Golden Pink Building

Qingqiu's face was flushed by the wind all the way, she saw a very unfamiliar lady standing in the yard, she thought it was a guest at home.Mrs. Leng complained and said: "You go out in the morning, when do you come back! But it's freezing! This is Mr. Bai's mother next door. Hurry up and say hello."

Bai Shaoyi's mother, Qingqiu, listened to her mother's words, and felt nervous for no reason. Fortunately, she was a temper that was flattering, so she gave the things in her hands to Han's mother. Qingqiu calmed down, stepped forward and bowed to Mrs. Bai, softly Said softly: "Hello, Mrs. Bai." Seeing Qingqiu's demeanor, Mrs. Bai has long fallen in love with Qingqiu's dignity and gentleness. She likes to hold Qingqiu's hand for a while, and pull it to her eyes for a closer look: "Oh, Mrs. Leng, you are so lucky. , gave birth to such a beautiful daughter. It is an eye-opener that there are such exquisite girls in the world. What is your name and how old are you this year? I have never had a daughter in my life. If you can be my daughter, I will But if I want to dream, I want to wake up laughing." Mrs. Bai is from everyone. In Jin Quan's life, there are only two Jin Ying and Jin Quan in the Jin family. As the only daughter, she has always been raised by her cousin Jin Quan as a boy grow up.

When the old ladies and grandmas of the Jin family went out to meet people, Jin Ying was always accompanied by family members who came to visit Jin Ying. Since she was a child, she had an exquisite temperament, and she spoke and behaved freely.After waiting to get married, she became the wife of a diplomat with her husband, and her experience in the social field became more mellow and deep.Mrs. Leng is a very honest person. Although Qingqiu is quick-witted, but the girl's family is not too presumptuous in front of outsiders. Thanks to Mrs. Bai's long-sleeved skills, the scene can be harmonious and not cold.Qingqiu graciously let Mrs. Bai take her hand into the room and sat down. Mrs. Leng said modestly: "Mrs. Bai, don't praise her, she's just a fluffy girl, she's making madam laugh."

Mrs. Leng asked Han Ma to serve tea, but when the curtain was lifted, Han Ma came in with a dustpan full of briquettes: "Madam, it's time to add briquettes to the stove outside. I'll make tea later." Except for the luxurious mansions in Beijing, most of them are heated by raw coal stoves. Therefore, every household in the capital city has a stove in the morning in winter, which has become a big sight.As soon as Han Ma put down the briquettes in the dustpan, the main room became a world of smoke and dust.Mrs. Leng wanted to scold Mama Han for being ignorant. She looked at Mrs. Bai's British woolen coat and the otter fur collar on the collar, and said apologetically, "Mama Han never thinks about things. If Madam doesn't mind, let's go in and have a sit. It’s warmer than outside.” As she said that, Mrs. Leng stood up and pointed to Xibian’s room with a green curtain hung with flowers. Mrs. Bai guessed that it was Qingqiu’s house. Excuse me." Qingqiu stood at the door and smiled, and opened the curtain himself: "It's not tidy inside, please don't make jokes about the mess." Madam Bai can't wait to go in and see Qingqiu's boudoir, a girl's room can best see her How is your character?Mrs. Bai already liked Qingqiu's behavior, and she liked her even more coyly when she invited herself in.She supported Mrs. Leng and said, "I just found out that Mrs. Leng just recovered from a serious illness. I will help you walk slowly."

Mrs. Leng glanced at Han Ma. Han Ma pretended to be innocent and poured coal balls into the stove with a dustpan. One of the characteristics of old mothers is that they like to gossip about the owner's right and wrong, especially Han Ma. Let me tell you everything first. "My health is much better. Speaking of it, I have to thank Mr. Bai. If it weren't for his help, I wouldn't know what to do." Mrs. Leng and Mrs. Bai went inside.

