Chapter 75
◎Gu Wangxi came out of the train station carrying a suitcase. The driver was already waiting at the passenger exit.
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Gu Wangxi came out of the train station carrying a suitcase, and the driver was already waiting at the passenger exit.
The driver came forward to take the luggage and asked, "Mr. Gu, are we going back to the Peace Hotel? Or home?"
Gu Wangxi paused, and said with rare hesitation: "Let's go back to Shaanxi North Road first."
The black car drove into the warm yellow house among the graceful yellow trees. Gu Wangxi asked the driver to go home for dinner first and come back to pick him up in three hours.
Gu Wangxi rang the doorbell and handed the luggage to the nanny Zhang Ma who opened the door, saying, "Don't take it upstairs, just put it in the living room."
This obviously means not staying at home for too long.
Gu Qinghua, wearing a loose-fitting green cheongsam, was carrying a plate of braised winter bamboo shoots out of the kitchen. Upon hearing this, she raised her eyebrows, looked at Gu Wangxi, and said jokingly, pretending to be angry, "Oh, you still remember this house? I thought you would never enter again."
Gu Xiangnan, who was wiping his hands with a hot towel and preparing to eat, stuck out his tongue and said something naughty, "Brother, did you sense that Mommy cooked today and came back with the smell?"
Gu Wangxi smiled tenderly and said, "I have to fly to Hong Kong at around four o'clock tomorrow. I don't want to wake you up."
Gu Qinghua stopped talking. His son always worked hard.
She waved and urged, "Hurry up and wash your hands. I have some braised bamboo shoots that you and your sister both love. I even added an extra spoonful of sugar to the stir-fry."
The brother and sister have similar tastes and both like sweet food, but one eats it openly while the other eats it covertly. The dish is easy to cook, so she doesn't have to work hard to make it fair for them.
When Gu Wangxi came back after washing his hands, all the food had been served on the small dining table in the small living room. The small round walnut table could only fit four chairs, so people were very close to each other, making it convenient for family members to talk and pass food to each other.
If there are no guests, the family must eat at this dining table, even if it is Western food with a lot of plates and bowls.
Gu Qinghua had just sat down when he clapped his hands and stood up, saying, "Oh, I forgot that the wine I brewed is ready to drink. I'll go get it and the four of us will have a drink."
Aunt Zhang also stood up and said quickly, "Professor Gu, I'll go get it."
Gu Wangxi looked at his mother and said softly, "Mom, please sit down. I'll get the cup. You don't want a tall glass, but a crystal lotus petal cup, right?"
Gu Qinghua nodded with satisfaction, then blinked at Gu Xiangnan and said silently, "Look at your brother."
As her daughter grew up, she became more and more graceful. Her skin became better and her face became more plump. The clothes she wore were all carefully selected by her.
Her daughter is so outstanding, why are there no male classmates who like her?
She couldn't stop the girl from falling in love, so she could only give her daughter a shot of prevention. She set a rough standard in her daughter's mind: when she looks for a boyfriend in the future, she wants him to be like her brother, who is considerate and understands people's thoughts.
Aunt Zhang lifted the red cloth covering the wine jar. Gu Wangxi poured the wine for Gu Qinghua first, then for Aunt Zhang, then for Gu Xiangnan, and finally for himself.
When pouring it into the crystal glass in front of Gu Xiangnan, she looked at Gu Wangxi with expectation and pity, hoping that he would pour a little more.
He kept saying, "Brother, a little more, it's too little, brother!"
The fruit wine brewed by her mother was delicious. Her mother was happy that her brother came back and the family was reunited, so her mother allowed her, a high school student, to have a drink.
Gu Wangxi remained unmoved. He raised his hand and took away the wine bottle, not a drop leaking out.
Gu Qinghua said with a smile, "Don't be anxious, honey. Finish your drink first, and your brother will pour you another."
Gu Wangxi put the wine jar aside and smiled silently.
The sour radish and old duck soup in the casserole was steaming. Gu Qinghua picked up the soup spoon, scooped a bowl of soup for his son and daughter, and put a duck leg on each of them.
Gu Wangxi picked up a piece of braised winter bamboo shoots with chopsticks, put it in his mouth, chewed it carefully and said, "This year's winter bamboo shoots are good."
Gu Qinghua continued, "The weather is normal this year, and since you two prefer dry food over soup, we made a braised dish. The winter bamboo shoots should be stewed in soup to avoid waste. If you like it, why don't you take two bamboo shoots back to the Peace Hotel and ask the chef to cook it for you? I think the chef at the Peace Hotel has entertained so many important people, so making a home-cooked dish should be no problem. Or if you still want to eat it, call us and have a seat at home, and then ask the driver to bring it over."
