Chapter 19: Two Updates Combined, Clearly Sensing Each Other's Body Temperature
Xie Qingci's biological clock is always quite punctual. After washing up in the morning, she checked her belongings to make sure nothing was missing before sealing the box.
After changing her clothes, as she stood in front of the sink combing her hair, she looked in the mirror and finally took out the hair clip that Liang Jingzhuo had given her yesterday from her hair accessory bag.
Pushing his suitcase out of the room, Liang Jingzhuo also came out of his room at the same time. Their rooms were separated by an aisle and were diagonally opposite each other.
Their eyes met, and both of them paused.
Liang Jingzhuo wore a casual British-style suit today, and the tie he wore was the one Xie Qingci gave him yesterday.
His gaze met hers for a moment, then fell on the hair clip that was half-tucked behind her head.
Xie Qingci, holding her suitcase, greeted him proactively, "Good morning."
He nodded and replied, "Good morning."
As Liang Jingzhuo went downstairs, he took the suitcase from Xie Qingci and bumped into Uncle Zhong at the bottom of the stairs.
Uncle Zhong greeted Xie Qingci with a smile and then came over to take Xie Qingci's suitcase from Liang Jingzhuo.
They automatically ignored Liang Jingzhuo's things and walked past him without looking at him.
Xie Qingci sensed something was wrong and asked Liang Jingzhuo, "Did you and Uncle Zhong have a fight?"
After spending a few days with him, she found Uncle Zhong to be quite adorable. He would often come up with a joke, which was very funny, and he didn't look his age at all.
Liang Jingzhuo didn't have much luggage. He had clothes to carry with him in both Beijing and Hong Kong Island, and only some work documents that he needed to keep with him.
He put his briefcase in the car and replied, "No, Uncle Zhong had eye surgery a couple of years ago."
"?"
"Your eyesight isn't very good."
"..."
After getting in the car, Uncle Zhong remained aloof and silent, only smiling kindly as he started the car and said to Xie Qingci, "We're off, Miss Qingci. You can rest for a while."
After saying that, he turned back and continued to ignore Liang Jingzhuo.
Xie Qingci smiled and replied, "Okay."
He glanced at Liang Jingzhuo beside him, who was already oblivious and engrossed in flipping through the documents.
On the way to the airport, we did get stuck in traffic for a while near Fushun Hutong, but the weather was alright, not as bad as Uncle Zhong had said last night.
After arriving at the boarding hall, checking in, and dropping off my luggage, it was already close to boarding time.
Xie Qingci checked the accompanying documents again and followed Liang Jingzhuo to the security checkpoint.
The business class security checkpoint was a little far from their check-in area, and the two walked forward side by side.
A breeze stirred at her feet, and Xie Qingci's skirt brushed against Liang Jingzhuo's trousers. He glanced at her sideways.
He, who was used to walking alone, suddenly realized that someone was with him, so he slowed down his pace and reduced his stride.
His gaze paused for a moment as he looked at her hand holding the documents hanging by her side, then he reached out and took the documents from her hand.
Xie Qingci turned to look at him, and he handed the things to his other hand, saying, "I'll hold them for you."
After saying that, he naturally took her hand.
Our palms clasped together, finally no longer as stiff and numb as last time. A thin layer of sweat appeared on our fingertips, and we could clearly feel each other's body temperature.
Xie Qingci looked away and softly replied, "Mm."
Uncle Zhong followed behind, checked in his luggage, put away his documents, and looked up to see the two people walking in front of him holding hands.
He chuckled.
Fine, considering this kid has finally come to his senses for the first time in thirty years, I won't hold it against him. Let him kneel on the washboard if he wants, sob sob sob (tears streaming down his face.JPG).
-
The flight from Beijing to Hong Kong Island took nearly four hours. Before takeoff, Xie Qingci sent messages to Zhou Mingzhen and Old Madam Xie to let them know that she had boarded the plane.
Zhou Mingzhen quickly replied: 【Have a safe trip, baby!】
Then, another message came: "[Tomorrow should be for wishing my darling a happy marriage.]"
Following the news was a meme of a pink pig wiping away tears with a handkerchief, saying its cabbage had been stolen.
Xie Qingci smiled and said that she would return to Jingzhao after the short holiday.
As the plane was about to leave the jet bridge, a flight attendant came to remind her to switch her electronic devices to airplane mode. She replied that they were about to take off, ended the chat at the appropriate time, and turned on airplane mode.
