007 Dreaming of the Jiangnan Water Town Again (1)

Flowers fade, and willows sway on the shore. Once more, I'm lost in dreams of the mist - veiled waterways in the South of the Yangtze River. Gently rowing the orchid - shaped boat in the pattering rain, who still recalls the allure?

Xizi City is a paradise of natural splendor, boasting lush green mountains and enchanting waters. Mother was born in this idyllic city. Growing up by the West Lake, Mother had skin as smooth as creamy silk, eyebrows as dark as the distant, mysterious mountains, a delicate nose like a flawless piece of jade, and cherry - red lips. She spoke in a soft, lilting local dialect. With her delicate visage and slender figure, Mother formed a perfect contrast and harmony when standing beside Father, who was rugged and bold.

Such a gentle and beautiful mother, Ming Xichen could never link her to that shocking, movie - worthy plot - "running away from a wedding engagement!"

This was something Father took pride in all his life. Mother fled during the engagement banquet. Of course, the story was full of twists and turns, but it eventually ended in a perfect union. Mother married Father, who was handsome, carefree, and well - liked by everyone.

Chu Tian, Ming Xichen's grandfather, was furious, and the consequences were dire. He announced in the newspaper that he had severed the father - daughter relationship. Mother lived in the military compound beside the Sun Island in the beautiful Ice City for over twenty years and never once returned to Xizi City during that long span.

When Ming Xichen decided to go to Xizi, Mother gave her the address of Uncle's family. She had occasionally heard Mother talk about Uncle, a man three years older than Mother who doted on her immensely. Mother had a photo of herself and Uncle. In the photo, Uncle looked like a fresh - faced teenager, with delicate and handsome features. The photo had faded and turned a soft yellow with the passage of time. On the rare occasions when Xichen asked Mother for Uncle's phone number, Mother's expression would instantly turn frosty, and she never asked again after that. In her mind, Uncle had always been that young, innocent boy, smiling brightly while slinging his arm around his much shorter younger sister.

Mother said that she also had a cousin, Chu Rui, Uncle's adopted son. Originally, Uncle had a son, but the child passed away when he was two years old. It seemed that Auntie's health was extremely poor, so they later adopted a three - year - old boy from an orphanage.

When asked about her grandparents, Mother didn't want to say much. She summed it up in one sentence: Grandfather had a fiery temper, while Grandmother was gentle. Mother wrapped up the story of the entire Chu family in just the time it took to drink a cup of tea.

From this, it was clear that Mother was a very aloof person. Although she seemed frail, she was extremely stubborn at heart. Grandfather was too proud to back down, so he sent Uncle to fetch Mother. But before Uncle arrived, Mother had already refused. She declared that if anyone came, she would run away immediately. She was truly a headstrong girl. Grandfather got angry again and smashed a precious antique in a fit of rage.

Grandmother served as Grandfather's advisor. "It doesn't matter if she doesn't come back. Wouldn't it be better to kidnap her daughter?"

Grandfather was delighted and gave Grandmother a thumbs - up. "Brilliant! Brilliant!"

Far away in another place, Chu Muyu had no idea that a pair of "old foxes" had already set their sights on her "little fox".

So, the beautiful Miss Chu remained blissfully unaware of the outside world at home and continued to lead a colorful life by the Songhua River as usual.

Two hours later, the plane touched down at Zhoushan Airport in Xizi City.

Stepping onto this unfamiliar land, she could finally cut ties with all her past. She didn't need to and wouldn't share her past with anyone. To be a person who erased her past was Ming Xichen's deepest wish.

Following the bustling crowd, she walked into the gate.

In the airport hall, people were coming and going in a whirlwind of activity, and the noise was deafening. An occasional brush - past between people only elicited a calm smile. There was no such thing as the so - called five - hundred - times of looking back in Buddhism. Whose silhouette was waiting at the dimly - lit corner...

At the airport gate, Chu Rui saw Xichen, dressed in spotless white clothes with hair as smooth as satin. Her eyes were more enchanting than the green ripples on a lake, and her lips were as shy as newly - bloomed flower petals. Standing there, she was as graceful as a narcissus mirrored in the river.

Such a beautiful girl in front of him seemed like a dream. He composed himself and softly called out, "Ming Xichen."

She was stunned for a moment, then turned her head towards the voice. She saw a tall and strikingly handsome man striding towards her in the distance. His features were as exquisitely drawn as a painting, with cherry - colored lips. A few strands of black hair were casually scattered on his forehead. The lights in the hall shone on him, and there seemed to be a faint, ethereal glow on his skin. His eyes sparkled with a thousand different hues. A simple white shirt and black trousers made him look carefree, elegant, and supremely noble.

The man walked up to Xichen and smiled slightly. His smile was like the radiant moon rising above the majestic Tianshan Mountains and the gentle spring breeze caressing the vast Gobi Desert. His pitch - black eyes sparkled like obsidian, dazzling Xichen so much that she felt a bit dizzy.

Ming Xichen thought to herself that such a man was truly like a character straight out of a novel, standing as upright as an orchid and a jade tree, smiling as brightly as the moon shining into one's heart.

If this were a Korean drama scene, she should be covering her face and screaming, "Oppah!" She secretly scoffed at herself for being so smitten. When this handsome cousin parked a Lamborghini in front of her, her expression wavered a bit. Mother hadn't mentioned that Uncle was a millionaire! She really had no inkling of what a wealthy family was like. Having grown up in the military compound, she had always led a well - ordered life. Although Father had a high military rank, Mother's upbringing was very strict, and their life was also low - key. There were some arrogant kids in the compound, but due to their military - family background, they didn't dare to be too overbearing.

This handsome guy standing in front of her, if not from a wealthy family, must have received a top - notch education. His elegant manners and noble bearing, along with the "handsome man and sports car" combination, all indicated that he was extraordinary.

Her thoughts were in a jumble when Chu Rui's gentle voice sounded in her ear. He was saying that her grandparents were currently living in Switzerland, and Uncle and Auntie had flown back from Switzerland two days ago when they heard she was coming.

Ming Xichen was a bit disappointed that she couldn't see her grandparents. She was truly eager to meet the two old people. They were Mother's parents, and there was an inborn sense of closeness. Fortunately, she could still see Uncle and Auntie, so the regret was lessened a bit.

The car sped along the broad and smooth highway. The wind howled past her face, carrying the unique humidity of the South of the Yangtze River. Her flying hair danced wildly in the wind. Chu Rui stole a glance at Ming Xichen sitting in the seat beside him. Her phoenix - like eyes were half - closed with the tips of the eyelids raised, her nose was slightly upturned, her lips were like flower petals, and her snow - white clothes exuded a cold and alluring fragrance.

Chu Rui was so captivated that he quickly averted his gaze and secretly cursed himself for being so impulsive.