Chapter 100

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Protagonist:

Lin Xiyu

"Oh, oh."

Lin Xiyu suddenly understood: "I see, I was just wondering how the government offices could let people in freely, so the secret lies here."

"In front is an ancient yamen, behind is a modern government office; the two buildings are only separated by a few dozen meters, yet the dynasties differ by hundreds of years."

"This feeling is truly mysterious!"

—

"The streets and alleys of the Old City District were all built around the yamen."

Guben smiled faintly, then said: "The names also come from this, like Yuanqian Street, County Academy Street, Provincial Surveillance Commissioner Street, Transport Office Street, Lama Lane, West Yamen Gate Street—all related to ancient officials' outings—and some specifically refer to springs, such as Yongquan Street, Pingquan Hutong, Wangfu Pool West Street, Qifeng Bridge Street, and so on..."

"Wow!"

Lin Xiyu was once again amazed: "Guben, you know so much."

"You don't know?"

Guben enjoyed her admiration, smiling as he asked back.

"I don't."

Lin Xiyu felt a bit depressed: "No one ever told me."

"Remember it well."

Guben tapped her head: "With a vivid understanding, memorizing your lines will be easier next."

"Oh."

Lin Xiyu had been chatting happily, but thinking she still had to memorize lines, her small face fell, and she instantly lost all spirit.

"Hehe."

Guben watched her deliberately cute little expression and let out a pleased laugh from his throat.

—

"Coming to Jinan, you absolutely must not miss this fantastic attraction with a long history, few visitors, and beautiful scenery."

"The courtyard of the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of SD Province was once an important government site through the ages; the Qing Governor's Office Hall was built in the 5th year of Kangxi, and 110 Shandong Provincial Governors lived here successively."

"Pearl Spring's pool is 43 meters long and 29 meters wide, with numerous spring eyes; bubbles gush up from the bottom, and under the sunlight they look like pearls, hence the name Pearl Spring."

"Pearl Spring is famous far and wide, naturally attracting the admiration and praise of countless scholars through the ages; Emperor Qianlong once wrote a poem here."

"Jinan has many famous springs; among the waters gathered at Yueyin, which is greatest? Baotu and Pearl."

"Pearl Spring's pool is surrounded by artificial mountains and waterfalls, with small bridges and flowing water, a new scene at every step, making visitors feel as if immersed in the beautiful gardens of Jiangnan."

"Some visitors wonder where the water of Pearl Spring flows to?"

"We walk along the quiet path on the left side of the pool; after reaching Nine-Angle Spring, we will discover that the spring water flows in here and flows out from here."

"The flow of the spring water passes through Qu Shui Ting Street and Baihua Isle, finally gathering into Daming Lake; one of the main sources of Daming Lake's water comes from Pearl Spring."

—

The stylist changed Lin Xiyu into a Qing Dynasty gege outfit wearing flower-pot-bottom shoes, taking the audience in front of the television through time and space back to the prosperous Kangxi-Qianlong era hundreds of years ago.

Under her explanation, the quiet spring pool gained a touch of charm, making people yearn for it even more.

Director Du was extremely satisfied and did not have her change costumes; the program group did not stop for a moment and immediately drove to the next filming location.

—

"Xi Gengdao Street is adjacent to Wangfu Pool, an area with the most abundant underground water system in the Old City District."

"Here is the famous Qifeng Bridge; Qifeng Bridge is famous because there is an anecdote that old Jinan people love to talk about."

"During the Shunzhi reign of the Qing Dynasty, because this place was adjacent to the ancient imperial examination hall and was a necessary route for candidates, seeking good luck, Qifeng Bridge was then called Qingyun Bridge, and this street where Qifeng Bridge is located was called Yunlu Street, meaning to ascend to the blue clouds step by step."

"A stone archway stood at the bridgehead, with a plaque on the archway inscribed with 'Tengjiao Qifeng'."

"In the 13th year of Qianlong, Emperor Qianlong traveled south to Jiangnan, passing through Jinan Prefecture, and came to Yunlu Street accompanied by Liu Yong."

"At this time the sky was covered with dark clouds and a heavy rain was coming; Liu Yong, moved by the scene, recalled the scene of himself taking the imperial examination in the rain in Jinan when he was young."

"As he recounted past events to Emperor Qianlong, a downpour poured down; Liu Yong hurriedly dodged the rain, accidentally slipped, bumped into the Tengjiao Qifeng archway, and a big bump rose on his head."

"He touched his head and smiled bitterly, blurting out: 'On the Qingyun road there is much wind and sand; under Qifeng Bridge bumps arise; hot blood once wished to worry for the nation, but turned into cold rain drenching a fool.'"

"Qianlong burst into laughter upon hearing it and composed a poem on the spot."

