Li Haojun was driving on the road. The sun rose higher and higher, and before he knew it, the roadsides became busier. There were more residences, but their style was no longer the artificially built row houses or standalone buildings of the rural villages; instead, they were modern industrial 3D-printed houses — some were standard one‑story standalone units with small yards, others were two‑ or three‑story villas.
李皓珺驾车行驶在路上,太阳越来越高,不知不觉道路两边也越来越繁华了,有更多的住宅,但风格不像之前乡村民居那些人工修建的排屋或者独栋建筑,而是现代气息明显的工业3D打印房屋,有中规中矩的独栋一层加小院落,也有二层三层小别墅.
Some residents had turned their houses into cartoon figures — a whole neighborhood of Bugs Bunny, Mickey Mouse, Goofy...
有的居民居然把自己的房子做成卡通形象,一个社区都是兔八哥,米老鼠,高飞狗,,,
And the Motel 6 really was built to look like a Number 6 billiard ball, each one parked on the green grass.
而6号汽车旅馆,也真的造成了6号桌球的样子,一个个停在绿色的草地上.
Li Haojun felt it was getting a bit hot inside the car. Rolling down the window let in too much wind, so he closed the window and turned on the air conditioning's recirculation mode. Then he suddenly remembered this was an electric car, so he glanced at the fuel gauge.
李皓珺觉得车内有点热了,再开窗风又有些大,便关掉车窗打开空调内循环.忽然想起这是电车,于是瞟了一眼油量表,
"Does the AC affect the range?" Li Haojun asked.
"开空调影响里程吗?"李皓珺问,
"Don't worry, you can drive it like a gas or diesel car — it's fuel‑cell," Qin Wenjing answered from the back seat.
"没关系,你可以当它是油车或者柴油车开,燃料电池的."覃文静坐在后面回答,
"Ah... it seems there's a gap in my memory. I remember some general knowledge, but from a long time ago. I don't even know if I can keep up with this era," Li Haojun murmured to himself.
"啊...,我的记忆似乎是中间有一段空白,我记得一些常识,但是很久以前的.也不知道我还能不能跟上这个时代了,"李皓珺呐呐自语道,
"Don't worry. Maybe you'll remember, or you can learn again. You used to know a lot. Even if you can't recover your memories, I'll help you get your life back on track."
"别在意,也许你会回忆起来,或者你再学习一次.你之前懂得很多,你不用担心,即便不能恢复记忆,我会帮你生活恢复正轨的,"
"Thank you," Li Haojun glanced at Qin Wenjing in the rearview mirror.
"谢谢你,"李皓珺看了一眼后视镜里的覃文静.
"What's there to thank..." Qin Wenjing hesitated, then said, "Just like how you helped me adjust to my life back then."
"谢什么..."覃文静迟疑了一下,说,"就像从前你帮我适应我的生活一样."
As he drove, Li Haojun seemed to see something in the sky to the left through the windshield. He leaned forward and looked up carefully.
正开着车,李皓珺似乎透过前风挡看见左侧天空上有什么,他俯身抬头仔细观察,
"Is that a flying car?"
"是飞行汽车吗?"
"Yeah, flying taxis," Qin Wenjing replied in a playful voice, lightening the somewhat heavy atmosphere.
"是啊,飞行出租车,"覃文静用调皮的声音回答,缓解刚才有些凝重的气氛.
"Then why don't we take one?"
"那我们怎么不坐它?"
"Because I, feel, like this!" Qin Wenjing was at it again.
"我,高,兴!"覃文静又来了,
"Oh, okay. Can we take one?"
"哦,好吧.我们能坐它吗?"
"Of course, we can hail one — driverless. But this time I like you driving me," she said, tilting her head and grinning at Li Haojun.
"当然,我们可以叫它,无人驾驶的,但是这次我喜欢你开车载着我,"说完覃文静头一歪,笑嘻嘻地看着李皓珺.
"Oh, okay. You've arranged everything."
"哦,好吧,都是你安排好的."
"Yes, you can get used to an old‑fashioned life ahead of time."
"是的,你可以提前习惯一下老年生活啦."
