Mystery. Mistake. Love

Ding Zhaolan didn't speak, but smiled, which was tantamount to acquiescing.Even Zhan Zhao laughed softly, Bai Yutang didn't bother to defend himself, seeing Zhan Zhao laughed at him too, and said,

"Smelly cat, you still dare to laugh at me, it's not because of you!"

An innocent expression immediately appeared on Zhan Zhao's face,

"I didn't say anything, it was all my brothers said!"

Seeing the interaction between the two of them, Ji Yingci also felt happy, and when he heard Bai Yutang call Zhan Zhao the stinky cat, he asked curiously,

"Zhan Zhao, why did Yutang call you a cat? I heard him call you once yesterday!"

Ouyang Chun took a mouthful of porridge, swallowed it, and nodded,

"Well, I was wondering yesterday too. Is that your nickname?"

Zhan Zhao was very embarrassed, glared at Bai Yutang beside him, and explained,

"No, Yutang and I were bickering and playing in private."

Bai Yutang ignored his feigned anger and said happily,

"You see how flexible this cat is when fighting, um..."

Before Bai Yutang finished speaking, Zhan Zhao covered his mouth and said angrily,

"Dead mouse, eat well, don't talk so much."

Only then did Bai Yutang realize that the two of them had agreed not to reveal the matter of getting injured in the fight at Miaojiaji, but immediately realized that they had missed the point. Zhan Zhao seemed really angry, so he quickly stopped talking. Everyone saw the two of them as children, healed up for a while, annoyed for a while, they all smiled, and then continued to eat.

Seeing that Zhan Zhao was ignoring him, Bai Yutang quickly touched Zhan Zhao's arm, leaned against his ear, and said shamelessly,

"Angry? I'm not sincere, I forgot for a while, don't be annoyed!"

Zhan Zhao was not so stingy, he nodded,

"Hurry up and eat, let's talk later!"

Seeing that Zhan Zhao wasn't really angry, Bai Yutang immediately smiled again and said,

"I just said you're not a stingy cat!"

"You still say?!" Zhan Zhao didn't know what to do with him.

A meal, quickly finished.The bowls, chopsticks and food were removed, and the female relatives went back to the house. Before Ding Yuehua left, he came to Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang and said,

"Third Brother, Little Fifth Brother, when did you two come back? Why didn't you come to see me yesterday?"

Bai Yutang smiled and said,

"I heard that you have turned back to being a woman after turning your back on your evil ways? I took a special look at the sun yesterday, and it still rose from the east!"

Zhan Zhao and Ding Yuehua stared at him at the same time, Zhan Zhao said,

"Don't pay attention to him, he just doesn't know what to say, and he hasn't been in shape all day long. We arrived yesterday when it was almost dark, and my father said that you were at the embroidery master's place. Why did you suddenly agree to learn from female celebrities?"

Ding Yuehua saw that his mother and other female relatives avoided, so he said quickly,

"Third Brother, I'll go and play with you two in the afternoon, just wait for me!"

Zhan Zhao nodded, but Bai Yutang frowned and said,

"Mao'er, how can we play with this stinky girl? She's a fool!"

"Don't talk nonsense, she is my sister!"

"Tch, all I know is that you are a cat and she is a tigress!"

"you!"

Seeing that they were all seated, Ding Wenju coughed, cleared his throat, and said,

"How about it? Have you guys made any plans for the future? Let's hear it, the Beiyang government will have an exam for selecting foreign students next month. You have made the plan, and you will start reviewing and preparing here. Zhaolan, You speak first."

"Okay, father." Ding Zhaolan nodded in agreement.

"Zhaohui and I are older, and we don't want to learn how to study. We just want to see the excellent systems of various countries and find more business opportunities. During the late Qing government, students studying in Japan accounted for the largest proportion, and some of my friends also Those who have studied in Japan and returned to China are very respectful of Japan’s technological development and humanities education, and from the current point of view, although studying in Britain and the United States is the trend, Japan is the closest to us after all. Whether it is customs or culture, I think we can learn from it. We have visited more. Moreover, geographically, China is the closest to Japan, so it is more convenient for us to go home and help.”

