Chapter 790: If We Can Meet, Let Us Meet

Wang Sanniang's husband was surnamed Zhang. Zhang was a prominent family name in Qingshan City, and in the early years, several of its members had served the Imperial Court as third-rank officials or higher. Though the family's fortunes had declined as eras changed and the Imperial Court shifted, the surname never faded from Qingshan City.

Zhang Miao lived in Zhengyang Alley, North Street. He had worked as a shoemaker in Qingshan City during his younger years. He had no children, and it wasn't until he met Wang Sanniang that he finally took a wife. They remained childless even now, but they lived a happy life.

Their courtyard was small, but impeccably maintained. A tidy row of flowers and plants lined the space, and the long strips of cloth and garments hanging from the bamboo drying poles were spotless.

"Tap, tap, tap..."

Beneath a small tree in the corner, a man in hemp clothing was tapping away at something. He worked earnestly, pausing to inspect his progress before delivering another careful tap or two.

The woman of the house emerged, carrying a towel soaked in cool water to gently wipe the sweat from the busy man's brow.

He smiled and patted her hand.

Gray streaked both their heads, and their wrinkles were plain to see. They no longer possessed the sharp vigor of their youth; time had spared no one.

Chen Changsheng knocked on the courtyard door.

Wang Sanniang paused and looked up.

Zhang Miao also blinked in surprise. He glanced at the figure standing in the doorway, realizing he did not recognize him.

"Are you looking for..."

Before Zhang Miao could finish speaking, Wang Sanniang called out, "Big Brother Chen?"

She hurried forward.

Chen Changsheng looked at her and offered a warm smile. "It has been a long time, Sanniang."

Taking in his appearance, Wang Sanniang gasped. "Big Brother Chen, how are you..."

"Oh my! You haven't changed a bit! Not a bit!"

"You look exactly the same as back then. Exactly the same."

Zhang Miao walked over, a sudden realization dawning on him. "Mister, are you the Big Brother Chen that Sanniang is always talking about?"

Chen Changsheng nodded. "A pleasure to meet you, Brother Zhang."

"Ah, no, no." Zhang Miao hastily waved his hands. "That's not right. Since Sanniang calls you Big Brother, I should be calling you Brother Chen. Please, come in and sit."

Chen Changsheng was invited into the house.

Having heard Sanniang speak of this Big Brother Chen for years, Zhang Miao treated him with the utmost respect, bringing out the very best of what they had in their home.

He was incredibly hospitable.

Sanniang chimed in, "Big Brother Chen, you must stay for a meal today. It has been years since we last saw each other; we need a proper catch-up."

Chen Changsheng nodded. "It has been years since This Chen last tasted your cooking, Sanniang."

Sanniang beamed. "I will go start right now!"

With that, she headed to the Kitchen.

Zhang Miao and Chen Changsheng sat down together.

He poured tea for his guest.

Zhang Miao asked, "When did you return to Qingshan City, Brother Chen?"

"Just a couple of days ago."

Chen Changsheng paused. "Just call me Changsheng. Hearing you call me 'Brother Chen' makes This Chen feel a bit..."

He offered a helpless smile, finding the formality rather awkward.

"Then I will call you Changsheng."

Zhang Miao was a straightforward man. He chuckled and said, "Over the years, Sanniang has talked about you constantly. Whenever she spoke of Ping'an and Ruyi, your name was never far behind. Those two children only achieved what they have today because of you, Changsheng."

"You give me too much credit."

"This Chen never really taught them anything," Chen Changsheng said. "Ping'an and Ruyi worked hard and earned their success themselves."

"I know."

Zhang Miao presented the cup of tea to him. "You don't need to be so modest, Changsheng. The world was in chaos back then. If it weren't for you and Uncle Huang Lou, Sanniang likely wouldn't have survived, and those two children would have suffered a far bitterer fate. I will substitute tea for wine to thank you on Sanniang's behalf."

