I am aging gracefully in the world of famous books

Pei Xiang and Leicester walked towards the audience seats while exchanging recent information.

There are many tourists on the road, and from time to time, vendors come to sell various small commodities, and children who are laughing and playing run past, and the two stop seven or eight times during the short distance.

Mrs. Dashwood and others did not go far, mainly because Sir John knew a lot of friends, and they always stopped to chat with acquaintances.

Lester's appearance was warmly welcomed by everyone, and while they were greeting each other, Pei Xiang walked to a bench under the shade and sat down.Her shoes don't fit well today, and her toes hurt after walking too much.

At this time, a little girl came over with a big flower basket, and timidly asked Pei Xiang if he wanted to buy some flowers to wear on his body.

Pei Xiang saw that the little girl was sweating profusely in the sun, and her lips were dry and slightly peeled, so she asked the price of each flower with a smile, and then lowered her head to pick out a dozen flowers from the basket. The flowers are so perfect, she said she likes them very much.

The little girl looked at the delicate fresh flowers left in the basket, and knew that the lady in front of her was helping her.She said thank you sweetly, and her clear blue eyes instantly turned into crescent moons.

Pei Xiang opened his handbag to look for some change. At this moment, a deep and elegant male voice suddenly came from his ears.

"I have enough change here. Little girl who sells flowers, these are money for buying flowers, here you are."

Pei Xiang looked up, and saw Aldrich Deville standing on the other side of the bench, with some coins in the palm of his left hand, planning to pay for her purchases.

The little flower seller didn't immediately take the coin from the black-haired gentleman's hand, but looked up at Pei Xiang.

Pei Xiang nodded to the little girl, and the girl happily took the money, thanked Aldrich, and ran away with the flower basket.

"Thank you, Mr. Deville."

"Hands up."

Pei Xiang frowned, and did not say any more polite words, nor did he mention the matter of returning the money to Aldrich.

Because this is really a small amount of expense, if it is returned in a serious manner, it will seem rude and impolite. It is better to return some small gifts within the scope of friendship in the future.

"Mr. Deville, did you come with Mr. Sissel? I didn't see you just now."

"No, I didn't go with Lester this time."

After the black-haired man answered briefly, he stopped talking.If Pei Xiang didn't continue to look for topics, the conversation between the two would have come to an end.

Pei Xiang blinked her eyes, and said to herself, I really can't see that this person is in love with her.

Aldridge pursed his lips. He just saw Pei Xiang leave the crowd and sit down on the bench under the tree, so he couldn't help pacing over.He wanted to turn around and leave after taking a few close glances, but he found her buried in money.

In fact, Aldrich felt that the change in Pei Xiang's handbag should be enough, because this girl has always been more careful. Of course, even if she really forgot to bring the change, she could call the eldest sister not far away for help.

However, Aldrich's hand suddenly stopped listening to the brain's command, and even handed out the coin first.

Then, he heard her say thank you, heard her mention Lester, and he returned rationally, remembering that he should keep his distance.

Aldrich thought with some dejection that with his indifferent attitude and boring words, in her mind, he was probably an ordinary friend who didn't have much contact with each other, and he was not as impressed as Lester.

——That's... very good.

Not far away, Leicester seemed to have heard his friend's whispers. He had just finished arguing with Sir John, Colonel Brandon and others about which horse was most likely to win the championship today, when he suddenly noticed of a man and a woman.

That picture is really beautiful, the lady is as beautiful as a flower, the gentleman is handsome and upright, the two eyes meet, the atmosphere is harmonious, as if they are independent from the crowd.

Lester groaned and touched his chin, thinking that his friend had met such a girl he liked all these years, but he still hesitated for some reason, should he do something to push her?

So, when Aldridge wanted to say goodbye, Lester walked across the path, and he said loudly with a smile on his face:

"Aldrich, you are here, where is your cousin? Didn't you say you want to come with him?"

"George met his university professor. The two have something to talk about, about setting up a laboratory. I'll come over first."

"How is George? Is he still the same, absorbed in the quiet life in the country and his research experiments?"

"Yes, it's still the same. So my aunt used various methods to force him to participate in this year's social season."

Lester showed an expected expression, and began to pave the way for the next proposal:

"In this way, based on what I know about your cousin, the conversation between him and that professor will definitely not be short-lived. Maybe the horse race is over, and they are still talking about it."

Aldridge was about to answer, when he suddenly thought that Pei Xiang didn't know his cousin yet, and she would definitely be at a loss to listen to his conversation with Lester at this time.So, Aldrich turned his head and introduced to Pei Xiang:

"The man Lester and I were just talking about was my cousin, Georges Messina. He was my aunt's youngest son, and after college he started a scientific journal reading and contributed to it himself."

Pei Xiang smiled and nodded. She felt Aldrich's hidden tenderness and thoughtfulness, and her mood was a little complicated.

Lester was a little speechless. He really couldn't understand why Aldrich would introduce another young gentleman to his sweetheart in detail. Could it be that he still thinks that this lady doesn't have enough suitors?

There was a Colonel Brandon before, and today he discovered a glib Willoughby, and at this time, Aldrich pushed out the young and rich George Messina, so aren't you afraid of another rival in love?

"Aldridge, my friend, according to the usual experience, George is very likely to miss today's game. He talks about his research and has no intention of returning to the scene to watch the game. If you want me to say, you might as well give up The previously reserved audience seats, stay with those of us who are not obsessed with academic research."

