Chapter 4: Tongcheng

Tongcheng is located in the Jiangnan region, a historic town surrounded by mountains and water.

The architecture here follows the Ming and Qing style, with white walls and black roofs. Water flows through the streets, and the misty rain gives the city a delicate veil, graceful and gentle, like a beauty from the old days, poised to speak but hesitant.

Jiang Se had just picked up her luggage when her phone rang.

The name displayed on the screen was “Yu Shiying.” She paused for a moment before answering, “Hello.”

A gentle, water-like voice came through the phone, “Se Se, your sister has gone in to find you. Have you seen her?”

In the busy airport terminal, Jiang Se looked around but couldn’t spot anyone Yu Shiying had mentioned.

“No, I haven’t. It’s okay, I will—” Before she could finish saying “go over myself,” her shoulder was tapped.

Jiang Se turned around and met a pair of large, almond-shaped eyes gleaming with a charming smile.

Jiang Tang, wearing a mask and a baseball cap, reached out to grab the luggage from Jiang Se’s hands and smiled with curved eyes, “Se Se, I’m here.”

In the blink of an eye, her luggage had been taken away.

She didn’t try to take it back, only smiling and thanking Jiang Tang.

“Let’s go, Mom’s waiting outside. Are you hungry? Dad’s making lunch at home, and we’ll have it once we get back.”

Jiang Tang’s voice was soft and gentle, carrying the sweet tone unique to water towns.

This was actually the first time Jiang Se had met Jiang Tang. Before this, they had only spoken on the phone. But Jiang Se had seen some of Jiang Tang’s videos circulating online, so she wasn’t unfamiliar with her sister.

Jiang Tang was the principal dancer at Pingcheng Grand Theater, specializing in classical dance, and was well-known in the dance world.

In the popular wuxia film Rain and Bell from two years ago, there was a high-difficulty sword dance, which was specifically choreographed for Jiang Tang by the director.

Though Jiang Tang’s face didn’t appear in the movie, six months ago, a video from the filming set was leaked on Weibo, revealing her stunningly beautiful face. The video went viral, with people saying her dance was so beautiful it could break hearts.

Later, netizens dug up more information about Jiang Tang, including videos of her practicing in the theater and rehearsal rooms. Several of these videos even trended online.

At that time, Guo Qian had sent Jiang Se a photo of Jiang Tang, asking her: “Don’t you think this beautiful older sister looks a bit like you?”

Jiang Tang was two years older than Jiang Se, and indeed, they resembled each other more than just a little—about three or four parts alike, especially their clear, almond-shaped eyes, which looked almost identical.

When Jiang Se finally met Yu Shiying, she naturally understood from whom they had inherited those eyes.

Yu Shiying, at forty-seven years old, appeared to be in her early thirties.

Her features were exquisite: dark brows, almond eyes, fair skin, and a delicate frame. She spoke softly, like a slender willow tree by the river.

Jiang Se shared many of Yu Shiying’s features, though her own temperament was far from fragile.

Yu Shiying’s car was an old white Volkswagen Golf. The space inside was small, and perhaps because she was concerned that Jiang Se would be uncomfortable in the backseat, she invited her to sit in the front passenger seat.

“This seat is more spacious, and the view is better. I’ll have your dad buy a better car by the end of the year. It’ll be more comfortable for you to ride in,” Yu Shiying said, looking at Jiang Se. Her eyes were slightly red, as she knew what Jiang Se had given up to return here.

A month ago, Ji Yunyi had called her.

“Se Se will have a better life staying with us. She is still the young lady of the Cen family, and no one dares to look down on her. But if she chooses to stay with you, she will have to return everything she got from us. She will have nothing.

“Se Se has been accustomed to a life of luxury. Can you provide her with that kind of life? If you truly care about her, you shouldn’t take her back.”

Yu Shiying understood that what Ji Yunyi said was the truth, so from the very beginning, she had prepared herself for the possibility that Jiang Se would choose to stay in North City.

To avoid people talking about it, she specifically asked Ji Yunyi to convey the message that losing Jiang Se back then was their fault. She assured that whatever decision Jiang Se made, they would understand and respect it.

At that time, Yu Shiying truly hadn’t expected that Jiang Se would choose to return and be her daughter.

---

Jiang Se wasn’t blind to the redness around Yu Shiying’s eyes and the uncontainable pain in them.

However, since she was little, Jiang Se had been taught not to show emotions like anger or sadness on her face. She was raised to keep such feelings hidden.

