Qi Tongwei: Can I be young again?

After eating and drinking to your heart's content, light a cigarette.

It was incredibly satisfying.

Suddenly, a commotion arose, and everyone else in the restaurant turned their attention to the Development and Reform Bureau across the street, and began to discuss it amongst themselves.

"Thunder Second Bureau has left with its men again. It seems there are quite a few rats in the Development and Reform Bureau."

"That's right! I heard that Director Wu, who was taken away yesterday, had two million yuan in cash and dozens of kilograms of gold bars found in his home. He's incredibly audacious!"

"Those who commit many unrighteous acts will surely perish. These corrupt officials who suck the blood of the people should be executed."

"Agreed! Look, look... those people who were arrested, they just seemed to be eating here!"

"Haha, I knew something was off about them earlier. Now they're all going in!"

"It's really heartwarming!"

"..."

Across from the restaurant, at the Development and Reform Bureau, people were being brought out by the Discipline Inspection Commission one after another, including the few people who had just been eating next to Qi Tongwei.

These people were all carried away.

It wasn't that they couldn't walk, but their legs were so weak that they were like limp shrimps, without any energy or spirit.

Suddenly, Qi Tongwei's eyes lit up.

Among the members of the Discipline Inspection Commission, one girl stood out. She had a ponytail, fair skin, and an ethereal air. Even the leaders of the Discipline Inspection Commission seemed to pale in comparison to her.

"Xiao Ai."

Qi Tongwei read it softly.

This was the first time she had seen Zhong Xiaoai at work. She was young and inexperienced, yet she exuded resilience. There was no affectation from a rich young lady in her eyes. Instead, she looked extremely free and capable in her black work clothes.

For a moment, Qi Tongwei was lost in thought.

He wanted to shout, but didn't know how to start.

Compared to her, Qi Tongwei seemed like an ugly duckling looking up at a swan.

Zhong Xiaoai, who was working over there, seemed to sense something, and with a thought, she suddenly turned around.

Their eyes met.

Three seconds later, she stomped her foot, put her hands on her hips, and pointed her finger at Qi Tongwei!

It's as if they're saying, "The young lady is angry."

Qi Tongwei laughed, and he laughed heartily at Zhong Xiaoai's angry expression.

"Director Qin, I need to ask for leave."

"A request for leave?" Qin Feng, the director of Thunder Bureau Two, was taken aback. "What kind of leave? When?"

"Now, immediately!"

"Um...can I ask why?"

"My boyfriend came to see me!"

After saying that, Zhong Xiaoai handed the file to Director Qin and jogged towards Qi Tongwei.

Under the warm sunlight, Qi Tongwei squinted.

The radiance emanating from Zhong Xiaoai was so intense that he couldn't look directly at her. It turned out... she was a swan, and he might not be an ugly duckling after all.

At the very least, the ugly duckling cannot attract the swan.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone in Thunder's second division, Zhong Xiaoai jumped onto Qi Tongwei without any hesitation.

"You came all the way to Beijing and didn't even call me! What's wrong? Don't you want to see me?"

"Xiao Ai, your colleague is watching! Be a little more reserved!"

"I won't!" Zhong Xiaoai hugged Qi Tongwei's neck. "So what if they're watching? Do you think I, Zhong Xiaoai, am afraid of others watching?"

Qi Tongwei had nothing to say.

The girl was so brave, he couldn't keep being coy.

He pulled out a colorful bracelet he had prepared from his pocket.

"Here, this is for you. It's not worth much money, it's just a keepsake."

Zhong Xiaoai took the bracelet, stared at it for a long time, then raised her head and smiled radiantly.

"Put it on for me."

"it is good."

After putting on the bracelet, Zhong Xiaoai swayed it, as happy as a child.

“I really like this gift.” Taking Qi Tongwei’s arm, Zhong Xiaoai tilted her head and said softly, “This is the capital city. You gave me a gift, so I’ll take you shopping and be your guide, how about that?”

"You do not have to go to work?"

"Since you've come all the way from Handong to see me, I definitely have to take time off to be with you. Stop arguing and let's go."

When not working, Zhong Xiaoai puts away her powerful aura and stays by Qi Tongwei's side like a little girl next door.

Chapter Thirty-One: Tongwei, you'll be alright.