It smells so good, what kind of incense is in it?I have never smelled such a good smell in France.Mrs. Bai couldn't help admiring him when he came in. There was a smell like orchid and musk in Qingqiu's room. I couldn't tell whether it was the smell of high-end perfume or the smell of high-quality agarwood. It smelled refreshing and refreshing. All very comfortable.Mrs. Leng didn't notice it at all. She said nonchalantly, "How can a family like us have spare money to buy perfume for our children? Probably the daffodils bloomed a few days ago. The room is warm and the daffodils are blooming pretty well."

Qingqiu moved the chair in front of the embroidery stand for Mrs. Bai to sit on, and Mrs. Leng sat casually beside her daughter's bed. This wing room is not big, and there is a canopy bed against the west wall, with a light green curtain hanging on it. Although it is also made of silk, it has been hanging for a long time.The quilts on the bed were all very simple, but they were washed clean and neatly placed on the bed.Mrs. Bai looked at Qingqiu's boudoir calmly. One wall was full of large bookshelves filled with books, and next to the window was a small desk with stationery and a few books neatly placed on it. Spread out on the table, Mrs. Bai looked like they were all in block letters with walnuts, and the Buddhist scriptures were written in beautiful fonts.There is an embroidery stand under the window root, and the embroidered parts are covered with a handkerchief to prevent the dust from the stove from falling on it.

There were a few silk threads hanging on the embroidery frame, and a few colors were missing inside, Madam Bai guessed that Qingqiu must have gone out to buy silk threads just now.Just thinking about going over to see Qingqiu's sewing, she saw Qingqiu coming in with a small tea tray: "Mother Han is busy adding coal, so she has no time to pour tea. I poured two cups of tea. Madam Bai, please drink tea."

Jin Ying took the teacup from Qingqiu's hand. Although it was a fine porcelain cup, it had been used for a long time and the glaze on it was not bright. Fortunately, it was cleaned. Mrs. Bai brought the cup close to her nose and sniffed the fragrance of tea lightly. : "It's really fragrant tea. What kind of tea is this? I've drank a lot of tea before, and it's not as fragrant as that kind of tea." Mrs. Leng said with a smile: "What kind of good thing is that? It's just a big bag of scented tea. There is nothing good to entertain at home, don't laugh at me."

Mrs. Bai tasted it carefully, and said in surprise: "I haven't drunk our country's tea for many years abroad. This tea is scented tea, but the flower fragrance is not particularly obvious, but it has a sweet and mellow taste. I remembered it. I remember when I was a child and My family went to play by the West Lake and drank tea by the Hupao Spring, and it was so sweet. Could it be that you used the high-quality spring water to make tea?"

The water from half of the wells in Beijing is only bitter water. No one likes to drink it and can only use it to wash clothes. If the water from the sweet wells is sold by the barrel, the more particular people will pay for the water from Yuquan Mountain. Come and drink.Mrs. Bai thought it might be because the Leng family has always been very particular about drinking tea, especially buying water from Yuquan Mountain for tea. "It's not the water from Yuquan Mountain in Xishan, it's the snow water collected from wintersweet flowers in the yard a few days ago." Although the yard of Leng's family is small, Mrs. Leng and Qingqiu are people full of interest in life. There were also many swollen ones, and a wintersweet flower bloomed right outside Qingqiu's window.

Mrs. Bai held her teacup and nodded, thinking to herself that the mother and daughter of the Leng family are really interesting. Although life is difficult, there is no resentment or resentment on their faces. The two are calm and calm.Shaoyi's kid has a good eye, but the girl from the Leng family is so outstanding, she must be proud.The Leng family probably wouldn't easily agree to the marriage because of the power and wealth of the Bai family. She should always grasp the Leng family's thoughts and marry this good girl back as a daughter-in-law.