Therefore, when faced with Yu Shiying’s sudden emotional reaction, Jiang Se didn’t quite know how to respond.

She simply lowered her head to fasten her seatbelt, smiling and saying, “This car is very comfortable, no need to switch.”

Her considerate words made the corners of Yu Shiying’s eyes turn red again, as if holding back tears.

Though this was only their second meeting and they were still strangers to each other, for some reason, Jiang Se really didn’t want to see Yu Shiying’s tears.

So, she turned her head, pressed the window button, and looked out at the misty rain along the corridor.

Just as the window was rolling down, a silver-gray Gemera roared from the adjacent lane, blocking her view.

Jiang Se exchanged a brief glance with the man sitting in the back seat.

Through the thin rain veil, their gaze only lasted for a second before both quickly turned their heads away, their faces displaying the same indifference.

“Bro, what were you looking at just now?”

In the sports car, Han Xiao, who was driving, glanced at Lu Huaiyan through the rearview mirror and teased, his tone rather playful.

“Did you see a beauty by the roadside? Let me tell you, the girls in Tongcheng are so damn gentle. How about I introduce a few to you tonight? I’m not bragging, but I know almost all of the famous beauties here!”

The open window slowly rose, and Lu Huaiyan didn’t respond to Han Xiao, only speaking in a calm tone, “So, you’ve been in Tongcheng for half a year, and all you’ve been doing is looking at beauties? Aren’t you afraid that Uncle will skin you alive?”

Han Xiao quickly laughed it off, “It’s just a little break after work, you know? I haven’t forgotten the things my dad asked me to do, I’m still working hard to serve him!”

Lu Huaiyan let out a light laugh, clearly not believing him.

Han Xiao knew that his cousin had already seen through him, so he stopped pretending and sighed.

“Bro, you know me, I’m just a useless piece of mud that can’t be propped up. I don’t know why my parents haven’t given up yet and keep asking you to come to Tongcheng.”

Han Xiao shrugged. “But since you’re here, let me show you around tonight. There’s a bar on Fuchun Street with amazing liquor, brewed from an ancient family recipe. You definitely can’t come here without trying their drinks. And the owner’s daughter is really beautiful. Have you heard of the ‘Most Beautiful Dancer’ who went viral recently? Yeah, it’s her!”

Lu Huaiyan didn’t respond, but his companion, Li Rui, seemed to dislike the awkward silence and chimed in, “I’ve heard of her, heard of her. She’s the principal dancer at Pingcheng Grand Theater, right? Her name is Jiang something, right? Hey, Han Shao, what’s the name of that bar you’re talking about?”

“Forget Chuan,” Han Xiao said casually, “What do you think? It’s quite an interesting name, right? Tonight, I’ll take you guys there for a glass of Meng Po liquor!”

---

Though the bar was located on Fuchun Street, Yu Shiying’s family didn’t live there; they resided a few blocks away on Liyuan Street.

This was an old street, narrow and long, and cars couldn’t enter.

Yu Shiying parked the car at the entrance and said to Jiang Tang, “Ah Tang, take your sister inside first. Remember to use the umbrella; although the rain isn’t heavy, if you get too wet, you’ll go bald.”

Jiang Tang lowered her head and smiled, obediently responding as she pulled an umbrella from the car.

Once inside the car, she took off her mask, revealing her delicate, picturesque face.

Jiang Tang looked very much like Yu Shiying, with the classic beauty of a Jiangnan woman.

She opened the umbrella and said, “Let’s go, Se Se.”

People living on Liyuan Street were old locals of Tongcheng. They had watched the Jiang family’s children grow up and had heard about the story of Jiang Se being switched at birth.

What they knew wasn’t much—only that Jiang Se had been taken to North City, but they didn’t know she had been taken by the wealthy Cen family.

As Jiang Se walked along, she saw many elderly people peering out of windows, kindly asking, “Ah Tang, is your new sister back?”

They complimented Jiang Se, saying, “She’s really pretty, looks like both Ah Ying and Jiang Chuan.”

One fruit shop owner, who Jiang Tang called “Aunt Eleven,” insisted on giving them a watermelon, saying it was for their family to celebrate their reunion.

Jiang Tang, holding the luggage and still holding the umbrella, passed the large watermelon to Jiang Se.

So, on the day she returned to Tongcheng, the former North City debutante Jiang Se, dressed in a dark green little dress, walked down the street carrying a giant, glistening watermelon.

The color of her dress matched the watermelon’s green skin, making it feel strangely fitting for the moment.

The Jiang family’s home was at the end of the street, a small yet charming courtyard.

