Chapter 61. Cousin.
Before the start of the school year, Xia Qingwan first welcomed back her grandmother, as well as Chen Yuman and her mother.
Chen Yuman was admitted to the Physics Department of Tsinghua University. In order to adapt to the new environment as soon as possible, her grandmother suggested that she come half a month earlier and stay at the Xia family's old house.
So the three of them returned to the capital.
Chen Yuman's mother felt very guilty and kept busy cooking and cleaning at home all day, afraid that she was just doing nothing. Grandma Xia told her not to be polite, but she couldn't persuade her at all, so she eventually just let her do as she pleased.
Xia Qingwan's internship at WCS had just ended, so she naturally stayed at home for two days, spending her days reading, eating, sleeping, and listening to Chen Yuman chattering away.
During the last week of summer vacation, Xia Qingwan took Chen Yuman and her mother to visit Peking University.
The young girl, fresh out of high school, found everything at the university fascinating and enthusiastically took photos everywhere she looked.
Chen's mother followed behind, calling out to her to slow down and not run.
They took photos by the lake and looked at them together.
Mrs. Chen sighed, "In the blink of an eye, he's grown so big."
On the way to the cafeteria at noon, Chen's mother kept talking about Chen Yuman's childhood, saying that she was smart and quick-witted from a young age, learned math very quickly, and was taller than the average girl.
His words were filled with nostalgia.
Chen Yuman muttered, "I've never heard you talk about these things at home before."
"This child, is he silly? Why do I talk about these things when you're at home?"
As children grow up and prepare to travel far away, parents inevitably feel a pang of sadness.
Xia Qingwan watched with a smile from the side.
During the summer vacation, most of the canteen's food stalls were closed, except for a few stalls in the third canteen.
The three of them got their food and sat down to eat.
Mrs. Chen kept looking up, left and right, wondering, "I wonder if the Tsinghua University cafeteria is this good?"
"We'll find out on the first day of school."
Chen Yuman said.
“That’s true,” Chen’s mother added, “At school, remember to order less takeout and eat more nutritious food.”
"If there's anything you don't understand or know how to do in life, ask your sister Qingwan. Don't cause trouble outside. There are too many crazy people in this world. Be forgiving and don't stick your neck out."
"You haven't left yet, why are you talking about these things?"
Chen Yuman blushed and couldn't help but retort a few times.
Xia Qingwan felt a pang of sadness upon hearing this.
It was hot in the afternoon, so the three of them took a taxi back to the Xia family's old house.
Mrs. Chen is busy again, saying she's going to make everyone a refreshing and appetizing plum and coconut drink.
Chen Yuman followed Xia Qingwan to her bedroom.
Xia Qingwan straightened the sheets and desk, then turned her head and saw the girl's bright eyes, lost in thought. She couldn't help but smile, "What are you thinking about?"
"...Sister Qingwan, was your university life fun?"
"It was fun and very fulfilling."
Chen Yuman leaned closer hesitantly, her face slightly flushed, and whispered, "Sister, do you think I should date in college? My parents both say I shouldn't."
Xia Qingwan thought about it seriously for a long time.
"...If I meet the right person, maybe I can give it a try, provided that the other person is a good person." She smiled and said, "Don't regret it, don't leave any regrets."
"What about you? Were you sad after the breakup? Did you regret it?"
Chen Yuman pressed for an answer.
She was both confused and longing for love, but unfortunately, she had no one to talk to, so she could only ask Xia Qingwan.
No regrets.
She said with a smile.
I only answered the last question.
-
Just before the start of the school term, Pei Meizhu threw a party at her villa and invited Xia Qingwan to come over.
As soon as Xia Qingwan got out of the car, she heard cheers and laughter erupt from the courtyard.
Looking up, the entire villa was brightly lit.
Pei Meizhu came out to greet her, saying, "There are many people here."
Under the trees in the front yard, where the lights were flashing, Qiao Yingxue held a wine glass and laughed loudly, while several male models danced around her.
Not far away, Qiao Yingxuan was chatting and laughing with a girl, looking every bit the dashing young master.
Pei Meizhu explained, "He came back to China for a visit, so we decided to have both him and his sister come along. It's more fun with more people."
Xia Qingwan asked with a smile, "What's the theme of your party?"
“Hmm,” Pei Meizhu thought for a moment, “Other people have bachelor/bachelor parties before getting married, but for me, it’s a ‘no-school party’ hahaha.”
She then wailed, "If only I were you, I'd be a senior in college, and I'd have a year left to let loose."
