Section 1

Fu Dongwen's eyes did not leave the newspaper, and he suddenly said: "Come here at 9 o'clock tonight, I have something to tell you"

Fu Dongwen did not deny

Fu Dongwen did not bother to respond to these words, nor did he refute them. Instead, he said: "You people should not bully Tan Qingxiang just because he is honest and speaks little. He is a person of deep thought and possesses a lot of hidden wisdom."

After Wan Feng and Gu Yiren finished their studies, Fu Dongwen tapped the porcelain bowl in front of him with the back of his hand

No, what I am referring to is boiled, served while the water is still boiling

What do you know

A clear and innocent gaze, in the eyes of these wealthy young men, has turned into a connection of glances, filled with unspoken words and shyness

Wanfeng and Gu Yiren only made their appearance by dinnertime

Before this conversation, Shen Xi was still speculating that Fu Dongwen and Wan Feng were going to discuss elegant writing. Unexpectedly, they were also inquiring about the two's academic studies. In a question-and-answer format, the two were quite formal, and Shen Xi gradually began to discern some underlying stories.

Everyone laughed again

Only two people remain in the room

I will go out and bring a chair back. She finally made up her mind

She did not pause and wanted to say more

Do you really think the cows here have six legs?" Fu Dongwen retorted

The boy waiting outside the door finally couldn't hold back and stiffly replied, "In our hometown, we call this 'Family Happiness.' It's not something rare; it can also include clams and eggs, a mix of meat and vegetables, varying from place to place." After saying this, he took the opportunity while Fu Dongwen was looking down to eat longan to scold her in a voice only she could hear, "Third Master has already eaten."

Shen Xi immediately stood up: "I will go get it."

The vacant room at the end of the second-floor corridor has been tidied up. Fu Dongwen entered the room to rest, and under his instruction, Shen Xi followed suit, stepping in cautiously. After the doctor administered an injection, he wrapped the discarded needle and medicine box in waste paper and took them outside. Shen Xi had no opportunity to catch a glimpse of what the medication was.

Shen Xi acknowledged her own foolishness and then said: "Continue with that, an international student told me this is called a hodgepodge. They said it is about the size of this pot in their hometown"

Another foolish remark

He issued an eviction order

Shen Xi was asked why he inquired about Third Master, shouldn't it be about how he became acquainted with Fourth Master instead

Fu Dongwen had long known what it was, yet he continued to follow her lead, even pretending to misunderstand.

The door was opened

As Fu Dongwen raised her eyes, she immediately lowered her head to look at the high-heeled leather shoes beneath her feet

I ... ...

In the study, there was not only Wan Feng but also Gu Yiren. Gu Yiren stood before Fu Dongwen in a manner akin to that of a junior, devoid of his usual playful demeanor, and maintained a proper posture. The aroma of roasted longan quickly spread throughout the room as Wan Feng placed a bowl on the table: "This is something Shen Xi has kept for herself, and she usually doesn't allow us to touch it, saying it is meant to boost our spirits during the major exams"

Fu Dongwen propped his chin on his hand and smiled: "I know."

The man wearing glasses noticed and shifted his elbow that was resting on the table, intentionally bumping into Fu Dongwen's forearm, smiling slyly and giving a glance to remind him that this "younger sister" was watching him

By the light of the desk lamp, she quietly observed the changes in him over the past three years. He had lost some weight, and his face had become more angular. In his childhood, Shen Xi had chubby cheeks and a baby face, which made his current thinness even more pronounced. It is generally considered that a person with softer facial features is more attractive. Of course, it was not for her to make a judgment on the Third Master's appearance

Fu Dongwen did not give them the opportunity to pry: "Let's disperse."

Shen Xi was unable to grasp the situation, remained silent, and followed them into the room

Fu Dongwen propped himself up on the table and stood up: "I have been sitting for too long, and I feel fatigued."

