Chapter 372 Qingdao (Part 2)

Back when he was studying at Shazhou College, the institution held two dance parties every week. When Hou Weidong first entered the college, he was utterly obsessed with dancing. He not only practiced in the dance halls but also secretly went up to the rooftops to rehearse his steps. His dancing skills were quite impressive.

The most primitive forms of dance served two purposes: one was feudal superstition, praying for peace and a bountiful harvest; the other was to stimulate sexual desire to ensure the continuation of the family line. Hou Weidong was a materialist, so he naturally did not use dancing for feudal superstitions. As for the stimulation of sexual desire, he felt it was unnecessary. Therefore, over the past two years, except for very occasional situations, he basically stopped dancing.

However, his basic skills remained solid. Once they entered the dance floor, the two coordinated perfectly. Their steps were light and agile, sliding like flowing water to the melody of "Flower in the Water." Hou Weidong sighed, "Listening to this song, it feels like I’ve returned to my university days."

Entering Qingdao, Guo Lan seemed to have returned to those four passionate years. That period of time was carved deeply into her memory, as if cut by knives and axes. She had originally thought she had forgotten that romance, but upon arriving here, the deeply buried pain wrapped around her heart like a sea snake, holding on tightly.

"University days are gone forever, and my love has died too," Guo Lan sighed deeply in her heart.

When the song ended, they returned to their seats. Huang Ying held onto the microphone, unwilling to let go. The sound system in this karaoke bar was excellent, and she sang with great feeling. Holding the microphone, she mimicked the tone of a host and said, "I’ll sing another old song. Please, handsome men and beautiful women, dance with me."

Su Mingjun said, "The handsome man and beautiful woman are naturally Weidong and Guo Lan." Ever since Hou Weidong became Secretary Zhou Changquan’s secretary, Su Mingjun had changed his address from "Little Hou" to "Weidong." This way of addressing him conveyed a sense of intimacy.

Hou Weidong extended his hand to Guo Lan and said, "Let’s dance for Huang Ying."

The music started. It was "Come to Taipei to See the Rain in Winter," which had been the most popular song in the dance halls during their university days. Hou Weidong said to Guo Lan, "It seems this is the first time we’ve danced together, yet we coordinate so well."

Guo Lan almost said, "We once danced together at Shazhou College." But she held back the words at the tip of her tongue and said instead, "It’s because you dance well; you lead nicely."

Smelling the faint fragrance of Guo Lan’s hair, Hou Weidong thought to himself, "They say you can identify a woman by her scent, and that is truly true. Guo Lan’s hair smells like the green bamboo by Shazhou Lake. Li Jing’s hair smells like rich roses, and Duan Ying’s hair smells like white jasmine." Thinking of Li Jing, who was already married, he felt a slight sting in his heart.

When the dance ended, Hou Weidong said gentlemanly, "Pleasure doing business with you." At that moment, a beam of rotating light shone directly onto Guo Lan’s face. He suddenly felt a sense of déjà vu, but the feeling vanished in an instant. Unable to recall the source, he asked doubtfully, "Guo Lan, have we danced before? Why does this scene feel so familiar?"

Guo Lan answered instinctively, "We haven’t danced before. I’m afraid you’ve projected the impression of someone else onto me." Hou Weidong said, "I always feel this scene is familiar."

At this moment, Xiao Wei walked over and joked, "Section Chief Hou, you haven’t sung a single song. For the next track, you should sing. I’ll invite Guo Lan to dance."

Hou Weidong walked to the song selection counter, flipped through the directory, and told the waiter, "Tong Ange, 'Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?'"

"The midnight radio gently plays a song,

That melody we both know so well.

When you have forgotten, I still remember,

Will you still love me tomorrow…?

Why must I truly possess you?

Even if we part, there won’t be too much sorrow.

The midnight melody repeats that song again and again."

Hou Weidong’s singing ability was average. Since starting work, he had hardly learned any new songs; what he could sing were all the pop songs from his campus days. This song was one of his specialties.

The song matched Guo Lan’s mood perfectly. When Hou Weidong’s voice rang out, her heart became a tangled mess. Meanwhile, Xiao Wei from the Public Security Bureau, having had some drinks, kept talking to her. She managed to respond politely. When the dance ended, she thanked Xiao Wei politely, picked up her small handbag, and went to the restroom.

The next day, Su Mingjun woke up before eight o’clock. After brushing his teeth, he said, "Weidong, get up."

Hou Weidong lay on the bed in the shape of the character "Tai" (Great), saying, "Brother Su, I want to sleep in today. Being Secretary Zhou’s secretary means no matter how late I sleep at night, I must get up at 6:30. Today is a rare day of leisure."

Su Mingjun held his camera and said, "The Qingdao coastline is beautiful. The sun is shining brightly today, a rare warm winter sun. Sleeping in is a waste of such good time." Hou Weidong, with sleepy eyes, said, "Brother Su, you go ahead. At noon, the two of us brothers will eat seafood alone. My treat."