"Hahaha," they both laughed.
"哈哈哈,"两人都笑了.
But as the laughter faded, Li Haojun looked at her in the rearview mirror — familiar yet unfamiliar. Was she really his partner? Was she? Yet he had no past with her, or rather, he didn't remember any earlier memories with her. Or wasn't she? Yet she was taking such good care of me. And it seemed she had nothing utilitarian to gain from him — she was young, beautiful, financially independent, while he...?
可是收敛了笑容,李皓珺看着后视镜里熟悉而又陌生的她,这真的是我的伴侣吗?她是?可是我与她却没有过去,或者说我不记得任何与她更从前的记忆.不是?而她却正在悉心地陪伴着我.并且我看起来对她来说根本没有什么功利性的好处,她年轻,漂亮,经济独立,而我呢?
On the road, more and more flying cars appeared in the sky, coming from all directions, following the same flight path parallel to the highway. Ahead, a road sign flashed by: Spokane, comma, Area 51, 10 miles ahead.
在路上,天空的飞行汽车越来越多,从各个方向过来的,沿着同一航线,平行于道路向前.前方掠过一块路牌,斯波坎,逗号,51区,前方10英里.
"Area 51? Isn't Area 51 in the Nevada desert?" Li Haojun asked, confused.
"51区?51区不是在内华达沙漠?"李皓珺有些迷惑地问,
"Now many counties across the country have an Area 51. It's just a name, not that military restricted zone. These so‑called Area 51s are mostly communities of genetically modified people, bionically enhanced individuals, or AI robots who choose to live together voluntarily. But a few are officially certified for interstellar cultural exchange, and the one we're going to is one of those."
"现在全国好多县都有51区,只是叫这个名字而已,不是那个军事禁区.这些个叫51区的主要是自愿一起生活的基因改造的,仿生强化的,或者AI机器人组成的社区.但是全国有几个是官方认证用于星际文化交流的,我们要去的这个就是其中之一."
"Haha, now that's exciting — are there aliens?"
"哈哈,这下刺激了,有外星人吗?"
"Not necessarily."
"也不一定."
"Why are we exchanging data here?"
"我们为什么要到这里交换数据?"
"Because there's no CIA, no FBI, etc. Here it's under Interstellar Alliance law enforcement."
"因为没有CIA,FBI什么的,这里是星际联盟执法."
"Damn."
"我去."
"That's my guess. More likely it's just company practice," Qin Wenjing added.
"我猜的,更多可能是公司惯例吧."覃文静补充道,
As she spoke, the flying car landing area appeared by the roadside ahead. Then the cars touched down and merged onto the road on their wheels, so Li Haojun had to slow down and blend into the traffic.
说着,前方公路边正是飞行汽车降落场地,然后依次依靠轮胎行驶汇入道路,所以李皓珺也只好降低速度,汇入车流.
He was also curious about the passengers inside those flying cars. Some had privacy curtains or UV‑blocking windows. Others were tourists looking out — families, young people, some looked like businesspeople, etc. Of course, there were children pressing against windows waving, but he didn't see any pets.
他也好奇,那些飞行汽车里都是什么乘客,有的拉着隐私窗帘,或者防紫外车窗.也有旅游的在向外张望,家庭,年轻人,有的看起来商人等等.当然也有小朋友扒着窗户打招呼,但是没看见带宠物的.
"I thought I might see octopuses, lizard people, or something," Li Haojun laughed.
"我还以为会看到章鱼,蜥蜴人什么的,"李皓珺笑道,
"Not that exaggerated. Look ahead — on the right side of the road there'll be a Starbucks coffee house. After that, there's a 'Chanson' tavern. Just park in front."
"没有那么夸张,你看前面,道路右侧会有个星巴克咖啡屋,经过之后会有个"香颂阁"酒馆儿,停在前面就行."
Ahead was the familiar green Starbucks siren logo, in a square glass building with a few customers inside.
前面是熟悉的绿色Starbucks女神,建筑是玻璃的方方正正的,里面有个别客人.
Further on, a two‑story French‑style building with stone walls, gray tile roof, dark brown wooden doors and window frames. The sign by the door read "Chanson" — this should be the place.
