Chapter 5, Nanpu (Part 2)

This area is located on the outskirts of the city and was only completed a few years ago. Most of the houses are privately owned vacation villas. The environment is excellent, backed by a small hill called Nanshan, with flowing water at its feet. The water flows from Nanshan, carrying the scent of trees and grass, and gathers at the foot of the mountain into a deep, azure lake, offering an astonishing view. The roads are not wide but are extremely well-maintained, with neatly trimmed shrubs. After driving for a long time, one might finally see a villa resembling a vacation resort. According to the legends known to Mengti, those who own property in this area are all either wealthy or noble.

How is it different

Come here

I seem to have forgotten that both your parents are professors. You might be more aware than I am of the salary level of university teachers, especially since I have just started working, right? Zhao Chunian smiled to reassure her, "Although I don't have much money, at least I have a grandfather and an uncle. This car wasn't stolen. If there are any other questions, feel free to ask them all. I promise to be completely open and honest."

Meng Ti was at a loss whether to laugh or cry, putting down the hand that was holding the chopsticks, "Teacher Zhao, you eat your own food, please, just leave me alone..."

Zhao Chunian took out the key to open the door and casually asked, "Is it because of Zheng Xianwen?"

Zhao Chunian's expression remained unchanged, not even a moment of brewing emotion was visible. With a calm demeanor that seemed unshakeable, he said, "Then you can treat me as him."

Originally, Meng Ti was just joking, but unexpectedly, Zhao Chunian took it seriously. Not only did he express his apology sincerely, but he also spoke so earnestly when seeking opinions. Meng Ti felt embarrassed; after all, it was her first time visiting his home, and how could she casually comment on it? One must understand that a house is like a person's face; to say that someone’s face is unattractive is an extremely impolite thing to do.

Ah, I see.

Yes, I have always parked the car here

Zhao Chunian laughed heartily as the car drove onto the spacious and straight highway, the wind rushing into the cabin and tousling his hair, "It's just barely acceptable."

Poetry is wonderful. Meng Ti pondered these twenty-eight characters for a moment, then turned to look at him, her eyes filled with curiosity, "But where is the book?"

Why

Zhao Chunian came out of the garage and asked her, "How is the house?"

She had previously thought that Zhao Chunian must have a lot of books, but she never expected there to be this many, resembling a small library of illustrated books. Rows of bookshelves stood like soldiers in formation, filled with layers upon layers of books, crisscrossing like a dense thicket. The entire study radiated brilliance, isolating her from the clamor of the world.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Chunian went to the underground parking lot of this building, a vast space that seemed endless. Meng Ti thought this was a shortcut to leave the building, so she did not ask further and obediently followed behind him. The two of them wandered around the parking lot for a while, and Zhao Chunian stopped in front of a brand new silver-gray sedan. He skillfully opened the door next to the passenger seat, then turned around and nodded to the astonished Meng Ti, signaling, "Get in the car."

He crossed the bedroom, pulled open the enormous curtains opposite the window, and pushed open the glass sliding door

Of course, in the end, there were only two of them. No matter how they ate, there was still a lot of food left. Zhao Chunian called the waiter to pack the leftovers, filling four or five containers to the brim. Meng Ti diligently held the bags in her hands and followed Zhao Chunian out of the restaurant and down the elevator.

Meng Ti stood by the window, murmuring: "I remember a line of poetry, 'The flowing water before the window, the book upon the pillow,' which describes this very scene, doesn't it"

After seeing the car, Meng Ti felt sufficiently composed. Therefore, when she saw Zhao Chunian's vehicle driving into the Nanpu area, she did not display any signs of surprise, remaining as calm as an elderly person accustomed to the ways of the world. She had no questions at all, as if she were an old friend who had known the owner of this house for many years, and as if she had visited this place several times before

The kitchen is located on the first floor, featuring large windows that provide excellent ventilation and lighting. The light streams in at an angle, illuminating the small bar in the room. Upon opening the refrigerator, it appears quite empty, containing half a box of milk, a few wilted green onions, and several wrinkled old ginger roots, perfectly aligning with Zhao Chunian's earlier remark that "being able to cook a few meals each week is already quite good"

I have only one question, "Meng Ti stared into his eyes, as if she wanted to use her mental power to see a hole through his body, "Does your monthly salary cover the expenses of this car?"

The humid breeze carried away the fragrance from her hair and body. Zhao Chunian stood behind her, gazing at her smooth hair, and softly said, "The original text of that poem is: 'In the chaotic clouds, a thatched cottage is formed, already the traces of the mundane world are becoming sparse. Do not inquire about the livelihood of the wild, for there is flowing water before the window and books by the pillow.'"