After Su Mingjun left, Hou Weidong continued to bury his head in the quilt and sleep. However, having been disturbed, he could no longer sleep soundly. He lay flat on the bed, eyes wide open, staring at the ceiling. At first glance, the ceiling was a sheet of snow-white, but upon closer inspection, it had chaotic patterns.

After thinking for a while about the people and events in the government offices, he thought of Li Jing. "This white-boned spirit, always saying she would never marry for life, how did she suddenly become another man’s wife?" He then thought, "I am very selfish. Since I cannot give Li Jing a home, on what grounds do I feel jealous?" These thoughts darted around in his mind, and sleepiness was gradually driven away into the sea. He got out of bed. In the hotel, apart from the cleaning staff, there were no other members of the inspection team.

The sky in the north was more vast than in the south. The sky was a deep blue, with fluffy white clouds floating within it. The sun felt warm on his body, but in the shade, he felt waves of chill.

Eating noodles at the hotel entrance, Hou Weidong called Su Mingjun. "Director Su, where are you? Should I come find you?"

"I’m by the beach. It’s hard to say which beach exactly. From here, you can see that round-domed building. The taxi driver should know."

When the taxi stopped, the driver said, "That is the red round-domed building. Your friend should be over there." In the direction the taxi driver pointed, there were scattered pedestrians. Hou Weidong got out of the car, and the driver turned the wheel and drove away.

Hou Weidong was born in an inland city, so the sea was very novel to him. Stepping on the sand, looking at the boundless ocean, and listening to the continuous sound of the waves, his heart felt broadened. The gloom that had accumulated over many days seemed to dissipate somewhat.

"Weidong, I didn’t explain clearly earlier. We are at the Zhanqiao Pier. Where are you? Hurry over. Both Xiao Wei and I are here." Not knowing where he was, Hou Weidong asked, "How much does it cost to take a taxi from the hotel?"

"It’s very close, only about ten or twenty yuan."

Hou Weidong shouted, "Brother Su, my taxi fare was twenty-seven yuan. I’ve been driving for a long time. I’m now on a beach, a very beautiful beach with golden sand, and newlyweds are taking wedding photos. Anyway, since we’re out to play, I’ll wander around the beach for a while. Let’s connect at noon."

Strolling on the beach, leaving his chaotic thoughts to the sea breeze, Hou Weidong’s mood calmed down. He purely enjoyed the beautiful scenery. After walking for a while, he saw a familiar figure. Guo Lan was sitting alone on the beach, hugging her knees, gazing at the boundless ocean.

Seeing Hou Weidong, Guo Lan was first surprised. Learning that the taxi driver had brought him here, she smiled slightly and said, "The driver deliberately took a detour." She added, "This beach was only developed in recent years. Although it’s not as famous as Zhanqiao, I personally feel it has more charm." Although she wanted to stay alone on this beach, meeting Hou Weidong unexpectedly, she said, "Watching the sea? If you want to watch, sit down and slowly watch the tide rise and fall. It’s quite interesting."

From Guo’s wife, Hou Weidong had learned a little about Guo Lan’s situation. However, what Guo’s wife knew was limited, and he only knew the surface of the matter. Seeing Guo Lan sitting alone on the beach, he guessed it must be those old, trivial matters. He picked up the topic, saying, "The sea tide rises and falls, life has its ups and downs. These are all ordinary things."

Guo Lan did not answer Hou Weidong. She rested her chin on her knees and said, "I know. Did my mother tell you about my situation?"

"Yes."

She smiled bitterly, "My mother wants to marry me off as soon as possible. She tells everyone she meets about it. She’s almost become a modern-day Xianglin Sao." Then, pretending to be carefree, she said, "I’ve become an old maid worried about marriage. No wonder my mother is anxious."

Hou Weidong sat down. Facing the sea with the wind blowing, and a beautiful woman by his side, it indeed felt good. "So many years have passed. You should actually put aside the past, drop your burdens, and move forward lightly to welcome a new life."

Guo Lan had kept her worries tightly locked in her heart for a long time. In this situation, facing the deep and boundless sea, with a man who knew something of her past sitting beside her, she suddenly felt a desire to confide. She said, "I grew up in the college environment. I liked stories of princesses and princes. From a young age, I considered myself a princess. I went to university, fell in love, and thought I had found my Prince Charming."

Guo Lan hugged her knees and recounted her romantic experiences bit by bit. Hou Weidong did not speak, merely acting as a good listener. Unknowingly, it was already noon. Su Mingjun called and said, "Weidong, why haven’t you come over yet?" Hou Weidong said, "The scenery here is uniquely beautiful. I want to enjoy it alone. I’ll owe you that meal at noon for now."

Putting down the phone, Hou Weidong stood up and said, "Eating seafood by the sea must taste different. You are familiar with this area; let’s find a place to eat and chat." Guo Lan had sat for too long, and her legs went numb when she stood up. Seeing this, Hou Weidong extended his hand. Guo Lan hesitated slightly, but still reached out her hand.

A large hand and a small hand clasped together.