A Second Law Of Thermodynamics

These Bridge Crossing Noodles are hot! says Margaret.

Qing man yong, says Rosamunda.

Margaret looks sour.

What did she say? says Gaius.

Please eat slowly, says Arthur, remembering.

Most gratifying, says Doctor Zhu Min. Apart from our honoured guest Gaius, you all understand Mandarin.

Intriguing name, says Gaius. Bridge Crossing Noodles.

Allow me to explain, says Sikong Shu. A long time ago, on an island, a scholar was studying for his Imperial exams. Every day his wife crossed the bridge with his dinner. But it was a long way, and dinner would always be cold. So she came up with a clever solution.

Running? says Gaius.

No, says Sikong Shu. That is an unworthy remark. She placed broth in an earthenware pot and covered the broth with hot oil, before sealing the pot. She placed the noodles, vegetables and meat in another container. Then when she arrived on the island she added the food to the broth. And her husband enjoyed a hot dinner.

Hmmm, says Margaret. So much for the Second Law of Thermodynamics.

It's merely a legend, says Doctor Zhu Min. Now Arthur, I trust you will be ready to leave for Beijing in the morning?

I'm ready now, says Arthur. Everything I have's in my pockets.

Phone? says Rosamunda. You haven't ditched it?

No, says Arthur. Not yet.

Good, says Gaius. I shall be wanting to keep in touch.

You can keep in touch with me, says Doctor Zhu Min. It's not as though I am the enemy.

Indeed, says Gaius. But you must admit you have been uninformative and unhelpful.

We no longer re-educate people, says Doctor Zhu Min. They must come to the proper conclusions on their own.

About WHAT? explodes Gaius.

Think back, says Doctor Zhu Min. Meanwhile Sikong Shu will conduct you around a few more of the Qijong tourist attractions. The Fairy Caves for example, are nice.

All I want, says Gaius, is to visit the Kuanti Formation!

Sikong Shu kicks him under the table.

Gaius subsides, and sucks on a less than hot noodle.

Farewell Arthur, says Sikong Shu, rubbing the scab on his elbow. Destiny is a boat on the waves.

And also the waves, says Arthur.

Everyone thinks about that for a moment, including Arthur.

It's really quite good.

Sikong Shu takes out a notebook, and writes it down.