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.

to look back and beckon her in. Ashley couldn't help but praise in her heart, 'though being quite young boy, he's so considerate. Well,

both the outside and the interior

beams for lighting. A row of wooden boards were hung on the walls on which each bearing a dish name. It was true that they were menus rather than ornaments.

like Jasper would never dine in a normal and ordinary restaurant. Generally,

by guests in the restaurant. When the waiter noticed Jasper coming in, he skillfully guided

Jasper stopped holding Nelson's hand. The little boy walked over with his short legs, and then held Ashley's leg firmly. He raised his chubby face and

soft hair and asked,

already served tea. Jasper took a sip and said, "Whoever he

that about his own

I know your

how to call?" She lowered her head

do. I often see uncles and

I'll write

The little boy nodded, his eyes

not by her side. She

prepared pens and some papers in her bag. She wrote down her telephone number on a piece

the pocket of his shorts. After putting it in, he

a baby chair and poured him a glass of water. Nelson accepted the cup and

"Auntie, drink some water."

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

going with

know what

time. I haven't heard

"Really?" Ashley nodded.

have I become so

"Well, Mr. Zhan..."

"Just call me Jasper"

Ashley

to say just now?

elongate the voice, so she picked up a

said, Jasmine stopped serving tea. Ashley scolded herself

She would come to see me when I grew

means Nelson's

looked sullen on his face for the rest of the time, and Ashley knowingly stopped provoking him. 'What kind of woman can

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

seen, their clothes were well tailored, nicely

own bed? I was in Mommy's arms before I

conditioner was too strong

the porridge from her mouth.