There was a rustling rain, and the weather was very cool. The autumn heat that had been raging for a week was finally brought to an end by this rain.
It was already late September, and the weather forecast said that Qiantang's hot and sunny weather was about to end.
Du Hengzhi stood leisurely in the corridor, holding a cup of hot tea in both hands, staring blankly at a certain place in the yard with a curious look in his eyes.
Ikee Yuri walked up to him and asked him in English: "Lucien, what are you looking at?"
Du Hengzhi took a sip of hot tea, pointed to the corridor not far away, and said in English: "Isn't it September now? Osmanthus flowers should be blooming. Why is there a cherry tree here?"
Ikee Yuri laughed and said, "Ah, that's fake."
"Fake?" Du Hengzhi actually guessed that it was fake, but because he had never gone close to take a closer look, he only felt that the cherry tree was very lifelike. When he heard the confirming answer, his curiosity grew even more.
At this time, Mrs. Ikee walked slowly to their side and coughed a few times. Ikee Yuri supported her and said in Japanese: "Mom, it's cold outside, you should put on more clothes."
Mrs. Chi Jiang clapped her hands with a smile. Seeing that Du Hengzhi had been looking at the cherry tree, she said to her daughter, "Since this cherry tree was placed in the yard, everyone who sees it is amazed."
Ikee Yuri also smiled: "This is the testimony of your love with dad."
Du Hengzhi didn't understand Japanese, so he turned to look at her. Ikee Yuri then told him the story of the cherry tree in English.
Yuri Ikee is 28 years old and is the only daughter of the Ikee couple. She had been working in France as a fashion designer.
When Mrs. Chijiang celebrated her 50th birthday, she was unable to come to China due to work reasons. She only received an email from Dong Cheng, which contained photos and videos of the birthday party. She had seen this cherry tree before, but this was the first time she saw it in person when she came to China on vacation to accompany her parents.
Du Hengzhi was a classmate and good friend of Yuri Ikee when she was studying in France. He was one year older than her and returned to Qiantang to work after graduating from France. Every time Yuri Ikee came to Qiantang, she would invite him to her home for dinner.
After listening to Ikee Yuri's story, Du Hengzhi asked: "Yuri, are you saying that this tree was made entirely by hand, not by a machine? The whole tree?"
After confirming with her mother, Ikee Yuri replied, "Yes, it is handmade. The trunk and main branches are made of sculpture clay by a teacher from the sculpture department. All the small branches, flowers and leaves were made by another teacher. They came to the site to install them and it took them a whole day."
"Can I go and take a look?" Du Hengzhi pointed at the tree and asked.
Mrs. Ikee and Yuri Ikee nodded together: "Of course."
Du Hengzhi put down his teacup, put on his shoes, walked through the drizzle and came to the corridor on the other side of the yard.
He took off his shoes and walked up the steps, where he was already standing under the cherry tree.
A breeze blew by, and Du Hengzhi looked up at the tree carefully, reaching out to touch the branches, as well as the petals and stamens of the cherry blossoms.
"It's made of cloth." Looking closer, he could see clearly that each flower was different. Whether it was the color, the size of the petals, or the degree of curvature, they were indeed not made by machines and looked more like real trees in nature, with blooming flowers and buds waiting to open. Some of the flowers were even deliberately made sparse, as if they had been beaten by spring rain.
Du Hengzhi returned to Chi Jiang and her daughter, pointed at the cherry tree and asked, "What kind of craft is this?"
Yuri Ikee repeated it in Japanese and English, and finally said: "In Chinese it should be tang hua. Ah, my Chinese is so unstandard." She smiled shyly, revealing two little canine teeth.
Du Hengzhi was very smart. He asked in English first and then in Chinese: "Ironing? Ironing."
"Yes! Ironing." Ikee Yuri said, "My mother knows how to do it. Do you want to go to her study and see?"
Mrs. Ikejiang took the two young men into her study, took out the tools for hot stamping and introduced them to Du Hengzhi one by one, and Ikejiang Yuri helped translate. Mrs. Ikejiang also took out two Cordyceps sinensis flowers, and proudly asked Du Hengzhi to guess which one was made by her and which one was made by the teacher who made the cherry blossom tree.
After Du Hengzhi looked carefully, he guessed it right away. Mrs. Chi Jiang was very frustrated: "Oh, am I really not as good as that teacher?"
The two young men laughed together. Du Hengzhi held the pine cordyceps flower in his hand and asked, "Teacher, can you make any kind of flower?"