Gu Qinghua blew on the duck soup from time to time and chattered gently. The first sentence complained about his child being picky about food, and the next sentence was full of concern and indulgence.
The Peace Hotel had all the ingredients, but Gu Wangxi didn't want to disappoint Gu Qinghua's motherly love, so he nodded and said, "I'll bring one later."
The first dish to be finished was the braised winter bamboo shoots. Gu Wangxi and Gu Xiangnan loved it, but neither Gu Qinghua nor Wu Ma even touched the plate with their chopsticks. Later, Gu Wangxi also tried to be accommodating to his sister and slowed down his pace.
The child has a good appetite and likes to eat food made by himself.
Gu Qinghua smiled with satisfaction and said, "It seems I didn't cook enough, but it's not good to be greedy for one dish. You two should drink the soup."
On a winter day, the family drank soup and chatted in a house with a fireplace.
Gu Qinghua remembered that his son was on a business trip to his hometown in Hangzhou and asked, "Is Madam Li doing well? Would she be willing to come over earlier this year to celebrate the New Year with us?"
Gu Xiangnan and Gu Wangxi's hometown is Shanghai, and Gu Qinghua's hometown is Hangzhou. The Gu family has been developing in Hangzhou for recent generations. Later, Gu Qinghua's parents moved their family to nearby Shanghai for better development. Only two ancestral houses were left in Hangzhou, and the rest were all sold.
The Mother Li that Gu Qinghua mentioned was her wet nurse, who took care of her when she was growing up. After Gu Wangxi and Gu Xiangnan were born, she also helped take care of her children.
Back then, Gu Qinghua took his son abroad to visit his parents, but he didn't expect the situation to change rapidly and he never came back.
Mother Li anxiously protected Gu Xiangnan in China. Later, when Gu Xiangnan's father got into trouble, she wanted to take Gu Xiangnan back to Hangzhou to wait for Gu Qinghua to come back. It was better than suffering with Gu Xiangnan's father. Moreover, Gu Xiangnan neglected his daughter because of his resentment towards his wife.
But Gu Xiangnan was so cruel that he would rather let his young biological daughter live with her father who could not take care of her than let Mother Li take away Gu Xiangnan, who was more important to her than her own life.
She drove Mother Li away and even beat her. After leaving Beijing, she did not leave any information for Mother Li.
After returning to China, Gu Qinghua not only found her daughter, but also found Mother Li, whom she regarded as half a mother.
After waiting for more than ten years, Mother Li finally got a good result before she closed her eyes. She was overjoyed, but she felt that she was too old to help Gu Qinghua, so she stubbornly refused to stay with Gu Qinghua.
Mother Li has a son and a daughter, but lives alone in Hangzhou. She loves quietness and doesn't like to be with her children. Gu Qinghua and others go to Hangzhou to see her from time to time, or take her to Shanghai to live for a while.
Gu Wangxi also has a deep affection for Mother Li.
Gu Wangxi said with a smile, "Grandma Li is in good health, Mom, don't worry. She just went to the Zhejiang Hospital for a checkup not long ago, and all the indicators are normal. When I was there, Grandma Li's dried fish was eaten by a tabby cat. She picked up a stick and chased the cat for two blocks. As for coming to Shanghai for the New Year, she wants to wait until after New Year's Day."
The corners of Gu Qinghua's mouth were smiling for a while, then drooping.
Upon learning that Mrs. Li was fine, Gu Qinghua looked at Gu Wangxi and said, "I'm not worried about your Grandma Li. People of her generation, like ours, all had good physical fitness. But you, with your busy business, shouldn't forget to exercise, otherwise your health will be a problem in your thirties or forties."
Gu Wangxi argued, "I go to the Bund to run three times a week, jogging for half an hour and jogging for half an hour each time."
Gu Qinghua smiled and said deliberately, "You've regressed. You used to exercise for at least an hour and a half."
Gu Wangxi touched his nose embarrassedly.
Although Gu Qinghua talked more to his son, he didn't favor one over the other. He would look at his daughter from time to time, paying attention to her eating situation. It was as if Gu Xiangnan was still a three-year-old girl.
Gu Xiangnan is inferior and timid, but she is a very open-minded person, and sometimes her mind is very clear.
She knew that her mother always took care of her, and since her brother had finally come back, it was only natural for her mother to care about him a little.
After finishing half a bowl of soup, Gu Qinghua looked up, carefully examined his son, and asked casually, "Do you have a girlfriend?"
Zhang Ma and Gu Xiangnan remained motionless, and answered for Gu Wangxi in their hearts, "No."
