Exclusive Memory

Quickly enough, Jasper grabbed her by the shoulders to stop her from bumping her head on the ground.

"Henry, what's going on?"

His voice was so stern that it made Ashley appalled. What Jasper said were of the same effect as Leona, her chief editor, kept scolding her for half an hour. What an influential person said was surely incredibly intimidating.

"Never mind. I had fastened seatbelt." Ashley said.

Ashley turned around and found that he was patting her son on the chest to calm him down. She pretended to touch her head to hide her embarrassment.

"Sorry, Mr. Zhan. A puppy suddenly dashed out from the roadside."

Jasper didn't blame him any further. He placated his son and took a glance at her, "are you okay?"

"I'm fine", Ashley cleared her throat and said.

She bowed her head, feeling too embarrassed to look at Jasper, hence she didn't notice the glimmer of smile in his eyes.

Then they drove to a secluded alley. Jasper got off the car with his son, while their driver, Henry, opened the door for her.

Getting off the car and stepping on the bluestone road, Ashley found that it was a restaurant which was in the remote corner of the alley. Its front door was made of wood which looked very old. There was a board hanging above the door on which shown "Fine liquor and grilled fish" in regular script.

It was an interesting name.

Seeing her gazing at the board, Jasper pulled Nelson closer, "Can you see what it means?"

"Drinking in the gentle moonlight by the river with a beauty grilling fish head with her slender hand". Then she recited word by word, "it should be from the words 'fine liquor and grilled fish'. Zheng Banqiao (1693—1765, a Chinese famous calligraphist in Qing Dynasty) was renowned for his painting, and it appeared he knew a lot about cuisine. Maybe the owner of the tavern wanted to track a hint of legacy from Zheng Banqiao's paintings. "

The morning sunshine passed through this old alley and sprinkled slowly on the woman's cheeks. Her white skin was like flashing lights. Today, she was just in a denim and shirt, and her long hair was still hanging on her back like last time. But when she looked at the board and slowly told the stories, Jasper feels obscurely that she should have lived in ancient times rather than this hustle and bustle world.

"You are good at poems." He praised.

"My mom likes poems and I was probably influenced by her." Ashley drew back her sight from the board and looked at him, "I began to recite these ancient poems with my mother when I was a child."

"So your mother is from a literary family?"

"Maybe. My grandma and grandpa were both professors in college and my uncle is a diplomat. My ancestors were the sort of successful imperial exam candidates or masters in earlier times."

"Your father is also a bit famous in A City. I met your mother two years ago, but she was different from what you said."

Ashley laughed heartily. It was the first time she laughed from the bottom of her heart today, but there was a little sarcasm in her smile, "Mr. Zhan, you certainly dislike gossiping about other people's family affairs. The person you met was not my biological mother, but my stepmother."

Jasper nodded. "Let's go inside first." With that, he led Nelson in.

forget to look back and beckon her in. Ashley couldn't help but praise in her heart, 'though being quite young boy, he's so

both the outside and the interior are

for lighting. A row of wooden boards were hung on the walls on which each bearing a dish name. It was true that they were menus rather than

would never dine in a normal and ordinary restaurant. Generally, a man of his type would

only one table occupied by guests in the restaurant. When the waiter noticed Jasper coming in, he skillfully guided

his short legs, and then held Ashley's leg firmly. He raised his chubby face and stared at her with his bright eyes. He

his soft hair and asked, "Why are you

sip and said, "Whoever

that about

may I know your phone

know how to call?" She lowered her head and

do. I often see uncles and aunties make phone

write it

The little boy nodded,

side. She didn't expect a man with stiff face

telephone number on a piece of paper, tore it down, folded it squarely and handed it over to

of his shorts. After putting it in, he even gave it a

his son, carried him to a baby chair and poured him a glass of water. Nelson accepted the cup and handed it

"Auntie, drink some water."

and when she was about to refuse, Jasper had already poured another glass of water for her

everything going with

don't know what he has been busy

lot of spare time. I haven't heard

"Really?" Ashley nodded.

harmonious atmosphere? Since when have I become so

"Well, Mr. Zhan..."

"Just call me Jasper"

per." Ashley

to

was improper to elongate the voice, so she picked up a topic casually, "Where

Ashley scolded herself in heart for presenting with such a

was in a place far away from here. She would come to see me when I grew up." Nelson

Nelson's mother

sullen on his face for the rest of the time, and Ashley knowingly stopped provoking him.

just now. Presumably the restaurant had no other food for

a family of three sat there. Although the brands couldn't be seen, their clothes were well tailored, nicely fit and apparently expensive. It seemed that they were from a rich family.

my own bed? I was in Mommy's arms

was too strong and

nearly spewed up the porridge from her mouth.