Chapter 52 Chapter 52 (Don’t go far.
After the start of the university semester, Xia Qingwan was busier than she had expected.
There is a national-level project related to ancient literature that will be launched in October. She wants to apply for the position of person in charge. Due to the fierce competition, she has been busy preparing since September.
In addition to handling the relevant procedures, she also borrowed a thick stack of materials from the library and brought them home. Every day after class, she would quickly eat a few bites of food and then sit at her desk to bury herself in research. When she got into it, she would stay up all night for several nights, taking notes while researching. Finally, she would stay up all night to write the application.
Ye Peixiu felt sorry for her being so busy, but he knew that she wouldn't listen to his advice to rest. Moreover, he understood that in certain crucial stages, besides professional skills, what mattered was drive and speed. The sooner the work was done and submitted, the sooner she could feel at ease.
So he simply stayed by her side all night, either making tea or reading her copy of "Dream of the Red Chamber".
He spent a lot of time with her, reading with her. By this time, he had read "Dream of the Red Chamber" twice, including the last forty chapters.
At four o'clock in the morning, Xia Qingwan finally finished writing the application. When he looked up, he saw Ye Peixiu lying on the sofa with his head leaning back, as if he was asleep.
He worked a day job, then went out for a business dinner. After coming back, he took a shower and has been staying here with her ever since.
She tiptoed over and was about to let him sleep on the bed. As soon as she leaned over slightly, he picked her up and put her on his legs and pressed her into his arms.
Xia Qingwan tilted her head back against his neck, "I thought you were asleep."
"I fell asleep," he said in a hoarse, unsteady voice, "and I woke up when your scent drifted over."
"Nonsense, I only sprayed some perfume this morning, and it's already gone by now."
Ye Peixiu laughed, lowered his head and buried his face in her neck, "Let me smell you."
Taking a deep breath, "It smells so good, can't you smell it yourself?"
She became suspicious and lifted her collar to smell it. "Does the fragrance last that long?"
Holding her soft, fragrant body in his arms, Ye Peixiu's grip on her waist tightened involuntarily. The slight rustling of their clothes was particularly clear in the quiet of the night.
"Try it here?"
His voice had become noticeably hoarse.
Xia Qingwan had just been freed from her tense nerves, so she had no time to think about these things. Hearing him say this, she stepped back in surprise and said softly, "Hey, aren't you sleepy?"
"Finish it and go to sleep."
"No, no," she said, "I haven't relaxed yet."
Ye Peixiu was silent for a moment, "...then, how about a cigarette?"
"you……"
Just kidding.
Ye Peixiu smiled, picked her up and walked towards the bedroom.
-
The next morning, Xia Qingwan woke up feeling refreshed.
After washing up, she heard Ye Peixiu calling her from the cloakroom, "Baby, come here."
She leaned in with her hand on the door frame, "Hmm?"
"Help me tie my tie."
When summer vacation ended, she went shopping with Pei Meizhu, who had just returned to Beijing. She saw a tie that she thought would suit him very well, so she bought it for him. Today was the first time she had worn this tie, so she had to do it herself.
Xia Qingwan had never tried tying a man's tie before, and she immediately rubbed her hands together, eager to give it a try. Ye Peixiu had already turned up his shirt collar, and she took over. The tall man bent down, letting her do it.
In the early morning, as her weariness began to dissipate, she saw that pretty face intently staring at the details of his collar. Ye Peixiu looked down at her, then couldn't help but lower his head and kiss her.
Xia Qingwan had just raised her chin to check if the side of his collar was smooth when a warm, soft sensation landed on her lips unexpectedly.
She subconsciously looked up and met Ye Peixiu's dark and deep eyes, which were filled with a strong sense of aggression and possessiveness.
On this beautiful early autumn morning, she was almost completely encircled in his arms, the heat and fragrance of their bodies colliding and merging. Her face flushed and turned red to the roots of her ears.
She herself was puzzled; it had been almost a year, so why did she still feel shy?
-
After breakfast, Lao Ke sent her to school, and Wang Jingzi drove Ye Peixiu to the group.
Upon arriving at the office, Ye Peixiu first sent a document to Wang Jingzi, saying, "Have someone take a look and see if it's safe."
