Chapter 6 Fourth, the goddess
Fahmi drove the car very fast, passed the Dasman Palace, and passed the Prime Minister's Palace.The car made seven turns and turned into the narrow and noisy Han Giffel alley.He found a parking space with great difficulty, reversed the car in, turned around and said with a smile:
"Huangfu, didn't you say you want to try Arabic snacks? This is equivalent to Beijing's Temple of Heaven or Tianjin's snack street. Come on."
They happily squeezed into the alley, the streets were full of people, the houses on both sides were low and old, the walls were planted with acacia trees and ivy, and the air was filled with the fragrance of Arabian spices and Indian spices.All kinds of food and drink spots stretched out in the light. The copper food bowls on the stalls contained pickled lemons, candied fruit, nuts, a kind of pastry called Bascas, short cakes, oatmeal porridge with white sugar, and pepper and salt. , pepper noodles, chili and other seasonings, as well as various unknown Arabic snacks.Vendors have brought into full play the Arab habit of swearing. They swear by the Prophet, his daughter Fatima, granddaughter Zeinab and grandson Hussein, claiming that they sell the most delicious and cheapest food in the world.The customers were mostly men in abayas, but there were also Arab women in blaga with only two eyes showing, Indians with turbans, and dark-faced Pakistanis.Fahmi said:
"Most of the people who come here to eat are expatriates, not many Kuwaitis. However, before I was fifteen, I used to come here with my younger sister—of course without telling my parents. Tell me, what would you like to eat?"
Huang Fulin was already fascinated, he liked the atmosphere rather than the food.He laughed:
"Let's start from here and eat all the way until we can't fit in our stomachs, shall we?"
"Okay, let's do it!"
So they threw a dinar at each stall and ate it in turn.Huang Fulin commented while eating:
"This is delicious, like Chinese walnut crisps. This one is also good, like Chinese strange-flavored beans. Ah, bah bah, what kind of stuff is this? It's so unpalatable!"
He was suddenly stunned, and there was an Arab girl standing at the entrance of the alley more than ten steps away from them, who probably had just arrived.She was wearing a mirage silk dress with exquisite texture and workmanship, which perfectly showed her high breasts, round buttocks and the beautiful curve of the hollow above the buttocks.Through the silk skirt, you can see the underwear embroidered with gold and silver thread, decorated with gold and silver foil, with ruby jewelry on the ears and neck.What's more terrible is that she also wears a thin copper wire veil, and the beauty behind the veil seems to give people endless reverie.
The lights are dim, the moonlight is clear, and a white and flawless girl stands on the noisy and chaotic background. It seems that the goddess Izzys in "Arabian Nights" has returned to the world.Huangfulin was completely conquered.Born in the 21st century, he has seen too many female bodies, nude swimming beaches in Long Island and Hawaii, nude social gatherings in wealthy areas of Sydney and Stockholm, and even Kuwait, where religious regulations are strictly prohibited, occasionally sees girls wearing three-point style on the beach However, the weathered police pretended not to see it.But only at this moment did he realize that the beauty of a woman should be concealed behind shyness and obscurity.
Fahmi noticed his friend's gaffe: "Huangfu, why are you in a daze?"
Following his gaze, Fahmi also saw the girl.At this moment, a man with a red pot belly came over with cymbals and shouted, "Argesus, who drinks Argesus!" This traditional drink is delivered to the mouth.Half-hidden by the veil, one can see a straight nose bridge, moist lips, and a pair of bright eyes like antelopes.Huang Fulin felt as if he had been struck by lightning, he seemed to hear his own heart beating, and he groaned almost in pain:
"My God, I've been searching for a long time. It turns out that my goddess is here."
Fahmi smiled jokingly, and he teased, "It turns out that my friend was shot by the arrow of Cupid."
Huang Fulin was still staring straight there, and resolutely announced: "Yes, I must marry her!"
"Did you know? She must be a Kuwaiti native, born rich, and her naturally conservative parents would never allow her to marry a - pardon my bluntness - pagan who eats unclean food."
Huang Fulin said frantically: "For her, I can give up everything! I will convert to Islam from tomorrow. I will never eat big meat, self-dead animals, or animals that have not been slaughtered in the name of Allah. I will firmly believe that If I do it, I will become the most thorough Muslim!"
