Beijing-Hong Kong Confession

On the fifteenth day of August, the Song family gathered at the old house for dinner.

Second uncle, second aunt, third uncle and others still asked about the marriage indirectly, probably meaning that the decades of cultivation of Song Chengyu by his ancestors and parents should not be wasted, and Zhu Xia did not have the background to help Song Chengyu move to the next level.

Old Song's face was solemn and his eyes swept across the place deeply. No one dared to discuss anything anymore.

This topic has been discussed for nearly twenty years, and they are just making their last struggle.

Everyone chatted with Mr. Song, discussing both personal and official matters. Zhu Xia sat on the side, silent and ate fruit snacks, occasionally checking with Aunt Zhao to see what gifts each family had sent.

Mr. Song seldom accepts gifts, so most of the items sent to him are not valuable. At most, they are some fresh and interesting gadgets or works of art with great appreciation value.

On August 16, Song Chengyu took Zhu Xia to a party in a courtyard. All those present were the darlings of the upper class in Beijing, both men and women, but there were no star students kept by rich young masters.

Zhu Xia's eyes and eyebrows looked a little distant, giving off an air of keeping strangers away. In addition, Song Chengyu basically stayed by her side, so few people dared to come forward and say hello to her.

She was enjoying her free time, looking down at her phone.

It was not until Song Chengyu asked her to play mahjong that she put away her phone, sat at the mahjong table, and played four or five rounds slowly.

I thought she was a shy girl, but I didn't expect her to be so relaxed, precise and ruthless when playing mahjong.

The game of luxury and extravagance is over.

On August 17, Song Chengyu was busy with work, and Zhu Xia refused the suggestion of her family's servants and bodyguards to accompany her, and went to visit the old lady of the Meng family alone.

The Meng and Song families are old friends. The son of the old lady of the Meng family died gloriously in the early years. The two old people don't like the large villa and feel lonely, so they have been living alone in the alley. The neighbors are old comrades-in-arms and are very enthusiastic. Occasionally, everyone will set up a table at the entrance of the alley to drink bean juice noodle soup, which is very warm.

Zhu Xia asked the driver to stop at the intersection, and she walked over with the gift in her hand. On the way, she met some elderly people walking their dogs, and she smiled and said hello, even though she didn't know them.

Zhu Xia looked at the dog's hair, which was as white as snow, and unconsciously slowed down his pace.

She missed Bella a little.

There are thick and thin poplar trees planted in the alley. When the autumn wind blows, the leaves rustle.

Every household has a different time for dinner. At this moment, the air in the alley was filled with the aroma of vegetables and rice. Zhu Xia stopped at the gate and raised his hand to press the bell.

The Meng family's nanny asked who it was in the inner room. Zhu Xia gave her full name. The nanny opened the door immediately and said enthusiastically that the old lady was thinking about you.

Zhu Xia walked into the yard. There were various potted plants in the corners of the yard. Some were green like spring grass, and some were bare like desert vegetation.

After handing the gift to the nanny, Zhu Xia entered the house and saw Old Lady Meng approaching with a cane. She immediately stepped forward to support her.

"Grandma."

Mrs. Meng held Zhu Xia's wrinkled hands and smiled with narrowed eyes: "I know you are coming, so I have asked Xiao An to prepare dinner. You have to eat here tonight... I also prepared your favorite sugar candy and Fuling sandwich... The chief is out to meet someone and will be back in a while..."

"Grandpa went out to meet people?" Zhu Xia was puzzled. Who would be so arrogant and courageous as to let Grandpa Meng go out to meet guests in person?

"He volunteered..." A cat came to Old Lady Meng's feet and curled up. Old Lady Meng smiled and said, "Every time you come here, cat, you always like to rub against me."

"This cat is probably afraid that I will snatch you away, so it comes here to compete for my favor." Zhu Xia said with a smile.

Old Mrs. Meng couldn't stop smiling.

The nanny brought tea and Zhu Xia helped Mrs. Meng sit down.

"I haven't seen you for a long time. I mentioned you to the chief not long ago, and he said we could only meet during the Spring Festival next year. I didn't expect to meet you during the Mid-Autumn Festival..."

Zhu Xia chatted with Old Mrs. Meng for a long time. She said that she had to leave soon and couldn't have lunch here, so she would make up for it by having two meals next time.