Wang Jingzi opened it and saw that it was a project application form signed by Xia Qingwan.
"You don't need to show up either, just pass it down to the next person."
He gave a word of advice.
Wang Jingzi immediately understood and said, "I'll do it."
Having followed Ye Peixiu for so many years, and seeing how much he cared for Xia Qingwan, Wang Jingzi naturally understood that he couldn't bear to see her anxious and worried, so he naturally wanted to provide her with an extra layer of protection. He could have simply inquired about her personally, mentioning her name—that would have been the easiest way—but that would have wasted all her efforts.
Even if we don't talk about him, just if Wang Jingzi goes over and asks, the matter will definitely be successful. So, we still need to pass it on to the next person.
Such thoughtful consideration stems from his genuine affection for Xia Qingwan.
-
Previously, when Ye Peixiu mentioned the auction, Xia Qingwan imagined it to be like a scene from a TV drama: a magnificent five-star hotel banquet hall, bustling with people in elegant attire and glamorous attire.
Unexpectedly, when they arrived at the place that evening, they found it to be a large courtyard house with red walls and yellow tiles.
From outside the alley, there is nothing to be seen, but when the car drives in, it feels quiet and ancient.
There wasn't a single pedestrian.
As dusk settles.
The swaying shadows of the trees sway on the red walls, imbued with the solemnity of a hundred years.
There are two rows of cars parked in the parking lot. There are no luxurious or extravagant brands. They are all low-key and steady. Only the license plates can show some shocking styles and number arrangements.
Xia Qingwan and Ye Peixiu walked hand in hand through the parking lot and past five gates before finally entering the inner courtyard.
Standing in the courtyard in the dim light, at first glance, it feels a bit like the clubhouse in Beiguanfang Hutong, but with a slight frown, you can notice that the detailed carvings on the eaves and brackets, the color and texture of the glazed tiles on the walls, and the straight and curved lines of the archways and corridors all have a texture that is more advanced and steady than the clubhouse.
It is said that one is the real one and the other is a fake.
Several ancient cypress trees, four or five hundred years old, stand in the square courtyard, their lush green leaves casting deep, shadowy shadows.
At this end of the corridor, one can see the magnificent light in the central hall from afar, and can hear the faint sounds of talking and laughing.
Ye Peixiu held her hand, and before they even reached the door, a group of people came up to them from afar, shaking hands with him with smiles on their faces. He put his arm around her waist and pulled her forward a little.
One by one, the people introduced themselves to her, each with a prestigious title and name. As Xia Qingwan listened, she couldn't help but tighten her grip on his hand and look up at him.
Ye Peixiu lowered his head and said, "Recognize his face."
If someone adopts a humble attitude, it would seem a bit too condescending for her to address them by their title or "Mr." directly, so she politely addresses them as "Uncle" based on their age.
The person she called out to was flattered and said, "I don't deserve it, I don't deserve it."
Since she was afraid she might have misspoke and seemed too intimate, she looked up at Ye Peixiu again. Ye Peixiu said, "You can call me whatever you want in private."
After he led her around to greet everyone, Xia Qingwan was already covered in a light sweat, so he took her to the self-service counter to have tea and rest.
"You're so majestic in front of me, why are you so nervous here?" Ye Peixiu raised his hand to scratch the tip of her nose, lowering his eyes and smiling dotingly, "You're not a bully at home, are you?"
Xia Qingwan glanced at him sideways and said coquettishly, "To you, they are all uncles who have watched you grow up. To me, they are all leaders."
Looking at it this way, it's no wonder he was so imposing at Qiao Yingxue's birthday party last time. Everyone else was just a nobody; this was their core social circle.
"What are you afraid of? If you see someone you dislike, just take him down and you can be the leader."
This statement is almost foolish.
She looked up at him and said, "I'm not happy with you."
Ye Peixiu was amused by her and laughed heartily, "You are young but ambitious. Miss Xia, you have a bright future."
There was a haughty look in her eyes and she wrinkled her nose coquettishly.