Fahmi shook his head and said with a smile: "Today I know what Chinese love at first sight is. I happen to know this lady very well. She is the jewel in the palm of her parents. She has received Western education since she was a child. Behind her veil is a down-to-earth individual. Suprematist, against any form of shackles. Did you know she once wore this costume to Miss World in Sydney under a pseudonym, and when she lifted the veil, the judges voted for her unanimously in shock, even accommodating her No more swimsuit appearances. However, she then disappeared, much to the dismay of the judges. She is 19 years old, and her parents had long wanted to marry her to a Sabah royal child, but the marriage was delayed due to her strong opposition Undecided. So, it is likely that she does not match the goddess you have in mind."
Huang Fulin said stubbornly: "No way, she is my goddess!" He suddenly asked sensitively: "You know him very well? Could it be you and her..."
Fahmi laughed and said, "No, no, I am very glad that you and I will not be rivals in love. This girl," he paused intentionally, "is the youngest daughter of Prime Minister Shaukad, my own sister. Her name is Emina."
Huang Fulin stared at his friend in surprise.Fahmi said solemnly:
"My friend, if you really fall in love with her, I can do my best for you. I am very happy to have a brother-in-law like you. Your talent and medical skills are completely worthy of her beauty and dowry. Do you need me to call her over to introduce you?" Do you know each other?"
"No, no, absolutely not!" Huang Fulin waved his hands hastily.He slowly calmed down from the initial excitement, pondered for a while, and said calmly:
"The beauty must not be abrupt. I will meet her on a more solemn and sacred occasion. Let us now finish our business."
He still walked forward, one dinar in front of a stall, and tasted it intently. When he turned around by chance, he saw that the girl in white had gone. It was likely that she saw her brother and his doctor.
The next day Huang Fulin didn't let Fahmi accompany him. He asked Fahmi for 5,000 dinars in cash and went to the street alone.In the evening, Fahmi came to the room where the doctor stayed, and was surprised to find that Huang Fulin had changed his appearance. He was wearing a brand-new Arabic robe and turban, and was studying hard with the Koran in his hand, just like an Arab scholar.Fahmi was surprised and amused, but also moved. It seems that this wild Chinese doctor was really hit by the arrow of Cupid, and the arrow pierced through the heart, leaving no cure.
Huang Fulin put down the book and said solemnly: "Fahmi, my friend, please tell me how to propose marriage to your sister according to Arabic customs. I heard that the marriage proposal should be made by the man's parents, but my parents are not here. here."
Fahmi thought about it for a long time before he said solemnly: "My friend, I don't want to tell my parents. Although they value you very much, are you willing to marry your beloved daughter to a pagan who has no property? I'm afraid it will not be easy." I will convey your proposal to my sister first. If you can touch her heart, things will be easier. My parents are obedient to her. But Emina's eyes have always been on the top of her head. Can you Whether the sharp arrow that hit you can pierce her heart again, only by Allah."
Huang Fulin lowered his eyebrows and said: "Great God. Since I have converted to Allah, Allah will be merciful and give me happiness."
Fahmi said: "Okay, you wait here, I will go to Emina now, that arrogant and willful princess."
After Fahmi left, Huang Fulin kept reciting the Shahadah in a low voice, trying his best to calm his thoughts:
"There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the only messenger of Allah."
He was born in China, where there is little religious atmosphere, and was reborn in a family with rebellious genes, so he always treats any religion with a smile.Now, he tries to curb his wildness and incorporate it into his devotion to Allah and Muhammad.About half an hour later, Fahmi hurried back with a smile on his face:
"Okay, Emina is willing to meet you, this is unprecedented generosity." He smiled, and then solemnly said: "She is a difficult girl to deal with, I hope your love can break through this fortress ,God bless you."
Huangfu Lin walked away without hesitation, like a warrior who fears death as his home.
According to Fahmi's guidance, he walked through the winding path shaded by palm trees and came to Emina's boudoir.He stood there solemnly for a moment, then went to ring the doorbell, and heard the intercom hidden behind the door ask in Chinese:
"Is it Mr. Huang Fulin?"
