04

A pillow of cool morning breeze blew from the mountains, a few warblers splashed down in the ravines, and the heat and depression under the eaves that had been stuffy all night dissipated without a shadow.

Meng Jia didn't wait for anyone to scream, she got up from the bed, stepped on the smooth floor barefoot, and stood quietly in front of the window for a long time.

Aside from being born in Beijing, she has no impression of that place. The anxiety of the whole summer finally turned into a strong reluctance at the moment of separation.

Zhang's mother called her in the yard, saying that breakfast was ready and asked her to hurry up.

Meng Jia changed into a sleeveless double-layer round-necked white shirt, an oil painting skirt, and a ponytail that was braided into a braid, which was draped diagonally over her shoulders.

Huang Wumei watched her sit down quietly, "Dressed like this, it looks like she has suddenly grown up." ”

"Originally, in two or three months, I would be nineteen."

Meng Jia smiled at her grandmother flatteringly, deliberately pretending to be relaxed.

Huang Wumei nodded and took out a blue velvet box from under the table, "At that time, grandma was not by your side, so I gave you a gift in advance." ”

"What?"

Huang Wumei stirred the soup, "See for yourself." ”

Meng Jia put down the porcelain spoon and opened the small box with dense suede, and there was a jade lock lying quietly inside.

A small piece of mutton fat white jade, engraved with ruyi group cloud pattern, a very delicate style, only stayed in her palm for a moment, moist and warm.

She remembered that she went to the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees that day, and her uncle asked her grandmother for something.

Meng Jia hurriedly returned it to her grandmother, "How dare I take this?" It's better to keep it safe at home. ”

Huang Wumei sternly ordered, "You wear it now, I asked the abbot to open the light and keep it safe." ”

It turned out that two days ago, my grandmother went to the temple for this.

Meng Jia had no choice but to hang it around her neck, "Do you wear it like this?" ”

"Beautiful."

The tiny silver chain glows with a slight luster, greasy on Meng Jia's soft white neck, facing the sun, it looks even more fragile and easy to break.

Eight dishes on the red sandalwood round table are Bi Chen, but unfortunately no one appreciates them, and no matter how delicious the dim sum is, it has not been patronized with a few chopsticks. This breakfast was eaten in the silence of the grandparents and grandchildren.

The mountain road is quiet on both sides, and the sound of car engines coming from afar is still abrupt.

When Meng Jia heard it, he grabbed the arm of the chair for no reason, and was shocked.

She stood up slowly, desperately holding back the overflowing depression, wanting to laugh, but she couldn't. I could only half cry and half laugh, and said Grandma, I'm leaving.

Huang Wumei sent it to the door, so she called Zhang's mother, and she said astringently, "You send her to the car." ”

Zhang's mother sighed twice and pushed the suitcase out. Meng Jia walked to the side of the trunk and turned back, her lips trembling slightly.

But Grandma just waved at her, and the corners of her lips covered with tiny dry lines pursed deeply, as if she was impatient, "Hurry up." ”

Zheng Ting opened the car door for her, Meng Jia didn't dare to take another look, his eyes were nailed to the front seat, and he didn't move.

Until he drove down the mountain, Meng Jia leaned his head sharply against the car window, and the house on the mountainside had turned into a blurry white spot.

She cupped her hands to her chest, gasped, and took a deep breath. Only then did I remember to say thank you to Zheng Ting.

"No, I don't. Miss Meng, it's still a while before you get to the airport, so let's squint for a while. ”

Zheng Ting saved face for the little girl, and didn't say a word, as if he had just noticed that she was in the car.

Meng Jia is very grateful for his thoughtfulness, if someone touches a wisp of emotion at this time, maybe she will really cry.

She was very reluctant to lose her temper in front of people. It's hard to hold back.

Zheng Ting sat in the passenger seat, saw that Meng Jia eased up a little, and chatted with her, "When does the school start?" ”

"September 2nd."

Zheng Ting nodded, "It's only been these two days, I wish you success in your studies." ”

"Thank you."