When he's with Zhong Xiaoai, Qi Tongwei is relaxed and carefree, just like an ordinary young man accompanying the girl he likes shopping.

Zhong Xiaoai was also in high spirits.

She took Qi Tongwei's hand and they went to the Forbidden City together, chattering away the whole way.

"Tongwei, do you see those five golden water bridges? These five bridges are very significant; they represent 'benevolence,' 'righteousness,' 'propriety,' 'wisdom,' and 'trustworthiness.' In the past, emperors only used the middle bridge!"

"Look, that's Chuxiu Palace. It has a lot of seals and ornaments from the old palace."

"It's a pity the time isn't right today, otherwise I would definitely take you to the Qianqing Palace. In the first moments of the morning, the 'Zhengda Guangming' plaque and the five golden dragons below it are illuminated by the sunlight, which is a great spectacle of the Forbidden City."

"Also, if you get hungry, the Ice Cellar Restaurant here is also good. The most famous thing here is the creative popsicles. My grandfather used to bring them to me when I was a child. They have a very special taste."

"Look, ahead are the three main halls: Taihe Hall, Zhonghe Hall, and Baohe Hall. In the past, the emperor presided over state affairs, held important ceremonies, and also conducted the imperial examinations."

"This is the large stone base of the Kunning Palace. In the past, a Solon pole would be erected on this stone base, with a bowl-sized container on the pole. During sacrifices, some rice and chopped pig liver would be placed in the bowl for the crows to eat. Although we think crows are unlucky, the Manchus consider them divine birds. That's why crows still frequently appear in the Forbidden City today."

"That's the Nine Dragon Wall..."

Zhong Xiaoai's beauty extends far beyond her physical appearance; her knowledge and vision are also unmatched by ordinary people. Her explanations of the Forbidden City are almost more detailed than those of tour guides.

Following her, Qi Tongwei spent half a day learning almost the entire 600-year history of the Forbidden City.

It was already dusk when we came out of the Forbidden City.

Zhong Xiaoai seemed tireless, insisting on dragging Qi Tongwei along to eat Peking duck in Beijing.

"Tongwei, the best duck isn't necessarily found in a five-star hotel."

"Where is that?"

"follow me."

Zhong Xiaoai, acting mysteriously, led Qi Tongwei through two alleys before arriving at a small alley.

There is a communal courtyard house in the alley.

Qi Tongwei glanced at the address: No. 95 Nanluoguxiang. It felt somewhat familiar, as if he had heard of it somewhere before, but he couldn't quite place it.

At the entrance of the courtyard house, a small stall was set up, with two small tables and a few small stools next to it.

The gray-haired owner was standing in front of his stall, hawking his roast duck rice.

"Tongwei, the roast duck here is the most authentic in Beijing. See that old man over there? I heard he was a five-star chef when he was young, and his roast duck is unparalleled. Come on, let me show you!"

"Is it really that exaggerated?" Qi Tongwei was skeptical, after all, Peking duck from Jingzhou is world-famous.

"You'll know once you try it."

When the boss saw Zhong Xiaoai, it was like seeing an old friend. He smiled and asked, "What? Same as usual today?"

"Hmm, two bowls of roast duck rice, with extra vegetables!"

"alright, please wait."

Soon, two bowls of roast duck rice were served. The duck was freshly roasted, glistening with oil, and looked very appetizing.

Qi Tongwei picked up a piece of duck breast, took a bite, and immediately gave a thumbs up.

Zhong Xiaoai smiled.

"See? I wasn't lying to you, was I? When I was little, I used to come here to eat all the time with my grandpa."

"The taste is indeed very good. The roast duck is oily but not greasy, and when paired with bok choy and pickled vegetables, it is unique."

"That's right, my judgment is never wrong."

Zhong Xiaoai also picked up her chopsticks.

At the entrance of the courtyard house, people hurried by. Under everyone's gaze, Zhong Xiaoai had no regard for her image, eating roast duck rice and drinking cola with Qi Tongwei.

"Do you often come to these kinds of small restaurants?" In Qi Tongwei's eyes, Zhong Xiaoai and Liang Lu were both children of officials. Liang Lu didn't eat at these fly-in-the-wall restaurants; she thought they were dirty.