Chapter 11 Chapter 11 That’s not necessarily the case.
Once in the car, Xia Qingwan said, "Just take me home, thank you."
Ye Peixiu didn't answer.
Seeing the car driving onto the ring road, Xia Qingwan quickly realized that this was not the way home. She turned her head to look at Ye Peixiu, who was concentrating on driving without saying a word.
The car drove deep into the inner city, and a large red gate appeared in front of us. The gate slowly opened, and the car drove in and stopped in the parking lot outside the Moon Cave Gate.
Ye Peixiu got out of the car first without looking back.
There were guards standing on both sides inside the Great Red Gate. Xia Qingwan knew she couldn't escape, so she got out of the car a beat late and followed Ye Peixiu's back into the Moon Gate.
When I first entered this Su-style courtyard building, I felt solemnity and tranquility, and my heart calmed down as well.
The door of the main building was half open. Xia Qingwan walked in and stood at the entrance.
The floor was spotless, but she was soaking wet and there was nowhere to step.
At this time, Ye Peixiu came over with a large bath towel in her hand. She was a little stunned and looked at him blankly.
As he got closer, Ye Peixiu shook out the bath towel, put his arms around her shoulders, and wrapped her directly with the bath towel. He grabbed both sides of the bath towel with both hands and gently pulled her in front of him.
Xia Qingwan staggered forward two steps, her back wrapped in a bath towel, and in front of her was his tall, warm body. Her body temperature suddenly rose, covering the chill after being soaked by the rain.
She hadn't expected that he wanted to take care of her.
Thinking of how she had argued with him in the alley just now, she couldn't help but feel ashamed and embarrassed. She lowered her eyes and whispered, "Thank you."
Ye Peixiu lowered his eyes and looked at her for a moment.
A strand of damp hair stuck to her temples, her eyebrows and eyes were as black as ink, and further down, her two moist cherry-pink lips were gently bitten, and her face was a little flushed.
He raised his hand, paused in mid-air for two seconds, then lowered it again. Finally, he poured her a cup of hot water and said, "Sit down for a while. I'm going out for a while."
She didn't ask any further questions.
Ye Peixiu was out for less than ten minutes. When he came back, Xia Qingwan was standing by the floor-to-ceiling window wrapped in a bath towel, looking at the pond outside where rain was splashing.
Hearing the noise, she turned around and walked over.
Ye Peixiu handed her a brand new set of underwear and pajamas, saying, "I bought these at the convenience store, just wear them for now."
Xia Qingwan's eyes widened slightly.
"You're soaked, why don't you take a shower?" Ye Peixiu pulled his hand out of his trouser pocket and pointed in a direction, "The bathroom is over there."
Xia Qingwan took the new clothes, but lowered her head and stood there motionless.
Ye Peixiu had already sat down on the sofa. Seeing that she still hadn't moved, he chuckled, "What? Are you afraid I'll do something naughty and barge in while you're taking a shower?"
Xia Qingwan shook her head and said softly, "I'm sorry. I was a little too stressed at first and said some hurtful things."
Ye Peixiu remained noncommittal. "Go take a shower. You're going to catch a cold if you keep going like this."
Entering the shower room, I took off my wet clothes and let the warm water pour down on me.
Xia Qingwan couldn't help crying.
It's unclear whether it was Xia Changping's hostility, the chaos of her own life, or Ye Peixiu's thoughtful care.
After showering, I changed into my nightgown.
The nightgown had too little fabric and was too short and low, but he bought it in a hurry and couldn't be picky.
She shielded her chest with one hand, opened the bathroom door, and Ye Peixiu stood not far away by the corner window, turning his head slightly to hand her a white shirt.
"……Thanks."
She turned her back to put it on, buttoned it up tightly from top to bottom, and then asked, "Could I borrow your washing machine and dryer?"
You have to wash wet clothes, otherwise you won’t have anything to wear later.
This really stumped Ye Peixiu.
His clothes were sent to a special place for washing. He did have a laundry room at home, but he never used it.
"Give me the wet clothes, I'll go and take a look."
"Don't get involved. Just tell me where it is and I'll go."
Ye Peixiu didn't insist. He told her the location and let her go on her own.
When she returned to the living room, Ye Peixiu was sitting on the sofa reading a book.
She didn't say anything to disturb him and sat down on another sofa. She felt much more relaxed and had enough time to look around.
The entire house has an antique interior, with two long sofas and two single sofas surrounding a waisted flat table. In the corner is a square tall shelf with a rugged and thin Taihu stone on it.
At the corner stood a three-legged high table, on which stood a green-glazed flower vase, from which a branch of peach blossoms with strong joints protruded diagonally.