After a while, he reminded the driver, "Go back to the guest house to pick up Mr. Zhong." ”

Meng Jia sighed, "I thought he had arrived at the airport." ”

Zheng Ting pursed a smile on his lips, did not make a sound, and turned his head to look out the window.

I don't know how good Mr. Zhong, who is used to rejecting people, left an impression of how easy to talk in front of little girls. Miss Meng Jia, who is young, just cares about him and his up.

He asked tentatively, "You and Mr. Zhong are already very acquainted?" ”

Meng Jia gave a fair evaluation, "Not familiar." But I think he's kind to people. ”

Zheng Ting almost laughed out loud on the spot.

Probably Zhong Shushi himself didn't expect that in his life, he would still be able to catch up with the word goodness.

Meng Jia caught his forcible expression, "What, did I say the wrong thing?" ”

Zheng Ting said no, "It can be seen that you are not afraid of him at all." ”

"Is there anything he has to be afraid of?"

"Don't have too many people who are afraid of him."

The driver slowed down, slid over, and came to a gentle stop outside the building.

Without waiting for Zheng Ting to make a move, Zhong Shushi surrounded the people who saw him off, and preemptively opened the car door, "Mr. Zhong, you get in the car." Welcome to Guangzhou next time. ”

Meng Jia hurriedly put away his bag, smoothed out the subtle folds on his skirt, and showed him a smile as respectful as possible the moment the car door opened, "Hello Mr. Zhong." ”

But the curvature of her lips quickly straightened, and to be honest, she didn't do much to make these scenes.

Zhong Shushi nodded at her, got into the car, and brought in a smell as clean as frost.

He wore a black shirt with no obvious logo, and he couldn't tell what the brand was, but it was of a very sophisticated texture, with a well-made fabric and a button unbuttoned at the neckline.

Zhong Shushi frowned, lowered his head to read the news, and looked at his appearance, it should not be an idle official document.

Meng Jia only stayed for two seconds, then sat up straight, and his eyes didn't dare to roll around.

The aura of the man next to him is too strong, just sitting together, it makes people unfounded, and he lowers his head three points first. Especially when he is silent, he becomes more and more unpredictable.

Today he is different. Looking at the attitude of his driver and secretary, you can know a thing or two.

Meng Jia clearly felt the stiffness of his back, and the air pressure in the carriage quickly dropped when he got on the train. She pondered Zheng Ting's words, and secretly regretted that she was too bold in the Six Banyan Temple that day.

Fifty minutes later, they arrived at Baiyun Airport, where the driver and car were sent locally, and they turned back after putting their suitcases away.

In the business class, the entire crew was already on standby at the airport, and when they boarded the gangway, a smiling stewardess led Meng Jia to the way, "Please be careful here." ”

Meng Jia was arranged by the porthole, across a Venetian brown marble table, opposite Zhong Shushi.

The stewardess poured her a cup of Earl Grey tea, poured champagne, and pointed to the button above, "If you need other services, you can press this bell and call me." ”

Meng Jia glanced at the fruit plate on the table, and on the three-layer gold lacquer bone china plate snack shelf, there were a variety of dishes, such as scones, macarons and velvet cakes.

She thanked her again, saying that she shouldn't need anything anymore as someone who occasionally travels only in economy class.

Zhong Shushi sat down on the armchair, leaned back with his legs folded, and raised his hand to tell Zheng Ting, "Notify all directors and executives to convene an emergency meeting at two o'clock in the afternoon." ”

Zheng Ting asked, "What kind of meeting is it, and what do you want them to prepare in advance?" ”

"Regarding the current chief engineer Qian Fei, who was detained by the public security organs last night on suspicion of soliciting prostitution/prostitution, the group should deal with the incident."

After Zheng Ting listened, he was editing the hand of the notice, "Chief Engineer Qian is doing this again?" How does he remember to eat or not! ”

Zhong Shushi's voice was extremely cold, "It's his uncle who protected him last time, and he kept it too lightly, thinking that he could get through it in confusion when he returned." ”

"Then this time ......"

Zheng Ting didn't dare to say how Zhong Shushi would punish him according to the regulations.

