She is like a thief coveting someone else’s treasure.
The car finally drove into a suburban manor villa. The guard saw Jiang Huaixi’s car from afar, opened the gate, and nodded with a smile to greet Jiang Huaixi. After entering the gate, the car drove several dozen meters before entering the garage. There were dozens of cars parked in the garage, mostly traditional black and silver-gray colors, which were relatively low-key compared to the Jiang family’s mansion.
Lu Zizheng got out of the car and followed Jiang Huaixi. She took a deep breath as she looked at the expansive lawn in front of her and said self-mockingly to Jiang Huaixi, “It seems that I, Old Lady Lu, have finally entered the Grand View Garden.1 If I make any unusual or improper actions along the way, Miss Jiang, please don’t laugh at me.”
Jiang Huaixi chuckled lightly and said, “Although I was very dissatisfied with your attitude when we went to Juzhou during university, I am a magnanimous person and won’t stoop to your level. I will surely be a responsible tour guide for you.”
Lu Zizheng sighed and shook her head, “Why deceive yourself? If you were truly magnanimous, you wouldn’t have kept this in mind and mentioned it until now.”
Jiang Huaixi helped Lu Zizheng with two bags and led her towards the main house. Raising her eyebrows, she said, “That was my first time leaving Linzhou to visit another city, so it left a deep impression.”
Jiang Huaixi spoke lightly, but Lu Zizheng was extremely surprised. She had thought that someone of Jiang Huaixi’s background would have been accustomed to traveling and vacationing from a young age, familiar with both domestic and international tourist spots, and that her trip to Juzhou was just a whim, her curiosity about Juzhou merely based on wanting to challenge herself. She had not expected that it was Jiang Huaixi’s first trip that year. Thinking about it this way, the unpleasant experience and inadequate hospitality of that year made Lu Zizheng feel a bit embarrassed.
After hesitating slightly, Lu Zizheng invited, “Then when you are interested, shall I take you to Juzhou again?”
Jiang Huaixi only turned her head to glance at her and mercilessly refused, “What’s the point of visiting the same place twice?” Initially, she had not understood the knot in Lu Zizheng’s heart, only wanting to learn more about her. Over the years, she gradually understood that although Juzhou was Lu Zizheng’s hometown, the memories it left her were more painful than happy. If the first time was an unintentional offense, how could she give herself a second chance to hurt Lu Zizheng?
Lu Zizheng did not know Jiang Huaixi’s intricate thoughts. Hearing her flatly reject her goodwill, she was immediately annoyed, snorted lightly, and frowned, “If you don’t want to go, then forget it. Pretend I never said anything.” Jiang Huaixi had absolutely no sense of human sentiment and romance! Juzhou might not be a popular tourist city, but it was her hometown, more significant in memory than in fun.
Jiang Huaixi paused and then continued, “Let’s consider it as you owing me a trip. When it’s convenient, let’s go to Fengzhou together.” She remembered that when they worked at the university radio station, Lu Zizheng wrote scripts and she did the broadcasting. Lu Zizheng had written several times about the scenery and local customs of Fengzhou, revealing her longing for the place.
Lu Zizheng was still upset about Jiang Huaixi’s cold rejection earlier. Mimicking Jiang Huaixi’s refusal, she retorted stubbornly, “Not going. What’s so interesting about that remote town anyway?”
Jiang Huaixi frowned and imitated her in a calm voice, “Oh? Fine, then we won’t go. Pretend I never said anything.”
Lu Zizheng bit her lip, feeling even more unhappy. “Not going means not going.” This time, her tone was clearly more petulant. She started walking faster and soon overtook Jiang Huaixi.
Jiang Huaixi silently smiled, curling her lips slightly, and leisurely followed behind at an unhurried pace.
After turning a corner and stepping onto the path leading to the main house, Lu Zizheng could see from a distance that the villa’s large front door was wide open. A tall, elegant woman was standing in front of the door, looking intently at her and Jiang Huaixi.
Jiang Huaixi casually introduced, “That’s my mother.”
Lu Zizheng responded with an “Oh,” feeling a bit nervous and unconsciously slowed her pace.
Jiang Huaixi noticed and frowned slightly, seriously reminding her, “You’ve already seen my mother, but you’re deliberately walking so slowly. Hmm, my mother might think you’re being impolite.”
Lu Zizheng immediately quickened her steps.
Jiang Huaixi continued, “My mother believes that girls should be gentle and graceful, walking with an elegant and poised gait. If you walk so fast, my mother might not like that posture.”
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Lu Zizheng immediately slowed her steps. Her left foot slowed down, but her right foot was too fast to stop, and she nearly stumbled forward.