再往前,法式二层建筑,石块外墙,灰瓦屋顶,深棕色木料门,窗框,再看门前标牌,Chanson,应该是这里了.
Li Haojun parked the car, saw Qin Wenjing get out, locked the car, then walked over and took her left hand. Qin Wenjing looked up, turned her face, and smiled happily, then followed him toward the tavern entrance.
李皓珺把车停到车位,看覃文静也下了车,锁车,然后走过去拉起她的左手,覃文静抬头转脸欣然一笑,跟着他向酒馆门口走去.
Pushing the door open, they faced the bar directly. A customer in cowboy attire was already sitting on a high stool, a white man. He turned his head and recognized them immediately.
推门进屋正对吧台,高脚椅上已经有一位白人牛仔装扮的客人坐在那里,他一回头就认出来人,
"Emily, long time no see."
"艾米莉,好久不见,"
"Hello, John," Qin Wenjing replied.
"你好约翰,"覃文静答道,
"Ethan, how are you?"
"伊森,你还好吗?"
"Fine, thank you." Li Haojun only then realized that was his English name and answered hastily.
"还好,谢谢."李皓珺才知道自己英文名字,急忙搪塞回答.
"This is Mr. John Weyant," Qin Wenjing quickly introduced him to Li Haojun.
"这是约翰韦安特先生,"覃文静忙给李皓珺引荐,
"Nice to meet you." After saying it, Li Haojun thought to himself, should he say "again"? Oh, whatever.
"很高兴见到你,"说完了李皓珺心里想,要不要说"又"呢?嗐,无所谓了.
After the greetings, Qin Wenjing sat on the high stool next to John, and Li Haojun sat beside Qin Wenjing.
打完招呼覃文静已经坐到临近约翰的高脚椅上,李皓珺跟着坐在覃文静一边.
"Brandy — my treat. Sorry to have kept you waiting today," Qin Wenjing said, reaching into John's jacket and pulling out a stainless steel flask.
"白兰地,我请吧,今天让你久等了."覃文静说着伸手往约翰怀里一摸,掏出一个不锈钢酒壶,
"You're still... How's it going over there?"
"你还是...,那边还顺利吗?"
"Same as always — those hillbillies, lazier than me, always forgetting things."
"嗯,老样子,那些乡巴佬,比我还懒,又丢三落四."
Just then, their drinks arrived. Qin Wenjing filled John's flask in a few pours, then put it back. She left just a little in one glass and handed it to Li Haojun, saying, "You have to drive back — you can only have this much."
说着要的酒已经上来了,覃文静几杯把约翰的酒壶灌满,放回去.一杯只剩了一点,递给了李皓珺,说,"回去你还要开车,你只能喝这点."
She poured a bit from another glass into an empty one, handed the rest to John.
又一杯匀到空酒杯一点,剩下递给约翰,
"Cheers!"
"干杯!"
Since Li Haojun didn't know John well, he clinked glasses politely and didn't interrupt. The two chatted for a while, then decided to go somewhere else for lunch. As Li Haojun held the door open for Qin Wenjing, he glanced in the other direction. Two men were walking toward the tavern, about to enter. One was tall and thin, with a pointed face, sunken cheeks, high cheekbones — he looked like the legendary Lei Gong (the Thunder God), with big round eyes where the iris was large and the pupil small. The other had a long face, pale lips, a sturdy build, and a thick round belt matching his pants, tied in a knot around his waist.
李皓珺因为跟对方不熟,礼节性的跟着干杯,并没有插话.两人聊了一阵,决定换个地方吃午饭,李皓珺给覃文静开门后往另一个方向看了一眼,两个男人正走向酒馆,准备进门,一人高瘦,尖嘴猴腮高颧骨,象传说中的雷公,并且两只大圆眼睛眼仁儿大瞳孔小,另一个人大长脸白嘴唇,身材健硕,一条与裤子同款的滚圆腰带缠在腰间打了个结.
Li Haojun realized he had been staring too long, so he quickly smiled apologetically and nodded. Clearly, the men also saw Qin Wenjing coming out.