She does not speak Chinese fluently, but her voice is sweet, like the sound of silver bells wafting from deep mountains and white clouds.At that moment, Huang Fulin almost burst into tears, he suppressed his excitement and replied:
"Miss, it's me, your loyal servant."
Inside the door said gently: "I'm sorry, men are not allowed to enter the boudoir of Arab unmarried women, only you are allowed to stand at the door and talk."
"That's good, it's even better. If I were to face the supreme goddess in my heart for the first time, I'm afraid I'll be speechless."
There was a slight snickering sound from inside the door.He didn't know that Fahmi was watching all this in his room at the moment with a two-way videophone.Just before he rang the doorbell, Emina wanted to call her brother's phone in the house.She tried hard to hold back a sarcastic smile, and said to her brother:
"Brother, the suitor has arrived at the door. Don't hang up the phone. I want you to see how he proposed and how I answered."
Fahmi looked at the smile on the corner of her mouth, secretly worried.He saw Emina leaning on the sofa, throwing a pickled lemon into her mouth from time to time, the small screen in front of her showed the scene outside the door, and the love captive stood at the door with low brows and eyes, with a very pious expression.Of course, Huang Fulin couldn't see what was going on inside.
Unfortunately, he came at the wrong time today.Emina is about to have her period, and she tosses and turns in pain every time she does.This long-term chronic disease planted deep fear in her heart, and also made her fear and even loathe the love of the opposite sex.The overbearing suitor—look at his countenance! —just to bring entertainment to her illness.She smiled maliciously, carefully looked at the man outside the door, then spat out the lemon, and said:
"I only lived in Beijing until I was two years old, so China is still a distant country to me, a mysterious country described in the 'Quran' and 'One Thousand and One Nights'. It has a long history, outstanding people, and rich resources. Let me tell you a secret, in fact, I have been looking forward to a handsome prince charming from China knocking on my boudoir door."
Fahmi couldn't help being taken aback.He knew that no matter according to Chinese or Arab standards, Huang Fulin was definitely not handsome, and the first image he gave people could even be said to be ugly.A pair of small eyes were embedded in the yellow and thin face, and he was dressed casually, without the demeanor of a doctor.It's just that after a long time of contact, when Huangfulin's talent gradually shines out, his face looks more pleasing to the eye.He thought that the words of his delicate sister might not be a slip of the tongue.
Huang Fulin didn't know how to chew this sentence. He lowered his eyebrows and remained silent for a long time before raising his head and answering:
"It's a pity that I'm neither a prince nor handsome. Apart from being proud of my talent, I only have a strong love. However, I don't know if you know a Chinese saying that the so-called beauty of a man and a woman's appearance are what women value in men. Talent, what men value in women is beauty, although this view of marriage is too old-fashioned."
Fahmi was taken aback for another moment. It was obvious that there were bones hidden in Huang Fulin's words, and Emina, who had a delicate heart, certainly couldn't fail to hear it.She glanced at her brother in the camera lens, pondered for a moment, then said with a smile:
"I'm afraid the Arab customs are more conservative. The only requirement for a woman is to obey. Of course, these women who are obedient to their husbands and have no talent or thought have to rely on their husband's property to support them."
Fahmi couldn't help but laugh. He didn't expect that the marriage proposal of this pair of men and women turned into a confrontation of swords and swords.Huangfu Lin outside the door raised his head and said proudly:
"Money is like dung to me. If I wanted to, I would easily be among the richest people in the world, at least not worse than the richest people in Arabia. They have squandered the gift of God-black gold. The richest people in the world will Head dollars to buy health from me, including pampered, degraded oil rich."
Fahmi frowned, he had a second taste of Huangfulin's arrogance.Emina smiled and said, "Yes, I haven't thanked you yet. My parents are very grateful to you for curing my brother's illness."
Huang Fulin outside the door waved his hand and said impatiently: "Please don't mention this matter at this time. I have cured tens of thousands of people, and I will not ask their sisters or daughters to marry me just because of gratitude."
Emina stopped talking, and Fahmi could guess the anger in her sister's heart.This gunpowder-smelling marriage proposal will definitely not succeed. In that case, he would rather let his arrogant sister listen to harsh words.He waited jokingly for his sister's answer.After a long time, my sister smiled and said:
"Actually, I don't value appearance or property. I only want the man who proposes to me to have a real passionate love."
