“Ming Zhu, it’s me, do you still recognise me?” Jing Xiu’s surprise and happiness, caused her to sound incoherent, “I am Small Jin Xiu…”
That lady in green stopped before the door, stared at Jin Xiu from head to toe, “Don’t you know Ah Jie? You called me Ming Zhu?”
Jin Xiu was stunned, only then did she realise that she had made a mistake, hurriedly she calmed herself and looked clearly, that lady was undeniably beautiful, slender face, honey coloured skin, and a pair of sepia coloured eyes that were lifted at the corners, conveying an indescribable loveliness. But it wasn’t Ming Zhu.
Ming Zhu had snow white skin, a small face, almond-shaped eyes, but she had single eyelids and a tiny red mole at the corner of her lips. Although it has been ten years but the changes couldn’t have been so huge.
“Sorry I’ve got the wrong person.” Jin Xiu hurriedly apologised, “I’m the younger sister from her hometown, and we haven’t met in years…could you let me meet with her?”
That lady in green said the same words, “I’ve never heard Ah Jie talk about this. She has family in her hometown?”
Jin Xiu wasn’t stupid, she knew that if it continued on like this, it would no longer be possible to her to pa.s.s through, and had to tell a small lie, “Cousin, her paternal cousin.”
“Oh,” the lady in green seemed to understand now, and turn towards the maidservant, “Since she has come all the way here, Hsu Ma, open the door and let her in!”
That old maidservant muttered while opening the door unwillingly, “This year, out of the blue, unreliable relatives from all over never fail to seek for some benefits…”
Jin Xiu understood what she was getting at but didn’t bother to get angry. The impending joy of meeting Ming Zhu, managed to push out any unhappiness.
That lady in green led Jin Xiu in, towards the red brick mansion’s stairs, “Just now you mentioned, what was your name again?”
“Jin Xiu, how about you? I heard you address Ming Zhu as Ah Jie, are you Second Mother’s relative?”
The lady in green looked askance at her,”I wouldn’t dare, my surname is Su, everyone calls me Ah Di. I’m just a lowly servant, I wouldn’t dare claim to be Ah Jie’s relative.”
“Lowly servant? Jin Xiu got a shock, such a great beauty and she actually said that she was a lowly servant.
Just as she was thinking, she entered the living room, a whiff of light scent wafted towards her like a mist, melodious music could be heard, it was dim, for no good reason Jin Xiu felt sense of panic. When she raised her eyes, she first saw a set of long and wide western style leather sofas, two 17 or 18 year old girls shoulder to shoulder head to head, sitting and looking at a picture alb.u.m together, upon seeing someone enter, they only lifted their eyes, without even a greeting, they continued flipping through the pages of the alb.u.m, as though the person who came in was merely a kitten or puppy. One of them was in a coral red satin gown, the other was wearing a form fitting moon white silk top, her hair tied into a silky smooth long pig tail. They spoke softly and gently with their bright eyes and pearly whites, this pair was perfect like jade.
On a further away couch there was one more, half sitting, half lying lazily, wearing a loose white blouse that only men would wear, black long pants, hairstyle short and cut close to the back of her neck. A pair of legs hung over the armrest, only visible were slim glistening limbs, nails painted light red, an embroidered pair of satin slippers were hanging off her toes like a swing. She didn’t even lift her head yet Jin Xiu could only stare in awe, that kind of lazy, casual trace of feminine charm. How come, what kind of place is this, who are these people? In that moment, gorgeous babes were aplenty like clouds, Jin Xiu couldn’t care less about admiring, she only felt very surprised.
Ah Di escorted her, “You may sit here, Ah Jie is having her afternoon nap, she should be awake in a bit.
Jin Xiu was a tad reserved, on the way here she thought about it many times over, what kind of place Ming Zhu lives in, only she didn’t expect it to be like this. Putting aside the leather trunk in her hands, she awkwardly sat on the nearest sofa, Ah Di told the young servant to pour tea, and went out as well, and actually left Jin Xiu alone in there.
Time pa.s.sed extraordinarily slowly.
During that time, the lady sitting on the rocking chair got up for a gla.s.s of wine, the young lady on the opposite sofa also changed the picture alb.u.m but these people seemed to not see her, not even casting a glance. Jin Xiu felt more and more uneasily, as though she was sitting on needles. Looking at how they acted they didn’t seem like guests but if they were the owners, after seeing a stranger enter, they did not even bother asking, it was just too strange.
Finally she heard the sound of footsteps from the stairs, Jin Xiu stood up in a rush, 70% happy, 30% apprehensive, was it Ming Zhu who was coming down? Staring at the stairs, she first saw a pair of slender legs, stepping in a pair of j.a.panese style painted clogs, and then the pastel purple brocade nightgown hem…and then, the sandalwood fan held by an exquisite hand. Ming Zhu had arrived.
Her hair was permed, black and wavy. After not meeting for years, she didn’t expect her figure to be so willowy. Her face was snow white and small, without much makeup, her light coloured lips were elegant, the corner of her lips was vibrant red mole. That pair of eyes, only now Jin Xiu understood now what “bewitching eyes” mentioned in books meant.
