Xu Jiang smiled and held her hand. She knew that although this man looked cold, he was actually soft-hearted.
The two of them walked through the main hall to the backyard, which was just as full of flowers and plants as the front yard, and even more peaceful. Its layout was simple, with two rooms facing each other on either side. The two rooms in the front complemented the main hall: one was the kitchen, the other the woodshed.
There is an octagonal well in the middle, and Song Qiao's tea is placed in the well.
She shook up the teapot and went to the kitchen to get two bowls. She poured the tea for Xu Jiang first, and after watching her drink it, she poured a bowl for herself.
"It's honeysuckle." This honeysuckle tea has rock honey added to it. After being soaked in well water, it tastes particularly fragrant. "It tastes good."
Song Qiao poured her another bowl, "I picked it in the mountains in March, there's still a lot, if you like it, take some back."
Xu Jiang shook her head. "Unfortunately, I'm leaving the capital tomorrow. I'll ask you for it when I get back."
"Leaving Beijing?" Song Qiao asked in surprise, "Where to?"
Xu Jiang paused while holding the bowl, then said, "Let's go find my mother."
The word "mother" made Song Qiao's heart ache. She took a sip of cold tea to calm the pain and asked, "I remember you said you were..." an orphan.
"I just found out about it in the past two days." Xu Jiang sighed slightly, then omitted all the dirty deeds done by Xu Twelve and told her his life story in a concise manner.
Song Qiao remained silent for a long time after hearing this. They stood facing each other for a while before she spoke, "She must have been waiting for you for a long time."
Xu Jiang finished the rest of the tea and said, "Yeah, that's why I want to meet him."
"Still drinking?"
Xu Jiang shook his head and handed the bowl to her, "That's enough."
Song Qiao collected the tea bowl and put the teapot back into the well. "She is a good mother."
Unlike her mother, who was heartless and ungrateful.
She then asked, "When are you leaving tomorrow?"
"Leaving early this morning." Xu Jiang jokingly asked, "Are you coming to see me off?"
"Yeah." Xu Jiang once said that they were friends, and friends should see each other off when they part.
Since we already have a shopkeeper named Wang, we are not afraid of having another Song Qiao. Besides, we cannot be polite to Song Qiao, because if we are polite, he will retreat.
"Okay, I'll go through Anhua Gate and leave as soon as the city gate opens."
"That's a relief." Song Qiao nodded. She would definitely not miss the time.
Just as the two of them had made their decision, Hu Xu's voice was heard from outside.
"Song Qiao?" Then he muttered to himself, "The door is open. Could it be Uncle Song?"
Song Qiao? Didn't she call her Madam Song before? Xu Jiang thought for a moment and pushed Song Qiao out, whispering, "You go out and answer first, I'll be right back."
Hu Xu was still waiting outside. Song Qiao was afraid that he would leave, so he went out to meet him without even asking Xu Jiang's intention.
Seeing Song Qiao coming out, Hu Xu's eyes lit up slightly and he smiled, "So it was you, I thought it was Uncle Song who came back from the mountains."
Even when Song Qiao was at home on weekdays, he would keep the door closed and would not open it unless called.
Song Qiao glanced towards the backyard and then said, "Father thinks it's too hot in the city and stays in the mountains and doesn't want to come back."
"That's going to be hard for you." Hu Xu saw her standing in front of the second hall, not coming down, and looking back at the backyard frequently, so he asked, "Are there any guests at home?"
Song Qiao hesitated for a moment and then nodded.
Hu Xu was a little surprised. He had lived next door to Song Qiao for several years, but he rarely saw her open the door to welcome guests. He frowned slightly. Why would she invite guests to the backyard? Seeing a hint of hesitation between her brows, he asked, "Are you in trouble? Do you need my help?"
Suddenly, a laugh came from the backyard. Song Qiao turned around helplessly and called out, "Madam Xu, come out quickly."
Hu Xu was stunned. "Boss?"
Song Qiao said, "I came to look for you. Since you're not here, come sit in my yard first."
Hearing this, Hu Xu felt relieved, but then felt embarrassed again.
Xu Jiang came out from the backyard and greeted Hu Xu.
Hu Xu met her gaze as she tried to hold back her laughter and sighed inwardly, having known he couldn't hide it from her.
Song Qiao said to Hu Xu, "Come in and talk."
Hu Xu also calmed down and said with a bow, "Thank you for bothering me."
After they entered, Song Qiao led the two to the stone table and said, "You can talk in the courtyard."
"Okay." Xu Jiang sat down first.
Seeing Hu Xu's forehead soaked with sweat, Song Qiao said, "I'll go get some tea. You two can chat slowly."
"Thank you." Hu Xu sat down after she went to the backyard. Seeing Xu Jiang's inquiring expression, he coughed uncomfortably and asked, "Master, are you here for the collection of essays?"
"Yes, and not only that." Xu Jiang dropped his joking expression and said, "I'm leaving Beijing tomorrow. The matters concerning the publication of your collection of essays have been handed over to Liang Mo, and he will contact you later. Also, if he encounters any difficulties during my absence, he will probably come to you for advice. I hope you can support him then."
"Leaving Beijing?" Hu Xu suddenly stood up and asked anxiously, "What happened? Why are you leaving? Is someone causing trouble again?"
Song Qiao was holding a cup of tea in the room. When he heard that he had lost his composure, he stopped for a moment.
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