Becoming a literary master starting from the story of Minglan

Chapter 98 He Hongwen

……

After a round of laughter and banter, the two old friends finally stopped, and each of them noticed the little boy next to the other. Since they had been communicating through letters, they knew some basic information about each other.

"This must be Ming, the girl beside you, elder sister?"

Grandma He looked at Minglan beside her, and her eyes lit up!
Today, Minglan is wearing a plain white dress embroidered with silver butterflies and flowers, and her hair is tied in two buns, making her look like a child. However, Minglan has inherited Wei Xiaoniang's beauty. She is naturally beautiful, with skin as smooth as cream, and with a pair of bright and lively eyes, she looks extremely playful and cute.

"Minglan greets Madam He!"

Minglan smiled and gave a curtsy to Old Madam He.

To be honest, Minglan was genuinely happy to see her grandmother meet an old friend. She knew that although her grandmother had a lonely life in the Sheng family, she wasn't actually emotionally despondent. It was just that she had been hurt too deeply in her early years, which had broken her spirit.

At this time, it would be a pleasure to have one or two old friends again.

"Wow! This Ming girl is really beautiful!"

Grandma He exaggerated her expression, half as a formality and half as a genuine compliment, saying, "As expected of the girl raised by my sister's side, she is far superior to the girls in my family!"

"Madam He, you flatter me. I am unworthy of such praise!" Minglan replied with a smile.

"Hehe!" Old Mrs. Sheng also laughed and said, "It's not as exaggerated as you say. This girl is just an honest person who knows her place!"

"Oh, sister, what are you saying? Being sensible and understanding is the most important thing in a person's life!" Old Madam He insisted on praising Minglan.

"Don't talk about me, what about you?" Old Mrs. Sheng shook her head with a smile, looked at the man in blue next to Old Mrs. He, and asked, "And who's this on your side?"

Minglan looked over and saw a man in blue standing next to Old Madam He. Judging from his appearance, he should be Old Madam He's grandson.

The boy in blue was about eleven or twelve years old. He had a gentle and humble appearance, without any sharp edges or arrogance. He was like a warm piece of jade, elegant and polite.

"You mean Hongwen!" Old Mrs. He's lips curled up slightly, her eyes full of doting affection: "He is the legitimate son of my poor youngest son. His father died early, his mother is seriously ill, and he is the only heir left in the family!"

At this point, Old Mrs. He also became sad: "My husband and I have been taking care of him because we feel sorry for him. Half of the reason I came to Tokyo this time is for him!"

As she spoke, Old Madam He suddenly pulled He Hongwen aside and said, "Why don't you come and pay your respects to your Sheng family's ancestor and greet your Sheng family's younger sister!"

He Hongwen was pushed forward by his grandmother and took a step forward. He bowed and said, "Hongwen greets the old lady of the Sheng family!"

Then, he turned around, seemingly a little reserved and not daring to look at Minglan opposite him, and said with his head down, "I have also met the Sheng family's younger sister!"

Seeing this, Minglan chuckled inwardly, her eyes narrowing into slits: "Hehe... Greetings, Brother He!"

Hearing the melodious, bell-like sound, He Hongwen became even more flustered. Not only did he not know what to do with his hands, but a blush also rose to his face, making him look extremely embarrassed.

"Um?!"

Grandma Sheng first gave Minglan a reproachful glare, then changed the subject, saying, "Alright, everyone, please sit down. Don't get tired of standing here!"

"Ha ha……"

Grandma He sat down happily with Grandma Sheng, but her eyes remained fixed on Minglan, her face thoughtful, as if she had some other ideas.

After everyone was seated, Old Madam Sheng beckoned to Mama Fang, whispered something to her, and Mama Fang smiled, nodded, and quietly slipped out. "Ming'er."

Seeing Minglan and He Hongwen sitting upright, Old Madam Sheng smiled and said, "Why don't you take your brother He to stroll around the courtyard?"

Because Minglan was still young, only seven years old, and not yet of age to separate men and women, no one felt there was anything to be ashamed of. So they asked Minglan to take He Hongwen for a stroll in the garden of the Sheng family mansion.

After all, Sheng Hong's favorite little garden was quite nice, and it was quite famous in Sheng Hong's social circle!
Who could blame Sheng Hong, who owned a mansion among the officials of the fifth or sixth rank in this capital city of Tokyo?

"Yes, Grandmother!"

Minglan knew that Old Madam Sheng and the others had something to say, so she didn't disturb them. Instead, she obediently bowed and invited He Hongwen, saying, "Brother He, please come with me."

"Uh, yes!"

He Hongwen hurriedly responded, seemingly a little clumsy: "Grandmother, Old Madam, then Hongwen will take his leave first!"

"Go, go!"

The two elderly women laughed heartily, and waved their hands dismissively, signaling their men to leave.

……

In the Sheng family's back garden.

Minglan and He Hongwen walked ahead, while Xiaotao and Danju followed at a distance, keeping pace with them.

"Sister Sheng!"

The moment alone between the two was somewhat awkward. Minglan was too embarrassed to speak first, and He Hongwen was also hesitant and embarrassed to ask.

In fact, He Hongwen was not the kind of person who was timid and cowardly. Although he was not good at talking, he was not as shy as he was now, as if he was too embarrassed to speak!

Actually, there was another reason for this. Firstly, he was immersed in the path of medicine and his ability to communicate with people was not particularly outstanding. Secondly, before he came to the Sheng family, Old Madam He had jokingly said that she would arrange a marriage for He Hongwen!
Although Old Madam He did not specify which one it was, He Hongwen mistakenly assumed that Minglan was the person he was supposed to meet on a blind date the moment he saw her, which is why he acted that way.

"Young lady of the Sheng family, you...hello!"

He Hongwen seemed unsure of what to say, so he simply greeted them.

"puff!"

Before Minglan could speak, Xiaotao and Danju behind her burst into laughter!
"Xiao Tao! Danju!"

Minglan couldn't help but laugh, but when she saw He Hongwen's "colorful" expression, she scolded Xiao Tao and the others, telling them not to be rude!
In response, He Hongwen simply let it go: "Fine, Sheng family sister, if they want to laugh, let them laugh!"

He Hongwen said with a self-deprecating tone, "Anyway, if it were me, I wouldn't be able to resist either!"

"whee……"

"Ha ha……"

Hearing He Hongwen's amusing words, not only Xiao Tao and Dan Ju, but even Ming Lan covered her mouth and secretly laughed.

(End of this chapter)