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Chapter 3: Picturesque Beauty Described By Literati
Zhong Heng’s father couldn’t make it, so his third uncle, Zhong Yu Bai, took his place. Perhaps because his father wasn’t present, there was no joy on Zhong Heng’s face.
Putting oneself in his shoes, this was bound to be an unpleasant birthday banquet. Ji Zhen Tang understood the pain of being a child caught in such a dilemma too well. She sat at the table, propping her chin on her hand, waiting for a while. The gift Zhong Heng brought over had nowhere to be placed and ended up on her lap.
Ji Zhen Tang had heard him talk about the intricate network of relationships within the Zhong family, but she couldn’t make sense of it all.
All she knew was that Zhong Yu Bai, the person in question, was the son of Zhong Heng’s grandfather, not his direct uncle. According to the family lineage, he should be referred to as a paternal cousin.
It was somewhat subtle for a paternal cousin to preside over his own nephew’s birthday party.
Just as she was thinking about this, Zhong Yu Bai walked in.
Chi Ying stood up, and Zhong Heng hurriedly followed suit. Ji Zhen Tang hadn’t seen the person clearly yet, but she also stood up politely.
Chi Ying greeted with a smile, “You didn’t even mention you were coming back today? I could have ordered more dishes.”
Zhong Yu Bai walked in and simply said, “I’m not picky.”
He took off his suit and tie, changing into a clean, soft shirt with a warm, frosty hue, reminiscent of warm-toned jade.
Meeting Ji Zhen Tang’s furtive glance, Zhong Yu Bai nodded lightly.
This made her feel a bit embarrassed all of a sudden. Just as she was about to smile lightly, his gaze had already drifted away, missing her attempt at friendliness.
Gentle, yet distant.
Zhong Heng wanted to offer his seat.
But the man over there had already pulled out a chair and casually took a seat at the side of the round table. He either didn’t receive Zhong Heng’s signal of deference or simply didn’t care. However, he quickly discerned Zhong Heng’s hesitation and said lightly, “Don’t be so formal, just sit anywhere.”
Zhong Heng wants to give up the seat.
Thus, this seat became vacant, obviously reserved for the birthday person.
Zhong Heng looked at Ji Zhen Tang and whispered, “Sit beside me.”
Ji Zhen Tang had nowhere else to go, so she sat down beside Zhong Heng.
During the time when the dishes were being served, he suddenly leaned in and whispered, “That’s my third uncle. Don’t mess with anyone, especially him. I can’t handle the consequences.”
Ji Zhen Tang asked, “Tell me why can’t we mess with him again? Didn’t you say your family members are all easy to talk to?”
“He’s different from my stepmother, Chi Ying, who’s just a chatterbox.” Zhong Heng glanced at Zhong Yu Bai and leaned in closer, speaking even more quietly, “He’s with the mafia and can kill people.”
Ji Zhen Tang’s face lit up with excitement, “Wow, that’s so cool! One shot at a time?”
Zhong Heng widened his eyes, “Are you crazy?”
He couldn’t be bothered to say more and brought her a plate of cold dishes, as if feeding a child, with the intention of shutting her up. But she didn’t move.
As the guests arrived, regardless of their relationship with the host, they all had to consider the residing mood. Before long, gifts piled up beside Zhong Heng.
Ji Zhen Tang looked around the dining hall and spotted a jade-white statue of Guanyin in a dark corner, framed by a lush green plant. She looked at the leaves and then at Guanyin.
The compassionate and quiet Guanyin is like on the man’s shoulder, and it disappears in her vision with his movements.
She stopped looking at objects and started observing people.
Zhong Yu Bai sat quietly amidst the swirling cigarette smoke, unruffled. Without saying much, he exuded a commanding aura that commanded respect and fear. A man at the table was smoking, and Zhong Yu Bai glanced over and gestured twice on the table.
The man received the signal and discreetly disposed of his cigarette butt.
After three rounds of drinks, Zhong Heng couldn’t handle his alcohol, and a rosy flush appeared on his fair cheeks.
