Chapter 1483
Each with their own thoughts
Chapter 1483 Each with their own thoughts
"Whose daughter is this?" Jin Yanxi stood in the alley, watching her back, and didn't move for a long time.
But he remembered what the other person looked like, and from that day on, Jin Yanxi was like a different person.
He no longer spends his days in restaurants and dance halls, and no longer eats, drinks, and has fun with his cronies.
He leaves early and returns late every day, his whereabouts are mysterious. Even when Mrs. Jin asks him where he is going, he just gives a few perfunctory answers and leaves.
Mrs. Jin complained to Jin Quan, "I don't know what's wrong with the seventh son lately. He's always running around outside, and he won't tell me where he's going when I ask him."
Jin Quan didn't take it seriously, thinking his son had just come up with a new way to play.
In fact, Jin Yanxi was searching the whole city for that figure with two long braids.
He had his driver drive around the area for several days, going to that alley every evening, but he never saw him again.
Just when he was about to give up, he saw her again in a flower shop.
He was out for a stroll that day when he passed a flower shop and, as if possessed, pushed open the door and went inside.
The shop was filled with all kinds of flowers, lilies, roses, carnations, and the fragrance was so strong it was almost pungent.
He spotted her immediately—she was standing next to a pot of white lilies, head bowed, smelling the petals, a faint smile playing on her lips.
That day she was still wearing that school uniform, and her hair was neatly combed back.
Jin Yanxi's mind went blank for a moment. He wanted to go over and talk to her, but he didn't know what to say. He pretended to look at the flowers, but his gaze kept drifting towards her.
It started to rain then. The girl hailed a rickshaw at the shop entrance, and got in while holding her umbrella.
Jin Yanxi rushed out of the flower shop and chased after the rickshaw all the way in the rain.
The rain was heavy, his suit was soaked, and his shoes were full of water, but he was like a man possessed, not missing a single step.
The coachman glanced back at him, probably thinking he'd encountered a madman, and quickened his pace, but Jin Yanxi ran even faster.
The rickshaw stopped at the entrance of an alley. The girl paid the fare and walked into the alley with her umbrella.
Jin Yanxi, panting heavily, caught up with him, stood in the rain and secretly memorized the house number, then turned and walked back.
From then on, Jin Yanxi completely settled down. He sent people to inquire about the Leng family's background and learned that the girl's name was Leng Qingqiu, that she studied at Rende Girls' Middle School, and that she liked to write poetry and loved lilies.
So he rented a room next door, but instead of moving in directly, he used his connections with the neighbors to persuade them to swap rooms.
Then he had a flower stand built in the backyard, filled entirely with lilies.
He did something even more outrageous: he had a huge banner hung at the entrance of Rende Girls' Middle School that read "I LOVE YOU" with Leng Qingqiu's name next to it.
The whole street was watching, the students were talking about it, and even the teachers didn't know what to do.
With a flushed face, Leng Qingqiu ran out of the school gate and jogged all the way home.
Jin Yanxi pursued various methods, including reciting poetry in class, such as the poem "Listening to the Rain" in front of the whole class: "In youth, I listened to the rain in the pavilion, with red candles dimly lighting the silk curtains."
While reading, his eyes were fixed on Leng Qingqiu's position. Leng Qingqiu lowered her head, and the tips of her ears turned red.
Once, Leng Qingqiu said, "Lilies can't grow on grapevines," meaning that the two people were not compatible and could not be together.
Upon hearing this, Jin Yanxi immediately ordered lilies to be hung all over the grapevines overnight.
The next day, Leng Qingqiu opened the window and looked at the lilies that filled the yard. Her eyes reddened, and she couldn't say a word.
Finally, in the sunflower field, she accepted his advances. Jin Quan heard about this from Mrs. Jin at the dinner table.
"The seventh son's girlfriend's family name is Leng. Her father died early, and she was raised by her widowed mother," Mrs. Jin said while serving food to Jin Quan.
"The girl is pretty and I heard she's good at studying, but her family is poor."
Jin Quan put down his chopsticks, frowned, and said, "How old is Seventh Brother? What's the rush?"
"He's not in a rush to get married; he's pursuing her," Mrs. Jin sighed.
"You haven't seen it, he's been like a lost soul these past few days, running over to their place every day."
"I stood outside someone's door for half the night yesterday, and my shoes were wet when I came back."
Thinking of his unreliable son, Jin Quan sighed helplessly and suddenly lost the will to speak.
······
Jin Meili had been standing under the porch of the Jin Mansion for a quarter of an hour.
Today she wore a light pink dress and tied her hair in a bow with a matching ribbon, making her look like a doll that had just stepped out of a magazine.
Second concubine He Shi came out to see her several times, and each time she shook her head helplessly. She didn't know what to feel about her daughter's worthless appearance.