Madam Bai made up her mind, the more she looked at Qingqiu, the more she felt that she liked it, she took advantage of the small talk to read Qingqiu's handwriting and needlework, and praised Qingqiu's ingenuity full of praise: "This handwriting is really good! Today's girls still put their minds on needlework, Qingqiu can sit still, it's really rare." Mrs. Bai kept praising Qingqiu, holding her hand and refusing to let go.Although Mrs. Leng was proud of her daughter being praised, she didn't know what the reason for Mrs. Bai's visit was, so she could only echo from the sidelines: "You praise her too much, a little child can't afford to be a family." Praise. She helps people copy some Buddhist scriptures at home during the holidays to cultivate her morality. She can write such good words at her age. Madam is well-informed, and her little ability is not worth mentioning."

Mrs. Bai looked at Mrs. Leng very seriously: "Mrs. Leng, I am not exaggerating at all. The girl is indeed attractive. By the way, Qingqiu is not young anymore. Do you have any plans for her in the future? The girl will always be happy when she grows up. is to marry."

Mrs. Leng and Qingqiu were stunned, Qingqiu's heart moved, could it be that Bai Shaoyi told the family something?Is Mrs. Bai here to have a showdown with their family today?Mrs. Leng has been pulling her daughter all these years by herself, and she is also very sensitive about the world. Compared with the seventh young master of the Jin family, Bai Shaoyi is much better, but there is still some concern. She is a wealthy family, what should her daughter do if she is wronged when she marries? ?Or Mrs. Bai didn't agree with the two of them being together when she came in, but she didn't say it clearly to save face for the Leng family.Thinking of this, Mrs. Leng more and more believes that Mrs. Bai is here to express her opinion and not to ask Bai Shaoyi to associate with Qingqiu. "I only have this one girl, so naturally I don't want her to suffer a little grievance. Besides, Qiu'er is still young, and she only wants to go to college. There are still four years left. Let's wait until she graduates." Mrs. Leng said that she didn't want to Even if her daughter is wronged, she doesn't want to settle Qingqiu's life now.

Listening to Mrs. Bai's words, Qingqiu couldn't help but tighten her heart, but she couldn't intervene in such words, so she could only go out quietly to avoid it.Mrs. Bai didn't expect Mrs. Leng to be wrong, so she couldn't help being a little anxious.If things go wrong, my son might feel sad.If he was angry and left the country without marrying for the rest of his life, he would be a fool.Mrs. Bai was busy explaining: "I really like your girl—" before she could finish speaking, she heard Han's mother shouting outside: "Mr. Bai, your old lady is at our house!" Bai Shaoyi came back, and Han's mother happened to be there He heard the sound from the other side when he took something under the wall, and shouted through the wall.

Mrs. Leng sighed helplessly: "Madam Bai, we are all mothers. I only have one daughter. Naturally, I am cautious and worried that she will be wronged. As for the marriage of children, it depends on God's will and fate. The situation of our family I've seen it too, I really don't dare to think about Gao Pan's words, I just hope that the child can have a smooth life."

Mrs. Bai understood Mrs. Leng's meaning, she smiled and said: "I understand what you mean, I think the girl is a lucky person, you will have a good life in the future." Voice: "Mother Han, this is for your wife. Is she in good health?" Mrs. Bai and Mrs. Leng came out, put coal balls in the stove outside, and the flames rose high, and fell from the table in the living room The dust was wiped off.Qingqiu was slowly wiping the glass cover of the clock with a rag.As soon as the curtain of the gate was lifted, Bai Shaoyi stood at the door with a bunch of things in his hands: "I stopped by Tongrentang and bought some nourishing body ointment."

Qingqiu took a rag to look at Bai Shaoyi and didn't say a word, just looked at the mother and Mrs. Bai who came out, Mrs. Leng quickly declined: "I haven't thanked Mr. Bai yet, how can I ask you to spend money. We can't take any more things. "

Mrs. Bai looked at her son's uneasy face, smiled secretly and pleaded for him: "If I knew that Mrs. Leng was recovering from a serious illness, I should have prepared a gift in advance and came to the door. My son can live with you next door. Please don't bother you. What he does is what he should do, you just accept it with peace of mind, and he will trouble you sometimes in the future." With that, Mrs. Bai and Mrs. Leng said goodbye and left with their son.

