Li Chengzong suddenly said, "Zhengyang, your wife wants to see you. Is that convenient?"
"Hmm?" Xu Zhengyang was taken aback for a moment, then guessed that the so-called "wife" must be Li Bingjie's mother. Without thinking of anything else, he nodded and said, "Of course, when?"
"Is it okay now?"
"Oh, I'll do it after I take my sister upstairs." Xu Zhengyang nodded, then glanced back at Li Bingjie. Xu Zhengyang wasn't stupid; he understood that since Li Chengzong had only brought this up after dropping his sister off at her place, he probably didn't intend for her to come with him.
In the back seat, Li Bingjie was barefoot, with her calves curled up on the seat, her hands wrapped around her knees, her head resting on her knees, and her body curled up against the car wall, seemingly asleep.
"Rouyue, let me take you upstairs first." Xu Zhengyang said, already pushing open the car door and getting out.
Xu Rouyue nodded and got out of the car with Li Chengzong.
After taking their things from the trunk, the brother and sister went straight into the building.
For Xu Zhengyang, this was his first time riding a closed elevator in a building, and he felt somewhat novel about it. However, he was no longer the poor, unsophisticated country boy he had been a month or so ago. Although he felt a little curious, his expression remained calm, revealing nothing more than that, and he didn't ask any unnecessary questions. In fact, dealing with these simple new things was simply a matter of keeping a calm mind and paying attention; one would soon know how to operate and utilize them.
Ouyang Ying's home, or rather her own home, is on the tenth floor.
Ouyang Ying knew that Xu Rouyue had arrived today because they had spoken on the phone beforehand, but she didn't expect her to arrive so early, so she went out to play in the morning and didn't come back.
Fortunately, Xu Rouyue had the key. After making a phone call and learning that Ouyang Ying had not returned yet, she opened the door and went inside.
This is a 135-square-meter apartment with three bedrooms, two living rooms, one kitchen, one bathroom, and one balcony. The rooms are spacious and bright, with good ventilation from north to south, and a reasonable layout. The solid wood flooring complements the modern urban style. All appliances and furniture are included and are in good condition (about 80-90% new).
only……
Xu Zhengyang looked at the pile of fruit peels and snack bags on the glass coffee table in the living room and couldn't help but smile wryly: "Why can't this family tidy up a bit?"
"Brother, please sit down first. I'll tidy up the room." Xu Rouyue said with a smile, "Yingying is good in every way, except she's lazy. She rarely cleans the room except when she's dressing herself up."
"Just the two of you living here?" Xu Zhengyang asked in surprise.
"Well, there were originally three of us, but after Xia Dan and Yu Xuan got together, they moved out." Xu Rouyue said this with some embarrassment. After all, she came from a rural background and was much more conservative in her thinking. Even when talking about other people living together, she would feel a little shy.
"Oh." Xu Zhengyang nodded.
No matter how good friends are, they are still friends. You are obligated to help others when you receive their gifts or treat them to meals. Since you are staying at their place, you naturally have to be more diligent. Thinking of this, Xu Zhengyang couldn't help but feel sorry for his sister, as if she were someone else's servant. He frowned and said, "Rouyue, how much would it cost to buy a house like this?"
Xu Rouyue peeked out of the bathroom, rubbing a rag as she asked, "Brother, why are you asking about this?"
"I was thinking of buying you a house too. Anyway, we can sell it after you're out of school," Xu Zhengyang said casually.
Xu Rouyue stuck out her tongue and laughed, "Brother, this house is over 130 square meters. It's about 20,000 yuan per square meter now. You can do the math yourself."
"What?" Xu Zhengyang's narrowed eyes widened instantly, as if he had seen a Martian. Good heavens, wouldn't that mean he'd have to empty his entire savings to buy such a house? This was just too much of a blow! Xu Zhengyang was getting angry. He had been so happy these past few days about becoming rich, but it turned out that in Beijing, having a few million yuan was just enough to buy a house for an average person? He couldn't help but shake his head and sigh, "Are all the houses in Beijing built with gold bricks?"