"Under the Tengjiao archway true feelings are forged; on Qifeng Bridge heroes are cast; heaven-born talent must be useful; do not forget ancestors and common people."

"The sovereign and minister smiled at each other, and from then on this bridge was renamed Qifeng Bridge."

—

On Qifeng Bridge, Lin Xiyu told the classic story of the thousand-year-old bridge with great feeling; when she reached Liu Yong's blurted line about bumps under Qifeng Bridge, her humorous and humorous tone drew a burst of laughter from the staff.

Li Yan stood behind the camera and gave her a thumbs up, then pointed to the gate of Courtyard No. 1 on Xi Gengdao Street.

Lin Xiyu saw the signal, wearing flower-pot-bottom shoes, carefully walked down from the bridge.

"Turning from Qifeng Bridge Street, we arrive at Xi Gengdao Street; entering the gate of Courtyard No. 1 requires passing over Gaosheng Bridge."

"Local people jokingly say that scholars who pass over Gaosheng Bridge will all have their wishes fulfilled and top the imperial examination list."

"I also want to bask in the glory of Gaosheng Bridge, hoping my college entrance exam goes smoothly and I get into my ideal school."

—

"Crack!"

Director Du made a pause gesture; Lin Xiyu quickly took the fan from the stylist's hand and fanned herself hard several times.

The Qing Dynasty noble lady was beautiful, but it was too hot.

"Want some ice cream?"

Guben bought ice cream and waved it in front of her eyes.

"Eat."

Lin Xiyu snatched it in one go; hesitating for even one second was disrespect to the ice cream.

"Hehe."

Guben stifled a laugh and shared the rest of the ice cream with the other staff members.

Lin Xiyu slurped her ice cream, slurping with great delight.

"Is your classmate home?"

Li Yan poked her head in and peered into Courtyard No. 1 through the door crack.

The small courtyard wasn't big, housing three families, with many fabrics hanging in the yard, colorful and quite handsome.

"So much fabric?"

Li Yan said with great novelty: "At a glance, I thought it was a dye shop."

"Wu Meng's mother is a tailor......."

Lin Xiyu explained with a smile: "Her craft is excellent; many people come to her for clothes, and some pick fabric directly from her to make skirts. The hanging fabrics are samples to attract customers."

"It's great to have a tailor; I want to make a skirt too."

Li Yan's eyes lit up, smiling as she pushed the door open and walked in.

The afternoon interview was Wu Family Courtyard's home turf, and Lin Xiyu did not follow them in.

"Is anyone home?"

Li Yan held up the microphone and looked around.

"Who are you looking for?"

Wu Meng had heard the commotion outside long ago; seeing her enter, she quickly got into character, pretended not to know her, and came out from her own house to meet her.

"Hello, we are from the Pump Spring Program Crew of Jinan Television Station......."

Li Yan introduced herself and exchanged a knowing look with Wu Meng.

"Oh, oh, hello."

Wu Meng cooperated with her interview: "I've seen your program on television."

"Seen it?"

Li Yan beamed: "Do you like it? Any thoughts or suggestions for our program?"

"I like it; my whole family likes watching it. Every Saturday we wait in front of the television and have watched every episode without missing one."

Wu Meng had a sweet mouth and deliberately flattered her: "As for suggestions, it would be great if you could film more episodes. Seeing familiar people and things on television really makes one happy."

"Hearing such high praise, I am truly quite happy......"

Li Yan said with slight regret: "It's a pity the documentary can't be too long; otherwise we really would want to keep filming."

"That truly is too regrettable."

Wu Meng also showed a look of regret.

"I heard there is a well in your courtyard?"

After some simple small talk, Li Yan returned to the main topic.

"Yes."

Wu Meng pointed to the spot below her family's window.

"This well isn't big, is it?"

Li Yan followed her gaze, bent down, and examined the water well carefully.

The well was one chi square; the well water was clear to the bottom, and upon close inspection, one could indeed see small bubbles like those of Pearl Spring rising from the bottom.

"It isn't big."

Wu Meng told the truth: "But this well is very miraculous; it has never dried up. During the drought years ago, when Wangfu Pool was almost dry, this well still had water. Nearby neighbors all came to our courtyard to draw water, and older people say this well has spirit and is a living well."

"Has spirit?"

Li Yan showed an exaggerated expression with great tacit understanding: "Hearing you say that, this well really is quite miraculous. I see bubbles at the bottom of the well; could it be Quancheng Water?"

"Whether it's a spring or not, who knows."

Wu Meng shook her head dumb-cute: "No one has ever appraised it. We didn't think that much; we just thought it was an ordinary water well."

"It's better to have experts appraise it."