Before leaving, Mrs. Bai looked at Qingqiu and said with a smile: "It's fine if you like quietness, but being bored at home in winter is not good for your health. I'll come pick you up when you're free and talk to your mother over there, okay?"

Seeing the mother's expression, Qingqiu was thinking about how to respond, Bai Shaoyi was worried about Qingqiu's embarrassment, and hurriedly rescued her: "She has a lot of homework, so Mom thought everyone was going out to play every day like Sister Xiuzhu?"

Mrs. Bai glanced at her son, and said sourly: "My girl is from the Department of Chinese, you, a professor of the law school, know a lot." Saying this, Mrs. Bai and Mrs. Leng Qingqiu said goodbye, and dragged their son away.

Bai Shaoyi was dragged home by her mother, and saw her mother calling her aunt excitedly: "The girl from Leng's family is nice, I want to settle the marriage as soon as possible. It's just that the marriage can't be sloppy, and someone should come to propose marriage. I personally came to the door and stared straight at the reason why he married his daughter. You help me find a matchmaker. If you can speak well, it will be very decent. It’s easy to say that we underestimated her.”

Mrs. Jin thought about it and said: "I think I should ask the minister under the Prime Minister to go over and say something. By the way, Ms. Leng's uncle is in the Narcotics Control Agency. I just ask their director to propose a marriage. I think it will be possible! In fact, Shaoyi's marriage It should be that the uncle came to propose marriage, but if the prime minister is called, it seems that we are using power to suppress others."

Mrs. Bai looked at her son who was sitting on the sofa, and smiled narrowly: "I don't think he might like our Shaoyi, so I might as well use her power to overwhelm him once, and please brother come."

Bai Shaoyi became anxious when he heard his mother's words. He knew very well that Qingqiu was an unruly character, and what he hated the most was when others used power to suppress her.If Jin Quan is really moved out, maybe it will make Qingqiu anxious, and she will really reject herself.Bai Shaoyi couldn't care about anything else, and made a pitiful and begging expression to her mother. Mrs. Bai pointed to her son and Mrs. Jin and said goodbye before hanging up the phone.

"Looking at your distraught appearance, you really forgot about your mother before you got married. I want to send a telegram to your father and tell him that he has only one son, you should take care of him. I am preparing for your marriage here, but people How warm is the girl to you? Why don't you go and pursue others when you are free at home, and they don't agree when you propose a marriage. See where your face is placed!" Mrs. Bai shabby her son and encouraged him to pursue Qingqiu.

Bai Shaoyi slumped on the sofa helplessly: "I'm also very confused, she has always treated me indifferently. I can't stay at Leng's house all day!"

"Then you stay next door to their house. By the way, there is a lantern festival on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. I have several tickets here. You invite them to go out for a walk. I will help you convince Mrs. Leng!" Mrs. Bai gave The son made suggestions and encouraged him to take the initiative.

In the next few days, the Leng family suddenly discovered that Bai Shaoyi or Bai Shaoyi's servants often came to disturb him from time to time.It's either that the firewood they chop is damp and can't start the fire, or there is something missing, so I have to come here to find it.Mrs. Leng is naturally willing to help her neighbors, and Bai Shaoyi, with the help of Leng's family, pays more attention to reciprocity.If I borrow something today, I will definitely come to visit with a small gift tomorrow to thank you.Mrs. Leng originally wanted to decline this, but it's the custom in the capital that the neighbors have a good relationship and they always stay close.Bai Shaoyi's visit was naturally a good intention, and besides, Bai Shaoyi was very tactful, he just came to thank her, said some kind words to Mrs. Leng, and then left.Mrs. Leng saw that Bai Shaoyi behaved well and handled things well, and her worries about Bai Shaoyi gradually disappeared.She thought to herself that her daughter is not young anymore, although she is still in school, many people have come to propose marriage.She came here because she was reluctant to part with her daughter, and Qingqiu hadn't finished her studies yet, so it was not suitable for her to start a family too early.It's just that the girl's family is the most important thing in her life. Bai Shaoyi doesn't have the manners of a son-in-law, she treats people kindly, and Mrs. Bai is a very kind person. If Qingqiu can marry into their family, she can rest assured.