Ye Peixiu lowered his head and moved closer, whispering in her ear, "Why don't you ride on my head tonight—"
Realizing he was talking nonsense, Xia Qingwan pulled her head back, her face flushed red. "You—"
He mentioned it several times, but she was too shy and they never made it. Who would have thought that he would talk nonsense about such a place.
"Me what."
Ye Peixiu smiled, took a step closer, and bent down to kiss her.
In such an elegant and dignified setting, surrounded by dignitaries, she didn't want to appear too startled, so she forced herself to stand still and endured the light, fleeting kiss.
This seemingly shy yet completely trusting and cooperative attitude was what made him most infatuated.
Fortunately, there weren't many people near the self-service counter. The two chatted for a while, and then a waiter came over to lead them back to the main hall to see the collection.
As soon as he walked to the corridor, he met a middle-aged man who seemed to be a friend of Ye Peixiu's father. Ye Peixiu introduced him to Xia Qingwan.
Father Ye's friend seemed to have something to discuss. Xia Qingwan was good at reading his expressions, so she took a step back and said, "I'll look at the water lilies over there."
"Okay, don't go too far, wait for me."
Ye Peixiu patted her head before letting her go.
She didn't walk far, but stood beside the colonnade, leaning over to admire the water lilies in the gilded bronze vat. This small pond was designed with great ingenuity. The water was clear, with Helver water lilies floating on the surface. Several thin koi fish swam beneath it, peeking out from the edge of the lotus leaves. There were several kinds of water plants underneath, in clusters of emerald green, winding and swaying.
She had been looking at it to kill time, but gradually she became fascinated. From a certain angle, she seemed to be able to see the reflection of the Emei Moon. Just as she was about to take a closer look, she heard a voice, "Pei Xiu, are you here too?"
The voice sounded familiar. She looked up and saw that the voice and the person overlapped. She realized that it was Ye Peixiu's mother, Pei Yaxian, the eldest daughter of the Pei family.
She was accompanied by a young woman with long hair, who looked to be in her early twenties. She was wearing a classical embroidered long dress, and had a calm and gentle temperament. She was generous and gentle, and one could tell at first glance that she was a lady from a noble family.
Pei Yaxian smiled and said, "What a coincidence."
As he said this, he pulled the young woman next to him to introduce her to Ye Peixiu.
They stood together: Ye Peixiu's father's friend, Ye Peixiu, Ye Peixiu's mother, and the woman his mother brought. The four of them were exceptionally harmonious, as if they were from the same circle and the same world.
Xia Qingwan stared blankly, and suddenly felt as if she didn't know why she was standing there.
She was a little detached and thought: Should I leave?
Just as she was lost in thought, Ye Peixiu turned around and called her, "Qingwan, come here."
Following his voice, the other three people seemed to finally have a reasonable reason and immediately looked over, like a spotlight, shining on her with a clang.
She felt exposed.
She wanted to walk over, but her steps were so heavy that she could barely move. Ye Peixiu walked back, lowered his head, and said softly, "My mother, you've met her before. Come over and say hello."
She was a little dazed and smiled at him.
Even though she had never seen that young woman before, she could tell from the atmosphere and posture that the woman was probably the blind date that Ye Peixiu's family had seriously introduced to him.
He held her hand as the three people came over. Ye Peixiu introduced them again, "This is my mother, whom you have met."
Xia Qingwan smiled politely and said, "Good evening, Auntie."
Ye Peixiu held her waist the whole time. "This is Miss Chen, a friend of my mother."
"Good evening, Miss Chen."
Xia Qingwan looked at her with a smile and said lightly.
Miss Chen said in the same indifferent tone, "Miss Xia, good evening."
Pei Yaxian's smile remained unchanged. "What a coincidence today! I brought Xiao Chen to see something new, and we just happened to run into you."
He then asked Xia Qingwan, "How have you been lately? Are you very busy with your studies?"
"It's fine. I can handle it. Thank you for your concern, Auntie."
The curve of Miss Chen's lips remained unchanged, steady and polite, as she looked Xia Qingwan up and down several times with her eyes.
She was a beautiful girl, tall and slender. From a distance, she looked cool and elegant, but up close, her face was delicate and charming, especially her eyes, which were full of autumn water and classical connotations. Although her eyes were quiet and serene, it was not difficult for anyone who saw her to imagine that such a person could be happy or angry, and her every frown and smile could make men bewildered.
