Chapter 5 Cosmos (4) They, just left like that? ...
Lin Xia had grown up in the city, had no rural relatives, and had never lived in the countryside. Although Xiaolin Farm wasn't really a rural area, many things there were still new to her.
That afternoon, she and He Chuan were at Aunt Hao's house, petting kittens, feeding rabbits, chasing chickens, picking eggs, and playing until dark before returning home. He Ping had already prepared dinner for them.
Lin Xia had long forgotten what she had seen last night about the destruction and reconstruction of human civilization. After dinner, she went to bed and slept until dawn.
Lin Xia began to feel that spending a summer vacation at her grandfather's house wasn't so bad.
However, things soon changed again.
The next morning, when Lin Xia was in the yard learning with He Ping how to water and care for the flower beds, a bright red taxi stopped at the gate of the yard.
A slightly plump middle-aged man got out of the car. He was wearing a suit and carrying a black leather suitcase. He looked like a typical successful person in a TV drama.
He stood at the gate and called out, "Master's Wife!"
He Ping looked up and saw the person coming, and suddenly smiled brightly:
"Isn't this Kairen? You haven't been here for a while!"
Liu Kairen also smiled: "I've been too busy recently and haven't had time to come over. It's my fault. I haven't seen you for a long time. Master's wife is getting younger and younger. Is my uncle at home?"
"Yes, yes, come in!"
"This is--"
Liu Kairen walked into the yard and glanced at Lin Xia.
"This is the teacher's granddaughter, Lin Xia, and this is your grandfather's senior brother's son. You call him Uncle Liu."
Lin Xia obediently called for help.
Liu Kairen greeted her with a smile, as if regretting his actions: "If I had known my niece was here, I would have bought her some things girls would like. This time, I only brought a gift for my brother Xiaochuan."
"You always bring gifts when you come, which is really expensive for you. Why are you being so reserved..."
As He Ping spoke, she brought Liu Kairen into the house.
Lin Xia looked at the showerhead that He Ping had casually placed on the ground and the half-watered flowers, thinking, finally there was someone who called her by the way He Ping liked, no wonder she was so happy.
She suddenly became very curious about why this man came to see Lin Haisheng, so she walked around the house and came to the window sill near the sofa in the living room, eavesdropping quietly.
They asked each other about their recent situation, exchanged pleasantries for a while, and then started talking about business.
"Master, this commemoration of the centenary of Master Ji's birth is a joint initiative of the National Normal University, the Museum, the Calligraphy and Painting Association, and our company. An exhibition will be held simultaneously at the Museum and the National Normal University Art Gallery, along with a series of lectures and activities. This month-long event has my father, Master Zou, and Master Wang all agreed to participate. I know you're not a fan of the spotlight, but this isn't for personal gain. It's for the benefit of our colleagues in the industry, to pass on Master Ji's calligraphy and painting art, to discuss his academic thoughts, and to commemorate his personality and style. The four of you are recognized within the industry as Master Ji's four great disciples. It would be a great pity if you were absent!"
Liu Kairen's words made sense, and Lin Haisheng was somewhat moved. After a moment's thought, he said, "It's my duty to commemorate my mentor's birthday, but I'm really not good at dealing with people. Last time, we had a bad time in front of those bosses, and it also affected your business. I feel very sorry."
Liu Kairen said sincerely, "How can you blame Uncle Master? Last time, it was my fault for not making thorough arrangements. This time, I promise that everyone here will be from the cultural community, and I won't let Uncle Master feel unhappy in the slightest."
Lin Haisheng nodded, but still hesitated: "Attending one or two lectures is fine, but is a month too long?"
"One or two lectures is definitely not enough. Uncle Master, you haven't shown up in a long time and have closed the door to visitors. There are so many people waiting to visit and get to know you! My father misses you too and wanted to take this opportunity to have a small gathering with you and the two uncles!"
Lin Haisheng sighed slightly: "It's really been a long time since my three brothers and I have been together."
He Ping said, "Teacher, are you worried about Xia Xia? Why don't I stay at home and take care of the child this time? This is a rare opportunity, teacher, you must not miss it."
Liu Kairen persuaded, "Hey, the teacher is not in good health. If the teacher's wife doesn't accompany her, who will take care of the teacher? I think the two children are already that old, and it's time for them to learn to be independent..."
Lin Xia was listening intently when someone suddenly patted her shoulder from behind. She was so scared that she almost screamed.
