"Lin Chuan, why do people live in this world?" Tang Yumeng, draped in her coat, exuded an aura of nobility and elegance. As she walked onto the street, she attracted quite a few glances. Some recognized that Tang Yumeng was the city's Secretary, but were hesitant to be sure. After all, who would believe that the city's Secretary would actually be right before their eyes?"

"This... this depends on the perspective from which you answer it," Lin Chuan could sense the profound loneliness in Tang Yumeng's heart. Anyone who asked such a question must have some psychological issues. Tang Yumeng herself suffered from psychological introversion. Lin Chuan chuckled, "From a biological point of view, it is for the continuation of the species; from the psychological aspect, it's for the realization of self-worth; however, from a religious standpoint, this... this should be about cause and effect."

"What do you mean by cause and effect?" Tang Yumeng asked curiously.

"Because we exist, so does the world," Lin Chuan thought hard to enlighten Tang Yumeng, and he laughed: "Think about it, if we were not here, how would you come to think about this question, right? Or perhaps, because you did good deeds in your previous life, accumulated good karma, that's why you are able to exist in this lifetime."

Pfft...

Tang Yumeng couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Sis, what are you laughing at?" Tang Yumeng frowned.

"Laughing at your nonsense here, turning a perfect philosophical question into a religious one," Tang Yumeng smiled and said, "Everyone has their own role in this world, to find their love, those who we meet, even if they are not lovers, are destined. We must learn to cherish, not to regret when we lose them, and to live well, as life is wonderful."

Lin Chuan was feeling a sense of confusion.

"Sis, why bother about so much," Lin Chuan laughed: "We should enjoy being alive. Even in death, there is nothing to fear, a dead man worries about nothing. What's there to fear?"

"How vulgar," Tang Yumeng laughingly looked at Lin Chuan.

"Let's go, I'll take you to a place," Lin Chuan suddenly grabbed Tang Yumeng's hand, her hand felt exceptionally warm to Tang Yumeng, who shyly tried to pull away, only to find Lin Chuan holding her tightly, leaving her no chance to escape. Helplessly, she had to follow Lin Chuan towards the east end of the city.

In an alley in the eastern district, memories from the past are scattered everywhere.

There were elderly people making clay figures, sugar figurines, and even some performing with monkeys.

This alley is one of the older streets in Jiangbei City. It was originally a place where Shanghainese lived. Gradually, the Shanghainese moved away, and an influx of outsiders began to settle here. Over time, they replaced the original inhabitants. Later, as the process of urbanization progressed, some of the homeless moved in. This alley has never been demolished but has been preserved. The residents who live here have gradually aged. They can only rely on their crafts to support themselves.

"This... since when has Jiangbei City had such a lively place?" Tang Yumeng was surprised to see this bustling alley, a fairly spacious one with vendors on both sides, numerous children chasing and frolicking about. In front of the performing elders were also many gathered children.

"This is a glimpse of Jiangbei City in the 1990s," Lin Chuan smiled, "It's also a snapshot of my childhood."

"Is that so?" Tang Yumeng looked astonished at Lin Chuan, saying, "I didn't expect this place to be quite beautiful."

"Of course," Lin Chuan nodded, saying, "This street is very old; I used to come here to play with my friends a lot because it has the sugar figures and clay figurines that I liked."

Lin Chuan stopped Tang Yumeng in front of the old man's clay figurine stall, where many children had already gathered. In the eyes of these naive children, the elder's skill was simply filled with magic. He could combine different colored clumps of clay and then shape them into lifelike figures, like Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie... and various little animals. Each time the old man created a figure, it would draw cheers from the children.

"This craft is about to be lost," Lin Chuan said with a smile.

"History always favors the fittest," Tang Yumeng smiled, seemingly unconcerned about the loss of this craft.

"No," Lin Chuan shook his head, saying, "I find it rather tragic."

"Why?" Tang Yumeng asked.

"The Japanese preserve their kimonos, Westerners have their own specialties, even the indigenous peoples of America have their unique traits," Lin Chuan laughed, "And us? Tang suits, Hanfu... those cultural treasures are gradually disappearing into the annals of history. The ethnic features we pride ourselves on are slowly fading, and the things we take pride in are forgotten by the youth. They are gradually influenced by foreign ideas, culturally conditioned. They make a big fuss over various messy Valentine's Day, Halloween, Christmas, even more lively than our Spring Festival..."

Lin Chuan's words seemed to awaken Tang Yumeng a bit.

Tang Yumeng fell silent for a moment, then said, "Did you bring me here just to tell me all this?"

"Sis, don't get me wrong," Lin Chuan smiled and said, "I am just speaking my mind, let me offer you a clay figurine."