What's even more rare is that although she has a face that can do evil, she has a restrained scholarly air, and is elegant, innocent, and untainted by the dust.
The man who could make a man as unmoved as Ye Peixiu make such a big scene must be no small figure.
A few people stood there and chatted for a few polite words. Then a waiter came over to lead the way, and the five of them walked towards the main hall.
Ye Peixiu held Xia Qingwan's waist as he walked in front of her, lowering his head and whispering in her ear, "Is the water lily pretty?"
Xia Qingwan smiled gently and said, "It's beautiful. There are even a few slender koi fish inside. I think they're much prettier than those big, fat koi fish."
He smiled slightly and pinched her waist.
The central hall is connected to the side hall, and at this moment it looks like a museum. Various famous antiques are displayed in glass cases, and clusters of warm yellow light shine on them, exuding a heavy sense of thousands of years of history.
Ye Peixiu led her to look at them one by one.
"You have to pick out a few items today. Tell me which ones you like."
The starting price on the small nameplate is already astonishing.
Xia Qingwan felt a little amused. He was using these expensive items to amuse her, much like King You of Zhou who played with the feudal lords by lighting the beacon fires. She was Bao Si, while his mother, his family, and that Miss Chen were the cold-eyed observers of their vast army.
At this moment, he has thousands of troops at his disposal, but in the future, they will be enough to overthrow him.
At this time, she thought to herself, since he asked her to choose, she had made her choice. Why should she be afraid of thousands of troops or foolish men? As long as she left first, no one would hurt him.
In this romantic affair, the only protagonists are her and him, so she should listen to him and "enjoy her innocence to the fullest."
She took Ye Peixiu's arm and began to carefully select items.
She was telling him where this would look good and where that would be suitable to hang, just like a newlywed couple choosing furniture to decorate their new home.
Ye Peixiu was naturally delighted.
The man in a suit and the slim girl in a mountain-gray ankle-length skirt stood there, talking and laughing affectionately in each other's ears, as if they had their own barrier.
Pei Yaxian and Chen Anan sat on a bench nearby, both of them folded their arms and looked at the couple.
They had already spotted Ye Peixiu and Xia Qingwan at the self-service counter. Even Pei Yaxian had never seen Ye Peixiu like that before. He caressed the girl's nose lovingly, smiled, and lowered his head to talk to her, then pulled her into his arms for a kiss.
A man deeply in love.
Compared to Chen An'an's embarrassment, Pei Yaxian only felt terrified.
Ye Peixiu's father was a self-disciplined and pragmatic man who never indulged in romantic feelings. His marriage to her was naturally the wish of both families, and neither of them objected. For decades, they treated each other with respect in public and were partners who fought side by side in private.
However, the old man of the Ye family was a romantic when he was young. Can this kind of thing be inherited across generations?
Pei Yaxian thought again, so what if he's a romantic? In the past, the old master of the Ye family had countless conflicts with the Ye family because of Liang Xinwu. In the end, didn't he still let her go?
In the face of absolute and overwhelming power, any love and affection is not worth mentioning.
Ye Peixiu also possesses his father's self-discipline and pragmatism; he is not a muddle-headed person.
With her mind racing, Pei Yaxian smiled and said to Chen Anan, "What are you looking at?"
Chen Anan pursed her lips, shook her head and said nothing.
"Don't overthink it," Pei Yaxian patted her hand and said in a low voice, "The old man asked me to bring you here specifically to let you show your face and remind Pei Xiu that their days are numbered."
"But," Chen Anan tried her best to appear gentle and tolerant, and said softly, "I feel like Mr. Ye seems to like her very much. What if he keeps her outside in the future?"
Pei Yaxian sneered inwardly, thinking that this was just an embroidered pillow, good-looking but useless, with no discernment at all. "...Look at that little girl, does she look like she wants to be kept outside?"
The cold arrogance hidden within him was exactly the same as Ye Peixiu's.
Chen An'an remained silent.
…
The auction was attended by familiar faces; people symbolically raised their paddles, creating a harmonious atmosphere.
