Pollard said with emotion: “You are exactly the same as your mother. When we were undergraduate, your mother not only won the full scholarship by her ability, but she also worked in the restaurant outside the school every day during her spare time. The degree is also very frugal, never extravagant and wasteful.”
“I remember at that time, at the end of each semester, your mother would use the money she saved for a semester to travel, and she was a backpacker who traveled poorly. At that time, we all thought that your mother must have poor family conditions. We learned later. The strength of your mother’s family is the best in the world…”
Charlie said with a smile: “I remember her as indeed very frugal. She always taught me how to save money and not waste it. Even a grain of rice should not be left when eating. This is the same as my dad. It’s very similar, the two of them actually had no pursuit of material things.”
Pollard agreed: “So your mother and your father could come together. When they should be young and frivolous, they were already out of material pursuits and low-level tastes. Unlike us, they thought about everything every day when they were young. Earn money and spend money, and sell fame and reputation.”
With that said, Pollard stepped into the hotel first and made a please gesture to Charlie.
Charlie hurriedly followed him in, when the lobby on the first floor of the hotel was already full of people.
The local restaurant in Aurous Hill is quite similar to the tea house in the capital. Basically, the first floor is a lobby with many tables and people, so the environment is relatively noisy, but most people like this messy feeling.
And in the very center of the first floor, there is a small stage for people to play and sing local operas. At this time, two actors are singing Kunqu opera on the stage.
After Pollard came in, he pointed to the stairs and said to Charlie, “Charlie, I have reserved a seat on the second floor. The upstairs is cleaner. Let’s go up.”
“OK.”
Moving to the second floor, the environment was a little cleaner. When a waiter saw the two coming up, he hurried to the front and said politely, “Professor Watt, you are here!”
Pollard nodded and smiled: “It’s still in the old position. I’ve said hello to your manager.”
The waiter said: “Our manager has already told me, you two come with me.”
The seat that Pollard chose was a deck by the window, a small square table made of logs, and the four sides could seat four people, so the two sat leaning against the window.
Pollard pushed over a menu and said to Charlie, “Charlie, come order and see what you like to eat.”
Charlie waved his hand and said with a smile: “Uncle, it’s better for you to choose, and I will eat whatever you order.”
After speaking, he suddenly found two familiar figures not far away by the window.
These two figures, one old and one young, are the Old man and grandchild he saw when he was in Pollard’s office.
FAQ Novel
Q: What is the significance of Aurous Hill Archway in the chapter?
A: Aurous Hill Archway is presented as a popular local restaurant specializing in authentic Aurous Hill cuisine, where Pollard enjoys eating regularly.
Q: What insights does Charlie share about his past and philosophy on food?
A: Charlie reveals that he has never pursued food, having lived contentedly with simple meals during his time in the orphanage and at construction sites, reflecting his detached view on material comforts.
Join the discussion and share your thoughts on this chapter with fellow readers.