"Meili, what are you doing standing here? It's windy, go inside and wait." Finally, Madam He couldn't help but come out and say again.
"I'm not cold!" Jin Meili stood on tiptoe to peek into the alleyway, then looked back and said:
"Mom, why hasn't Brother Lin Hao come yet?"
"They promised your father, how could they not come?" Madam He said with concern, holding her hand.
"Look, your hands are cold. You still say you're not cold? Go inside and listen to me."
Jin Meili reluctantly followed Madam He into the house, but her eyes kept glancing towards the door.
As Lin Hao's car turned into the alley, Jin Meili was the first to rush out.
"Oh, Brother Lin Hao!"
She stood on the steps, smiling like a blooming flower, her eyes sparkling.
Lin Hao got out of the car, saw her outfit, paused for a moment, then smiled:
"Merry looks beautiful today?"
Jin Meili looked down at herself, her face slightly flushed: "Really?"
"Of course, without a doubt!" Lin Hao nodded, his tone sincere. "This outfit makes you look even more beautiful."
Jin Meili smiled, pursing her lips, and skipped along, leading Lin Hao inside.
Standing under the porch, Mrs. He looked at her daughter's joyful expression, feeling both happy and worried.
Lin Hao arrived at the Jin family's living room and exchanged pleasantries with Jin Quan. Soon after, Bai Xiuzhu arrived with Bai Xiongqi.
She wore a pale yellow dress with a pearl brooch at the neckline, and her short, jet-black hair was styled in waves, which made her fair face look exceptionally delicate.
But her makeup was lighter than usual today, and there was a hint of weariness in her eyes.
Jin Meili ran over and took her arm: "Sister Xiuzhu, you look so beautiful today!"
Bai Xiuzhu forced a smile but didn't say anything.
Her gaze swept across the living room, but she didn't see Jin Yanxi. He wasn't there after all.
While Mrs. Jin was exchanging pleasantries with Bai Xiongqi, she overheard him say:
"That seventh kid has gone out again. He's getting more and more out of control." Bai Xiuzhu's fingers tightened slightly on the strap of her handbag, feeling a pang of resentment.
Once everyone had arrived, the banquet was held in the main hall of the Jin Mansion. A large round table was covered with a snow-white tablecloth, and the silver cutlery gleamed under the lights.
Jin Quan sat in the main seat, with Lin Hao and Bai Xiongqi on his left and right. Mrs. Jin and Madam He sat to the left, with Bai Xiuzhu and Jin Meili sitting next to them.
Jin Yanxi's seat was empty. Jin Quan glanced at it, his expression darkening, but he said nothing.
After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became lively.
Jin Quan, holding his wine glass, turned to Lin Hao and said:
"Chief of Staff Lin, you've worked hard these past few months. The unification of the Northern Finances and the full implementation of individual accounts for soldiers have made the Beiyang Army even more powerful. As the Chief of Staff of the Beiyang Army, I must toast you."
Lin Hao smiled and raised his glass in response:
"Chief of General Staff Kim, you're too kind. Without the full support of the President, without Chief of General Staff Kim's strong endorsement at the State Council meeting, and without Brother Baek's support in the Army, it would have been difficult for this to succeed!"
The three then clinked glasses and drank it all in one gulp.
Bai Xiongqi, standing to the side, chuckled and chimed in:
"Commander Lin's 'soldier's personal account' has stirred up a hornet's nest."
"I heard from people in the Ministry of War that the military governors of several provinces are cursing behind their backs, saying that Chief of Staff Lin has cut off their source of income!"
"Haha, lots of people are criticizing me!" Lin Hao chuckled, not going too far as to say:
"If it can elevate the Beiyang government to a higher level, what harm is there in letting them hurl a few insults!"
Bai Xiongqi laughed heartily, and Jin Quan also laughed. Then the two of them toasted Lin Hao with another glass of wine.
After laughing, Bai Xiongqi glanced at Jin Quan, smiled meaningfully, and said:
"Chief Jin, I heard that Seventh Young Master has been very busy lately?"
Bai Xiongqi suddenly changed the subject, speaking as if it were a casual conversation, but Lin Hao sensed the barb in his tone.
Previously, both the Jin and Bai families had considered a marriage alliance, but Bai Xiuzhu had no objections, while Jin Yanxi's attitude was lukewarm.
Now that they've heard that Jin Yanxi is pursuing a female student, they naturally demand an explanation from the Jin family.
Jin Quan's smile froze for a moment, then he said calmly, "Being young is good, being busy is good!"
"Being young is great!" Bai Xiong nodded and said.
"However, young people should keep their busy lives in the right direction. I heard that Seventh Young Master is currently pursuing a female student? What's her name again? Leng, Leng Qingqiu?"
Jin Quan put down his wine glass, his smile completely vanishing.
