In the night rain, Chen Changsheng held an umbrella as he arrived at that sa wine tavern.
It was closing ti already. The tavern server was wiping tables, collecting wine cups and dishes.
Probably due to several days of rain, the tavern’s business was poor. The manager sat behind the counter, flicking his abacus beads, a weary frown on his face.
“Sigh…”
These days, everything seed bleak, every kind of livelihood felt tough.
While flicking the beads, Manager Zhou caught sight of soone entering the tavern from the corner of his eye.
He quickly said, “Sir, we’re closed now. Only tomorr —”
Only when the visitor lowered his umbrella did Manager Zhou finally see the man’s face clearly.
He never expected this person to actually return.
Chen Changsheng collapsed his umbrella and walked to the counter, saying, “Manager, I’m here.”
Manager Zhou stood up and looked at the man before him. “Sir, the night’s pitch black and raining. Why didn’t you wait until tomorrow?”
Chen Changsheng set down his umbrella. “I may not be here tomorrow.”
Manager Zhou froze. “Where are you headed?”
“Just wandering about.”
Chen Changsheng lifted the Red-tail Carp he was holding. “Earlier today, Manager Zhou said the wine owed was one tael of silver. I just caught this red-tail from the river earlier. Can it cover the debt?”
Manager Zhou took a closer look, gasping in surprise. “A Red-tail Carp!? Such a plump one?!”
The busy server heard the manager’s exclamation and looked over as well.
“Red-tail Carp?”
Following the manager’s gaze, the server couldn’t help but exclaim, “What fine quality!”
Chen Changsheng said, “Freshly caught.”
Manager Zhou took the fish from him, examining it closely in his hands. Seeing the creature still gasping, he added, “Such a plump, fresh Red-tail Carp — worth more than one tael for sure!”
“Will it cover the wine?” Chen Changsheng asked.
“Yes, absolutely!”
Manager Zhou grinned, then suddenly rembered sothing. He retrieved the wine gourd from beneath the counter.
“Here, sir. This is the wine gourd you left behind earlier.”
Taking it, Chen Changsheng pulled out the cork and took a sip. Nodding, he said, “Thank you, Manager Zhou, for keeping it safe.”
Manager Zhou waved it off cheerfully. “Oh, co now! To be honest, I didn’t truly think you’d return. I was far too suspicious.”
Chen Changsheng said, “Not at all. I was clearly in debt first; your willingness to let go was most generous.”
Manager Zhou simply chuckled, delighted by the sight of the red fish swishing in his grasp. If cooked and sold, this fish alone would be worth at least two taels per plate — costly stuff. Rare taste, naturally expensive.
But he didn’t plan to sell it. Such a plump Red-tail Carp? Better to eat it himself.
Chen Changsheng then said, “The umbrella Manager Zhou earlier lent will be left here as well. With the matter settled, I’ll be on my way.”
On hearing this, Manager Zhou stepped out from behind the counter, saying quickly, “Sir, wait!”
Chen Changsheng paused. “Is there more, Manager Zhou?”
Manager Zhou grinned warmly. “Such a fine and plump Red-tail Carp is hard to co by. Truth is, I owe it to you, sir. Selling it to others would be almost a waste.” He gestured towards the kitchen. “How about I have the master chef cook it? Won’t you share it with and taste?”
Chen Changsheng seed surprised. “Manager Zhou, you’re too kind…”
“Nonsense!” Manager Zhou insisted lightly. “If it weren’t for you catching this fish, how could we enjoy this treat?”
Chen Changsheng smiled helplessly. “But this fish was my paynt for the wine.”
“You speak with clear refinent, sir. I imagine you’ve read many books. As for ?” Manager Zhou spread his hands. “I’m rely a rchant, all about money. Your bringing this fish here, braving the late hours and storm — it feels like an acknowledgnt.”
One tael of silver can buy this Red-tail Carp,” he added softly, “but it can’t buy… this kindness.”
Chen Changsheng sighed quietly. “Ah, such kindness. Truly honored by your words, Manager Zhou. Hearing that? I simply must taste this Red-tail Carp. Otherwise, I’d be disrespectful.”
“So modest.” Manager Zhou chuckled before turning briskly. “Mingshi, have the master cook prepare the red-tail well! Bring out two appetizer plates too. And pour two jars of good wine!”