Zhong Shushi said lightly, "It's a scourge to keep it any longer, let him take the blame and resign, and announce it when he comes out." ”

Zheng Ting was a little worried, "I'm afraid Chief Engineer Qian won't be so easy to comply, if he refuses to obey, maybe he will go around and intercede." ”

"When death is on the verge of death, don't even give people a chance to struggle, let him go and find it."

When Zhong Shushi speaks, there is always a kind of dismissive calmness, with innate arrogance, the speed of speech is neither fast nor slow, with his cold appearance, and the posture of a superior who is cautious and self-denying, it can be described as natural.

Since he said so, Zheng Ting knew in his heart that Chief Engineer Qian, who always made mistakes in style issues, was difficult to save even if the king of heaven came this time.

No wonder on the way to the airport, Zhong Shushi refused to say a word, the group had such unbearable negative news, and it was difficult for him to explain to the board of directors, let alone hold the top accountable.

Meng Jia only stared at Zhong Shushi for a few seconds, and when he collided with his eyes that were as cold as a wind knife, he couldn't help but shiver.

She hurriedly turned around, and it was only at this moment that Meng Jia was willing to admit that she was really bold that day, and she actually belittled him for being old-fashioned.

But soon, Meng Jia comforted herself and said that it was okay. She is not his subordinate, and when she arrives at school, it is difficult for them to cross paths again. If you are offended, you are offended, and the left is just a meeting in the water.

She is very good at untying the mind and undressing it.

After a few minutes, the flight attendant prompted that they were about to take off and asked them to fasten their seatbelts.

This set of teams is what Zhong Shushi is used to when he takes the plane, and he knows his temperament very well, knowing that he is not used to being waited on closely, so he did not dare to step forward to fasten his seat belt for him.

On Meng Jia's side, she took a business jet for the first time, and she didn't know where the seat belt on the leather sofa was buried, and it was all white in her eyes, which was more difficult to find than the hidden model.

When the stewardess was about to step forward to help her, Zhong Shushi had already taken a step forward, leaned down, reached out and pulled out a white polypropylene tie from the back, and buckled it with a click.

Meng Jia's back was close to the seat, the safe social distance was suddenly broken, and the fragrance of juniper on his body went straight to his nose, a very clear smell, but for no reason it made people dispossessed.

She tried not to smell it, but when she turned her face, his warm breath fluttered clearly on her cheeks.

Such an embarrassing situation forced her to dare to bow her head and look at his jade folding fan-like hand, so wide that his palm could cover her face.

When Meng Jia came back to his senses, he was shocked to realize that the shadow in front of him had disappeared, and Zhong Shushi had already sat back in his place.

God, how long has she been in the hair?

Meng Jia said thank you, and because of nervousness, her voice lowered again and again. If it's a little more noisy on the plane, you won't be able to hear clearly.

Zhong Shushi saw her crampedness, "It seems to have become restrained today." ”

"That day in the temple, I didn't speak very well, Mr. Zhong, don't be surprised."

Since he mentioned it, Meng Jia thought, it is better to apologize to him. So she had peace of mind.

lest when you think of this day in the future, you will always feel that there is something unfinished. She doesn't like to drag mud and water.

Zhong Shushi forgot it cleanly, "Oh, which sentence is not good?" ”

Meng Jia explained a lot, "Don't mention that sentence." In fact, you are not old at all, you are very handsome, and you are the kind of person who can fight especially in your age. ”

It turned out to be his old sentence.

Zhong Shushi repeated it, sneering lightly, "Am I my age?" ”

Ah, can't you say age either? What's wrong with this expression? Couldn't be more commonplace.

Maybe people in high positions have heard too much praise, and their psychological tolerance is relatively poor, Meng Jia thought.

But she couldn't tell a lie, and folded, "I'm just saying that you are like this, the age of the prime." ”

Zhong Shushi snorted softly, this should be the most unnatural sycophant he has ever heard.

Looking at her face again, there was a look of sincerity and fear, and not much caution.

He'd seen too many people who were afraid of him. But Meng Jia was not afraid of him at all, she was afraid of offending him, or more precisely, she was afraid of getting involved with him.