There was a well, a few persimmon trees and osmanthus trees, with stone chairs and tables arranged beneath them. Several large, half-person-high ceramic jars were scattered around.

The damp air carried a faint scent of alcohol.

Jiang Tang opened the courtyard’s double wooden doors, and a tall, slender teenager, around seventeen or eighteen years old, came out from the house, called out “Big sis,” and then stood silently, watching Jiang Se.

“Come on, help your second sister with the watermelon,” Jiang Tang said, then turned to Jiang Se and said, “Se Se, this is Xiao Ye.”

Jiang Ye reluctantly walked over, took the luggage from Jiang Tang’s hand, and then glared at Jiang Se, saying, “Give me the watermelon.”

The boy was very handsome, with sharp brows and starry eyes. His voice was pleasant, but his attitude was anything but friendly.

It was the first time the siblings had met, and Jiang Se didn’t mind the subtle hostility from Jiang Ye. She handed him the watermelon and quietly thanked him.

Jiang Ye sneered, then took three or four steps and entered the house.

Jiang Se followed behind him into the house.

As soon as they entered, a tall, rugged middle-aged man immediately walked out from the kitchen. His face, though aging, still couldn’t hide his good looks, and he looked very much like Jiang Ye.

“Se Se,” the man called out with a smile.

Jiang Se pursed her lips slightly. “Hello.”

Jiang Chuan chuckled and didn’t mind that Jiang Se didn’t call him “dad.” He smiled warmly. “Dinner will be ready soon. A Tang, you take your sister and put the luggage away.”

The Jiang family’s home was a spacious flat, about 180 square meters in size, with four rooms, two living areas, and a storage room. Since Jiang Se was coming back, Jiang Chuan had cleared the storage room for Jiang Ye to stay in, and Jiang Ye’s original room naturally became Jiang Se’s.

Before coming to Tongcheng, Jiang Se had already found an agent and rented a small apartment nearby on Xiangshu Lane.

The apartment had been pre-renovated, and she had arranged for furniture remotely, so it was ready to move in right away. The agent would bring the keys the next day.

In other words, she would only stay in Liyuan Street for one night.

But even for just one night, Yu Shiying and Jiang Chuan had seriously prepared her room.

The walls had been freshly painted, the bed, desk, and wardrobe were all new, and a wooden plaque with her name was hung on the door.

Jiang Tang opened the curtains, letting the dim light from the rainy day filter in.

“Xiao Ye didn’t pass the second phase, so don’t mind him. After some time, when he gets familiar with you, he won’t act like this. Actually, he’s the softest-hearted one in the family. When Xiao Yu left, he was the one who cried the hardest,” she said, pointing to the persimmon tree outside the window, which already had fruit. “When the fruit ripens, ask Xiao Ye to pick some for you.”

Jiang Se glanced outside. The misty rain had faded, and the golden persimmons, like little lanterns, hung on the branches, adding warmth to the cold, desolate old city.

She nodded indifferently with a soft “Mm.”

After putting the luggage away, Yu Shiying returned, setting the table in the dining room.

The table was an old peach wood one, with ten dishes laid out, each one Jiang Se’s favorite.

It seemed like Yu Shiying had inquired with Aunt Zhang about her food preferences beforehand.

Jiang Chuan’s cooking was no less skilled than Uncle Tong’s. After sitting on the plane for hours, Jiang Se wasn’t very hungry, but she still ate a full bowl of rice.

The meal was warm and cozy.

During dinner, Jiang Se learned that to welcome her home, Jiang Tang and Jiang Ye had both made an effort—one had taken leave from the film set to fly back, while the other, who was undergoing closed training, had been forcibly dragged back from the base by his father.

No wonder Jiang Ye’s face had been so dark when he saw her.

---

After the meal, Jiang Se took a nap and woke up around 4 PM.

The rain had stopped, and the faint sunlight filtered through the pine window, casting a golden, soft glow.

Having taken a sedative before sleep, Jiang Se’s head was still hazy, and she felt a disorienting sense of confusion, unsure if it was day or night.

It took a while before she realized that she had left North City and come to Tongcheng.

A completely unfamiliar city.

She stared at the pale white ceiling for a while.

Then she pulled the covers off, got out of bed barefoot, and quietly stood by the window, gazing at the lively persimmon tree in the yard.

At this moment, she clearly felt that the pine moon cherry blossoms, which had accompanied her since childhood, had finally withered away completely from her life.

She lowered her eyes, took out a set of clothes from her suitcase, changed, and left the room.

