Chapter 478 - 227: A Youthful Spirit is a Non-Renewable Resource

Chapter 478: Chapter 227: A Youthful Spirit is a Non-Renewable Resource

"A Good Samaritan award? Is this for catching those thieves on the bus last time?" Song Wanqing didn’t have class this morning, so she hadn’t gone to school. She looked at the silk banner in pleasant surprise.

Zhou Ming nodded and said nonchalantly, "Yep. The investigation’s wrapped up. They said they were dangerous fugitives on a crime spree all the way from the Northwest. They had two lives on their hands and were wanted for several other major cases. Zhou Yan and I caught them, so we’re being recognized for it."

"They were dangerous fugitives, not just petty thieves!" Song Wanqing said, startled. A flicker of retroactive fear appeared in her eyes. "Then... you can’t be so impulsive next time. You were stabbed... I was so worried about you..."

Zhou Ming flashed a brilliant smile, unfazed. "It’s nothing. Just a flesh wound, it’s already scabbed over. They’d gone too far. Stealing money is one thing, but they were also molesting women. I could tell they were no good from the start."

"Back then, I just figured that if they drew a little blood, it would change the nature of the incident. If I’d known they had lives on their hands, they wouldn’t have even been able to touch me."

Song Wanqing gazed into his sparkling eyes and couldn’t help but smile.

After all these years, the fiery spirit of his youth had still not been extinguished.

Just as he had back then, a young boy holding a long staff, standing at the mouth of the alley to shield her.

’Unfortunately, it seems he doesn’t remember it.’

’Or maybe he’s done this sort of thing so many times that, to him, it’s not even worth mentioning.’

"Zhou, you’re so amazing! Let me see your banner and certificate of honor!"

"Awesome! And it’s even from the municipal government!"

"You’re so brave, with such a strong sense of justice!"

Today, she offered twofold the praise she had held back all those years ago.

Amidst her chorus of praise, Zhou Ming gradually lost his bearings, his head swelling from the compliments.

In the courtyard, Song Changhe watched Zhou Ming, a teacup in hand, his mind drifting.

He was eighteen again. His Senior Brother had led them down the mountain to fight bandits. After receiving a Praise Order from the Government Office, they returned, full of youthful vigor, eager to show the award to their Master and his wife.

That youthful fire is something you can’t get back once it’s gone.

In the blink of an eye, more than fifty years had passed.

From black hair to white in a single moment; to whom can one confide as the years slip away?

Those martial brothers—the ones he’d horsed around with, the ones he’d faced life and death with—in the end, not a single one had made it back.

’Senior Brother... Junior Brother...’

Song Changhe watched Zhou Ming for a long while, the corners of his mouth curving slightly upward.

’Perhaps... they’ve already come back.’

"You have class this afternoon, right? Want a ride to school?" Zhou Ming asked, rolling up the silk banner as he looked at Song Wanqing.

"Okay! Wait for me, I’ll go get my bag," Song Wanqing agreed with a smile. She turned and ran into the courtyard. Seeing Song Changhe sitting there lost in thought, she slowed her pace and said with a touch of triumphant pride, "Grandpa! Did you hear? Zhou Ming got a Good Samaritan award! He and Zhou Yan caught a whole group of dangerous fugitives!"

"I heard. I’m just old, not deaf," Song Changhe said nonchalantly, lowering his head to take a sip of tea.

"Grandpa, don’t you think he’s like you?" Song Wanqing leaned in closer. "When you were young, weren’t you also a hero who fought for the weak and stood up to bullies?"

Song Changhe waved a hand dismissively. "Go to your class."

"Hmph, I’m the teacher, not the student," Song Wanqing huffed. She went inside to grab her bag, then trotted out, pulling the door shut behind her. Hopping onto the back rack of the bicycle, she said brightly, "Let’s go."

The bicycle disappeared into the distance.

Song Changhe gently set the lidded tea bowl in his hand on the stone table and let out a soft sigh.

’Like me?’

’He’s probably like I was fifty years ago.’

’Times have changed.’