Xia Qingwan laughed.
Qiao Yingxue glanced at the two of them, her expression froze, and several inexplicable emotions flashed in her eyes. Finally, she took the initiative to come forward and looked Xia Qingwan up and down, "...Long time no see."
Pei Meizhu didn't speak, but quietly looked at her.
She wouldn't dare to act recklessly.
Xia Qingwan said calmly, "Yingxue, it's been a long time."
When she was called by her name so directly, Qiao Yingxue inexplicably felt her arrogance diminished. She pouted, but in the end, unable to find the right words, she simply turned and left.
Unable to bear the loneliness, Pei Meizhu ran to the backyard and played diving with a few of her girlfriends by the pool. Xia Qingwan, holding a wine glass, sat on a sofa not far away, slowly sipping her drink and looking up at the sky.
She can tolerate alcohol better now than before.
After drinking half a glass, a few people sat down at the other end of the sofa, laughing and joking. She turned her head and saw Qiao Yingxue and her girlfriends.
A few people were chatting idly.
They chatted about which male model was the best looking today, and what fun things to do after school started. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, the conversation circled back to Mr. Ye.
When did Mr. Ye leave?
"I heard my dad mention it the day before yesterday."
"Wow, this trip could take several years?"
"It will take at least two or three years, right?"
"Wouldn't he be over thirty when he comes back?!"
"I guess it'll be around the time I get married when I get back."
At this point, the group lowered their voices and began talking about Chen An'an's family situation.
"Mr. Ye has excellent taste."
Someone made the final decision, saying, "We look down on those small, unorthodox families."
Xia Qingwan was quietly drinking to herself when she heard this. She didn't want to listen anymore and got up to leave.
Pei Meizhu climbed out of the pool, took a towel from someone next to her and wrapped herself in it. She searched around the front yard and finally found Xia Qingwan in the back yard.
She was sitting on the steps below the back door, with a half-empty glass of wine beside her.
Why are you here all alone?
Pei Meizhu said.
"Let it breathe."
A few days ago, at a time when she was unaware of it, Ye Peixiu had already set off and left the capital.
She is heading towards her future, and he is walking his predetermined path.
That's how it should be.
And that's exactly how it turned out.
I just felt so suffocated.
-
September.
Xia Qingwan started her senior year of college.
In the second week of the semester, the application channel for the pre-admission of postgraduate students in the Department of Chinese Language and Literature at Peking University opened.
Xia Qingwan had already written her resume, and after careful consideration, she clicked the submit button.
She was confident, so she only applied to the Chinese Department of Peking University and did not give herself any backup options. However, during the days of waiting for the review, even with confidence, she could not help but feel anxious.
Pei Meizhu invited her to dinner to comfort her.
After dinner, Xia Qingwan returned to school, while Pei Meizhu received a call from Wang Jingzi on her way home.
It had been such a long time since she had seen those three words, that Pei Meizhu almost lost her grip on the steering wheel when she saw Lai Xian.
She drove the car to the side road and stopped before answering the call.
"What's up?"
Her words were icy, but Wang Jingzi on the other end of the phone seemed unaffected. "...Is Miss Xia with you?"
"She just went back to school."
"……good."
"Why are you calling me? Am I Miss Xia's accessory?"
Pei Meizhu launched into a tirade of nonsense.
There was a moment of silence on the other end, then a question came in: "...Where are you?"
"My car broke down on the side of the road, and I'm waiting for the insurance company to come."
She just made it up on the spot.
"How did it break down? Were you in a car accident? Is anyone hurt?"
"have no idea."
She pretended to hang up the phone, saying, "I'm hanging up now, goodbye."
Send me your location.
The call ended.
Pei Meizhu held her phone and waited quietly for a few seconds. Sure enough, a message from Wang Jingzi popped up on WeChat, asking her to send her location.
She sent her location.
After waiting for more than ten minutes, a Bentley slowly drove up.
She rolled down the car window, and Wang Jingzi got out of the car and walked over, leaning over the top of the car frame. "Was there really a car accident?"
"I can't fool you."
Pei Meizhu crossed her arms and leaned back.
"Don't joke like that."
"What kind of joke is this? A joke about leaving without saying goodbye?"
Although she learned the whole story from her cousin Ye Peixiu, she still felt wronged and resentful. Now that she had finally seen him after more than half a year, how could she not vent her anger?
Wang Jingzi looked at her quietly for a while, then said, "I'm sorry."
When are you coming back?
She asked about being transferred back to Beijing, and Wang Jingzi knew what she meant.