“Yes, boss!”
The server carried the fish to the kitchen.
The night was quiet, the outside pouring rain. Manager Zhou invited Chen Changsheng to sit inside the tavern.
“Your voice… may I say it doesn’t sound local, sir?”
Chen Changsheng nodded. “True enough. I only traveled here.”
Manager Zhou thought for a mont. “You keep ntioning coming and going. Sir, might you be… a traveler across this vast land?”
After a slight pause, Chen Changsheng replied, “Sothing like that.”
“Dare I ask how many places you’ve visited?” Manager Zhou admitted frankly, “Truth be told, I spent my whole life near this river.” His eyes held a hungry light now. “Never saw the greater world beyond. Always… held so curiosity.”
“Surely not possible…”
Chen Changsheng looked surprised. “You run a wine tavern, Manager Zhou. You must’ve visited nearby towns and counties at least?”
Manager Zhou shook his head. “Had people below handle that. Oh, I dread to travel when young — fiercely so!” A small, wistful sigh escaped him. “Pity a soul without even a single coin couldn’t take a step far. Then ca marrying age. Old parents up above. Young children soon below. Livelihood took hold.”
“Running this tavern?” He glanced around. “Since then? Not a mont idled away.”
Chen Changsheng asked gently, “Had none of that silver blocked your path?” His eyes searched the older man’s. “Would you still have wished to go?”
Manager Zhou pondered briefly. Another shake ca. “No. Not now.” His gaze drifted slowly to the silent, rain-streaked windows. “Stay sowhere long enough? Root bindings tangle you till… you can’t bear pull away.”
Chen Changsheng watched him steadily. “Reaching your age, Manager Zhou — would you say peace and security beco the core thoughts?”
“Aye…”
Manager Zhou breathed deeply as if releasing that constrained impulse. “Every life, every year craves different desires. This! That co the morrow! Miss this today? Strive hard for that harvest tomorrow! Revisit old choices?” A resigned smile ford. “Now? Well, haven’t felt too much regret lingering.”
Chen Changsheng listened to these musings deep into that rainy evening. An ache stirred softly in him; mories flickered: his passionate, fiercely young self dreaming of exploring universal corners… Dreams never actualized. Later years descended… till the yearning vanished entirely from mind.
Roughly an hour passed. The server brought dishes and wine vessels. The manager and the traveler toasted — talk flowed like finding kindred spirits after long separation. They drank rrily. The Red-tail Carp dish arrived. Each slice tasted delicate, savory, rich. Light yet paradigmatically fresh. Mouthfuls paired with the appetizers, minds soon wandered beyond tavern walls — Chen Changsheng recounting distant wonders unfolding therein:
“Shangjing City? That bustling, eh…”
“You’ve even visited Western Xiao, sir!?”
“Oh… to witness!”
Manager Zhou would sigh wistfully again and yet again. However profound the yearning, they both knew: He’d never stride beyond this town clinging like ship anchors deep beneath shore silt.
Full wine cups emptied again and again; plates emptied dish after dish.
Deepest night hung firr; rain softened to re patters.
Chen Changsheng thanked Manager Zhou once more for his hospitality that day.
Strangers crossing paths like drifting duckweed; yet bonding in that rare instance — fated comrades more than re consignnt.
“Should paths soday wind back?” Chen Changsheng stood, smiling softly. “I shall catch another red fish. Toss lively talk carefree again across this counter — over wine.”
Manager Zhou laughed delightedly, his cheeks flushed crimson from drinking. “That’s a deal!” He waved farewell, watched Chen Changsheng step back into the rainy dark. His heart rembered this unique traveler.
So young. Stepping so vast across lands.
How enviable…
Out within night’s arms, Chen Changsheng took out his wine gourd, drinking deeply.
“Buy osmanthus wine for youthful travel,
Now? Never equates that forr verve…”
A faint chuckle bubbled.
“Matters not, truly!”
He turned back — beholding the radiantly lit windows of the wine tavern one final ti through curtained rain mist.
His very thought found sound then, loud and bright as murmured certainty:
“I’ll instead gift thee… a grand dream.”
Beside the vast river roared sudden carefree laughter — mighty and unbound.
The lordly silhouette dissolved into the river-breeze-kissed night’s vast ink… vanished out existence entirely.
User Comments
0 comments from readers