Beijing-Hong Kong Rosemary

Chapter 56 Maybe I'll have an aunt someday.

Saturday was a rare occasion for the Qu family's old house to be bustling with activity.

Ever since the group was handed over to Qu Yanci, Mr. Qu and his wife have moved to the mountains, away from the city center and all the troubles, to grow vegetables and raise fish, enjoying their leisurely retirement.

Today, we have guests visiting, and the servants started working early in the morning, cleaning the house thoroughly inside and out, while the kitchen is also preparing ingredients in an orderly manner.

Xia Xi chatted with the old man and woman in the front hall, vividly recounting interesting stories from school, which made the two old people laugh heartily.

She usually pretends to be well-behaved in front of her elders, but is lawless in private and has a princess complex. She is not afraid of anyone except Qu Yanci.

In the evening, Grandpa Cui brought his granddaughter Cui Manying to visit, with his driver carrying two full gift boxes behind them.

Courtesy and courteous.

Upon meeting, Cui Manying greeted them with a smile, "Grandpa Qu, Grandma Tan, I'm sorry to bother you."

"What are you saying? Come in and sit down." The old lady waved her hand. "You're welcome to come in. Why did you bring so much stuff? You're being too polite."

Cui Manying said affectionately, "This is just a small token of my appreciation. I hope Grandpa Qu and Grandma Tan won't find it offensive."

"It's so thoughtful of you, how could I possibly dislike it?" The old lady gestured for someone to accept the gift.

“She’s a junior, it’s only right,” said Grandpa Cui, then added, “How has Ms. Tan been lately?”

The old lady's eyes crinkled with laughter. "It's fine, thank you for your concern."

Old Master Qu instructed the servants to make tea.

After they finished exchanging pleasantries, Xia Xi finally had a chance to greet them, "Hello, Great-Grandpa, Hello, Sister."

Cui Manying exclaimed in surprise, "Xixi has grown up so much, and she looks more and more like Sister Xia Qi. She's so beautiful."

Xia Xi smiled but didn't speak.

She appears rather quiet in front of outsiders.

"Yan Ci didn't come back today?" Old Master Cui asked.

"He's back and busy in the study." Old Master Qu asked Xia Xi to call him over.

Grandpa Cui laughed, "If I had a grandson like that, I could enjoy my retirement sooner."

Grandpa Qu: "You have many children and many blessings, be content."

When it was time for dinner, the servants served all the dishes one by one.

At the dinner table, Qu Yanci drank some baijiu with the two old men.

The old lady reminded them not to drink too much.

Afterwards, the conversation among the elders intentionally or unintentionally shifted to Qu Yanci and Cui Manying.

“You young people have a lot in common, so you can keep in touch more often.”

"Yes, let's have a meal and chat sometime."

The meaning is self-evident.

Cui Manying smiled shyly, glancing furtively at the person opposite her.

Such an outstanding man, with good looks, a good family background, and great abilities, is hard not to be attracted to.

Qu Yanci subtly furrowed his brows but didn't respond.

Xia Xi couldn't join in the adults' conversation and ate her meal listlessly.

After the meal, the group moved to the living room for tea.

Qu Yanci glanced at his watch and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, I have a video conference tonight and have to go back to the city, so I won't be able to have tea with you all."

Grandpa Qu thought, "Yingying has to work the early shift tomorrow, so she can ride back with you."

Cui Manying subconsciously looked at Qu Yanci.

Before he could respond, Xia Xi spoke first: "Uncle, I want to go back with you too."

The old lady asked in confusion, "Didn't Xixi say she was going to stay with us one more night?"

Xia Xi scratched her head, "I just remembered that I haven't finished my homework yet, and I'm afraid I won't be able to finish it by tomorrow."

Qu Yanci took out his phone. "There's a car at home. I'll have someone take Miss Cui there."

A hint of disappointment flashed in Cui Manying's eyes, but a faint smile still appeared on her lips. "No need to trouble yourself. I'll wait for Grandpa to go back together."
-
The driver was waiting at the gate.

After Xia Xi and Qu Yanci got into the car, the Maybach started smoothly and drove down the mountain.

The night was dark, and for safety reasons, the car was moving slowly.

Xia Xi turned her gaze away from the window, blinked, and asked, "Uncle, do they want you to date that older sister?"

Qu Yanci pressed his long fingers against his forehead and lowered his eyelids. "Kids shouldn't worry about so much."

Xia Xi gave a drawn-out "Oh".

After a brief silence, she asked again, "Will Sister Ning come to teach me tomorrow?"

Qu Yanci looked down at his phone, swiping the screen with his fingertips. "She has a performance tomorrow, she doesn't have time."

"Okay." Xia Xi remembered that she hadn't seen the adorable Ruby for a while. "Can I borrow your phone to video call Sister Ning?"

"Go back and get your own phone to make the call."

"It's too late to get back, she's already asleep."

Qu Yanci didn't budge, "Then let's fight tomorrow."

Xia Xi had no choice but to give up, swinging her legs listlessly. "Uncle, why don't you buy me a ticket to the dance troupe? I want to see Sister Ning perform tomorrow."

Qu Yanci gently pinched the bridge of his nose to relieve the aftereffects of the liquor. "Aren't you supposed to be doing your homework?"

"I've finished all my homework," Xia Xi said truthfully. "I said that to help you out of that awkward situation. I could tell you didn't like that older sister."

After saying that, she added to herself, "You treat Sister Ning better than she does."

Qu Yanci turned his head and glanced at her.

Xia Xi blinked. "What's wrong? Did I say something wrong?"

Last time, Sister Ning even rode in his car; not just anyone can get into Uncle's car.

