I saw the young man who walked into the living room with a suitcase with handsome eyebrows and a cold temperament, it was Wen Baiqing.

Wen Jingshu stood up in surprise and said, "Why don't you come back without saying hello, so that your family can pick you up at the dock." ”

"I'll only come back for two days and leave, and I'm not a child anymore, where can I use someone to pick it up in person," Wen Baiqing said as he casually handed the suitcase to the maid, and asked, "See Ning, why don't you see her." ”

Wen Jingshu shook her head and said, "You don't know that your sister knows to lock herself in your room and read books all day long." It's a good girl, it's time to make more friends, but she turns herself into a nerd. I finally went out with someone today, but I broke my leg, and I'm resting in my room. ”

Wen Baiqing looked upstairs while smiling to excuse Wen Jianning: "Jianning is still young, and in another three or four years, it will not be too late for her to make friends when she is the same age as Jianwan." Is she seriously injured, what does the doctor say?"

Although Wen Jingshu had the heart to say a few more words to him, she also saw that he was in a hurry to talk to Wen Jianning, and she didn't stop him at the moment: "It's just that I broke my foot, just rest for a while." Since you're back today, let's start dinner later today and let the maid cook your favorite food." You go upstairs and talk to her, and then bring her a plate of snacks to pad her stomach. ”

As soon as she heard her words, Wen Baiqing's face softened a little: "Seeing that Ning is not sensible, I bother you aunt." ”

Wen Jingshu shook her head and smiled: "What kind words do you say, it's all a family." ”

Seeing Xiu and the others watching the conversation between the aunt and nephew on the side.

It wasn't until Wen Baiqing went upstairs that she lowered her head, her eyes slightly darkened.

Although what she said to Jianning today had an element of anger, it was not all false. My aunt values my cousin, and my cousin values Jianning, and cares about her everywhere. For example, Fang Cai, the cousin didn't look at them again except for nodding to them when he first came in. Even if he knew that the relationship between the two of them was good in the morning, it was inevitable that he would be a little depressed in his heart.

But she quickly shook off that feeling.

She is the best with Jianning, and with Cousin Bai Qing taking care of her, she should be happy, how can she be jealous of her because of this.

…

In the room, Wen Jianning was sitting on the bed reading a book when he suddenly heard a knock on the door.

She jumped out of bed, limped open the door and looked, only to see Wen Baiqing standing outside the door with a plate of snacks, and couldn't help but be surprised: "Why did you come back." ”

Wen Baiqing raised the snack plate in his hand: "Are you sure you want me to stand at the door and talk to you." ”

Wen Jianning reacted at this time, and hurriedly asked him to come in and sit down.

After closing the door, Wen Baiqing asked about her injuries, Wen Jianning briefly mentioned what happened today, and then asked him about the reason for his disappearance during this time.

Wen Baiqing only said that he was about to graduate this year and went out on a mission some time ago.

Because it involved secrets in the army, he didn't mention it much, and Wen Jianning didn't ask again.

The two hadn't seen each other for many days, and they chatted for a long time before they remembered the topic.

Wen Baiqing asked, "You wrote to me earlier, do you have something to say?" ”

Wen Jianning took out a folded newspaper from the bookshelf in the room and handed it to him.

Wen Baiqing casually took it and unfolded it, glanced at the content of the tabloid casually, and quickly found the column signed by Ming Kan, and when he saw that it was an article, he looked up in surprise and asked, "You wrote it?"

Wen Jianning nodded reservedly, and seeing that he didn't care, he hurriedly emphasized: "I wrote it, you look at it." ”

After a general glance, Wen Baiqing made a brief comment: "Cheesy to the extreme. ”

Wen Jianning glared at him and stretched out his hand: "Give me back my money." ”

He immediately changed his words with a sense of the times: "But it was written by our brocade-minded Miss Wen San, but it was full of flowers and wonderful. ”

The brother and sister talked and laughed a few words as usual, and Wen Jianning told Wen Baiqing her thoughts.

"Although the editor Fang has been kind to me, the circulation of tabloids on Hong Kong Island is limited after all, and I want to try to submit articles to domestic newspapers and magazines. If you have time, pay attention to the newspapers and publications in Guangzhou for me, if there are suitable and well-paid, you can help inquire about the address of the newspaper, I also want to give it a try, maybe I can make money. ”

Wen Jianning has always known that the competition between newspapers and periodicals in China is far fiercer than here in Hong Kong. Only those who are serialized in newspapers and are popular can publish single books, and they can make a lot of money by relying on royalties. For example, Mr. Zhang Liuyu bought a villa in Shanghai by relying on royalties. Although Mr. Fang appreciates her at present, she can't really rest on her laurels.

And if she really wants to make a name for herself by writing, she can't just write like this in a newspaper.