Jin Xiu keep looking at Ming Zhu moving down the stairs one step at a time, only when she faced her that she realised she had been holding her breath.
“Ah Jie.” That two ladies who were looking at the picture alb.u.m stood up together, one of them took out a cigarette from a silver cigarette case, while the other hurriedly went to get tea.
“Ding” this sound rang out, Ming Zhu was flipped the lighter open, lit up the cigarette and inhaled deeply, the movement of her hands, were so elegant it looked as though a light breeze had brushed apart the willow branches of a tree. Jin Xiu stood there blankly, in disbelief, this was Ming Zhu?
Just now when she saw Ah Di and the rest, she was already in awe, who knew that when Ming Zhu arrived, the house of scents and colours paled in comparison to her. Even in her dreams, Jin Xiu could not believe that such a gorgeous lady like Ming Zhu could exist in this world, such a deep scenery. She looked quietly at Jin Xiu and Jin Xiu felt as though half of her crumbled.
“Ming Zhu…” Jin Xiu actually wanted to call her Older Sister, but didn’t know why the words just wouldn’t come out. After calling her name, it felt wrong, after a moment she added on “Older Sister”.
“Wouldn’t dare.” A light smile lingered on the corner of Ming Zhu’s lips, slightly derisive. You are the third young lady of the Rong family, my surname is Yin, I can’t live up to the words “Older Sister”.
After hearing this, as though a basin of cold water splashed down on her, Jin Xiu’s heart turned cold, forcing a smile she said, “Where do I start, I specially came here this time around…”
Ming Zhu interrupted her, “I know. Last month I met Uncle Tian, he wanted you to come? On account of Uncle Tian, you may stay here for a meal.”
Jin Xiu was really stunned. Such an indifferent tone, such unhidden coldness, as though getting rid of a beggar. Ming Zhu had no intention of letting her stay.
“Cheng Zhen, ask the kitchen to prepare the Eight Treasures Rice and Rock Candy Turtle, the other dishes have to be more exquisite as well,” Ming Zhu glanced at Jin Xiu, “Tonight, Mr Xiang is coming over for dinner.” The lady sitting on the rocking chair gave a sound of acknowledgement, got up and walked past Jin Xiu.
“Older Sister!” Jin Xiu panicked, “You blame me for coming over without notice? But Father has already pa.s.sed away, Big Mother has also returned to Xiang Shan with Shu Hui…”
Ming Zhu flipped the fan in her hands with a “Pa” sound, “What has your father’s death got to do with me? Finally the Rong family has died off, I would be so happy, why, you expect me to shed tears for you to see?”
Jin Xiu stood there blushing in embarra.s.sment. What was going on, blood sisters, who had not met in ten years, did Ming Zhu really hate her so? What had it got to do with her, she was only nine years old then.
Back then she was young and couldn’t remember much, she only knew that Big Mother was extremely fierce with a bad temper, Second Mother was often ill, thin and sickly, coughing day and night. Ming Zhu had a stubborn streak, and was often beaten and scolded by Big Mother. On the day that Second Mother and Ming Zhu were chased out, the entire courtyard was strewn with luggage, clothes, makeup and other articles that were thrown around amidst the struggle. The servants were so scared that they didn’t dare come near, Jin Xiu could only cry. Afterwards then she knew that Second Mother was diagnosed with tuberculosis, under the guise of preventing the spread of disease, Big Mother forced them out.
Before she arrived, she knew that Ming Zhu would not welcome her, she just didn’t expect, this “unwelcome” was so intense, undisguised, and only short of being sent away.
“Ming Zhu” Jin Xiu forced herself to endure this humiliation, now was not a time to care about her dignity, “On the way here, I’ve used up my travelling expenses, no matter what, I’m afraid I would have to put you out for a few days, wait until I earn sufficient money, I will immediately return to Zhen Jiang…” her face and ears had turned red.
“Oh?” Ming Zhu smiled coldly, “Money?” she raised her voice, “Cheng Zhen!” Cheng Zhen walked over, and placed a stack of paper money in her hands. Ming Zhu slowly raised her hand, the paper money fell messily across the floor, “The money is here, help yourself.”
Jin Xiu widened her eyes, and felt a ringing by her ears, in that moment all the blood in her body rushed to her head.
She didn’t know what else she could say, in anger? Or continue to beg pitifully?
She turned away and rushed out of the main door, the speed at which Jin Xiu rushed out was like a lighted firecracker.
But “Bang”, Jing Xiu banged into the wall, that hard and huge object unfeeling bounced her onto the floor.
Falling over herself in a complete mess, a hand suddenly held onto her chin, lifting her head up, “Such clumsiness, you’re new?”
Before Jin Xiu’s eyes, gold stars swirled. She was stunned to see such a handsome face, as though it was carved, stooping low before her barely half a foot away, his warm breath brushed against her face. His pair of dark amber eyes, held a certain magic, brazenly caressing Jin Xiu’s face.