I am Really a Superstar

It was the second morning of the Lunar New Year.

Another Lunar New Year was here again. At a military airbase in Sanya ¹ , a military aircraft had just arrived. The aircraft slowly landed on the runway and came to a stop. When the cargo hatch was opened, the first group of people to come out were some military personnel. Behind them, a man around the age of 30 walked out, squinting. As the sun was shining too brightly, he used his hand to block the glare above his forehead while his other hand took out a pair of sunglasses. Then, he put it on with a reminiscing smile on his face.

Blue skies.

White clouds.

And freedom.

It has been more than three years, but this bro is finally back!

Zhang Ye smiled and said, “I’ll be going then.”

One of the soldiers asked, “Fellow Zhang, do you really not need us to send you off?”

Zhang Ye curled his lips. “There’s no need.”

Another soldier said, “But the world has seen such great changes in these past few years.”

Zhang Ye waved it off. “No way, I’ve been dealing with you all for three years already. Even if you’re not sick of me, I’m sick of you guys. Now that I’m finally out, please stay as far away from me as you can.”

The few of them gave wry smiles.

Then Zhang Ye smoothed his clothes and strode forward.

Behind him, the voice of a young soldier rang out.

“Attention!”

“Salute!”

Shuffle.

Shuffle.

Shuffle.

The military personnel stood at attention and respectfully saluted Zhang Ye as he walked off into the distance. Even when he was 50 meters away from them, they still did not put down their hands. This wasn’t some perfunctory farewell they were giving him, but one that was done with the deepest of respect. This was because every one of them knew what Fellow Zhang had done for them, China, and the citizens over the past three years plus.

Outside the military airbase.

This was a suburb situated quite far from the city.

Zhang Ye kept walking straight along the road. After 20 minutes, there was still no sight of any cars, let alone a cab. Finally, when a tourist bus passed by, Zhang Ye quickly put out his hand and hailed it. The bus drove past him and then came to a sudden stop about a 100 meters away.

Zhang Ye ran over and caught up. “Driver, can I get a ride please?”

The driver said, “Call for one with your cell phone.”

Zhang Ye said, “Hai, my cell phone is dead.”

The driver said, “You won’t be able to get a ride here. There are too few vehicles passing by this place. I have to send these people somewhere, so I suggest that you wait for another vehicle instead.”

At the back of the bus were over a dozen young boys and girls who looked like they weren’t even 20 yet.

Chen Qiqi asked, “Where are you headed?”

Zhang Ye smiled and said, “I’m going to Yalong Bay ² .”

Chen Niannian, who was beside her, said, “Eh, we’re going to Yalong Bay too. It’s on the way.”

Zhang Ye was pleased to hear that. “That’s great then.”

Huo Yan blinked and said, “Are you a Beijinger?”

Zhang Ye smiled and said, “You guys are from Beijing too?”

Huo Yan said, “Yeah, we are.”

Thus, Chen Qiqi said, “Driver, let him come on board with us.”

The driver naturally did not object to that. This bus was rented by them, after all.

And so, Zhang Ye boarded the bus. He said to the teenagers, “Thanks, guys, I won’t take the ride for free. Let me share a part of the cost with you.” He then took out a 100-yuan bill from his wallet.

The teenagers were stunned when they saw it.

Zhang Ye was startled for a moment too. What? Do you think it’s not enough?

In the end, Chen Qiqi said something that dumbfounded Zhang Ye. She looked at the 100-yuan bill in Zhang Ye’s hand and said, “Big Bro, isn’t this bill a little old?”

Zhang Ye shook the bill in his hand. “Ah? This isn’t that old. It still looks quite new, doesn’t it?”

Chen Niannian also said in a speechless manner, “This version of the RMB has stopped circulating since three years ago. The banks recalled them, and we’ve been using the new version for a long time. If you pay others with this money, I doubt that they’d even accept it. Why are you still keeping it around? Unless you want it as an antique? Are you a collector?”

Ah?

The currency version has changed?

Damn, why didn’t anyone tell me?

Zhang Ye could only put the money away in embarrassment. “Looks like I’m getting a free ride then.”

Chen Qiqi said, “It’s alright, this bus was rented by Teacher Tian anyway. We didn’t spend a cent on it. So did you come to Sanya on vacation?”

Zhang Ye smiled and said, “You can say so. My parents, wife, and kid are vacationing in Sanya. I came here to look for them. What about you guys? Is it a group tour?”

Huo Yan said, “It’s our Qiyuan’s vacation trip.”

Zhang Ye was taken aback. “Qiyuan?”

Chen Qiqi declared proudly, “It’s the China Qiyuan.”

