Chapter 38 My sister, I want to be her knight and protect her...

In the deep alleys and side rooms of small restaurants, the air is filled with the rich and fragrant aroma of agarwood, accompanied by the clear sound of reading.

In front of the lobby stage, a male and female duo performed Pingtan. The upper hand held a sanxian, the lower a pipa, twisting and plucking the strings, evoking the melodies.

Listen carefully, the song is "Liu Mengmei Picking Up Paintings":

"The blue sky is as pure as water, and the fragrance of osmanthus fills the air, signaling a change of season.

A boy, dashing, romantic and talented.

A son, an old scholar with a wealth of knowledge.

After meeting, we talked about the past and present with great joy, and kept the young, beautiful and handsome man.

Qin Yonglian could only understand part of the lines, but he felt that the taste and sound were the most evocative of his memories. The soft melody reminded him of the gentle sea breeze on South Cowes Island in the spring morning.

Qu Chengyuan asked, "After the seventh day of the Lunar New Year, the Lunar New Year is over. Businesses are gradually reopening. Will keeping you in Shanghai for one more day affect the company's affairs?"

"No, everything has been arranged." Qin Yonglian replied politely and calmly.

"Hotels are in the service industry. Strictly speaking, they operate 365 days a year. I'm used to this way of working."

"Yeah, our university's winter break is also very short!" Bai Ying whispered. We've come all the way here, and school will start soon.

The old lady was a person who paid attention to etiquette and glanced at her granddaughter.

The girl giggled twice, and then, being very considerate, she pretended to close a zipper at her lips.

"I heard that the oldest child in your family is your grandmother? Is she in good health?" Qu Chengyuan asked again.

“Thank you for your concern. Everything is fine.”

During the meal, Bai Xuan was unexpectedly quiet and didn't say much.

Occasionally he would look up at his spouse and nod in agreement to interact with him.

Qu Chengyuan said gently, "Then don't be so reserved. These local dishes are all based on Bai Ying's introduction. I ordered them according to your taste. Do you think they suit you?"

Qin Yonglian sat smiling, having just drunk some Qibao Daqu. It was his first time drinking wine, and he was a little tipsy.

Alcohol can make people sentimental and melt the world. He reminded himself to uphold the character of a gentleman, talk less and smile more.

Little did she know that Bai Ying caught a glimpse of his well-behaved appearance out of the corner of her eye, and the groundhog in her heart howled with excitement.

I've never seen this side of my boyfriend before. I really want to reach out and touch his head.

The audience happened to be singing:

"Sister, why are you looking at me with such charming eyes?

Nothing is more wonderful than willow-shaped eyebrows that add joy, and cherry-like lips that bloom red.

Sister, why are you looking at me with such charming eyes?

It is true that where can I send my tender feelings? The lingering spring scenery is half filled with anger.

Qu Chengyuan's eyes met with his granddaughter's, and he couldn't help but curl the corners of his lips when he caught her red-handed.

I thought to myself that since we’ve all been through this, I won’t expose you, okay?

Qin Yonglian had long been aware of the girl's gaze, which tickled his heart like a cat from time to time. In front of his elders, he was better off appearing calm and composed.

Although at that moment, I really wanted to hug her.

He actually understood the lyrics of the Pingtan music that just floated in the air.

I really want to raise my hand and rub Bai Ying's head, and imitate the lingering tune and ask her: Sister, why do you come to see me with such bright eyes?

When the Pingtan song was over, the leading actor left the stage with a smile.

Qin Yonglian sat up straight again unconsciously. Next, he was not sure whether he should go to the hotel after dinner or stay at Bai Ying's house.

Su Jiahao said that a son-in-law from another place should stay at the woman's house when he visits her for the first time to show closeness.

Zhenyan also mentioned that some people stayed in hotels as a sign of courtesy.

Bai Ying didn't understand either. She had never seen Bai Xuan so serious before, and she was at a loss for a moment.

Books don’t teach you these social etiquettes. How should a son-in-law from another place behave in the most decent and generous way?

The man pondered to himself.

Wait, a son-in-law from out of town? Son-in-law?

This new identity flashed through Qin Yonglian's mind, and he suddenly felt an unstoppable sense of comfort in his heart, just like the groundhog emoticon package that his girlfriend often sent him.

When you are happy to a certain extent, your neck will be tilted back 90 degrees and you will laugh out loud towards the sky.

The man stretched out his long fingers and pressed lightly on his temples. Calm down! Stay calm!

"And some Yan Du Xian (salted bamboo shoots with preserved vegetables) – it's light, tender, nutritious, and warms the stomach. Spring bamboo shoots are the quintessence of this season."

Qu Chengyuan greeted her warmly and said, "Come back next time when you have time, and grandma will make you some shepherd's purse wontons."

