Chapter 38: The Memory of Barbeque

Jiang Xiao Nuan turned and looked at Gong Yu in shock. She said plainly, "I don't need your pity."

Gong Yu replied, "This is not pitying, I'm just helping you to realize your dream."

Jiang Xiao Nuan hesitated before asking, "Are you really willing to continue this date?"

Gong Yu nodded, saying, "Sit down and eat! Aren't we going for a musical concert later!"

Jiang Xiao Nuan was even more excited after his big change. She turned and sat back down. Looking at Gong Yu, she actually found herself at a loss of words. It was as if she had finished all that could be said earlier and could no longer find a new topic.

Gong Yu seemed to have noticed her change in emotion. He said in a low voice, "I don't know how to proceed with this date, let's just interact like friends. I can't make myself treat you like how other guys treat their girlfriend."

Jiang Xiao Nuan nodded happily. "Okay, okay! Then let's just be friends."

Then, Jiang Xiao Nuan thought of something. She stole a glance at him and asked cautiously, "Erm, that woman and kid from that day, are they really your wife and daughter?"

Gong Yu was picking up food with his chopsticks and his hand froze momentarily. He said plainly, "They are my neighbors, we get along well. That night her child had fallen ill, they could not grab a taxi, so I sent them to the hospital."

Jiang Xiao Nuan was relieved. "Oh, you're quite a nice person! But from what I saw, you treated them like your family, especially your gentleness towards the child. You also treated that lady differently from how you would treat others."

Gong Yu raised his eyebrow. "How different?"

Jiang Xiao Nuan looked up and thought for a second before answering causally, "Anyway, I can't really put a word to it. It's a kind of feeling, the kind where you only focus on them and can't care for anyone else."

Gong Yu narrowed his eyebrows and thought, "Is it really that obvious?"

Jiang Xiao Nuan saw his expression and was guessing to herself, "Gong Yu must really like that woman."

Jiang Xiao Nuan tried to look for some comfortable topics to talk about. While Gong Yu remained quiet, he would reply with one or two sentences sometimes. There was still no expression on his face. He was still cold and distant. But Jiang Xiao Nuan was already satisfied with this.

It was true; if you really liked someone, you would look over it. Even you got a one-liner reply, you would be content for a long time. Unknowingly, Jiang Xiao Nuan had fallen for this man. Although she knew that she only had a day with him, she continued to indulge further into this one-way game.

After their relaxing lunch, the pair arrived at the city's concert hall. They were going to watch a classical music concert. Gong Yu was no expert in the field of music, but he once took them as a compulsory class. Hence, he knew something about it. What surprised him was that Jiang Xiao Nuan had her unique opinions about music. It was unexpected, and Gong Yu felt like he knew more about her.

Jiang Xiao Nuan also noticed that Gong Yu would occasionally reply to her when talking about music, although he largely remained silent. His replies were precise and his critics were professional. Jiang Xiao Nuan was relieved that she chose to come. She was initially worried that he would fall asleep and stuff, since very few young people still liked classical music today!

They interacted with each other smoothly throughout the afternoon. Jiang Xiao Nuan was comforted. After the concert, she suddenly suggested, "Gong Yu, let's go get barbeque sticks!"

Gong Yu's eyes lit up upon hearing the word. He first heard it from Yun Muxi. She used to tell him how tasty they are while reminiscing about it. The image of her expression back then flashed in his brain clearly...

On that day, they were at an enchanting maple tree grove. He watched Yun Muxi as she was drawn into the scenery. That happy and lively image of her appeared in his brain clearly. Yun Muxi excitedly suggested having a picnic in the beautiful scenery. Back then, he did not understand what was a picnic. Yun Muxi smiled and explained, "It's basically laying a big mat under the tree by the creek. We will prepare lots of delicious food and drinks, we will chat and enjoy the scenery and eat all the delicious food. It's so lovely, just thinking about it. How relaxing it will be!"

Afterward, Yun Muxi said to him in an apologetic voice, "Ah! What a pity! This scenery calls for a barbeque sticks! I've never had one for a long time."

That was the first time he heard the word "barbeque sticks".

Yun Muxi explained to him, "Barbeque sticks are basically just barbeque, some younger ones call them barbeque sticks because you bite off the meat from the sticks. We will cut the meat into small cubes and insert them onto metal or bamboo sticks. Then, we'll roast them over a coal fire. Sprinkle a bit of salt, cumin, chili powder, and whatnot, and it'll become so delicious! Often, people will drive to the countryside during the weekends in search of places like this. They'll set up a roasting stand and have a barbeque picnic."