Xia Qingwan bought three pieces of porcelain: a small wine cup with rouge red glaze from the Yongzheng period of the Qing Dynasty, a light yellow glaze lipped bottle from the Yongzheng period, and a sky blue glaze plum bottle from the Kangxi period.
The auction was followed immediately by a cocktail party in the flower hall.
People moved over in twos and threes.
Ye Peixiu and Xia Qingwan walked at the very back, taking a leisurely stroll and casually admiring the flowers and trees as they went.
It was only September, but a ginkgo tree had already turned yellow, its small fan-shaped leaves fluttering in the night breeze.
Xia Qingwan looked up and saw a leaf fall. She chased after the fluttering leaf, running to catch it.
Ye Peixiu said, "Watch the road."
Before the leaf fell to the ground, she managed to catch it with both hands and showed it to him happily.
Ye Peixiu put one hand in his pocket, pulled the other out of his pocket, and slightly raised her hand, looking down at her closely. He said, "It's really beautiful. Shall we take it back as a bookmark?"
This was the scene Pei Meizhu and her boyfriend saw as they approached from the back of the path hand in hand.
Inside the high walls of red and yellow tiles, in the deep night, a tall man in a white shirt and black trousers and a graceful girl stood amidst a carpet of golden leaves. The scene immediately brought to mind a phrase that came to mind for her, despite her limited vocabulary: "a place of outstanding beauty and talent."
The two, both exceptionally beautiful and intelligent, are a delight to behold when standing together.
"Cousin! Cousin-in-law!"
She shouted loudly.
Ye Peixiu turned his head back, and unusually, he didn't give her a cold look because of how she addressed him.
"I came here with my boyfriend."
As she approached, Pei Meizhu introduced several people to each other.
Ye Peixiu looked at the boy.
It's not the same one as last time.
He said, "Go find your aunt."
"My aunt is here too?" Pei Meizhu said in surprise. "That's great."
Pei Meizhu walked ahead, holding her boyfriend's hand. Ye Peixiu and Xia Qingwan continued their leisurely stroll. When they reached the eaves of the flower hall, they heard Pei Meizhu's voice from inside, "Auntie! I just ran into my cousin and his wife. They said you were here too..."
Ye Peixiu pursed his lips almost undetectably.
Pei Meizhu's loose tongue isn't entirely without merit.
The party was rather dull, and Xia Qingwan was a bit tired. Pei Meizhu sat with her on a bench in the corridor to rest. Ye Peixiu held a wine glass and went through a few perfunctory exchanges with people, which was considered his job done.
As the event was drawing to a close, Pei Yaxian sent someone to see Chen An'an off first, leaving Ye Peixiu and Pei Meizhu behind.
The three people sat chatting under the red lacquered window frame with a swastika pattern.
Pei Meizhu vaguely sensed that they were about to discuss serious matters, so she changed her usual flamboyant style and sat there quietly without saying much.
Ye Peixiu sat in the armchair and lit a cigarette.
After the surroundings fell silent, Pei Yaxian spoke up, "Pei Xiu, don't blame me."
"It was the old man's order. When he learned that you were bringing Miss Xia with you, he insisted that I bring Chen Anan here as well. You and I both know what he meant."
"I definitely didn't want to cause you this kind of trouble."
Just like the partnership between her and Ye Peixiu's father, she has always regarded Ye Peixiu as a rising star partner. No matter what she does, she will never offend him and will try her best to cooperate.
After having a fight with his father during his adolescence, Ye Peixiu learned the truth.
Therefore, he did not disbelieve Pei Yaxian's humble attitude at this moment.
"I know," Ye Peixiu said calmly, "You don't have to say that."
Caught between these three people, Pei Yaxian was also in a difficult position. When the father and son didn't want to play the bad guy, they would push her out and make her play the villain.
For this reason, the Pei family often told her to be smarter and not to be used as a tool all the time.
How can it be that easy?
Pei Yaxian sighed and said, "I'll treat Miss Xia to a meal another day."
"No need," Ye Peixiu said, "Just don't bother her. She's busy lately."
"...Alright then."
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Author's Note: One chapter will be updated first.
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