"Did An Yanni come to you personally?" Yu Chihong asked.

Yang Ruide said yes, he had known An Yanni before, An Yanni was a guest at home, and euphemistically expressed the hope that he could give up the acquisition of Hai Wenqing's former residence, because Ruixin also took a fancy to the land and intended to acquire it. Of course, Ruixin has not made any movement so far, but since he has given up, he will no longer ask about that matter.

"We're coming, and we have a personal matter." Yu Chihong took out the old black and white photo from Luo Yi from his pocket, "I want you to identify whether the two women in the photo are the sixth aunt of the Qiao Mansion, Tailan Gu, and her adopted daughter Lan Xin." ”

Yang Ruide took the photo and looked at Shaoqing and said: "I took a few old photos of Qiao Zhi's family from the Internet some time ago, and I went to compare them. ”

He quickly brought in photos, including a photo of Qiao Zhi and a foreigner, and a photo of a masquerade. In the old photo, there is also a picture of a foreign teacher giving a lesson to a girl with traditional long braids, and the photo has an English caption, and the girl in the picture is Qiao Zhi's daughter, named Lan Xin. In comparison, it is the same person as the girl in Luo Yi's collection of photos, so there is no doubt that Lan Xin is Luo Yi's grandmother.

"I heard my grandfather say that my great-grandfather attached great importance to learning advanced Western science and technology in the education of his children. At that time, he specially invited several foreign teachers to teach his children to learn English and related scientific knowledge at home. Qiao Yan said, "Grandpa also pointed out that great-grandfathers are gender-neutral in the education of their children, and boys and girls are well educated alike." When learning foreign knowledge, I did not forget to educate them on traditional Chinese culture, which was rare at that time. ”

The photo of the masquerade is even older, and most of the people in the photo are wearing masquerade masks, and the participants are both men and women. The photo was taken at the beginning of the twentieth century. Most of the people in the photo are still wearing the daily clothes of the Qing Dynasty, but there are also some people who have caught up with the trend of the times, wearing Western suits and hats. This photo with a strong atmosphere of the times uses its own unique way to tell people a gesture that Haidu showed when he came into contact with foreign culture.

Aunt Ah Xiu said that the sixth aunt Tailan Gu followed her husband to participate in the masquerade ball, and met Qiao Zhi at the dance, Qiao Zhi was like a visitor from outside the world and broke into Langu's heart. If it weren't for a serious illness in Langu later, which completely destroyed the relationship between the two, she would still be favored and accompanied by Qiao Zhi until she grew old. But if that's the case, Lan Gu won't hold Lan Xin, and there will be less "a must-see scenery" in Qiao's mansion, and there will be no love-hate obsession between Lan Xin and three very good men later.

"You know Marie Lebrun's paintings, there's one in the museum." Yang Ruide suddenly said to Wei Chihong, "I heard that the painting was donated to the museum by your great-grandfather. ”

Yu Chihong nodded and said he knew.

"The painting in the museum, which depicts the back of a human figure, and another painting on the front, went abroad, and just caused a sensation at the auction two days ago." Yang Ruide entered the study, found a copy of "World Art Newspaper", turned to the page about the auction of paintings, and handed it to Wei Chihong.

The bold headline, "Marie Lebrun's painting reaches new auction record, mystery buyer is a ninety-year-old".

According to reports, Sotheby's auction house held an auction of works by masters in New York, USA, and Marie Lebrun's painting "Girl under the Rose" sold for $36.8 million. This is the second record for Marie Lebrun's painting to sell for $21.4 million at Sotheby's last year.

Marie Lebrun was one of the leading American women painters of the early 20th century. She is good at depicting women, and the images of women she creates are dignified, toned, sensible, and serene, fully reflecting the tastes admired and pursued by the middle class, as well as their ideal family lifestyle and family culture. It also reflects the expectations of people in that era for families and women. The work has a stable, clear, and unpretentious style, which is a unique feature of her as an American woman and an American artist who pursues an independent personality. She has received many awards and accolades and has become an artist with a worldwide reputation.

Marie Lebrun once lived on the island of Chase Waves in China, and she wrote "The Girl Under the Roses" during her time on the island. The work was commissioned for auction by a gallery in New York, and the painting was auctioned by an unnamed mysterious old gentleman, who is said to be over 90 years old, and someone saw the old gentleman crying over the painting, and there must be a moving story behind it.

"That mysterious old gentleman is ......" Qiao Yan already had an answer in her heart.

"It's my grandfather." Yu Chihong immediately said, "He must have contacted the gallery through Hong Hao, and when he learned that the gallery was going to entrust the paintings for auction, he rushed to the auction site in person." ”

Qiao Yan sighed deeply, behind the old man's tears in the painting, what kind of unforgettable affection was hidden, how to be unswerving attachment to death?

