Courtyard Houses: From Bronze Compasses to Global Reach

Chapter 147 An Encounter That Could Topple Kingdoms

Chapter 150: An Encounter That Could Topple a City

Lin Yan was momentarily stunned, then immediately realized his lapse in composure. He quickly regained his composure and sincerely apologized again: "I'm so sorry, ma'am, you've been frightened."

Eileen Chang instinctively felt a slight displeasure—anyone would be in a bad mood if they were tripped up and lost the groceries they had just bought. She slightly furrowed her delicately trimmed willow-leaf eyebrows and first looked at the "culprit" who had bumped into her.

But what met her eyes was not a ferocious large dog, but a tiny, snow-white puppy with fluffy fur and eyes as pure as a mountain stream. At that moment, the little creature had its ears drooping, its large, dark eyes filled with guilt and obedience, gazing at her expectantly, gently rubbing its fluffy little head against the edge of her cheongsam, emitting soft, pleading whimpers. This innocent and lively appearance instantly struck the softest part of Eileen Chang's heart—she loved dogs all her life and was almost powerless against such small creatures. Her initial displeasure vanished almost entirely in an instant.

Then, her gaze turned to the young man who had supported her. The boy was tall and handsome, and more remarkably, his eyes were clear and calm. When he apologized, he showed none of the usual youthful restlessness or panic. His arm, supporting her, was steady and strong, exuding a composure beyond his years. This startled her slightly; she found him quite special.

She steadied herself, gracefully adjusting the slightly crooked collar and hem of her cheongsam, her tone returning to its usual calm and aloofness: "It's alright, it's just a pity about this piece of tofu." Her voice was clear and crisp, with a hint of the soft Wu dialect, but her pronunciation was perfect.

Lin Yan apologized again, his attitude sincere: "It was all my fault, no matter what. Please allow me to compensate you and buy you a new one." He gestured to the thriving tofu shop next door.

Eileen Chang initially intended to refuse, as she had always disliked getting entangled with strangers. However, looking at the peculiar combination of the person and the dog before her, especially Xiao Qi's intelligent and almost expressive eyes, she inexplicably changed her mind and nodded slightly: "Alright."

Lin Yan first squatted down, intending to help her gather up the old cloth bags and belongings scattered on the ground. His movements were swift, but after picking up the few small dishes, his gaze inadvertently fell upon a thin book lying on the ground not far away. The book's cover design was simple, with the English title "Love in a Fallen City" and the author's name, Eileen Chang, printed on it.

Love in a Fallen City! (by Eileen Chang)

These words were like a bolt of lightning, suddenly cleaving through the fog of Lin Yan's memory! A flash of inspiration struck him, and he instantly understood where that intense sense of familiarity came from—the woman with the unique temperament before him was none other than Eileen Chang, the legendary female writer who used her magnificent and desolate writing to depict the world, who spent her life wandering and was a "stranger" all her life! In 1959, she did indeed live in the United States, near San Francisco!

He suppressed his shock, calmly picked up the book, gently brushed the dust off the cover, and carefully put it back into her cloth bag along with the other items.

In the brief silence while waiting for the tofu shop assistant to repackage a block of fresh tofu, Eileen Chang gazed at the bustling crowds of Chinatown and suddenly uttered a soft remark, her tone calm yet tinged with melancholy, characteristic of her unique style: "Nine times out of ten, encounters in this world are accidents; good or bad, none of them are within our control." These words seemed to comment on the small collision just moments before, yet also served as a footnote to her own life of wandering and unpredictable fate.

Upon hearing this, Lin Yan felt a sense of empathy, smiled slightly, and replied, "But perhaps it is precisely these unpredictable accidents that constitute the most real and intriguing chain of cause and effect."

The tofu was quickly bought, and Lin Yan carefully wrapped it in oil paper before solemnly handing it to Eileen Chang. Eileen Chang took it, but instead of immediately turning to leave, she took out the English version of *Love in a Fallen City* from the old cloth bag. Her slender fingers traced the spine of the book before handing it to Lin Yan.

"This little book is a return gift for your apology." Her gaze swept over Xiao Qi, who was sitting obediently on the ground, looking up at her. A very faint smile seemed to flash across her lips. "This dog... is very intelligent."

After saying that, she nodded slightly to Lin Yan, then turned around and gracefully blended into the increasingly dense crowd in Chinatown that morning. Her light blue cheongsam silhouette quickly became blurred.

Lin Yan held the book, still warm from her fingertips and faintly scented with ink, staring blankly in the direction she had disappeared. Xiao Qi tugged at his trouser leg with her paws, pulling him back from his reverie. He understood then that the woman he had just encountered was far more than just an ordinary Chinese woman. Her soul—sensitive, proud, profound, and exquisitely refined—was like an antique porcelain piece etched with the marks of time and the luster of wisdom.

After standing there stunned for a moment, a strong impulse compelled Lin Yan to pick up Xiao Qi and quickly chase after Zhang Ailing in the direction she had left. Fortunately, he hadn't gone far when he spotted that familiar light blue figure at an intersection.

