"What's wrong?"

Xu Minghua stared at Xu Zhuohua's face; the two sisters hadn't seen each other for three or four months.

"Why have you lost so much weight? Is it because Cheng Muyun is treating you badly?"

It seems that no one in the Xu family has much respect for Cheng Muyun. In private, they all call him by his first name, just like Xu Zhuohua, and they are not as afraid of him as outsiders.

Xu Zhuohua touched her face; she really hadn't gained much weight. "Too many things to do, I'm so worried."

Xu Minghua gave her a deep look, seemingly not believing what Xu Zhuohua said, but not delving into it further. Instead, he took out a letter from his pocket.

"I went to Beiping with the newspaper a while ago. This is a letter that Xiao Wuxin asked me to give to you. You've been sick and we're not allowed to visit you, so I'm sorry I'm only giving it to you now."

Xu Zhuohua accepted the envelope in surprise.

"Oh! It's nothing."

The envelope had slight wear on the edges, indicating that it had been written long ago and carefully preserved.

Xu Zhuohua had many questions in her mind.

Why did Xiao Wuxin write her a letter?

What is the relationship between Xu Minghua and Xiao Wuxin?

What was written in the letter?

With this question in mind, Xu Zhuohua randomly picked a watch, showing little interest in anything else.

Cheng Muyun, Xu Jixin, and Xu Jixiao were on the other side of the room, discussing the southern and northern routes of the eastward journey.

Xu Zhuohua found a corner, and just as she opened the envelope, the light above her head was blocked by a figure.

She looked up and saw Xu Jiyi, whom she hadn't seen in a long time.

Xu Jiyi was two years older than Xu Minghua. At the age of twenty, he had grown up and was as slender as a willow tree by the water. He wore a large plaid suit, his narrow shoulders were slightly raised, his back was straight, and his every move exuded a strong scholarly air.

"Is there something you need, Third Brother?"

Xu Zhuohua now has a good impression of everyone in the Xu family, including the First Madam. The only exception is Xu Jiyi, who kept pestering her before the wedding, which annoyed her a bit.

Xu Jiyi's face was half hidden in the dim light, his brows were shrouded in a thin mist of weariness, and his whole face was full of bitterness, giving off a sense of loneliness. "It's nothing, it's just that it's been a long time."

After so much time, Xu Jiyi finally understood that even if Xu Zhuohua didn't marry Cheng Muyun, she would marry someone else. He and Xu Zhuohua were only nominally siblings, so it was absolutely impossible for them to be.

At least he saw how good Cheng Muyun was to Xu Zhuohua, so he stopped dwelling on it.

"Yes, it's been a long time." Xu Zhuohua tucked the envelope into her sleeve and asked with a slight smile, "What have you been busy with lately, Third Brother?"

Xu Jiyi was surprised that Xu Zhuohua was not so distant from him anymore, and a slight look of surprise appeared on his face. "I'm busy compiling historical linguistics with several professors."

Xu Zhuohua nodded slightly. Scholars of this era can be divided into three categories.

One type is like Xiao Wuxin, who has a strong political passion and fearlessly rushes to the forefront of the revolution.

One type is people who, after losing their political enthusiasm for various reasons, turn to the real academic world, like Xu Jiyi. They also play an indelible role in the construction of the future.

Another option is to get a degree, become a familiar face in academia, and then return to your hometown to find a job through connections. The smarter ones can catch the wave of the founding of the nation and get a minor official position, thus catching the fast train of history.

However, there were also many who were ignorant and short-sighted, who were buried along with the old society under the new sun.

In this chaotic world, although danger lurks everywhere, life also hides everywhere; it all depends on the choices one makes.

But no matter which path you choose, it's not easy to walk; that's the keynote of this era.

Xu Zhuohua finally looked at Xu Jiyi properly. He had a rather upright appearance and a bit of the air of a tough scholar. He was also the one in the Xu family who looked the most like a scholar.

"Then I wish Third Brother all the best in advance."

Xu Zhuohua hasn't yet learned about the impact of modern literature on history, so her understanding of literature is not thorough enough. She doesn't know if Xu Jiyi will achieve anything.

Therefore, I cannot give him a definite congratulation.

Xu Jiyi smiled, as if a gentle spring breeze was caressing the river surface, causing the willow branches to sway.

"Thank you for your kind words."

The two didn't really have much to talk about. Xu Jiyi wasn't as eloquent as Xu Jixin, and when Xu Jiyi fell silent, even Xu Zhuohua, who was only an E-level person, became silent as well.

Fortunately, before the awkward atmosphere between the two could spread, the butler came in and said that the meal could begin.

Xu Zhuohua breathed a sigh of relief. The people in the room put on their coats and went out one after another.

Xu Zhuohua turned her head and saw Cheng Muyun standing by the octagonal table, holding the watch that Xu Zhuohua had chosen.

He's like a puppy-dog boyfriend waiting for his girlfriend to go shopping.

Cheng Muyun, who is usually decisive and efficient, is now acting all delicate and effeminate, which is a bit hard for Xu Zhuohua to accept.

"The way you're acting makes it seem like you're the one who's being imprisoned."

Cheng Muyun smiled awkwardly, "I'm sorry."

Xu Zhuohua's resentment vanished instantly; she simply couldn't be angry at Cheng Muyun for his behavior.

Having been locked up for so many days, she knew that Cheng Muyun was a stubborn person who wouldn't turn back even after hitting a wall.

Xu Zhuohua walked to Cheng Muyun's side and took his arm. "Alright, I don't blame you. Cheer up and don't spoil everyone's fun."

Cheng Muyun happily followed Xu Zhuohua out the door.

During the meal, the men and women separated without a screen between them. The men talked about the Eastern and Southern routes and the situation in all directions, while the women talked about the latest fabrics and hairstyles in Xinhai City.

This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!