Jiang Huaixi, quick to react, reached out and steadied her, her face full of the familiar mischievous smile that Lu Zizheng knew well.
Lu Zizheng angrily slapped Jiang Huaixi’s hand away and exclaimed, “You did that on purpose!”
Jiang Huaixi withdrew her hand in pain, gasping, “Now my mother really saw it and is unhappy.”
Lu Zizheng straightened her posture, smiled naturally, and walked calmly. She replied coolly, “Let her see then. If your mother knew what you were doing, she would surely think you deserve a scolding.”
Jiang Huaixi rubbed the back of her hand, eyes full of laughter. Ha, it seemed she was no longer nervous and uneasy.
As the two walked to the front door and stepped onto the stairs, Mother Jiang took a few more steps forward, smiling warmly at Lu Zizheng and Jiang Huaixi.
Lu Zizheng raised her head and gave Mother Jiang a polite and graceful smile, discreetly observing her while waiting for Jiang Huaixi to introduce her before greeting.
Mother Jiang appeared to be around forty, with facial features somewhat resembling Jiang Huaixi’s, but her overall demeanor was much more gentle and elegant. It was evident that in her younger years, she must have been a beautiful woman admired by many.
Jiang Huaixi called out calmly, “Mom,” and then introduced, “Mom, this is Zizheng. Zizheng, this is my mom.”
Lu Zizheng then greeted politely, “Hello, Auntie.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Jiang Huaixi helped to hand over the gifts that Lu Zizheng had bought, saying, “These are gifts Zizheng brought for everyone. She wasn’t sure what everyone likes, so she put a lot of thought into choosing these.”
Lu Zizheng’s face turned slightly red, and she awkwardly handed over the bags she was holding with both hands.
Mother Jiang took the gifts with a smile and politely said to Lu Zizheng, “You didn’t have to bring gifts; just coming is enough. You’ve spent too much.” Then she stepped aside to let them in, saying, “Come in, come in.”
Both of them followed her inside. As they walked, Mother Jiang asked Jiang Huaixi with concern, “Have you had lunch yet?”
Jiang Huaixi responded in a calm voice, “Not yet…”
Mother Jiang was somewhat displeased and slightly frowned, saying, “Don’t you know how to take good care of your own body? You can’t just skip meals because you don’t feel well or don’t feel like eating.”
Jiang Huaixi listened quietly without responding.
The three of them sat down on the sofa by the window in the living room. Mother Jiang, still concerned that Jiang Huaixi hadn’t eaten lunch, softened her voice and gently persuaded her, “There’s still some time before dinner. How about I ask Aunt Zhou to make you some noodles to tide you over?”
Jiang Huaixi coldly declined, “No need to trouble yourself.”
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Mother Jiang sighed and finally remembered Lu Zizheng. She smiled and asked, “Zizheng, are you hungry? Would you like to eat something first?”
Lu Zizheng felt embarrassed and out of politeness, would definitely refuse. But she knew that if she agreed, Jiang Huaixi would likely eat something as well, which would please Mother Jiang. Just as she was hesitating to agree, Jiang Huaixi refused on her behalf, “Mom, you don’t need to worry about it.”
Mother Jiang was at a loss, frowned, and looked at Jiang Huaixi with displeasure.
Compared to Mother Jiang’s concern and thoughtfulness, Jiang Huaixi’s indifference was obvious. Lu Zizheng felt a bit surprised. She had thought that, judging by Jiang Huaixi’s attitude towards her mother, their relationship at home would be harmonious and joyful. Even Mother Lu had praised Jiang Huaixi several times, saying that it was a rare blessing to have such a considerate and polite daughter. Who would have thought that between Jiang Huaixi and her mother, there seemed to be an undercurrent of tension?
Just then, a servant entered the living room and said to Jiang Huaixi, “Miss, the old madam wants you to go to her room.”
Jiang Huaixi frowned slightly at the words and looked at Lu Zizheng with some concern.
Lu Zizheng gave her a reassuring smile, indicating she shouldn’t worry. Only then did Jiang Huaixi stand up and leave.
The living room was left with just Mother Jiang and Lu Zizheng, and neither of them spoke. For a moment, the atmosphere was eerily quiet. Mother Jiang was the first to break the silence, explaining her earlier actions, “Auntie was just worried about Huaixi and forgot to mention that Huaixi’s father and younger brother are still at the company and haven’t come back yet, so they didn’t come out to greet you. Don’t take it to heart, Zizheng.” She added, “Huaixi didn’t know what she ate at last night’s annual party, but she had a stomachache all night. She didn’t have breakfast this morning, and she didn’t eat lunch while running around outside. It’s really worrisome.”
