In March, Beijing had just stopped heating, and the spring breeze was mildly warm, yet the temperature wasn’t high. The climate in Pingjiang was pleasant. Si Qingxiao ca back under the pretense of experiencing spring here, claiming the temperature was comfortable, thus managing to coax her parents.
Si Qingxiao planned to stay in Pingjiang for a while longer, and Jiang Chengsi naturally didn’t want to return to Beijing either.
Though this place may not be as lively as Beijing with countless things to do, living together felt like a honeymoon, and the days were comfortable and pleasant.
Normally, when Si Qingxiao was making clothes, he would be by her side watching videos or playing a ga of chess. When they had free ti, they’d go out for a stroll, watch movies, or wander around the streets, feeling quite at ease.
Jiang Chengsi always thought he couldn’t live without the nightlife, unable to stay put. But now, it seed it depended on who he’s with.
This was tough for Ruan ngxi.
After she got engaged, she went back to Beijing, starting to manage the club’s affairs.
Although the boss used to be out at night, at least he was visible. Now, he disappeared every day, running off to Pingjiang to "retire"?
Every ti she reported work, she had to make long-distance calls across provinces. She’s never seen such an irresponsible boss.
There were tis when urgent matters couldn’t even get an imdiate response.
Wasn’t it said that his car was his life?
Now that he’s fallen in love, he doesn’t care about the club?
If he were born in ancient tis, he’d definitely be a muddle-head monarch.
Ruan ngxi was in contact with Tang Wan almost every day. She knew Tang Wan was returning to Beijing soon, so she thought maybe her boss should return too.
"You really don’t need to bring anything?" Tang Wan was preparing to return to Beijing and wanted to bring so gifts for everyone.
"I just ca back from my hotown, don’t need anything. You can bring sothing for my aunt. I visited the Huo Family two days ago, and her belly is pretty frightening."
"Her belly’s too big?" Shen Shuci’s due date was approaching, and the Huo Family was entirely in a war-like state.
"Maybe it’s because she’s too thin, so her belly seems large. You should bring her so good food; I don’t need anything," Ruan ngxi laughed. "By the way, is Fourth Uncle coming back with you?"
"Fifth Brother just called him this morning; he’s not coming with us."
"..."
Ruan ngxi was speechless. What kind of boss did she end up with?
In fact, even if Jiang Chengsi returned to Beijing soon, he didn’t plan to travel with their family. It’s either carrying diapers or coaxing the child; what do they think he is? He certainly won’t go.
**
The night before Jiang Jinsang and Tang Wan returned to Beijing, Tang Yunxian specially booked a restaurant outside, and the whole family went out for a al.
Even Aunt Huang followed; they treated her like family, and she sat at the table to eat without any special formalities.
The old man held Jiang Xiaowai tightly, refusing to let go.
"Grandpa, why don’t you co to Beijing to stay for a few days?" Before Tang Wan could speak, Jiang Jinsang spoke first.
"Beijing is dry and cold now; I won’t go. My body can’t take it. It’s more comfortable staying here, where I can hang out with so old friends, practice Tai Chi and walk birds. If I go to Beijing, I wouldn’t know what to do all day."
The old man was just being stubborn. He did want to go but couldn’t bear to be away from his great-grandson.
But their couple was already tired enough taking care of the child, and he didn’t want them to worry about an old man too. Simply staying here was better.
"Auntie’s due soon. I’ll pick you up beforehand," Jiang Jinsang didn’t push, but offered another suggestion.
The old man knew Shen Shuci’s due date was near, so he smiled and agreed, "I haven’t seen that child in a while, but I’ve heard from your grandfather, although Huo Qinqi is rarely ho, the Huo Family treats her well. When you return to Beijing, visit her often."
"Even though the Huo Family accompanies her, they’re all elders. There aren’t any intimate people she can talk to. She’s a heavy thinker and wouldn’t tell you if anything was wrong."
"You all should be more proactive."
...
Tang Wan nodded in agreent.
The old man rambled on for ages before thinking of Jiang Chengsi, "I haven’t seen him for so days. Where did he go? Not returning with you all? Didn’t go back to Beijing either, surely nothing’s wrong?"
Jiang Chengsi was older than Jiang Jinsang, but the old man always considered him a child since he’s not married.
"Fourth Brother is doing well, don’t worry, Grandpa. Let have another drink with you."
Even Tang Yunxian drank a few glasses tonight.
As they were leaving the next day, the family inevitably felt reluctant. But since neither Tang Lao nor Tang Yunxian were people who express their emotions openly, keeping their thoughts to themselves, the al naturally took a longer ti.