Huang Fulin responded: "I am quite confident about this. If the goddess in my heart needs to be tested, I am willing to obey."
Fahmi couldn't help shaking his head, these two were too impulsive.With a slight smile on the corner of her mouth, the younger sister said casually:
"Do you see the guava tree outside the flower wall? Yes, to your left rear, far away, barely visible. That pomegranate is 200 years old, and it is still full of fiery love flowers every April. It is said that in 100 years A man stood under a tree for 10 days and 10 nights in order to propose to the goddess in his heart."
Fahmi immediately shouted in a low voice on the phone: "Emina, don't mess around!" He knew that his sister was playing a prank, and that the story was completely fabricated by her.Emina hissed in the camera and shook her finger.Huang Fulin outside the door hesitated for a moment:
"Don't eat or drink?"
Emina smiled even sweeter: "Of course, love is bread and sweet spring in the desert."
Huang Fulin seemed to smile coldly: "Miss Emina, do you know? According to medical statistics, a woman's hunger strike can generally last for 13 days, and a man's hunger strike can generally last for 7 days. After 10 days, it is very likely that I will be a dead bone." Yes. However, I am willing to accept the challenge. Now I want to ask some technical details: Can you please leave for a while?"
Emina blushed at this vulgar question, bit her lip and said, "Yes!"
"If I fall down within 10 days-but don't leave the place, will it count?"
Emina smiled sweetly: "Hey, you don't have to be so strict, you can bring a comfortable armchair."
"Okay. Goodbye, I will start at 6 o'clock tomorrow morning, when the sun rises." After saying that, he left without looking back.
Fahmi could only smile wryly. He didn't expect the proposal to turn into a duel. He really regretted that he had brokered this matter, and regretted that he didn't intervene immediately when he found something was wrong.Now the deal is done, according to his knowledge of Huangfulin, he will never retreat halfway.
He waited anxiously, saw Huang Fulin came back unhurriedly, with a calm expression on his face, smiled at Fahmi, and asked:
"Are there any Chinese restaurants in Kuwait?"
"Yes, it's near Han Giffel Street where I went the day before yesterday."
"How about a big meal there tonight? Of course it's your treat."
Fahmi said hesitantly: "My friend, do you..."
Huang Fulin laughed and cut off his words: "And your doctor Mu He, please ask him to go with you. I want to ask him to do something."
Knowing that dissuasion is hopeless, Fahmi also agreed with a hearty smile:
"Okay, let's go eat and have a good time!"
The crescent moon on the spire of the Hussein Mosque reflected the moonlight, and Mu'anzin (the muezzin) shouted from the minaret, with a melodious tone: "God is great, I testify that there is no god except Allah. I testify , Muhammad has brought the revelation of Allah, come and pray, come and pray.” The believers who made the evening ceremony fell to the ground and chanted, “All praises are to Allah, Allah in my heart.” The hotel is Not too far from the mosque, the lights are dim, the foyer is cold, and there is a Chinese line next to the Arwen signboard: "New Moon Halal Hotel", which is quite powerful and sophisticated.Seeing the imposing three guests dressed in Arabic costumes, the proprietress hurriedly greeted them with a happy smile.Huang Fulin praised:
"The handwriting is very good! I didn't expect to see such good Chinese calligraphy in Kuwait. Who wrote it?"
The proprietress is an overseas Chinese in her 40s. She happily replied: "It was written by my husband. He teaches Chinese in Baghdad. He often laughs at himself saying that no one knows how to write well. I didn't expect to meet three people who know treasures today. Please come in, Please come in quickly!"
The restaurant is small, and there are almost no customers.After the three of them sat down, the proprietress presented menus in Chinese, Arabic and English.Huang Fulin smiled and said:
"Don't bother, if you have any special dishes, feel free to deliver them."
"My chef is hired from my hometown, and he is best at Shandong cuisine. However, in order to cater for the tastes of guests from all over the world, the dishes I usually cook have lost the taste of Shandong cuisine. Today I asked the chef to make some authentic Shandong dishes. How about food?"
