Liang Jian: I have a canteen

As darkness fell, Xu San and Hua Xueling finally arrived at their pre-booked hotel.

"Are you tired?" Xu San asked as they entered the hotel.

"Not tired at all, I feel like I've just warmed up. Although it's a bit of a waste of time, walking around like this is not bad, it feels better than lying on the sofa scrolling through my phone." Hua Xueling took a sip of her milk tea. "I'm from Inner Mongolia, and I prefer my milk tea to be salty."

"Then why did you buy sweets?" Xu San asked before handing over his ID card.

"That milk tea shop doesn't have a salted version, and milk tea in Inner Mongolia has to be boiled. Now, which milk tea shop do you see that boils it?"

Xu San nodded in agreement and then took the room key from the bar.

Where are we going later?

"Not going anywhere? Go back and sleep."

Taking another sip of milk tea, Hua Xueling said, "Okay, how about tomorrow?"

"Revisit a few places in the old town."
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The next day, Xu San took a taxi to the old town.

Now, like many cities, this place has been transformed into a commercial district and pedestrian street, and the small shop that existed eighty years ago has been replaced by a large supermarket.

The building has eight floors and looks neither old nor new. Inside, it's a bit deserted, with not many people around.

"This is it, your little shop?"

Xu San looked at the map in his hand, "This should be it." Hua Xueling looked up at the imposing and orderly shopping mall building in front of her. The glass curtain wall reflected the hazy skylight, breaking down the surrounding street scene into the translucent panel.

The eight-story building is stable and sturdy, the most common commercial building style in the city. It is clean, orderly, without any signs of age, and there is no trace of the old-fashioned atmosphere.

She frowned slightly, her tone carrying a hint of disbelief and melancholy: "The little shop from eighty years ago has been replaced by such a large shopping mall? The difference is too great; it's completely unrecognizable."

Xu San ran his fingertips along the sandy gray wall, slowly raised his eyes, and glanced at the empty and deserted shopping mall hall. The floor-to-ceiling glass windows blocked out the noise from the street. Most of the shops inside were open, but few pedestrians stopped. It was so quiet that the two of them could hear their light footsteps.

“Times have changed.” Xu San sighed softly, his voice carrying a hint of melancholy. “Eighty years ago, this was the busiest street corner in the old town. A small shop supported the vibrant life of the entire street. Now, the world has changed, and it looks completely different.”

Hua Xueling pouted, "Boss, stop pretending to be a literary youth."

The two walked side by side into the shopping mall. A cool breeze from the air conditioner hit them, dispelling the lingering warmth of the morning. The first floor was mostly filled with cosmetics, accessories, snacks, and general merchandise counters. The decor was exquisite and eye-catching, the lighting was so bright it was almost blinding, and the shelves were neatly arranged, displaying a dazzling array of goods. However, the atmosphere was standardized and cold, lacking the warmth and human touch of old-fashioned small shops.

The mall was nearly deserted, with only a handful of customers strolling around leisurely. Shop assistants leaned casually against the counters, looking rather forlorn.

After walking a few steps, Xu San stopped and looked at a row of cosmetic counters. "This is where my neighbors are. They are a mother and daughter who helped me a lot when I first arrived. The little girl is especially cute. When we first met, she called me 'traitor uncle'."

How old is she?

"I was seven and a half years old when I left."

"Then she might still be alive." (End of Chapter)