Ding Wen raised his head and said,

"You and Zhaohui are very considerate. Yes, Japan has achieved today's international status and achievements in such a small place. There must be something extraordinary. Moreover, they have had various frictions with us all the year round. Only by knowing ourselves and the enemy can we survive all battles. Good! What about Xiao Zhao? What do you think?"

Zhan Zhao looked at his father and said,

"I want to go to the United States. I have had a long-term friendship with Mr. Ming Enpu, an American missionary. He once strongly recommended me to study biological sciences at Harvard University, and said that since President Roosevelt pushed the US Congress to pass the resolution of "Exemption of China's Partial Compensation" Afterwards, all universities in the United States are scrambling to recruit Chinese students, and there are various incentive systems. When I was in Beijing, I had already applied for the exam of the "Travel America Association" and I had written to several universities, submitting Although the hope is slim, I still want to give it a try.”

"Well," Ding Wenju looked at Zhan Zhao thoughtfully, and then said,

"It's a good thing to be self-reliant, but you can't ruin your health and delay your studies just to save money. I can still afford the money for you guys to study abroad, you know, Xiao Zhao? I'm most worried about you!"

He looked at Bai Yutang again and asked,

"Where is Yutang, where do you want to go?"

Bai Yutang looked at Zhan Zhao, and after hearing what he said just now, he knew that the cat had a lot of things on his mind, and he wanted to rely on his own strength to get money for his studies, so he felt a pang of distress and a little bit of sadness.Thinking of Maoer, who has no father and no mother, and is lonely. Although he is loved by the Ding family's parents, he has a sensitive personality and does not want to affect other people's temperament. If he comes to the United States by himself, he may not know how to despise himself.No, Bai Yutang secretly decided, he has to follow this cat!

"I'm going to America too! I have to think about the major I'm going to study, but since he's going to Harvard, I'll go there too. The two of us are together, at least we have someone to take care of."

Ding Wenju was very happy to hear that he was also going to the United States, and said,

"That's great. It's great that you can stay with Xiao Zhao. I'm really worried that he's going so far alone! I'll call your brother tomorrow and tell him about it."

"Then thank you Ding Shibo!" Bai Yutang looked at Zhan Zhao, Zhan Zhao also looked at Bai Yutang, and they both smiled happily.

"Yingci, Xiaoyan and Ouyang, where are you three? How should I say?"

Yan Chasan answered first,

"Uncle, Yingci and I are planning to go to France first, and then I will study political philosophy at Cambridge University in England. Yingci should stay in France. Right, Yingci?"

Ji Yingci smiled and nodded,

"I know that some progressive young people from the Hunan Association and the Sichuan Association have already applied for the government's grants for studying in France. They are all worthy of our learning and reference, so I am full of yearning for France."

"Well, that's right! France is a romantic but not heroic country. It faces the Commonwealth across the sea, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages! Ouyang, you still don't change your original intention and plan to go to Germany to study at a military academy?"

"Yes, Uncle! Since I was a child, I yearned for that kind of military life. I admired those military wizards in ancient China. I felt that my Chinese Kungfu and the way of using soldiers were invincible, but the reality was extremely cruel. Our hundreds of years China's closed-door policy has already made our military strength lag behind others, and we are still stuck in the cold weapon era. Hey, I really can't be reconciled!"

"Father, I'm going to France too." Seeing that his father hadn't asked him about his choice, Ding Zhaozhong simply took the initiative to 'quickly answer'.

"Well, yes. But do you want to learn something?" Ding Wenju wanted to hear what his younger son thought.

"This...I'm thinking about it," Ding Zhaozhong saw his father staring at him, swallowed quickly, and swallowed the words "I haven't thought about it yet".