Everywhere you look, there are famous and antique items.
This is his home.
He was not only Ye Peixiu, who made jokes with people without any formality upon their first meeting, but also the high-ranking and powerful Mr. Ye.
From the time they met until now, he has been helping her almost every time.
How can I repay it? How can I give back to the family?
She huddled in a corner of the sofa, head down, eyes lowered, not saying a word.
Ye Peixiu's mind was not on the book at all.
The little girl huddled there silently, her long hair flowing smoothly, her eyes lowered, making her appear even more gentle and obedient than usual.
What are you thinking about?
Xia Qingwan raised her head, "...Nothing."
"You're talking less than before, did I offend you?"
Ye Peixiu put the book aside, put one arm on the back of the sofa, and sat leisurely with his legs crossed.
Xia Qingwan was silent for a moment, then mustered her courage and spoke frankly, "...I didn't know you were Mr. Ye the last few times."
Ye Peixiu took a moment to react.
No wonder when she saw him today, she kept calling him Mr. Ye and saying "you" all the time, and also said that he was superior. Grandma Xia had strict upbringing and probably never told her these gossips. She was shocked when she found out by chance.
Are you afraid of me?
"...a little."
It's more than just a little bit. If she could, she would have wanted to immediately grab her clothes and run away eight feet away.
"Not really, I don't eat people."
Ye Peixiu said, "Besides, you've known me for several months now, when have I ever put on airs or given you a hard time?"
It is precisely because it does not exist that it is even more terrifying.
Only a ruthless character could appear so gentle on the surface, making it hard to understand.
That was an unpleasant remark, like scolding a dog that bites but doesn't bark, so Xia Qingwan casually picked up another one, "No? Just now in the alley, you even told me to be sensible."
Her intention was to lighten the mood, but unexpectedly, her words sounded like a provocation. So she became uneasy.
Ye Peixiu seemed completely unconcerned, chuckling, "If I hadn't said that, how long would you have stood there? You would have gotten a fever by now."
Because she had said the wrong thing, Xia Qingwan's face really did burn, her cheeks visibly turning crimson. She stammered, "I know... I know you're a good person..."
She looked up at him.
Across the table, Ye Peixiu, sitting on the sofa diagonally opposite her, was watching her intently.
The legs are crossed in white shirt and black pants, and the double crepe silk white shirt has a soft and high-end luster, which gives a sense of calmness.
While the two were silent, a bolt of lightning suddenly exploded outside the window, followed by crackling lightning that scattered like bones, and the sky was illuminated for a moment.
The rain suddenly became heavy, with even strands of raindrops slanting under the eaves and hitting the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Xia Qingwan glanced out the window, then looked at Ye Peixiu.
Ye Peixiu then said, "That's not necessarily true."
She had already looked away, not meeting his gaze, and simply thought he was being modest.
Ye Peixiu stood up and said, "Let me show you something."
He walked into the corridor deep in the living room, and Xia Qingwan had no choice but to get up and follow him.
I went to the study.
There is another quiet world.
There is a long ebony table with an armchair behind it, and bookshelves covering the entire walls on both sides. On the five-legged huanghuali incense table, a copper Boshan incense burner emits a faint scent of water agarwood. A crescent table is against the wall, and an unfolded folding fan with a landscape painting is placed horizontally on it.
The atmosphere was elegant and tranquil, truly possessing the charm of "smoke rising from the water beneath the green gauze window".
Xia Qingwan was so captivated by the beautiful furnishings that she almost bumped into his back and quickly apologized.
Ye Peixiu stopped and turned around, finding it amusing that she had been apologizing all evening. "Please sit down."
Xia Qingwan sat down on the sofa.
Watch as Ye Peixiu took a record from the record shelf, unwrapped it, and placed it on the turntable.
The record player was placed on a double-decker table with an openwork Ruyi pattern next to the desk. Ye Peixiu half-sat on the desk, looking relaxed and casual, and raised his hand to adjust the pointer.
After the crackling noise, a hoarse male voice was heard.
Xia Qingwan was not mentally prepared at all. She stared blankly at the record player, then at Ye Peixiu. She was stunned for a few seconds, and then a blow pierced her heart. Two tears flowed down without warning.
Her crying was silent, and Ye Peixiu did not speak, but simply looked at her gently.
After listening to the album's first song, "Qing Wan," Ye Peixiu turned the clock back and said half-jokingly, "If you don't ask me now, you won't have the chance later."
Xia Qingwan covered her face with her hands. "I'm sorry, I always lose my composure tonight."
"Really don't want it?"
