Sweet Nostalgia of the 80s

Ning Chenguang stepped into the small shop. The place was cramped and dim, with an indescribable smell of mixed goods lingering in the air.

No one was standing at the counter, and the shopkeeper was nowhere to be seen.

”Is anyone there? I want to buy something.” Ning Chenguang raised his voice and shouted, but there was no response for a while, so he took a deep breath and shouted again, ”I want to buy something!”

”Coming, coming!” The shopkeeper emerged from the inner room, lifting the curtain. He appeared to be in his fifties, with a kind-looking face. Seeing Ning Chenguang, he squinted his eyes and smiled warmly, ”The little prodigy is here?”

The whole village knew about Ning Chenguang’s story, and naturally, the shopkeeper had heard about it too.

”I want to buy chocolate.” Ning Chenguang avoided his gaze and said.

”Sure, pick anything you like!” The shopkeeper looked at Ning Chenguang’s delicate skin, finding the boy increasingly pleasing to the eye.

”I want this one...” he casually pointed.

”Alright. I can give it to you.” The shopkeeper took out chocolate, intending to give it to Ning Chenguang.

”No. I have money, I can buy it.” Ning Chenguang said as he reached into his pocket, but after a long while, he couldn’t find anything.

”Take it, just take it. Consider it a gift from Grandpa to you.”

”Isn’t that inappropriate?”

”What’s inappropriate about it? I just like you.” The shopkeeper smiled, reaching out to pinch Ning Chenguang’s cheek. As he felt his smooth skin, he took a deep breath, his smile turning bizarre and indescribable.

”I’d rather pay for it.” Ning Chenguang dodged the shopkeeper’s hand and turned to leave.

”Where’s the chocolate?” He Yueyue smacked her lips, waiting to eat, and seeing Ning Chenguang return empty-handed, she asked.

”I didn’t bring any money. Yueyue, go home and ask He Mu for money, I’ll wait here.” Ning Chenguang said softly.

He Yue looked at the sky, which was already dimming, and said, ”Why don’t we eat it next time? Let’s just go home first.”

”Yueyue, I’m craving it too. I can’t sleep without chocolate today. Please, Yueyue, go!” Ning Chenguang pleaded with He Yue, urging her to go home and get money.

”Well... okay then.”

He Yueyue ran all the way home while Ning Chenguang tiptoed back into the small shop. The shopkeeper had returned to the inner room.

Ning Chenguang quietly went over and squatted at the entrance of the inner room, pressing his head tightly against the door, listening to the sounds inside.

The TV inside was on loudly, making it hard for him to hear the shopkeeper’s voice clearly. He tried to push the door, only to find it was locked from the inside.

In that instant, Ning Chenguang’s heart sank to the bottom.

He knew, Jiang Wanwan must be inside.

”Hold on...” The shopkeeper’s voice was rough with heavy breathing.

”No... no no... don’t...” Jiang Wanwan seemed very scared, her voice rising.

This time, Ning Chenguang heard it clearly and remembered the bruises on Jiang Wanwan’s arms, feeling an involuntary sadness.

”Wanwan, why are you so loud? Do you want everyone to hear?” The shopkeeper’s voice suddenly turned icy, laced with a chilling anger.