"I'll just learn... let's learn how to do business. In the future, I can help my brothers and do something for the family's business when I return to China!"

"Study business? Well, it's not bad. Your mother has put a lot of effort into making you successful. I hope you can understand it and don't let her down, you know?" Ding Wenju felt that his youngest son was really not Serious reading materials, but since he has ideals, he is still willing to support them.

"That's how it is! Starting tomorrow, you are here to prepare for the content of the exam. If there is anything you don't understand, everyone will discuss it together. Of course, the country you choose to apply for is different, and the exam may be different, but the knowledge is the same. Future studies After the completion, I hope that you can all return to China as soon as possible and contribute to the revitalization of China."

Several young people nodded one after another. At this moment, a servant came in with a copy of letter paper and handed it to Ding Wenju. He opened the letter and began to read it.Taking advantage of this time, Bai Yutang whispered in Zhan Zhao's ear,

"Cat, you can come back to the empty island with me the day after tomorrow. We will review our homework and play on the island at the same time. I will take you to other interesting places."

Zhan Zhao didn't answer, just looked at him and nodded with a smile, Bai Yutang immediately beamed with joy, then whispered,

"Let me tell you a secret. I buried a jar of wine under the sweet-scented osmanthus tree in the yard. Let's dig it up tonight. You can try it!"

"Bai Yutang, what are you two muttering about? Is there any secret we can't know?!" Ouyang Chun saw them laughing and muttering, so he made fun of them.

"What? This is a matter between Zhan Zhao and I. I don't want to tell others, can't I?!" Bai Yutang's natural quarrelsome temper came up, and he ignored it.

Zhan Zhao is a good-tempered person, so he hastened to smooth things over for him.

"Brother Ouyang, don't listen to him. We just said that the two of us will go to the United States together, so the content of the exam is similar, and it should be easier to review together. Moreover, Yutang's textbooks and utensils are all on the empty island, so we will prepare for the day after tomorrow. After grandma's birthday party, I went back to pick up things."

Bai Yutang originally thought that Zhan Zhao would tell others about his invitation just now, and he was a little unhappy, but now he heard that he used such a high-sounding reason, which not only kept the secret, but also had a bit of the truth, and felt very heartwarming.Oh, the cunning cat!

"Zhaolan, that's great, you really don't give in to women!"

"Father, what's the matter?" Ding Zhaolan didn't know whose letter made Ding Wenju so happy.

"Well, Su Yu, the eldest son of the Su family in Zhejiang, is going to bring his younger sister Su Hong here. It is said that Miss Su is not only a famous beauty in Suhang, but also the most talented woman. She will also study abroad with you this time. Woolen cloth!"

"Oh, is that so?" When the boys heard that a beautiful woman from Suzhou and Hangzhou was coming, they all became energetic.

"Well, the brothers and sisters will be there in the afternoon! However, having said this, it reminds me that Yuehua has actually reached the age where she can study abroad. If she is willing to follow Xiao Zhao and the others to study in the United States, it can be discussed."

Zhan Zhao nodded and said,

"That's good. With Yutang, the three of us together won't be too lonely and homesick."

The boss in Bai Yutang's heart didn't like it, he didn't want to spend most of his playing time with Zhan Zhao arguing with that tigress.

"Well, Zhaolan, Miss Su is here in the afternoon, you ask Yuehua to come out to meet the guests. I'll discuss this matter with your grandmother again."

"Okay, father."

After talking all morning, when it was time for lunch, the news that Ding Wenju wanted Ding Yuehua to study abroad had already reached the aunt's ears.As soon as she finished eating, she didn't care about her lunch break, so she trotted all the way to Zhan Zhao's room, knocked on the door, and before Zhan Zhao could answer, she pushed the door open and entered, only to see Bai Yutang lying leisurely on Zhan Zhao's door. on the bed, Zhan Zhao was writing something in front of the desk.

"Third brother, you heard..."

Ding Yuehua was anxious to tell Zhan Zhao the good news, but Wu Chengxiang saw Bai Yutang and immediately shouted,

"Little fifth brother, why are you here with my third brother?"

