The central part of the city was the oldest part of Jiangnan City.
Although it had fallen behind the new development zones with many high-rise buildings in the recent round of city-building, it was still popular because of the pleasant scenery and superior location.
In particular, there were several commercial pedestrian streets with distinctive features. Every time the lanterns were lit, it would be crowded with people, and it was very lively.
"Heyin Cuisine" was located in the prime location of a pedestrian street called "Ping Yang Road". With its extravagant facade and a man-made bamboo forest, it forcibly created an atmosphere of tranquility amidst the hustle and bustle of the downtown area. It had no intention of "hiding" at all.
Opposite Heyin Restaurant was the 30 to 40 years old Jiangnan City's First Hundred Goods Company. When it was built, it was the tallest building in the city. It was famous for a time, but now it had naturally declined. No matter how much it was renovated and remodeled, it could not change the overly cramped structure — but it was more than enough to serve as a commanding point to control a radius of 300 to 500 meters.
In the men's room on the fifth floor of the First Hundred Goods Company.
From here, one could overlook the entire pedestrian street of Pingyang Road, and clearly see the passers-by and tourists coming and going from the south to the north.
6: 30 in the evening.
Li Yao had been standing here for half an hour, carefully observing the nearby shops and people with binoculars — not only did he have to see the author of "40,000 Years of Cultivation", but he also had to determine whether the author lived nearby or far away. It would be best to follow the clues and find the author's nest.
As time went by, his eyes became sharper and sharper. He could instantly identify the different characteristics of hundreds of passers-by and analyze their movements clearly.
"Teacher Niu, have you arrived?"
After scanning the environment and passers-by, Li Yao sent a message in the name of "Rabbit in the Sea of Stars".
"Yes, I just arrived. I'm wearing a blue suit, and there's a 'Granny Fried Chicken' next to me. You're here too?"
The other side replied.
Li Yao aimed the binoculars at a milk tea and fried chicken shop 20 to 30 meters away from Heyin Restaurant.
In addition to a few high school girls who were buying milk tea, there was a thin bamboo-like man wearing a wrinkled blue suit.
"Is it him?"
Li Yao observed carefully. This guy seemed to have just shaved his head and face, but no matter how well he dressed up, he couldn't hide the dejected look between his eyebrows. Perhaps it was because he had been working at a desk all year round, his eyes were a little green, his cheeks were deeply sunken, and his back was slightly arched. The cheap suit he bought was also one size too big. When he put it on, it was like a plastic bag. A gust of wind could blow him away.
Of course, even if the suit fit, it looked quite awkward. Today was the hottest day since the beginning of summer. The highest temperature was 35 degrees. Other than real estate agents and insurance sellers, who would wear such a formal suit?
While Li Yao was staring at this guy, this guy was using the dressing mirror of a nearby clothing store to tidy himself up. He sprayed some air freshener into his mouth, and at the same time, he used the reflection of the mirror to secretly glance at a few middle school girls who were drinking milk tea.
"There doesn't seem to be anybody nearby."
Li Yao scratched his head. He had thought that he could write characters such as Yan Xibei, Xiao Xuance, Jin Tuyi, Lu Zui, and Boss Bai. The author could be down and out, but he should at least have the temperament of a hero, shouldn't he?
But now, it seemed that there was none at all.
After scanning the surroundings carefully again and confirming that nobody was following the author, Li Yao sent a message that he would be right there and got off the elevator.
He squeezed into the crowd again, but he was not in a hurry to greet them. The few high school girls were still drinking milk tea and bursting into youthful laughter now and then. Daniel Zhang had been dawdling nearby, his eyes rolling nonstop.
Li Yao took out a 'toothpick crossbow' from his pocket, which was a toy that children often played with. Under the cover of the crowd, he shot a toothpick at Daniel Zhang.
The two parties were almost ten meters away from each other. When the toothpick was shot over, it had already lost its strength. Daniel Zhang did not feel anything at all. It was not until the toothpick pierced into his back that he exclaimed and turned around to rub his back. He did not realize that something had shot him at all.
"So, he does not have any 'superpowers' and is just an ordinary person whose senses are very dull?"
After confirming that, Li Yao threw the toothpick crossbow into a garbage can on the roadside. He then walked forward and patted the guy's shoulder heavily. With a smile, he said, "Nice to meet you, Mr. Niu!"
Daniel Zhang turned around abruptly, only to discover that it was a young man whom he had never seen before. The excitement on his face turned into surprise. "You are …"
"I'm Rabbit's senior from Jiangnan Normal University. I'm really sorry, but unfortunately, a burglar broke into our school's female dormitory last night, scaring the girls quite a bit. They were screaming in the middle of the night. Today, the school's leader was furious, and the dormitory is very strict. He said that it's best for the girls not to wander around at night if they have nothing to do!"
Li Yao grinned. "So, there's no other way. I'm the only male member of our Science Fiction Association, so Rabbit and the rest entrusted me to be their representative to express their sincerest apologies to Mr. Niu. The girls said that there's still a long way to go. In a few days' time, they will find a day off to chat with Mr. Niu about literature, science fiction, and life's dreams. You don't mind, do you?"
