Chapter 14: Erasing Sweet Memories, Mountain Encounter

Zhou Yufeng chattered as he followed behind, “Old Fu, you never believed in this kind of stuff before. Why did you go out of your way to descend the mountain from the south gate? Planning to make a wish? Since we’re already here, I might as well wish for a good career and fortune. Wait for me a bit.”

He caught up quickly, slinging an arm around Fu Tingzhou’s shoulder. Spotting something in his hand, he asked curiously, “Huh? What’s that you’re holding?”

Li Zhi turned her head and spotted them. Her beautiful eyes flickered with surprise. “Commander Fu, fancy meeting you here. Are you two out hiking?”

“Yeah, we’re about to head down.”

As soldiers, they were used to waking up early. Zhou Yufeng wanted to see the sunrise, so they arrived at the foot of the mountain before 4 AM. It took them over an hour to climb up, and they watched the sunrise for half an hour.

“Is that your wish plaque?”

“It’s mine, but I’ve already written on it. I’m going to throw it away.”

Fu Tingzhou handed the plaque back to her and pointed to a trash bin not far away. “There’s a bin over there.”

“I’ll toss it first, then.”

Fu Tingzhou followed after her. “Let me get you a new wish plaque.”

Li Zhi shook her head. “No need to trouble yourself.”

Being reborn was already a gift from the heavens; she had nothing more to wish for.

Fu Tingzhou said, “It’s no trouble. I’m buying one for myself anyway.”

“Alright then.”

Her only real wish was for those who had hurt and wronged her in her past life to never have a good day again. But such dark thoughts were best kept hidden in her heart—not revealed to gods or spirits.

From behind them, Zhou Yufeng called out, “Hey, Old Fu, I want one too—no, make that two. One for money, one for career.”

Typical Zhou Yufeng—always greedy.

Fu Tingzhou bought four wish plaques.

They walked over to a nearby stall that provided pens for free.

Zhou Yufeng grabbed a pen and swiftly wrote eight bold characters, with four on each plaque: “Career success” and “Step-by-step promotion.”

He curiously asked Li Zhi, “What are you wishing for, Comrade Li Zhi?”

Fu Tingzhou pulled his head back. “Wishes don’t come true if you say them out loud. Stop shouting like you always do.”

“What’s the problem? It’s not like it’s a birthday wish. You have to say it out loud—otherwise the gods in the temple won’t hear it!”

Li Zhi smiled. “I’ll wish for academic success.”

She wanted to get into a good university and better herself.

Zhou Yufeng gave her a thumbs-up. “Good wish—education leads to success and contributes to the nation.”

The girls nowadays all had their eyes on academics and the future. The men had to keep up too.

Since he was close to Fu Tingzhou, he leaned over to peek. “Old Fu, what are you writing? Let me see.”

Before he could get a look, Fu Tingzhou covered the plaque. “Secret.”

Zhou Yufeng muttered, “All mysterious… don’t tell me you’re wishing for love?”

If it were academics, career, or future, there’d be no reason to hide it. But love—now that’s something people get embarrassed about.

Old Fu, of all people, falling in love? He hadn’t heard of him getting close to any women. Could it be… Li Zhi?

Back on the mountain top, Fu Tingzhou had mentioned that when they descended, he’d stop by Nengren Temple to make a wish and hang a plaque. At the time, he said he didn’t really have anything to wish for.

But as they neared the temple, he suddenly sped up and turned in. And he’d just conveniently struck up conversation with Li Zhi.

His comrade’s ex-fiancée, and still part of the same military unit… If something really did happen between them, wouldn’t it be awkward during future encounters?

“Let’s go. What are you thinking about? Time to hang the plaques.”

“I’m coming.”

After hanging the plaques, they headed down the mountain together. By around eleven, it was time for lunch.

Fu Tingzhou and Zhou Yufeng had ridden bicycles.

Li Zhi had taken the bus and planned to take it back as well.

Fu Tingzhou asked if she had plans that afternoon.

She said no.

So they invited her to join them for lunch—at a beef offal restaurant on Beijing Road.

Fu Tingzhou looked up at the sky. “The sun’s strong. If you ride a bike, you’ll get sunburned. How about taking the bus to Old Wang’s Beef Offal Restaurant on Beijing South Road and wait for us there? We won’t be long.”

“Okay.”

She waited at the bus stop for a short while until a bus bound for Beijing Road arrived.

Once she boarded, the two men set off on their bicycles.

On the way, Zhou Yufeng asked multiple times, “Old Fu, just be honest with me—do you like her?”

Fu Tingzhou paused for a moment, then said, “I’ll tell you when the time is right.”

To Zhou Yufeng, that was as good as a confession. He gasped, “Whoa—so that’s basically a yes? If the female comrades who fancy you find out, they’re gonna be heartbroken.”

Fu Tingzhou replied seriously, “Don’t tell anyone. It could ruin Li Zhi’s reputation. I’ll beat you up.”

Zhou Yufeng swore, “I get it. Don’t be fooled by how talkative and cheeky I usually am—my lips are sealed. Honestly, I think you and Comrade Li Zhi are a good match.”

