When Lou Yunchun arrived, he noticed at a glance that the painting of "Drying Persimmons" behind the counter was gone. He was stunned for a moment, and a hint of joy rose in his heart.
I feel lucky too.
He never dared to underestimate Hu Xu. He understood Hu Xu's concerns and knew that the only difference between him and him was timing.
Fortunately, he has the initiative in his hands, so how could he give it up?
But even though he had the upper hand, he still cared about the painting. As long as it hung there, his heart would not be at peace.
Xu Jiang was so smart that she would not fail to see the true meaning of the painting. Whether out of affection or friendship, he was afraid that she would take Hu Xu too seriously.
He hoped that she only had him in her heart, just as he only had her in his heart.
Now that the painting has finally been taken down, his heart is finally at ease. He feels happy, sighs, and more importantly, he feels an endless love for it.
Xu Jiang came out from the backyard and saw him standing in front of the counter, stunned. She asked, "When did you get here? Why don't you say a word?"
Lou Yunchun looked back at her, his dark eyes shining.
Xu Jiang couldn't help but laugh and asked, "What are you praising yourself for?"
Lou Yunchun took her hand and held it in his palm, "Why did you take down this painting?"
Xu Jiang's palms burned, and her heart burned, and she said, "Don't ask questions when you already know the answer."
Lou Yunchun smiled, and when he thought that she was coming to his house tomorrow, he was even happier. He wanted to get closer to her even more, but he was afraid of being rude, and he felt uneasy.
"I'll send a car to pick you up tomorrow."
Xu Jiang shook his head and refused, "I'll go by myself."
It was Lou Jing who invited her to attend Mrs. Lou's birthday party. Although she and Lou Yunchun had an indissoluble bond, their future was not yet clear, so it was not appropriate for them to go in and out together in such an occasion.
Lou Yunchun understood her concerns and didn't force her. He just hooked his hand around hers and said, "Then I'll wait for you at the mansion tomorrow."
Xu Jiang smiled and said, "Okay."
The two agreed that Lou Yunchun could not stay long because of family matters, so he said goodbye to her.
Xu Jiang locked the door, returned to the backyard, took a lamp and went to the carving room to take out something.
It was a statue of a God of Longevity, all ochre and glossy. The God of Longevity lay like a cloud by the water, resting against a pine tree, his expression relaxed. His eyes seemed half-closed, half-smiling, yet shone with a benevolent light that made anyone, no matter where they looked, feel as though they were watching him.
This was carved by Xu Jiang from a piece of thuja cypress she had found at the lumberyard. She sniffed it closely; the thuja cypress's unique fragrance was soothing and calming, making it a suitable gift for an elder.
He then carefully sealed the wooden carving in a brocade box, then stood holding the brocade box for a long time, letting out an almost inaudible sigh.
The next day, Xu Jiang got up very early.
She did not dress up much, just changed into her new dress, did some makeup, and then put on a cloak. She asked Lin Hongchu to look after the bookstore, and then she took the invitations and gifts and rode her donkey to the house.
The donkey already knew the way. It walked onto the street of Zhaoxingfang and ran straight to the house.
Xu Jiang was so angry that she pulled its ears, cursing as she pulled, "Did I starve you? I thought I could kidnap you just for a bunch of grass, you idiot!"
The donkey shook his head and ignored her.
When they arrived at the door of Lou's house, Yin Yin and Lou Yunchun's personal servant were already waiting there. Xu Jiang was relieved when she didn't see Lou Yunchun.
She greeted the two of them with a smile. The servant hurried over to lead the donkey for her, and Yin Yin helped her down from the donkey.
After unloading the birthday gifts, the servant took the donkey away.
Yin Yin was almost sticking to Xu Jiang, staring at her eagerly, "Sister Xu, how long have you not come? I miss you so much."
She said with a curved eyebrow: "Isn't it coming?"
Xu Jiang wanted to enter through the corner gate, but Yin Yin held her and led her to the main gate. She was stunned for a moment, then stepped into the vermilion gate.
It was still the same garden, but the autumn colors had faded away, leaving only empty branches and strange trees. It looked a little deserted, but had its own withered charm.
Xu Jiang did not feel as unfamiliar as she did when she first came. With Yin Yin chattering beside her, she did not feel restrained. Instead, she felt as happy as if she was revisiting an old place and meeting someone after a long separation.
"It's still early to leave the banquet. I will take you to Ziranxuan first, and then to meet the Madam."
"good."
The two of them then went to Ziranxuan.
Passing by Mingshi Pavilion, Xu Jiang looked at the bare persimmon tree and thought of the bright red persimmons on the tree, and couldn't help but curl up the corners of her mouth.
Yin Yin followed her gaze and pouted, "I didn't even get to eat two of the persimmon cakes my sisters sent me before they were shared out by the sisters."
Some of the dried persimmons in the shop were given away, and the rest had been eaten by Lou Yunchun. Xu Jiang consoled him, saying, "Next year when the harvest comes, I'll make more and leave some for you."
After saying this, she was stunned again, and then laughed.
Yinyin also laughed secretly, "We agreed to make persimmon cakes again next year, sister, you can't go back on your word."
"Okay." Xu Jiang pinched her round face and asked, "Can you write your name?"
Yin Yin nodded and replied, "I will. I will write it to my sister later."
The two chatted and laughed until they arrived at Ziran Pavilion. However, Yinyin stopped under the banana tree, took the things from her hand, and let her go up alone.
Xu Jiang felt restless, her mouth suddenly dry, and her face slightly hot.
"Go ahead." Yin Yin smiled and pushed her away.
She calmed herself down and walked towards Ziranxuan step by step.
Lou Yunchun was waiting in the yard. Seeing her coming up, he hurried to greet her. When Xu Jiang saw him, she calmed down and smiled at him naturally.
Lou Yunchun was afraid that she would feel uncomfortable, so when he saw her like this, he immediately breathed a sigh of relief, took her hand and led her towards him.
"Are you tired of walking?"
"My feet are a little sore."
Lou Yunchun took her into the house, asked her to sit down, and made tea for her with the water that had been prepared on the stove.
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