Chapter 26 Chapter 26 "Do you have anything to say?"...
There was silence on the phone for a while.
Xia Qingwan's face flushed, her heart pounding with desire, a yearning that surged and spread. She tried to control herself, but her breathing grew heavier and heavier.
After a moment, she finally remembered how to phrase it, uttering two hurried and disorganized words, "...Goodnight."
Ye Peixiu seemed to chuckle, "...Good night."
After hanging up the phone, Xia Qingwan hurriedly stuffed it under her pillow as if it were burning her hand.
That night, she tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep, her mind constantly wandering to what he was doing. Was he taking a shower?
My thoughts were like brake failure, rushing along the road, and finally I got tired and fell asleep in a daze.
-
On Saturday morning, after finishing the research group's routine meeting, Xia Qingwan called Grandma Xi to tell her that she was going to study with her senior and would be going home late that day.
Grandma Xi told her to be careful.
After hanging up the phone, Xia Qingwan took a taxi to the coffee shop where she had arranged to meet Lin Xiangyu.
This is a coffee shop located in Xisi. The main building is a Western-style building with arched old windows. Outside the windows are red walls, flying eaves, and glazed tiles, full of the classical charm of old Beijing.
Sunlight danced like gold, and dappled light swayed with the shadows of the trees.
In mid-October, the ginkgo leaves were still lush and green, their huge canopies held high, and their branches stretched across the window.
The two girls sat opposite each other, each opening their computers and busy typing away.
Lin Xiangyu seemed a little absent-minded.
From time to time, he would take a look at his phone, or lift his hair and stare out the window in a daze.
"What’s wrong with you?"
Xia Qingwan asked.
Lin Xiangyu came back to his senses, smiled and shook his head.
She obviously didn't want to say more, so Xia Qingwan didn't dare to ask any more.
At noon, the two of them ordered some simple meals at a coffee shop. After eating, Xia Qingwan went downstairs, took a walk around the neighborhood, took some photos, and recorded some vlog material for her social media account.
When she returned, Lin Xiangyu was on the phone, her face pale. "Okay, I understand, I'll be right there."
After hanging up the phone, she started packing her things, closing her computer and stuffing the books on the table into her backpack.
"What happened?"
Lin Xiangyu paused, "...Mingzhou beat Mr. Sheng."
Xia Qingwan was shocked. "Do you want me to go with you?"
Lin Xiangyu thought for a moment.
If Xia Qingwan went there, the people in the club would not make it too difficult for Xia Mingzhou for Mr. Ye's sake. Thinking of this, Lin Xiangyu said, "Okay, come with me."
The two hailed a taxi and headed straight for the clubhouse in Beiguanfang Hutong.
On the way, Lin Xiangyu said, "I've been feeling uneasy all day. Mingzhou sent me a lot of messages this morning, all jumbled up, and I feel like he's still hungover and not quite sober..."
Who would have thought that something would happen in the afternoon.
I hurried to the club, and saw several waiters standing at the door of the huge hall.
Seeing that Xia Qingwan had also come, a servant gave her companion a wink. The companion understood immediately and ran out to call the boss, Wen Hongfeng.
In the evenings, this central hall is always brightly lit, filled with the sounds of clinking glasses and the comings and goings of wealthy and powerful people, exuding an air of peace and prosperity.
It was late afternoon, the room was dim and cool, the antiques and fine objects looked quiet and lonely, and the cups and plates on the floor were scattered everywhere.
Only Xia Mingzhou was lying on the sofa.
Where is Mr. Sheng?
Xia Qingwan asked.
A waiter who had been standing to the side, constantly glancing at her expression, hurriedly replied, "Mr. Sheng has been taken to the hospital."
At this time, the waiter who ran to call the boss also came back, his face a little unnatural, "The boss followed Mr. Sheng's people to the hospital."
The rest of the people stood there holding their breath, as if waiting for Xia Qingwan to make a decision.
Lin Xiangyu rushed in and knelt beside the sofa to check Xia Mingzhou's injuries up and down.
"Does the club have any spare cars? Let's get Brother Mingzhou to the hospital first."