"have no idea."
"Isn't my cousin supposed to be back in two years?"
Pei Meizhu counted on her fingers, "In two more months, you'll have been here for a year. Will you be transferred back soon?"
"...President Ye is different from me."
Ye Peixiu's transfer to a local post was an important part of enriching his resume, while he was simply transferred to a local branch.
"Can you give me a definite answer? How long do I have to wait?"
Pei Meizhu glared at him, her eyes already red.
Wang Jingzi turned his head away and pursed his lips.
He should have told her not to wait, but the words were stuck in his throat and he couldn't bring himself to say them.
Saying such things is no different from suicide.
After a long while, he finally managed to clear his throat, "...Meizhu—"
“Okay, I understand,” Pei Meizhu interrupted him immediately, “You don’t need to say such unpleasant things.”
"Get out of the way!"
She said.
Wang Jingzi withdrew his hand, straightened his body, and took a few steps back.
Pei Meizhu didn't linger for a second, didn't even give him a glance, and sped away.
-
Wang Jingzi's trip back to Beijing was on the instructions of Ye Peixiu.
First, we'll go to the Ye family's old house.
Upon hearing Wang Jingzi's words, the old man replied coldly, "Do I really need to concern myself with such a trivial matter?"
That being said, there are precedents to learn from, so it's not fair to ignore them.
Finally, the old man gave the order to send someone to make a phone call to the president of Peking University.
In short: Impartiality in handling affairs.
After the matter was settled, Wang Jingzi went to Nanhua first after leaving Beijing.
Ye Peixiu works here.
He lived in an old Western-style house on the outskirts of the city.
When Wang Jingzi arrived, it was evening, and Ye Peixiu had not yet finished get off work.
Ye Peixiu returned close to midnight, followed by several people. He walked ahead with one hand in his pocket, giving instructions as he went.
Judging from their appearance, they're extremely busy.
Back inside, after dismissing everyone, Ye Peixiu loosened his tie and took a sip of tea.
As he unfastened his watch, he asked, "Have you seen her?"
"I saw her outside the dormitory building. Miss Xia seemed alright, just a little anxious."
Ye Peixiu lowered his eyelashes and didn't reply.
We didn't talk much.
That night, Wang Jingzi stayed at his place.
In the early hours of the morning, as dawn was breaking, Wang Jingzi, half-asleep, heard the sound of something breaking outside.
The old house has terrible sound insulation.
He opened the door and came out to see Ye Peixiu sitting in a round chair under the eaves outside, with a broken teacup on the ground by the door.
Wang Jingzi tidied up the broken pieces, brewed him a new cup of tea, and brought it to him.
Ye Peixiu didn't say anything, but offered him a cigarette. Wang Jingzi took the cigarette and sat down on the steps. The two of them remained silent, each smoking their own cigarette in the clear, moonlit night.
After a long while, Ye Peixiu asked, "Have you seen Meizhu?"
"I saw him."
After struggling for a moment, Wang Jingzi finally said, "...Pei Xiu, should I make her wait for me?"
Upon hearing this, Ye Peixiu chuckled.
In his view, whether he waited or not was perhaps a minor matter. He was just worried about her, afraid that she would be bullied or not doing well. He was also afraid that she would keep everything to herself and not tell her family.
Due to her childhood experiences, she did not have the habit of complaining to others.
Back then, when I was scolded by Grandma Xia in Shaoping, I would just call him, gently complain about other things, and then chat with him casually, pretending to be cheerful.
In Ye Garden, she accidentally pinched her hand, and her face turned pale with pain as she hissed and gasped for breath. At the time, he didn't think much of it and took her to treat the wound, thinking that the pain from the injury would pass after a while. But now, he always remembers her pale face, unable to speak, her eyes red, and the way she trembled in pain.
My heart aches in waves of pain.
Further on, even after suffering injustice at Xia Changping's hands, she stubbornly refused to shed a tear.
With red eyes, she looked up at him and said he was the high and mighty Mr. Ye.
At that time, he took her back to Ye Garden to bathe and change clothes, but she burst into tears in his bathroom instead.
Xia Qingwan had only trust in him from beginning to end.
His summer evening.
A long silence followed.
Ye Peixiu said, "Arrange for a few more people to go to the school and the vicinity of the Xia family's old residence in the compound."
"OK."
-
In late September, the results of the preliminary recommendation for postgraduate admission to the Chinese Department of Peking University were released, and Xia Qingwan successfully obtained the qualification for postgraduate admission.
