Chapter Sixty: City of Light

Guangyang City wasn’t far; the express bus would get them there in five or six hours. Things were different now—people from all over the country were venturing out to work or start businesses, and such a journey passed in the blink of an eye, with just a nap.

Intent on buying supplies, Liu Meiju rose before dawn, waking Zhang Ye at five, when the sky was just beginning to brighten. By six, they were at the station, and ten minutes later, they boarded the direct bus to Guangyang City.

It was inevitable that Zhang Ye and Liu Wentao missed each other. Only then did Zhang Ye finally feel a surge of urgency, hurriedly finding an excuse to slip away to a phone booth and dial the Liu Wentao household, where his friend was still lazily asleep.

They agreed to meet at the entrance of the clothing clearance market, and only then did Zhang Ye board the bus with peace of mind. Only now did he truly realize the inconvenience of not having a mobile phone. If it were the future, there’d be no need for such trouble—a quick call and the meeting place would be settled. Now, he had to run back and forth, uncertain whether he could reach anyone. If pressed for time, it would be even more troublesome.

At that thought, Zhang Ye felt a strong urge to buy a mobile phone. It seemed that, around this time, comparatively smaller phones had appeared—not like the old “brick” models.

And then there was the matter of computers. These days, Zhang Ye had been handwriting his novel manuscripts. Though he wasn’t slow, he was much more accustomed to typing on a keyboard. Especially since, at his peak, Zhang Ye could write five or six thousand words an hour—far beyond his current pace.

“How did it go? Did you arrange to meet your classmate?” The excuse Zhang Ye used was to check whether his friend was in Guangyang City; if he was, it would be much more convenient to have him guide them.

Liu Meiju was a little nervous and paid close attention.

“No, he’s returned. I asked about what to watch out for when buying goods—there shouldn’t be any problem. As long as we bring enough money, it’ll be fine.” Zhang Ye smiled, then turned to gaze out the window.

His hometown mainly grew rice: row upon row of golden fields, a magnificent sight.

The bus had already been moving for half an hour. Zhang Ye watched the distant rivers and bridges, the vast countryside and rolling mountains, their lush green and roaring waterfalls, and felt a sudden, boundless emotion.

Truly, he had come back.

He had returned from the lowest, most defeated point in his life. Returned to this era, once the darkest in his memory, now the brightest.

Zhang Ye wasn’t sure whether he should feel hatred or gratitude toward the person who had destroyed his family.

Yet one thing was clear: since he had come, since he now existed, whether or not the world would change because of him—whether his life would be bright or dim—he would keep walking forward, forging his own path.

Change does not mean destruction; the unknown is also full of hope.

Six hours slipped by in a flash. Getting off the bus, Zhang Ye and his mother, Liu Meiju, arrived at the Guangyang City bus station.

Though still near the outskirts, the area outside the station already showed the beginnings of a large city: tall buildings taking shape, streams of traffic—three-wheelers, four-wheelers, and the occasional Mercedes or BMW passing by.

“We’re here?” Though the distance wasn’t far, it was Liu Meiju’s first time in Guangyang City. She was stunned, gazing at the unfamiliar, modern buildings and bustling scenes.

“We’re here,” Zhang Ye replied with a smile.

He was quite familiar with Guangyang City—in his previous life, he had attended university here, graduated and worked here, and it was also here that…

Though much had changed, after comparing it with his memories, Zhang Ye still recognized most places.

“Mom, should we wander around Guangyang City first, or head straight to the clothing clearance market?” Zhang Ye suggested.

He wasn’t much interested in sightseeing himself, but he wanted his mother to experience the city’s changes and atmosphere. If they simply went to the clothing clearance market and returned, it would be too monotonous.

As his father, Zhang Haiguan, always said: if you come to Guangyang City and don’t climb Guangyang Mountain or pay respects to the Bodhisattva at Tianyang Temple, you can hardly claim to have visited.

“Let’s go to the clothing clearance market first. I won’t feel at ease until I see the clothes.” Liu Meiju decided firmly, heading straight outside.

Zhang Ye agreed it was best to check the market first, especially since Liu Wentao was already on his way. If his friend waited at the market while he was out sightseeing, it wouldn’t be right—even if there were complicated reasons.

Zhang Ye raised his hand to hail a taxi, intending for his mother to join him, but she waved him off repeatedly. She gave the driver an embarrassed smile and pulled Zhang Ye along.

“Child, do you think taxis are free? They’re terribly expensive, and who knows where the driver might take us. We’re strangers here—what if we get lost?” Liu Meiju grumbled as she stopped outside a grocery store, called out to the clerk for directions, listened carefully, and took notes in her little notebook, all seriousness.

Zhang Ye opened his mouth, intending to say he knew the city well, then suddenly remembered that, in this life, he had never been to Guangyang City. He wisely kept quiet.

When they confirmed that the clothing clearance market was still some distance away, Liu Meiju finally hailed a three-wheeler, checked the price, found it reasonable, and got in.

Zhang Ye felt no embarrassment; thrift was a virtue, especially when traveling. If they could save, they should—he had nothing to say against it.

On the contrary, seeing his mother’s carefulness strengthened Zhang Ye’s resolve to give them a better life. Though it was a bit early for them to enjoy their retirement in their thirties and forties, Zhang Ye still didn’t want them to labor so hard.

Opening the clothing shop was only the first step.

Their vehicle was a motorcycle-powered three-wheeler: a motorbike in front pulling a wooden compartment in the rear, sheltering them from wind and rain—a distinctive feature of the era.

“Driver, is Southeast Street close to the clearance market?” Zhang Ye asked as he climbed aboard, then settled in.

The clothing clearance market was a well-known source for stocking up on clothes; all kinds of styles were available, not only cheap but good quality. Most importantly, if one wanted imported garments, this was the place—other spots in Guangyang City were farther and more expensive.

After some inquiries, Zhang Ye and his mother decided to buy supplies here.

Southeast Street, meanwhile, was a small commercial street with a thriving clothing market. A stroll around the shops, observing the clothes on sale and the attire of shoppers, would give them a good sense of Guangyang City’s current fashion trends.