When she turned around, it was He Chuan standing behind her.
Lin Xia felt a little embarrassed after being caught eavesdropping, but He Chuan didn't say anything. He just waved at her and motioned her to follow him.
The two of them walked back to the front of the house, one in front and one behind, and stood in the shade of the tree. He Chuan turned around and was about to speak when Lin Xia, the evildoer, complained first:
"You scared me again, this is the second time!"
He Chuan didn't expect to be bitten back. He was stunned for a moment, but he apologized as she wished:
"Excuse me."
Lin Xia suddenly felt a sense of guilt for bullying an honest person, and lowered her head and whispered:
"It's okay... Actually, I didn't mean to do that. I was just a little curious..."
He Chuan nodded: "Don't go there again."
"oh."
Lin Xia responded and asked, "Have you seen this person?"
"Yes, he comes here every once in a while."
"Where are you from?"
"Beijing."
"Beijing... I've never been to Beijing. Have you been there?"
"Not really. I changed trains in Beijing before coming to Wangchun."
"From your hometown? Where is your hometown?"
He Chuan paused and only answered her:
"A small place far away."
Then he turned and walked towards Aunt Hao's house. "Didn't you say you wanted to pick cherries? Let's go."
"Yes!"
Lin Xia suddenly remembered the agreement she had made with Aunt Hao yesterday and hurriedly followed He Chuan:
"Wait for me!"
.
When Lin Xia and He Chuan returned home in the evening, Liu Kairen had already left. He Ping and Lin Haisheng said nothing. Lin Xia felt that the matter was probably over.
In fact, she always felt it was magical when she eavesdropped on their conversation. She knew that her grandfather was very powerful, famous in the calligraphy and painting circles, had many disciples, and often went on business trips to other places to give lectures. But everything seemed to be much more amazing than she had imagined, so amazing that it seemed as if it did not belong to the small city of Wangchun at all.
Grandpa, Dad, Mom and her seem to be from two different worlds.
Although Liu Kairen left, he left behind gifts. He was a very good person, catering to everyone's preferences. He brought Lin Haisheng a pottery jar, He Ping a set of skincare products with English inscriptions, and He Chuan a very delicate model airplane that looked very expensive. Although he hadn't prepared anything for Lin Xia in advance, he still gave her a pearl bracelet as a last-minute gift, as if he had originally intended it for someone else.
Lin Xia lay in bed, playing with the bracelet, liking it the most. The pearls on the bracelet weren't exactly expensive, just a slightly yellowish color with noticeable growth lines. But this was her first time owning formal jewelry, unlike the cheap street jewelry she'd bought before. Her uncle had given her a silver bracelet, and her grandmother a gold pendant, but her mother had kept them, saying she was too young to wear them. Would this one, too, be taken by her mother?
She put the bracelet on her wrist, ran to the mirror to look at herself left and right, and found that it matched her skirt very well.
Or why not just not tell mom and stay secretly?
Forget it, let’s wait until mom comes back. I’ll wear it for a few days first!
This was the final conclusion she came to before going to bed.
That night, Lin Haisheng received a phone call in the living room. Lin Xia vaguely heard him call the other party Senior Brother Liu, saying something about not forgetting his mentor and that it was hard to refuse such a kind invitation. She didn't pay much attention to it.
Unexpectedly, when Lin Xia woke up the next morning, she was surprised to see two large suitcases in the living room with their doors open. He Ping was going in and out of the house packing things.
Lin Haisheng came over and said to He Ping:
"Xiao He, you don't need so many things. One box is enough."
He was wearing a gray-blue Mao suit and looked very formal.
He Ping's attitude was firm:
"No, your back and legs are not in good condition, so you can't sleep on the soft bed in the hotel. You have to bring this cushion and neck pillow, as well as these medicines. Don't worry about it, I'll take care of everything!"
As she spoke, she stuffed the things in her hands into the box.
"You, it's always like this!"
Lin Haisheng's tone was rarely warm, and he shook his head helplessly.
At this time, Liu Kairen came in a taxi again like yesterday. He got out of the car and walked into the door, urging:
"Master, Master's Wife, if we don't leave now, we'll miss the train!"
"I'm coming, Xiao Liu!"
He Ping quickly packed up all her things and handed the box to Liu Kai.