Bai Yutang ignored her, just thinking that he had defeated Zhan Zhao who was arguing with him just now with a little trick, and now he was willing to bet and copy the post, feeling a burst of pride in his heart.Soon, Ding Yuehua came to him,

"Hey, I'm talking to you!"

Bai Yutang sat up all of a sudden, pointed at Ding Yuehua and said,

"Hey, hey, I see that female celebrity of yours, it's useless to learn! Look at you, where is your whole body like a girl, who enters the house without knocking, and yells at men. Yuehua , I'm not talking about you, I think you may not be able to find a husband's family in the future!"

Ding Yuehua was furious when she said these words, she immediately put her hips on her hips and stared, and said back,

"Hmph, I want you to take care of me! If I'm looking for a husband, I'll find a man like my third brother, a man like you who's 'outside the gold and jade, but inside the rot', so I don't have to worry that I won't be able to get a wife for the rest of my life. Besides. , In the new era, men and women are the same, why are you only allowed to study and participate in politics, we women have the same rights."

"Men and women are the same, but they are different!"

"Why is there no other way? My father also agreed with me to study abroad. How about it? I'm so mad at you!"

"You don't have to..."

"Yutang, don't say a few words!" Zhan Zhao put down the pen long ago, poured a glass of water for Bai Yutang and Ding Yuehua each, brought them in front of their eyes, and began to persuade them to fight.

"Yuehua, stop arguing too. I got a headache from the two of you arguing! Drink some water and suppress your anger. Fourth sister, you already know what father's decision is? What did grandma say?"

"Yeah," Ding Yuehua took a big sip of water, and then said breathlessly,

"Grandmother said it's good for a girl to see the world!" She saw Bai Yutang glaring at her, and immediately glared back.

"She said that it doesn't matter where I go, Japan, Europe, or the United States, I can choose!" She clung onto Zhan Zhao's arm coquettishly, and said,

"Third brother, I want to go to the United States with you, okay? My mother also said that she is most at ease when I go out with you, and, when the time comes, you won't treat yourself too badly for me!"

Zhan Zhao looked at this short-haired, naughty and cute younger sister, and said with a smile,

"Okay, if you're not afraid to go to endure hardships with the third brother, I'll take you there!"

"No, cat, we can't take this wild girl with me!" He pulled Ding Yuehua's hand away from Zhan Zhao's arm, and then blocked the middle, saying,

"If you go, the cat will be even more tired. I have to worry about this and that for you. You should obediently go to Japan with Da Ding and Xiao Ding! I heard that Dongyang women are famous for being gentle and considerate, and it happens to be you This wild girl is missing."

Ding Yuehua grabbed Bai Yutang's ear surprisingly quickly, twisted it, and said,

"Bai Yutang, are you looking for a fight?"

"Ding Yuehua, let go, and see how I will deal with you!" Bai Yutang saw that she had made himself so embarrassing in front of Zhan Zhao, his face turned red, and he wanted to arrest Ding Yuehua immediately.

Ding Yuehua got it all at once, and when he saw it, he took it away, and quickly let go and fled behind Zhan Zhao, yelling,

"Third brother, save me!"

As he spoke, he ran towards the door again, and just as he opened the door, he fell into an embrace, and a steady voice asked in his ear,

"Zhan Zhao, what game are you playing?"

Zhan Zhao over there was blocking Bai Yutang, when he saw Ji Yingci appearing at the door, he quickly turned around and said,

"No, no, Yutang and Yuehua are just playing around!"

"You stinky cat, you turned towards that hag, didn't you? You didn't see her..."

Zhan Zhao turned his head and whispered hastily,

"Yutang, stop messing around! My back hurts badly, you have to let my wound open again, don't you?"

Bai Yutang, who was holding Zhan Zhao's shoulder, immediately withdrew his hand when he heard the words, and asked eagerly,

"Cat, what's the matter, why did it hurt again? Let me see, let me see!"