“This isn’t even expensive; there are things that cost much more.” Xu Rouyue didn’t laugh at her brother’s rustic ways. She continued with her work, seemingly guessing why he had suddenly mentioned buying a house. So, she came out to clean up the mess on the coffee table, saying, “Brother, don’t think about it so much. Actually, I wanted to clean this place myself. Yingying kept insisting on hiring a cleaning lady, but I thought it was a waste. It’s just cleaning the house; it’s not worth spending money. We can do it ourselves…”
Xu Zhengyang thought about it and realized he was being a bit too nosy. He said, "Okay, oh right, I have to go downstairs now. I'll call you later. Um, if I come back late, and anyone tries to arrange for you to meet Huang Chen for dinner, don't go. Wait for me to come back."
"Okay, you go ahead then." Xu Rouyue gave a mischievous smile. "Brother, don't be nervous!"
"What are you thinking about?" Xu Zhengyang flicked his sister's nose, then turned and walked out.
...
Returning to the Audi, Xu Zhengyang opened the door and got in. He glanced back and saw Li Bingjie lying on her side in the spacious seat, fast asleep. In her sleep, she possessed a different kind of pure and flawless beauty: long, curved eyelashes, a delicate nose, and slightly pursed lips… Xu Zhengyang suddenly felt she was like a teenage girl, making him want to pull her into his arms. No, not with any ulterior motives, just a pure desire to hold this little girl in his arms, to kiss her and cherish her.
"Let's go," Li Chengzhong said softly, still wearing sunglasses.
"Huh? Um." Xu Zhengyang turned around and sat up straight, a little embarrassed, and said with a smile, "Why does Auntie suddenly want to see me?"
"Hmm?" Li Chengzong was taken aback for a moment, then realized that the "aunt" Xu Zhengyang mentioned was the same as the polite way of addressing someone as "auntie" in Mandarin. He smiled and said, "I'm not sure. Let's talk about it when we get there."
Xu Zhengyang nodded. He didn't feel much pressure and wouldn't think too much about it; it was just a friend visiting each other. Perhaps it was because Li Bingjie's personality meant she wouldn't have many friends, so suddenly having a friend would surely surprise and delight her family.
The Audi started and drove out of the residential area.
"Miss's illness..." Li Chengzong suddenly said half a sentence, then changed his words and said, "Miss rarely talks to people. Well, the reason she can communicate with you and is willing to talk to you is probably because of this. Madam wants to see you."
"Oh." Xu Zhengyang nodded and asked, "When Bingjie was studying in our area, did you pick her up and drop her off every day?"
"Yes," Li Chengzhong answered readily.
"You've known me for a long time?"
Li Chengzong was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, "Oh, so you and Miss were classmates for three years."
Xu Zhengyang leaned back in his chair, his neck slightly tilted back. He remembered meeting Li Bingjie at the train station, where he had also encountered her brother, Li Binghe. It seemed the brother had heard of him beforehand, and Xu Zhengyang even felt a strange familiarity between them. What kind of person was Li Bingjie? What was her home like? How could they know so much about a country bumpkin like him?
"I remember the time you got into a fight when you graduated, oh, that kid's name was Zhu Wuchun, right?" Li Chengzong seemed to feel that the car was a bit stuffy, so he took the initiative to start a conversation with Xu Zhengyang.
“I was young then, and I had a bit of a temper.” Xu Zhengyang smiled and shook his head, then suddenly turned his head and asked, “Brother Li, why did Bingjie have to go to such a shabby school in our rural area for junior high?”
Whenever Xu Zhengyang encountered Li Bingjie or thought of her, he would wonder about this question. Someone with a personal driver and bodyguard chauffeured around in a luxury car clearly came from an exceptionally wealthy family. So why would she or her family choose that dilapidated middle school in the countryside for her to attend?
Li Chengzong paused for a moment, shook his head, and said nothing more.
Through the sunglasses, Xu Zhengyang couldn't see what Li Chengzhong's expression looked like.
Could this question also be considered a secret? Hmm, it is indeed a very strange and puzzling thing.
Human curiosity is always at its strongest, especially when it comes to secrets that are so close yet remain unsolved. Xu Zhengyang even considered using his supernatural abilities to probe Li Bingjie's inner world when she visited his home. Of course, he ultimately restrained this urge of curiosity.
