Chapter 753
Although the current courtyard is quite comfortable to live in, Su Miao and his father finally chose to settle down in the courtyard with the Hexi painting.
The yard over there is bigger and more exquisite, and it is very close to Jiayin's home. Su Miao added a lot of clever ideas when renovating it.
There is a new scene at every step in the courtyard. A small garden has been newly built, and a grape trellis has been built behind the east wing, providing a canopy of green shade in the summer. A string of wind chimes is also hung under the eaves of the main house, tinkling when the breeze blows.
The yard was renovated in March and left to dry for half a year. Now we can move in during the summer vacation.
After looking at the date, Su Yuanzheng scheduled the housewarming party for noon of the next weekend so that his friends could arrange their time more easily.
The invitation was written by Su Miao herself, using gold-sprinkled rice paper. The handwriting was beautiful and neat, and at the end was stamped with her newly carved small seal "Miao Zhai".
In addition to the regular friends and teachers, Qin Xue and Grandpa Qin are also here this time.
Qin Xue was sitting in the office when she received the invitation. She smiled when she saw the exquisite envelope: "This girl is so particular about everything she does."
Before this, when Grandpa Qin was playing chess with Su Yuanzheng and asked about their current living conditions, he already knew that they were about to move to a new home.
He insisted on going and even rummaged through the drawers to find an antique painting as a gift.
That day he was in high spirits as he was going out with his daughter. His hair was combed meticulously, and he even replaced his walking stick with the carved ebony one.
As soon as he reached the gate of the courtyard, he was stopped by Mr. Tang behind him.
"Old Qin! What are you doing dressed so smartly?"
Old Mr. Tang was wearing a casual white sweatshirt, waving a palm-leaf fan, and squinting his eyes to look at his old friend's outfit.
"Oh! My nephew's family is moving into a new house today. I heard the yard is very beautiful. Xiaoxue and I are just about to go there for dinner. His family runs a big restaurant and the food they cook is delicious." Old Master Qin straightened his head and back, with a hint of pride in his tone.
Mr. Tang curled his lips and fanned himself even faster:
"I said I was coming to play with you, but you left me to eat something delicious. That's really too much."
"I'm sorry, old buddy. I'll come to see you tomorrow when I'm free." Old Master Qin waved his hand and was about to leave.
Mr. Tang thought for a moment and said, "Why don't you take me with you? I'll go get Huixin. Two more people and two more pairs of chopsticks. Your nephew shouldn't mind, right?"
As he spoke, his eyes sparkled, like a child asking for candy.
"Hey! You... you are just greedy! I didn't tell others in advance, it's too much trouble for my nephew." Old Master Qin frowned, but his tone had softened.
Old Master Qin looked at Qin Xue inquiringly.
Qin Xue smiled and said:
"It's okay. Uncle Tang and Aunt Huixin can go together. They are all acquaintances. The old Tang couple and Ziyi are also there today."
"Huh? Acquaintances? You also know Yuanzheng and Miaomiao?" Old Master Qin said in surprise, his gray eyebrows raised.
"Is it Yuanzheng and Miaomiao's housewarming? No wonder Ziyi said he wouldn't be back for dinner today and would be out all day. Humph! Then I have to go even more. Wait a minute, I'll go get Huixin!"
Old Master Tang ran home and even threw his palm-leaf fan in the yard.
Twenty minutes later, Mr. Tang came out changed into a set of "nice clothes", followed by his well-dressed wife, Grandma Huixin, whom Su Miao loved very much.
She held a brocade box in her hand and said to Qin Xue with a smile:
"Miao Miao is a very elegant girl. This is a paperweight for her."
In the car, two old men with great military achievements were competing to see who was closer to the Su family.
Mr. Qin said proudly:
"Miaomiao's grandfather and I are old comrades-in-arms. We have a close relationship that has been through life and death. I even stayed in their hometown for a few years. They are like our own children."
"Ha! How come you lost contact with someone you knew for life after twenty years? Your comrade-in-arms died in the line of duty, so you should help his son!" Old Master Tang bluntly poked at his sore spot.
He glanced at Old Man Qin and continued, "I've only met Yuanzheng twice. I think he's a good kid and quite capable. It's just that he lost his father at a young age and has no one to support him. He's been busy at the factory for so many years but hasn't been able to make a name for himself.
Fortunately, they had a smart daughter who had the courage to leave the factory and find another job. Now she is doing very well. Not only does she have this store in Beijing, but they also have an even bigger business in Nancheng!"
Upon hearing this, the wrinkles on Mr. Qin's face deepened:
"Oh my! Damn old man, what you said is like a knife in my heart. If I had known earlier... Oh, forget it, how could I have known earlier? I didn't even know they had been to the compound and were only a hundred meters away from me.
If Miaomiao hadn't been such an outstanding girl, and hadn't met Xiaoxue, I'm afraid we wouldn't have been able to continue this friendship. Forget it... From now on, I'll be protecting this father and daughter!"
He gripped his cane tightly and spoke firmly.
"What big thing has Miaomiao done again? This girl is extraordinary. Come and tell me about it." Old Master Tang moved closer.
"You don't know yet? Let me tell you..."
Old Master Qin told him vividly how Su Miao received the foreign guests, and the pride in his tone could not be suppressed at all.
…
The painted courtyard was bustling with activity today. Su's restaurant had closed for a day, and all employees had come to support the housewarming party and help the Su family entertain the guests. Su Yuanzheng had also given them red envelopes in advance.
The kitchen was bustling with activity as several chefs were busy preparing the banquet; in the yard, waiters were walking around serving tea and water.
The new courtyard is very large, more than enough to accommodate five tables. The menu had been decided in advance. The sumptuous banquet was mainly composed of Su Ji’s signature dishes, with a few additional main dishes.
Guests gathered in the yard in twos and threes, enjoying the scenery or chatting, and the atmosphere was warm and lively.
Su Miao was wearing a light blue modified cheongsam with a white jade hairpin in her hair, and was busy greeting guests.
She had a smile on her face, and her every move revealed a touch of classical charm, which complemented this quaint courtyard.
The invited friends visited the courtyard and praised it highly, saying that it was as magnificent as a prince's mansion.
Professor Wen took Wang Yingtong and Meng Linlin with them and they were so tired that they couldn't move anymore after staying in the corridor. The paintings were enough for them to study for half a day.
Professor Wen tilted his head back, his glasses almost sliding to the tip of his nose, but he was reluctant to look away.
"Miao Miao, this is amazing! You seem to be living in an antique. It's a pity that I didn't bring my camera today."
Su Miao showed him the "Beijing School Architecture Color Drawings" and said:
"It's okay, teacher. You can come anytime in the future. This was given to me by the original owner. It's a family heirloom, and he hopes someone will inherit it in the future."
Professor Wen flipped through the book as if it were a treasure, and after a while he said:
"This booklet is so precious, Miaomiao. You must keep it well. If there is a suitable opportunity in the future, you can fulfill the original owner's wish."
His fingers gently stroked the delicate lines, his eyes gleaming with the enthusiasm unique to scholars.
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