In the alley, Shi Zhenghe led several people to the entrance of a large manor. He knocked on the door a few times, and soon someone came to open it.
The one who opened the door for them was a little old man. Upon seeing Shi Zhenghe, the old man smiled and asked, "Xiao He, why is it you? Is there something you need from me?"
"Uncle Zhou, I heard a few days ago that your owner plans to sell this manor, so I've brought our boss to have a look today," Shi Zhenghe said in a gentle tone.
Because the manor was close to Jinxiu Pavilion, Uncle Zhou and Shi Zhenghe had known each other for a long time.
Upon hearing this, Uncle Zhou glanced behind Shi Zhenghe and was instantly stunned when he saw Leng Ruoli.
The young lady was as beautiful as a celestial being. Although she was dressed plainly, the ethereal aura she exuded could not be concealed. She appeared graceful and poised, possessing a beauty that seemed otherworldly, like a fairy who had descended to the mortal realm.
However, this young lady looked very familiar to him.
He then looked at the two men and two women behind Leng Ruoli and guessed who they were.
"Is this young lady your boss?" Uncle Zhou asked Shi Zhenghe, pointing at Leng Ruoli.
"Haha, Uncle Zhou, you have sharp eyes. That's right, this young lady is my boss," Shi Zhenghe said with a beaming smile.
Leng Ruoli also gave Uncle Zhou a polite smile.
This made Uncle Zhou feel that she looked more and more like that person.
"Come in, all of you."
Saying that, Uncle Zhou opened the gate and let them in.
"You all take a look around here first. I'll go inform the owner to come out."
After speaking, Uncle Zhou scurried away.
Leng Ruoli and the others stood in the courtyard to look around.
Uncle Zhou, meanwhile, entered the main courtyard and went to his owner's study, directly knocking on the door.
"Master, someone is here to see the house!" Uncle Zhou said excitedly.
"Mm, I know, Uncle Zhou. I'll be out shortly," the middle-aged man replied in a calm tone.
At that moment, he was painting a portrait of a woman, the one he had been unable to forget for so many years.
"Master, you must hurry this time, or if they get impatient and leave, we don't know when this manor will be sold," Uncle Zhou urged anxiously.
Hearing this, the middle-aged man's handsome brows furrowed. Why was Uncle Zhou being so long-winded today?
"Is the person looking at the house a man or a woman?" the middle-aged man asked.
"It's a young lady, a young lady who looks like a celestial being," Uncle Zhou replied with a playful riddle.
Upon hearing this, the middle-aged man's brows furrowed even more. Uncle Zhou had been with him for so many years, and he had never seen him speak so vaguely. This made him feel that something was odd.
So, he put down his brush, opened the door, and walked out.
"Let's go, we'll go out and see."
With that, the middle-aged man walked ahead.
After a moment, he arrived at the front courtyard. But when he saw the familiar figure in the courtyard, he froze as if turned to stone.
His lips trembled a few times, and he slowly uttered a name, "Wan'er, is that you?"
Upon hearing this, Leng Ruoli and the others turned to look at the middle-aged man.
Uncle Zhou quickly introduced, "Miss, this is my owner, the master of this manor."
After listening, Leng Ruoli sized up the middle-aged man. He was wearing a white robe with embroidered auspicious patterns, looking to be in his early forties. He had a handsome face, refined features, and a gentle, scholarly demeanor.
Then, Leng Ruoli smiled and said, "This humble one is the owner of Jinxiu Pavilion. Today, my employee mentioned that you are selling this manor, so I had him bring us to take a look."
The middle-aged man immediately came back to his senses. This young lady was not Wan'er. If Wan'er were still alive, she wouldn't be this young.
The middle-aged man immediately smiled and said, "Yes! I am indeed planning to sell this house."
However, his eyes never left Leng Ruoli's face, which made her feel quite awkward.
"Esteemed owner, is there something on my face?" Leng Ruoli asked speechlessly.
"No... no, Miss, I apologize," the middle-aged man said awkwardly.
Then, he spoke again, "Miss, my name is Zhou Baiyu. May I ask you a question?"
"Owner Zhou, please do," Leng Ruoli replied.
"Is your mother's name Xia Wan'er?"
Upon hearing this, Leng Ruoli was slightly taken aback. This man actually knew her birth mother's name. Could he be Xia Wan'er's admirer?
"Yes, Owner Zhou, my mother's name is indeed Xia Wan'er," Leng Ruoli said calmly.
"So you really are her daughter, Leng Ruoli. I saw you when you were just born, and I even attended your mother's funeral. I never imagined you would grow up so much," Zhou Baiyu said with a hint of sadness.
Uh...
"May I ask who you are?" Leng Ruoli asked with full of suspicion.
"I'm your mother's good friend. By seniority, you can call me Uncle Yu. Haha..."
Zhou Baiyu let out a hearty laugh.
Then, he continued, "Lier, ever since your mother passed away, Uncle Yu left the capital to travel the world doing business. But without your mother, and with no other relatives, earning money meant nothing. So, when I returned to the capital three years ago, I stayed in this manor every day without going out, completely unaware of what was happening across the street. A while ago, I had a sudden idea to sell this manor and then, taking Uncle Zhou with me, leave the capital to live a reclusive life in the mountains. I never expected to meet you today. This manor was actually chosen by your mother for me. If you like this manor, I'll give it to you."
Leng Ruoli was stunned. She had only gone to see a house and ended up finding a relative. And not only that, but he was also giving her such a large manor! It was as if a pie had fallen from the sky.
However, Leng Ruoli immediately refused.
"How can I accept that? Uncle Yu, please name a price. We'll feel more at ease if we pay for it."
"It's settled then. This manor is Uncle Yu's见面礼 (welcome gift) for you," Zhou Baiyu said excitedly.
Leng Ruoli's face was immediately covered with black lines. What was going on?
She felt utterly speechless.
Just as she was dazed, Zhou Baiyu called her back to attention.
"Lier, Uncle Yu will show you my manor first."
Leng Ruoli nodded slightly.
Then, as they walked, he introduced, "Lier, this manor is mainly divided into the main courtyard and the outer courtyard. Where we are standing now is the open-air garden of the outer courtyard. The design of the outer courtyard is relatively simple, with a total of sixteen side rooms and a large hall. You can take your time to look around here."
Leng Ruoli walked around the entire outer courtyard. The design of the outer courtyard was somewhat similar to a modern siheyuan (courtyard house). If she bought it, all the employees at her shop could have their own rooms, without having to squeeze together. She quite liked this manor.