The rainy season is not over yet, the cold wind is blowing compassionately, and the drizzle is endless. Yu Chihong held the umbrella and walked side by side with Qiao Yan in the drizzle. The rain struck on the umbrella like a moving little poem. Her head rested on his shoulder, and his hand was around her waist. The rain and fog weaved a big net, and they walked in the net, in the fog, in the vastness.

The houseboat hasn't been so lively for a long time, the new nanny has not yet been found, and Beibei's birthday dinner is mainly prepared by Liang Xiaoxuan, who is said to have temporarily sent her son to a neighbor's house in order to celebrate Beibei's birthday.

Liang Xiaoyu was busy in the kitchen, and Zhong Kai gave her a hand. In the living room outside, in addition to Yu Chihong, Qiao Yan and Beibei, Wan Xing, Zeng Jinling and Sun Jiaquan also came. Wan Xing and Sun Jiaquan are both Beibei's designated candidates to invite, since Sun Jiaquan was invited, Zhong Kai even invited his mother.

Bei Bei pestered Sun Jiaquan to play the flute for him, and Sun Jiaquan played a cheerful tune, the flute sound was loud, the melody was pleasant, Bei Bei shook with the music, and danced with his hands. At the end of the song, everyone applauded. Zeng Jinling looked at her son and smiled proudly.

"Brother, can I kiss you?" Bei Bei asked with a small face.

Sun Jiaquan was stunned for a moment, and then smiled and said, "Of course you can." He leaned down, and Babe really kissed him on the cheek, making a "pop" sound. In the laughter of others, Sun Jiaquan's face turned slightly red, but Bei Bei couldn't stop laughing happily.

The houseboat's dining room was brightly lit, and Liang Xiaoyu burned the whole table. Zhong Kai opened a bottle of champagne and a bottle of brandy. Liang Xiaoyu deliberately dressed up today, wearing a light blue sweater with small ruffles, a long blue plaid skirt, and long hair hanging down her shoulders. Compared to when she was in the hospital, Qiao Yan could feel the obvious changes in her. Her cheeks were rosy, no longer the unhealthy pale she had when she was wrapped in black. Her smile has increased, and her figure has become a little plumper, which makes her look even more feminine. Qiao Yan looked at her quietly, and couldn't help but realize the ingenuity of Chinese idioms, what is "ice muscle and jade bones", and what is "graceful". At this time, Liang Xiaoxuan is basically no different from Liang Xiaoliang in the photo placed in Zhong Kai's room.

Zhong Kai poured himself a full glass of wine, stood up, held the cup in both hands, and his face was full of excitement. "Today, Beibei turns seven years old, thank you for your continued love for Beibei. I have cared so little about her over the years, thanks to your ......," he said with a choked throat, "I solemnly promise today in front of everyone that I will be doubly good to my children in the future to make up for all these years of debt to her." ”

Bei Bei patronized and talked to Sun Jiaquan, but she didn't listen to what Zhong Kai said. Liang Xiaoxuan, who was sitting next to him, looked at him with moist eyes, and his eyes seemed to contain a thousand words.

After Zhong Kai raised his head and drank all the wine in the cup, he toasted everyone present one by one. When it was Wanxing's turn, he already had three points of alcohol. "Wanxing, thank you for your dedication." He made a pun, with deep gratitude and apology, "You are a very good girl, I wish you happiness!" ”

Wan Xing's expression tonight has always been indifferent, and when others speak, she will also interject a few words, but her mind is obviously wandering and she is not in a state. She raised her cup and drank it all, without saying a word, and there was no joy or sorrow on her face.

Zhong Kai also drank all the wine in the glass and walked away from Wan Xing.

Zhong Kai drank a lot of wine, and Liang Xiaoyu couldn't help but quietly hold his wrist and said softly: "Don't drink, you've already drunk too much!" ”

"It's rare to get drunk a few times in life." Zhong Kai stared at her, his eyes sparkling, "Today is a joyful day, I have been looking forward to it for seven years. Seven years, what a long time, how can I not get drunk? He drank another glass of wine.

Liang Xiaoyu turned his back with a complicated expression and wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes with the back of his hand.

Before dinner was over, Wei Chihong received a call from Li Haoxun asking him to go to the bureau, and he could only leave apologetically. Others continued to enjoy dinner, accompanied Bei Bei to blow out candles, cut cakes, and Sun Jiaquan played birthday songs on the flute to add to the joyful atmosphere.

After eating the cake, the rain stopped outside, and Bei Bei asked Sun Jiaquan to go out with her, and Sun Jiaquan took her out. Zeng Jinling rushed to help Liang Xiaoyu clean up the dishes and chopsticks, Zhong Kai was already drunk, and insisted on going into the kitchen to help. Qiao Yan and Wan Xing were left with nothing to do, sitting on the sofa in the living room.

It didn't take long to see Liang Xiaoxuan helping Zhong Kai over. "Can you help me get him back to his room?" Liang Xiaoxuan begged Qiao Yan and Wan Xing for help.

Qiao Yan was about to get up, but Wan Xing grabbed her arm. "Get out of the way!"