By the time she regained her senses, she felt even more embarrassed

Fu Dongwen shifted his gaze and looked at the egg flower floating on the surface of the water: "Is this the only bowl you boiled?"

Third Brother

"Qingxiang, do you know why she is ignoring you?" Fu Dongwen said with a slight smile, kindly trying to alleviate the awkward situation, "It is customary for a woman to extend her hand first. I think you have lost your composure."

Amidst the laughter of the crowd, Shen Xi understood the implication and instinctively placed both hands behind her back, fearing that the doctor might actually perform a hand-kissing gesture. The doctor, already feeling awkward, could only smile wryly at her obvious attempt to avoid him. In frustration, he rolled up his shirt sleeves, adopting a posture as if he were about to hit someone: "You young gentlemen from noble families just love to tease girls."

Shen Xi was still hesitating, but everyone was waiting for her, so it was not appropriate to be overly coy, and she eventually sat down

Indeed, we have yet to witness him perform the gesture of kissing someone's hand, which would certainly be an eye-opener for us

Fu Dongwen was not particularly concerned, pointing to the copper bed: "Sit on the bed."

A single phrase from the third brother has invisibly bridged the distance

Fu Dongwen, with great interest, looked around and asked, "What did you say in the evening about wanting to eat something that Chinese people eat?"

Shen Xi did not delay any longer and went to the kitchen to find the bag of dried longan she had hidden, along with some eggs, preparing to cook the longan according to the method she remembered. As the pot heated up, she frequently glanced at the clock in the living room, her mind both focused on the fire and yet elsewhere, nearly burning the longan dry. After hurriedly pouring the cooked longan into a bowl, she looked at the large floor clock and saw that there were still two minutes until 9:00.

Shen Xi gestured with both hands, indicating a diameter of approximately 2 feet

Except for the seat occupied by Fu Dongwen, there was exactly one seat for each person, leaving one seat short. Wan Feng and Gu Yiren naturally did not dare to sit on the bed, instead choosing to sit down on their own and feign indifference. Shen Xi was already feeling uneasy due to the sudden presence of two additional people, and now faced with the situation of having no chair, she felt even more conflicted. She hesitated, contemplating whether to sit together with Wan Feng, yet feared it might appear disrespectful to Fu Dongwen.

Wan Feng was not surprised; with a smile, she took the bowl from her hand and softly complained, "It seems that this good thing is only something you are willing to give to Third Master."

A few days ago, I bought a pot, intending to make a hot pot. Have you heard of it? The ingredients are arranged neatly, with pork knuckles, chicken, and vegetables layered from top to bottom. However, since I have studied agriculture, I realize that the varieties of vegetables here differ from those in China, and I may need to choose different ones for cooking, although the meat is quite similar," Shen Xi lamented. "It is only after coming here that I understand that, regardless of whether they are Westerners or Chinese, the meat they eat is the same, and the livestock is also the same.

Shen Xixin's mind was still wandering, and she did not respond in time, making it difficult for the doctor to withdraw his hand

Shen Xi pressed her lips together

The calamity originated from Serbia, drawing in Germany, Austria, England, France, and Russia in succession. At that time, she had no inkling of what was to come, as the conflict escalated further and further. Many years later, this war came to be known as the Great War, and it brought Fu Dongwen to New York, right before her eyes. Had it not been for this war, how could Fu Dongwen have traversed mountains and rivers to reach England, and then hurriedly gone to America? Naturally, all that followed would not have occurred. Fate often plays tricks on people, but this time, it turned out to be a blessing.

Fu Dongwen sat at the desk by the window, flipping through yesterday's newspaper

Shen Xi did not expect him to engage in casual conversation with her, and she replied vaguely, "I was still in Guangdong at that time"

She retorted, "Tonight?"