Qu Yanci turned off his phone, closed his eyes, and leaned back in his seat. "Be quiet."
-
The following evening, Xia Xi went to the theater to see a stage play, as she had wished, accompanied by Uncle Bai.

The performance piece was "Peacock Dance." Shen Guining wasn't the main performer, but Xia Xi still spotted her among the dozen or so dancers at a glance.

Undeniably, some people are born to attract attention and remain extraordinary even when mixed in with a crowd.

"Sister Ning is amazing!" Xia Xi took several photos and sent them to Shen Guining. The performance ended at exactly eight o'clock, and Uncle Bai reminded her, "Miss, the master said you can't go back too late, you have school tomorrow."

Xia Xi nodded, "I understand. I'll meet with Sister Ning and then go back."

Shen Guining didn't have time to check her phone for the time being; once backstage, she was busy removing her makeup and changing clothes.

As she came out of the locker room, several colleagues teased her without prior arrangement.

"Gui Ning, there are your flowers again."

"Who is this suitor who is so romantic, giving you flowers after every performance, and each one is different?"

"The time before last it was roses, the time before that it was baby's breath, and this time it's bellflowers. Guess what it will be next time."

I'm betting on a violet!

"Then I'll guess Ranunculus..."

Shen Guining smiled, raised her hand and brushed aside the petals, a faint fragrance wafting out and reaching her nose.

Naturally, these are Mr. Qu's flowers.

His flowers are always delivered on time after each performance, even when it was in Shanghai last time.

After tidying up her vanity, Shen Guining put on her coat, grabbed her bag, and went home with the flowers in her arms.

I had just left the backstage area when my phone vibrated with a call.

She freed her hands, took her phone out of her coat pocket, and answered the call.

Xia Xi's voice came through, "Sister, are you done with your work?"

"Yeah, I just finished. What's up, Xixi?"

"I'm at the theater too."

Shen Guining paused slightly. "You've come to see the performance?"

"Ah."

"Where are you? I'm coming to find you."

Xia Xi said it was at the main entrance of the theater.

Shen Guining told her to wait five minutes.

The black minivan was parked in a temporary parking space on the side of the road.

Xia Xi rolled down the car window, keeping a close eye on the figure emerging from the doorway. "Sister Ning, I'm here!"

Shen Guining strode towards the car, a smile playing on her lips, and said, "Xixi, why didn't you tell me you were coming to see the show?"

"I have a surprise for you." Xia Xi opened the car door. "Sister, please get in first, it's so cold outside."

Shen Guining bent down to get into the car and greeted the person in the driver's seat, "Uncle Bai is here too."

The latter nodded in response and asked, "Where does Miss Shen live? Let me take you home."

Shen Guining hesitated.

If she says she lives in the Guomao Apartment, will people guess something?
Xia Xi changed the subject, "Can we eat something before we go back? I'm hungry."

Shen Guining picked up where she left off, "What would Xixi like to eat?"

Xia Xi lowered her voice, "I want to eat barbecue, but I'm afraid my uncle will find out. He won't let me eat those weird things."

The incident started when she got a stomachache from eating at a roadside stall, and Qu Yanci forbade her from eating out.

Shen Guining thought for a moment, "I know a barbecue restaurant that is clean and hygienic. It should be fine to eat there once in a while, right?"

Xia Xi nodded repeatedly, "Okay, okay, let's go then."

Uncle Bai consulted Qu Yanci via mobile phone before sending them there.

Midway through, Xia Xi stared at the flowers in Shen Guining's arms and asked, "Sister, did your suitor give you these flowers?"

Shen Guining's eyes flickered, and she pinched the outer packaging paper between her fingertips. "...A gift from a friend."

You can't exactly say, "Your uncle gave it to me."

Xia Xi asked curiously, "Sister, what kind of boy do you like?"

"How old are you? Why are you asking this?"

"Don't always treat me like a child, I know everything."

Shen Guining chuckled. At only eight or nine years old, what else could he be but a child?

Xia Xi chatted with her and said, "I went back to the old house for dinner yesterday. An older sister came to visit. My great-grandfather and great-grandmother like her very much and want her to be my aunt."

Shen Guining was suddenly taken aback.

Xia Xi added, "Although my uncle doesn't like that older sister very much, he always listens to my great-grandfather and great-grandmother. Maybe I'll have an aunt someday."

Shen Guining clenched her fists, her thoughts wandering.

Is Mr. Qu also about to get married?
Suddenly I remembered the girl I saw at the restaurant that day. Could it be her?
Although I knew this day would come, it seems to have come too quickly, catching me a bit off guard.

Seeing that she seemed to be lost in thought, Xia Xi reached out and tugged at her sleeve. "Sister, what's wrong?"

Shen Guining was dazed. "It's nothing."

She couldn't quite describe her feelings; it was like spilled seasoning, a mixture of all sorts of emotions.

The barbecue restaurant is only two blocks away from the theater.

We finished eating barbecue before nine o'clock.

Xia Xi was very satisfied, her little belly was bulging from eating.

Back at the car, Shen Guining declined Uncle Bai's offer to take her home, saying, "I can take a taxi home by myself. Xixi, you should go home and get some sleep."

"Okay, goodbye, sister." Xia Xi waved to her from the car.

"Goodbye."

Shen Guining hailed a taxi on the roadside and returned to her apartment.

When she got home, Ruby wagged her tail and came to greet her as soon as she entered the door.

With the flowers in her hand placed on the shoe cabinet, Shen Guining squatted down and rubbed Ruby's head, feeling the soft, fluffy texture in her palm.

She murmured to herself, "Thank goodness for you."

Even if I leave Mr. Qu, I won't be all alone.