Winter Time Rendering

Chapter 143: Chapter 60: "Tattoo

Zhang Shutong finally realized what the problem was—

’Why hadn’t this island developed at all?’

It wasn’t just that the commercial street was still here. As he’d walked over, he noticed the island’s layout hadn’t changed much at all. The ferry with no passenger cabin, the single bus line, the desolate outskirts, the blocky, grid-like city district... According to the business blueprint Gu Qiuyan’s father had planned back then, wasn’t this place supposed to be developed into a tourist destination?

So where was the shopping plaza? Where was the resort? And where was the five-star hotel?

Why hadn’t Gu Jianhong continued with the island’s development?

Zhang Shutong spun around, but Ruoping and Du Kang had already gone inside.

The two of them were in the main dining area ordering food. The place looked the same as it had eight years ago, not a single renovation. The white walls were stained with a thick layer of grease and smoke, and the wooden tables and chairs had a dark patina from age. The tables were covered with floral cloths, which were in turn protected by sheets of tempered glass. Even the glass was coated in a film of grime that couldn’t be wiped away. The owner was the same plump woman as before, smiling and chatting with Ruoping.

She was saying, "Dear, it’s been so long since you’ve been back! My, how you’ve blossomed—prettier every time I see you." Ruoping laughed and replied, "You’re looking younger and younger too, ma’am. I’d say you have even more energy than before." The owner said, "Oh, you and your sweet talk. I’ll throw in an extra dish for you all..."

Zhang Shutong wanted to go straight over and ask about the commercial street, but he couldn’t get a word in, so he had to stand to the side and wait.

He remembered eating at this restaurant back then. The four of them had grabbed a table, and Du Kang had run to the counter to get a menu. They had agreed that each person would order one dish they liked. Ruoping chose candied sweet potatoes, Du Kang picked stir-fried shrimp, and Qingyi wanted shredded eel. When it was his turn, he, being someone who was never picky about food, suggested a simple hot and sour shredded potato. But Ruoping called him a cheapskate, so he ended up ordering braised pork ribs, a dish all three of them loved.

But nowadays, nobody was really splitting the bill anymore. Ruoping stood before the menu with her arms crossed, casually rattling off a few dishes. It was only then that Zhang Shutong noticed she was wearing high heels, giving her the air of a powerful career woman.

Du Kang sidled up to her to offer his opinion. "Not that one," he whispered. "Listen to me, pick something else..." She shot him a sidelong glance and retorted, "Are you paying or am I? Now stop bothering me and go find a table."

Their relationship must have been very good for them to speak so casually. Zhang Shutong had wanted to take this chance to catch up with Du Kang, but Du Kang just glanced at him, pursed his lips, and walked off toward the restroom.

Zhang Shutong knew he had even less chance of interjecting with Ruoping. He was about to find a table and sit down first, but the owner recognized him too. She smiled and said, "Young man, I still remember you! I haven’t seen you in years, and you’ve gotten more handsome. Do you remember that one time you didn’t have enough money to pay the bill? You tried calling a friend but couldn’t get through, and then there was a..."

Of course Zhang Shutong remembered. The owner had a frighteningly good memory. His one and only moment of embarrassment, and she remembered it. It had only been a twenty-yuan difference; it really wasn’t that big of a deal.

But then he thought, ’Maybe it wasn’t I who made a strong impression on her.’ It was Gu Qiuyan who had offered to treat them back then. The young heiress had reached out a hand from behind him, and for a simple four-dish meal, a thick wad of red bills had fluttered down from her fingers. The gesture was so casual and magnanimous it stunned the flunky beside her and astounded the owner. He was just the guy who got remembered by association.

Zhang Shutong could only nod and offer a brief greeting.

After he pulled out a chair and sat down, he realized he had subconsciously chosen the exact same spot—they had sat here the day after the poacher incident, when they came for a "victory feast."

Of course, he was the only one who would remember such a small detail. Soon after, Ruoping pulled out a stool and sat down across from him. Du Kang returned from the restroom, and the two of them sat on one side, with Zhang Shutong by himself on the other. The distance in their relationships was clear at a glance.

Du Kang turned and shouted for the owner to bring some beers. Only after shouting did he ask Ruoping, "Are you drinking today?" Ruoping replied, "Who do you take me for? How about we switch to the hard stuff? Whoever passes out first isn’t allowed to go home?"

Du Kang shrank back. "Let’s just forget it, I can’t out-drink you." This time, the "hard stuff" they were talking about was actual liquor. They were no longer fifteen- or sixteen-year-old kids, laughing and messing around, one of them shouting for "the hard stuff," the other acting like a martial arts heroine, slapping the table and yelling, "I’ll take responsibility for any trouble!" only to turn around and order four yogurt drinks.

Zhang Shutong poured himself a glass of water and drank it in silence. He had just glanced instinctively across the dining hall. The square tables were arranged neatly, but this time, they weren’t pushed together. Just as there were no yogurt drinks, there was also no girl drinking her yogurt.

He finally saw his chance to probe for information. Zhang Shutong stood up and poured them both a glass of water. He looked around with feigned nostalgia and asked, "How is this commercial street still here?"

Outside, the sky had grown dark. Wisps of steam rose from the hot water in the white porcelain cups. Zhang Shutong watched their expressions through the vapor, hoping the conversation to come would go smoothly.

The two of them exchanged a glance and fell silent. In the end, it was Ruoping who broke the silence, her eyes fixed on the tablecloth:

"Why else? The big boss didn’t want to invest anymore."

"What was the reason?" Zhang Shutong pressed.

But Ruoping didn’t answer. At this, Du Kang frowned and looked at him.

"What exactly are you doing here today?"

Zhang Shutong didn’t know the answer to that himself.

’I probably came to the island for Lu Qinglian’s funeral,’ he thought. But he couldn’t remember who had notified him. He had assumed it was Ruoping, because he had a record of her call on his phone. But later, when Zhang Shutong checked again, he realized he was the one who had called her.

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