Do you know that she is devoted to her studies, or do you know that she studied with her classmates last night

Nine o'clock is a time that is neither awkward nor comfortable; on ordinary days, they are still awake. If they were to run into Wan Feng and Gu Yiren, it might interfere with Fu Dongwen's matters. She recalled that there was a bag of dried longan in the kitchen cabinet, which she usually refrained from eating, intending to use it to boost her spirits before the exam. However, thinking of Fu Dongwen traveling thousands of miles by boat to get here, she felt it was only right to give it to him.

The man wearing glasses cast a sidelong glance at Fu Dongwen and said, "Qingxiang, you are mistaken again. Third Master prefers the company of beautiful women and does not enjoy teasing virtuous ladies, especially when the lady in question is one of our own."

Fu Dongwen placed the newspaper down and began to reflect

Fu Dongwen pondered for a moment, then calmly lifted the bowl: "You three, please take a seat"

Fu Dongwen did not mention Shen Xi's identity as a disguise or a means of protection from beginning to end. He remained silent, while listening to the two express their gratitude for the blessings received from Third Master, which enabled their achievements today. In the eyes of Wan Feng and Gu Yiren, Shen Xi still remained the Fourth Young Mistress of the Fu family

Wan Feng and Gu Yiren considered themselves "family" and no longer disturbed each other, returning to their respective rooms

Fu Dongwen raised his hand, silently interrupting her: "There is a war in Europe, but it has not yet affected London. However, I fear that if it drags on, it will be difficult to leave. Therefore, I came here first"

Exactly, it is also an excuse to seek him out

"Why are you not speaking?" Fu Dongwen turned to look at her

Regardless of how many years of Western education she received, in a quiet corner of her heart, there still stood the girl of about ten years old, holding a book in the rural house of Guangdong, watching her second and fourth brothers play chess. That girl is hidden deep in her memory, and Shen Xi seldom sees her, but when Fu Dongwen suddenly appears, "she" also comes out, exuding a gentle demeanor in every gesture.

"What?" Fu Dongwen turned his face to the side, wanting to hear clearly what she had to say

The rumors surrounding this Fourth Young Lady and Master Fu San, a mix of truth and falsehood, have been heard by everyone. Today, upon seeing them, it has sparked a desire to witness a scene of romance. Perhaps, that marriage is merely a pretense

The two individuals were not polite, agreeing to move the chairs from the room over.

The two compartments are quiet

Fu Dongwen shook his head and asked Shen Xi, "Do you have a spoon?"

The doctor shook his head helplessly and said, "Forget it, I cannot provoke you"

Fu Dongwen lowered his eyes, turned the newspaper over, folded it in half, held it with both hands, and began to read intently

Is it cool now? Wan Feng asked

Even if she is still immature, she would not think that Third Master came to visit her

A man wearing glasses beside Fu Dongwen also laughed, saying, "Indeed, don't say you have studied abroad with us," he teased, "Miss Shen, please lower your hand and give him a hard time."

He actually still remembers that phrase

Speaking of the origins of this scholarship, Gu Yiren once expressed his sentiments with a sigh. During the Eight-Nation Alliance's invasion, they committed acts of arson, murder, and plunder, yet in the end, China was required to pay reparations. At that time, the Chinese minister to the United States lobbied various countries and managed to recover some of the compensation. The United States stipulated that the refunded amount should be used for students studying in the United States, which led to the establishment of this scholarship, the founding of Tsinghua Academy, and the dispatch of government-sponsored students abroad.

The bespectacled man busily gestured a hat removal, saying, "Brother Tan, I apologize for the offense."

So it is like this

This morning, I received a letter from my third brother, "Shen Xili stood in front of him, like a child waiting to be checked on their studies, "On July 7th, you said you were going to the United Kingdom."

Perhaps the only difference is that, due to the critical situation, she was conveniently arranged by Third Master to take on the status of the Fu family.

The doctor, an old acquaintance, stepped forward with a smile and extended his right hand, saying, "Miss Shen"

These two individuals, one is a young lady from a minor official's family during the late Qing Dynasty, whose father was convicted and exiled to the frontier, while the other is a descendant of a reformist who was executed during the Hundred Days' Reform. Both were supported by Fu Tongwen and sent here.