李皓珺意识到了自己盯着对方眼神时间过长,急忙赔笑点了一下头,显然对方也看到覃文静正在出门.
The long‑faced one hurried forward a couple of steps, bowed, and said, "What a pleasure to meet such a beautiful lady." He bent over, looking up at Qin Wenjing with a grin, and before he could straighten up, his belt burst open and dangled loosely.
大长脸急忙紧走两步躬身施礼道,"美女幸会,"他弯腰仰着脸看着覃文静嬉笑着还没等直起腰,裤腰带就崩开了,嘀哩当啷地垂了下来.
John, who had already gone out first, burst out laughing. He hadn't walked off on his own; instead, he stood at the street corner with his hands on his hips, watching.
那边先出门的约翰哈哈大笑起来.原来他并没有自顾自地走开,而是站在街口叉腰看着呢.
Li Haojun gave an apologetic smile, put his arm around Qin Wenjing's waist, and quickly walked away. Qin Wenjing only turned back with an apologetic smile and said nothing.
李皓珺赔了个微笑搂着覃文静的腰快速离开了,覃文静也只是回头赔了个笑脸什么也没说.
At midday on the street, the warm sunshine spread over the ground. The shadows of leaves and branches from the shade trees were clearly outlined on the pavement. John and Qin Wenjing walked ahead, talking about something.
中午的街道上,阳光暖融融地洒在地上,绿化树木的枝叶阴影清晰的勾勒在地面上,约翰和覃文静走在前面,交谈着什么.
Li Haojun followed not far behind, but couldn't hear what they were saying. Why would he want to eavesdrop? He didn't want to be a third wheel — clearly he was the stranger here.
李皓珺跟在后面不远处,但是听不到他们说什么,为什么要去听呢.李皓珺不想自己像个电灯泡一样,明明自己才是那个陌生人.
Just then, the two ahead were about to enter a roadside restaurant. Qin Wenjing looked back and saw Li Haojun trailing behind, so she waved for him to come over.
这时前面两人想要走进一家路边店,覃文静回头看李皓珺跟在远处,便招了招手等他.
It was a barbecue restaurant, but the steaks and lamb legs were all bio‑engineered — you could order various breeds on the spot. John sat across from the two, glanced at Li Haojun, and said to Qin Wenjing, "How's your boy? Doing okay?" His eyes fixed on Li Haojun.
这是一家烤肉店,但是牛排羊腿肉都是生物工程制造的,可以现点各种品种的.约翰坐在了两人对面,瞟了一眼李皓珺,对覃文静说,"你的小朋友还好吗?"说时眼睛盯着李皓珺.
"Don't worry, I'm fine, thank you," Li Haojun replied politely.
"别担心,我很好,谢谢,"李皓珺只是客套地回答.
"He's still the same," John said to Qin Wenjing.
"他还是老样子,"约翰对覃文静说,
"Yes, I'll take good care of him," Qin Wenjing said, turning her head to glance at Li Haojun. Li Haojun didn't turn to meet her eyes, though he knew she was looking at him.
"是的,我会照顾好他的,"说着覃文静扭头看了一李皓珺眼,而李皓珺并没有扭头看她的眼神,虽然他知道她在看他.
As they talked, the food arrived. John secretly pulled out a bottle of liquor and ate with great relish — a mouthful of liquor, a mouthful of meat. He didn't say much more.
谈话间菜上来了,约翰偷偷拿出酒瓶,一口酒一口肉兴致勃勃地吃了起来.不再谈论什么更多了.
After lunch, they said goodbye. Before getting into the car, John turned back and waved to them, then rode off on his Harley with a series of pops from the exhaust pipe.
吃过午饭,双方告别,上车之前约翰回头向他们挥了挥手,随后在啪啪啪的排气管声中骑着他的哈利远去了.
"So what do we do now?" With John gone, Li Haojun finally spoke.
"然后我们做什么?"约翰走了,李皓珺终于开口了.
"Are you jealous?" Qin Wenjing took both of his hands and asked.
"你吃醋了?"覃文静拉着李皓珺的双手问,
"No," came the cold reply.