Xia Qingwan said.
"well."
While waiting for the bus, Xia Qingwan went over to take a look.
Xia Mingzhou clearly did not gain the upper hand; his face and arms were covered in blood, and he lay on the sofa with his eyes closed, panting heavily as if he were in great pain.
After a flurry of activity, they got the person into the car and took them to a nearby hospital.
Fortunately, the emergency department accepted him.
Xia Qingwan and Lin Xiangyu waited outside, letting the club's waiters go back first.
Lin Xiangyu paced anxiously, when Xia Qingwan received a call from Wen Hongfeng, the club owner.
"Miss Xia, which hospital are you in? I'll be there right away."
When Wen Hongfeng arrived at the hospital, he first bowed and apologized profusely to Xia Qingwan.
"How is Mr. Sheng's injury?"
Wen Hongfeng smiled and said, "Mr. Sheng is fine. He was bandaged and has gone home."
He told the whole story.
Sheng Junchi was entertaining guests in the main hall, and Xia Mingzhou was drinking and playing cards with a few friends in the side hall. Someone said something, but Xia Mingzhou put down his cards and rushed to the main hall. In front of all the guests, he punched Sheng Junchi in the face.
There was no way Sheng Junchi wouldn't fight back.
Sheng Junchi was a few years older and probably had some training as well, so he quickly turned the tide.
All the guests present were from the south, and no one knew what had happened. Sheng Junchi had the upper hand, so no one dared to persuade him at first. Later, when they saw Xia Mingzhou lying motionless, someone reacted and pulled Sheng Junchi away.
Judging from the looks of it, Xia Mingzhou's injuries are more serious.
It was already evening when Xia Mingzhou was pushed out of the emergency room.
The doctor said that the bridge of the nose was broken, two ribs were broken, and the rest were all superficial injuries, requiring a period of rest.
Xia Mingzhou was wheeled into the ward, with Lin Xiangyu standing by his side.
"Qingwan, you go back first."
"Are you going to stay here tonight?"
"Um."
"Then I'll pack some toiletries and a change of clothes for you."
Xia Qingwan said.
"Okay, thank you for your help."
Xia Qingwan took a taxi to Lin Xiangyu's rental place to pack some things and sent them back to the hospital. Just as she was about to take a taxi home, she received a call from Grandma Xi.
As soon as the call connected, the person on the other end asked anxiously, "Is Mingzhou alright?"
"...How did you know that?"
“Your grandma found out first! She just called me and said she’s already bought a plane ticket and will be flying back tomorrow.”
“Mingzhou is fine. I’ll explain everything to you when I get back.”
-
Xia Qingwan washed her hands, poured herself a glass of water, curled up in the corner of the sofa, and turned on the computer.
She also has assignments to do for her project group.
Grandma Xi paced back and forth, sighing, "What's wrong with us lately? It's been a run of bad luck."
On the way to the hospital, Xia Huiqing called Xia Mingzhou. His phone had been left in the side hall of the club and was picked up by his friend.
That friend was also unreliable, and told the old lady the whole story in detail.
"Who is that Mr. Sheng? He was so ruthless, breaking his ribs," Grandma Xi paused, turned her head and asked, "And why did Mingzhou rush over to fight him? Was there a reason?"
Auntie Xiaoxuan, who was taking care of her, comforted her, "Don't worry about these things. The most important thing is to focus on taking care of your health."
Aunt Xiaoxuan was personally chosen by Wang Jingzi. I heard that she had taken care of a close confidant of the Ye family before, so she must have heard about these things in the circle.
Grandma Xi asked, "Xiaoxuan, who is Mr. Sheng?"
Aunt Xiaoxuan said a name, "His eldest grandson."
Grandma Xi looked up and thought about it, going over the relationships between those names in her mind, and realized that this prominent Sheng family was very close to the Ye family.
Two generations ago, the two families were related by marriage.
Grandma Xi sighed, "How could we have gotten involved with such a family?"
Xia Qingwan lowered her eyelashes, her fingers tapping incessantly on the keyboard, without uttering a word, seemingly completely detached from the situation.
