Volume Two: Shadows of the Past Chapter Three: Don't Upset Your Stomach?

“You mean you advanced to the first round of the street dance competition?” Chen Shuo’s face was pale as he looked at Chen Jing in utter shock.

Chen Jing nodded. “Yes, is there a problem?”

“Were there not many contestants in the first round?” Chen Shuo assumed that the number of participants was low, so the competition wasn’t fierce.

Chen Jing thought for a moment. “It wasn’t too many, but not too few either. Around six hundred or so, I think.”

Chen Shuo was startled. “Over six hundred? That many? So how many people advanced in the first round?”

“About a hundred or so, I think. I didn’t stay until the end. As soon as the results were announced, I left and came back,” Chen Jing replied indifferently.

“Oh!” No matter what, it was good that Chen Jing had advanced—there was still a chance. Chen Shuo knew the reason why Chen Jing had rushed back must have been because he was worried about his illness. This realization brought a silent warmth to his heart, which had felt chilled by sickness.

“Do you want me to take you to see a doctor?” Chen Jing asked after tidying up.

Chen Shuo shook his head. “No need. Seeing a doctor abroad is too much trouble. It’s just a slight fever—some cold medicine and a day’s rest will fix it.”

Chen Jing agreed. Since that was the case, he decided not to insist on a hospital visit.

After drinking the medicine Chen Jing had bought, Chen Shuo spent the entire day resting in bed. Chen Jing stayed in the room as well, quietly working on his own writing and occasionally bringing Chen Shuo a glass of water or tending to him in small ways.

Though none of these were grand gestures, they still warmed Chen Shuo’s heart.

The next day, Chen Shuo felt much better and eagerly volunteered to accompany Chen Jing to the competition.

Seeing that Chen Shuo seemed in good spirits, Chen Jing did not object.

The two arrived at the competition venue on time. Chen Jing inquired about the rules for this round:

The 160 contestants who had advanced from the first round were randomly matched with five others and would compete in five matches. Anyone who won three matches would move on to the next round. Moreover, if someone managed to win all five matches, they could skip the next round entirely and proceed directly to the semifinals the day after tomorrow.

Chen Jing had never heard of such rules before; he found them quite novel.

Upon hearing the rules, Chen Shuo immediately said excitedly, “Great! Ah Jing, these rules really work in our favor. I was worried it’d be a single-elimination round. But now, with five matches, as long as our luck isn’t terrible, winning three shouldn’t be a problem. Go for it—I believe in you.”

Chen Jing nodded, saying nothing.

The competition began. Chen Jing faced his first opponent and won without much difficulty. Despite still being weak from his illness, Chen Shuo couldn’t help clenching his fist in excitement.

During the break, Chen Shuo cheered Chen Jing on: “Well done, Ah Jing, we’ve already won the first one. Only four left—just two more wins and we’re through. You can do it, believe in yourself!”

Chen Jing nodded again, remaining silent.

The next match began. Chen Jing faced his second opponent and again emerged victorious. Chen Shuo, disregarding his sickness, clenched both fists tightly in exhilaration.

Another break came. Chen Shuo continued his pep talk: “Excellent, Ah Jing, just three matches left. We only need one more win to advance. That should be easy, right? Trust yourself.”

Chen Jing gave another nod, still without a word.

In the third match, Chen Jing won yet again.

This time, Chen Shuo jumped up in excitement, then relaxed visibly.

During the break, Chen Shuo said casually, “Ah Jing, we’ve won three matches. Even if we lose the next ones, it’s fine. Just go out there and enjoy yourself.”

Chen Jing thought to himself, Is his attitude changing that quickly? This time, he didn't even bother to nod.

In the fourth match, Chen Jing won once more.

Seeing another victory, Chen Shuo could barely contain himself. Chen Jing had given him enough confidence to dream: if they won just one more, they could skip straight to the semifinals.

Thinking of this, Chen Shuo gave Chen Jing some final advice: “Ah Jing, as long as you win one more, we’ll jump straight to the next round. Of course, don’t get nervous—just be bold and confident. Trust yourself.”

Chen Jing was helpless. He hadn’t been that nervous, but now, with Chen Shuo’s anxious encouragement, he actually felt more tense.

The fifth and final match began. As expected, Chen Jing won again.

Once the victory was secure, Chen Shuo finally relaxed and felt all the strength drain from his body, collapsing like a wilted plant.