’But people, it seems, have not.’

’He could truly see that youthful, chivalrous spirit in the young man.’

...

After closing for the night, Zhou Yan stepped outside and immediately saw Zhou Ming under the tree by the entrance, teaching Zhou Momo martial arts.

"HI-YAH!"

"HAH—"

The little one was in a horse stance, throwing punches with impressive form, her shouts full of vigor.

"Ming," Zhou Yan called out.

"Done for the night," Zhou Ming said, turning with a grin. He pointed to the silk banner and certificate of honor in the basket of a nearby bicycle, his smile tinged with pride. "You get yours?"

"Got ’em. Two of them," Zhou Yan said with a smile.

"Two?" Zhou Ming’s smile vanished. He leaned closer. "Why? How did you get two? Does that mean you get two sets of prize money?"

"Can’t help it. Your little bro is just that awesome." Zhou Yan pulled him inside and showed him the two silk banners hanging on either side of the menu wall, like a pair of Left and Right Guardians.

"Oh, right. For bravely rescuing that drowning college student. That certainly deserves a banner," Zhou Ming said with a nod of understanding. He turned back to Zhou Yan, admonishing him, "But you can’t even swim. Don’t go jumping in the river next time. That’s not something you can just power through."

"Yeah, I know," Zhou Yan nodded. He found it interesting that the man who’d dared to face four knife-wielding fugitives on a bus was being so cautious on his behalf. He changed the subject. "This Sunday, Mr. Song asked me to help cater a private banquet for his old army buddies. Are you free to lend me a hand?"

"For real?!" Zhou Ming’s eyes lit up, but then he grew puzzled. "You... How do you know Mr. Song? I haven’t even managed to speak with him yet."

"We ran into each other last Sunday when he came to eat. He really enjoyed my cooking, and I figured it might be a chance to introduce you to him, so I agreed to do it," Zhou Yan explained.

"That’s fantastic! Of course I’m free! I’ll clear my schedule for it!" Zhou Ming clapped his hands in excitement. "Zhou Yan, thank you so much."

"We’re brothers, no need for thanks," Zhou Yan said with a smile. Then, with a gossipy expression, he asked, "So, how are things progressing with you and Teacher Song?"

"What progress?"

"I mean, besides eating together and going to class together, has anything else happened? Like, holding hands?"

"How could I just go around holding a girl’s hand!" Zhou Ming exclaimed, his expression full of righteousness. "Zhou Yan, you need to have purer thoughts!"

...

’Fine. He’ll have purer thoughts.’

Zhou Ming and Zhou Yan chatted for a little while longer before Zhou Ming headed home.

After holding her horse stance for a while, Zhou Momo plopped right down on the ground. She looked up at Zhou Yan, bewildered. "Brother... my leggies feel funny."

"What’s wrong with them?" Zhou Yan hurried over and lifted her onto a nearby stone stool.

"They don’t want to move anymore. They’re all tingly," the little girl pouted, looking wronged.

"You held your horse stance for too long, so your legs fell asleep," Zhou Yan chuckled, reaching out to gently massage them for her.

"Woah! They’re better now!"

The little girl swung her short legs, a smile returning to her face.

"Why do you want to learn martial arts, anyway?" Zhou Yan reached out and gently pinched her cheek.

"When I grow up, I’m going to be a policewoman!" The little girl’s gaze was resolute as she declared, "I want to be a hero, just like you and Brother Ming!"

"Alright then. In that case, you’d better practice hard," Zhou Yan said, nodding with a smile.

"Okay!" The little girl hopped off the stool and ran to the side, resuming her punches with renewed cries of "HI-YAH! HAH!"

Zhou Yan changed into a fresh set of clothes and headed out for a run.

"Zhou Yan!" A voice called out as he passed the entrance to the textile factory’s employee dorms. Xia Yao, dressed in athletic wear, jogged up to catch him.

"What a coincidence," Zhou Yan said with a smile.

"It’s not a coincidence. I was waiting for you," Xia Yao replied, smiling. "It’s better to have a partner for a night run."