It was obvious that something was happening between Lin Xiangyu, Xia Mingzhou and Sheng Junchi that she was not aware of.
She didn't know what Mr. Sheng had done, and she didn't want to guess. However, when she thought about what Lin Xiangyu had said to her a while ago with a sigh, "When you get along with people like them, you have no choice," she couldn't help but feel scared.
Judging from Aunt Xiaoxuan's words, the Sheng family is no ordinary family. What consequences will Xia Mingzhou's actions bring?
No wonder grandma wanted to return to Beijing early.
She had experienced many ups and downs in her youth, so she had a better understanding of the people and things in the industry.
Thinking of this, Xia Qingwan closed the computer and said calmly, "Grandma Xi, don't worry. Wait until grandma comes back tomorrow and see what she says. Grandma should have a solution."
Grandma Xi nodded. "That's the only way."
-
Xia Qingwan didn't expect that grandma's solution was to find Mr. Ye.
The next day, Xia Huiqing arrived in Beijing and went straight to the hospital to visit Xia Mingzhou.
The doctor prescribed that Xia Mingzhou rest in bed for two months to allow his ribs to heal on their own.
Xia Mingzhou looked sick and didn't want to talk to anyone. He just stared out the window and ignored everyone.
Xia Huiqing told Lin Xiangyu to go home and rest, "Xiao Lin, don't worry about him. You have your own studies to attend to. Go back and take care of your own things."
"……good."
Lin Xiangyu said, "Grandma, please take care of yourself and don't overwork yourself."
Don't worry.
As Lin Xiangyu picked up her bag and left, Xia Mingzhou did turn around and glance at her.
Since Xia Mingzhou woke up, the two of them haven't exchanged a single word.
There are limited beds, so Xia Mingzhou can only stay in the hospital for a week at most.
Xia Huiqing asked, "Where do you plan to go back to recuperate?"
After a while, Xia Mingzhou said lazily, "...We'll talk about it later."
"Does your father know about this?"
"I don't know," Xia Mingzhou raised his hand. "He doesn't have time to take care of me. There's no need to tell him. You can go back. I can just lie down by myself."
Xia Huiqing asked directly, "Your friend said that you fought with Mr. Sheng because of Xiao Lin. Is that true?"
Xia Mingzhou and Xia Qingwan each had a meal.
Xia Mingzhou smiled, "...Don't listen to their nonsense." As he spoke, a sudden surge of hostility arose, "I've always disliked him."
"You don't like him? Do you know who he is? You dare to mess with him?"
Xia Huiqing said coldly, "Do you and your father want to destroy our family?"
Xia Mingzhou was furious. "He has a powerful family background, but my grandfather is dead, so our Xia family is nothing. What, just because of that, I have to put up with everything? Be a subservient lackey for those rich kids for the rest of my life?" He launched into a tirade. "Speaking of which, isn't it all your fault? You invested heavily in grooming Qingwan's father, but he was useless and didn't cooperate. If you and my grandfather had prepared for the worst and groomed my father and aunt, would our Xia family have fallen to this state?"
One wrong move, and he fell from the high platform.
After he finished speaking, the ward fell into a deathly silence.
Xia Mingzhou was consumed by rage, and perhaps due to a flare-up of his wounds, he lay pale on the bed, hissing and gasping for breath.
Xia Qingwan rang the call bell and summoned a nurse.
After the nurse's examination, Xia Qingwan and her grandmother left the hospital together.
-
Back home, Grandma instructed Xia Qingwan, "Break the Biluochun tea I brought back; Mr. Ye is coming later."
"……good."
Grandma paused, then asked, "What's wrong with Grandma's legs? Why do you seem to be walking unsteadily?"
"Maybe it's the cold weather, and my old cold legs are acting up."
Grandma was skeptical and said, "Go ahead and do your work."
Xia Qingwan made tea as instructed, brought it to the side hall, and returned to her bedroom upstairs.
Just as I closed the door, my phone chimed with a message:
"Mr. Ye: Are you at home?"
She leaned against the door and replied:
"at home."
"Mr. Ye: I'm here to see your grandmother. Come down later so I can see you."
"Aren't you on a business trip? When did you come back?"