Liang Jingzhuo managed to take a phone call during the break, but his tone didn't sound like it was about work.
Speaking in Mandarin, I replied briefly: "Yes, I've boarded, and we'll be taking off soon, around 12:30..."
In the end, not knowing whether the call had ended or not, I simply took the phone away from my ear and hung up.
When Xie Qingci looked over, he explained, "My mommy asked if we've left yet."
Xie Qingci nodded and replied, "Okay."
She remembered Liang Jingzhuo's mother when she was very young. When Grandma Zhou took her to visit Grandma Zhuang, Zhuang Shuying happened to be there too, greeting her with a smile and a gentle tone.
It's been ten years.
On the other end of the phone, Zhuang Shuying looked at the call that had been disconnected before she could finish speaking, and thought, "You brat! You think I'm annoying you!"
Liang Junshi didn't go to the company today. He was sitting behind his desk reviewing documents. Hearing this, he looked up and said, "I told you we're about to take off, so don't give me so many instructions. Jingzhuo isn't a child."
As soon as I answered the phone, a barrage of questions followed, with the final reminder: "It's almost a four-hour flight. If Xiaoci rests, remember to cover her with a blanket so she doesn't catch a cold. Also, don't forget to prepare slippers, a water bottle, and snacks. Talk to her, don't just sit there..."
Liang Jingzhuo felt like his head was on fire. He couldn't take it anymore, so he replied, "Okay," and hung up the phone.
Fortunately, he didn't encounter a Ms. Zhuang like this in the first twenty-eight years of his life, otherwise he should have moved out of the Liang family mansion after graduating from Form Six.
Zhuang Shuying put down her phone, her good mood unaffected. She picked out a pair of earrings from her jewelry box and put them on. "I'll go ask Ali how today's meals are going. They'll be arriving in Hong Kong around 1 p.m., and airplane food won't be enough."
We need to make sure they can have a meal as soon as they get back.
To prepare for Xie Qingci's first visit, the entire Liang family mansion began preparations a week in advance. The house was thoroughly cleaned and maintained several times, and the old decorative paintings were replaced with new ones.
Knowing that Xie Qingci studied art, and fearing that she might be dissatisfied with unprofessional paintings, the new paintings were all recently purchased by Zhuang Shuying from Christie's.
The carpets and various soft furnishings were all brand new, and even the potted plants and flowers in the house had just arrived this morning.
During Xie Qingci's stay in Hong Kong, the menu for every meal at home was researched and developed by Zhuang Shuying and Aunt Ali together.
Fearing she wouldn't be used to the food from other places, most of the dishes were the kind she usually ate in Beijing.
-
Three and a half hours later, the plane landed on Hong Kong Island, arriving slightly ahead of schedule.
When entering or leaving the airport, the climate difference between Hong Kong Island and Beijing in September and October is not particularly significant, except that Hong Kong Island is slightly milder.
Uncle Zhong went to get the car and drove them back to the Liang family mansion.
As she drove past the bustling streets, Xie Qingci turned to look out the car window. The last time she came to Hong Kong was three years ago, to participate in a training camp.
The city before me hasn't changed much from what I remember; it's still filled with skyscrapers, a mix of bustling activity and old-fashioned port charm.
As she passed through West Kowloon, she rolled down the car window. The bright sunshine and warm breeze that blew into the car eased some of the fatigue from the long flight.
A warm breeze caressed his face, and Liang Jingzhuo turned to look.
With the car window half-rolled down, Xie Qingci tilted her head back slightly, closed her eyes, and felt the warmth of the wind and sunlight. Stray hairs fluttered behind her ears in the wind.
Soft strands of hair brushed against the back of his hand, accompanied by a pleasant fragrance and a slight tickling sensation, like a needle plucking at his heart.
His gaze lingered on her slightly smiling lips for a moment before he slowly turned his face away.
-
When the car reached the halfway point of the mountain, Uncle Zhong received a call from Zhuang Shuying, who asked them where they were.
Given that Liang Jingzhuo doesn't reply to messages and has a history of hanging up on people, Zhuang Shuying didn't ask him directly.
Uncle Zhong answered the car phone and replied, "We've arrived halfway up the mountain, Madam. We'll arrive at the mansion in about ten minutes."
Zhuang Shuying, unable to hide her excitement, replied, "Okay, then be careful."
After saying that, she asked softly, "Is Xiao Ci in the car?"
If it were Liang Jingzhuo, he would have coldly replied, "What do you think? If not in the car, then on the roof?"
But Hsieh Ching-Tzu wouldn't.