It seemed that I saw a resplendent box, naturally leading me to believe it contained treasures. However, upon opening it, I found it to be completely empty. The disparity was so great that I was at a loss for words. Meng Ti looked around for a while, unable to discern any evidence of living people or any other signs of life, and couldn't help but ask: "Do you live alone in such a large and empty house?"

Compared to the first floor, the decoration on the second floor is indeed much better. The walls are adorned with many exquisite and delicate wall lamps, and the thick, dark brown carpet is laid down, making it feel as if one is walking on clouds, with not a sound to be heard

We have many opportunities to meet," Zhao Chunian smiled, "there is no need to rush.

It is precisely mealtime, and the restaurant is already quite populated. The environment is elegant, with an overall bright yellow tone. The screens, partition walls, railings, and the gentle flow of water all contribute to a decor reminiscent of a Jiangnan garden. The waitresses are all tall and graceful, stunningly beautiful. This is truly a restaurant with great sincerity; inviting someone to dine here demonstrates ample thoughtfulness.

Meng Ti has also been living alone for the past two months, and I truly resonate with this statement: "Indeed, it's quite similar to my situation. Fortunately, my house is only a little over 100 square meters, so I can manage to clean it myself. Since my parents went to the United States, the kitchen in my house hasn't been used much for two months. Well, not entirely true; I have cooked instant noodles. However, your situation is different from mine; you can easily return to your family home and live a life where everything is provided for you."

In fact, she did not expect Zhao Chunian to live in such a place

Zhao Chunian's gaze was gentle as he lifted the teacup and took a sip: "There is no need to be polite with me. At least let's talk about it after you start working."

It indeed appears quite pleasant. Meng Ti cleared her throat to express her thoughts: "Not bad. The feng shui book states that mountains govern population and water governs wealth; this geographical location is truly remarkable."

Feng Shui is also a part of architecture, and I occasionally browse through it

"It's not that I can't, " Meng Ti paused, shaking her head, "I'm just curious how your income could possibly afford such a nice car? No wonder you've always kept a low profile, not parking your car at school; it's really too ostentatious. My parents worked their whole lives and never bought a car, haha, and they are professors at the school... Of course, it's not that they can't afford it, it's just that when they could, they didn't. My parents are getting old, and they can't drive anymore nor do they want to learn. They are still considering saving money to buy a house for me and my brother, but now I don't have to worry about my brother; it's just me."

I apologize for disappointing you. Since you do not like it, I will have someone move in a set of furniture and appliances in a few days. What kind of furniture do you like? What style? Pear wood or mahogany?

Zhao Chunian chuckled softly, pushed her into the car, closed the door, and then got into the car himself

"Having lived in worse places for so many years, it doesn't really matter," Zhao Chunian said nonchalantly. "The upstairs has been renovated quite nicely; let's head up there. This room originally belonged to my second uncle, who preferred a quiet and simple life. After he passed away a few years ago, this room was mostly left unused. When my grandfather learned that I was coming back to work, he temporarily had someone clean it up and moved in some furniture, which is how it looks now."

It was rare to see her with such a stiff expression. Zhao Chunian lost control of his body and leaned over to pat her face, brushing aside a few strands of hair from her forehead. Her skin was as soft as a tender shoot, and his fingers couldn't help but linger for a moment; only then did he fasten her seatbelt, start the engine, and steadily back the car out of the parking lot before leisurely asking: "Are you saying that I cannot have a car?"

After several questions and answers, both individuals fell silent, simultaneously putting down their chopsticks. Meng Ti's heart felt as if it were boiling in an instant, regretting her choice of words, hoping Zhao Chunian had not caught her implied meaning. She attempted to remedy the situation with clumsy words, but when she said, "Actually, I didn't mean it that way," she became tongue-tied and fell silent, unable to continue. No matter how hard she tried, she could not find the words. Her hands instinctively sought something to hold onto, and she had no choice but to grasp the chopsticks again, tightening her grip in a daze. Zhao Chunian stared at her for a moment, then lowered his gaze, reaching out to peel a shrimp and placing it in an empty bowl. He pushed the bowl filled with the peeled, snow-white, glistening shrimp in front of Meng Ti, and then couldn't help but laugh: "I was just joking with you, casually asking a couple of questions. Look at how nervous you are; after all, you are just a young girl, truly unable to take a joke."

In contrast, Zhao Chunian appeared much more refined, as if eating was not his primary purpose; he spent more time serving Meng Ti by picking food for her, even helping her remove fish bones and placing the fish meat into her bowl

The tense atmosphere was suddenly and wonderfully alleviated, and Meng Ti let out a sigh, glaring at him: "Who said I can't take a joke?"

