Jiuxi Rose Garden commands a view of the Qiantang River in the front and nestles against Wuyun Mountain at the back. To its left lies Jiuxi Smoke Trees, and to its right, Yunqi Bamboo Trail. Blessed with such idyllic natural surroundings, one can inhale the crisp, moist mountain air and feast one's eyes on the verdant expanse as far as the eye can see. Chu Rui mentioned that his grandparents adored this place and had lived here before they went abroad.
The car pulled up in front of a villa. Ming Xichen stepped out and took in the scenery. There were rolling hills, meandering rivers, layer upon layer of lush greenery, and the air was fresh and invigorating. The sloping courtyard houses with red bricks and green tiles were scattered and half - hidden among the rural mountains and forests, as if they had sprouted organically from this sea of green.
This kind of luxury mansion, reminiscent of the wonderland described in the poem "There's a cottage deep 'neath the floating cloud", was a far - fetched dream for ordinary folks. Her innocent expression gave away her innermost thoughts. So, her mother had come from such a privileged family.
Chu Rui handed the luggage to the butler who had come to assist, then naturally took her hand. "Let's go in. Mom and Dad must be on pins and needles waiting for us."
She glanced down at Chu Rui's hand. His fingers were long and elegant, with clean, well - manicured fingertips. She gently placed her hand in his palm and looked up at him with a smile. That smile was like a lotus in full bloom in midsummer, pure and enchanting, dazzling Chu Rui's eyes.
She followed Chu Rui and settled on the light - yellow sofa. She stole a quick glance around. The interior was a perfect blend of tradition and a unique artistic style, elegant, simple yet grand. Even a small plant in the corner was a high - end rarity, worth a small fortune. And needless to say, the several Qi Baishi Chinese paintings that caught her eye were worth hundreds of millions.
Having been well - bred since childhood, she quickly averted her gaze after that brief look.
She watched as a man and a woman descended the stairs. The man was strikingly handsome. His fair and unblemished face exuded a sharp and cold allure. His deep, black eyes sparkled with an irresistible luster. His thick eyebrows, high nose, and perfectly - shaped lips all radiated nobility and refinement.
It was hard to connect this uncle with the young boy in the photo. Years had polished that green - horned lad into a mature and sexy man. Time had truly been kind to the man before her. Even in his forties, he was still so incredibly handsome and charming that it would surely make many of his peers green with envy.
The woman standing beside the uncle was a vision of beauty. One could say she was as delicate as Lin Daiyu or Xi Shi. No one really knew how beautiful the real Lin Daiyu and Xi Shi were, but this woman was simply breathtaking. Her skin was as white as freshly - fallen snow, her figure as slender as a willow branch, and she was so delicate and demure, as if she had something to say but held her tongue.
Chu Muhan looked at Ming Xichen, this girl who was truly his blood - relative. She was so beautiful that she seemed to be from a different realm. For twenty years, his father had long since let go of his anger towards his younger sister. Many times he had wanted to bring her back, but his stubborn sister had refused and even forbidden the family to visit her. Fortunately, they knew she was doing well. Twenty years had passed in the blink of an eye, and his sister's daughter had grown up. His parents were getting old and hoped that his sister could come back to see them. Now, with Xichen's arrival, did it mean that his sister's attitude had softened? It seemed that this was truly a promising start.
She briefly shared with them about her mother and her family's life over the years, of course, leaving out her own hardships. She didn't mention it, and her uncle didn't pry either. Everyone endures pain and suffering as they grow up, and time is the ultimate healer.
Xichen was as aloof and composed as his younger sister. Chu Muhan looked at her with all the love in his heart and genuinely adored this child.
Ming Xichen's room was on the second floor, directly opposite Chu Rui's. The room was decorated with an air of elegance and nobility. The ornate classical details were paired with intricate moldings, along with crystal chandeliers, lace curtains, floral wallpapers, delicate porcelain, and exquisite oil paintings. On a carved bed with open - work patterns, a sumptuous heavenly silk quilt was spread out. In the middle of the bedside pillow, there was a green frog wearing a crown, its two big black eyes fixed on Xichen.
"Great job on the preparation. Thank you!"
She happily hugged the little frog in her arms and planted kisses on its big eyes from time to time. Leaning against the door, Chu Rui thought that the little frog was the luckiest thing in the world, and he couldn't help feeling a twinge of envy.
A week later, her uncle and aunt boarded a private jet and headed back to Switzerland. After they left, only Chu Rui, Ming Xichen, Chu Rui's bodyguard, and the butler and his wife who took care of the housework remained in the villa.
Chu Rui was swamped with work most of the time, but he still managed to spare some time to show her around. The two of them explored almost every scenic spot in Xizi City.
Ming Xichen was smitten with Xizi City. It was a beautiful city with a rich cultural heritage and captivating scenery. What she loved most was the West Lake. The West Lake was a picture of solitude when the rain pattered on the lamp wick; it was like a detached observer watching the flowers from across the river when the zither played a melancholic tune; it was about the leisurely pleasure of playing chess while sipping tea; it was about the peerless charm of the delicate women...