"I usually don’t get out until after seven." Zhou Yan glanced at his watch, looking a little embarrassed. "Sorry to have kept you waiting."

Xia Yao shook her head with a smile. "It’s no problem. I was actually sketching just now. My drawing board is still in the gatehouse."

"What were you sketching?"

"Guess."

"A design for Jiading Brocade?"

"Nope. The moment a hero gets his award."

At her words, Zhou Yan turned his head to look at her. Her smile was gentle and graceful.

"It’s not finished yet. When it is, in a couple of days, I’ll show it to you."

"Okay."

"You’re so brave, daring to stand up to armed fugitives! The elderly people who got their money back and the women who were being harassed must be so grateful to you both."

"Actually, I..."

"I know. But next time, you have to protect yourself, okay? Don’t get hurt. I would worry."

"Okay..."

Zhou Yan rarely spent time alone with a woman, but he was getting an immense amount of positive affirmation from Xia Yao. Like, maxed-out levels of it.

The two of them ran a loop along the river. By the time they returned to the foot of her dorm building, the sky had grown dark.

"You head on up. I’ll leave after I see the light in your room turn on," Zhou Yan said softly as he walked her to the base of the building.

"Okay." Xia Yao retrieved her sketchbook from the gatehouse and hurried up the stairs.

A moment later, a window on the third floor lit up.

Zhou Yan was about to turn and leave when the window slid open. Xia Yao leaned out, smiling and waving at him.

In the darkness, she was a splash of bright color, brimming with vitality.

After a full day of work, Zhou Yan was usually half-dead by this time of night.

Seeing her smile, he felt a bit of life return to him.

Zhou Yan waved back, then turned and left.

He had to get back to count his money and do the books. Only that could bring him fully back to life.

Back at the restaurant, Zhou Yan showered and changed into clean clothes. He came out to find Comrade Zhou giving a shoulder and neck massage to Mrs. Zhao, who was admiring the certificate of honor.

Mrs. Zhao closed the certificate folder. "You know," she began, "I’m thinking I should find a literacy class to brush up. On this whole certificate, I can only recognize Zhou Yan’s name and a few of the simplest words."

"They still have literacy classes these days?" Zhou Yan asked, puzzled.

Zhou Miao nodded. "They do. The elementary school in town still runs a night literacy program. The schoolteachers run it. There are three classes a week. I went and asked this afternoon."

"Wow, Zhou Miao, you’re amazing. I just mentioned it offhand at lunchtime, and you already went and found all this out," Mrs. Zhao said, touched.

"You’re so great, Zhou Miao," praised Zhou Momo, who was busy drawing nearby.

"Zhou Momo, who taught you to call people like that?" Mrs. Zhao laughed in exasperation.

Zhou Momo put down her crayon and tilted her head, confused. "But I’m just calling him what you call him, Mom?"

"Don’t you dare..."

"It’s fine, let her be. She can call him whatever she likes," Comrade Zhou said with an indulgent smile.

"What about me?" Zhou Yan asked.

"Don’t force me to unbuckle my belt and whip you when I’m this happy," Comrade Zhou said, shooting him a look. "It’s a new belt. Hasn’t been broken in yet."

Zhou Yan shrugged. ╮(╯▽╰)╭

’Fine. That’s it. I’m running away from home to join the navy!’

’I have absolutely no status in this family!’

"Mom, if you still have the energy after work each day, I think you should sign up," Zhou Yan said to Mrs. Zhao, his expression serious. "In this day and age, being able to read is still essential."

"You have outstanding capabilities. Once the restaurant gets bigger and stronger, I’ll definitely be entrusting you with more responsibility—at least at the level of a floor manager."

"You’ll have employees to manage, and being able to read and do basic writing will make the work much smoother. And if I have other plans, like putting you in charge of an entire restaurant, you’ll also need to know how to handle the bookkeeping and audit the accounts."

"A manager!" Mrs. Zhao’s eyes lit up, and she nodded decisively. "Done! I’ll go sign up tomorrow!"