He walked over slowly, picked up the sketchbook and flipped through it. After turning a few pages, his eyes became darker, with all kinds of emotions flowing through them. Xia Xingchen saw it all and felt sorry for them.
"What a pity... too much time has passed, and in the end, I can't catch the charm..."
The old man muttered to himself that the details that he once couldn't forget in his dreams, more than 20 years later, had gradually turned into a blank that he couldn't grasp even if he wanted to.
Xia Xingchen felt sorry for the old lady and continued, "You are free now. You will definitely see Madam Lanting again in the future. Maybe she is still thinking about you as much as you are thinking about her."
Bai Qingrang looked up at her, "Do you recognize this as Lanting?"
"The Madam doesn't look much different now than when she was young, so I can recognize her at a glance. When the Madam came here from Country M, I had a private meal with her. We were quite connected."
"You had dinner with her in private?" Mr. Bai was a little excited, even a little envious, and his hand holding the cane tightened a little. The next moment, he remembered something and raised his hand to touch his hair. His eyes darkened and he shook his head and sighed, "She is still as heroic and elegant as before, but I... am old..."
The desolation in these simple words was very clear. Xia Xingchen didn't know what to say to comfort him for a moment. He just remembered his business, "Oh, uncle, the old lady asked me to bring you some clothes so that you can try them out to see if they fit you."
"She's thoughtful." Bai Qingrang put down the sketchbook and came back to his senses. "There's no need to try it on. She knows me very well. There's nothing I can't wear if she buys it for me."
"That's good." Xia Xingchen glanced at the flowers and plants around him and asked, "Do you like exotic flowers and plants? I see that the flowers and plants you planted outside are not common."
"That's right. These are the seeds that Ye Qing's father brought back for me from abroad. They are all over the greenhouse in the back. If you have nothing else to do, come with me to take a look?" Mr. Bai's eyes were clear when he spoke of this.
Because her mother was engaged in plant research, Xia Xingchen was already very interested in these rare flowers and plants, and thought of taking some pictures to show her mother tomorrow; plus, since Mr. Bai had invited her, she couldn't bear to refuse - an old man who was almost 60 years old probably didn't have many people to talk to on a daily basis, and she felt pity every time she thought of him, so naturally she wanted to spend more time with him.
… … … … … …
the other side.
The old lady went upstairs and talked to the old man for a few words, put the other ring on the old man's hand, and came down happily.
"Madam, how many people do you want to prepare for dinner tonight? Will the eldest lady and the President be back?" Aunt Lin came over and asked as soon as she came down.
"I'll call and ask." The old lady sat down in the living room, picked up the phone, and dialed a number.
After a few rings, the phone was picked up.
"mom."
"Are you busy?" asked the old lady.
There was also the sound of flipping through documents coming from Bai Yeqing's side. "Yeah, very busy."
"No matter how busy you are, you have to eat dinner. Come back to Zhongshan. Bring my precious grandson with you." The old lady can't live without her grandson.
"I won't go tonight." Bai Yeqing said, "I have other plans tonight. I'm afraid I won't be able to make it if I come back from Zhongshan."
The old lady didn't force him, knowing that he was busy. "Since you are busy, I won't force you. By the way, I can see the ring you bought for Xingchen."
The old lady deliberately said sourly, "Humph! I know you are my precious daughter-in-law, but I have never seen you buy a ring for mom! I don't care, but next time if you don't buy me a gift, don't come back."
Bai Yeqing was about to say that the ring had to be bought by the old man. But before he could finish his words, he suddenly remembered something and frowned, "Where did you see her?"
"The police station! She accompanied me for the whole afternoon today! She was quite nice and didn't seem impatient at all. I asked her to come back for dinner."
"Did she go to Zhongshan for dinner?" Bai Yeqing lowered his voice.
"Yeah. What's with your tone? Can't you come to my place for dinner?"
"Where is she now? Please ask her to answer the phone."
The old lady looked around and said, "I asked her to go to your uncle's place, but she hasn't come back yet! Your uncle misses his daughter, and Xingchen is about the same age as your cousin, so I thought of letting Xingchen go and talk to him, so that he can..."
"Beep, beep, beep—" Before the old lady could finish her words, the phone was suddenly disconnected.
"What kind of attitude is this kid!" The old lady frowned, stared at the phone unhappily, and then put the phone to her ear again in disbelief. Hey! My goodness, this son really hung up on her!
… … … … …
This way.
Xia Xingchen and Mr. Bai got along really well and had been chatting for quite a while without them noticing.
"I didn't expect you also knew this rubiaceae!"
"I don't know much. I only saw it once when I was a child in a book written by my mother. It has small stems and dense leaves. The flower smells like chrysanthemums and tastes slightly bitter. It grows in dense forests on high mountains."
Mr. Bai listened to her story and nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes, that's absolutely right."
"If you like these exotic flowers and plants, I have a way to add some new varieties for you." Xia Xingchen gently sniffed the air.
Bai Qing paused while watering the flowers and looked at her, "Really?"
"Yeah. My mother does plant research. She has a lot of flower seeds that others can't find. She usually hides them like treasures." Xia Xingchen squatted down and smelled the fragrance of the flowers.
"Since your mother likes you so much, how can I take your love away from her?"
"You are a person who cherishes flowers, so my mother will definitely be willing to give it to you. By the way, she will come tomorrow. I will call her tonight and ask her to bring it to you. How about that?"
Bai Qingrang really likes these flowers and plants. Hearing her say this, he was naturally moved.
"Mr President!"
However, before he nodded, the servant's voice suddenly rang out.
Xia Xingchen and Bai Qingrang both looked outside the greenhouse and saw the man rushing in.
Who else could it be if not Bai Yeqing
"Why are you here?" Xia Xingchen checked the time. It was only a little after 5 o'clock, so he should still be in the office.
Bai Yeqing's expression was quite ugly. He gave her a warning look, but he did not forget to greet Mr. Bai Er first: "Uncle."
After that, he pulled Xia Xingchen over and walked out of the greenhouse without saying anything. As he walked, he said to Bai Qingrang, "I'll take Xingchen away for now. I'll come back to say hello to you tomorrow."
Xia Xingchen was confused, "My uncle and I were just chatting!"
She tried to pull her wrist. He really used a lot of strength. The more she struggled, the rougher he became, and her wrist turned red.