I served as Li Bai's page.

Li Bai's friend was tall and slender, wearing a blue brocade robe and a black silk cloak, with a long sword at his waist. His hair was pulled up and adorned with a black hairpin. His eyes were bright and piercing, and he spoke with a smile, his brows full of joy at seeing an old friend.

"I didn't know Brother Li Bai was returning home today, and I didn't have the chance to greet you properly. Let's go to the Linjiang Restaurant for a couple of drinks to express my apologies." After saying this, the man pulled Li Bai towards the Linjiang Restaurant on Linjiang Road.

I handed the three horses to the waiter and followed along with Ziyi.

Li Bai turned around and saw us, then introduced us: "This is my good friend and fellow townsman, Wu Zhinan, who is also my sister Li Yueyuan's fiancé." He then pointed to Ziyi and said to his friend, "This is Uncle Lu's youngest son, Ziyi. He has been studying with me at Mount Emei and Mount Qingcheng for the past few years." Pointing to me, he said, "This is my newly taken-in page, Yuehua. She is clever and quick-witted, and skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting."

I bowed to Wu Zhinan and said, "Greetings, Young Master Wu. I look forward to your guidance in the future."

The four of us arrived at the Linjiang Restaurant. As soon as we entered, the manager called out, "Li Bai is back!" He rushed over and led us to a table by the window.

Everyone in the hotel looked up at us, whispering among themselves:

"Is that Li Bai, who finished reading the works of the Hundred Schools of Thought at the age of seven, composed poems at fourteen, and became famous throughout Sichuan and Chongqing?"

"Yes, to be so talented at such a young age, you're sure to achieve great things in the future."

"I heard his father was very wealthy, and he was also a generous and righteous man."

"When he was studying on Mount Dakuang, he often helped impoverished students."

"That's amazing."

……

I knew Li Bai was famous, but I didn't realize he was so famous at such a young age.

After the four of us sat down, Wu Zhinan ordered several dishes according to Li Bai's tastes, and also ordered two jugs of wine. I stood up and poured wine for Li Bai and Wu Zhinan, then sat down with Ziyi and watched them drink one cup after another.

"You two should have a couple of drinks. You must be tired after riding for several hours," Wu Zhinan said.

"No, you all drink, we'll just eat," I said. I must stay sober on this journey. Li Bai, in his purple robes, could get drunk, but I cannot.

"Brother Taibai, it's been a long time." At this moment, two people walked in from the hotel entrance and headed towards our table.

Wu Zhinan stood up and politely greeted him, "Brother Zhang, it's been a long time. Come, sit down and have a drink."

Before Wu Zhinan could finish speaking, Brother Zhang had already sat down opposite Li Bai without any hesitation, and the person who had followed him in stood respectfully behind him.

Li Bai had intended to get up and greet him, but seeing Zhang's arrogant attitude, he felt uncomfortable and simply said, "Brother Zhang, it's been a long time." He then remained seated, drinking his wine.

"Brother Taibai, you have been searching for the Dao in various places these past few years, and you must have made great progress. You are not far from achieving fame and success! Unlike me, an ordinary person, I passed the imperial examination with flying colors last year and was sent back to my hometown to serve as a county magistrate. I will do my best to be a good official for the people of my hometown." Magistrate Zhang boasted with great pride.

Li Bai ignored Magistrate Zhang and continued drinking. Seeing the awkward atmosphere, Wu Zhinan quickly smoothed things over, saying, "Brother Taibai, you've returned from your long journey and must be tired. Please rest for a couple of days before visiting Magistrate Zhang."

"I've been very busy with official duties lately, and I have to personally oversee all aspects of affairs. Brother Taibai, you should have let me know in advance that you were coming to visit," Magistrate Zhang said proudly.

Li Bai could no longer sit still. He stood up, pointed at me, and said to Magistrate Zhang, "Yuehua, my pageboy. Let him play a tune for us to liven things up."

Then he turned to the shopkeeper and said, "Shopkeeper, could you lend us your zither for a moment? It's the one we often borrow when we come here. Do you still have it?"

"Yes, I'll go get it right away."

I took the zither from the shopkeeper, gently stroked the strings, and Li Bai drew his sword and began to dance. After finishing the piece "High Mountains and Flowing Water," applause erupted in the restaurant, and cheers and compliments came one after another.

Magistrate Zhang, feeling awkward, stood up and said, "Brother Taibai, I have some official business to attend to. Please excuse me, and enjoy your meal." With that, he and his entourage slunk away.

Li Bai and Wu Zhinan continued drinking, chatting about everyday things, and then fell silent.

The appearance of Magistrate Zhang left both of them feeling uneasy.

Wu Zhinan said, "Back then, the three of us studied together at Dakuang Mountain, inseparable. You helped Brother Zhang countless times, but now that he has been promoted, he has become so arrogant and domineering, truly disgracing our reputation of studying together."

"Brother Zhinan, a person's true nature only comes out when their social status changes. He was humble and courteous then because he needed our help. Never mind him, come on, let's drink."

The two of them continued drinking, one glass after another.

Seeing that it was almost time, I stepped forward and said, "How about we stop here for today? It's getting late, we should go home and rest."

Li Bai pushed me aside, then took a pot of wine and poured some for Wu Zhinan: "Brother Zhinan, it's not that I dare not take the imperial examinations, but that my family cannot. We are of the same lineage as the Li Tang imperial family, and the only way to pursue an official career is through petitions to the emperor or recommendations from others. This requires extensive connections and exceptional skills—it's not easy!"

Wu Zhinan echoed, "I know, I understand. I also want to achieve fame and success, but I need the opportunity!"

"I've come back to visit you both, and after your wedding with Yueyuan, I'll head to Chengdu. I've arranged with my master to visit Lord Su Ting, the Prefect of Yizhou, hoping to get his recommendation. If you'd like to go, please come with us. I also hope you can obtain an official position so that Yueyuan can have a better life with you," Li Bai said.

"Great! I'll go to Chengdu with you after the Spring Festival. If we achieve something, we'll bring Yueyuan over too," Wu Zhinan said.

The two of them drank cup after cup, dreaming of a bright future. Finally, they drank themselves into a stupor and collapsed onto the table.

I quickly asked the waiter to hire a carriage for us and took the two of them to the inn. After another round of commotion, once they were settled in, Ziyi and I simply sat down in our chairs and fell asleep.