A gentle voice, identical to the one she remembered, came from the speakers. Xie Qingci sat up straight and replied, "I'm here, Aunt Zhuang."
The girl's voice was gentle and sweet, and Zhuang Shuying smiled, "The journey must have been tiring, Xiao Ci. Did Liang Jingzhuo bully you along the way?"
The first half of the sentence was spoken gently, but the second half was as if he had become a different person, his voice and tone turning somber.
The sudden change in tone made Xie Qingci unconsciously curve her lips into a smile. She glanced at the person sitting next to her and replied, "No, it's fine."
Liang Jingzhuo glanced at the call displayed on the central control screen and said, "There are still ten minutes left. You can talk later."
After the voice faded, there was a two-second silence on the other end of the phone, followed by Zhuang Shuying's gentle voice, "You must be hungry. We've prepared a lot of your favorite dishes at home, so you can eat right away when you arrive."
Without naming names, Xie Qingci didn't know if the sentence was addressed to Liang Jingzhuo or to her. She pursed her lips and remained silent for a while before turning to look at Liang Jingzhuo.
He glanced back at her but didn't say anything.
Until Zhuang Shuying's voice rang out again, "Xiao Ci?"
Xie Qingci then realized that the previous sentence was addressed to her, and quickly replied, "Okay."
Zhuang Shuying smiled and reminded him to be careful on the road a few more times before hanging up the phone, as if she hadn't heard Liang Jingzhuo's words.
Xie Qingci looked at Uncle Zhong, who was driving in front, and then glanced at the person next to her out of the corner of her eye.
Did he offend two people in one day?
In contrast, Liang Jingzhuo was already used to it, calmly looking down at the work schedule sent by Lu Li on her phone.
"..."
-
When the car arrived at the Liang family mansion, Zhuang Shuying, Liang Junshi, and Aunt Ali were already waiting in front of the door. When they saw the car coming, they slowly walked over to greet it.
The car came to a smooth stop in front of the red carpet. Uncle Zhong got out of the car first and went to open the car door for Xie Qingci.
As she stepped out of the car, Zhuang Shuying greeted her first. She was a graceful and elegant woman, well-maintained and with an outstanding temperament. Behind her was Liang Junshi, whose aura was dignified and composed.
Xie Qingci smiled and called out, "Aunt Zhuang, Uncle Liang."
She then presented the gifts she had brought for the two of them. Compared to Liang Jingzhuo's welcoming gift, which was comparable to a housewarming party, hers was much more normal.
They were all purchased in Jingzhao according to Zhuang Shuying and Liang Junshi's daily needs, including skincare products, tea, and health-preserving medicinal cuisine.
The two smiled and responded. Zhuang Shuying warmly stepped forward to take her hand, and had the maid take the things from her hands, saying that she didn't need to prepare anything, and they were happy that she had come.
Xie Qingci smiled and replied, "Of course."
Zhuang Shuying took her arm and said, "Hurry up, you must be starving. It's past noon, let's go home for lunch."
Then he said to Aunt Ali, who was standing to the side, "Ali, tell the kitchen to serve the dishes."
Aunt Ali, still smiling as she carefully observed the future young mistress, immediately responded upon hearing the voice, turned around, and went back first.
When Liang Jingzhuo got out of the car, the people in front of the door were already walking towards the gate of the mansion.
Uncle Zhong stood by the car, glanced at him, and said, "It's worthless!"
After saying that, he got back into the car and drove it to the parking lot.
Liang Jingzhuo frowned slightly as he watched Xie Qingci, who was being helped through the gate by Zhuang Shuying.
He wasn't concerned about his own worth, but Xie Qingci had a week-long National Day holiday, and he couldn't expect Ms. Zhuang to accompany her for seven days straight.
What should he do then?
-
Upon entering the house, Zhuang Shuying had someone take Xie Qingci's luggage back to her room, and then led her to the dining room.
"I asked your mom the other day what you usually like to eat at home. She said you don't have any dietary restrictions, so I just prepared some random things. See if you like them?"
Xie Qingci does not have any dietary restrictions at home, nor is she picky about food. She can eat a little bit of everything, except that she doesn't particularly like the taste of ginger, but she can accept it as a seasoning.
The table was laden with delicious food. To say it was just something casually prepared would be too modest. She replied, "It's very sumptuous."
After being seated, Liang Jingzhuo also walked in from outside the restaurant. Although he was ignored throughout, a place and tableware were still left for him on the table.