Hearing this, Lu Zizheng frowned tightly as well. It was indeed very worrying. She carefully recalled and confirmed that she hadn’t noticed anything unusual about Jiang Huaixi when they were watching the fireworks last night. Could it have happened after the fireworks? Suddenly, she thought of the picture message Jiang Huaixi had sent her, showing an empty plate of dumplings…
Lu Zizheng couldn’t help but feel annoyed. That silly Jiang Huaixi.
As she was lost in thought, her gaze unconsciously locked onto the mulberry tree outside the window. Seeing her staring at it for a long time, Mother Jiang thought she was curious about the sudden appearance of a mulberry tree among the vast plum grove. She kindly explained, “Huaixi and Huaichuan planted that tree when they were young. When Huaichuan was in kindergarten, a little friend gave him two silkworms. He brought them home to raise with Huaixi. Without mulberry leaves to feed the silkworms, Huaichuan had to ask the little friend for some every day, or exchange toys, or agree to some conditions. Even if Huaichuan was reluctant, he agreed for the sake of the silkworms. Huaixi was not happy about it and told Huaichuan that when you have to ask others for something, you become dependent on them. They should be self-reliant and self-sufficient. So, the two of them planted a mulberry tree.”
Mother Jiang’s eyes were full of loving memories as she recalled the past, which Lu Zizheng could clearly see. She felt even more surprised by Jiang Huaixi’s attitude towards Mother Jiang.
Mother Jiang suggested, “Would you like to go to the back and have a look? When Huaixi was little, she used to study in the house behind the plum grove until she left home later.”
Lu Zizheng naturally nodded in agreement.
They went out the door and circled around to the plum grove behind the living room. Amidst the trees, they could see a white cottage behind. Walking along the pebble-paved path, they reached the front of the cottage.
Mother Jiang pointed to the cottage window and said with a smile, “When Huaichuan was little, he loved to cling to Huaixi. He finished kindergarten earlier, and as soon as he was done, he would run to find Huaixi. When Huaixi was in class, the door here was closed, so Huaichuan couldn’t get in. He would move a chair from the living room to here, stand on it, and greet Huaixi through the window.”
Lu Zizheng imagined such a scene and felt the warmth of their affection, smiling as she said, “Their relationship is really good…”
But Mother Jiang seemed to remember something, and the smile at the corner of her mouth slowly turned a bit bitter. She softly repeated, “Yes, back then their relationship was really good…”
It was as if she suddenly came back to her senses. She pointed to the small hill beside the cottage and said, “Over there is where Huaixi buried a dog she had raised since she was four years old. It died of illness when she was ten. Huaixi buried it beside the place she frequented most, afraid it would be lonely. She cried all night and stayed by the window, watching over it, refusing to sleep.”
Lu Zizheng found it hard to imagine such an emotional moment from Jiang Huaixi’s childhood. She suddenly felt a bit regretful that she didn’t have the chance to be part of Jiang Huaixi’s past.
Mother Jiang continued, “At that time, I thought that a girl who is so emotional might suffer in love later.” After saying this, she paused and looked at Lu Zizheng meaningfully. “Zizheng, as parents, we don’t ask for much from our children. All I’ve ever wanted for Huaixi is for her to be safe and sound, to find someone who understands and cares for her, and if she wishes, to have one or two children. To have grandchildren around and enjoy family happiness. Such expectations are not too much, are they?”
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That look made Lu Zizheng feel as if she had fallen into an ice cellar.
Mother Jiang looked at her with a beaming smile, her expression full of deeper meaning, her gaze intense: “Zizheng, can you fulfill such a simple wish for Auntie?”
At that moment, under Mother Jiang’s gaze, Lu Zizheng felt like a thief coveting someone else’s treasure, ashamed and unable to find a place to hide.
She shouldn’t have felt so ashamed and flustered. She had always maintained a friendship with Huaixi, never crossing any boundaries. But at this moment, under Mother Jiang’s subtle pressure, she realized how much she had been deceiving herself.
It was because of some inappropriate thoughts that she felt so ashamed and unable to face herself. It was like when she was in middle school, and Zhou Fangfan’s mother pointed at her own mother’s nose and shouted, “Keep an eye on your child, don’t let her lead others astray.” Her mother’s teeth ground together, making a grating sound, but she had no strength to argue.
At that time, Zhou Fangfan’s mother’s spit spattered on her face, even on her eyes. She endured it, not daring to wipe it off. That feeling lingered with her for a long, long time.
Just like now…
LP: Re-translated on August 10, 2024
Footnotes
- Grand View Garden (大观å›): This is a reference to the famous garden from the classic Chinese novel “Dream of the Red Chamber” by Cao Xueqin.