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.

in. Ashley couldn't help but praise in

of both the outside and the interior

were neither luxurious ornaments, nor resplendent lamps. There were only wooden tables and chairs, and paper lanterns was hanging on the beams for lighting. A row of wooden boards were

in a normal and ordinary restaurant. Generally, a man of his type would usually choose high-priced private

guests in the restaurant. When the waiter noticed Jasper coming in, he skillfully guided Jasper to an east table. Ashley thought Jasper must be a frequent

boy walked over with his short legs, and then held Ashley's leg firmly. He raised his chubby

his soft hair and asked, "Why are

a sip and said, "Whoever

about his own child!' she thought.

may I know

you know how to call?" She lowered her head and spoke

see

write

nodded, his eyes shining

cute. Ashley really wanted to kiss him if Jasper was not by her side. She didn't expect a man

papers in her bag. She wrote down her telephone number on a piece of

note into the pocket of his shorts. After

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

"Auntie, drink some water."

was too embarrassed to drink the tea prepared by her son, and when she was about to refuse, Jasper had already poured another glass of water for her son, and

going

what he has

spare time. I haven't heard that he's

"Really?" Ashley nodded.

when have

"Well, Mr. Zhan..."

"Just call me Jasper"

Ashley

she want to say just now?

elongate the voice, so she picked up a topic

Ashley scolded herself in heart for presenting with such

in a place far away from here. She would come to see me when I grew

means Nelson's mother was

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

order just now. Presumably the restaurant had no other food for breakfast. Guests have

the other table, a family of three sat there. Although the brands couldn't be seen, their clothes were well tailored, nicely fit and apparently expensive. It seemed that

in Mommy's arms before I fell asleep." Their kid asked in a childish voice.

was too strong and blew

spewed up the