Empty City Music-themed Restaurant

After driving for about half an hour, I finally arrived at "Liu An Scenic Garden" where she was currently living. Mi Cai was already standing under a parasol tree outside the community, waiting for me.

The autumn leaves were falling in the air, and the light reflected her figure. She was as beautiful as a figure that had walked out of a painting, quiet and indifferent.

I honked the car and Mi Cai looked in my direction.

I smiled at her, "Get in the car. Let's go eat. If we're late, we might not have a seat."

Mi Cai walked towards me, opened the door, and sat down in the passenger seat. She didn't care what car I was driving. I said guiltily, "How is it? My car is not bad, right? It has a small displacement and is low-carbon and environmentally friendly."

"It's not bad, but it's a little wretched like you." Mi Cai looked at me with a faint smile.

"Am I that wretched?" I asked as I took out the mirror in the car and looked at myself unconfidently.

"The word 'wretched' doesn't necessarily refer to your appearance. I'm talking about your character."

I returned the mirror to its original position. I didn't want to bicker with Mi Cai. Anyway, my bad character image had already been carved into her heart. Even if I packaged myself as a national hero who saved the country and the people, she would still think that I was wretched.

Mi Cai was a little surprised that I didn't fight back. I just smiled at her and started the car. Mi Cai didn't know much about a man with a lot of depth who was usually quiet. Based on this, it was obvious that I was a man with a lot of depth.

...

The Alto shuttled through the streets and finally stopped at an old street that was about to be demolished. Mi Cai and I got out of the car. The shop I was taking her to would pass through a narrow alley. The car couldn't drive in, so we could only walk.

There were only a few street lamps in this narrow alley. Mi Cai followed closely behind me and asked me nervously, "Where are you taking me?"

"A paradise, but we have to pass through this darkness first." I replied.

Walking through this dark alley, the space opposite suddenly became bigger. Under a bright street lamp, the word "Empty City Music-themed Restaurant" appeared in front of us.

I lit a cigarette and said to Mi Cai beside me, "This is the restaurant. It's opened by a friend of mine who plays music. The music atmosphere is very good, but it's mainly Sichuan cuisine."

"That's a mix and match!" Mi Cai said as she looked at the shop sign. Most music restaurants mainly served Western food.

"Yes, the lady boss is from Chongqing. Can you eat spicy food?"

"Yes."

Mi Cai and I walked into the restaurant as we talked. The boss, CC, was sitting on a bar chair that could be lifted and sung. There was a glass of beer beside her and an unfinished cigarette in her hand.

CC noticed my arrival immediately and snapped her fingers at me while the music was still playing, "Long time no see, Zhao Yang."

I nodded and gave CC a thumbs-up to show that she sang well.

CC smiled and gestured for them to chat later. Then, they continued singing Zhang Xuan's "Look" to the rhythm of the music.

Mi Cai and I chose a seat and sat down. Mi Cai seemed to like CC's singing very much. She didn't talk to me and listened quietly.

After I ordered the dishes, my attention was also immersed in CC's singing. As CC's hoarse but infectious voice rang out, I recalled some scenes.

Three years ago, Jian Wei and I fled from Shanghai to Suzhou because of her parents' crazy opposition. Both of us were penniless and our lives were so difficult that we couldn't hold on. I sang in CC's music restaurant and had some income every day to support our lives.

At that time, Jian Wei would wait in the restaurant every day to listen to me sing. She would also help to serve the customers' plates and water to earn some tips. Every time the restaurant closed, I would habitually smoke a cigarette. She would help me carry the guitar. The two of us held hands as we walked through the dark alley. I would buy her a roasted sweet potato from the stall at the corner...

That winter, the wind was sometimes very cold, and sometimes it snowed heavily. However, the feeling of relying on each other made me feel warm until now!

"Zhao Yang, why is this restaurant called Empty City?"

Mi Cai's sudden question broke the image in my mind. I couldn't come back to my senses for a moment. After being stunned for a long time, I replied, "When everyone is born, there is an empty city in their heart. As time passes and they grow up, impetuous, indifferent, and worldly fame and fortune fill this empty city. From then on, it became bloated. The name 'empty city' is to commemorate that pure empty city."

"Is this your understanding?"

"This is what CC told me." I looked at CC who was singing.

Mi Cai nodded and took a sip of herbal tea before continuing to listen to CC's song.

...

CC finally finished singing a song. She put the microphone back on the stand and walked towards us.

CC was a very different kind of beauty. Her facial features were not particularly beautiful, but when put together, she was breathtaking and unforgettable. Therefore, she attracted the attention of many customers along the way.

CC placed a large glass of beer in front of me and smiled, "It's for you." After saying that, she called the waiter to bring a large glass of coke for Mi Cai.

"I'm driving, so I won't drink today."

"Drink it, I'll help you drive later." Mi Cai added.

CC then looked at Mi Cai and asked me, "This girl is... Your new girlfriend?"

I looked at Mi Cai. Her expression was calm, so I mustered up my courage and said, "Yeah, she's my girlfriend."

CC shrugged her shoulders. I knew she felt sorry for Jian Wei and me, but in the end, sje still smiled and greeted Mi Cai, praising her for her beauty.

The lights in the dining room dimmed a little, but the old-fashioned candlesticks on the table lit up. The entire dining room was dotted with starlight, and the faint smell of scented candles filled the air.

After a moment of silence, CC asked me, "Right, what has Robben been busy with recently? It's been a long time since he's been here."

"What can he be busy with? He only sings."

"Ask him to come over when he has time. I miss him." There was a hint of helplessness and sadness in CC's words. She liked Robben, but Robben kept thinking about that Beijing girl.

"Sure, let's meet up at your place."

"You have to promise me!"

I smiled and swore, "I promise."

CC nodded in relief.

...

After CC left, I and Mi Cai finally had some space to face each other. I picked up a beer and gestured to Mi Cai. Mi Cai also picked up a Coke and clinked it with me. The two of them each took a sip.

At this moment, two more people walked into the shop. When I opened the door, a gust of cold wind came in. Then, I saw that it was Jian Wei and Xiang Chen.

All kinds of emotions surged in an instant, catching me off guard. It seemed that this wasn't a night where I could quietly enjoy dinner with Mi Cai. I hated this kind of meeting, and I was also afraid of this kind of meeting. I hated this kind of coincidence that made us awkwardly bump into each other.