So Mrs. Leng became attentive to Bai Shaoyi's attitude, booing and inquiring about Bai Shaoyi's warmth and persuading him to sit for a while every time he came.Bai Shaoyi couldn't feel the change in Mrs. Leng's attitude, and he even came to Leng's house for a walk when he had nothing to do.

That day Qingqiu was doing needlework in front of the embroidery frame, listening to her mother talking to Bai Shaoyi outside. "Hi aunt, are you going out? It's rare that the weather is fine today, and you need to go out for a walk, but you are in good health, so you need to wear more. The sequelae of tetanus is chills." Bai Shaoyi asked Mrs. Leng what she was doing. I thought of it all.

"Mr. Bai is here. Over there, Mrs. Zhang asked me to help make rice cakes. People in the north make rice cakes differently from those in the south. Mrs. Zhang thinks the rice cakes in the south are more delicious. She asked me to go over and help. Exit. It is our honor for you to come, why do you have to bring something every time?" Mrs. Leng enthusiastically let Bai Shaoyi into the room.

"A little gadget. A friend from Fujian sent me a lot of daffodils yesterday, all of which were uncarved. Where can I use so many by myself? I heard that Mrs. Leng is a master at carving daffodils. I bring them to you. It also complements each other perfectly. Since you want to go out, I won't bother you." Bai Shaoyi made a gesture to leave, but Mrs. Leng inadvertently called into the room: "Qiu'er, Mr. Bai is here. Didn't you say yesterday that you have a question and you want to consult Bai? Sir?" Mrs. Leng said to Mama Han, "I'm going to Mrs. Zhang's house across the street, and you are here to greet Mr. Bai."

Bai Shaoyi wished that Mrs. Leng would keep him. Hearing that Mrs. Leng deliberately released water, she felt happy, but Qingqiu was lukewarm towards Bai Shaoyi. She didn't come out, and she couldn't go in. It came out from the inside: "Mom just go, Han Ma please ask Mr. Bai to come in."

Bai Shaoyi's eyes lit up when she heard Qingqiu's voice, and she hurried in. Mother Han couldn't keep up with Bai Shaoyi's pace because of her big unbound feet.Opening the curtain of the west room, Bai Shaoyi only felt a scent coming.He can be regarded as a frequent visitor to Leng's family, but he hasn't entered Qingqiu's room yet, Qingqiu is sitting in front of the embroidery frame under the window, looking at him with a half-smile.Han Ma came in and put the freshly brewed tea on the table, especially brought a square stool in front of Qingqiu.Bai Shaoyi thanked Han Ma and sat down with a teacup.

Waiting for Han Ma to leave, Bai Shaoyi suddenly didn't know what to say to Qingqiu.He held the cup and looked at her stupidly. Today, Qingqiu is wearing a light pink, semi-new and old silk padded jacket with no skirt underneath, a pair of black fine woolen trousers, and her long hair is casually tied into a bun. , there is no trace of makeup on the face, but the whole person is as otherworldly as the narcissus on the windowsill. "It's the Chinese New Year, sir, why are you still living here? This year is different from previous years. Mrs. Bai is back. Your old man is in the officialdom. During the Chinese New Year, he welcomes and sees you off. There are a lot of entertainments. Sir, he is here alone. .” Qingqiu seemed to be mocking Bai Shaoyi for hiding away and leaving everything to her mother.

Bai Shaoyi was stabbed in the heart by Qingqiu, and she was perfunctory with a guilty conscience: "Well, in fact, my mother can handle it alone. It's getting in the way if I stay with her. My father hasn't come back yet, and there are not so many things at home. Many, I can't really close the door and not go out to meet people for entertainment. It's quiet here, and I can just concentrate on studying. You see, our alley is very quiet, there are few people setting off firecrackers, and no one will come to disturb you. I am a person I don’t like to be interrupted while reading, when I was studying outside, I went to the countryside in summer, and I could spend a whole day by the lake with a book.” Bai Shaoyi used the universal excuse of learning.

