Back To The 80s: President's Doted Wife

Chapter 1079: Chapter 1080: A Chance Encounter with a Local Guide

Seeing the elderly man approach, Cheng Su and the others quickly stood up to offer their seats. Wang Bo moved his chair to the other side of the table to make it easier for the elderly man to sit down.

”No, no, you sit,” the elderly man said as he glanced around, a look of satisfaction flashing in his eyes as he nodded.

”Please, take a seat!” Cheng Su gestured politely.

”Well, if you’re sure... Ah, you don’t mind, do you? I came uninvited!” The elderly man’s Mandarin wasn’t standard, carrying a local accent, but it was understandable.

”Sir, we don’t mind at all,” Cheng Su chuckled softly.

The elderly man murmured in response and asked Wang Bo to bring over his bowl, chopsticks, and a plate of chicken, saying, ”This place makes the best white-cut chicken. I come here often to eat; the chicken is fresh and tender. You made the right choice coming here! Judging by your looks, you’re from out of town, aren’t you?”

Wang Bo pulled up another chair to sit down.

”Yes, we just arrived today,” Cheng Su replied with a smile and poured him a cup of tea.

The elderly man, seeing this, tapped the table beside his teacup twice with his finger and asked, ”Where are you from?”

”Qing City.”

”Qing City from province X?”

”Sir, you even know Qing City?” Wang Bo asked upon hearing it.

The elderly man stroked his graying beard and said, ”Of course I do. I even visited there in my youth. It’s a good place, with beautiful mountains and water, a real treasure land.”

Zhao Da beamed with pride and said, ”Indeed, our Qing City is a land of good fortune!”

”It should be getting better now, what with Comrade Xiao Ping’s reforms and opening up. Times have changed, and life is better!” The elderly man sighed deeply and added, ”Back then, life was tough. Ordinary people saw no hope. In those hard days, we didn’t have enough to eat. We’d even gnaw on tree roots and eat tasteless lumps of earth...”

Cheng Su sat upright, smiling as she listened to the elderly man recalling the hard times and sweet memories.

The elderly man’s tales were vivid, spanning from Qing City to Guangcheng, recounting history to Wang Bo and the others like cherished treasure.

Although they had studied a lot, they only had a superficial understanding, and now the elderly man’s words made their understanding of Guangcheng instantly come alive.

”...So, young lady, you’re right. We must understand the local traditional culture well. It’s part of the tradition handed down by our ancestors. Now, many traditional crafts and arts are gradually being lost, alas, such a pity,” the elderly man said with a hint of sadness.

”Sir, it’s the trend of the times, don’t feel too sad,” Cheng Su consoled.

”How can I not be? Thousands of years of culture—if it’s all gone, future generations will only know about our ancestors’ traditions through books or other means!”

Cheng Su fell silent, knowing the sorrow, and was more aware that the future would see more progress, with many skills and crafts being lost compared to this era.

To change the subject and the elderly man’s focus, Cheng Su said, ”Sir, since we’re new here, I can see you’re a local expert. Why not tell us about Guangcheng’s current development?”

”Oh, you can tell I’m a local expert? Not bad, young lady. By the way, what’s your name?”

”Cheng Su, ’Cheng’ as in ’prospect,’ and ’Su’ as in ’simple.’ These are Wang Bo and Zhao Da.” Cheng Su pointed to the two subordinates.

”What’s your name again?” The elderly man was momentarily stunned, his hand shaking slightly.

”Cheng Su.”

”Cheng Su, what a good name.” The elderly man slapped his leg and chuckled warmly, ”What a coincidence, I’m also surnamed Cheng, so we’re family from ancient times!”

Cheng Su was taken aback for a moment, then smiled—it certainly was a coincidence!