Xu Zhengyang wasn't the kind of person who would act all high and mighty just because he had some ability.
He's not the kind of person who thinks he's superior just because he has some ability; everyone who respects him deserves his respect. And Li Bingjie is even more untouchable, because… this strange person, who almost makes you guess she has no friends, genuinely considers Xu Zhengyang a friend.
Xu Zhengyang sighed, suddenly felt like smoking, took out a cigarette, hesitated for a moment, and then put it back.
Li Chengzong said, "Go ahead and smoke, it's alright."
"Never mind, Bingjie probably won't like it," Xu Zhengyang said with a smile and a shake of his head.
Li Chengzong suddenly said, "You're a very good person."
"Not bad," Xu Zhengyang said without any modesty.
Volume Two, Gong Cao, Chapter 54: They Know Our Background
When Xu Zhengyang got out of the car again, he felt a little dizzy.
Surrounded by towering buildings and a completely three-dimensional architectural style, when you stand below and look up, you feel as if the buildings could collapse at any moment.
This is Oriental Plaza, a prime location in the heart of Beijing, boasting a superb position on East Chang'an Avenue! Covering an area of 100,000 square meters and with a total construction area of 800,000 square meters, it is one of the largest commercial building complexes in Asia. Xu Zhengyang had never seen a place like this before. Standing amidst these towering buildings, looking around, everything seemed to be a heavy, bluish-gray, which made him feel very oppressed.
Li Bingjie, dressed in a white dress, stepped out of the car, her clear and ethereal eyes fixed on Xu Zhengyang.
"Bingjie, you're awake?" Xu Zhengyang greeted her with a smile.
Li Bingjie didn't say anything, but instead walked into the building marked C.
Li Chengzong patted Xu Zhengyang on the shoulder, signaling him to follow, and then the two of them walked side by side behind Li Bingjie into the building.
At this moment, Xu Zhengyang had only one feeling in his heart—bewilderment.
It's like a river crab falling into the sea. Accustomed to freshwater life, how can it adapt to saltwater life?
When the elevator reached the eighth floor, the doors opened, and Xu Zhengyang calmly followed the two of them out of the elevator.
The first thing you see is a sky-blue wall with the words "Huatong Network Technology Co., Ltd." on it. Behind the large, curved glass reception desk, a receptionist in a blue-black uniform stands up, smiles, and waits for them to come over and ask questions.
Li Bingjie didn't go inside, but stood in front of a few seats and looked indifferently at the surroundings.
"Hmm, this isn't a place to stay, it turns out to be a big company!" Xu Zhengyang only realized now that they weren't going to Li Bingjie's house, but to her mother's company.
Li Chengzong took out his phone and dialed a number: "President Jiang, we've arrived."
The call ended quickly. Li Chengzong turned to look at Xu Zhengyang, only to see Xu Zhengyang standing there calmly, his eyes seemingly just casually surveying the surroundings, showing no signs of being like a country bumpkin visiting the Grand View Garden.
Today, Xu Zhengyang wore a crisp white short-sleeved shirt, black trousers, and black leather shoes. His newly shaved short hair gave him a clean and neat appearance, shedding his former rustic air, but he was definitely not trendy or fashionable. In short, he had a very stable and reliable look. Perhaps due to years of hard work, his skin was slightly reddish and dark, and his eyes, which were not small to begin with, appeared somewhat small because he was often half-closing, giving him a simple and honest appearance.
Of course, if he makes eye contact with you through his half-closed eyes, you'll find that he's not honest at all; his eyes reveal a sharp glint.
A short while later, a female secretary, who looked to be in her late twenties and dressed in a light gray business suit, walked down the corridor, politely extended her hand to shake hands with Li Chengzong, and said, "President Jiang is in his office. Please come with me."
Li Chengzong nodded and gestured to Xu Zhengyang to walk together.
Li Bingjie, however, had already taken the lead and walked inside.
Xu Zhengyang smiled and followed Li Chengzong inside with his eyes half-closed.
Li Bingjie walked ahead of the secretary, and upon reaching the door of an office, she didn't stop at all, but pushed the door open and went inside.
The secretary following behind said nothing and led Li Chengzong and Xu Zhengyang inside.