"Ms. Zhang!" Lin Yan called out from behind her.

Eileen Chang stopped, turned around, and watched him quietly catch up with a questioning look on her face.

Lin Yan calmed his breathing and said sincerely, "I'm very sorry to bother you again. I just read your name in your book and realized that you are one of my most admired writers. May I ask if you could leave a contact address? This is my first time visiting San Francisco and I won't be staying long, but I sincerely hope to have the opportunity to visit you and learn from you." His eyes were clear, filled with respect for literature, and he did not seem abrupt.

At this moment, Xiao Qi, who was being held in Lin Yan's arms, also cooperated by making a few "woo-woo" sounds towards Zhang Ailing, her big, dark eyes filled with expectation, as if she were also pleading for her owner.

Eileen Chang, a lifelong dog lover, couldn't bear the pure yet slightly pitiful look in Xiao Qi's eyes. She glanced at Xiao Qi, then at Lin Yan's sincere gaze, hesitated for a moment, and finally nodded gently, giving him an address:

"645 Bush Street".

After speaking, she turned around again, this time without looking back, and her figure quickly disappeared into the unique, undulating streets of San Francisco. Lin Yan stood there, silently repeating the address, a strange premonition in his heart that this unexpected encounter might add a significant chapter to his trip to San Francisco.

As evening fell, Lin Yan and Lin Gang returned to the opulent Palace Hotel after a day of sightseeing in San Francisco. Xiao Qi, having exhausted her energy after a day of playing outside, was already asleep. After resting briefly in the suite, Lin Yan suggested, "Lin Gang, I've heard the 'Pied Piper's Bar' in this hotel is quite famous. Shall we go check it out?"

Lin Gang naturally complied: "I will follow your instructions, young master."

The two strolled into the Pied Piper Bar, located inside the hotel. Pushing open the heavy wooden door felt like stepping into a tranquil world isolated from the outside hustle and bustle. The bar was softly lit, primarily by wall lamps and small table lamps, casting dappled shadows on the dark oak walls and the gleaming bar counter. The air was filled with the rich aroma of fine cigars, aged whiskey, and coffee, while soft jazz piano music and hushed, polite conversations created a private and elegant atmosphere.

The most striking feature is undoubtedly the giant oil painting hanging on the main wall—Maxfield Parish's *The Pied Piper of Hamelin*. Even in the slightly dim light, the painting's vibrant and fantastical details remain captivating. The piper in colorful robes seems to possess a magical power, guiding children towards an unknown future. This mural, created in 1909 and witnessing the hotel's rebirth and half a century of trials, is itself a silent narrator, infusing the entire space with a profound sense of history and artistic soul. Lin Yan paused and gazed at it for a moment; the surreal, dreamlike colors and strong narrative of the painting resonated strangely even with him, a cultivator.

Guided by a waiter, they sat down in a relatively quiet corner. The deep red leather chairs were comfortable and spacious. A waiter, dressed in a sharp vest and bow tie, presented them with the wine list, his manner respectful but not obsequious.

Lin Yan browsed the drink menu, which mainly featured classic cocktails and various whiskies. He ordered an Old Fashioned for himself and a single malt whisky for Lin Gang, both on the rocks.

The drinks were served quickly. Lin Yan gently swirled the amber liquid in his glass, the aroma of orange peel mingling with the rich scent of bourbon. He took a small sip, the complex flavors spreading across his tongue. Lin Gang, on the other hand, preferred to savor the whisky's pure taste. He sat calmly, his gaze occasionally sweeping over his surroundings, maintaining his usual alertness, but his expression softened slightly in the relaxed atmosphere of the bar.

They didn't talk much, but rather enjoyed the rare tranquility and unique atmosphere of this foreign land. Lin Yan leaned back in his chair, listening to the melodious piano music and gazing at the eternal piper on the mural, his thoughts drifting away. From New York to Cleveland, from Yellowstone to Los Angeles, and now to San Francisco, the experiences, the people he met, the power of nature and the myriad aspects of human life he felt along the way flashed through his mind like images. Compared to being alone at Laurel Manor, being in this historic bar now seemed to allow him to reflect on and contemplate everything from a more detached perspective.

"This place has a unique charm," Lin Yan said softly to Lin Gang.

Lin Gang nodded in agreement: "Indeed, young master. It's quite different from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles; it's much more serene."

They sat for nearly an hour, their glasses gradually emptying. People came and went in the bar, but the relaxed and elegant atmosphere remained unchanged. When Lin Yan indicated that he wanted to pay the bill, the waiter brought it over with a smile, his attitude still impeccable.

Leaving the bar and returning to the bright light of the hotel corridor, the feeling of being immersed in the romance of the old world gradually faded. Lin Yan said to Lin Gang, "Let's go for a walk on Bush Street tomorrow."

Lin Gang nodded knowingly. He knew that his young master's trip to San Francisco would not end with sightseeing.