With five consecutive wins, Chen Jing didn’t have to compete the next day and advanced directly to the semifinals.

After a good rest, by the next day Chen Shuo’s illness had mostly passed, and some color had returned to his face.

Although Chen Jing had no matches that day, Chen Shuo suggested that they watch other people’s competitions.

Chen Jing agreed, and the two returned to the venue.

After watching several matches, Chen Shuo gained a clearer perspective. It seemed, perhaps, that Chen Jing really had a shot at making the finals.

After seeing so many other contestants, Chen Shuo thought their skills were just so-so—some not even as good as Chen Jing’s. The thought filled him with excitement. If they put in the effort and got a little lucky, the chances of reaching the finals were high. And if by any chance Chen Jing placed, their trip would certainly have been worthwhile.

Well, no need to hope for first place, second might be difficult too, but third was possible, and at the very least, he should be able to make the top ten.

Thinking of this, Chen Shuo couldn’t help but feel exhilarated.

After watching the matches, the two didn’t return to the hotel right away. Chen Shuo discussed it with Chen Jing and decided they should go out for a good meal. Having eaten congee and bland food for days, his palate was craving something more flavorful.

They headed out and began to debate where to eat and what to have.

“How about we find a Chinese restaurant and have some of our own cuisine? I’m afraid I won’t be used to foreign food, and it wouldn’t be good if I got sick,” Chen Shuo suggested.

“Anything’s fine—I’m good with whatever,” Chen Jing replied with a nod.

They soon found a nearby Chinese restaurant. Yes, that was the name: Chinese Restaurant.

Once inside, they discovered that most of the diners were foreigners. Chen Shuo thought this made sense—after all, who would go out to eat the same food they had at home? Of course, people would want to try something they couldn’t get in their own country.

They took a seat. Chen Shuo looked over the menu and was quite satisfied—it was all Chinese dishes, and most importantly, the menu was in Chinese.

He ordered two dishes and a soup, then handed the menu to Chen Jing.

“Here, Ah Jing, order anything else you want.”

Chen Jing glanced at the menu, closed it, and then spoke to the waiter in English—the staff here were foreigners, after all.

The waiter nodded, took their menus, and left.

Chen Shuo asked curiously, “So what did you order, Ah Jing?”

“Me?” Chen Jing smiled. “I ordered steak.”

Chen Shuo was speechless.

Weren’t they supposed to be eating Chinese food together? And why was there steak on the menu? Wasn’t this a Chinese restaurant? Was it even authentic?

With no choice, Chen Shuo suggested, “Make sure to ask the chef to cook the steak a bit more. Eating it too rare isn’t good for you.”

Chen Jing nodded. “Don’t worry, I ordered two—one well-done and one medium-well. I want to see what the difference is.”

Chen Shuo was at a loss for words. Fine, whatever makes you happy, he thought.

After the meal, Chen Shuo felt the food was mediocre, and that the restaurant wasn’t authentic at all. The very fact that they served steak was proof enough—an authentic Chinese restaurant wouldn’t serve foreign dishes. These were obviously added to cater to local tastes.

Thinking about it, he realized there weren’t many truly authentic Chinese restaurants abroad. Most just used the name as a gimmick to attract foreigners. The dishes looked the part but lacked the genuine flavor. But that was understandable—after all, restaurant owners were in it for the money. As long as the business was profitable, nothing else really mattered.

Back at the hotel, feeling tired, Chen Shuo decided to rest. When he woke up, he realized he was alone in the room again. No doubt, Chen Jing had slipped out.

Chen Shuo had no idea where Chen Jing had gone. He never said, always just smiled and kept quiet, which worried Chen Shuo. He suspected Chen Jing had gone out to nightclubs or red-light districts.

Sigh. He hoped Ah Jing wouldn’t get into trouble and end up arrested. Still worrying, Chen Shuo soon drifted off again.

But before long, he was awakened by a stomachache. Feeling unsettled, he had no choice but to get up and go to the bathroom. What followed was a trip from which he could not extricate himself.

When Chen Jing returned, he didn’t find Chen Shuo in bed, but saw him staggering out of the bathroom, bracing himself against the wall.

Seeing the look of concern on Chen Jing’s face, Chen Shuo said weakly, “Uh, Ah Jing, I think I gave myself food poisoning.”

Chen Jing was speechless.