After sitting down next to Xie Qingci, a servant brought out a small dessert before the meal, served in blue and white porcelain bowls and plates, with a layer of ginger-yellow liquid at the bottom of the bowls.
Xie Qingci didn't know what it was; she had never seen it before.
Liang Jingzhuo glanced at the bowl in front of him and said, "She doesn't eat ginger."
Zhuang Shuying put some thought into this meal, planning to prepare a table full of Beijing dishes and some Cantonese desserts, which the girls would probably enjoy.
Ginger milk curd is a classic and healthy dish.
Upon hearing this, the maid, who was holding a milk jug and about to pour milk into the bowl, was also taken aback and glanced at Zhuang Shuying.
Zhuang Shuying exclaimed "Oh!" with a guilty expression, "I didn't know, look at me... Xiao Ci, don't eat it, I'll prepare something else for you later."
Zhou Mingzhen said that Xie Qingci didn't have any particular dietary restrictions, so she really believed that there was nothing she couldn't eat.
Xie Qingci wanted to say it was okay, as she wasn't that bad at liking the taste of ginger.
It wasn't until the maid poured the milk from the milk jug into Liang Jingzhuo's bowl that she, sitting beside her, could smell the strong aroma of ginger, and she found it hard to say "It's okay."
In the brief moment she was stunned, Liang Jingzhuo reached out and took the bowl in front of her, his long, slender fingers gripping the rim, and said, "Give it to me."
With natural and practiced movements, Zhuang Shuying glanced at them with her mouth slightly open, then slowly pursed her lips and smiled.
Xie Qingci responded softly, "Okay."
-
After dinner, Zhuang Shuying asked Liang Jingzhuo to show Xie Qingci around the house. She planned to set up an afternoon tea in the garden later and then call them over when everything was ready.
Just like Ms. Zhou, I wonder what they want to see?
Liang Jingzhuo turned to Xie Qingci and asked for her opinion, "Shall we go?"
Xie Qingci looked back at him, "Go..."
It was really hard to refuse such a kind invitation.
Hearing her answer, Zhuang Shuying smiled, waved her hand, and said to Liang Jingzhuo, "Go quickly."
After saying that, he gave Xie Qingci a wink and said, "Go take a look at his study, and you'll see how boring he is."
Xie Qingci laughed and replied, "Okay."
As Xie Qingci took the elevator upstairs, she saw a painting hanging in the elevator, created by a late 19th-century Post-Impressionist artist, which used bright colors to express subjective emotions.
Most of the surviving works she knows of have fetched relatively high prices at auction houses.
Liang Jingzhuo noticed her gaze and glanced over. It was a new one; it wasn't hanging there when he left Hong Kong Island.
He looked away and said, "If you have any extra paintings, you can bring them over and hang them here."
Upon hearing this, Xie Qingci looked over and said, "My painting may not be qualified."
Three walls, three famous artists.
She doesn't have the audacity to replace a masterpiece with her own.
Liang Jingzhuo glanced at her and said, "You'll know once you bring it over."
Ms. Zhuang replaced all the famous paintings in her home in no time.
He doesn't understand art, but he understands Ms. Zhuang.
Zhuang Shuying appears gentle and approachable, but she herself is a business major. She keeps saying that since her family has been in business for generations, she should find a family member with an artistic background to influence the family atmosphere.
Xie Qingci was exactly what she wanted.
He paused for a moment, then looked over again, "You'd better talk to her as little as possible."
"?" Xie Qingci didn't understand. "What's wrong?"
He stared at her for a long time, then turned back and said, "You'll know once you've talked to her."
They're keeping us in suspense.
"..."
-
Liang Jingzhuo's study was on the second floor. He pushed open the door and turned on the light.
Bright light illuminates the black, white, and gray-toned interior and exterior furnishings, with ebony bookshelves lining an entire wall.
Xie Qingci stood in front of the bookcase and looked up. The bookcase was divided into two parts, with one half displaying various books and the other half displaying various medals.
Densely packed, too many to take in at once.
She recalled the comment Ke Meng made when reviewing his biography that day: "He's lived longer than me!"
That seems to make sense.
Many of the medals, large and small, share a single space or hang on the same display shelf, making it impossible to count them all.
She didn't look closely, but turned to glance at the bookshelf on the other side, which was mostly filled with dry and brain-teasing financial and business books.
At the same time, she finally understood why Aunt Zhuang had told her to go to his study and see how boring he was.
She looked away, chuckled, and caught a glimpse of an award display case beside her.