Ren Na got in the car, picked up his coat and backpack on the table, and before leaving, he passed by Lin Xia and said to her quickly:
"Xia Xia, your grandfather and I are going out for a while. Aunt Hao and I have agreed that you can go to her house for dinner. If you have any questions, you can always contact her."
Lin Haisheng also gave her a few instructions:
"You and Xiaochuan should stay safe at home and get along well."
Then he looked past Lin Xia and said to He Chuan behind her:
"Xiaochuan, take good care of Xia Xia."
He Chuan nodded: "I understand, Uncle Lin, don't worry."
Then Lin Haisheng and He Ping got into a taxi and left with Liu Kairen.
Lin Xia stood at the door in a daze, and didn't realize what had happened until the shadow of the car completely disappeared at the end of the road.
They just left like that?
Leaving two half-grown children at home?
No problem at all?
Lin Xia looked at He Chuan standing beside her and found that he had no expression on his face and was very calm, which made her feel as if she was making a big fuss out of nothing.
"Are you used to it? Do they often go away suddenly like this and leave you at home?"
He Chuan didn't answer, which was considered as his agreement.
Lin Xia couldn't understand it. This was completely impossible in her family. Otherwise, Lin Xuedong wouldn't have sent her to Lin Haisheng's house, with whom he wasn't particularly close, before leaving. Lin Xia had been well protected since she was a child. She didn't know how to do any housework and was basically unable to take care of herself. Lin Xuedong and Zhao Qianyi wouldn't leave her alone at home.
What should she do next? Ask her parents for help? Will she be packed up and sent to her grandmother's house? Who else would let her stay? Or would her mother, upon hearing the news, panic and return home with her father?
Lin Xia stood there, pondering life deeply. He Chuan said calmly:
"Eat, it'll get cold soon."
"oh."
He Ping was busy packing her suitcase in the morning, but she also took the time to prepare breakfast, which was simple, consisting of salted duck eggs and sugar cakes bought from the market.
Lin Xia had no appetite for the meal. After finishing, she asked He Chuan:
"Do you have a cell phone?"
"No."
"Neither have I."
Zhao Qianyi had promised to buy it for her after the high school entrance examination, but she hasn't done so yet.
"Then I'll use the landline."
"Use it."
So Lin Xia called Lin Xuedong on the landline.
The receiver rang for a long time before a man picked up the phone, his voice sounding a little tired.
"Hello?"
"Hello? Dad?"
"Xia Xia? How was it at Grandpa's house? Did you make Grandpa angry?"
"No, I'm not that disobedient!" Lin Xia was a little dissatisfied and hesitated for a moment. She didn't directly tell him about Lin Haisheng's departure, but asked tentatively:
"Dad, has Mom calmed down? When will you and Mom be back?"
"Xia Xia, do you miss us?"
Lin Xuedong smiled, then sighed, "Xia Xia, it might take a while for Mom and Dad to come back this time."
"Why? Mom is so angry? Dad, what did you do?"
"It's your Aunt Wen. She wants to open a training institution here and ask your mother to help."
Lin Xia knew that Aunt Wen was Li Wen, Zhao Qianyi's best friend who grew up with her. She married a businessman and moved to the provincial capital with her husband. Zhao Qianyi would visit her every now and then and took Lin Xia to play with her a few times.
"What about Mom's job?"
“That hasn’t been decided yet.”
"So...when will you be back?"
"Not sure, but I'll be back before you start school at the latest."
"oh."
Lin Xia circled the telephone wire with her fingers and whispered:
"Dad, you have to bring Mom back."
Lin Xuedong sighed, "Dad will do his best."
After hanging up the phone, Lin Xia sat on the sofa in a daze.
What's going on? Why is Mom suddenly staying in the provincial capital? She really wants to call her, but she'll definitely tell her that it's best not to interfere in adult matters. Mom has the final say at home, so can Dad persuade her to come back?
In the end, she still didn't tell her father that her grandfather was going out. She always felt that at such a critical moment, she couldn't hold her father back.
He Chuan came out of the kitchen after washing the dishes and saw Lin Xia looking listless. He wiped his hands and said:
"Do you want to go home? I can take you back."
Lin Xia shook her head: "No."
It’s more boring to stay at home alone and there’s no food to eat. I might as well stay here.
"Is Aunt Hao's cooking delicious?" she asked pitifully.
"Don't bother Aunt Hao, I can do it."
Lin Xia's eyes widened: "Really?"
"I made it at home before, don't worry."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
