As Chen Yuanshan and I headed to the downtown pedestrian street in his Wuling Hongguang van, the atmosphere was quite unconventional. Chen Yuanshan, dressed in a black Zhongshan suit with a white shirt underneath, looked like a Taoist priest with his loose, untied hair and a natural wave in it. His mountain-goat beard added to the eccentricity of his appearance.
"I've got some style, don't I? Like a big boss?" Chen Yuanshan gestured to his outfit, seeking my opinion.
"You definitely have some style, but instead of a boss, you look more like a gangster or a thug," I bluntly shared my honest thoughts.
"I figured it out; you're terrible at compliments. No wonder the water ghost has issues with you. You really lack something," Chen Yuanshan scolded me, his face displaying annoyance. He walked to the mirror, speaking to himself, "Indeed, not a proper look."
Unable to contain myself, I burst into laughter, earning a sharp glare from Chen Yuanshan.
"Alright, let's go," he said, leading the way out of Daozun Hall.
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Driving his Wuling Hongguang, we made our way to the central pedestrian street. As we approached, I couldn't help but comment on the mismatch between his attire and the van.
"Chen, have you noticed that your outfit and this van are not really matching?"
"What do you think I should wear then? And what kind of car should I drive?" he asked.
"You should at least pair this outfit with a black Mercedes or a big BMW," I suggested, and I could see his wheels turning as he contemplated the idea of upgrading to a luxury car.
Our destination was a narrow alley behind the pedestrian street, where the water ghost mentioned her boyfriend Chen Feng had a pawnshop. I was somewhat familiar with the area, knowing it was filled with unique eateries.
There were fried rice stalls, lamb skewer joints, wonton shops, fruit stands, specialty steamed bun shops, kebab spots, barbecue joints, and more. The narrow lanes were often bustling with locals and tourists alike, searching for tasty treats.
As we entered the alley, the scent of various foods filled the air. Chen Yuanshan seemed focused on finding the pawnshop, his eyes scanning the surroundings.
We wandered through the lively alley, passing by different shops, until we reached a place with a simple sign that read "Chen Feng's Pawnshop." The shop was small, and a dim light flickered above the entrance.
Chen Yuanshan paused and glanced at me. "Let's see what we find here."
We entered the pawnshop, not fully aware of the twists and turns our journey was about to take.
To be continued...