Xia Qingwan shook her head, "My grandma doesn't allow my dad's things in the house."
That's true, but bringing it up now is just an excuse. How could she ask for his things for no reason? If she said she wanted to buy them from him, he would definitely get angry.
"From now on, you can come to my place anytime you want to listen."
"……good."
"Your grandma is so strict, so you never talk about your parents to anyone?"
"...There's nothing to talk about. I don't remember anything."
After chatting for a few minutes, Ye Peixiu asked, "What happened today? Why did you have that expression when you saw me?"
Unexpectedly asked about this, Xia Qingwan paused for a moment, then shook her head, "Nothing serious, my uncle asked me to go over there."
Ye Peixiu searched his memory for a name, "...Xia Changping? He has a son named Xia Mingzhou?"
"Yes, that's my cousin."
Ye Peixiu had heard some stories about the Xia family from his grandmother. The entanglements and grudges of the previous generation inevitably continued into the next.
Xia Changping probably embarrassed her.
Her eyes were red as she stood there in a daze under the hanging flower gate.
He passed over the question and asked, "How is your cousin?"
"He's doing fine."
"Are you very close to him?"
"Not really, just ordinary cousins."
In the past two years, it was because of Lin Xiangyu that she and her cousin Xia Mingzhou had been in closer contact more often.
She and Lin Xiangyu get along very well.
"The grudges of the older generation shouldn't be carried over to you. You are innocent."
Ye Peixiu said.
After hearing this, Xia Qingwan took a moment to react and realized that the "he" in his words referred to Xia Changping.
Of course she knew she was innocent, but being caught up in it all, caught between old and new grudges, and dealing with the situation had already exhausted her. She had no time to think about whether she was innocent or not.
Even if she was innocent, she had to endure these things.
But no one had ever said such a thing to her.
Xia Qingwan lowered her eyes and said nothing.
"In that case, next time he calls you, don't go."
“I have to go. Grandma is hiding a lot from him, and he’s also eyeing her inheritance. I need to go there to find out how far he’s gone.”
Although her words were still soft and gentle, they contained a sense of strength, like bamboo shoots growing taller.
Ye Peixiu couldn't help but laugh, "You're quite something. In this situation, you still managed to assign yourself a 'double agent' mission. Impressive, impressive. I underestimated you."
The joke was obvious, and Xia Qingwan couldn't help but laugh.
I felt much better immediately.
The two exchanged a smile.
Xia Qingwan inexplicably sensed an unusual undercurrent in his eyes, and her heart skipped a beat. She quickly looked away.
It was futile to turn her eyes away: she could feel that Ye Peixiu was still looking at her.
At this moment, she suddenly thought of what he said in the living room just now after the loud bang, "That's not necessarily the case." Now she realized that these words seemed to have other meanings.
She quickly stood up and walked over to the record player, pretending to be curious. "Most of my dad's records have been destroyed a long time ago. Where did you get them?"
Ye Peixiu didn't answer.
She didn't dare to meet his gaze, pretending nothing had happened, and picked up the record cover, examining it carefully.
Just as I was feeling flustered, I suddenly felt him gently pinching the wrist of my hand hanging by my side.
She was startled, her whole body froze, and she dared not move.
A surging roar filled her mind, then she heard Ye Peixiu chuckle softly and take something from her palm. "How long have you been clutching this piece of paper?"
Xia Qingwan subconsciously lowered her eyes to look.
She had grabbed this piece of paper from the low table while she was crying, intending to wipe her tears, but then forgot about it while talking. She'd been clutching it ever since, and now it was damp, crumpled, and completely ruined, soaked with the thin layer of sweat from her palms.
Soaked in her sweat and now held in his hand, she felt something was wrong. She finally found the right words and stretched out her hand, "...Give it to me, I'll throw it away."
Her voice was soft and gentle, which only made Ye Peixiu feel more absurd. The absurdity was that someone could make his heart flutter so easily just by saying a few words to him in a low voice.
Ye Peixiu casually tossed the crumpled tissue into the wastebasket on the table.
Xia Qingwan said, "I should go now."
After waiting for three or five seconds and still getting no answer, she raised her eyes.
He met Ye Peixiu's unwavering gaze.
Her eyes were like spring water, her face delicate and beautiful, like a hazy pink and white crabapple blossom seen through a thin curtain in the late spring and early summer, with the moon above the willow branches and a gentle breeze blowing through it, pure and unworldly. Her two fleshy pink lips were slightly parted, as if she was a little overwhelmed.
Ye Peixiu's throat went dry, and he could barely control himself.
Xia Qingwan put down the record cover she had been holding in her other hand and turned around in a panic, "I'm going to go see if my clothes are done drying."