Zhang Ye looked at them in surprise. “You’re professional players?”

Huo Yan laughed and said, “Of course. I’m a Xiangqi ³ player while Qiqi and Niannian are both Go players.”

Professional Go players?

These female twins?

Zhang Ye had never heard of their names before. “Is Xiang Rong still the world number one in the Go world?”

Everyone was at a loss for words again.

Huo Yan asked, “Master Xiang?”

Chen Niannian said, “What old history are you basing that off of?”

Chen Qiqi replied, “Master Xiang retired two years ago.”

Zhang Ye said, “Huh?”

Chen Qiqi said, “The best in Go is Teacher Tian.”

Zhang Ye asked, “Teacher Tian? Who’s that?”

Chen Qiqi said, “Teacher Tian Weiwei of course!”

Zhang Ye was startled to hear that. “Little Tian?”

Of course he knew who Tian Weiwei was. Back then, he had been hailed as the successor of Xiang Rong and was the hope of the Chinese Go world. The only problem was that Tian Weiwei’s skill level at that time had not matured yet, so he was unable to perform consistently in his games. Who could have thought that in just a few years’ time, Little Tian, who used to be a crybaby, would reach the top?

Chen Qiqi said, “What Little Tian? You’re addressing him as though you know him.”

Zhang Ye laughed. “And why can’t I know him?”

Chen Niannian didn’t believe him. “You can play Go too?”

Zhang Ye smiled and said, “A little.”

Chen Qiqi clasped her hands in glee and said, “That’s great! Let’s play a game right now. My sister and I were worried about how we had nothing to do on the bus with Yalong Bay still so far away from here.”

Since Zhang Ye had nothing to do either, he said, “Sure thing, what are your ranks?”

Chen Niannian bragged, “I’m a 5-dan and my older sis is a 4-dan.”

Chen Qiqi rolled her eyes. “Go to hell. Why do you keep bringing that up.”

“Sis, mind your language. You’re a professional Go player, so you have to have manners.” Chen Niannian giggled.

Chen Qiqi harrumphed, “Don’t be so proud yet. I just didn’t perform to my potential last year. I’ll definitely get to 5-dan this year.” She then took out a travel Go set complete with magnetic stones so that the bumpy road wouldn’t be a problem. After setting it up, she even said to Huo Yan, “Put on some music, put on some music. I’m about to start a killing spree!”

Everyone gave her a look of contempt.

“Qiqi, that’s enough.”

“Pfft, a killing spree?”

“Please remember that you’re a professional Go player.”

“Oh you, always looking for a chance to bully amateurs.”

Huo Yan took out his cell phone and played some music.

Since he would be meeting his family again soon, Zhang Ye was in a great mood. He hummed to the music and remarked, “This song is not bad. Who sings it?”

Everyone looked at him like he was a fool.

Huo Yan said, “That’s Guan Zhaohua.”

Zhang Ye nodded and said, “Is he a newcomer?”

Chen Qiqi was floored. “A newcomer?”

Chen Niannian was disgusted. “Uncle, that’s a domestic Heavenly King you’re talking about!”

Zhang Ye froze. “Ah? A Heavenly King?”

Chen Qiqi facepalmed and said, “Don’t you watch television?”

Zhang Ye said, “Not really.”

Chen Qiqi said, “You don’t watch the Spring Festival Gala either?”

Zhang Ye said, “I’ve been too busy in these past two years, so no.”

Chen Qiqi sighed and said, “Then you’re really a hermit. You don’t even know who Guan Zhaohua is? That’s my idol, alright? He’s my Prince Charming, the hottest hunk around right now. My God, how could anyone in China or Asia not know who Guan Zhaohua is? Uncle, you’ve really changed my perception of things.”

Zhang Ye wondered, “When did this person become a Heavenly King?”

A professional Xiangqi player gave up and said, “Could your impression of the entertainment circle’s Heavenly Kings and Queens have stopped at the time of Zhang Yuanqi and Zhang Ye?”

Zhang Ye said, “Yeah.”

Huo Yan said, “That’s such old news. If you didn’t mention Zhang Ye or Zhang Yuanqi’s names, I would have forgotten about them. The world’s entertainment circle is moving too rapidly these days, and eras are changing almost every half a year, so don’t mention what can happen in two years. Or three years. All that is too far away to predict.”

Chen Qiqi called out to him, “Come, come, let’s start playing.”

Everyone had been “amazed” by this young man who boarded the bus halfway through the journey.

Using out of circulation RMB notes?

Talking about celebrities who had faded in time?

Which remote mountains did this person just come out from? Why does he not know anything at all?