Li Yan said seriously: "Of our old Jinan's Seventy-Two Famous Springs, historical records are incomplete. Many springs hidden in the common people's quarters are not registered and are easily overlooked."

"The Municipal Government specially planned an area where demolition is not allowed, which has the profound meaning of protecting Quancheng Water. Some residents don't understand and fail to grasp the hardship of the higher leadership."

—

"There was indeed some commotion; I heard about it too."

Wu Meng quickly expressed her loyalty: "Our family didn't take part. My father and mother both support the Municipal Government's decision, especially my mother. She is a tailor, and those who come to her for clothes are all regular customers. If we really had to relocate, moving to a new place where we know no one, business wouldn't be easy either."

"What about you?"

For the interview, Li Yan deliberately steered the topic toward her schooling: "Do you want demolition, to live in a new house?"

"I have already graduated from high school."

Wu Meng expressed her position actively: "I'm about to start university and will live on campus, at least four years away. Whether I live in a building or not doesn't matter to me. Besides, with this well here, we are reluctant to move. Just because this well has spirit, living in the old house is worth it."

"You are also a senior high school graduate this year?"

Li Yan pretended to be surprised: "How did you do on the exam? Where do you plan to go to university?"

"I did okay, so-so, just average......"

Wu Meng concealed her disappointment well: "Total score 543, above Suzhou University's admission cutoff last year; barring accidents, she should be able to go to university in Suzhou."

"543 points, that's so good."

Li Yan smiled and echoed: "With this you still say it's just so-so; what score would satisfy you?"

"There are plenty of classmates in our class with scores higher than this."

"Which high school are you from?"

"No. 1 High School."

"No. 1 High School, no wonder, a key high school."

Li Yan's eyes flickered, and she cleverly flattered again: "This score, placed in other high schools, would already count as top-tier; only students from No. 1 High School would feel regret."

"There's definitely regret."

Wu Meng smiled at the camera: "But I've already moved on; there are gains and losses, maybe going to Suzhou will bring better development."

"Your parents must be very happy, right?"

Li Yan smiled and continued: "Your daughter is so excellent, have you thought about inviting relatives and friends to gather and celebrate?"

"Once the admission notice arrives, we definitely have to celebrate."

Wu Meng understood her purpose and went along with her train of thought: "My dad said there must be several tables of banquet, and he'll personally cook a few signature dishes."

"Your dad can cook?"

Li Yan quietly breathed a sigh of relief, finally steering the topic to cooking.

"My dad is a chef."

Wu Meng said with a bit of pride: "The dishes he makes are delicious, especially stir-fried liver tips and sweet and sour carp; that taste, it's amazing."

"Your dad can make sweet and sour carp?"

Li Yan's eyes lit up, showing just the right amount of surprise.

"He can."

Wu Meng smiled and boasted: "My dad is not only good at these two, but also braised intestines in nine turns, oil-braised large shrimp, scallion-braised sea cucumber, drunken stir-fried fish slices, four joy meatballs, oil-blasted double crisp, stir-fried kidney flowers; he's a genuine Lu cuisine master."

"That's too much of a coincidence!"

Li Yan seized the opportunity to make a request: "Our Quancheng Water Family program is planning to film a Lu cuisine special; could you ask your father to show us his skills?"

"No problem."

Wu Meng readily agreed: "My dad loves watching your program; he'll definitely be happy to."

"Is your dad at home?"

Wu Meng smiled with narrowed eyes.

"He's at home; I'll go call him."

Wu Meng moved quickly; in a short while, a man with a middle-aged paunch, broad-bodied and stout, smiling cheerfully, followed her out.

"Master Wu."

Li Yan smiled and complimented: "Looking at you, one can tell you're a chef at a glance."

"Hahaha."

Wu's father rubbed his round belly, laughing very happily.

——

Making classic Lu cuisine requires various ingredients; Wu's father and two staff members went to the Vegetable Market and bought a lot.

Wu Meng slipped to Lin Xiyu's side during a filming break.

Lin Xiyu had already taken off her stuffy Gege outfit and changed into her own clothes; the soft, comfortable T-shirt felt much fresher on her body, and she let out a long sigh of relief.

"Xiyu, I envy you so much?"

Wu Meng's cheeks were flushed, very excited: "Facing the camera and still so calm and composed; just now I was so nervous my tongue curled up, and I almost misspoke."

"You performed very well already."

Lin Xiyu affirmed: "When I first started, I couldn't do it either; nervous sweat broke out on my forehead, and I misspoke several times, causing everyone to have to reshoot."

"I don't know if it can be broadcast on TV."

Wu Meng was a bit worried: "I heard there will be editing before broadcast, and poorly recorded parts will be cut."

"I think what you said was very good."

Lin Xiyu knew what was what: "Seeing Director Du smiling, it probably won't be."