"Ah —"
Li Yao watched as Daniel Zhang's freshly shaved face, which still had a few cuts, collapsed bit by bit. Like an ice cube under the scorching sun, it quickly lost its shape. "No, I don't mind. Of course I don't mind. Hahahaha. Girls have to be careful when they come out at night. There are too many bad people in society now …"
"It's great that you can understand. Rabbit and the others were worried that you would be angry and not go to our school to be a guest. I told them, 'How could that be? Teacher Niu, who wrote' Forty Thousand Years of Cultivation ', be such a petty and calculative person?'"
Li Yao smiled very happily. "Anyway, it's the same if we talk first today. I also have a lot of things that I want to discuss with Mr. Niu. Besides, I know about Rabbit and the rest's situation. If you want to know anything, you can ask me!"
"I, I don't want to know anything!"
Daniel Zhang said. "I mainly want to know about the development of your Science Fiction Association, and I'm concerned about the views of contemporary college students on science fiction, dreams, and the future. What else can I know?"
"Yes, you're right. Then let's talk about this."
Li Yao patted his head. "I almost forgot to introduce myself. Don't you think it's a coincidence? My name is' Li Yao, 'and I have the same name as the male protagonist in your book. I also especially like' 40,000 Years of Cultivation. 'Really, I even feel that I'm Li Yao in the book. I have a kind of … telepathy with Mr. Niu. We're bosom friends!"
"Yes, yes."
Daniel Zhang seemed to have lost his desire to chat, and he responded casually.
"Don't just stand there. It's so hot."
Li Yao pulled Daniel Zhang. "Let's eat first. Let's talk while we eat?"
"… Okay."
Daniel Zhang answered weakly. Then he suddenly sobered up. "Where are you going?"
"Heyin Cuisine!"
Li Yao said, "Rabbit said that you asked her to eat at Heyin Cuisine, right?"
"… Ah, yes, that's what she said. She's waiting at the entrance of Heyin Cuisine. It's easier to find her here."
Daniel Zhang glanced at the low-key and luxurious Heyin Cuisine. The corner of his eyes twitched a few times, and he said, "But I've been having a stomachache for the past two days. It's not suitable to eat these raw and cold things. There are parasites in those sashimi. How about Mr. Niu treat you to bone casserole? It's a century-old restaurant nearby. It's stewed until the bones are rotten. It's much better than sashimi."
Although he said it was "nearby," the two of them walked for more than ten minutes. They left the pedestrian street and came to an old-fashioned residential area full of smoke and fire.
Li Yao didn't care what to eat. Anyway, he was sure that Daniel Zhang lived nearby.
He carefully observed while walking. Daniel Zhang held his right hand and deliberately avoided passers-by. His right hand was slightly swollen, as if he was injured.
Daniel Zhang seemed to have eaten a belly full of dust. His face was gray and not very good. However, when the steaming hot bones were placed on the table, he seemed to have accepted his fate. A dry smile appeared on his face again.
"A thief broke into the girls' dormitory. Rabbit and the others must be scared, right?"
Daniel Zhang said with a smile, "Rabbit … her boyfriend must be worried sick, right?"
"Rabbit doesn't have a boyfriend."
Li Yao was slightly dazed. He immediately replied, "My junior sister is the kind of girl who has a lot of soulful pursuits and her own aesthetic interests. She is a maverick, and she thinks about the universe, the future, and civilizations all the time. How can regular mortals catch her attention?"
"Oh …"
Daniel Zhang's smile lit up.
"What about you?"
Li Yao took the opportunity to inquire about Daniel Zhang's situation. "Mr. Niu, don't you need to report to your teacher's wife when you come out to eat and chat?"
"No, no. Actually, I'm also single. I've been wandering alone for more than thirty years. How can I have a teacher's wife?"
Daniel Zhang said with a smile, "Also, Li Yao, let me give you a suggestion. We're all science fiction enthusiasts, so we're kindred spirits. Don't call me Mr. Niu. It sounds like there's a difference in seniority, but in fact, we're about the same age. You're all around twenty years old this year, right? I'm only around thirty years old, and my mentality is very young. We're all of the same age, so don't call me Mr. Niu.
Call me Brother Niu. "
Li Yao took a deep breath and tried to control his expression. He looked at Daniel Zhang's right hand and said, "Brother Niu, do you want to drink some wine? It'll help your blood flow and heal faster!"
"Okay, then I'll drink a little!"
Daniel Zhang waved his hand and said, "That's right. Don't treat me as a teacher, just as a friend. Between friends, what can't we talk about? What can't we help each other?"
"Yes, Brother Niu. After watching '40,000 Years of Cultivation', I know that you're definitely a very forthright and confident person. Sure enough, it's better to meet you in person than to hear about you. Come, let me propose a toast to you!"
Li Yao intended to get Daniel Zhang drunk so that he could ask for some key information. After all, his body had been greatly strengthened, and ordinary alcohol was simply not enough to numb his nerves. He drank a glass left and a glass right. After three rounds of wine and five dishes, under his deliberate design, Daniel Zhang was already red in the face, his legs were shaking, and his speech was somewhat slurred.
"Brother Niu, can you tell me in detail about your journey in creating '40,000 Years of Cultivation'?"
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