He hurried through the spacious study and arrived at the door. The more he rushed, the less he could open it. He twisted and turned the door, but it wouldn't budge.
At that moment, she sensed Ye Peixiu approaching from behind.
She tensed up again, becoming fully alert.
Ye Peixiu reached over her side with one arm, grasped the door handle, and gently turned it. His voice was as low and steady as ever, neither hurried nor slow. "No need to rush or use so much force. Just gently turn it to the right and it will open."
Most things in the world seem to have their own secrets. The more anxious and eager you are, the more resistance you will feel. Relaxing and taking it slow will actually bring you a different kind of enjoyment.
Xia Qingwan breathed a sigh of relief.
Her intense vigilance failed to materialize; instead, he effortlessly dispelled it. While she breathed a sigh of relief, she also felt a sense of unease and uncertainty.
Perhaps for this reason, the more she tried to clear her mind on her way from the study to the laundry room, the more chaotic her thoughts became, with Ye Peixiu's every move flashing back in her mind.
His composed demeanor as he sat cross-legged on the sofa, the long, well-defined knuckles of his hand gripping her wrist, the deep gaze he gave her...
She was bewitched by his easygoing nature and lost her mind. This was clearly an extremely dangerous man.
Xia Qingwan took out her clothes, went back to the bathroom to change, and threw the white shirt that belonged to him into the dirty clothes basket. After doing all this, when she came to the living room, Ye Peixiu was already waiting for her on the sofa in the living room.
He glanced at his watch. "It's still early. I'll take you home when the rain gets a little lighter."
His tone remained calm and even, as if nothing had happened.
Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, one could see the torrential rain cascading down the eaves, water droplets splashing wildly across the pond, and the entire area shrouded in mist and rain.
Thunderstorms in Beijing in the summer are always unpredictable. Often, the weather forecast says that rain is coming and the wind is howling, but when you arrive, there's just a gust of wind and not a single drop of rain.
Sometimes, it's as if it suddenly gets temperamental; before a gust of wind has even finished blowing, it can't wait to start raining down with thunder and lightning, and then it'll be over in a good hour.
It looked like this rainstorm wouldn't last long.
Xia Qingwan agreed, found a seat on the sofa opposite him, and sat down, leaning her head to look at the rain outside the window.
Ye Peixiu glanced at her and said, "You don't have to stay here. Go to the study and listen to some music or read a book."
That would be too rude.
They weren't related at all; he was just helping out of respect for Grandma Liang, taking care of her friend's granddaughter. He had already helped her a few times, and she appreciated his kindness. That was enough for her.
I'll try to pay it back as much as I can in the future.
How could I hang around his house without respect for age like an old friend?
She shook her head and said, "No."
Ye Peixiu didn't say anything more, acting as if she didn't exist, and continued reading and making phone calls.
It’s best not to talk.
Xia Qingwan realized belatedly that when she was with Ye Peixiu, once they started talking about something, it seemed difficult to stop and the topic would go deeper without her noticing.
She has never talked to anyone about her family.
The rain had subsided a bit, as if it was about to die down. She looked out the window, then back at Ye Peixiu. Just as she was about to speak, Ye Peixiu put down his book and stood up, saying, "Let's go."
We got in the car, drove to the main road, and remained silent the whole way.
When they were almost at the gate of the compound, Xia Qingwan said, "Just drop me off at the gate. There's an umbrella at the gate. I can just borrow one."
The car stopped, Xia Qingwan unbuckled her seatbelt, and said, "I've really caused you a lot of trouble today. I've already put the shirt in the laundry basket. Thank you for taking me home and letting me take a shower and change clothes."
If she really returned to the compound dripping wet, Grandma Xi would sigh and complain to her. It would be even more terrible if she let something slip and Grandma found out.
She paused, remembering she still had someone to thank. Just as she was about to speak again, "And—" she saw Ye Peixiu looking at her with a half-smile, "Your thanks seem quite distant."
Every word and sentence is clearly arranged, as if to draw a clear line between Chu and Han.
Xia Qingwan was caught red-handed, and unwilling to say "no, no" against her conscience, she could only remain silent.
Finally, he said, "Please drive carefully on your way back. Although the rain is about to stop, there is still standing water in some sections of the road."
"Let's go back."
Xia Qingwan got out of the car, ran to the gate in a few steps, borrowed an umbrella from the security guard, and walked into the courtyard. When she reached the trumpet creeper trellis, she turned around and glanced at the gate in the dim light.
Ye Peixiu's car had already driven away, of course.
Under the bright yellow street lights, the empty road surface was flashing with wet light.
A note from the author:
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