The cat had walked to Zhu Xia's feet at some point, rubbing against her calves, as if to act cute. After rubbing against her for a while, it ran towards the door, and Zhu Xia heard the sound of conversation getting closer and closer.

The loud and majestic voice sounded like Grandpa Meng.

The nanny leaned forward and said, "The chief and the distinguished guest are back."

Zhu Xia stood up calmly, and two tall figures walked into the hallway. The old man in his sixties, wearing a green military uniform with the sleeves of his left arm fluttering as he walked, was Grandpa Meng.

The wound was a relic from his early days on the battlefield.

Next to Grandpa Meng was a man wearing a black shirt of exquisite texture and with an upright posture. He walked gracefully and steadily. Even when standing next to Grandpa Meng, his aura did not diminish at all, and he was full of the intimidation and composure of a superior.

The man lifted his eyelids nonchalantly, and the pair of black eyes that Zhu Xia was familiar with once again met her pupils after a week.

He Lianzhou?

Why is he here?

Zhu Xia hesitated for a moment, retracted his gaze, looked at Grandpa Meng, and called softly: "Grandpa, happy Mid-Autumn Festival."

When Grandpa Meng saw her, his eyebrows lit up with joy and he waved his left hand: "Xia Xia."

Grandpa Meng and Old Lady Meng had no children. When Zhu Xia was a child, Song Chengyu had a strong desire for control. Zhu Xia had almost no friends of the same age. She was bored staying in the Song Mansion, so she came to visit the Meng family every now and then. Although they were not related by blood, their relationship was no worse than that of a grandfather and grandson.

At 3:30 in the afternoon, the lights in the house were turned on, and the whole place was brightly lit. The nanny brought tea. Grandpa Meng introduced them to each other, with a smile on his face.

Zhu Xia greeted him politely, "Mr. He," and He Lianzhou also said, "Ms. Zhu" meaningfully.

so weird.

So weird.

Zhu Xia sat upright, glancing at Grandpa Meng who was happily chatting with He Lianzhou, and felt surprised.

The chief hasn't laughed like this in a long time...

She curiously glanced at the man who was at ease, not wanting to be caught by him.

When their eyes met, Zhu Xia's heart skipped a beat.

She calmly retracted her gaze and stared at the candy box in her hand - the one given to her by Old Lady Meng.

Old Mrs. Meng asked the nanny to bring some hot sweet tea, saying that it was sent by her comrades-in-arms last month. Xia Xia could try it, and if she liked it, she could take some back and drink it slowly.

At this time, He Lianzhou and Grandpa Meng left the hallway and walked towards the study. It seemed that they were discussing serious matters.

Zhu Xia ignored the little episode and continued chatting with Old Lady Meng about family matters, food, drink, housing and transportation.

At half past four, He Lianzhou and Grandpa Meng returned to the hallway.

After Zhu Xia examined Mrs. Meng's neck and shoulders and massaged her shoulders, she heard Grandpa Meng ask her, "How is Mr. Song?"

"He is fine and healthy. Many people went back to their old houses during the Mid-Autumn Festival, so he was busy and only has some free time today," said Zhu Xia.

Mrs. Meng smiled and said, "Xia Xia is back, he must be happy, isn't it useless for you to ask?"

Grandpa Meng laughed heartily: "Today, I have Xia Xia and Xiao He in my yard, and I am much happier than him!"

Xiao He... It was the first time I heard this nickname. Zhu Xia glanced at He Lianzhou, who was calm and composed, chatting with Grandpa Meng from time to time.

Nearing five o'clock, Zhu Xia said goodbye: "Grandma and grandpa, I'm going back first. Please take care of yourselves, I'll come to visit you again later."

"So soon? Aren't you going to have dinner?" asked Grandpa Meng.

"No." Zhu Xia's fair face was covered with a happy smile, "I have something else to do later, I will definitely come to eat for free some other day."

Grandpa Meng and Grandma Meng nodded.

The nanny brought two paper bags of cakes and sweet tea to Zhu Xia.

Zhu Xia did not refuse the old man's kindness.

She was leaving Meng's house carrying her things, and when she turned the corner of the alley, someone suddenly grabbed her arm from behind.

The man pulled her hard, forcing her to turn around and throw herself into his warm and solid chest.