"But Mr. Bai seems to have a lot of things these days. If you don't have one, you're missing that. I see that Mrs. Bai is a well-managed person, and you are her only son. Mr. lives outside alone, why Mrs. Bai sent you a servant who wrote three books and two books to serve you? Instead, she asked you to come forward to borrow this and that from the neighbors. It was a good delay for Mr. Bai's quiet research and learning, and he couldn't even take others with him. Quiet. You said just now that you like to read books without being disturbed, but this will backfire. I think Mr. Bai should go home, so as not to delay your research." Qingqiu teased Bai Shaoyi, with a face Seriously.

Bai Shaoyi was choked up by Qingqiu's words, and approached Qingqiu with a random playful smile: "I really want to borrow something, I just want to come and see you. It's boring to read alone, I miss you bored at home all day long What should I do if I get bored. So I tried to change the way to tell you to relax. If you drive me home, it’s not easy for me to do business. You think it’s the Chinese New Year, even if my father doesn’t come back, things at home don’t Less, my mother can still drive me out, and you should understand her intentions. I want to ask you something, what do you think about me?"

Qingqiu didn't expect Bai Shaoyi to follow her directly to a showdown and confess his love, and his face flushed immediately, these days getting along with Bai Shaoyi not far or near, how could she not know Bai Shaoyi's thoughts.The last time I saw Mrs. Bai, Bai Shaoyi was looking for something to do, and Qingqiu subconsciously didn't want to think about those things.Faced with emotional problems again, she was a little timid.But it's useless to escape, and the time for the showdown has come.

Qingqiu lowered her head and said nothing, Bai Shaoyi's hot eyes were fixed on her all the time, the hot eyes could burn her skin even through the cotton-padded clothes.The air in the room froze, Bai Shaoyi seemed like a gambler waiting for his fate to be judged, Qingqiu slowly raised his head, and took a deep look at Bai Shaoyi, just as she was about to speak, she heard someone calling Qingqiu's name outside: "Is Leng Qingqiu at home?" ? I'm Ouyang Yujian."

Ouyang Yujian's sudden arrival was like a stone thrown from a peaceful sleep, and the frozen atmosphere disappeared instantly.Bai Shaoyi has never found Ouyang Yujian so annoying, but Qingqiu stood up abruptly as if at a straw: "Mother Han, look who is here!"

Before Qingqiu could stand still, Bai Shaoyi suddenly stretched out his arms to support the embroidery frame, he wrapped Qingqiu between his body and the embroidery frame, his face was almost touching Qingqiu's cheek, he moved close to Qingqiu's ear Bian asked in a low voice: "Your mother asked me to come over for dinner tomorrow, what kind of tea do you want?" According to the rules in the south, when the man comes to propose marriage, he must bring tea.

Qingqiu heard that Han Mama invited Ouyang Yujian to come in, she glared at Bai Shaoyi, and spat in a low voice: "Bah, you are so shameless! Who cares about your tea. Han Mama has to pick and choose velvet flowers for a long time, let alone a Great living!" Saying that, Qingqiu pushed Bai Shaoyi away, opened the curtain and went out.

Bai Shaoyi stood stupidly for a while, feeling the flavor of Qingqiu's words, although she didn't agree, but she didn't even refuse. "Choosing," Bai Shaoyi's eyes lit up, and she smiled foolishly. It turned out that she was worried about herself and wanted to investigate.Bai Shaoyi caught a glimpse of Qingqiu's coat hanging on the clothes rack. Hearing the conversation between Qingqiu and Ouyang Yujian in the yard, she quickly picked up her coat: "Qingqiu, go out and put on your coat, it's freezing carefully!"