"Mr. Ye: Just landed at noon."
Xia Qingwan pondered for a moment, then typed:
"My grandma probably needs your help with something."
"Mr. Ye: I know."
That makes sense. Overnight, such a thing would probably have spread throughout the industry. How could he not know about it?
After a while, Xia Qingwan, who was reading at the desk, really heard the sound of a car.
She stood up, lifted the white gauze curtain, and glanced outside.
In the dim light of the night, Aunt Xiaoxuan opened the door, and Ye Peixiu, dressed in a suit and tie, stepped out of the back seat of the car.
Aunt Xiaoxuan gestured for him to enter, and Ye Peixiu walked along the path in the front yard toward the main house. Amidst the lush flowers and trees, his tall figure appeared and disappeared intermittently.
The yellowing maple tree branches leaned sideways, and he raised his hand, pressed down on the branches, and bent down slightly to pass through.
There was no one living in the house as tall as him, and the branches had never blocked anyone's way.
Perhaps it's his superior physique and temperament that gives him such a calm and elegant demeanor, even with such a simple movement.
She couldn't help but feel that, for some reason, ever since Mr. Ye appeared in her life, he had become the only stable and reliable person in her life.
Grandma and Grandma Xi need her care, and Xia Mingzhou and Xia Changping need her to cheer up and deal with them. In addition, she has to work hard and use all her intelligence and diligence to earn her future studies.
Only he was like a safe haven in the vortex of a storm.
She doesn't need to be sensible and obedient, she doesn't need to be clever, she doesn't need to spread her still-developing wings. As long as she exists and stands there, he will look at her with a smile.
Xia Qingwan turned her back and leaned against the wall by the window.
She told herself that she must not be weak, that relying on anyone other than herself would bring disaster.
-
Xia Huiqing invited Ye Peixiu into the side hall.
The two talked for a long time.
An hour later, Ye Peixiu stood up and said goodbye.
Xia Huiqing escorted him to the living room, and Ye Peixiu said, "Please stay, there's no need to see me off."
Grandma Xi walked over, her steps uneven, to see the guest off. Xia Huiqing saw Xia Qingwan reading a book on the living room sofa and said, "Qingwan, go see Mr. Ye off."
Grandma Xi hesitated, seemingly feeling that the arrangement was inappropriate, but ultimately unable to say anything.
Xia Qingwan put down her book, walked to the entrance, and looked up to see Ye Peizheng looking at her with a half-smile.
The two people walked out of the main house one after the other.
Xia Qingwan walked ahead, shielding him from the maple tree branches in advance. Ye Peixiu saw this but remained silent.
Walk outside the gate, under the wall of withered roses.
Ye Peixiu helped her open the back door and said, "Get in."
Xia Qingwan was very surprised, "Where are you going? I can't go out."
"Not going anywhere, just sit with me in the car for a while."
Xia Qingwan looked back at the main house.
At this time, Wang Jingzi very discerningly opened the trunk and said with a smile, "Look at my memory. The gentleman brought a gift and just forgot to take it in. You guys chat first, I'll just take it in."
Wang Jingzi carried two paper bags and walked through the gate toward the main house.
Ye Peixiu was already in the car waiting, so Xia Qingwan had no choice but to get in as well.
The car door closed.
She turned around and asked, "Is there anything you want to say?"
Ye Peixiu looked at her and said with a smile, "You haven't answered the questions from the phone call yet."
Xia Qingwan paused for a moment, realized the meaning behind his words, and immediately felt uncomfortable, saying, "I don't remember."
"Do you want me to repeat it?"
He smiled, "On the phone, I asked you if you were—"
Before he finished speaking, Xia Qingwan interrupted him and said softly, "I thought about it. Are you satisfied?"
Ye Peixiu stared intently at her.
She was probably very embarrassed, but she still bravely said what she really thought. Perhaps she had never said such words to anyone before, so she was a little restrained at the moment, her body pressed against the other side of the car door, looking at him from afar through the armrest.
Ye Peixiu reached out, grabbed her waist, and pulled her onto his lap.
-----------------------
Author's Note: Here it comes!
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