Chapter 30: Sighing the lingering hatred
Chapter 30: Sighing the lingering hatred
"The bamboo grove is dust-free and the water is clear, but my longing for you is far away across the city walls. The autumn clouds do not disperse and the frost flies late, leaving the withered lotus leaves to listen to the sound of rain."
Ever since Feng Yichen returned for his internship, he'd barely had a single day free. Many of the group's affairs had gradually been handed over to him, serving both as a testament to his experience and as a testament to his status as successor.
During the rare half-day of leisure, Uncle Chen was ordered to wait for him downstairs of the Canghai Group building to pick him up and take him to his "hometown" for a small gathering.
The two three-meter-high white marble hollow lotus-patterned steles with crouching beasts and gilded columns at the sentry gate gradually enlarged as the carriage approached.
Uncle Chen, the elegant driver of the glossy black Bentley, honked his horn, and then the gate of the "Homeland" sentry post slowly opened.
As you enter the garden, you will see a crescent-shaped lotus pond carved out in the center. On the central corridor stand five small golden-topped lotus pavilions, each covered with brocade cushions and with twelve strings of oriental pearl curtains hanging outside the courtyard.
The pool is surrounded by a whole row of white marble railings. The widely spaced railings are engraved with the 24 solar terms, dividing the precious lotus varieties in the pool into corresponding areas.
Compared to three years ago when he returned here with a similar mood, this time, Feng Yichen's heart has become more determined.
Unfortunately, this "round shadow covering the Huachi" is still not a happy scene. Now only withered lotus leaves are left, and one is alone to admire a pool of dead leaves. It also makes another person's heart forever stay in the dampness of the past, falling into endless desolation and loneliness.
He had heard from the housekeeper Uncle Ming a long time ago that in order to acquire this property, his father Feng Ce had also spent a lot of effort and went through a series of tedious things before finally fulfilling this wish.
Unfortunately, the hostess who should have been enjoying all this and having fun with him died of illness not long after, and this bad news became a lifelong regret for my father.
As a result, this place has gradually become more and more magnificent, but it is only to commemorate the deceased.
At the end of the driveway, two vermilion-lacquered, lotus-shaped gates, each with copper nails and inlaid cloud-patterned corner buckles, rest beneath the paws of white marble lions on either side, each bearing a lotus-shaped hydrangea carved from a single block of Hetian jade. The base is inlaid with finely chopped lapis lazuli. A plaque with a embossed entwined lotus pattern hangs high above the lintel, its inscription prominently in gilded seal script: "Hometown, Lotus Retreat."
Entering the house, one passes through a triple-layered moon-shaped gate, the first of which features a white marble relief carving of "Lotus blossoms over nine summers." The main building in the courtyard is a three-story pavilion with flying eaves, its door handles shaped like lotus pods crafted from pure gold.
The stone steps in front of the entrance are paved with bluestone, each edge inlaid with gold thread. Twelve jade qilins of varying shapes are arrayed on the white marble parapets on either side. Looking up, one can see the eaves and corners covered in peacock blue glazed tiles, topped with a gilded lotus crown. Twelve palace lanterns hang from the eaves, each with a base carved from a single piece of mutton-fat jade. Their poles are adorned with cloisonné enamel lotus motifs, and wisps of smoke emanate from the burning sinking incense wicks.
A passage paved with a whole piece of white marble extends from the inside of the door. When people pass through it, the floor lamps on both sides light up one by one, and the light wanders along the corners, outlining a lotus pattern.
The three-story "Bamboo Library" nestled among the bamboos in the garden is decorated with celadon porcelain, with every brick and tile incised with lotus patterns in various forms. The window lattices are hollowed-out agarwood with lotus patterns, and the window screens are Sichuan brocade with lotus patterns.
Embedded in the high wall is a twelve-meter-long black gold antique display shelf, on which are displayed rare collections such as bronze lotus-patterned vases from the Shang and Zhou dynasties, secret color porcelain lotus-petal bowls from the Tang dynasty, and blue and white lotus-patterned plum vases from the Yuan dynasty.
The interior furniture is decorated with lotus-shaped objects or lotus-patterned ornaments made of gold, silver, jade, emerald and other materials.
However, the loquat tree outside the flower window in the front yard of the library no longer has the golden and plump fruits from spring and summer on its branches. Only a few late-ripening loquats are left hidden in the narrow gaps between the slightly curled leaves, which now adds a sense of desolation to the autumn scenery.
Feng Ce's appearance is no longer what it used to be, but he still has an elegant and handsome appearance, and now he looks even more majestic.