"Okay, sure." Qin Yonglian agreed readily.

Bai Xuan glanced at him and said, "Leon, stay at home tonight. Let's have a drink together."

Bai Ying was stunned at first while holding the chicken wing in his mouth, and then he applauded his grandfather's decision.

The old man gave them a doting look, and the softest place in his heart was destined to be reserved for them in this life.

Qin Yonglian smiled, his lips pressed into a line.

This was his first time to feel the atmosphere of a family dinner, which was warm and cozy.

*** ***

After returning home, Bai Ying silently took a look at the daughter's red wine that her grandfather had prepared long ago. It was said that this jar of wine was older than her aunt.

From Urumqi, Xinjiang, he moved around to follow the development of the Bai family's business and traveled nearly 4,000 kilometers to Shanghai.

What you drink is not wine, but time.

Qin Yonglian had already drunk quite a bit during the dinner. Bai Ying was not sure if his alcohol tolerance could withstand the next round of test?

Qu Chengyuan took a look at the situation and understood what was going on. He went into the kitchen and quickly prepared a few plates of snacks to go with the wine.

Bai Ying rested her hands on her chin and silently read out the names of the dishes: fennel beans, cold vinegar salad, bitter melon in a jade bowl, crystal shrimp...

It turns out that what is shown in the TV series is real, the father-in-law and son-in-law communicate by drinking with each other when they meet.

Alcohol can break down sensory barriers and blur interpersonal boundaries, and even Baixuan and Qin Yonglian are no exception.

This time, Qin Yonglian was much more proactive and respectfully poured wine for the father of the future Lord Taishan. He was obviously much more relaxed.

A pair of exquisite glasses were quickly filled with clear liquid again and again.

After fifty years of collection, the wine has become as bright and clear as spring water, sweet in the mouth, and the taste is becoming more and more elegant and delicate.

At first, Bai Ying and Qu Chengyuan, the grandparents and grandchildren, sat around and listened to the conversation with smiles on their faces.

After Bai Xuan got drunk, he felt that Qin Yonglian spoke Mandarin too slowly, so he switched the language channel and started chatting with him in English.

After getting drunk again, the old man unconsciously started speaking Russian. The topic had already changed from his study abroad in the Soviet Union when he was young, to his application to assist in the construction of Xinjiang in the 1960s, and because of this opportunity, he met the love of his life.

"Young people should be ambitious to defend their country, be indifferent to fame and fortune, and devote themselves to their careers. Revolutionaries cannot grow in a greenhouse; they must temper themselves in the face of storms and waves."

"Yuanze Group was founded by Yuanyuan. Since its establishment in 1978, it has been a leading high-tech enterprise in the industry. We have always believed that agriculture comes from the land, but it is not limited to the land."

"Yingying looks like her aunt. Fenglin was especially adorable when she was little, and she was on the covers of People and Time Story magazines. Yingying was born at 3:20 pm. She was so cute when she was brought out, as if she was holding the whole world. The humming sounds she made in my arms reminded me of the phrase 'the chirping of mountain birds.'"

Bai Xuan was so excited in his speech that he didn't notice that what he said was a hodgepodge of Chinese, English and Russian.

So, Bai Ying and Qu Chengyuan quietly retreated tactically, leaving the two of them alone to bond.

Qin Yonglian listened carefully and lamented that he should have come to Shanghai earlier to listen to the story behind Bai Ying.

He knew where Bai Ying's sunny personality came from. Only in such a warm family could she grow up carefree and raise such a precious Bai Ying.

"Last year, Yingying celebrated her coming-of-age ceremony and traveled alone in Europe for two months. It was her first time traveling far away alone. A child, even when far away, always misses her. I realized how much she's grown up, and I was the one being overly cautious. Back then, we sent her father and aunt abroad to study, and now we're here with Yingying. We can only wish her the best: the sky is high and the birds fly freely."

"We have tried our best to teach her how to love herself, others and the world. At any time, I will give her all my love and warmth without hesitation."

Bai Xuan finally stopped and said seriously, word by word, "Leon, you are a smart kid."

"Professor Bai, thank you for telling me about the past. The more I understand Yingying, the stronger my love for her will become."

Qin Yonglian answered in Russian, sincerely and solemnly.

"Huh? Yingying never told me that you can speak Russian."

"I have studied on my own for the past two months. If there are any grammatical or pronunciation errors, please correct me."

The young man, who had also drunk a lot of wine, was still polite and courteous.

Bai Xuan looked into his eyes. If it weren't for those emerald eyes, Qin Yonglian's appearance would have been more oriental, but he happened to have this one in ten million genetic probability.

