Chapter 193: Chapter 171: Return to Yue City
Sending Qiao Yuxian to the airport, and after she leaves, Gu Yanjing goes straight back to the old mansion.
Qiao Yuxian’s one-hour flight lands in Yue City, and as she exits the airport, she sees Yuan Wei.
During the New Year period, the airport is crowded, yet Qiao Yuxian spots him immediately.
Because he’s holding up the tallest sign, with the two big characters of Yuan Wei written on it.
Later, Qiao Yuxian learns that the sign’s production cost is two yuan. The stick was a tree branch picked up by the roadside, and the sign on top was made from a cardboard box also picked up from the roadside.
Since he got the same cardboard box as a grandpa collecting cardboard, he ended up buying this cardboard box for two yuan, and the tape to stick the box and the pen for writing were borrowed from the airport staff.
"I have to give you a thumbs up for your wit," says Qiao Yuxian.
Yuan Wei smiles; a small dimple appears on his left cheek: "Qiao Shuning and family are also taking a noon flight to the Capital City."
Qiao Yuxian acknowledges.
Yesterday, her uncle called her dad. He said that because Qiao Weizhou, who is a trainee in Xi Mei in the Capital City, only has half a day off on the New Year’s Eve evening and the morning of the first day of the year.
This little bit of holiday time is not enough for him to return to Yue City.
The whole family of three wants to go to the Capital City to spend the New Year with Qiao Weizhou.
But Qiao Shuning can’t leave Yue City, so her uncle talked to her father, hoping he could mediate so that Qiao Shuning could also go to the Capital City.
Qiao Yu didn’t give a definite answer and first talked to Qiao Yuxian about it.
Qiao Yuxian directly agreed.
Otherwise, when she returns to Yue City, Qiao Shuning will keep circling around her, constantly causing trouble.
During the grand New Year, she really doesn’t want to hit anyone.
Out of sight, out of mind, so she had the people watching her in Yue City retreat and let her go to the Capital City.
...
The old Qiao mansion is a five-entrance courtyard, built when her grandparents first came to Yue City.
Over the years, the elderly couple has always lived here.
It’s not particularly large, but every part of it is built with particular attention to detail. Each flower, each tree, each stone, and each pond is meticulously arranged.
Compared to the Capital City, Yue City, though southward, is still considered northern.
In winter, apart from the evergreen trees, all the other trees and flowers outside wither away.
Antique, with gray bricks and tiles, it carries the story of this courtyard.
After Qiao Yuxian’s grandparents passed away, her uncle’s family wanted to move in, but Qiao Yuxian refused.
To prevent them from coming over usually, there’s always someone watching over this place.
The courtyard also has people responsible for daily cleaning and the maintenance of the trees and flowers.
Keeping the courtyard lively.
Arriving at the entrance of the courtyard.
Qiao Yuxian gets out of the car, looks at the two big characters "Qiao Mansion" above the gate, and enters the courtyard.
After bypassing the screen wall, she sees the housekeeper couple who have always lived in the courtyard.
"Uncle Quan, Aunt Zhao." Qiao Yuxian stops and greets them.
"Yuxian, you’re back?" As soon as Aunt Zhao sees her, her eyes get a little wet, holding her hand and says, "It’s been a few months since you last came."
Qiao Yuxian squeezes her hand, smiles at the couple, and says, "Mm, back for the New Year."
"Good, good, coming back for the New Year is great," says Uncle Quan.
"Has Feng Xuan come back?" Qiao Yuxian asks.
Uncle Quan’s last name is Feng, and Feng Xuan is their son, who is the same age as her.
When Qiao Yuxian was eight, Uncle Quan and his wife brought eight-year-old Feng Xuan from the countryside to Yue City Hospital for an illness.
She doesn’t know the specific situation, just a rough idea.
Their family conditions were incredibly poor, their education level wasn’t high, and they hadn’t traveled far.
When they arrived in Yue City, Feng Xuan’s illness couldn’t be treated, and all the money of the couple was scammed. In a hurry, Uncle Quan hit someone, got into a legal trouble, and was imprisoned.
At that time, Aunt Zhao had nowhere to stay with the sick Feng Xuan.
By chance, her grandmother met them.
She helped them.
Helped them get their money back, fought the lawsuit, and helped cure Feng Xuan’s illness.
After that, when Feng Xuan was fifteen, he came to Yue City to study; the couple also came to the Qiao Mansion.
Caring for the daily life of the Qiao family’s elders.
The entire courtyard is taken care of by the couple, and they eventually let Feng Xuan live here too.
Later, when the Qiao family elders passed away, Qiao Yuxian didn’t let them leave.
"Feng Xuan will be home tomorrow morning," Aunt Zhao says.
Qiao Yuxian nods.
Uncle Quan says, "Quick, get inside, it’s cold outside."
"Okay."
The main house on the north side, walking in reveals a living room.
Inside, all the furnishings are wooden tables and chairs. It’s very clean, as if someone has been living here all along.
Qiao Yuxian looks around, sits down, and chats with Uncle Quan and Aunt Zhao.
Yuan Wei goes to park the car, and after parking, he returns, quietly sits by the side, and listens to them chat without saying a word.
...
Capital City.
When Gu Yanjing receives the message from Qiao Yuxian telling him she’s arrived, he is on the way to Lingshi Temple.
Lingshi Temple is on Lingshi Mountain, in the suburban area of the Capital City.
It’s the border mountain between the Capital City and Jin City.
Since Gu Yanjing can remember, Old Sir Gu has not been at home on every New Year’s Eve; he goes to the temple, and stays for a whole day.
He goes on the afternoon of the 29th and returns on New Year’s Eve evening.
This is also why the Gu family is never as complete during the New Year as on Old Sir Gu’s birthday.
Gu Yanjing started accompanying Old Sir Gu from when he was fifteen.
On the 29th, Old Sir Gu spends a night at Lingshi Temple.
On New Year’s Eve in the early morning, he enters the Longevity Hall at the temple, where he stays the entire day, transcribing scriptures and paying respects to the Buddha, not coming out until the evening.
Though Gu Yanjing accompanies him each year.
Old Sir Gu never lets him enter the Longevity Hall with him.
Upon reaching the temple, Gu Yanjing can do as he pleases.
There are things Old Sir Gu doesn’t want him to be involved in.
During his teenage years, Gu Yanjing asked about it. Old Sir Gu brushed it off, not wanting to discuss it, and he never asked again.
This time is the same as previous years.
Driving is Meng Yan, with Su Qi in the passenger seat.
Old Sir Gu and Gu Yanjing are in the back.
Shang Chen is also driving behind them with three other cars.
Gu Yanjing, after receiving the message, replies.
Old Sir Gu looks at him and says, "Once you’ve dropped me off at the temple, head to Yue City."
Gu Yanjing looks at him.
Old Sir Gu chuckles, "I raised you myself. I know instantly what’s on your mind."
Gu Yanjing says nothing.
Old Sir Gu continues, "How do you find the granddaughter-in-law I chose? Pretty satisfactory, right?"
"Are you going to say you can see at a glance what kind of person I like?" Gu Yanjing says calmly.
"Of course," Old Sir Gu replies, "Yuxian is the perfect proof."
Gu Yanjing doesn’t argue.
Old Sir Gu looks at Gu Yanjing, who is lost for words.
This seems to be the first time in their banter that Gu Yanjing loses utterly.
Because of Qiao Yuxian.
"With so many people at home, there’s no need for you to accompany me," Mr. Gu says, "Our family doesn’t really do New Year; you’re better off going to Yue City to accompany Yuxian. Just leave that, that Shang Chen for me. I like that dark-faced boy."