Embedded Files
Psst! We're moving!
Modern Era Extra 1 – Changing Years
________________________________________
[01·Ancient Texts]
The belt of his thin windbreaker was tightened, drawing him closer. Zhou Tan lowered his gaze to Qu You, who was tying a bow for him, and spoke gently: “A gentleman does not adorn himself with dark purple or red; he does not wear such colors casually... In summer, he wears fine linen, always with an outer layer.”
Qu You looked up sincerely. “If you don’t mind the heat of summer while wearing an outer robe, then I certainly have no objections.”
After finishing the bow, she suddenly noticed that the hairpin on his head was slightly askew. She reached out to adjust it carefully.
Zhou Tan leaned down slightly, a gesture of intimacy.
“Today... take me to cut my hair,” he said.
Qu You was surprised. “What made you change your mind so suddenly?”
Zhou Tan raised a hand to touch her hair, which now fell just past her shoulders, sleek and black.
His request stemmed from a memory of the previous evening. When he had stepped outside, he saw Qu You standing on the balcony. The soft evening breeze tousled her unadorned hair, catching the golden glow of the setting sun. Hearing movement behind her, she turned, brushing strands of hair behind her ear, her eyes crinkling with a warm smile.
In that moment, he realized that no elaborate hairstyles or midnight incense could compare to her natural beauty.
After much thought, Zhou Tan finally found the right words to describe his feelings: “You look... beautifully at ease.”
Qu You beamed at the compliment. “That’s an exceptionally accurate way to put it.”
Pausing, she added, “Oh, but we don’t have time today. You probably didn’t check the memo I posted on the fridge again, did you?”
Zhou Tan hesitated. “I did check... Wasn’t today the day we were supposed to visit your mother?”
Qu You smiled faintly. “That’s tomorrow. Today, I’m taking you somewhere else.”
D University was a comprehensive institution with a vast library. Qu You led Zhou Tan straight to the seventh-floor annex housing ancient texts via the elevator. On this quiet Saturday afternoon, the narrow stairs leading to the annex were nearly deserted. Once inside, the ancient texts room was empty, its small windows casting dim light. Zhou Tan sniffed the air and frowned slightly. Seeing this, Qu You chuckled. “That’s the smell of old books.”
He glanced around.
Row upon row of meticulously organized shelves stretched before him, arranged by historical dynasties, forming a sea of knowledge both grand and awe-inspiring. Even though he had frequented imperial libraries in the past, the sight still left him stunned.
Without consulting the catalog, Qu You pulled him past five shelves. When he snapped out of his daze, he realized they were standing in front of the section dedicated to The History of Yin —496 volumes in total.
Sunlight filtered through a small window, illuminating the aged books. The slightest movement stirred dust, which danced in the beam of light.
Zhou Tan took a few unconscious steps forward.
Leaning casually against a bookshelf, Qu You recited teasingly: “...A lonely soul in the northern winds, when will history remember the loyal minister? Fame, fame—better to seek truth in your poetry.”
Seeing Zhou Tan standing still, she spoke again: “I remember you once told me you weren’t curious about how history recorded you.”
Zhou Tan’s fingers brushed the cover of a book, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “The annals of history... So this is what they look like.”
His smile deepened. “I’ve always been curious about how others are portrayed in history. As for me... After hearing Professor Qu’s lectures these past months, why would I need to read more? Histories are fleeting; they all turn to ash.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the sound of a book falling echoed behind him.
Qu You peered over his shoulder and called out, “Teacher.”
Her teacher—the one she had mentioned many times.
Zhou Tan turned to see a middle-aged female professor. A few strands of gray streaked her temples, and she wore simple yet tidy clothes and silver-framed glasses.
Zhou Tan bent down to pick up the fallen book, recognizing its cover—it was the same portrait of Su Chaoci he had seen on Qu You’s bookshelf.
Qu You stepped forward, taking the book from him and handing it to her teacher. “Teacher, since you’re here, let me introduce you to my partner. You can call him... Xiao Zhou.”
Professor Feng adjusted her glasses, staring at Zhou Tan in a daze, momentarily speechless.
Zhou Tan met her gaze and greeted softly, “Teacher, hello.”
“Yoyo,” Feng said, her eyes still fixed on Zhou Tan, “Since we’re here, let me treat you and your partner to dinner.”
Qu You interjected, “It’s not proper for the teacher to treat us. We should be the ones treating you.”
Linking arms with her teacher, she walked ahead, glancing back with a wink. Zhou Tan chuckled, following them out. As they passed through the quiet corridor, he thought he heard a young voice calling from the void: “Teacher...”
He lowered his head and murmured softly in response.
Professor Feng also wore a string of five-colored prayer beads.
On their way home after dinner, Qu You mentioned that she had studied Northern Yin history since childhood, later focusing on Su Chaoci. She remained unmarried to this day.
With a wistful sigh, she remarked, “Teacher... is a devoted soul. Unfortunately, I am not. I doubt I’ll ever reach her level.”
Zhou Tan held her hand firmly. “For a thousand years, the world has changed. You may not be as devoted, but you are luckier than your teacher. At least, you have found ‘truth.’“
Qu You nodded. “That’s enough.”
She skipped along beside him on their way home. In the past, though she defied traditional norms for women, she still maintained the grace of a well-bred lady, walking with measured steps.
Now, she no longer needed to care.
The “freedom” gained after a thousand years of shifting times was truly precious.
Their visit to the library had been brief, and on their way home, they happened upon a bookstore. Unable to resist, Qu You dragged Zhou Tan inside. Just as they were about to leave, Zhou Tan suddenly picked up a book near the entrance.
Qu You tilted her head to look—it was The Birth of Tragedy .