That was the day when he tasted what Yun Muxi would call "barbeque sticks" for the first time. It was delicious. That fresh and tender meat combines with flavorings, a faint refreshing plant smell in the meat, the taste from back then came floating in his mind...

"Gong Yu, why are you in a daze? What are you thinking about?"

Jiang Xiao Nuan saw that Gong Yu was in a daze and did not even respond even after calling him twice. She gently nudged his arm and called him again.

Gong Yu returned to reality and replied faintly, "Okay! Let's go get barbeque sticks!"

Jiang Xiao Nuan smiled and said, "Great! I know one that's good, but I haven't had the chance! Let's go there today!"

...

Jiang Xiao Nuan brought him to a very small barbeque restaurant. It had an artistic name— The Memory of Barbeque. Gong Yu liked it a lot, and began to have some expectations.

Jiang Xiao Nuan ordered a lot of food some beer. Gong Yu raised his brows gently. "Can you drink?"

Jiang Xiao Nuan laughed. "Haha... I can't drink much, but I can still take a bottle. Barbeque sticks and beer is the best combination, how can we not have a beer! Can you drink?"

Gong Yu could actually drink quite well, but he disliked the smell of it, so he shook his head.

Jiang Xiao Nuan stared at him wide-eyed. "You're a man and you can't drink?"

Gong Yu did not explain. He said plainly, "Is it strange that a man can't drink?"

Jiang Xiao Nuan nodded. "Yea, look at how many young people your age go to bars and karaoke regularly, they always end up drinking! You can't drink? Don't tell me you don't even go to bars and karaoke!"

Gong Yu's life here is very simple. He basically had no life outside his acting career. He had yet to experience the carefree life that the men here led.

Jiang Xiao Nuan saw that he was not talking, and was in greater shock. "Did you really not do any of those things? Then what do you do every day?"

At this moment, the waiter served their food. Gong Yu picked up a stick and gave it to Jiang Xiao Nuan.

This should be the first time that he had taken the initiative to interact with her. Jiang Xiao Nuan felt a warmth in her heart and took the stick from him. Her fingertip accidentally brushed against his cold long fingers. Jiang Xiao Nuan felt like a current of electricity passed through her finger. Her heart began beating like crazy and her cheeks turned slightly red. She shyly lowered her head and took a small bite.

Gong Yu did not notice this change in her. He picked up a stick too and sniffed it. He was a little disappointed that it was not the aroma in his memory.

He then took a small bite. Although the meat was fresh and tender, his mouth was filled with the smell of mucin and a distinct lamb smell. Gong Yu felt a little let-down, it was totally different from what he had expected. Disappointed, he placed it in his small plate and never touched it again.

Jiang Xiao Nuan saw that he only took a bite and stopped eating. Confused, she asked, "What's wrong? Is it not delicious? Or do you not like it? I think it's quite legit! It's the best that I've ever had! Although I only ate a few times."

Gong Yu answered casually in a low voice, "I'm not hungry! You can eat them all! I see that you must like barbeque a lot, why did you only have it a few times?"

Jiang Xiao Nuan took a sip of beer. "My parents think these are trash and only low-class people come to places this. Also, they think girls have to drink elite alcohol, like red wine. Beer doesn't match my status! They're traditional people and are wary of their status. Hence, they've never allowed me to come to such places and eat these things. I only came here secretly a few times with my classmates in college."

Jiang Xiao Nuan's voice became softer as she spoke. The sorrowful expression returned on her face. Gong Yu could not help but look intently at her. He once was just like her; he could not be himself, was shaped by his environment, lost many friends of similar age, and gained what they could never gain.

Gong Yu picked up another one and handed it to her. There was some warmth in his voice as he spoke gently, "Eat more if you like it!"

Jiang Xiao Nuan received it and her vibrant smile returned. She started eating happily.

After eating, Gong Yu sent Jiang Xiao Nuan home. When they reached the door, she got off the car unwillingly. She smiled and said to Gong Yu, who was sitting at the driver's seat, "I had a great day today, thank you!"

Gong Yu said plainly, "Go on in!"

Jiang Xiao Nuan waved and smiled. "Okay! Drive home safely! Goodbye!"

Jiang Xiao Nuan saw him drive away and finally turned and headed towards the door.

She was still reminiscing about the date as she entered the door and a sweet smile spread across her face.

Suddenly, a serious voice came from the sofa. "Hmph! You knew to come back!"