Tenant’s Secret Love

Chapter 33: “Empty City” Music Theme Restaurant

After driving for about half an hour, I finally arrived at the Willow Bank Scenic Garden where I now live, and Renee was already waiting for me under a sycamore tree outside the community.

Autumn leaves were falling in the air, and the lights reflected off her figure, making her look like a character from a painting, quiet and indifferent.

I honked the horn, and Renee looked over.

I smiled at her and said, “Get in, let's go eat, we don't want to be late and miss our seats.”

Renee walked towards me, opened the car door and sat down in the passenger seat. She didn't care what kind of car I was driving, but I felt a little guilty and said, “What do you think? My car is pretty good, right? Small displacement, low carbon and environmentally friendly.”

“It's pretty good, but it's a bit wretched like you,” Renee said with a smile.

“Am I wretched?” I asked, then took off the inside mirror and looked at myself unconfidently.

“Wretched doesn't necessarily refer to appearance. I'm talking about your character.”

I reset the mirror again, not wanting to argue with Renee. After all, the image of my poor character had already been preconceived in her mind. Even if I packaged myself as a national hero who saved the country and its people, she would still think I was wretched.

Renee was a little surprised that I didn't fight back, and I just gave her a small smile, then started the car. I thought to myself: Renee doesn't really understand that a man with substance is often taciturn.

...

The Alto shuttled through the streets and alleys, and finally stopped in an old street that was about to be demolished. Then Mi Cai and I got out of the car. The shop I wanted to take her to would be past a narrow alley, and the car couldn't go in, so we had to walk.

There were only a few dim street lamps in this narrow alley. Renee followed me closely and asked nervously, “Where are you taking me?”

“To a paradise, but first we have to walk through this darkness,” I replied.

After walking through this dark alley, the space on the opposite side suddenly seemed much larger. Under a bright street lamp, “The Empty City Theme Music Restaurant” appeared in front of Meicai.

I lit a cigarette and said to Renee, who was standing next to me, “This is the restaurant. It was opened by a friend of mine who plays music. The music atmosphere inside is very good, but the main focus is Sichuan cuisine.”

“That's quite a mix!” Renee said, looking at the sign. Generally, music restaurants focus on Western food.

“Well, the proprietress is a Chongqing girl. Can you eat spicy food?”

“Yes, I can,”

As Renee and I talked, we walked into the restaurant. The proprietress, CC, was sitting in a barstool that could be raised and lowered, singing, with a glass of draft beer next to her and an unlit cigarette in her hand.

CC noticed my arrival first and snapped her fingers at me during a break in the music, saying, “Long time no see, Lucas.”

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

CC smiled, indicated that we would chat later, and then continued singing ‘Looks’ by Deaerts to the rhythm of the music.

Renee and I chose a seat and Renee seemed to really like CC's singing. She didn't talk to me either, just listened quietly.

I ordered my food and immersed myself in CC's singing. In CC's somewhat hoarse but highly infectious singing voice, I remembered some fragments.

Three years ago, Brittany and I fled from Shanghai to Suzhou because of her parents' crazy opposition. Both of us were penniless and life was difficult to sustain. I sang in CC's music restaurant, and every day I would earn some income to support our lives.

Back then, Brittany would wait in the restaurant every day to hear me sing, and she would also help customers carry plates and pour water, earning some tips. Every time the restaurant closed, I would habitually smoke a cigarette, and she would carry the guitar for me. The two of us would walk hand in hand down the dark alley, and I would buy her a baked sweet potato from the stall around the corner...

That winter, sometimes the wind was cold, sometimes it rained or snowed heavily, but the feeling of relying on each other for survival still makes me feel warm to this day!

“Lucas, why is this restaurant called Empty City?”

Renee's sudden question interrupted the scene in my mind, and I was momentarily lost for words. I was stunned for a long time before I answered, “When everyone is born, there is an empty city in their hearts. As time goes by and they grow up, impetuosity, indifference, and worldly fame and fortune fill up this empty city, which has since become bloated and unbearable. It is called Empty City to commemorate that innocent city.”

“Is this your understanding?”

“This is what CC told me,” I said, looking at CC, who was singing.

Renee nodded, took a sip of herbal tea and continued listening to CC's singing.

...

CC finally finished singing a song and put the microphone back on the stand before walking over to us.

CC is an unconventional beauty. Her facial features are not particularly attractive, but together they are mesmerizing and unforgettable. So as she walked over, she attracted the attention of many diners.

CC placed a large glass of beer in front of me and smiled, saying, “This is on the house.” Then she called the waiter over to bring Renee a large glass of cola.

“I'm driving, so I won't drink today,”

Renee said, “Drink up, I'll drive for you later.”

CC then looked at Renee and asked me, ‘Is this girl...your new girlfriend?”

I looked at Renee, who had a calm expression on her face, and plucked up the courage to say, ’Yes, she's my girlfriend.”

CC shrugged her shoulders. I knew she felt sorry for Brittany and me, but she finally smiled and greeted Renee, praising her beauty.

The lights in the restaurant dimmed a little, but the old-fashioned candlesticks on the table lit up, and the whole restaurant was filled with a faint aroma of scented candles.

After a short silence, CC asked me, “By the way, what's Robben been up to lately? He hasn't been here in a while.”

“What's he been up to? Hanging out at the bar all day,”

“Invite him over sometime, I miss him.” CC's words were tinged with a hint of helplessness and sadness. She liked Robben, but Robben kept thinking about that Beijing girl.

“Sure, let's get together sometime, at your place.”

“Promise!”

I laughed and made a vow, ”I promise.”

CC nodded with relief.

...

After CC left, Renee and I finally had some time alone together. I held up a beer and signalled to Renee, who raised her coke in a toast. We took a sip each.

Just then, two people walked into the restaurant from outside the door. A cold wind was brought in when the door opened, and then I saw clearly that the people coming in were Brittany and Robert.

A rush of emotions caught me off guard. It seemed that this was not a night to enjoy a quiet dinner with Renee. I was annoyed by this encounter, I was also afraid of it, and I hated the coincidence that made us meet so awkwardly.