Fu Tingzhou slowed his bike and turned to him. “Why do you say that?”

“She’s pretty, seems delicate and gentle, but deep down she’s strong-willed and tough. She’s graceful, composed, and has inner strength. She could be your good wife or hold her own if needed. Perfect match.”

Zhou Yufeng had been a political instructor and studied psychology. He could read people’s personalities based on appearance and interactions. He wasn’t always spot on, but he was accurate eight or nine times out of ten.

Then he added with a twist, “But…”

Fu Tingzhou pressed, “But what?”

He instinctively didn’t want to hear anything that said they weren’t a match.

“Will your family approve?”

The Fu family had high social standing. Compared to them, the Li family was a long way off.

But Fu Tingzhou said, “I can decide my own marriage. I don’t need to sacrifice it just to boost my career.”

If even marriage couldn’t be a personal choice, what was the point of climbing so high?

“You’re right. I want to choose my own marriage too. I’ll wait for my true love. Ugh, I’m so done with blind dates. I’m heading back to the unit tomorrow.”

Li Zhi arrived at Beijing Road first and found the restaurant. She stood under a tree by the door.

The owner learned she was waiting for someone and invited her in to sit.

She politely declined, unsure if it was the right place. If she’d gotten it wrong and didn’t end up eating there, it would be awkward.

Ten minutes later, Fu Tingzhou and Zhou Yufeng arrived.

It was the right restaurant. The owner heard movement outside and came to greet them, eyes narrowing happily when he saw them.

“Old Wang, don’t recognize us anymore?”

Old Wang laughed, “I almost thought I was seeing things. What are you two doing here?”

Zhou Yufeng, “We went hiking, thought we’d stop for lunch. Haven’t been by in a while—last time was New Year’s, nearly half a year ago.”

“Yeah, it’s been a while. I’ve been hoping you’d come.”

Fu Tingzhou asked, “How’s your health, Old Wang?”

“Doing well. Come on in.”

Fu Tingzhou walked over to Li Zhi. “The sun’s strong—why didn’t you go inside and wait?”

Li Zhi smiled and shook her head. “I was fine under the tree. Took the chance to walk around a bit.”

In her previous life, after marrying into the Lu family, she’d been taking care of her in-laws every day and never had a moment to herself. It had been over a decade since she’d last come here.

Old Wang saw how well-matched the two looked and beamed. “Xiao Fu, you know this young lady? Is she your girlfriend? I told you before—bring your girlfriend and it’s on the house. Free meal today!”

Zhou Yufeng threw his arm around Old Wang. “Old Wang, can I get a free meal?”

Old Wang squinted at him. “You got a girlfriend?”

He replied honestly, “No.”

“Then no free meal. Hahaha!”

Fu Tingzhou quickly clarified, “Old Wang, you misunderstood. We’re just ordinary friends. No need to comp today’s bill.”

Old Wang looked surprised. “Just friends? Doesn’t look like it. You two are a perfect match. What a pity.”

“Really just friends—don’t scare her.” Fu Tingzhou glanced apologetically at Li Zhi.

She just smiled, unbothered.

Old Wang scratched his head. “Aiya, my bad. Misunderstanding. Don’t take it personally, young lady. Tell you what—to make up for it, I’ll give you a discount.”

Li Zhi said, “No need. You’re running a business. You should earn profit. We’ll pay the full price.”

“You’re a straightforward girl, not one to take advantage. But I’m happy today, so a discount it is.”

…

Inside, the tables were long ones. Fu Tingzhou and Zhou Yufeng sat on one side; Li Zhi sat opposite, facing Fu Tingzhou.

They ordered the house special beef offal stew served in a big pot, enough to share. Staples included rice and rice noodles.

The pot was filled with tender, flavorful beef tripe, lungs, and intestines—each texture distinct. The tripe was chewy, the lungs soft, the intestines crispy outside and tender inside, all steeped in rich broth.

Sides included soft, sweet radish chunks that balanced the richness, and tofu puffs soaked in the broth that burst with flavor when bitten into. The base was a rich sauce with star anise, bay leaf, and other spices.

The savory aroma was irresistible.

Li Zhi picked rice noodles, having tired of plain rice lately.

Fu Tingzhou asked if she had any dietary restrictions.

She said, “I don’t eat fatty meat or intestines. Everything else is fine.”

He made sure to pick lean pieces and placed them on her noodles, then ladled some of the broth on top.

“Thanks.” Li Zhi had gotten used to his attentive care since her time in the hospital. To her, it was nothing special—but to others, it said a lot.

Old Wang, observing from nearby, grinned like a matchmaker, pretending not to notice.

He must really like her—no way had he ever treated any other woman like this before.

Zhou Yufeng thought the same thing.

He honestly never thought the day would come when Fu Tingzhou would fall for his comrade’s ex-fiancée.

If he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, he never would’ve believed it.

He exchanged a silent grin with Old Wang.

Then he turned and realized—Fu Tingzhou had even served him a bowl.

Unheard of.

A man in love really was different. He was clearly riding on Li Zhi’s coattails.