With that, he raised his teacup and drained it in one gulp.

Seeing this, Chen Changsheng quickly raised his own cup.

The two men then fell into a comfortable conversation.

Inside the house, Sanniang listened to the hum of their voices, a faint smile creeping across her face.

As she prepped the vegetables, she listened to their chatter, her hands moving at a much brisker pace.

A moment later, she marched out into the courtyard and caught a chicken.

Chen Changsheng saw this and hurriedly tried to stop her. "There's no need for that, absolutely no need!"

Wang Sanniang waved him off. "Don't you worry about it, Big Brother Chen. Us women decide what goes on the dinner table. Just sit back and relax."

"Sanniang, really, you shouldn't," Chen Changsheng said, shaking his head.

Zhang Miao stepped in to hold Chen Changsheng back. "Just have a seat, Changsheng. This chicken is old anyway, it was high time it got slaughtered. Come, sit."

Faced with their united front, Chen Changsheng was left completely helpless.

Sanniang boiled a pot of water, and in the blink of an eye, she had slaughtered and plucked the bird.

Resigned, Chen Changsheng could only accept their gracious hospitality.

Before long, four dishes and a bowl of soup were brought to the table.

Half the chicken was stir-fried, while the other half was stewed into soup. Wang Sanniang uncorked a small jar of wine. Zhang Miao couldn't drink alcohol due to his rheumatism, so he substituted tea for wine.

"Come, come, dig in, Changsheng."

Looking at the table full of dishes, Chen Changsheng said, "This Chen truly feels bad imposing on you like this..."

He really should have brought a gift if he had known.

"What is there to feel bad about?" Wang Sanniang said. "Make yourself at home."

Zhang Miao nodded in agreement. "Exactly."

Chen Changsheng smiled and picked up his chopsticks.

As they ate, Wang Sanniang poured him some wine. Chen Changsheng took a couple of sips, savoring the rich, endless flavor.

He looked at Zhang Miao and asked, "How does the family make a living these days?"

"I'm still at my old trade, cobbling shoes," Zhang Miao replied. "It brings in a bit of money every month, enough for us to eat and drink."

"You don't need to worry about us, Big Brother Chen," Wang Sanniang added. "Ping'an frequently sends money back home."

Chen Changsheng paused. "Has he still been able to send money these past two years?"

"He entrusts it to people traveling this way," Wang Sanniang explained.

Chen Changsheng nodded, finally understanding. "That is good to hear. But if you ever run into any difficulties, Sanniang, you must speak up. Even if This Chen isn't around, Miss Yun can lend a hand."

Wang Sanniang nodded. "I know. Here, Big Brother Chen, let me ladle you a bowl of Chicken Soup."

"Thank you, Sanniang."

The Chicken Soup was incredibly delicious.

Seasoned with only a pinch of salt, it showcased the pure, unadulterated flavor of the bird.

Zhang Miao had lied. The chicken wasn't old in the slightest. A layer of fat floated on the surface of the broth, its rich aroma filling the air. The Chicken Soup was exceptionally fresh and sweet.

Having eaten part of their chicken for free, Chen Changsheng couldn't help but feel guilty.

Chen Changsheng asked again, "Is there anything the household lacks?"

"Just eat in peace, Changsheng," Zhang Miao said. "Talking like that makes us sound like strangers. None of that."

Hearing this, Chen Changsheng smiled helplessly and said, "This Chen's fault. This Chen's fault."

In truth, they didn't really talk about much in the end.

In a material sense, Chen Changsheng had neither lost nor gained anything.

But the feeling of gathering together to eat and chat like this was so delightful. It was the purest human connection to be found in the Mortal World.

The simple give-and-take.

That Chicken Soup was so fresh and sweet.

It seemed to also be reminding Chen Changsheng not to forget certain things.

The people of the past, the matters of the past—if they were still around, and if they could be seen, then he should see them.