Shen Xi gazed at him amidst the laughter and chatter of the crowd

Shen Xi softly exclaimed, "I heard that there is fighting over there"

I wrote to you in July, wanting to ask whether I should continue studying. When Shen Xi was young, swinging on a swing, she would feel her heart lift when she swung high, without knowing where she would land. This is the current state of my mind. You did not reply, and I cannot delay any longer; I have already chosen new courses.

Shen Xi nodded: "It is good to come here, and the doctors here are also very good"

What Fu Dongwen said will be mentioned in the newspaper, and classmates will also discuss it

Shen Xi naturally guessed that Gu Yiren was also one of the students sent abroad as part of the indemnity from the Gengzi year, and Wan Feng's demeanor was more like that of someone supported by a wealthy family. However, everything was overturned tonight

"Has your trip to the UK been delayed?" she asked

Gu Yiren and Wan Feng exchanged glances and smiled

Is it similar to stir-fried mixed dishes? Fu Dongwen is guessing a Cantonese dish

With a cloth on her lap and a bowl in her hands, she took small steps as she made her way up to the second floor

In the end, only Fu Dongwen and the doctor remained, along with a servant who had come from home, and a young man of similar age to Shen Xi.

By eight thirty, she flipped through the notes in her hand repeatedly, her mind in turmoil

"I went to study with my classmates last night and only returned at dawn, which is why I am late," she explained

When Gu Yiren spoke these words, his expression was complex; he felt both fortunate for the students who had endured hardships in their studies and sorrowful for the nation that had once suffered.

"It is to seek treatment," Fu Dongwen said calmly, "it is the same in America"

"Third brother." She lowered her voice

Shen Xi lowered her eyelids and softly called out, "Third Master"

Fu Dongwen's gaze shifted as he replied, "Just call him Third Brother when outside." After saying this, he turned to the person beside him and cautioned, "This place is not like Beijing; everyone calls her Miss Shen."

Shen Xi felt ashamed: "I did not know that both of them were also present."

For these years under the same roof, the three of them have grown accustomed to chatting casually during dinner. However, tonight is an exception; only the soft clinking of bowls and chopsticks can be heard, as they are all preoccupied with their thoughts while pretending that nothing is amiss. Although Wan Feng and she have a close relationship and have shared many intimate conversations, they have never mentioned why she came to take care of her. The same goes for Shen Xi; on one hand, it is a matter of life and death, and on the other, there is a fear of implicating Fu Dongwen.

Thus, Fu Dongwen went to the kitchen with her, while Shen Xi carried the bowl of roasted longan.

The master has spoken, and the others could no longer delay, so they took their leave. As they were departing, some whispered to Fu Dongwen, commenting that the people in this place of romance were overly ostentatious; while there was noise and commotion, there were no captivating beauties to leave one in awe. That person then inquired about Fu Dongwen's return date, but Fu Dongwen was vague in his response, waving his hand to dismiss him.

Under the light, Shen Xi found a spoon for him, placed it in the porcelain bowl, and handed it to him

Upon reaching the door, it was unexpectedly unguarded

There is no difference from her

In recent years, most of the students studying abroad in the United States have obtained the Boxer Indemnity Scholarship, with only a small portion being funded by their families

The man wearing glasses straightened his body and asked, "Miss Shen, how did you meet Master San back in the day?"

Fu Dongwen leaned against a clean spot, stirring the dried longan with a spoon: "The last time I ate this, I was not yet ten years old"

Several young gentlemen are laughing, sharing an unspoken understanding

It is indeed a gentle breeze

Hanging down? She was at a loss.

Just sitting on the edge, unwilling to settle down

It is precisely this accommodating posture in her speech that interrupts the words on the tip of her tongue, the light is half bright and half dim, and so are his eyes