"没有,"冷漠的回答,
"John and I are just work colleagues. He saved my life once. He's a field agent from Montana."
"我和约翰只是工作关系,他救过我,他是蒙大拿州的外勤."
"He's a spy?"
"他是特工?"
"Something like that."
"差不多吧,"
"Is he in love with you?"
"他爱你?"
"Maybe... but he's more like an uncle to me."
"也许吧,但是...,他像我的大伯一样."
"Alright, I'm fine now."
"好吧,我好了."
Qin Wenjing gave a wry smile, turned, and slowly walked down the street. Li Haojun knew he had behaved a bit inappropriately, so he didn't say anything more. He silently took Qin Wenjing's hand and walked with her.
覃文静苦笑了一下,转身慢慢沿着街道走下去了.李皓珺自知自己表现得不太合适,也不多说什么了,默默的拉着覃文静的手陪着她走.
Perhaps it was his nature — Li Haojun was always alert, which might also explain why he overreacted. He kept an eye on the passing vehicles and people. Most were well‑dressed, normal‑looking people — no aliens.
也许是本性,李皓珺总是很警觉,也许这也是他反应过度的原因吧.他不时注意着往来车辆,人员.多数都是衣着得体的,看起来的正常人,没有外星人.
Suddenly Qin Wenjing tugged his hand and said, "Let's go see an opera."
忽然覃文静拉着他的手说,"我们去看歌剧."
"Sure," Li Haojun followed her into a theater by the roadside.
"好啊,"李皓珺跟着她走进了路边的剧院,
The performance was already in progress. They could hear singing in the lobby. Qin Wenjing didn't go straight in; instead, she first entered a dressing room to the side and came out in an evening gown.
演出正在上演,在前厅可以听到歌声,覃文静没有直接进去,而是先进了一边的更衣间,换了一身晚礼服出来了.
A mauve‑purple off‑shoulder fishtail dress with pale green edges, like the color of coleus leaves. Her braid was swept to one side, showing off her slender neck and one bare shoulder.
酱紫色的露肩装鱼尾裙礼服,淡绿色的边缘像彩叶草一样的颜色,梳在一边的麻花辫,显出她的细颈单肩.
Li Haojun walked toward her, put one arm around her waist and the other around her head, shoulders, and back, and gently drew her into his embrace.
李皓珺迎着她走过去,一手搂着她的腰,一手搂着她的头肩后背,轻轻的搂入怀中.
Qin Wenjing said nothing. She quietly placed both hands on his chest, rested her face against his shoulder, and hugged him for a moment. Then they walked into the performance hall, found empty seats in a corner, and sat down. Li Haojun held her hand, and Qin Wenjing leaned on his shoulder.
覃文静什么也没说,静静地双手扶着他的前胸,把脸靠在他的肩膀拥抱了一下.随后两人走进表演厅,找了角落的空位置坐下,李皓珺拉着她的手,覃文静靠着他的肩.
On the stage, there was no complicated chorus — just vocal music. The dim stage lighting and ethereal melodies, in the sparsely populated theater, seemed to peer into every corner, into every corner of a lonely person's soul.
舞台上没有繁杂的群演,只是声乐演唱,昏黄的舞台灯光,飘渺的声线旋律,在上座稀疏的剧院中,似乎窥探着每一个角落,窥探着孤单的人的心灵的每一个角落.
And time itself seemed to slow down, held back by the lingering song, letting those who have love savor this beautiful moment...
而时间也似乎在婉转的歌声牵绊之下放慢了脚步,让有情的人啊,饱尝这美妙的瞬间,,,
As evening lights came on, they walked together on the street. Li Haojun draped his own jacket over Qin Wenjing's shoulders, took a deep breath of the cool night air to refresh himself, and pulled her closer. The melody of the song still seemed to linger behind them.
华灯初上,两个人的街道,李皓珺给覃文静披上自己的外套,深吸一口夜晚凉爽的空气提提神,搂紧她.歌声的旋律似乎仍跟在背后萦绕,
"Where to next?"
"下一步我们去哪?"
"A Motel 6 outside town..."
"城外6号旅馆...",
（Translated by DeepSeek）