At this moment, he was standing in front of the window, his tall and straight back was filled with a sense of loneliness, perhaps because of the autumn scenery in the courtyard, or perhaps because his heart had been empty for so many years.
On the lotus-shaped candlestick, honey-colored candle wax slowly flowed along the lotus pattern, making the ink in the book half bright and half dim. As the yellowed pages were gently turned, the rustling sound of fine linen paper touching the cold wind startled the uncondensed dewdrops on the eaves. The celadon water pot on the desk was filled with half a cup of withered lotus, and the petals floating on the water seemed to tremble with the breath.
Feng Yichen stood still for a long while before speaking softly. His gentle voice filled the quiet space and reached Feng Ce's ears:
"Dad, I'm back."
Feng Ce turned around upon hearing this, pulling himself back from the memories of the past years, but his voice was still a little hoarse:
"Come on, sit down."
In a corner of the study, a tea table is set, crafted from a single piece of Hetian jade, its surface emblazoned with lotus-shaped veins. Flanked by jade-inlaid armchairs, a lotus-shaped incense burner stands beside it, its wisps of smoke swirling from aloeswood incense, a contrasting backdrop to the chess game "Thick and Thin Contradiction" nearby.
Feng Ce sat in the main seat and drank tea silently with Feng Yichen. After taking a sip of the tea, he gently placed the covered bowl on the table, and then his usual low and mellow voice came:
"Today is a family gathering. I didn't want to tell you this, but some things are unavoidable. I heard from your cousins that you turned down the social dance they arranged for you. Do you know what this means?"
Thinking of the scene that day, Feng Yichen was silent for a moment before replying:
"I know."
Feng Ce was not too surprised by this, and still spoke in a calm tone:
"Then why not tell me the reason?"
Feng Yichen replied calmly without changing his expression:
"My son isn't good at this, so I shouldn't bother disturbing their fun. I've already explained the situation and covered all expenses for the day, including the invitations to many noble sons. Furthermore, I've also promised them free time to explore the various venues in the manor that month. It's not really a disservice."
Feng Ce's voice was just like his intimidating demeanor at the moment:
"Is that all? I want to hear the truth."
I didn't want to talk about this today, but it seems inevitable in this conversation:
"I have someone I like, and I shouldn't be at such a special occasion like that."
Feng Ce already understood what was going on, but he still asked, "Chi Shu?"
Feng Yichen nodded without hesitation: "Yes. It has always been only her."
After the words fell, Feng Ce adjusted his sitting posture and leaned back in his chair. The atmosphere was silent for a long time before it became lively again:
"If I remember correctly, the girl named Chi Shu you keep mentioning is from the same mother as Ms. Ji Jinyi. I once came into contact with her during a business event. After you insisted on applying to the same university as her for the college entrance exam, I also paid close attention to Ms. Ji Jinyi during business events. I also had several business encounters with her by chance. Aside from those drastic measures, she always seems to be very hostile to male competitors. If you really only want to be with this girl, then you may need to be more careful. This road may not be so easy. As my son, Feng Ce, you may have other options. Are you so sure it's her?"
Faced with this important decision, Feng Yichen had already made up his mind. He was determined to listen to the voice deep in his heart and choose a path that was difficult but more in line with his ideals. His tone was gentle, soft, yet powerful and resolute:
"Yes, it has to be her."
This time, without waiting for Feng Ce to ask again, Feng Yichen continued to express his feelings:
"Dad, in those silent and dreamy nights, have you ever felt regretful?
"If I hadn't met that person, it would be fine. But now that I've met her, if I lose the one I love in this kind of balancing act, then my life would be too regretful and bitter. Since you've shown me how beautiful love can be so steadfast, now teach me how to weigh my love in this kind of balancing act?
"If I have to live my whole life in this kind of balance, wouldn't it be too sad and desolate? I don't want that. I believe I am fully capable of bearing the cost of this choice. She is the one I truly desire. And for me, career and love are not mutually exclusive."
Feng Ce's words suddenly reminded him of the time when he lost his beloved due to his busy career. Every time he recalled this, he felt regretful and even painful. How could he not feel bitter? That was the person he loved most in his life, and now, he only had left behind this only child...
His heart was greatly shocked by these sudden memories, but his expression was only stunned for a moment.
At this moment, he has made a decision:
Since it is my son's wish, then... you shouldn't blame me, right?
The conversation came to an abrupt end in such a solemn atmosphere, but it did not affect the warm and harmonious atmosphere of this family gathering.
Those tokens of deep affection eventually became the only hope.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