The restaurant wasn’t far from the old residence. Since everyone had a little drink, they didn’t call a driver; the family walked back.
Though the March evening breeze was cool, it was very comfortable. Jiang Xiaowai had already napped during dinner; now, resting on Tang Yunxian’s shoulder, he curiously observed his surroundings.
**
On the other side
Jiang Chengsi and Si Qingxiao had just finished dinner outside and returned ho. Jiang Chengsi felt sticky and suggested taking a shower first.
"Then go ahead, I’ll take a break."
The restaurant they went to tonight had good flavors, but eating too much made them feel a bit greasy.
Si Qingxiao heated so water and opened a cabinet in the living room filled with various teas. As she pondered over what tea to brew to relieve the grease, she heard the sound of a car outside.
The place she lived in was sparsely populated even during the day, so the sudden sound of a car made her heart skip.
Soon, there was a knock on the door.
These old courtyard-style hos were not soundproof, so the knocking of the door at this house made even the dogs several courtyards away start barking.
Jiang Chengsi had half of his shirt off but paused when he heard the knock.
At this hour, who could be knocking?
If it was a bad guy, with Si Qingxiao alone outside, he felt uneasy and quickly put on his clothes.
"Who is it?" Si Qingxiao’s voice rang out.
Jiang Chengsi was just about to turn the doorknob and go out when a slightly familiar voice made his heart tremble.
"Xiaoxiao, it’s ."
It wasn’t anyone else but—
Si Yushan!
"Dad, Dad?" Si Qingxiao was startled, glancing at the nearby bathroom.
Jiang Chengsi was inside, frantically tidying up his things, not knowing what he was scared of. He quickly packed his toiletries and ca out.
Si Qingxiao pursed her lips, signaling him to quickly find a place to hide.
Hide?
Where should I hide?
"Xiaoxiao?" Si Yushan’s voice called out again.
"Coming, coming!" Si Qingxiao’s heart trembled with panic. Jiang Chengsi didn’t dare to hide inside; the living room’s décor didn’t allow for hiding, so he found a low bush in the courtyard to hide.
The night was dark, and although there was a light in the courtyard, it was dim and overshadowed, making him invisible.
"Xiaoxiao?" Si Yushan frowned. Why wasn’t the door opened?
"Coming!" Once Si Qingxiao saw he was well hidden, she opened the door, "I was in the bathroom; Dad, why are you here?"
Si Yushan was accompanied by a man in his fifties, his assistant, who had been with him for thirty years and watched Si Qingxiao grow up, "Uncle Yuan."
Assistant Yuan just smiled and nodded at her.
"Where did you co from? Have you been drinking?" Si Qingxiao opened the door, and slled the alcohol on her father.
"Had a business eting, had a little drink in the afternoon." Si Yushan smiled.
"The gentleman had a eting in the province, drank with clients in the afternoon, and thought of you. After socializing with the clients, he asked to drive over imdiately, without having dinner yet." Assistant Yuan smiled.
"Why haven’t you had dinner? Co in quickly. Uncle Yuan, you co in too. I’ll get you sothing to eat." Si Qingxiao, afraid her dad would notice sothing, clung to his arm and hurriedly pulled him inside.
Si Yushan thought his daughter cared about him and was quite happy, but as he passed through the courtyard, he slightly frowned, "What happened to your courtyard?"
"What?"
"Whoever you hired, they’ve ruined the grass in your courtyard."
Jiang Chengsi hiding in the corner was trembling. It was the season without many mosquitoes, but still, there were bugs, and he was about to go crazy.
"You go on inside, I’m just brewing tea. You and Uncle Yuan have a drink first, I’ll check what’s in the fridge."
"What did you eat tonight?" Si Yushan, seeing his daughter bustling about, imdiately stopped her, "Just order takeout, don’t do too much."
"That works too." Si Qingxiao maintained a calm exterior but inside her heart pounded with fear; she was terrified, "Dad, where are you and Uncle Yuan staying tonight? Should I help you book a hotel?"
She only had one bedroom, which Si Yushan knew.
"No need. I’ll just stay on your sofa for a while; I have a cross-continental video conference at 1 am, so I’ll prepare so materials later and might not sleep." Si Yushan pinched his brow.
"I’ll stay in your living room, handling so things; you don’t have to keep company. Go to bed after a while."
"I might stay in Pingjiang for a few days; your place may beco my temporary office; hope you don’t mind."
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