Wen Baiqing was still smiling and listening to her at first, but only realized that something was wrong when she heard it.

He frowned slightly, and said seriously: "I said earlier that I wanted to borrow money from you, but I was in a hurry to go to the doctor. If you're going to write, don't think too much about money. When I graduate and become an officer next year, at least I will have a stable salary every month, and you don't have to worry about me. As for your current manuscript fee, you should keep it yourself, and girls should still save some private money by themselves, so that they have confidence in what they will do in the future. ”

When he came back this time, he planned to return Wen Jianning's money to her, and by the way, he would stuff her with some pocket money. After listening to Wen Jianning's words, he felt that he should have done this a long time ago.

Wen Jianning poured a basin of cold water on him: "It is also possible that as soon as you finish your studies, you will be assigned to be a big soldier and wash the feet of the commander all day long." ”

Wen Baiqing just laughed, disapproving of her words.

The military academy he studied in Guangzhou is currently the most famous military academy in China, and the worst students who graduated from there are to go to the army to start as low-level officers, and what commander dares to let the students who graduated from the military academy wash their feet.

Not to mention people like him, who have already had a teacher to help greet them in the army.

Thinking of this, he spoke: "Speaking of which, when I came back this time, I happened to have an important thing to tell you. ”

Wen Jianning tilted his head and listened.

Wen Baiqing wrote lightly: "Your future sister-in-law has fallen." ”

Wen Jianning was stunned for two seconds before he reacted, and suddenly jumped up in surprise: "Are you in love? Why didn't you tell me earlier? Which lady is it, or is it your classmate? Do you have girls in your military academy? Why haven't I heard you mention it before?"

Wen Baiqing hurriedly made a downward gesture and motioned for her to be quiet.

After Wen Jianning obediently made a silent gesture, he smiled and said, "The other party is my teacher's daughter in the military academy, I saw it when I went to the teacher's house for dinner before, and the person is very quiet." Although I haven't officially gotten engaged yet, listening to the meaning of my teacher's words, it should be eight or nine years old. ”

Wen Jianning was excited for a while before calming down, and after thinking about it, he reminded him: "Don't be too happy, I'm afraid that the eldest uncle won't agree easily." ”

Their marriage, I am afraid that the Wen family has already planned it.

"My family sent us out to study so that we could be useful to the family in the future. The eldest uncle has a limited circle, and at most they are friends in the business field. And my teacher has a wide range of connections in the army, which will be of great benefit to my future career," Wen Baiqing's expression was calm and indifferent, "They will be able to distinguish the benefits and disadvantages." ”

Wen Jianning sniffed out a hint of strangeness from his words: "I just felt strange, I just heard what you said about what your teacher meant, what the eldest uncle meant, why didn't you say what the young lady who was going to be engaged to you was?"

"Naturally, she was willing. ”

Wen Baiqing's answer was short and neat, but the meaning revealed was very clear-

This is not the free love that Wen Jianning imagined at all, but a utilitarian marriage. If it weren't for the future future, I'm afraid Wen Baiqing might not be engaged to this teacher's beloved daughter.

Wen Jianning was silent.

For a moment, she didn't know whether to feel sorry for Wen Baiqing or feel sorry for the future sister-in-law she had never met.

Although she already knew that their future marriage might not be autonomous, she never thought that Wen Baiqing was the first to embark on this road.

Wen Baiqing smiled: "You don't have to worry about me, you still have to worry about yourself more." Do you have any boys you like at school, and if so, you might as well show them to me? ”

Wen Jianning came back to his senses at this time, shook his head and sighed: "Some people are really strange, they used to train me to study hard in school all day long. Now that I suddenly said that I was going to get engaged, I also wanted to ask someone else to fall in love. ”

Wen Baiqing, who was squeezed by her, had to change the topic: "This matter can be put aside for the time being, I'll ask about my studies first." With such good grades, have you ever thought about where to go to university in the future, whether to go to HKU or go abroad?"

Wen Jianning was stunned for a moment, and then said honestly: "I didn't think about it so much. ”

At present, she is still studying in the country, where can she think about what will happen in a few years.

When she first came to Hong Kong, she still thought about how she would return to China to find her aunt in the future. But as he grew older, Wen Jianning understood that in today's chaotic world, the chances of finding lost relatives in the vast sea of people are too slim. Slowly, this thought faded away.

In the past six years, she has become accustomed to Wen Jingshu and her life being arranged by them, and to having Mr. Qi write letters to guide her studies and writing.

But Wen Baiqing suddenly mentioned it, and she realized that she had almost no plans for the farther future.

Wen Jianning felt a faint uneasiness in his heart.

The days in the villa were too leisurely, and she quietly relaxed her due vigilance.