Next to the crown trophy was a framed photo of the award winner.
She turned her head to look over.
It's unclear how old Liang Jingzhuo was when this photo was taken; he's holding a trophy and staring at the camera with a cold, hard expression.
He was tall and straight, with a hint of pheasant-like arrogance still lingering in his eyes, yet he was also handsome and refined, but his expression remained as unapproachable as ever.
“I’m eighteen.” Liang Jingzhuo added when he noticed her gaze lingering on him.
Xie Qingci nodded and was about to look away when she suddenly noticed the competition events on the base of the trophy.
Champion of the U18 Boys' Group at the International Youth Chess Championship.
champion.
She recalled Xie Mulin's relaxed and contented expression at the Xie Family Manor that day.
Turning to look at him, "You... let him win that day?"
Xie Mulin wasn't present today, and Liang Jingzhuo readily admitted, "Yes."
After speaking, he recalled the chess game that day and continued, "Uncle's chess skills."
He paused for a moment, as if considering something difficult to decide.
Xie Qingci looked at him, expecting him to say something like "so-so" or "not bad," since Xie Mulin seemed to have been studying chess since she could remember.
After more than a decade, they should have figured out some tricks of the trade by now.
"It's just average."
"..."
"I need to think carefully about how to give a handicap so that it's not too obvious."
"…………"
He really worked hard; giving him a handicap requires more brainpower than actually playing the game...
-
The Liang Family Mansion and the Xie Family Manor are roughly the same size, and are also primarily residential spaces.
Xie Qingci also felt it was impolite to visit someone else's bedroom, so she planned to go downstairs after leaving the study.
Liang Jingzhuo's phone suddenly rang at that moment, interrupting her, and she could only stand aside and wait for him to finish the call.
A few minutes later, he finished the call, hung up, and looked at her, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.
She knew he must be busy with work, so she immediately said considerately, "It's okay, you go ahead and do your work. I'll go pack my luggage and then go see Aunt Zhuang later."
Liang Jingzhuo looked at her for a few seconds before speaking, "I'll have someone take you to your room."
She nodded in agreement.
He made a phone call, and soon a maid from the mansion came upstairs, greeting them with a smile, "Young Master, Young Madam."
Upon hearing the unfamiliar title, Xie Qingci paused for a moment.
Liang Jingzhuo didn't know where Ms. Zhuang had arranged Xie Qingci's room. The house had dozens or even hundreds of guest rooms of various sizes, but it shouldn't be too far from the master bedroom area.
He said, "Take Miss Xie to her room."
The maid's expression showed a hint of doubt, and she frowned slightly, but quickly recovered and replied, "Okay."
Xie Qingci followed the maid to her room. After a morning on the plane, she planned to unpack her luggage and take a shower.
As I was making these plans, I arrived at her door.
The maid politely stopped there and gestured towards the closed door, "Young Madam, this is your room."
She looked up, smiled, and nodded. "Okay, thank you."
The other person smiled, gave a slight bow, and turned to leave.
Xie Qingci looked up and rubbed her slightly sore neck. She opened the door, pushed it open, closed the door, walked through the living room, and entered the master bedroom.
He stopped abruptly as soon as he stepped into the bedroom.
The bedroom of Liang Jingzhuo in Fushun Hutong has the same decorating style: a rugged American modern style with black, white and gray tones.
She stood by the door for a while, observing the interior furnishings.
Is this the decorating style used in all their homes?
His gaze swept around the room, finally settling on the large bed in the center.
The bedside lamp is made of light pink cotton fabric and has a warm-toned, bud-shaped design.
This was different from the usage habits of Liang Jingzhuo that she saw in Jingzhao.
At least he wouldn't use such cute colors and items.
My anxiety eased a little.
She paused for a moment, pursed her lips, then lifted her foot again and walked towards the dressing room.
It shouldn't be.
However, before even stepping into the dressing room area, a glass cabinet displaying men's watches in the corner immediately caught the eye.
Xie Qingci paused for a moment, the answer in her heart already clamoring to burst forth.
I moved forward instinctively, my joints seemed stiff and stuck, making a "creaking" sound with each step.
As I stepped into the walk-in closet and saw the wardrobe full of men's clothing, my anxiety finally subsided.
It's not that all their homes are decorated in this style; it's just that this is Liang Jingzhuo's room.
Her suitcase was placed right next to his wardrobe where business suits were hung.
-----------------------
Author's Note: Boss Liang vying for favor (jpg) [doge emoji]
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