Zhong Shushi felt a little interesting. He said with a bit of a joke, "It doesn't matter. People my age don't hold much grudges. ”

Meng Jia's face was hot, and he could see it.

Isn't it, it's that obvious?

Zheng Ting sent a few more documents, and when Zhong Shushi lowered his head to read them, he stood aside, holding a pen, silent, waiting for his reply at any time.

Meng Jia took out the book from her bag, a long poem by Thomas Gray, called "Tombside Elegy", the precursor of eighteenth-century romanticism.

She had only turned two pages when she heard a voice from the other side ask, "Do you like Gray's poems?" ”

Meng Jia shook her head, "The tone of his poems is too melancholy, I don't like it." ”

"Then you are ......"

Meng Jia spread it out to show him, and the Xuan-colored paper seal was also dulled by her snow-white fingertips.

Under each line of poetry, she used a black gel pen to translate a sentence into Chinese. Her handwriting is very delicate, with a hidden pen edge, and it can be seen that she has practiced for a while.

Zhong Shushi understood, it turned out that she was doing translation training with Gray's poems, and the little girl was very motivated.

He pointed to the phrase "And leaves the world to darkness and me."

Zhong Shushi saw Meng Jia and wrote: "The world is left alone with me and darkness. ”

He remembered where he had read this sentence, and after a little thought, he seriously discussed the poem with her, "Whether this line has been translated or not, only I and Twilight share the world." ”

Meng Jia smiled, "This is Mr. Qian Zhongshu's translation, where can I compare?" ”

The unique blank flavor of modern literati, the poignancy and romance of the pen, cannot be achieved without decades of profound skill.

Zhong Shushi withdrew his hand and reminded her appropriately, "You've just entered your freshman year, take it easy, don't be in such a hurry." ”

"I don't have much time to relax, Mr. Chung. For I am neither wise nor as good as others. ”

Meng Jia teased herself, with a self-deprecating smile on her face, as light as a tissue paper kite, but every sentence was true.

When applying for a major, she really wanted to choose the column in the catalog, two plus two study abroad programs, and she could go to the University of London in her junior year, according to the admission line of previous years, her score should be enough, but Meng Jia was frightened by the high tuition fees, and retreated to the second best place and applied for the translation major.

Ever since she visited London once, she has never forgotten the atmosphere of the Thames and always wanted to have the opportunity to study.

Later, she asked her senior sister who was admitted to the same school, and the senior sister told her that most of the senior graduates of their school chose to study for a master's degree in translation at this school, and the retention rate was very high.

If you really want to go abroad and are worried about the cost, you can apply for public study abroad, but the number of places is very small, and the competition pressure is very high. She understands that it is nothing more than choosing the best of the best.

After Meng Jia finished speaking, she quickly lowered her head again, and continued her translation practice.

Zhong Shushi's face was light and cloudy, his eyes behind the lenses were as thin as mountains and seas, and his thoughts had gone tens of millions of miles.

The girl in front of him, the most cliché plot in the world, ridiculous and embarrassing, all happened to her.

The mother who died crazy early, the father who was bent on camping and climbing to the powerful, and the grandfather who was stubborn.

She grows freely in this barren land, but is nourished with angular beauty and sobriety.

The stewardess came to add tea, Meng Jia said thank you, and she caught a glimpse of the opposite side looking at her.

She wondered, wouldn't it be rude to patronize and do your own thing? Is he asking someone to chat with him?

Meng Jia put away her pen and picked a topic that would not step on thunder, "What major did Mr. study?" ”

After she finished speaking, she secretly wondered, how long is it from Guangzhou to Beijing? What to do if there is not so much to say.

He put his hand on his lap, "Like your father, study classical philosophy." Probably one of the most boring majors in the world. ”

But Meng Jia didn't think so, but felt ancient and mysterious, "Then you originally wanted to become a philosopher?" ”

Zhong Shushi smiled loosely with his eyebrows, "Not at all." When people reach the point of calling themselves home, basically, the road has come to an end. ”