Chapter 34: Earthly Solitude, Aristocratic Ritual

In fact, in many places across Yunnan, there are venues dedicated solely to the appreciation of cigars. Some cigar lounges are uniquely located right next to folk music bars, where people slip quietly inside to indulge in swirling clouds of smoke.

Very soon, a small, clean stove was brought to the table. After a block of alcohol was lit beneath, walnut charcoal was gently spread on top. Faint blue smoke began to rise slowly.

"Is there a dish that needs a stove?" Lin Shenlu asked curiously.

"I forgot to tell you, before I went to find you, I already ordered this dish—grilled seafood. My friend, don't you think that in such a moment and setting, simple refinement is the most comfortable?" Ye Yaochen replied softly.

As Ye Yaochen finished speaking, a waiter arrived carrying a large tray: a huge prawn marked with distinct stripes... a large, dark abalone... and a plump geoduck.

Once the trays were set on the table, another tray—meant especially for cigars—was placed beside them, holding two thick cigars. A golden cigar cutter lay at the side.

Ye Yaochen gently picked up a cigar and inhaled its aroma.

"It's said that the purest cigars are rolled on the thighs of young maidens, imbued with the fragrance of innocence..." Ye Yaochen murmured as he clipped one end of the cigar and handed it to Lin Shenlu.

As he spoke, there was a crisp, metallic chime. Lin Shenlu saw Ye Yaochen holding a deep blue S.T. Dupont lighter edged in gold.

"Hey, with something like that, you were borrowing cigarettes and a lighter from me last night?" Lin Shenlu leaned over, took the cigar between his lips, and lit it.

"This thing is precious. I was afraid I'd lose it if I drank too much..." Ye Yaochen replied with a smile.

The two of them slowly exhaled puffs of smoke, the aroma filling the air.

One cannot smoke a cigar the way one does a cigarette—drawing it into the lungs would bring tears to your eyes. Instead, the smoke should be gently savored in the mouth and exhaled slowly, allowing the rich fragrance to unfold.

At that moment, Lin Shenlu felt a new layer of indulgence settle over him, a pleasure not found in gourmet food or fine wine. The smoke lingered on his tongue, its scent swirling, and he inhaled its fragrance gently through his nose.

"I can taste the scent of a sixteen-year-old Brazilian girl's thigh—a delightful elasticity!" Ye Yaochen said with his eyes closed.

"I saw a video about cigar rolling once, but it was a fifty-eight-year-old granny, not a sixteen-year-old girl," Lin Shenlu replied with a soft laugh.

After a few puffs, Lin Shenlu set the cigar down. It wasn’t something to be smoked all at once; it could make you dizzy. Besides, if left, it wouldn’t burn away on its own—after a short while, you could simply pick it up and continue.

By now, the charcoal in the little stove was glowing. The waiter carefully placed a metal grid on top, then arranged the striped prawn, plump abalone, and the fleshy geoduck upon it. Soon, juices began to bubble between the shells.

Ye Yaochen lifted his champagne glass and clinked it against Lin Shenlu’s.

"To our meeting!"

Lin Shenlu admitted to himself that he was wrong—there was no way this feast would come to five or six hundred yuan. They’d be lucky to get away with less than two thousand.

"The wine is lacking for these dishes. We really ought to drink some Suntory whisky... But I’m afraid the money I brought isn’t enough this time, so let’s make do with champagne. Next time, I promise I’ll treat you to something better," Ye Yaochen smiled.

"Brother, you don’t need to do this. You don’t owe me anything. With such a lavish spread, I almost feel unworthy to eat," Lin Shenlu sighed.

"This is nothing. You know, you’re the only stranger in the past half month who actually paid a bill for me when I borrowed money! For that alone, you’re worth befriending," Ye Yaochen declared.

Lin Shenlu touched his head, embarrassed. Who knew what possessed him that day to pay a stranger’s bill? Who else would have done such a thing?

As the aromas drifted up, more dishes arrived.

"Let me tell you, water spinach is the worst-tasting green I’ve ever had, but this water spinach soup—I guarantee you, you won’t regret it!" Ye Yaochen continued his enthusiastic recommendations as if he were the owner himself.

"And this special cold marinated clams! It’ll amaze your taste buds!"

"Come on, eat, eat," Lin Shenlu urged, feeling a bit shy.

But as soon as the asparagus with shrimp touched his tongue, Lin Shenlu felt overwhelmed with happiness. Imagine the tender, smooth shrimp dancing across your tongue, springy and slick, pressing against your palate, your uvula, sliding down your throat into your stomach.

It was pure bliss.

The taste of true happiness is simple joy.

Then came a bite of yak meat, rich in texture and flavor, so different from ordinary beef.

The most complex in taste, though, was the water spinach soup. Lin Shenlu had eaten water spinach before—its watery texture and flavor left nothing to savor. But this time, the flavor was exquisite: thick yet smooth, refreshing and comfortable. The rich broth combined with the crispness, so that each mouthful slipped straight down with little pause.

This meal left Lin Shenlu brimming with happiness, utterly satisfied—a perfect dance upon the taste buds.

Ah, the damn ritual of lonely joy!

A toast.

...

In their conversation—

"I think I understand your idea now: to build your own utopia in Ideal State... a true utopia, right?" Ye Yaochen asked as he ate the charcoal-grilled abalone.

Lin Shenlu nodded. "Don’t you think those dirty, strange 'Sky Mirrors'—those huge glass slabs—spoil the Dali Erhai of your heart?"

Ye Yaochen nodded in agreement. "Exactly. Every time I see that glass sky mirror, I go up and stomp on it, just to see if I can shatter it..."

"But then again, there are still people living their lives through the lens, and others who view the world only through a camera," Ye Yaochen mused.

At this, his eyes lit up.

"You’re not planning to tear down the Sky Mirror, are you?" he asked, intrigued.

"Yes, that’s exactly what I’m thinking. Maybe not everywhere, but at least at Whale and Deer Hotel, I’ve already convinced them. When I go back tomorrow, I’ll smash those big glass slabs myself," Lin Shenlu replied seriously, popping a piece of grilled geoduck into his mouth.

Delicious.

"Exciting, my friend! It’s thrilling to do things with you. Imagine, breaking the Sky Mirror, then guiding the water over it, expanding the area... creating a real Sky Mirror, just like Chaka Salt Lake," Ye Yaochen grew more and more animated.

"Well? That’s a good idea, brother!" Lin Shenlu’s eyes lit up as well.

Who would have thought that this fallen aristocrat, Ye Yaochen, would be so full of ideas?