Zhou Tan murmured softly to himself: “Nietzsche?”
She wanted to laugh but stifled it, covering her mouth. Leaning close, she whispered, “This time, I’m not lying—he really has been dead for a long time.”
Zhou Tan flipped open a random page, his eyes landing on the words “lyric poet.”
Expressionless, he tucked the book under his arm and gestured for her to pay.
Qu You asked, “...What do you want it for?”
Zhou Tan replied, “To study carefully.”
________________________________________
[02·Lecture]
By the time Zhou Tan finished reading the last page of the book, it was already 6 PM.
The setting sun bathed the room in golden light, and petals drifted in through the open window, settling in his jet-black hair.
In the lecture hall, students were still eager to ask questions, raising their hands enthusiastically.
A student without a seat accidentally knocked over Qu You’s bottle of mineral water.
The dull thud was drowned out by the lively discussion.
“Sorry, sorry!”
The student quickly apologized, placing the unopened bottle back. His gaze fell on the book in Zhou Tan’s hand.
Excitedly, he asked, “Are you also from the history department? I haven’t seen you before... I haven’t read Professor Qu’s latest book yet. What do you think? It was hard to get a copy—the Tang Examination series was amazing. She hasn’t published anything new in a while...”
Zhou Tan remained silent, staring at the four characters on the cover: “Indestructible Stones.” For some reason, he felt a twinge of embarrassment.
“I... am not a student.”
The student followed the faint blush creeping up Zhou Tan’s ears, first noticing his delicate, refined face, then his unusual hairstyle.
“You look just like the artist renditions of Zhou Tan on Weibo. Is this cosplay?”
Before Zhou Tan could respond, he glanced up and caught Qu You watching him from the podium, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Behind her, a projection displayed a portrait of Su Chaoci—his later years, clad in deep purple robes, sitting upright with white hair and beard. Around his waist hung an oval jade belt adorned with wild goose patterns. On his wrist, a string of five-colored prayer beads.
Familiar.
Unfamiliar.
Professor Feng was animatedly answering questions, pointing at Su Chaoci’s portrait with enthusiasm. Though no longer young, she spoke with youthful passion.
Zhou Tan stared at the portrait until the projection abruptly went dark.
Spring sunlight bathed the campus, where cherry and apricot blossoms bloomed in pink and white. Even at dusk, the view from the windows was breathtaking.
The student beside him finally finished organizing his notes and sighed contentedly. He patted Zhou Tan’s shoulder and said casually, “Professor Feng and Professor Qu’s lectures are always fascinating. Every session is packed—I couldn’t even get in last time...”
Before he finished, Qu You appeared beside them.
Zhou Tan handed her the bottle of water he had knocked over earlier. “For your throat.”
Qu You took a sip and said, “Let’s have dinner with Professor Feng tonight. She was impressed with you after meeting you last time and has been wanting to chat again.”
Zhou Tan replied, “Alright.”
The student was stunned. “Teacher, you’re really not a student, are you...?”
Zhou Tan cleared his throat, unsure how to respond. Qu You chimed in with a smile, “He’s family.”
Realization dawned on the student, who quickly rummaged through his bag and pulled out a book. “Teacher, could you sign this for me?”
It was Qu You’s Tang Examination: Volume Twelve , worn and carefully taped at the edges—a testament to how often it had been read.
Qu You took the pen and asked casually, “Do you like Zhou Tan?”
Zhou Tan shot her a quick glance.
The student flushed with excitement. “My undergraduate thesis was on the Xiaohua Reforms. I even attended a Northern Yin history conference in Beijing last year and met you briefly. You...”
Before he could finish, Qu You remembered. “Ah, I really liked the title of your article. Wasn’t it a reflection on Tang Examination: Reform # ? Something like... Revisiting the Xiaohua Reforms and the Generational Divide in Northern Yin Factional Struggles ?”
“Yes, yes!” the student nodded eagerly. “I plan to continue this research in graduate school. I wanted to ask if you’re accepting students next year.”
“That depends on university policy, but I’ve read your article—it’s quite solid,” Qu You replied as she wrote. “If you’re interested in this field, feel free to visit my office.”
“Thank you, teacher!”
“You’re welcome. What’s your name?”
“Zhong Qi.”
After introducing himself, he laughed awkwardly. Qu You chuckled too, writing “To Zhong, my young friend” in the book. Then she handed the pen to Zhou Tan. “Here, write something for him.”
Zhong Qi grinned. “Teacher, is this... your partner?”
Qu You replied casually, “Yes, he specializes in Northern Yin history, particularly the De and Ming eras. His expertise surpasses mine.”
“I mistook you for a student earlier—how embarrassing,” Zhong Qi laughed, pointing to his own head. “Your hairstyle is so unique, teacher. May I ask your surname?”
Zhou Tan handed the signed book back, giving Qu You a resigned glance. “I’m surnamed Zhou.”
Qu You checked her phone and politely excused them. “We have somewhere to be, so we won’t chat further.”
“Alright, teacher, goodbye.”
The couple left the lecture hall hand in hand. Zhong Qi watched them go, slinging his backpack over one shoulder.
The man beside Qu You stood tall, his long hair tied into a high bun secured with a white jade pin. Zhong Qi rarely encountered someone with such a strong yet harmonious classical aura. There was something oddly familiar about him.
Flipping through the book, Zhong Qi carefully read their inscriptions. Qu You had written the closing lines of a famous poem from Indestructible Stones: Zhou Tan’s Biography . Zhou Tan had written: “Books are quickly read when enjoyable, but cherished guests seldom come.”
He read it twice, then carefully returned the book to his backpack.
Google Sites
Report abuse