The office was huge; Xu Zhengyang felt it was more than twice the size of his own house's outer room. It was decorated luxuriously, though Xu Zhengyang couldn't quite put his finger on why. However, the antique paintings hanging on the walls gave Xu Zhengyang a sense of familiarity.
A woman whose age was impossible to discern from behind stood before a large blue glass window, her back to the door, silently gazing outside at the towering buildings with their somber, oppressive hues, the fountains and lawns below, and the traffic flowing along the driveway…
"Please sit down." The female secretary politely invited Xu Zhengyang and Li Chengzong to sit on the sofa, then skillfully poured two glasses of water and put them down. Without saying anything more, she gracefully walked out of the office and gently closed the office door.
Li Bingjie stood beside the huge dark brown desk, tilting her head slightly to gaze at the ink wash landscape painting hanging on the wall, seemingly lost in thought.
"Hmm, what happened? I completely forgot to say hello..." Xu Zhengyang scolded himself inwardly. After sitting down on the sofa, Xu Zhengyang saw the profile of the woman standing by the window with her back to the door. This must be Li Bingjie's mother, right? No, why does she look so young? Xu Zhengyang hesitated, wondering whether to greet her, how to address her, and what if he called her the wrong person.
Just as he was hesitating, the woman turned around and looked at Li Bingjie with gentle eyes, saying, "Bingjie, come here and let Mom take a look."
Li Bingjie didn't move, and didn't even turn her head.
Xu Zhengyang was now certain. This was Li Bingjie's mother; he couldn't have mistaken her for someone else. Rich people were different; she looked so young, like her older sister. Xu Zhengyang stood up, gave a slight bow with a simple, honest smile, then straightened up and said, "Auntie, hello, I'm Xu Zhengyang."
Li Bingjie's mother frowned slightly, turned her head and revealed a rather cold smile, nodding and saying, "Hello, I am Bingjie's mother, Jiang Lan."
As she spoke, Jiang Lan had already walked back to her desk and sat down. She seemed to have long been used to her daughter's indifferent attitude towards her, oh, not towards her, but towards everyone... Perhaps, there were only two exceptions, no, there should be three, because now this poor boy who had crawled out of the corner of the countryside had appeared.
"Xu Zhengyang, 21 years old, junior high school education, from Shuanghe Village, Huaxiang Town, Cixian County, Fuhe City..."
Jiang Lan placed her hands on the desk, gently picked up a thin sheet of photocopy paper, and read it softly, as if she were talking to herself, or as if she were reading it to someone in the room.
Xu Zhengyang tilted his neck slightly, raised his eyebrows, and narrowed his eyes even more.
After briefly reading Xu Zhengyang's identity information, Jiang Lan looked up at him, revealing a much kinder smile than before, and gestured with her hand, saying, "Sit down, don't be nervous."
Xu Zhengyang squinted at Jiang Lan's beautiful eyes, stared for two seconds, then smiled and nodded as he sat back down on the sofa.
Jiang Lan blinked rapidly, concealing a hint of unintentional panic. Just now, she had noticed an indescribable feeling emanating from the young man's narrowed eyes—a feeling that seemed to see into people's hearts, or perhaps a heavy killing intent… No, neither. What was it then? A country bumpkin? The arrogance and courage of a newborn calf unafraid of tigers?
It's inexplicable, but it inexplicably instills a sense of fear in people, making them feel that this person is dangerous.
Perhaps it was just her imagination. Jiang Lan composed herself and said with a kind smile, "I hope you don't misunderstand that I found your identity information in private."
"It's nothing," Xu Zhengyang said with a smile, shaking his head to indicate that he didn't care. In fact, he was indeed a little agitated.
I know your family is wealthy, powerful, and influential, capable of doing things many ordinary people can't. You can check my identity information—it's no big deal, it's not like it's something shameful. The problem is… why are you checking my family's information? What are your intentions? Anyone would be unwilling to have a stranger know so much about them, especially when it involves family and relatives. This evokes an absolute, violent aversion; it's human nature. When faced with something like this, the first instinct is to believe the other person is threatening or intimidating you with your family's safety.
"I'm so glad Bingjie has a classmate and friend like you." Jiang Lan's expression turned serious. Although she still had a smile on her face, it was very distant and affected.