Zhan Zhao winked at the door, and Bai Yutang finally noticed the smiling Ji Yingci and the blushing Ding Yuehua standing at the door, and said,

"Smelly girl, I will settle accounts with you another day!"

Zhan Zhao walked towards the door and said,

"Yingci, come in and sit down!"

Ji Yingci looked at Ding Yuehua and said,

"Miss Yuehua, hello!"

Seeing the elegant Ji Yingci calling her, Ding Yuehua lost his mind for a moment, then replied,

"Mr. Ji, hello!" Turning his head to look at Zhan Zhao, he said,

"Third brother, I'm going to see my mother, I'm leaving first." After finishing speaking, he ran away as if fleeing.

"Yingci, Yuehua didn't hit you just now, did she?"

Ji Yingci shook his head with a smile and said,

"I won't go in. Actually, I came to call you. Just now, the Su brothers and sisters have arrived, and I came to call you."

"Oh, really? Then we'll go with you. Yutang, let's go!"

Before he could take a step, Bai Yutang grabbed his hand and said to Ji Yingci,

"You go first, we will arrive later."

Ji Yingci thought he had something to say to Zhan Zhao alone, so he nodded knowingly and left.

"Yutang, what's wrong?" Zhan Zhao looked at him and asked.

"Cat, let me see your injury first, I'm worried."

Zhan Zhao smiled comfortably, and patted his shoulder,

"Let's go, I'm fine! Just to let you not be serious with Yuehua!"

Bai Yutang said bitterly,

"Smelly cat, are you lying to me?"

"Okay, Bai Wuye, it's my fault, let's go! Let's go, didn't you yell all afternoon, saying you want to see the beauties in Hangzhou? Hurry up!"

Just like that, Bai Yutang was dragged by Zhan Zhao to the front hall. Sure enough, before he got close, he heard laughter in the hall, and then a nice and soft Wu Nong said softly,

"Old lady, this is a sapphire necklace brought from Europe by my mother. According to Europeans, gemstones symbolize wealth, especially blue sapphires, which are particularly noble. My mother said that she has seen so many people , only you, old lady, are the most able to hold back this extravagance."

"Hey, old lady, look at how good Miss Su can talk, and she looks like the beauty who walked out of that painting, she really lives up to her reputation!" It was Aunt Gui's voice.

The boys in the hall were all laughing again, and suddenly when they saw Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang coming in, they all fell silent.Ding Wenju pointed to Zhan Zhao and said,

"Master Su, Miss Su, this is my third son, Zhan Zhao, and that is the second young master of the Shanghai Bai family, Yutang."

Zhan Zhao saw that sitting opposite Ding Wenju was a young man in a white suit with shiny hair combed. He seemed to be similar in age to the Ding Zhaolan brothers, but not as stable as the Ding brothers.Square face, straight and upright, not ugly, but not handsome either, looking at Zhan Bai and the other at the moment, suddenly smiled and said,

"The two brothers are really good-looking and temperamental!"

Zhan Zhao cupped his hands, and was about to speak when Bai Yutang's cold voice sounded first,

"Young Master Su is absurd. The friends and brothers who are here today are all dragons and phoenixes, and they will definitely accomplish a lot in the future! No matter how good the skin is, if you can't serve the country, how can you be called a good man!"

After speaking, he sat on the chair, and Zhan Zhao followed suit.

"Okay! Yutang is right!" Although Ouyang Chun was robbed by Bai Yutang several times, after getting along with him for a few days, he can see that Bai Yutang is a kind-hearted person who hates evil and doesn't like to be perfunctory and hypocritical. On the contrary, he admires him very much.

At this time, not only Ouyang Chun and the others were appreciative, but beside Su Yu, an extremely beautiful and elegant girl who was sitting facing Bai Yutang was also looking at him boldly.As soon as the two entered the living room, Su Hong began to carefully consider the two of them in her heart.