets married as soon as he appears."
Zhang Weili, "..."
"Co on, get in the car, let's have lunch first. I've already got a reservation." Zhang Weili led the two to the car, and soon they arrived at an old famous restaurant.
Compared to Zhao Xiaodao, Zhang Weili wasn't as well-known, and no one recognized Lu Zheng and Lin Wan, so they ate in the main hall and chatted with Zhao Xiaodao, who was on his lunch break, in the group chat.
Zhao Xiaodao: Just have sothing simple for lunch, I'll treat you to Donglaishun tonight!
Zhang Weili: (angry.jpg) So just whatever for my treat? And it's sumr, what do we need Donglaishun for!
Zhao Xiaodao: Hotpot is fun! (snicker.jpg)
Lu Zheng: @Zhao Xiaodao, hotpot whets the appetite?
Zhao Xiaodao: Exactly
Lu Zheng: So how about so Hawthorn Pills afterward?
Zhao Xiaodao: (angry refusal.jpg)
Lu Zheng: I'll give a goodie to whoever eats a Hawthorn Pill first between you and Weili.
Zhao Xiaodao: Deal!
Zhao Xiaodao: (expecting.jpg)
Zhao Xiaodao: (striving.jpg)
Over lunch, seeing Zhao Xiaodao so excited, Zhang Weili looked up in confusion and couldn't help but ask, "What Hawthorn Pills?"
Lin Wan couldn't help but laugh, "Lu Zheng makes them from wild hawthorns mixed with various berries. They're so sour, super effective for digestion."
Zhang Weili scoffed, "What's there to be afraid of? I've liked sour things since I was a kid."
Lin Wan gave a thumbs-up. After eating one Hawthorn Pill, she wanted nothing more to do with them and hoped Zhang Weili would keep her composure tonight and eat it smoothly.
Zhang Weili chuckled, not taking it seriously, and didn't even ask Lu Zheng about the so-called goodie, treating it as a joke among friends, anwhile continuing to warmly host Lu Zheng and Lin Wan.
"Hey, hey, hey, here cos the braised pig intestines, the special dish. Brother Lu and Sister Wan, give it a try!" Zhang Weili urged.
...
After lunch, Zhang Weili drove the two to The Forbidden City.
The continuous two-week "Special Exhibition of the Zodiac Beast Head Bronze Sculptures" and the "Fifty Years of Returned Cultural Artifacts Exhibition" were happening in a special exhibition hall not far from the main museum, free to the public.
So…
There was a sea of people.
"Wow, so many people!" Zhang Weili circled around for a while and luckily snagged a parking spot just vacated by another car.
"Of course, this is the Twelve Bronze Heads from Yuanming Garden!"
It was a child speaking, seemingly only about ten years old, who had just co out of the parking lot with his parents and happened to be beside the three, replying to Zhang Weili's exclamation.
Lu Zheng glanced at him and casually laughed, "What's the big deal about the Twelve Bronze Heads from Yuanming Garden? They're just so artistic water faucets; are they really that important?"
The child widened his eyes in anger and retorted vehently.
"Of course, they're important! The Grand Garden of Yuanming Garden, a blend of East and West, a representative of Hua Country's gardens, was looted by invaders, burnt to ruins!
Though the Twelve Statues were rely the water... water faucets outside the garden, they symbolized the façade of Yuanming Garden and got their heads removed by the invaders!
How is this any different from having the head of Hua Country's culture, Hua Country's nation, and Hua Country's spirit cut off?
Until the twelve beast heads return, until those invaders sincerely apologize, we haven't truly reclaid our dignity or avenged our ancestors!
The fire in Yuanming Garden may have been extinguished, but the fire in our hearts hasn't been!
This grievance shall be avenged! This fire shall not extinguish!"
Lu Zheng was struck dumb, not expecting the child to be so knowledgeable and eloquent. Are kids nowadays this intense?
The child's mother tugged at him, "The uncle is joking with you."
But the child earnestly nodded, "I know he's joking, but I think such matters shouldn't be joked about."
The child's mother felt a bit embarrassed, about to apologize to Lu Zheng, but Lu Zheng just laughed and bent down. "You're right, I shouldn't joke about this. I apologize."
The child nodded solemnly, "No problem."
The child's father was about to say sothing when he spotted Zhang Weili. "Zhang Weili?"
"Huh?" The child also saw Zhang Weili, and his eyes lit up. "It's Sister Zhang Weili. I've watched your fights; you're amazing. Can I have your autograph?"
"Of course." Zhang Weili smiled.
Then the child imdiately took off his backpack and pulled out a notebook from it. "Just sign on the first page, thank you, Sister!"
"You're welco!"
While Zhang Weili happily signed, the child's parents approached Lu Zheng and Lin Wan.
"Sorry, this child can be a bit serious."
"No, it's wonderful. The more serious the new generation of kids is, the better. Blending in and hiding is for when we need to bide our ti. Now, there's no need for that. We should fight and strive." Lu Zheng said with a smile.
Lin Wan also smiled, "I think he spoke well. It shows good upbringing!"
The child's parents thanked them profusely. After Zhang Weili finished signing and the child put away his notebook, they all headed towards the exhibition hall together.
On the way, the child was incredibly excited.
"There are ten of the Twelve Beast Heads back already; are the remaining two far behind?"
"Those cultural relic thieves are amazing, using their thods to return what was stolen from us, true modern Robin Hoods!"
"I'm their fan, I hope they keep it up!"
"There's still the Snake Head and the Sheep Head. Who knows when they'll co back, but when they do, I'll definitely co and see!"
"When I grow up, I want to be a diplomat. I want to formally demand from those two most famous museums to return our things!"
...
After passing through security and entering the exhibition hall, the groups went their separate ways to view the exhibits.
Zhang Weili couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, "Today's kids have a much broader knowledge and more spirit than we did back in the day."
The child had been talking non-stop from start to finish, eloquently recounting the exhibits and relevant history from the exhibition brochure, leaving Zhang Weili alard, unable to keep up, afraid of exposing her lack of knowledge.
Lin Wan couldn't help but laugh, holding her arm and saying, "What are you afraid of? You're the only Asian champion in the UFC; didn't you see the admiration in that child's eyes?"
Zhang Weili couldn't help but smile bitterly, "That's why I'm even more afraid of disappointing him by revealing my ignorance..."
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