Occasionally, Chi Ying’s probing remarks and her meticulous planning for his career reached his ears. She talked a lot, but Zhong Heng remained silent, uninterested in engaging.
Until Chi Ying suddenly said, “Ah Heng, you’re of marriageable age now. Have you ever considered marrying Xiao Tang?”
Although she called her by her nickname, Ji Zhen Tang felt the weight behind her words, sensing a hint of her hidden mockery at the expense of her.
Ji Zhen Tang cautiously raised her eyes, glanced at Chi Ying, and then at Zhong Heng’s half-serious expression. He said, “Are you genuinely concerned about my marriage, or are you just looking for amusement?”
“Of course, I care about you. Who would want to see their own son become a joke?”
Zhong Heng’s voice rose slightly, “Who’s your son? What does my marriage have to do with you?”
Zhong Heng was not one to hide his temper, especially after drinking a bit today, and Chi Ying’s provocative words were too blatant.
The atmosphere instantly became tense.
Chi Ying tried to ease the situation, smiling awkwardly, “Hey, I thought you two were about to announce some good news.”
Zhong Heng retorted, “Where did you hear such nonsense?”
Ji Zhen Tang’s heart sank.
He continued, “Rest assured, I judge people accurately and would never choose an ambitious woman, such as those who come from a humble background and want to climb the social ladder using a child.”
Chi Ying couldn’t maintain her composure either, “Your words aren’t very pleasant, you know?”
Ignoring her, Zhong Heng sneered, “Do you think I can’t hear the calculations in your mind? Would you be happy if I married someone from a less prestigious background than yours, facing criticism for my choice? Unfortunately, you probably won’t live to see that day. My relationship with Xiao Tang is very free, and currently, there are no plans for marriage, and in the future—”
Next, his verbal exchange with Chi Ying was interrupted by a call.
“Zhong Heng.”
The extremely low-frequency sound, hung in the air. Like an ancient clock in the morning mist or a cold moon in a deep well, it brought a chilling sensation, spreading across the dining table.
Everyone couldn’t help but turn their heads.
Ji Zhen Tang kept his head down, lips pressed against the rim of her cup, but she wasn’t drinking. She felt her palms sweating profusely.
Zhong Yu Bai spoke lightly, “Come over and pour tea.”
“…”
Giving such a command in front of all the relatives, treating him as if he were a servant, showed no mercy.
Zhong Heng still had some dignity and didn’t move, calling out, “Xiao Tao!”
Zhong Yu Bai subtly raised his wrist.
Seeing this, Xiao Tao, who had just taken a step forward, dared not continue.
After a while, Zhong Heng had to push his chair back and stand up, though somewhat reluctantly, and walked to his third uncle’s side. He lifted the tea pot’s handle and poured tea into a bell-shaped cup on the table.
As he poured, he glanced at him.
Zhong Yu Bai remained silent the whole time, and Zhong Heng’s heart was in his throat. He didn’t even notice when the tea overflowed, as he was too preoccupied with glancing at people.
The scalding water overflowed, and the tea spout was already tilted, and soon poured straight onto Zhong Yu Bai’s shirt cuff.
“…”
It wasn’t until about three or four seconds later that Zhong Heng realized, muttered “damn” under his breath, quickly put down the teapot, and asked Xiao Tao for some napkin.
Seeing the hot steam, Ji Zhen Tang couldn’t help but feel anxious.
Zhong Yu Bai, who had been scalded by the hot tea, remained calm, with a detached air of indifference. After a while, he calmly picked up a white handkerchief from the side and placed it under his wrist, slowly patting away the water.
Zhong Yu Bai said, “If you really don’t understand etiquette, go to the side and let Xiao Tao teach you.”
He didn’t look at Zhong Heng but spoke to him.
His tone was calm, without any hint of threat. After placing the damp handkerchief aside, he saw Zhong Heng still unmoving and said, “Leave now.”
The etiquette mentioned by Zhong Yu Bai, in addition to the etiquette of pouring tea, naturally also included the etiquette of words and deeds.
Zhong Heng looked at the tissue handed over by Xiao Tao, neither taking it nor rejecting it. After a while, feeling somewhat discouraged, he said, “Fine, I’ll shut up.”
Zhong Yu Bai gestured towards Zhong Heng’s cup, indicating to take away his drink.
Xiao Tao obediently went to attend to it.
The rain outside began to ease. A bird flew across the night sky, chirping loudly, which sounded particularly piercing on this silent dining table.
–
When Ji Zhen Tang left, the ground was damp. Coming out of the warm building, the thin drizzle quickly cooled her body temperature. She wandered aimlessly in his maze-like home for a while, and two minutes later, she received a message from Zhong Heng.
Zhong Heng: Have you gone back?
Zhong Heng: Wait, I’ll have someone send you back.
Ji Zhen Tang: No need.
Zhong Heng: You can stay here tonight, don’t leave.
She didn’t feel like replying and stuffed her phone into her pocket.
Angry? Yes.
But more than that, she felt absurd. What a skillful maneuver he displayed tonight, amazing young master Zhong!
She wouldn’t marry, and he didn’t want to marry. Even though they both knew it in their hearts, saying it out loud was another matter. Moreover, it was in front of his family, which was a blatant display of disdain towards her.
Ji Zhen Tang found it hard to calm down, feeling uncomfortable in her heart.
The courtyard was too big; she walked for a while and still hadn’t reached the gate. Ji Zhen Tang lowered her head to avoid the puddles, using her hand to shield the water from her forehead, afraid it would flow into her eyes. The water in the pond reflected the light and shadows of the villa, and the light and shadow swayed gently.
Soon, the sound of raindrops hitting the umbrella suddenly came from above.
The rain that had been falling on her cheek suddenly stopped.
Ji Zhen Tang turned around in surprise.
Her elbow almost brushed against the man behind her, and the rain brought them closer under the same umbrella. To get a better look at his face, Ji Zhen Tang had to take a small step back and look up at his backlit face.
The man was tall and slender, enveloping her figure in the dark night. He held the umbrella handle, exposing a section of his wrist bone. He had a remarkable temperament, with warm and gentle eyes and a graceful demeanor. May be it was the weird atmosphere on the table just not that made his mood a little bit chilly at the moment.
But as their eyes met for a moment, the chill in their emotions diminished, leaving only the inherent humility and elegance in their bones, warm and refined.
“Uncle.”
Zhong Yu Bai said, “It will rain for a while. Let me give you a ride.”
Ji Zhen Tang glanced at the time on her phone, feeling somewhat conflicted.
“Jialing.” He had already turned his head and called someone.
The young assistant came up with the umbrella a bit late. “I am here.”
Obeying Zhong Yu Bai’s order, he reached out to open the door for Ji Zhen Tang. “Miss, please come in.”
She smiled and accepted the kindness. “Then I’ll trouble you. Thank you.”
There was a faint woody fragrance in the car, creating a cozy atmosphere. Ji Zhen Tang appeared somewhat reserved at this moment. Zhong Yu Bai sat calmly beside her, with a suitable social distance maintained between them in the spacious carriage.
Jialing asked, “Where to?”
Ji Zhen Tang said, “Do you know the alley in Qingyun District?”
Jialing scratched his head, seeming not to understand.
Zhong Yu Bai, sitting in the shadow, spoke up, “Rain Lantern Street, that road in the old city.”
“You’ve been there?” She was surprised.
He said, “Passed by a few times. The scenery is very nice.”
She pictured the damp and slippery brick road and the dilapidated alleys. “The scenery is very nice” was almost an exaggerated compliment.
The car drove down the mountain.
Ji Zhen Tang thought that perhaps she might not have another chance to ride in such a car in her lifetime. Wanting to take a look around but afraid of revealing her unease, she sat upright with her hands placed on the hem of her plain long skirt.
The previous unhappiness was now diluted by this sense of novelty.
Zhong Yu Bai’s voice softened a bit, as if to comfort her, and he said gently, “He’s young, still has a bit of childishness about him. His tongue is sharp, not something that just started today or yesterday.”
She neither confirmed nor denied, with a faint smile, diverting the topic: “Then do you think there is childishness in me?”
Zhong Yu Bai replied, “Your childishness is very clever, while his is dull.”
In a stretch of road without streetlights, within the quiet carriage, Ji Zhen Tang’s smile deepened unconsciously.
Zhong Yu Bai asked, “Are you studying at Qingcheng University?”
She nodded, “I’m in my sophomore year.”
“What’s your major?”
Ji Zhen Tang was about to tell him, but hesitated for a moment, teasingly asking, “What do you think I’m studying?”
Zhong Yu Bai glanced at her, not with the intention of appraising her but with confident judgment, “Art.”
After saying that, he added, “Either film or fine arts.”
Ji Zhen Tang was surprised, “How can you tell?”
He said, “It’s your temperament.”
She paused for a moment, unable to respond, which could be taken as agreement.
Then she asked him, “What do you do?”
Zhong Yu Bai smiled and asked her, “Can you guess?”
Ji Zhen Tang casually guessed, “A professor?”
Zhong Yu Bai said, “Is there any other possibility?”
It seemed she guessed wrong.
Ji Zhen Tang pondered for a moment and replied, “Politician, or the kind of executive official.” She meant to convey a generational involvement in government service.
He asked, “How can you tell?”
“Presence,” she said.
For a moment, neon light fragments spilled in through the glass window, and she caught his expression, which seemed to be a smile.
Another wrong guess?
Zhong Yu Bai was about to speak.
Ji Zhen Tang hurriedly said, “Let me think again, I can guess it right, don’t give me any hints!”
He remained silent, allowing her to speculate.
Before them, the car arrived at Qingyun Lane, 524 Rain Lantern Street.
Ahead was a three-way intersection, with tall trees looming close by. The weeping begonia were in full bloom. Ji Zhen Tang was still lost in thought, looking out the window suddenly realizing the scenery was familiar, “Ah, it’s here.”
The brakes were applied, the engine died down.
In the moment of stillness, Zhong Yu Bai said, “Next time we meet, tell me the correct answer.”
It sounded like making a promise with a child.
She slowly smiled, “Okay.”
As Ji Zhen Tang got off the car, she heard the door on the other side closing simultaneously with hers.
The man got off the car, standing tall in front of the car.
He didn’t seem to have any intention of rashly following her home, but merely stood in front of the car, politely seeing her off.
The rain became lighter, and Zhong Yu Bai didn’t stay long, so he didn’t take out his coat. He stood in the thin rain wearing only his light shirt, his posture and demeanor not quite matching the dilapidated century-old alleyway.
Ji Zhen Tang hesitated for a moment, wanting to say something, but stopped, looking at him.
Zhong Yu Bai took the initiative to ask, “Are you feeling any happier?”
She whispered, “A little.”
When speaking, he slightly leaned forward, trying to meet her eye level as much as possible, not wanting to strain her.
“A little is good.”
Ji Zhen Tang felt a slight warmth on her face and said, “Goodbye.”
Zhong Yu Bai’s lips curved into a shallow arc as he nodded. His voice was composed and indifferent.
“If fate allows, we’ll meet again.”
Ji Zhen Tang walked ahead, stepping on the wet puddles and walking through the long alley.
At the end of the long alley, the signboard of Luotang Pavilion hung under the blue bricks and black tiles. He faintly made out the characters; it was a cloth shop.
A dim and swaying rain lamp adorned the window. Approaching the door, she suddenly paused, turning back as if sneakily checking if he was still watching her leave. Ji Zhen Tang looked towards the intersection, lightly smiling and waving goodbye to him.
Her skirt was light and plain, the texture of the collar’s petals reflected. Her silhouette was like a wisp of light dust, disappearing into the misty rain.
Her lively light-colored pupils seemed to be infused with the fine rain, merging into the picturesque scenery described by literati and poets. These circles and dots were captivating.
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