Aldrich was a little moved, but he still shook his head, regretfully rejecting Lester's proposal.

Seeing the two gentlemen chatting happily, Pei Xiang got up and left the green bench holding the freshly bought flowers.

She walked in the direction of Elinor and other unmarried ladies, preparing to distribute the fragrant and beautiful bouquet in her hand, hoping to dispel some heat and leave some lingering fragrance.

Seeing Pei Xiang get up and leave without hesitation, Lester Sissel felt anxious for his friend. He repeatedly persuaded Aldrich to "abandon" his cousin and stay here, with an extremely eager attitude.

In order not to be shaken by Leicester, Aldrich asked aloud:

"Are you going to sit with Sir John and the others later? What about the seat you booked... what about the people who came with you?"

"She is naturally accompanied by her friends. Moreover, the male servant can arrange everything clearly, and the maid can also take care of people. It's the same if I can't get through."

Hearing that Aldrich was secretly ahead of Lisa, Lester immediately remembered the thing that made him angry before, and the smile on his face faded. He complained to Aldrich:

"I guess we're going to break up again. Why do they always want more things? It's clearly been discussed at the beginning."

Aldrich didn't want to discuss the issue of Leicester's lover in a place where people came and went, so he changed the topic calmly and said:

"Just as long as you know it in your heart, by the way, have you seen Paddington these two days?"

"Not really. The last time I saw him was the night we played cards at the Bartley Club."

Thinking of the experience three days ago, Lester's emotions rose again:

"It was such a joy to win that night, I don't think there's a more caring partner in the world than Paddington."

Aldridge neither echoed this point of view nor denied it, he just said lightly:

"I will be away from London for a while. So, if you see Mr. Paddington again recently, remember to tell him, I know he is interested in some factories in the north, and I happen to have some investments and contacts there, It can help him find several reliable partners."

Lester was taken aback for a moment, and then he understood: "You want to thank Paddington for arresting Rhodes?"

Aldridge responded lightly.

"However, our relationship with Paddington is getting closer and closer. I don't think it's necessary to make the calculation so clear. If you give benefits in such a hurry, it will make Paddington feel alienated."

"No, he knows the relationship between me and him, and he also knows the main reason why I don't want to owe him favors. You just need to convey my meaning clearly."

"Do you have any special relationship with him?" Lester was very puzzled.

"It will be gone soon." Aldridge touched his chest subconsciously, with a firm tone.

Lester frowned and thought about his good friend's words for a while, only to find that the words were clouded and misty, and there was a strange feeling of being mysterious.

"Well, although I'm very curious, I know that if you don't want to tell, it's useless for me to ask. However, I believe that one day in the future, I will definitely be able to figure out what is hidden between you and Paddington Little secret."

Aldridge glanced at his friend expressionlessly, intending to bid farewell and leave.

"Hey, wait, Aldrich, I almost forgot one thing."

"what's up?"

"Didn't I just say that Lisa and I were angry? Actually, um, there are some reasons for you. "

"I can't think of a specific connection."

"To be honest, I never thought Lisa would do that before I got here."

"I can hear the simple ins and outs, Leicester, given the game is about to start."

"Okay, okay, I'll just say it briefly."

Lester spread his hands, and no longer kept a secret.

"I promised to go out with Lisa to watch the horse race, but I didn't expect that when the carriage that picked Lisa was parked outside the racetrack, among the women who came down from it were not only Lisa and the maid, but also a A young girl I have never met.

"I naturally wanted to ask who the girl was, so Lisa told me that the girl was called Rebecca, and she was the adopted daughter of Mrs. Betty.

"After Mrs. Betty's accident, Rebecca had nowhere to go, so she asked Mrs. Dura, and then she met Lisa through Mrs. Dura. I don't know what she promised to Lisa, so that Lisa promised to take her Keep it with you and wait for the right opportunity."

"Chance?"

"Yes, Aldrich, that Rebecca would like to see you and have a talk with you."

Hearing this, Aldrich's brows gathered together, and his face was a little cold.

"See me? Do you want to intercede with Mrs. Betty? There is no room for turning back. You can refuse for me. I won't see that Rebecca."

Lester naturally understood his friend's temper, he pinched the bridge of his nose:

"I refused it for you at the time. But that Rebecca said she knew where the missing violet crystal necklace was. If you would see her and listen to her, she would tell the whereabouts of the necklace."

Aldrich was very puzzled: "Listen to what she said? Does she want to exchange news about the necklace for benefits? Then tell you directly, as long as the conditions are reasonable, I will agree."

These words caused a sneer to appear in Lester's eyes. Of course, this sarcasm was not aimed at Aldrich, but at that Rebecca.

"Do you think I didn't tell you? But that Rebecca was very stubborn and insisted on seeing you. If you don't agree to meet, she will neither tell her conditions nor tell the whereabouts of the necklace." .”

"If that's the case, then let's see it." Aldrich's brows flicked with a trace of seriousness, "Even if she is whimsical and wants to avenge her adoptive mother, Mrs. Betty, it depends on whether she has the ability."

Lester: "..."

——Did I think it was simple?I, I thought that Rebecca wanted to take the opportunity to throw herself into her arms. Yuan, is it so dangerous?