Chapter 29: Suddenly Missing You—Where Are You?

But then he thought about it—aside from cigarettes and alcohol, there wasn’t much else one could borrow in a place like this.

Lin Shenlu handed his half pack of cigarettes and two bottles of wine to the man behind him.

“Here you go, brother!” Lin Shenlu said with a smile.

“No, no… mate, you’ve got it wrong. I’m not here to borrow cigarettes or booze. I’ve had enough. I was just getting ready to leave,” the man replied, grinning.

Lin Shenlu realized he’d misjudged him. The man wasn’t here to bum a smoke or a drink—he was saying goodbye. After all, Lin Shenlu had put in the effort earlier. This guy, at least, knew how to be courteous.

“Oh, I see. Well then, until we meet again,” Lin Shenlu replied with a smile.

“Thanks for the wine…” the man said, taking the cigarettes from Lin Shenlu and lighting one. “But I’ll have to trouble you just a bit more…”

“Hm? What is it?” Lin Shenlu asked, genuinely curious.

“Well… could you lend me some money? I’m short for the bill… I just ordered another round, but I only had enough for the first one…” The man showed no sign of embarrassment.

“Don’t worry, I’ll pay you back tomorrow. I just didn’t bring much with me—I was worried I wouldn’t be able to control myself, and, well, I couldn’t…” He gave his head a sheepish tap.

“I thought the drinks here were all paid for up front?” Lin Shenlu asked, intrigued.

“Heh, well, when I ordered the second round, I had them open all the bottles at once, then I slipped off to the bathroom… By the time I came back, they didn’t want to keep coming over, so they just waited for me to leave.” The man grinned, evidently proud of his little trick.

Lin Shenlu nodded. Quite a character, indeed.

“All right, brother, the drinks are on me. Tell the front desk I’ll settle the tab,” Lin Shenlu said.

“Thanks, mate, I owe you one. My name is Ye… He Na…” the man began, but the din of the bar drowned out the rest.

“Ye what?”

“Oh… Ye Yaochen!” The man patted Lin Shenlu’s shoulder lightly.

“Got it. Take care, then. Stay safe!” Lin Shenlu smiled.

“Wait, tell me where you’re staying, or if you’ll be back here tomorrow. I’m not the type to forget a favor!” Ye Yaochen insisted.

“I might not be back tomorrow. If you really want to find me, go to Ideal State in Santorini—I’m at the Whale and Deer Hotel,” Lin Shenlu replied.

Ye Yaochen flashed several OK signs with his fingers, then staggered off, his steps a little unsteady.

“My friend, are you naive or just too softhearted? Why would you pay for a grifter’s drinks?” Lu Yu asked, bewildered.

“In a place like Dali, every meeting is fate. It’s just a round of drinks—nothing to fuss over,” Lin Shenlu replied with a laugh.

“You really think he’s going to wait for you here tomorrow? I’ve seen too many people pull this kind of scam,” Lu Yu said, sipping her drink.

Lin Shenlu only shook his head, remaining silent.

Scam artists and bar grifters weren’t uncommon in Yunnan—or anywhere in China, really. Wherever there were bars, there were always people like this.

Lin Shenlu was no stranger to bars. Sometimes, he’d even explain to others, what exactly is a bar grifter? It didn’t matter how much they ordered; as long as they stayed and drank all the drinks with you, that didn’t count as grifting. The real problem was when they ordered the drinks and then disappeared.

As for how much money was spent, and whether anything happened in the end…

Well, that had nothing to do with grifters.

…

“Brother, you can really hold your liquor, can’t you?” Lu Yu remarked, eyeing the two dozen empty bottles on the table.

Last time, Lin Shenlu had gotten tipsy after just a few bottles. Now, even after drinking well past ten o’clock, he seemed perfectly sober.

“I can drink quite a lot, actually. If I don’t pace myself, I’ll get drunk, but if I don’t want to, I could go all night and never get tipsy,” Lin Shenlu said with a smile.

As the saying goes, it’s not the liquor that gets you drunk—it’s yourself. Those who truly know how to control themselves never really get drunk.

Lin Shenlu glanced at his watch. The time, his state—everything felt just right. It was time to head back.

This pleasant buzz was perfect for a good night’s sleep—a night without any stray thoughts.

Lu Yu was a little unhappy. Her pout was so pronounced you could hang a bottle from her lower lip.

She’d hoped to spend the night with Lin Shenlu, but he’d deftly sidestepped her advances every time.

In the haze of drink and the warmth of the moment, as they played games, Lu Yu leaned in close, her red lips whispering secrets into Lin Shenlu’s ear, her breath warm against his skin.

The atmosphere of a bar was made for kindling intimacy.

But Lin Shenlu only responded with his gentle smile.

Even as her cropped top, peeking from beneath her black jacket, brushed against his arm, he skillfully slipped away without responding.

Lu Yu even tried to pull him with her to the restroom—but nothing came of it.

Standing to pay Ye Yaochen’s bill, Lin Shenlu waved at Lu Yu.

She, fuming, followed him to the door.

Dali glittered at night; the willows by the stream were still lush and green.

Lu Yu stood on the little bridge, watching Lin Shenlu walk away.

“Hey, come here,” she called.

“Hm?” Lin Shenlu asked, curious.

“Come give me a hug, for goodbye,” Lu Yu said, a touch of indignation in her voice.

“No, Lu, maybe next time?” Lin Shenlu replied with a smile, walking away.

“You…” Lu Yu rubbed her hands together.

She’d never met anyone like him.

Was her charm fading? Or was she just not his type?

But really, in this world, aside from women like herself—sexy and confident—what was left? Cute? As if cute could compare to sexy.

Lin Shenlu disappeared into the night.

Lu Yu turned back into the bar, grabbed her bag, and stormed off in a huff.

“Not staying for last call, Lu?” the bartender with the headscarf called after her.

“Buzz off!”

…

Another night, another ride back to the hotel.

This time the drive was short.

The driver, sensing the quiet, or maybe feeling the night needed a soundtrack, softly put on a song.

The melody drifted through the car.

We run, we run… we escape, we escape… the sea splashes over our feet…

This song was first on his playlist.

After An Muxi left, Lin Shenlu had downloaded this obscure song on his phone.

The car’s Bluetooth immediately connected to his device, and the driver let the song play.

At midnight.

By Erhai Lake.

With the sea breeze blowing.

Lin Shenlu, hiccuping from drink, listened to the words: We drank beer together, looked at the sea, felt the wind, and disappeared into that night…

He missed An Muxi.

Where was she?

Suddenly, he missed her so much.

Where are you?

Are you happy, or are you hurting?

Suddenly, I miss you terribly.

Suddenly, memories cut sharp as knives.

Suddenly, my eyes are blurred.

…

Lin Shenlu made it home.

He staggered up the stairs by himself.

Santorini’s night was beautiful.

In the darkness, the whites and blues still glimmered.

It was just like being alone.