Gu Wangxi paused for a moment, then said softly, "I got it."
Gu Qinghua smiled and asked tentatively, "Which Miss Bei?"
Aunt Zhang dropped the soup in her hand into the bowl in surprise. Gu Xiangnan didn't even eat the duck leg and looked at Gu Wangxi in amazement.
Bei Bitang's daily attire would stand out in the Peace Hotel like a drop of ink dropped into a bowl of clear water.
Everyone who came and went, and word spread like wildfire among those who were connected to the Gu family. Everyone knew that there was a Miss Bei who went in and out of room 719.
Where was Bei Bitang from? How old was she? Was she working? Was she still in college? Gu Qinghua knew nothing. She only knew from a friend that Gu Wangxi had a girlfriend.
Gu Qinghua also didn't want to inquire about Bei Bitang's situation or ask about the progress of Gu Wangxi's relationship.
She has always been lenient with Gu Wangxi, and Gu Wangxi has always reassured her. Even during his turbulent adolescence and in the open United States, there was no movement.
After receiving Gu Wangxi's approval, Gu Qinghua frowned and said sincerely, "When you bring him back, let me get to know him. Then I'll have another partner."
Gu Wangxi smiled and replied, "Let's talk about it after she takes the college entrance examination."
Gu Qinghua was startled, his face serious, and he said with dignity, "Wangxi, you made a mistake."
Gu Wangxi quickly explained himself, saying, "Mom, she is a social candidate and has already turned eighteen."
Gu Qinghua breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that she was too impulsive. Didn't she understand her son? This is the disadvantage of having a son. She is always worried that he will be controlled by hormones and morally corrupted.
Gu Qinghua reached out and patted her son's shoulder, apologizing, "I'm sorry, Mom misunderstood you."
Rather than being a mother, Gu Qinghua treats her two children more like friends and peers.
Gu Wangxi likes the family atmosphere of his own home very much.
Academics are the most important thing. Since the girl is also a college entrance examination candidate, Gu Qinghua only asked this question and did not mention it again.
After dinner, Gu Wangxi opened his suitcase and took out the gifts he brought back from his business trip.
Three silk scarves, two sandalwood fans, and an ink pad. Gu Wangxi bought the gifts very carefully, considering everyone and even giving some preference.
Before closing the suitcase, Gu Wangxi reached out and touched the azure silk box still inside. After hesitating for a moment, he closed the suitcase.
Before leaving, Gu Wangxi went upstairs to check Gu Xiangnan's homework before taking a taxi back to the Peace Hotel.
The night is endless and the wind is cold and solemn.
Bei Bitang heard the incessant knocking on the door, stood up and wanted to open it, but then she remembered that she had not worn any underwear for convenience. It was too late for her to go back to the bedroom and put on her underwear.
There was a hurried knock on the door. Bei Bitang bit her lip and thought for a moment, then reached out and picked up the suit jacket that Gu Wangxi had placed on the hanger and put it on.
After looking everything up and down and feeling that everything was ok, Bei Bitang opened the door.
Standing outside the door was a young man with a cynical look and a somewhat unrestrained and uninhibited look. He was also wearing a suit, and it was obvious that he was looking for Gu Wangxi.
Bei Bitang said, "You're here to see Gu..."
Bei Bitang paused. At this hour, she was in the same room with Gu Wangxi, wearing his suit and calling him Mr. Gu. How would people view her?
Huo Shixun looked at Bei Bitang's loose suit with interest.
Noticing his gaze, Bei Bitang blushed and whispered, "He's taking a shower. Come in and wait."
As he spoke, he turned sideways and let Huo Shixun in.
Taking a shower? Huo Shixun whistled as he walked in.
Huo Shixun walked to the side of the sofa, turned around, looked at Bei Bitang, extended his hand, and said friendlyly: "Hello, my name is Huo Shixun, and I'm Wang Xi's friend."
Bei Bitang said dryly, "Hello, Bei Bitang."
As he spoke, he quickly stretched out his hand and shook hands with Huo Shixun.
Bei Bitang wanted to leave and go into the study to do her homework, but she didn't want to let Huo Shixun wait there.
She tried to find something to say, "What would you like to drink? I'll make you a pot of tea."
After saying that, without waiting for Huo Shixun's reaction, Bei Bitang bent down, opened the cabinet built into the coffee table, took out a tin box, brewed a pot of Pu'er tea, and took a clean teacup to pour the tea.
Placing the tea in front of Huo Shixun, Bei Bitang couldn't help but glance towards the bathroom.
Why hasn’t Gu Wangxi come out yet?
Bei Bitang even had the urge to rush in and call for help.
