Chapter 739: Go With Me
Shen Li’s pupils contracted.
Most people would only think that her English accent was similar to Lu Huaiyu’s, but they would not be able to tell that it was a Leland accent.
She had just replied without thinking too much about it when this man had spoken to her earlier. She had not thought that she would be recognized just like that.
However, it was too late to change the way she spoke now.
Lu Huaiyu also looked over, with his brows slightly raised, as his black eyes carried some interest.
Although the native language of many countries was English, due to geographical, historical and cultural factors, there were usually differences in accents.
It was the same in Leland.
Compared to the standard accents of domestic students in English cla.s.ses, the p.r.o.nunciation of many words in Leland, as well as the light and heavy accents, had subtle differences.
It was indeed unusual for Shen Li to have this accent.
“No,” Shen Li smiled faintly. “I’ve never been to Leland.”
“Really?”
The man seemed to be unconvinced.
“But from what I heard, your p.r.o.nunciation and intonation are a very standard part of the Leland accent.”
As he spoke, he laughed again, with a look of pride on his face.
“Moreover, because Leland has a long Renaissance history, its vocabulary and grammar are closer to ancient English. Occasionally, it sounds a little similar to French. It’s not easy for the average person to speak it well.”
Hearing his words, Shen Li instantly guessed something.
“Sir, are you from Leland?”
The ability to recognize Leland’s accent in an instant, be so knowledgeable about Leland, and more importantly, be filled with a stubborn pride in Leland’s history and culture.
This man had all of these elements. Basically, it was clear that this man was a native of Leland.
Sure enough, the man smiled and nodded.
“It seems that this young lady is not only beautiful, but also smart. h.e.l.lo, I am Amos.”
Shen Li was not surprised.
“h.e.l.lo, I am Shen Li.”
“I’ve heard about the young lady of the Gu family in Hong Kong City.” Amos winked as he teased, “I just arrived in Hong Kong City yesterday and already heard about the grand family acknowledgment banquet.”
It had been so grand and lively that everyone knew about it, even if they had not been invited to Crescent Island.
It was just that Amos had not expected to meet this rumored local figure here by chance today.
Perhaps it was because Shen Li had spoken in the standard Leland language that he was so attentive towards her.
“Miss Shen has never been to Leland, yet she can speak so standard and fluent. That’s a truly rare occurrence. When I heard it just now, I thought that Miss Shen had spent a long in Leland before.”
It seemed impossible that she would be able to learn the accent of that place so well in such a short period of time.
As he spoke, he raised his chin.
“Just as this gentleman said, he has been to Leland many times before.”
Lu Huaiyu held the reins in one hand, and the corners of his lips curled up slightly.
“I’m somewhat interested in the history and culture of Leland. Moreover, the scenery of Leland is nice. It’s a good place to relax.”
He had spent a year in the headquarters of Fino Laboratory in Bai City, but in fact, whenever he had some free time, he had a preference for driving over to Leland on his own.
That was when he had developed his Leland accent.
This was something known to many.
Shen Li lowered her eyes. Her throat felt a little tight, and her fingers curled up slightly.
However, she concealed this subtle change of emotions extremely well.
Then, she looked up and met Amos’ gaze. A faint smile appeared on her lips.
“It’s true that I’ve never been to Leland, but after all, it’s the holy capital of art. I’ve always secretly yearned for it. While I was studying painting, I specially studied the history of Leland for a period of time. And because there happened to be a painter who I liked very much from Leland, I deliberately found quite a number of relevant courses and lectures to listen to. It’s probably… how I subtly developed a Leland accent.”
Amos looked surprised.
“Oh? Then, I wonder which painter is so favored by Miss Shen?”
Shen Li said, “Ronai.”
“So it’s him!”
Amos instantly understood, a pleasantly surprised expression on his face.
“He is indeed a very outstanding oil painter! I like his paintings very much as well.”
Ronai had been born in Leland and was an internationally renowned oil painting master on par with Mei Yanqing.
Lu Huaiyu’s gaze fell on Shen Li. He had not expected her to like Ronai’s paintings.
The style of this painting was very different from Mei Yanqing’s. The two of them followed different schools of art. Shen Li was Mei Yanqing’s disciple, so it was somewhat unexpected that she would be so fond of Ronai’s paintings.
However, art was free, to begin with. It would be quite normal for her to appreciate and like different styles of paintings.
Shen Li said, “Yesterday, I met an uncle who told me that I should visit Leland when I have the chance.”
Amos nodded in agreement.
“Yes! It’s really worth going there!”
Shen Li replied softly, “I think so too.”
As she spoke, she came to Qingfeng’s side, and took the reins from the horse trainer, then she mounted the horse.
Her shoulders were straight as she held the reins with one hand. Her long and straight legs gently clasped the horse’s belly, and Qingfeng immediately took two steps forward.
Although she held the horsewhip in her other hand, she had almost never used it before. Qingfeng was smart, and he was very cooperative with her.
He was capable of immediately understanding any command that she gave.
Amos looked at Shen Li, then at Lu Huaiyu, and smiled.
“Both of your equestrian movements seem to be very similar.”
Lu Huaiyu was also looking at Shen Li.
Actually, this was not the first time he had heard such comments before. Tang Ziqing and the others had said the same thing back at the Yunzhou horse farm.
Equestrianism had its own set of standards. Logically speaking, there should not be much difference between them.
However, both Shen Li and him really did have similarities.
“Is that so?”
Shen Li turned her head. There was a smile playing on the corners of her lips and her pure eyes.
Gu Siqi and Gu Sicheng were already on their horses. When they heard this, they could not help but nod in unison.
“Yes! We think so too!”
Gu Sicheng’s gaze swept over Shen Li and Lu Huaiyu. Suddenly, his eyes lit up.
“Cousin, have you ever competed with Second Brother before?”
Judging by the similar equestrian movements of the two of them, their standards should be about the same. If that was the case, who would win if they were to compete?
Shen Li shook her head.
“No.”
Lu Huaiyu looked at her and suddenly smiled.
“Then, why don’t we give it a try?”
Shen Li hesitated for a moment and shook her head.
“Qingfeng and I are already very familiar with each other, but Second Brother’s horse is still in the trial stage. It would not be very fair to compare it this way.”
The two brothers were a little disappointed, but they felt that Shen Li’s words were not unreasonable.
Lu Huaiyu actually did not mind about these things, but since she had said so…
“Alright, another day then.”
As Lu Huaiyu said this, he rode his horse to her side.
As if sensing some kind of danger, or as if he was naturally vigilant against a formidable enemy, the moment the white horse approached, Qingfeng anxiously raised his leg.
Shen Li called out to him in a low voice, “Qingfeng.”
Almost at the same time, a hand reached out.
Lu Huaiyu helped her hold the reins. With a slight pull, Qingfeng instantly became obedient.
“Ah Li.”
Lu Huaiyu easily restrained Qingfeng. He raised his eyes to look at her, as his thin lips curled into a smile.
“If you have the time in the future, will you go to Leland with me?”
Shen Li’s heart jumped, and she abruptly raised her eyes to look at him.