Wen Baiqing, who was on the other side, patiently analyzed her: "The domestic situation has been unstable in recent years, and it is not enough for the Japanese to conquer the Northeast, and they are still eyeing North China, and I am afraid that it will be even more peaceful in the next few years." Although Hong Kong is far from the war in the mainland, this island is still too small, and my personal advice is that you go abroad to take a look. If you like literature, you can go to England to read Shakespeare and Shelley, or go to France to learn about Stendhal and Balzac, no matter where you go, it will help you broaden your horizons. ”

It was rare for his tone to be so gentle, but Wen Jianning only felt uncomfortable.

She put her hands on her knees, lowered her head and said: "Is it really too peaceful abroad, I heard that the situation in Europe has been very tense recently, and there is no telling us when war will break out again in Europe." ”

"Then go to the United States," Wen Baiqing said calmly, "It's far away from Asia and Europe, and the flames of war can't burn there." ”

Wen Jianning sneered: "That country is only two hundred years old, and the so-called civilization is just picking up the wisdom of Europe, what literature is worth studying." ”

Wen Baiqing saw that she retorted again and again, knowing that she was resistant to talking about this matter, so he softened his tone and said, "I'm just making a suggestion, not making a decision for you." It's just that you're already in middle school, and you're bound to face a choice in a few years, so it's better to plan early. After all, when that time comes, if you haven't made a plan, the family will definitely plan everything for you. ”

He is telling the truth.

If Wen Baiqing, as a man, still has a certain choice in marriage, the fate of the Wen family girls was already doomed as early as the day they set foot in Hong Kong. If they don't want to be treated as a gift by their family, they can only fight on their own.

Wen Jianning finally nodded: "I understand." ”

Seeing her slumped look, Wen Baiqing couldn't help but smile and shook his head: "I'm just reminding you a few words, look at you are afraid of being like this." There's nothing to worry about, when that time comes, I'll naturally have your back. "Three or five years is enough time for Wen Baiqing to gain a firm foothold in the army, and he will naturally be able to shelter this sister he has seen growing up since he was a child under his wing.

Wen Jianning was noncommittal, and suddenly remembered the most important thing, and hurriedly asked, "You inquired about your aunt's whereabouts before, did you have any clues?"

Wen Baiqing's still smiling face froze for a long time before he said, "I haven't been able to find it for a while." What are you asking for, didn't you go to Tangxi secretly behind my back?"

He keenly grasped the crux of the question at once, and Wen Jianning was speechless when asked.

She simply did not deny it, and confessed that she had obtained the contact information of a Tangxi prostitute from Mr. Qi.

Halfway through the words, Wen Baiqing lowered his face and reprimanded her: "What I told you before, you went in your left ear and went out in your right ear, right?" What kind of place is Tangxi, you have to drill there for a female student, and meet with prostitutes. Wen Jianning, you are really becoming more and more capable. ”

Wen Jianning explained in a low voice: "That person was known to Mr. Qi before, and there will be no mistakes. ”

Wen Baiqing didn't care about that: "What Mr. Qi, she has lived in Hong Kong for a few days and knows a few people. Everyone in this world can change, not to mention that it is just a so-called friend of hers. You are not allowed to meet that person again, do you hear?"

Anyway, after meeting Meng Li several times before, Wen Jianning had almost finished asking what she wanted to ask, and nodded and agreed immediately.

But she still had the courage to add: "It just so happens that you are also in Hong Kong this time, otherwise you will accompany me to see that person one last time in the past two days, maybe there will be a clue." ”

Seeing that Wen Baiqing's face turned blue in an instant, Wen Jianning hurriedly changed his words and said: "Of course, I just mentioned it casually, I have promised you that I will not see that person again, and I will definitely not see her again." After all, even if there is no clue, you can tell me about your mother. According to her seniority, she is also my aunt. I've told you about my aunt and uncle before, and you haven't told me anything. ”

Wen Baiqing glared at her, and finally eased his complexion.

He pondered for a while before he spoke slowly: "She used to be a prostitute, but she was redeemed by my father, changed her name and surname, and then lived a serious life. When I was six years old, my father died of illness, and she took me to beg for a living, and she finally pulled me up. ”

After that, he was taken away by the Wen family, and the mother and son have been separated so far, and they have not been able to find each other.

Wen Jianning asked: "Then do you remember what she looked like, or what characteristics she had?" I don't think it's necessarily bad news that you haven't found her whereabouts for so long. Maybe she's changed her name and started a different business. If so, she may still be living somewhere in Hong Kong, and maybe I'll be able to meet her on the street one day. ”

Wen Baiqing said uncertainly: "I can't tell you about her appearance for a while, but I hid a small portrait of her." I stayed in Guangzhou, I didn't bring it back this time, and I'll show it to you next time. ”

Wen Jianning nodded, and finally asked, "Having said so much, I still don't know the name of the third aunt?"

(End of chapter)