Xia Qingwan went home and told her grandmother the good news, then changed her clothes and hurriedly went back to school.
Pei Meizhu called her and said generously, "Let's go celebrate!"
Xia Qingwan laughed, "We're not going to a bar again, are we?"
“Wouldn’t a bar be a waste of talent?” Pei Meizhu said mysteriously. “You don’t know, I have the funds.”
"What kind of funding?"
Xia Qingwan thought she had a secret stash of money for celebrations, but then she heard her say, "My cousin gave me some money to take you out to have fun, hahaha."
Summer evening was a bit of a slump.
He's not even in the capital anymore, does he still care about her?
"He told me not to say it, afraid that if I did, you wouldn't be willing to spend the money."
Xia Qingwan smiled, "...Let's talk about it when we meet this weekend?"
"Alright, alright, you're a prospective graduate student, so you get to decide."
Pei Meizhu was genuinely happy for her.
Before they could even discuss how to spend the money, the National Day holiday arrived.
Pei Meizhu went abroad for a trip as usual, while Xia Qingwan accompanied her grandmother back to Shaoping.
After staying in Shaoping for two days, on the third day, Xia Huiqing received a call from a friend who said that someone from the Song family was coming to Shaoping and wanted to visit her.
After setting a time over the phone, Xia Huiqing called Xia Qingwan over and said, "Some relatives of your mother's are coming."
It had been so long since Xia Qingwan had heard the term "mother" that it took her a while to react.
"What relatives?"
"Your cousin."
Because of the incident involving Xia Xili and Song Nanqiao in their early years, the Xia and Song families had already broken ties.
The two families, one in the south and one in the north, never interacted.
A few years ago, this younger member of the Song family also sent someone to convey a message, saying that he wanted to see the late Qing Dynasty. At that time, Xia Huiqing refused outright.
This time, after much deliberation, considering that Xia Qingwan had grown up, Xia Huiqing finally agreed.
That afternoon, Xia Qingwan accompanied her grandmother to read a book under the camphor tree in the backyard of the villa.
I can't read more than a few pages before I have to look up.
Finally, as evening approached, Grandma Xi came running to the backyard, waving her hand, "Qingwan, come quickly."
Xia Qingwan immediately put down her book and said to her grandmother, "Grandma, I'm going over there for a bit."
Having received permission, he immediately jogged towards the back door of the villa.
As I walked through the stairwell, I immediately saw a man in a suit standing by the living room window.
The man heard footsteps and turned around.
The two looked at each other for a while, then the man said, "...Qingwan?"
Xia Qingwan nodded. "Cousin?"
The man immediately smiled, "I'm your cousin, my name is Song Yanzhang."
A pair of cousins who had never met before were speechless when they suddenly saw each other; they just kept smiling at each other.
Xia Qingwan asked, "Cousin, how much older are you than me?"
"Six years old."
Song Yanzhang opened his laptop and said, "By the way, I have a picture of your mother here. Do you want to see it?"
"I want to see it."
Grandma Xi brought over some tea, but without disturbing them, she quietly slipped out.
Xia Qingwan leaned over the computer screen, staring intently at the photos.
As I watched, tears streamed down my face without my realizing it.
She didn't even notice, and simply said, "Cousin, can you send them all to me?"
"sure."
It was sent to her phone, and she held it like a precious treasure, as if afraid of losing it.
Song Yanzhang was approachable and chatted with her, asking about her recent situation and telling her about the Song family.
Xia Qingwan told him almost everything about herself.
Upon hearing this, Song Yanzhang kept praising, "You're amazing! Your mother will be so proud of you."
Xia Qingwan forced back her tears and nodded.
Xia Huiqing invited Song Yanzhang to have dinner there.
After dinner, the three of them took a walk in the villa's courtyard for a while before Song Yanzhang said goodbye.
Before leaving, I exchanged contact information with Xia Qingwan.
That night, Xia Qingwan couldn't sleep a wink.
I turned on my computer, zoomed in on the photos, and kept looking at them over and over again.
The Xia family's old house doesn't even contain any of Xia Xili's belongings, let alone her mother Song Nanqiao's items.
This was the first time she had ever seen a photo of her mother and father.
There are also old photos of my mother dancing in the cultural troupe.
So classical and graceful, so bright and moving.
As dawn approached, drowsiness washed over her, and she drifted in and out of sleep.
Holding these precious photos in her heart, she longed to share them with others.
She desperately wanted Ye Peixiu to know that she had met her cousin and seen photos of her mother and father.
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The author has something to say: Here it comes, ah ah ah
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