"Okay! Let me tell you, this gentleman is a rich man who is very powerful in Kuwait's political circles. As long as he eats to his heart's content, he will definitely give out dinars very generously, and he will also publicize it to the princes and ministers."
"Thank you so much, thank you so much."
"Of course, the food must be kosher."
The proprietress said angrily: "Does it need to be said? Tell you, our husband and wife and the chef are Muslims in China. We have always followed the rules of imams. But in Kuwait, they always treat me as infidels. You also see When we arrived, the business of this restaurant was deserted and deserted, and it was almost unsustainable."
Her eye circles were red, and she turned her head quickly. Fahmi comforted her: "Don't be sad, I will try my best to promote it for you."
The proprietress said in surprise: "Are you from Kuwait? Your Beijing dialect is better than mine!"
Fahmi smiled and said, "I have lived in Beijing for seven years."
The lady proprietress was very excited. She thought that the arrival of the distinguished guests today might bring about a turning point in the business of the restaurant.Huang Fulin asked again:
"Is there any good domestic wine? Fahmi, let's break the rules a little bit. It's okay to drink some strong Chinese wine. I don't think Islamic rules are strict about abstinence from alcohol. It seems that the main abstinence is wine and fruit bars."
Fahmi acquiesced with a smile, and the proprietress happily introduced: "We have Moutai, Wuliangye, Luzhou Laojiao, Confucian Mansion Banquet, and Credit Store Daqu, which one do you want?"
"I want a Confucian banquet. The taste is milder. I want two bottles, and two more bottles of cognac for this Mr. Muhe."
The proprietress went in happily.Not long after, plates of cold dishes were served, and Huang Fulin poured wine for everyone, and introduced each one:
"Here are three types of dried shrimps, three-color silver sprouts, three white soy sauce, white-cut beef with sesame sauce, and shredded chicken with four flavors, please."
The three drank happily.Huang Fulin didn't seem to care about the life and death that will be passed tomorrow. He was very talkative. He introduced that Shandong cuisine ranked first among the eight major cuisines in China. Famous for its tenderness.Its blasting, roasting, frying, deep-frying, grilling and steaming have become the basic skills of other cuisines.However, due to the small number of overseas Chinese from Shandong, Shandong cuisine is far less famous than Sichuan cuisine and Cantonese cuisine.
He also said that the Hui people in China are actually immigrants from Dashi in black (i.e. Iraq). Tang Suzong borrowed 200,000 soldiers from Dashi to quell the Anshi Rebellion. Hui people who believe in Islam.Hot dishes are also served one after another.Huang Fulin pointed out: "This is sweet and sour carp, three-beauty tofu, deep-fried double-crispy, yellow-braised soft-shelled turtle, Dezhou grilled chicken, Shili ginkgo, hey, this is a Confucian first-class pot, a famous dish of the Confucian mansion. Do you know Confucian Mansion? The ancestral home of the Confucian sage Confucius." He smiled and shook his head, "No, no, no, no, no, no, Chinese food is for foreigners to eat. They can't taste the Chinese flavor, and they can't explain it clearly."
While he was talking eloquently, Mu He kept clumsily using Chinese chopsticks and glanced at Huang Fulin.When the wine was half drunk, Muhe whispered something to Fahmi, and Fahmi said with a smile:
"Doctor Mu He wants to take you as his teacher, but I wonder if you will teach him."
Huang Fulin said happily: "Yes. Only the formula of the liquid medicine and ointment I used cannot be told to him. I haven't applied for a patent for the medicine yet."
Mu He was very happy, and asked eagerly: "Teacher Huangfu, please tell me why the light yellow medicinal liquid is so magical?"
The wine had aroused Huang Fulin's pride. He laughed and said, "It's a long story. I'm interested today, so I'll just say a few more words. Fahmi, try to translate as much as possible. I will tell you in English if you can't translate medical terms." Much."
"it is good."
Huang Fulin poured a glass of strong wine for Mu He: "Come on, I'll start after drinking this glass."
Mu He also fell back like Fahmi, and immediately wrinkled his face like an old bitter melon, coughing continuously, Huang Fulin and Fahmi both laughed.
Notes:
Notes: