It was on the night of the Lantern Festival. All his family members were invited to the Xia's to celebrate the festival. After dinner, Gu Nianbin, Su Chen, Xia Xiaowan and Gu Shanshan sat together chatting. It seemed that Xia Xiaowan mentioned there were shows of festive lanterns and dragon and lion dances outside. They all heard about the lively scene, but never saw it before. As soon as Xia Xiaowan mentioned it, Gu Shanshan suggested that they should go out to have a look.
However, their parents didn't allow them to go to such crowded places. Gu Shanshan was frustrated but she didn't give up. Among all the kids, she was the youngest but bravest one. She said that they could sneak out to have a look when their parents were playing cards. Nobody would discover it as long as they came back quickly.
Gu Nianbin was then 18 years old and could be counted as an adult. However, he acquiesced their adventure as he saw the eagerness in Xia Xiaowan's eyes. They sneaked out through the side door and climbed over the wall in the yard. Then they took a taxi to the most bustling place downtown.
The temple fair must be the center of the festival ceremonies that night, far more bustling than they had expected. Numerous lanterns were lit up here and there, overshadowing the stars in the sky. The street sides were lined by various snack stands, crowded with people in between. Gu Nianbin bought a dozen cabobs for the four of them. They squeezed into the crowds to watch the dragon and lion dances. Then they went to guess lantern riddles. Those who solved riddles would be rewarded with candies. As he was the eldest of them, Gu Nianbin hit the most and won two handfuls of candies. He gave fewer to Gu Shanshan and more to Xia Xiaowan, which made his sister pout unhappily, “Brother, it’s unfair!”
“You have decayed teeth. Don't eat too many candies,” Gu Nianbin tried to explain. But he knew in his heart that he was being unfair.
Xia Xiaowan raised her head, her sparkling eyes reflecting the glittering lanterns. Her lovely face made Gu Nianbin's heart suddenly skip a beat. She looked up at him with admiration, “Brother Bin, you're marvelous!”
Hearing that, Gu Nianbin felt so delightful as if he had seen thousands of azaleas in bloom or had drunk ice water on a scorching summer day. He laughed cheerfully and wormed his way into the crowd, planning to win more candies, until Su Chen came to alert him. “Nianbin, it's too late. Let's go home now.”
But he insisted, “It doesn't matter. Let me solve a few more riddles.”
He solved more riddles and got another handful of candies, which all went into Xia Xiaowan's pocket.
They returned home only to find that their parents were anxiously looking for them. Although they were back safe and sound, all of them were harshly scolded. As the eldest one, Gu Nianbin was punished most heavily. He was born in an old-fashioned family with strict rules. After going back to their own house, his father made him kneel in the study and reflect on his mistake. However, when kneeling in the study, he felt quite happy because he finally realized his affection for Xia Xiaowan—he more than liked her; instead, he loved her.
Gu Nianbin felt lost after awakening from the memory. He turned around and found Gu Shanshan snickering. Knowing what she was going to say, he quickly turned to a new topic. “Did you visit Su Anqi today? How about her?”
“Quite well,” Gu Shanshan got excited at once, “Can't be better. She is five months pregnant with a huge appetite for food now. You can't imagine how much she eats. Both her belly and face, even her finger tips, become round. She looks like a ball. Even so, her husband Zhou Ziming won’t allow her to exercise much for fear that she may be too tired. He even wishes to carry her in his arms to where she wants to go so that she doesn't need to walk. And instead of using her name, he calls her baby this and baby that. Gee, I am sick to hear that.”
She complained endlessly about her bosom friend and finally became a little bit envious. “Alas, what a happy woman! How happy it is to have a baby! I want to have a baby too.”
Gu Nianbin patted her head and disapproved of her, “Nonsense. You haven't got married yet. How can you have a baby? Be careful not to let Dad know.”
“I'm just kidding!” Gu Shanshan became melancholier. “How can I get pregnant by myself? I'm not a parthenogenetic creature.”
“According to my knowledge, many excellent men have a crush on you. It is you who rejected all of them. Why couldn't you forget Zhong Kege? He is unreliable.”
“Why couldn't you forget Xia Xiaowan? She is more unreliable,” Gu Shanshan retorted.
Gu Nianbin glared at her and put the fruit fork down. “Help yourself. I’m going upstairs.”
“So am I.” Gu Shanshan took a tissue to wipe her mouth, and then caught up with her brother.
Gu Nianbin started to read a book on bed after entering the room. He was quiet in nature and reading was his way to relax after a busy day working in the company. He read for pleasure and thus was not very picky with what he was reading. He was even fond of novels that Shao Boqing despised most. After a while, he got up to get some water, only to discover that his cupboard was empty. No one was allowed to enter his room while he was away, so nobody filled the cupboard for him. He had no choice but to go to the kitchen downstairs. When walking by the dining room, he heard a sound from the side door, very slight but quite clear on such a silent night. He roughly knew who it was and thus ran after to check it out. As expected, the figure of a little girl flashed by under the dim moonlight, as fast as the wind. What was left was only a faint fragrance, which smelled like shampoo. It was faint but pleasant, lingering around him.He stood still for a while. It s
Yes, that was what Gu Nianbin felt exactly. She enjoyed sweeping the ground.With her eyes looking down, she was at ease without fear or panic. The scene looked quite pleasant as if she was dancing instead of sweeping the ground.In fact, Gu Nianbin could not see her expression. He even had no chance to look at her face carefully because she always ran away at the sight of him, or lowered her head like now. He could only see the top of her head, which was shimmering under the golden sunlight.Suddenly, she straightened up. Gu Nianbin dodged behind the curtains. Seeing her remove the leave on her hair, Gu Nianbin smiled silently. She finally came to realize that. But he didn't know why he had hidden himself. He was the young master. Why had he hidden from a maid?After getting changed, he went downstairs for jogging on the lawn. When going out, he coughed deliberately. As expected, he heard a train of footsteps. With a snicker, he d
"Don't be afraid of others. Everyone is equal. Although we are domestic servants, we make money honestly rather than steal anything or rob anyone. We are not inferior to others. What’s there to be afraid of?"Was that so? Du Xiaoxian was a little confused because her words were different from what her second aunt had said. According to her second aunt, people were divided into different social classes. The upper class was born to lead a rich life, while the lowest class had to suffer from cold and hunger and even sleep on the street or under a tree. Therefore, she needed to do better so that she would be born into a rich family in the next life.Ah Ling saw that Xiaoxian was in a daze and even forgot to eat the buns, so she patted her hand, only to find it as cold as ice. She then pulled her and walked her out. "Don't stay here. You need to bask in the sunlight. Your hands are too cold."When they came out, Gu Nianbin was still jogging there. D
"Mom, shall I supervise them and record the whole process for you tomorrow?" Gu Shanshan said with her eyebrows raised to Gu Nianbin."You're not much better!" Fang Yaru pointed her finger at her daughter, "You are well past twenty. Your friend Su Anqi has married and will be a mother soon. What about you? Why don't you learn from her?""Fine." Unlike Gu Nianbin, Gu Shanshan behaved more freely in front of her mother, "She got married at 30 and had a baby at 31. I will do the same. Satisfied? It's still early cause I'm only 26 now.""What?!" Fang Yaru choked with anger and glared at her, "You are really my enemy from previous life!"Gu Guangxian said to his wife with a smile, "Don't be so harsh to her. I don't believe you can bear the departure when she really gets married someday.""Are you sure?" Fang Yaru said, "I wish she would get married and move out as soon as possible. I can't wait to get rid of this noisy girl
Gu Nianbin was busy with his work all the morning. It was almost noon when Zhou Ting called to remind him that it's time for the appointment with Xia Xiaowan. He put down his pen, took his coat from the hanger, and walked out while taking on the coat.He was always punctual to time. Like last time, Xia Xiaowan was already waiting there and waved to him gently upon seeing him."Have you been waiting for a long time?" Gu Nianbin asked."No, just for a while." Xia Xiaowan replied with a smile.A waiter served the menu and they made order respectively. To his surprise, Xia Xiaowan ordered pork chop instead of steak which was more popular among girls.Xia Xiaowan noticed his surprise and explained, "I preferred pork since childhood, especially streaky pork. Very delicious.""Don't you think it’s greasy?""No," Xia Xiaowan showed her hands and said, "I’m a heavy meat-eater. Fortunately, I never get
Xia Xiaowan smiled gently with a blush on her fair face. She said teasingly, "To be a backup is a great chance for me."Gu Nianbin laughed, "You are interesting.""More interesting than the other Miss Xia?"Gu Nianbin was about to speak when the waiter came to serve the table. He kept the dishes orderly and asked, "Mr. Gu, do you want to use the wine you stored here last time or…"Gu Nianbin turned to Xia Xiaowan, "What do you prefer?""I have to drive later. Please give me a glass of mango juice.""No wine, then. Give me a glass of cucumber juice please.""Yes sir. Just a moment, please." The waiter nodded and left with a professional smile."You set a good example for us to keep off wine before driving," Gu Nianbin said with a smile.Xia Xiaowan sliced her pork chop and said, "It’s better to call me a submissive person. I myself wonder why I have been so obedient to
Gu Nianbin was a little bit dizzy after lunch. With the car window open, he leaned against the back seat and enjoyed the early-autumn breeze. The warm, dry breeze was quite comfortable, making him sleepy all the way home.He was woken up by his driver Xiaoding upon arrival. He knocked his forehead to sober up and walked slowly towards the house. By entering the hall, he caught a glimpse of a person flashing by in distance. He narrowed his eyes, made a silent gesture to the maid Lanzhi, who came up to serve tea, and walked silently to the kitchen. It was Du Xiaoxian. To his surprise, she was drinking tap water."What are you doing?"His voice was low but powerful, and seemed extremely distinct in this quiet room. Du Xiaoxian was seized with panic. She was halfway there when the young master entered the house. She was so thirsty that she rushed into the kitchen instead of going out. She shouldn't get in his way within such a short period. Why did
His voice softened. "Why are you afraid of me?"Gu Nianbin's amiable manner gradually calmed Du Xiaoxian down. Although she was still timid, her voice was slightly louder. She replied honestly, "Uncle Xiao said that the young master liked to be quiet and didn't like being disturbed by the presence of others. He told me to keep away from you."Gu Nianbin couldn't help laughing, "You call that ‘keep away’? You ran away at the sight of me like a fleeing mouse. I’m wondering how repulsive I look!""Oh no," Du Xiaoxian explained hastily. "The young master is good looking. It’s just that I’m afraid…"Gu Nianbin was stunned again. She said he was good looking, but she was so afraid of him. Then why did she have the nerve to say that he was good looking? It was really strange…"Then don't be afraid of me or hide from me anymore," Gu Nianbin said, pointing to a case of bottled water in the corner. "Can you carry it?"