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.

did not forget to look back and beckon her in. Ashley couldn't help but

of both the outside and the

row of wooden boards were hung on the walls on which each bearing a dish

ordinary restaurant.

noticed Jasper coming in, he skillfully guided Jasper to an

little boy walked over with his short legs, and then held Ashley's leg firmly. He raised his chubby

rubbed his soft hair and asked, "Why are

Jasper took a sip and said, "Whoever he likes, he will habitually hold

about his own

may I know your

you know how to call?"

do. I often see uncles and aunties make

write

nodded,

him if Jasper was not by her side.

some papers in her bag. She wrote down her telephone number on a piece of paper, tore it down, folded

the pocket of his shorts. After putting it in,

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

"Auntie, drink some water."

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

going with

I don't know what he has

I haven't heard that he's filming new plays lately. If he didn't go to those places, he must

"Really?" Ashley nodded.

with this inexplicable harmonious atmosphere? Since when have I become so familiar with

"Well, Mr. Zhan..."

"Just call me Jasper"

Ashley stammered,

she want to say just now?

improper to elongate the voice, so she

scolded herself in heart for presenting

away from here. She would come to see me when I grew up."

means Nelson's mother

Ashley knowingly stopped provoking him. 'What

appetizers. 'Jasper didn't order just now. Presumably the restaurant had no other food for breakfast. Guests

sat there. Although the brands couldn't be seen, their clothes were well tailored, nicely fit and apparently

today just on my own bed? I was in

conditioner was too strong and blew you

spewed up the porridge