Given the friendship between Huo Shixun and Gu Wangxi, he could have stood in front of the bathroom door and talked to Gu Wangxi, but he didn't want to.
He looked at the beauty's uneasy look with amusement.
Gu Wangxi didn't let Bei Bitang worry for too long. Bei Bitang had just been thinking about him in her heart when he came out in his pajamas, drying his hair.
Gu Wangxi was in the bathroom and vaguely heard Huo Shixun's voice. He was worried that Bei Bitang couldn't handle it and that Huo Shixun would bully her, so he quickly flushed the water a few times, put on his clothes and came out.
Seeing Gu Wangxi come out, Bei Bitang hurriedly said, "You guys chat."
After saying that, he slipped into the small study.
Huo Shixun raised his eyebrows at Gu Wangxi and said teasingly, "Beauty! You have a beautiful woman in a golden house. I never knew you liked unpolished jade."
Gu Wangxi sat down, wiped his hair vigorously, and said bluntly: "If you have something to say, just say it."
Huo Shixun turned a deaf ear to his words. What a good opportunity.
He said, "Where did you know..."
Huo Shixun frowned and slapped his thigh, saying, "Wow, isn't this the beauty I saw at Li Jieqi's wedding banquet?"
Gu Wangxi threw the towel on Huo Shixun's head and said, "Be quiet and be serious."
Having such a frivolous friend, he began to worry about his image in Bei Bitang's heart.
Huo Shixun picked up the towel, clasped his hands together and begged for mercy: "OK. Wangxi, don't be so naive. You and her have no connection before. Now let her into your room casually. Be careful that she will run away with the money. I don't think this Miss Bei has any feelings for you."
Huo Shixun had a dark face and said nothing.
Seeing him like this, Huo Shixun glared and said, "You didn't give her the other key to the room, did you?!"
Gu Wangxi’s silence is the best answer.
Huo Shixun pointed at him and said, "You're done!"
Gu Wangxi stood up and was about to leave when Huo Shixun stopped him and said, "Hey, let's get down to business, get down to business!"
When Bei Bitang came out of the small study, Huo Shixun had already left.
Gu Wangxi watched Bei Bitang put her hair up, put on her pajamas, and prepare to take a shower. He smiled and said nonchalantly, "Huo Shixun told me to be careful of you, be careful that you take my money and run away."
Bei Bitang said innocently without hesitation, "Huo Shixun must have been mean to his girlfriend. His girlfriend was truly wronged, which is why she treated him like that. Mr. Gu and I are different from Mr. Huo and his girlfriend. We didn't have a relationship before. Mr. Gu, don't worry that I'll want to take revenge on you and run away with your money."
Bei Bitang subconsciously thought that Huo Shixun had been hurt by his girlfriend.
Gu Wangxi lowered his shoulders and pushed his glasses. It seemed that there was no need to take out the gifts in the box.
Despite being in a low mood, Gu Wangxi sat on the bed, reading a book while waiting for Bei Bitang.
The sound of water in the bathroom stopped, and after a while the bathroom door was pushed open. Bei Bitang came out with flushed cheeks, bright eyes, and a slight mist in her eyes.
The lotus emerges from clear water, naturally without any decoration.
Wait, something's wrong. Gu Wangxi stared at Bei Bitang's hair and asked in surprise, "Did you cut your hair?"
Bei Bitang couldn't help but touch the ends of her short hair and said, "Washing my hair in winter is too troublesome and a waste of time. I thought I'd just cut my hair short and wait until the college entrance examination is over, so I can let it grow longer."
Bei Bitang was sleeping peacefully in Gu Wangxi's arms. Gu Wangxi gently pushed her away, and went to the bathroom in the light moonlight, putting on his slippers.
In the bright bathroom, Gu Wangxi's eyes were attracted by the black hair in the trash can. He couldn't help but squat down and reached out to pick up a small handful of Bei Bitang's hair.
Gu Wangxi took the hair, opened the suitcase, took out the silk box he brought back from Hangzhou, opened it, and inside were two square handkerchiefs, one red and one white.
The handkerchief was as light as a cicada's wing. Gu Wangxi rolled up the red part, tied a few strands of Bei Bitang's hair, then wrapped it with white, covered it, and put it in the silk box.
One red and one white, extremely sad and beautiful.
Gu Wangxi looked around the room with a conflicted feeling. He wanted Bei Bitang to find out, but he also didn't want Bei Bitang to find out.
Finally, Gu Wangxi placed the silk box in the small study where Bei Bitang often stayed, on the top shelf of the bookcase.
The heavy mahogany bookcase was so tall and large that even if Bei Bitang stood on tiptoe, she couldn't reach the top layer.
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