Mrs. Chijiang pointed at the flower in his hand and replied, "He can make this, which means he is already at a very high level. He must know all the common flower shapes. If there are flower shapes he has not learned, as long as he is shown a real flower, he should be able to disassemble the flower, draw the flower shape himself to study it, and then make it."
Du Hengzhi thought for a moment and asked, "Auntie, do you have the contact information of that teacher? I am very interested in this craft and would like to contact him."
After Ikee Yuri translated it for her mother, Mrs. Ikee nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, Yuri's father's assistant has his contact information."
Du Hengzhi asked casually: "What kind of person is he?"
Mrs. Ikee smiled like a child and clapped her hands, saying, "Ah! It's a very, very cute boy!"
"Is she cuter than me?" Du Hengzhi had met the Chi Jiang couple many times. They were not restrained when interacting with each other and even joked around.
Mrs. Chijiang recalled the shy look of that big boy and smiled: "He is cuter than you! Xiaozhi, if you meet him, you will definitely like him. He is really a very well-behaved and gentle boy."
"..." Du Hengzhi complained to Ikee Yuri after listening to her translation, "Ah... Why am I a little unhappy?"
Ikee Yuri laughed so hard that her shoulders shook. She said, "I'll ask my father's assistant for his contact information. What? Do you have something to ask him about work?"
"Yes, I have an idea." Du Hengzhi finally got serious. "Recently, there is a design for a client, and I have been thinking about how to do it. Just now, when I saw the cherry blossom tree, I suddenly had some inspiration in my mind. I want to meet that teacher, maybe we can cooperate."
—
During this period, Zhan Xi and Luo Jingyu lived a very peaceful life.
So many Hanfu Festival orders have to be completed within a month, as well as Huanshang's orders. Zhan Xi and Su Su have discussed the arrangements and decided to deliver the orders in batches, with the final deadline being the end of October.
That is to say, before the end of October, Luo Jingyu will be very busy and can hardly rest for a day. And Zhanxi's job is to continuously update content on several social platforms, communicate with customers on Taobao, and answer questions, which can be said to be a full-time job.
They agreed to take a month off after this busy period and not open the warehouse on Christmas and New Year's Day. They would focus on the business of the following Spring Festival and Valentine's Day, and then the Flower Festival.
For Luo Jingyu, every year's work nodes follow these big and small festivals, but when he is with Huanhuan, he doesn't have to work hard and stay up late like before. Huanhuan said that money can never be earned enough, and life and health are more important.
The Internet's memory is time-limited, and more gossips emerge one after another. After more than ten days, the incident involving Fang Xu and Guan Rujie has faded on the Internet.
But in real life, the lawsuit has not yet gone to court.
The online shop of "Xiao Yu Yu Handmade Hot Embossing" has ceased operations, and those poorly made accessories were returned and refunded in large quantities. Taobao intervened and a lawsuit was involved. Fang Xu had to agree even if he didn't agree, and he lost a lot of money.
His other online store businesses were also shut down, and several customer service staff resigned because they were disgusted by their boss's behavior.
Guan Rujie's situation was also very bad, with her Weibo post filled with curses. Many netizens speculated that rrmft0429 was Guan Rujie, and the male voice on rrmft0429's phone was Fang. However, Zhan Xi did not publicly confirm this, as he felt that he did not have the right to do so, and that this was a matter for the court.
Through the lawsuit on Weibo, Zhan Xi and Luo Jingyu already knew that rrmft0429 was Guan Rujie. She pushed everything onto Fang Xu's head, because he had recordings of several phone calls between the two of them. Fang Xu couldn't deny it at all and even begged Zhan Xi to settle the matter privately.
Zhan Xi accompanied Luo Jingyu to see him. Also going with them were the lawyer, Luo Xinran and Pipixia. The five of them came in a grand group and they were not afraid that Fang Xu would do anything out of line.
Fang Xu also brought a lawyer with him. They met in a teahouse. Fang Xu was no longer the arrogant and domineering man. This man in his early thirties looked much more haggard. He begged Zhan Xi humbly, saying that his parents were old and weak, and his original intention was just to make more money. Now he knew he was wrong, and hoped that Luo Jingyu would withdraw the lawsuit. He could make financial compensation and let Luo Jingyu name the price.
Zhan Xi did not agree.
With so many people around her, she was not afraid at all. Luo Jingyu was unable to speak, so Zhan Xi naturally became his spokesperson.
