Before Zhigao could speak, Huaiyu also saw a figure, who was hopping and skipping along with the group, her braid swaying in the early sun.
Yes, the long braid, like a tail, was flicked and swept away in a gust of wind.
Huaiyu and Zhigao exchanged a knowing glance, said nothing, and took two steps forward.
But she has already flown far away, how can I chase after her? If I catch up, what if she isn't there? If she is, what if she has forgotten? If she remembers, what if I can't think of a suitable greeting? For a moment, I couldn't think of a suitable way to greet her.
Moreover, that's probably not the case in most cases.
Zhigao turned back and looked at Huaiyu;
"Go for it, stop dawdling!"
"Dad's waiting. You're going on stage today, are you all in tune?"
"—Oh, it's time for Lao Gan to take the stage!"
The two calculated the time and, upon reaching the overpass, first stopped at a stall for a bowl of douzhi (fermented mung bean juice). The vendor's carrying pole had a stove at one end, on which a large earthenware pot was simmering douzhi; at the other end was a basket supporting a square wooden tray, on which were several plates of spicy pickled vegetables—radishes, cucumbers, pickled eight-treasure vegetables, and a plate of flatbread.
Zhigao put down two copper coins, and each person received a bowl of sweet and sour soy milk, along with fried dough rings and sticks. It was very cheap and filling.
Just as I was slurping, I heard the sound of a gong.
"Fellow villagers, this is our first time visiting your esteemed land—"
Zhi Gao said:
"Well, it's my first time on stage too."
That's called for them to raise their voices and continue:
"Let me make this clear first: everyone makes mistakes, and even the best of us can slip up. Please forgive any mishaps. The children are all working hard and relying on their skills; their abilities are quite impressive. Now, this young lady will present her skills to everyone—"
"Whoosh!" A burst of voices suddenly rang out.
The two didn't need to go inside the arena to see the faint figures in mid-air.
It was a bar, piercing straight into the clear sky, barely holding on, surely supported by someone below. Hanging from the bar was a girl, suspended by only her long braid, her whole body dangling straight down. She would bend over, do the splits, spin in mid-air—…and keep spinning, her center of gravity resting on her braid, spinning and spinning, until it was dazzling and her face was blurred.
Everyone cheered loudly.
This is a new venue and a new trend on the overpass.
Finally, they put the girl down, and she clasped her hands in a fist and smiled at everyone, saying, "Thank you gentlemen for thinking so highly of me!"
The middle-aged couple behind her also came out;
"Alright, let the young lady catch her breath and cool off. There are other martial arts moves to be performed later..."
Huaiyu and Zhigao squeezed their way from outside the crowd into the crowd, recognizing a few people. They changed direction to look again, then changed direction again, tilting their heads. Was it her? Was it her? They were very worried.
I'm very worried.
The girl, carrying a willow tray, came to pick up the scattered copper coins. As soon as she stood up, though her eyes were downcast, a glint of something flashed between the eyelashes of her lower left eyelid—and sure enough, it was her.
"Dandan!"
Dandan lifted her eyelashes and looked up.
Vaguely, but gradually becoming clearer. No matter how far she had gone, she "came back".
A pair of dark eyes, still like dots of thick ink, like a baby's. Fresh ink, ready to write a fresh character. But it hasn't been written yet.
That's the guy across from me, right? He's all smiles, his eyes are practically triangles, he's so smug and mischievous. And that monkey-faced man, he took off his mask, and his monkey eyes lit up, shone, and seemed bigger—even though they weren't that big before.
And then there's Huaiyu. Huaiyu is a little shy; his eyes don't dare to focus on her, always looking a little further away.
Everyone was excited; they had met again.
Really?
I ran into them at the street stalls on the overpass.
"Brother Cut Cake! Brother Huaiyu!"
—I don't know how to start the story from the beginning.
"Oh, so your braid is for something!" Zhigao finally realized the secret. He immediately exposed it: "Hanger!"
"Zhigao, look at you, what do you mean by 'hanging oneself'? That's outrageous!" Huaiyu stopped him.
"You guys are just wandering around here?"
“No,” Huaiyu laughed, “we’re all in the same industry.”
"real?"
"Really? Zhigao's here too! We're setting up a stall over there, are you coming to watch?"
"Okay, I'll come find you!"
"definitely"
"Definitely! I mean it. Where is it?"
Tang Laoda was a little annoyed that the two men were late. He had just asked for the Green Dragon Crescent Blade, which weighed 180 jin. He hadn't been too bothered a while ago, but lately he was panting. Sweat was pouring down his crotch.
I've been back at Tianqiao for so many years, and the number of spectators has gradually decreased. Moreover, in this place, people come and go, and newcomers are always curious. As soon as the crowd gathers, a whole bunch of people stop.