In the living room, only Jiang Tang was present. When she saw Jiang Se wake up, she closed the script she was holding and smiled, asking if she wanted to go to the family bar.

“Bar?” Jiang Se paused for a moment. “Is it ‘Wangchuan’?”

“Mm.” Jiang Tang put down the script and pointed in the direction outside the door. “It’s the little bar Grandpa left for Mom, located in Fuchun Street. Let’s go, I’ll take you there. Dad, Mom, and Xiao Ye are already there.”

Fuchun Street runs along the Wangchuan and is one of the most famous bar streets in Tongcheng. Here, various unique teahouses, book bars, and livehouses are lined up next to each other.

“Wangchuan” is located in the most inconspicuous corner of Fuchun Street.

The bar doesn’t have a large storefront, but it’s a popular and well-known Instagram-worthy bar. It officially opens at five in the afternoon, but it usually gets lively after dinner.

When Yu Shiying saw Jiang Se had arrived, she greeted her warmly, worried about her hunger and thirst. She even made her a glass of watermelon wine, with watermelon juice donated by the “Aunt Eleven” from Liyuan Street.

Jiang Ye was at the bar, mixing drinks for the night. When he saw Jiang Se holding a glass of sparkling wine, he glanced at her with displeasure and said, “Mom, I’m thirsty too. I’ve been here for so long, and you haven’t even gotten me anything to drink.”

Jiang Chuan, who had just come from the back, happened to overhear and slapped Jiang Ye on the back of his head.

“Do you have no hands or feet? Do you need your mom to serve you drinks? Spoiled! If you’re thirsty, get it yourself. And while you’re at it, make your sister a cup of osmanthus honey to soothe her throat.”

Jiang Ye: “……”

After scolding Jiang Ye, Jiang Chuan turned to look at Jiang Se, his expression changing from a fierce one to a gentle smile, like a dramatic shift in a Beijing opera performance.

“Se Se, would you like to try some of Tongcheng’s local snacks? Dad can make them for you.”

“No need, I’m not hungry.” Jiang Se still tasted the lingering sweetness and refreshing flavor of the watermelon wine on her tongue. Her fair fingers gently traced the mist-covered surface of her glass, and she smiled softly. “Thank you, Dad.”

The moment she called him “Dad,” the air in the bar seemed to freeze.

After a brief moment of surprise, Jiang Chuan laughed heartily. “You’re such a child, no need to be so polite with your dad.”

Yu Shiying also smiled with slightly red eyes. Soon, Jiang Se looked at her and asked, “Mom, can I learn how to mix drinks from Xiao Ye?”

“Wangchuan” serves different kinds of alcohol compared to other bars. It doesn’t use foreign liquors, but rather China’s most traditional sorghum liquor, fruit wine, and flower wine.

Jiang Se was genuinely interested and had a bit of a craving.

It had been a long time since she last handled a shaker.

Yu Shiying was a bit stunned but quickly realized and said, “Of course, you can. Xiao Ye, teach your second sister how to mix drinks properly, and later, Mom will make you your favorite Eight Treasure Duck.”

Jiang Ye rolled his eyes.

Tch, isn’t he just afraid of giving his second sister a hard time? Who would care about such a bribe?

Though he cursed in his heart, he still shot a glance at Jiang Se, gruffly saying, “I’ll demonstrate once. Watch carefully, and don’t expect me to do it again if you don’t get it!”

Although Jiang Se hadn’t touched a shaker in a long time, she had learned from the best bartender in New York, and she was able to handle it without needing Jiang Ye to demonstrate a second time.

The drink she made even had a more alluring color than Jiang Ye’s.

The boy stared at her, looking disgruntled and unwilling to admit defeat, glaring for a long time before he finally, probably feeling embarrassed, stomped back to the bar.

---

At 8 p.m.

The tranquil calm of the ancient town during the day gradually faded, replaced by the chaotic revelry of the night.

The whole of Fuchun Street was bustling with people.

Han Xiao pushed open the bar’s wooden door, strutting over to Lu Huaiyan, “Brother, seriously, I guarantee you the drinks here are something you can’t get in Beicheng.”

The small bar followed the style of a Ming and Qing Dynasty tavern, with an old-fashioned atmosphere. Even the music playing was entirely traditional, with pipa and guzheng.

Lu Huaiyan, uninterested, lazily lifted his eyelids.

Before his gaze had fully scanned the cramped space, he heard Han Xiao exclaim loudly, “Holy crap! Am I seeing things? Brother, the beauty sitting over there looks so much like Cen Se!”

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