She questioned Fang Xu: "We won you because we got the evidence. What if we didn't get it? What would the consequences be? Luo Jingyu will be ruined by you! He has always remembered your kindness, but you treated him so harshly! You never respected him from beginning to end. You just treated him as a pawn to make money. You bullied him because he couldn't hear you. You relied on your help to oppress him all the time! After so many years, do you still think he owes you anything? You are not happy when he wants to work alone, and you want to destroy him? Now that the matter has been exposed, you want to ask for his forgiveness? I'm sorry, the law is not a joke. Even if Xiaoyu agrees, I will not agree! The court will make the decision as it should, and the judge will consider how much compensation should be paid. I have one word for this matter. We will never settle it privately, and we don't need your apology."
Pipixia and Luo Xinran both looked at Fang Xu coldly. Pipixia even gave him the middle finger. Luo Jingyu's expression was much calmer.
He also never thought that there would be a day when Fang Xu would come to beg him. Thinking about it carefully, it was both sad and ironic.
Fang Xu's voice was filled with tears: "What do you want in exchange for letting me go? I really know I was wrong, Xiaoyu, I was wrong. Please let me go for the sake of Brother Fang helping you open your business!"
"Mr. Fang, it's too late!" Zhan Xi was not soft-hearted at all, "No one will believe that your apology is sincere. All you have considered so far is your own interests and you don't want to be convicted. Don't bring up the matter of helping Xiaoyu again! You look down on him and think that he can't achieve great success because he can't hear. This concept is completely wrong in my opinion! Mr. Fang, Luo Jingyu and I will prove to you and everyone that he will get better and better."
Fang Xu lost control of his emotions and shouted to Luo Jingyu: "Xiao Yu, Xiao Yu, please say something. I beg you to let me go! Brother Fang was really bewildered for a moment. Brother Fang treated you well!"
Luo Jingyu had been looking at him quietly, and at this time she made a long sign language.
After Zhan Xi finished reading, he said to Fang Xu, "Xiao Yu said that you were the one who didn't let him go first. Also, he wanted to tell you that his ceiling is not that low. In fact, it's because your ceiling is too low that it can't accommodate him."
Fang Xu wanted to beg again, but his lawyer stopped him. After whispering a few words, Fang Xu became completely dejected, and the look in his eyes when he looked at Luo Jingyu became very cold.
Some prejudices are deeply rooted in the bones. Zhan Xi didn't care how viciously Fang Xu was cursing them in his heart at this moment. He didn't dare to say it out loud, as they had more than one recorder with them.
This conversation ended here. Before parting, Zhan Xi said to Fang Xu: "Mr. Fang, please ask your lawyer to prepare well. We will see you in court."
The matter has come to an end. Zhan Xi has entrusted the case to a lawyer. They have evidence and witnesses. Guan Rujie has admitted it online. There is no doubt that they will win the lawsuit. It all depends on the final sentencing.
Regardless of whether Fang Xu and Guan Rujie will really go to jail, they will definitely have a criminal record, and they cannot escape civil compensation and mental damages. The most important thing is that Fang Xu and Guan Rujie will no longer be able to survive in the embossing industry.
—
On Sunday, Zhan Jie brought Zhan Kaiwei to Luo Jingyu's house for dinner and brought a lot of dishes.
Zhan Xi complained: "Xiao Yu is so busy, and she has to cook for you. We have been eating very simple meals recently."
Zhan Jie rolled up his sleeves and said, "Let him cook the chicken with Huadiao sauce, and I'll cook the other stir-fried dishes. As for the steaming of the hairy crabs, I can handle it."
Zhan Xi looked at him as if he were watching a peep show: "Brother, can you cook?"
Zhan Jie's face was cold: "If I don't learn how to make it, do I have to eat takeout every day?"
Gu Xinchi also slipped over, but unfortunately Weiwei hadn't come for a long time, and he had already finished building the big Lego train. This time he brought another set of simpler building blocks. The two little boys sat on the carpet and built together. Presents walked around them, looking at so many people at home curiously.
After Luo Jingyu marinated and cooked the Huadiao chicken, she returned to the workbench to continue making flowers, while Zhan Xi stayed in the kitchen to accompany his brother.
Zhan Jie, wearing an apron and cutting vegetables, asked her, "Are you going home for National Day?"
Zhan Xi was shocked: "Of course not! Mom beat me so badly that I had to be hospitalized. Am I going back to die?"
Zhan Jie: “…”
He said: "I told my dad about what happened to Xiao Luo on the phone, and my mom should know about it too. But they don't use Weibo, so they don't understand what's going on online. So... is Xiao Luo's situation back on track?"
"That's about right." Zhan Xi peeled his fingers against the refrigerator door. "I can't finish all the orders. It's hard every day. I feel bad for them."
Zhan Jie sighed: "His job is not easy either."