The old man secretly sighed that this child has a strong spirit inside. What kind of environment did he live in to grow up to be what he is now?

Knowing what he has learned so far, if he were his parent, he would be deeply proud and gratified for this child.

Just like dealing with the land in this life, they sow seeds and carefully care for them in the sun, wind and rain. They wait until the seeds break through the soil and sprout, and they also make sure that the seedlings do not grow crooked. This is considered the first real step.

Qin Yonglian calmed himself down and said slowly, "I was born in Switzerland to a single mother. When I was six, I returned to Hong Kong with people sent by my father's family."

"Although my father had many wives, there was no place for me. Apart from going to boarding school, I lived on my own on South Cowes Island. I spoke Cantonese at home, English at school, and only spoke my native French to my pair of macaws."

"What's written online isn't entirely fabricated. I was indeed imprisoned on Hong Kong Island for the first half of my life. It's ridiculous that in this developed era, a wealthy kid like me couldn't leave the city for 20 years after the age of six. While Yingying was measuring the earth with her feet, I was confined to a cage of 1,000 square kilometers. Even the color of my eyes is a sin, like a tattoo on my face."

When Bai Xuan heard this, he raised his eyes and looked at him seriously. The light shone between Qin Yonglian's eyebrows, as if reflecting the faint flame burning in his eyes.

The young man quietly tells his story, without any sign of decadence or negativity.

"I used to think, since my life is already set, what does studying? Graduation? What does a diploma mean to me?"

"I have more money than I can spend in a lifetime, and the money in my bank account is constantly rolling over. No matter how many houses I have or how big they are, I can only sleep in a bed of a few square meters."

"Until I met Bai Ying, I asked her to tell me what the meaning of life is."

Qin Yonglian used to think that this was a question that only arises during adolescence, but now he thinks that this question mark may accompany a person throughout his life.

"Before I met her, I didn't use a smartphone or shop online, and my living room was empty except for the sofa. When I was little, I apologized to the plants in my apartment because I was already a trapped animal, and the plants didn't need to lose their freedom like me."

"But Bai Ying objected," Qin Yonglian said with a smile, "She said, 'You think they've only lost their freedom, but in fact, they've gained your love.'"

He remembered the girl saying, "Accept things as they come, don't anticipate the future, don't get distracted by the present, and don't dwell on the past."

Do what you should do and live according to your own will.

I don’t know if it was because it was the first time he opened his heart to his elders, or because the alcohol content was too high, but Qin Yonglian’s ears were as red as the hibiscus flowers planted in the garden, blooming beside his ears.

Bai Xuan also laughed out loud, feeling extremely happy. He could imagine the vivid face of Bai Ying saying these words, as if she were his child.

"Professor Bai, my life today is meaningful and has a future because of Bai Ying. I want to be her knight and protect her freedom. This is my belief."

*** ***

It was late at night and everyone was asleep. Qu Chengyuan and Bai Yingxian helped Bai Xuan upstairs to his room.

The old lady couldn't help but mutter, "The last time I saw you drunk was when you officially met son-in-law Zheng ten years ago. You're getting old, so take care of your body!"

Bai Xuan did not answer, but looked at his wife with a lively look in his eyes and eyebrows, trying to comfort her with his eyes.

Qu Chengyuan gently massaged his temples, "Professor Bai, don't always be prejudiced and treat other boys like pigs. Your little Baicai is a treasure, and Leon is also the apple of his mother's eye."

After pondering for a moment, Bai Xuan slowly said, "Yuanyuan, the children have grown up."

"Hmm, go check on that kid. He's drunk quite a bit, but he's quite a drinker."

The old man closed his eyes and waved his hand.

Bai Ying received the order and ran downstairs to see Qin Yonglian.

The young man still sat motionless on the stool, smelling the sandalwood in the air, his deep breathing becoming more relaxed and calmer.

The footsteps approached, and white feet appeared on the dark wooden floor.

Qin Yonglian raised the corner of his lips, easily put one hand around her waist, pulled her in front of him, and buried his face in her arms.

"Sister, why do you come to see me with such bright eyes?"

-----------------------

Author's words: Qin's piglet: well-behaved and steady.jpg

Bai Xuan: Passed the character test; passed the talent test; passed the potential test; passed the alcohol test;

Qin's Little Pig: Continue to be well behaved.jpg

Bai Xuan: The appearance test... you barely passed. From now on, you will be allowed to get rid of your piggy status.

Bai Ying: What a cute little piggy is!

Qin Yonglian: Grandpa, another toast to you (*￣︶￣)

【Notes】

①②The Pingtan lyrics in this article are taken from Jiang Yingqing's "Liu Mengmei Picks Up Paintings"

③This sentence comes from "Zeng Hu's Military Quotations" compiled by General Cai E.