"Deputy Chief Bai is quite well-informed."
"No, no, it's just that Xiuzhu has been absent-minded lately. I asked her and found out that Seventh Brother has someone he's pursuing!"
Bai Xiongqi glanced at Bai Xiuzhu, who had her head down and tapped her chopsticks lightly against the edge of her bowl.
Lin Hao picked up his wine glass and took a slow sip, as if watching a good show.
He had long seen through the undercurrents between Jin Quan and Bai Xiongqi.
Bai Xiongqi's mention of Jin Yanxi pursuing Leng Qingqiu today was not just casual conversation, but a test.
This was a test of Jin Quan's attitude towards the matter, and also a test of Lin Hao's reaction.
It's really interesting. He had known for a long time that Bai Xiongqi intended to marry him, but Bai Xiuzhu had always been somewhat resistant.
It wasn't that he disliked Lin Hao, but rather that he still couldn't let go of his childhood sweetheart, Jin Yanxi.
Now that the Jin family has handed Bai Xiongqi the excuse, Bai Xiongqi naturally took the opportunity to bring things up.
Although both families had previously expressed interest in a marriage alliance, there had been no formal engagement or agreement; it was merely a matter of matchmaking.
Therefore, the Bai family could not accuse the Jin family of breaking the rules and allowing Jin Yanxi to pursue other girls.
The Jin family couldn't accuse Bai Xiuzhu of having feelings for another man. At this time, the Bai family's influence was not as great as the Jin family's, and they didn't want to offend the other side, so Bai Xiongqi wanted to bring things up.
Jin Quan's thoughts were equally complex; he naturally recognized Lin Hao's potential.
With his youngest daughter, Jin Meili, also interested in Lin Hao, he was naturally happy to play matchmaker.
In his vision, the best outcome would be for his youngest son to marry Bai Xiuzhu and his youngest daughter to marry Lin Hao. Such a marriage alliance would maximize the interests of the Jin family.
As a seasoned official who had served for many years and was also Bai Xiongqi's mentor, he naturally saw through Bai Xiongqi's thoughts and also realized that Bai Xiuzhu was interested in Lin Hao.
So of course he didn't want Bai Xiongqi to gain an advantage, so he picked up his wine glass, turned to Lin Hao, and said:
"Chief of Staff Lin, Mei Li told me that your lectures at Yenching University have been particularly good lately!"
Then, as if expressing a deep emotion, he said meaningfully:
“This girl talks about you every time she comes back, saying that your classes are a hundred times better than those of the teachers at her school.”
Jin Meili's face flushed red, and she lowered her head, not daring to look at anyone.
He Shi added with a smile, "That's right, Mei Li wrote you letter after letter, but she didn't dare to send them to Chief of Staff Lin."
"Mom~!" Upon hearing this, Jin Meili blushed and gave a coquettish rebuke, then covered her face and fled from her seat as if running away.
Jin Quan glared at Madam He, but the corners of his mouth were turned up.
Bai Xiongqi's gaze swept between Jin Meili and Lin Hao, his smile unchanged, but his eyes became even more profound.
Bai Xiuzhu hadn't said much since entering the Jin Mansion. She sat next to Bai Xiongqi, picked up a few bites of food with her chopsticks, but didn't touch it much.
Earlier, Jin Meili was chattering away to her, but she only responded absentmindedly to a few words.
She had been waiting for someone, but that person never appeared.
The Jin Yanxi she knew now seemed somewhat unfamiliar. They had grown up together, and she had assumed that they would naturally end up together, and that Jin Yanxi would always revolve around her.
But in recent months, Jin Yanxi has been calling less and less, and meeting with her less and less frequently.
He used to see me several times every day or two, but now I haven't received a single call from him in three days.
She wasn't unaware of it; she had just been deceiving herself. Mrs. Jin's words, "Seventh Brother went out again," felt like a needle pricking her heart. Although it didn't hurt, she felt a pang of sadness for some reason.
Bai Xiuzhu looked up and glanced at Lin Hao, who was talking to Jin Quan. His profile was clearly defined under the light, and there was a faint smile on his lips.
He spoke in a logical and unhurried manner, as if everything was under his control.
Jin Yanxi was different from him. Jin Yanxi always spoke in a hurry, as if he was afraid that others would not listen to him.
Jin Yanxi always laughs very loudly, as if he wants the whole world to know that he is happy.
Bai Xiuzhu suddenly felt a little dazed. She didn't know what she was thinking or what she was expecting.
All she knew was that when Jin Yanxi wasn't around, Lin Hao was always by her side; when Jin Yanxi made her feel uneasy, Lin Hao made her feel at ease.
Bai Xiongqi noticed his sister's gaze, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly as he raised his wine glass to cover the hint of a smile.
As the banquet was about to end, Jin Quan kept Lin Hao behind.