"Sure," Tang Yumeng suddenly lit up with a smile, a smile so beautiful it was breathtaking. Especially when her pearly white teeth showed, it was even more captivating, unforgettable.

"Old man, make one for me," Lin Chuan squeezed through the crowd.

"Alright, what character do you want?" the old master asked.

"Make one that looks like her for me," Lin Chuan hurriedly said.

The old master looked up at Tang Yumeng, then said, "That can be done, but it's quite difficult, there will be an extra charge."

"No problem, I'll give you a hundred," Lin Chuan said generously.

"Deal," the old master, hearing the offer of a hundred, of course agreed and immediately put aside the work in his hand. He first took a serious look at Tang Yumeng, noting some of her distinctive features. Then he began to work. Starting with a lump of clay near the color of her skin, he began to shape, and then added other colors to the body. At first, it wasn't clear what he was making, but very soon, the little clay figure started taking shape. The basic outline, the clothes, and the attire appeared, as did the flowing black hair. Next, the old master used a hand tool to carve out all the facial features.

In about half an hour, the old master had crafted a cartoon clay figure of Tang Yumeng. It didn't look exactly like her but it had a seventy percent resemblance.

"Wow, it really looks like her."

"What a beautiful sister."

A group of children suddenly cheered. Lin Chuan quickly handed over a hundred-yuan bill, smiling and saying, "Old man, thanks."

"You're welcome, you've paid for it," the old man said with a smile.

Lin Chuan took the clay figure with both hands and said with a smile, "Sister, I don't have much to give you, so I'll give you this clay figure. How is it? Pretty, right?"

"Yes, pretty," Tang Yumeng nodded happily. It had to be said, the old man's craftsmanship was truly exquisite; he managed to sculpt her in just half an hour. Although it wasn't exactly like her, a seventy percent resemblance was still impressive, especially considering that it had some cartoonish features. Tang Yumeng nodded excitedly: "Lin Chuan, thank you."

"Don't mention it, it's not worth much," Lin Chuan laughed, "It's just a token of my feelings."

"Your sentiment is more precious than money," Tang Yumeng giggled.

"Come on, I'll take you out for something delicious," Lin Chuan pulled Tang Yumeng forward. The two of them looked very close, and to onlookers appeared to be a couple.

In the afternoon, the pair wandered around this alleyway, with Lin Chuan revisiting the memories of his long-gone childhood with Tang Yumeng by his side. Tang Yumeng seemed very happy, as if she was joining Lin Chuan in enjoying the bustling atmosphere, as though living in the nineties.

It wasn't until five in the afternoon that Tang Yumeng took a taxi and left the Eastern District of the city.

A day went by like this, life seemed mundane, but relatively speaking, it was filled with happiness and comfort. Lin Chuan had started to like this kind of life, without the brutal slaughter of the battlefield, without the harsh living conditions, and without the bullets that could be fatal at any moment...

Walking on fallen leaves of deep autumn and with a cigarette in his mouth, Lin Chuan returned to Changlin Community alone.

Whenever Nuo Xiaoxi had free time, she would help around the house, doing chores, laundry, and cooking. Lin Chuan's room was tidied clean by Nuo Xiaoxi every day. Perhaps Nuo Xiaoxi had already considered herself Lin Chuan's woman, so whenever she had time, she would run over to the Lin family's home.

When he returned home, Nuo Xiaoxi was busy cooking.

"Chuan, you're back so early?" Mrs. Lin had just come back from outside and hadn't even had a chance to take off the reflective jacket distributed by the Sanitation Bureau.

"Yeah," Lin Chuan nodded and said, "I accompanied the leaders to Hope Primary School for an inspection, so I came back early."

"Oh," Mrs. Lin nodded and said, "Xiaoxi is such a sensible child. I already think of her as our Lin family's daughter-in-law, and I've even given her the keys to the house."

"Mom, you..." Lin Chuan was somewhat helpless, knowing that no matter what he said, his mother would not change her mind, so he simply lowered his head and entered the room.

"Brother Lin, you're back?" Nuo Xiaoxi looked at Lin Chuan in surprise.

This girl was wearing an apron, her hair put up, with a fair neck that was just the right length. She was slim, even her collarbone was visible. Her features were quite delicate, very pleasing to the eye and, though not stunning, Lin Chuan could tell that with just a little dressing up, she would absolutely dazzle many people. Most importantly, she was only seventeen; by the time she was in her early twenties, she would probably be at her most beautiful. Then this pretty bud would bloom, likely attracting a host of butterflies and bees.

"Hmm," Lin Chuan nodded, "Xiaoxi..."

"Huh?" Nuo Xiaoxi had a piece of pumpkin in her hand.

[Please recommend and reward. Thank you.]

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.