"Is it possible not to be disappointed? I thought I would see the legendary mansion, but your place is even less well-decorated than my home," Meng Ti expressed with deep emotion. "Teacher Zhao, I didn't expect you to be so unconcerned about your living environment. I have always believed that a house should have a bit of a human touch to it."

I am not that diligent; A Ti, you truly overestimate me. Zhao Chunian shook his head and smiled, saying, "Every week, someone from the family estate comes to clean. It is already quite good that I manage to cook a few meals each week"

As a result, they exited the school through the main gate, crossed the sky bridge to the opposite street, and after walking a few hundred meters, the two of them sat down in a Chinese restaurant located in a magnificent building.

Indeed, this is the case. Meng Ti also gave up the verbal dispute with him

The outdoor environment is exceptionally pleasant. Upon passing through the enormous balcony and entering the house, one finds an entirely different world. Contrary to the luxurious and grand decor that one might expect to complement the exterior, the interior is surprisingly simple. The floor shines brilliantly, and the walls are so white that they seem blinding. The living room contains only a sofa, a coffee table, and two large pots of wintergreen, with no excess furniture whatsoever, not even a television.

"Then who knows how many more years it will take," Meng Ti waved her hand, "I will be able to receive the scholarship soon, and when that time comes, I will treat you to a meal. I will not forget."

"That night, didn't you say that living alone feels great?" Zhao Chunian said, "I feel the same way. Would you like to take a look at the room?"

Meng Ti opened her eyes wide. It turned out that the bedroom and study were connected, separated by a glass sliding door and curtains

I live alone, Zhao Chunian smiled gently, "There is no need to be so disappointed."

Meng Ti continued to stare blankly, murmuring to herself: "Having a car is one thing, but this is so extravagant! It's outrageous, truly outrageous!"

Do you still read books on feng shui

"Do you think I did poorly?" Zhao Chunian laughed nonchalantly, "Last time when we had dinner at Director Zheng's house, I saw Zheng Xianwen do the same, and you didn't say it was bad either"

Zhao Chunian took a tissue to wipe his hands, smiled slowly, and spoke in the gentlest tone, entirely in a coaxing manner: "Yes, yes, it was my fault. Let's not talk about that anymore. Let's eat."

Zhao Chunian handed her the menu. Meng Ti glanced at the prices; they were not outrageous, but also not cheap. Her eyes wandered over the menu, yet she was unable to focus, casually ordering a couple of items to get by. Zhao Chunian spoke to the waiter in a very composed manner while placing the order. After the waiter left, she said, "Um, Teacher Zhao... you lent me a book and treated me to a meal. I really feel bad for you spending so much. Next time, let me treat you."

Meng Ti shook her head: "Impossible"

Meng Ti was surprised by his keen insight and replied, "Well, the books on architecture are quite interesting"

The first time she heard someone say this, Meng Ti thought for a moment and seemed to agree, thus nodding in acknowledgment: "Brother Zheng is different from others... He has taken care of me since I was young. When I was a child, I didn't like to eat fish, so he would pick out the fish bones and feed them to me. Over time, it became a habit."

A visit is certainly unavoidable, but where is the kitchen? I will go put these lunch boxes in the refrigerator

The dishes were quickly served at the table; although the portions were not large, the plates were quite big, and the small two-person table was surprisingly filled. Meng Ti had been busy all morning and had even ridden her bike back and forth several times at the school book fair, so she was already very hungry. Without hesitation, she began to eat heartily.

Her gaze fell upon the car's emblem, and Meng Ti stared at him in disbelief: "You... you actually have a car!"

He is different from others

Meng Ti got out of the car and stood in the yard, observing the standalone house with a garden while waiting for Zhao Chunian to park the car. The garden was covered in lush green grass, leaving a clear driveway. She looked at the structure of the house and the courtyard that resembled a Suzhou garden with a critical eye, thinking about the fifty-minute distance to the city center, and realized why he needed to drive to work

The most comfortable room is the master bedroom, which is astonishingly spacious, not much smaller than the expansive living room downstairs. The dark bedspread and dark curtains create a cozy atmosphere, and standing by the window, one can see the distant lake shimmering under the sunlight. The wall behind the headboard is simply decorated, featuring two exquisite wall lamps. When the curtains are drawn, the entire living space becomes exceptionally tranquil

She immediately adjusted her attitude, smiling with her eyes and brows curved, "No, no, it is I who was rude first. Your home is fine however it is, please do not take my words to heart. Although it is a bit simple here, it is very clean. Teacher Zhao, you are quite capable; I see that there are at least seven or eight rooms here, not counting the two living rooms."

Being different is being different; no one can replace it