While eating, Du Ruo met Chen Guochang.
Just as Li Anze had said, he was elegant and tolerant, with the demeanor of a scholar. As soon as he saw Du Ruo, he smiled and said, "Anze just mentioned you to me. I've seen your work before, and the carving is so superb. I figured it would take decades of hard work to achieve it. I never expected Comrade Du to be so young. It's really surprising. It shows that some people are born with natural talents and are favored by heaven."
"I don't deserve it. I'm embarrassed by your praise. Thank you for appreciating my work."
Li Anze said, "My friend is truly an excellent carver. Her works are always full of vitality and positive energy, which is very rare."
Du Ruo couldn't bear to listen any longer: "An Ze, did you two agree to support me?"
Seeing Du Ruo was embarrassed, Chen Guochang changed the subject: "Anze, you are in for a treat. Someone just sent a basket of crabs yesterday. I have asked them to steam them. Let's have a drink later.
Comrade Du, please don't be so shy. You're at home here. Since you're Anze's friend, you're my friend too. We'll visit each other often. You can call me Big Brother Guochang, and I'll call you Ruoruo. I'll need to trouble you with something in a few days, so please don't refuse."
Li Anze laughed and said, "It's not easy to recognize you as my big brother. You assigned us Ruoruo a task right after we met. If I don't do the work for you, then I can't recognize you as my big brother?"
Chen Guochang scolded with a smile, "You brat, you're so unruly every day. You even frame me. I usually don't get any benefits from you. Or is it that you have a new friend, so you don't like me, your big brother anymore?"
Chen Laodao: "Eating is the most important thing in the world. Let's talk after we finish eating."
After everyone sat down, Du Ruo raised an eyebrow. These dishes would not be strange at all in later generations. She often entertained friends, colleagues, and business partners. These things were commonplace and not surprising at all. But if they were served at a different time and place, they would not be so harmonious. This table of food would be of royal banquet standard nowadays.
The nannies were all wearing the same uniform. After serving the dishes, they quickly retreated, looking well-trained. Du Ruo found it very curious.
Seeing Du Ruo's surprised expression, everyone was not surprised. Many people had this expression when they came to the Chen family for the first time.
Li Anze explained: "These are all people sent by Brother Guochang's uncle, and Brother Guochang doesn't want them either."
Chen Guochang frowned and said, "He's such a meddlesome person. I've already told you that this kind of thing doesn't work here, but he just won't listen."
Li Anze said, "Your uncle is so caring and loving, and you don't appreciate it?"
Both the host and the guests enjoyed the meal very much. When Li Anze and Du Ruo left, Chen Guochang accompanied them to the door and repeatedly told Du Ruo to come and visit next time.
Du Ruo and Li Anze had just driven a few meters when a Santana sedan drove past their car. Du Ruo was sharp-eyed and saw that it was Han Ming sitting in the car. She turned around suddenly and her heart moved. The car was actually parked in front of the Chen family's door, and Qu's father also got out of the car.
How could the Qu family be related to the Chen family? The overall atmosphere in the Chen family was very strange. Du Ruo had an indescribable feeling...
Seeing Du Ruo constantly looking back, Li Anze couldn't help but smile and said, "What's wrong? Are you still reluctant to leave? It seems you really like Wutong Road? I'll ask around for you and call you if there's a suitable house."
Du Ruo didn't explain. She followed Li Anze's words and said, "Okay, you have to pay attention to it. I'll wait for your news."
Seeing Du Ruo so anxious, Li Anze frowned: "Aren't you used to living in the Yuan family? Why not go back to my old house and live there? The old man misses you all the time, and you can keep him company."
"As the saying goes, a home is worse than any other. I'm fine living in the Yuan family, but I still need to buy a house."
Li Anze understood: "I'll do it as soon as possible."
"Don't be too anxious. Don't delay your work."
"I'm not too busy lately, so why don't I walk with you this afternoon? I always say I'll do my best to be a good host, but I've been incredibly busy lately. I finally managed to get some free time these past few days. Is there anywhere you'd like to go?"
"Then let's go to the antique street. I'm quite interested in it. Shall we go for a walk?"
Li Anze had no objection, and the two drove to the Antique Street.
His grandfather likes jade and is also keen on antiques, but Li Anze himself doesn't care about these things. He is busy enough with his daily work and has no hobbies other than work.
He sighed and said, "Sometimes I feel that I am quite boring. Occasionally, I run or take a walk, and that's considered a break. Do I look boring like this?"
"I really don't. During the few days I lived in the Li family, every time I took a walk with you, I felt very peaceful and at ease. Anze, you have a natural talent for comforting people."
Li Anze's face was rarely shy, "No way, if you say it again I'll take it seriously."
“That’s the truth.”
In her previous life, she was restless and her mind was wandering, and it was Li Anze who calmed her down. This old friend really healed many of her wounds, and Du Ruo has always been grateful to him.
Hearing the sincerity in Du Ruo's words, Li Anze smiled: "You are the first friend who doesn't dislike my boringness, Ruoruo. I am really happy."
The two of them walked and talked, passed through the alley diagonally opposite, and entered the antique street. A strong cultural and historical atmosphere hit them in the face. Time on the antique street seemed to have stopped at a certain moment in history. The dazzling array of old objects silently conveyed the vicissitudes of the past to the pedestrians on the street.
Although Li Anze was not interested in these things, his father in his family liked this kind of thing, and he knew a lot about it through observation and observation.
He was interested in a jade ring: "Ruoruo, what do you think? I'll buy it and give it to the old man. Will he like it?"
The jade ring is emerald green all over, simple and elegant, and the carving on it has a sense of "simplicity is the ultimate" feeling, which is very pleasing to Li Anze, but it is not the type that the old man appreciates, so he is a little hesitant.
Du Ruo took the ring and looked at the carving on it. With just a few strokes, he outlined an eagle. The most amazing thing was that the eagle looked arrogant and lifelike. The person who carved it was definitely a master.
"Mr. Li will definitely like this eagle when he sees it."
Hearing Du Ruo say this, Li Anze was quite interested. Just as he was about to ask the price, he heard exclamations from the crowd next to him: "This is a gilded revolving vase from the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty. It is a rare treasure!"
"Look at the pastels, look at the artistry, it's undoubtedly the real thing!"
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