Zhan Xi laughed: "Which job would be easy?"
After a moment of silence, Zhan Jie finally said, "Mom asked you to go back for National Day."
Zhan Xi looked up at him and said nothing.
Zhan Jie continued, "Take Xiao Luo with you."
Zhan Xi: “…”
"Don't look at me like that." Zhan Jie glanced at his sister. "I've actually been trying to persuade mom for a while, but she certainly didn't agree. She said if you insist on being with Xiao Luo, she won't recognize you as her daughter. I asked her back, saying that you're already sixty years old, and Huan Huan is only twenty-four. What's the point of not recognizing her? How many years do you have left to live?"
Zhan Xi muttered, "I still don't want to go back. I feel upset when I think of seeing her. She will definitely scold Xiaoyu, and maybe even beat him. She is a person who cares about face the most. How can you let her tell relatives and neighbors about Xiaoyu? If she calls him a 'deaf man' again, I can't stand it."
"There has to be a process." Zhan Jie finished cutting the vegetables and heated up the oil in the wok. "It's not a solution if you always avoid it. If she keeps disagreeing, do you and Xiao Luo plan to keep talking like this?"
Zhan Xi raised his chin: "Why? If she doesn't agree, I can't marry Xiaoyu? My household registration is not at home, my household registration is with you!"
Zhan Jie glared at her: "Don't dream! I won't give you the household registration booklet."
Zhan Xi laughed and said, "Brother, do you really not understand? I can go to the police station with my ID card to get a household registration certificate. I am an independent adult and I can make my own decision on who to marry. What era is this? Are you still hiding your household registration book and not allowing you to get married?"
"Hey!" Zhan Jie was so angry, "You're thinking of getting married? Zhan Xi, let me tell you, getting married is not that simple. Don't think that this guy will marry you without spending a penny. We still have the custom of engagement! There must be a betrothal gift, right? Gold jewelry can't be missing, right? Has the problem of having children been solved? Add your name to the house..."
"Stop!" Zhan Xi yelled, "What are you talking about! Bro, you're running out of oil! Hurry up and put the vegetables in the pot!"
After saying that, she fled out of the kitchen.
Zhan Jie waved the spatula and yelled: "We haven't bought the car yet! We have to take wedding photos too! We can't miss the honeymoon trip!"
Fortunately, Luo Jingyu couldn't hear them, so they dared to shout so loudly and talk about topics related to marriage.
Zhan Xi slipped to Luo Jingyu, bent down and kissed him on the mouth. He was stunned and quickly looked at the two little boys on the carpet. He met Weiwei's shocked eyes and the tips of Luo Jingyu's ears immediately turned red.
Weiwei's eyes widened, and Gu Xinchi covered his eyes with his hands, saying like an experienced person: "You are still a child, don't look at it."
The gift meowed nearby.
After lunch, the atmosphere at home was very harmonious.
Zhan Jie sat cross-legged on the carpet, playing with the two little boys, playing with Lego. Luo Jingyu was busy making flowers at the workbench, and Zhan Xi was curled up on the sofa, petting the cat and browsing his phone.
When her phone rang, no one paid attention. Zhan Xi picked up the phone lazily: "Hello."
A pleasant male voice came from the other side: "Hello, are you Miss Zhan, Mr. Luo's agent?"
Mr. Luo's agent - this title is quite interesting. Zhan Xi said: "Yes, I am. May I ask who you are?"
"Hello, my last name is Du, Du Hengzhi, and Mr. Dong Cheng gave me your phone number."
Mr. Dong Cheng… Zhan Xi thought of the interesting translator and assistant, and quickly said, “Oh, hello, what can I do for you?”
Du Hengzhi said: "It's like this, I am an independent fashion designer, and I have a high-end studio in Qiantang. A few days ago, when I was a guest at Mr. Chi Jiang's house, I saw the cherry blossom tree made by Mr. Luo. Well... I have a client who recently commissioned me to design a dress. I have some inspiration and want to use the hot flower element. I wonder if Mr. Luo is interested? If there is a chance, I hope to meet him in detail and maybe we can cooperate."
Zhan Xi jumped up from the sofa. Luo Jingyu and Zhan Jie noticed her abnormality and looked at her.
Zhan Xi looked back at Luo Jingyu and saw him blinking slightly with a puzzled look. Zhan Xi said to the phone, "Sure, Mr. Du, Mr. Luo is willing to meet and talk in detail."
Du Hengzhi smiled on the phone: "Great, thank you. Let's add WeChat. I'll arrange the time and place with you. I'm looking forward to meeting Teacher Luo."