Chapter 162: Double Happiness
Bai Hongqi pointed to a carefully tended clump of orchids in the courtyard and smiled. “Look at this—doesn’t it look like the ones we have at our Nanfang home? When I first arrived, I didn’t even recognize them. These orchids grow much bigger here in Shu than the ones we keep in pots back home.”
Old Madam Bai nodded with a smile.
The group stayed for a while in Meishan. Elder Bai adapted well to the Shu climate, and Old Madam Bai and the others enjoyed the scenery and local cuisine, praising them enthusiastically.
Bai Mingyu stayed in Meishan to accompany the elders, bustling about to attend to them and show his diligence.
The Meishan factories were gradually being built, but the first batch of people to arrive from the Bai family were not managers or technical staff—they were students. Because the North was unstable, the teachers and students from the family academy relocated first. They came in two groups—some to Qingdao, some to Meishan. Though separated, these young people were protected.
The outbreak of war had left them no choice.
The Northern students traveled by boat into Sichuan, ranging in age from seven to over ten. Some were Bai family members; others were children studying at the Bai family academy. Their first lesson in Meishan was led by their teacher: bow deeply to the North, lift their heads to look ahead.
Though they had left their homeland, their hearts longed to return.
Master their skills well, and in this chaotic era, they could still find a place to prove themselves, and one day return home.
That year, most students over fifteen left their studies to join the military.
Bai Mingyu helped arrange accommodations for all teachers and students at the academy, preparing classrooms and supplies efficiently. The elder teachers, with hair already streaked with white, had taught Bai Mingyu years ago. Seeing Bai Mingyu, they could not help but laugh, praising him and expressing pride in his growth.
When Bai Hongqi walked over, she overheard a few sentences and asked curiously, “Is this your teacher from when you were little? What did he just say?”
Bai Mingyu beamed. “What else would he say? He was praising me! I’ve been outstanding since I was a child, and the teacher remembers it!”
“Stop joking, I heard it too. The teacher said you were the naughtiest when you were young and even made little Xie copy your homework!” Bai Hongqi asked with curiosity, “When you studied with little Xie, did you ever bully him?”
Bai Mingyu shook his head like a rattle drum. “No, no. I got along best with little Xie.”
Bai Hongqi then asked, “Did little Xie ever bully you?”
Bai Mingyu: “…It’s hard to say.”
Bai Hongqi laughed at him. “Even if he did, it’s because you were clumsy. Not just little Xie, I sometimes felt anxious just watching you.”
Seeing her laugh, Bai Mingyu couldn’t help but grin, puffing out his chest and speaking sweetly to aunt: “I won’t let anyone bully me in the future… except you.”
Bai Hongqi blushed and poked his forehead. “Silly, who cares?”
Having accomplished some tasks recently, Bai Mingyu gradually earned some praise from the elders. Old Madam Bai even complimented him several times.
In early autumn, Lord Bai Jiu and little Xie visited Meishan to see the elders.
Elder Bai greeted them warmly and even had the small kitchen prepare little sweet dumplings, which Xie Jing liked, and they talked for quite a while.
Feeling that today was a special occasion with Lord Bai Jiu and Xie Jing present—Bai Mingyu considered Lord Bai Jiu a senior—and with all the elders around, Bai Mingyu lingered even after the family meal, sipping tea and not leaving.
Someone tugged him twice, and suddenly Bai Mingyu went “plop,” kneeling to kowtow to Old Madam Bai.
Everyone was startled. Old Madam Bai asked, “What’s the matter? Calmly speak your words; there’s no need to act so suddenly.”
Bai Mingyu stammered, “Old Madam… you said Lord Bai Jiu and their return is a joyous occasion… I… I beg a favor, hoping for… a double happiness.”
Old Madam Bai was taken aback. “What favor?”
Bai Mingyu: “I beg you to approve my marriage with Hongqi. I swear, I will treat her well for my entire life!” The more nervous Bai Mingyu became, the less he knew what to say. Kneeling, he kowtowed again, looking at Old Madam Bai pleadingly.
Old Madam Bai’s brows furrowed in anger. “Nonsense! Do you think Hongqi is just anyone? A good girl’s marriage is not requested so casually!” She was so upset she didn’t even finish her tea, taking Bai Hongqi and leaving.
Bai Mingyu was stunned, but when he looked up, he saw Bai Hongqi glance back at him secretly, smiling and winking.
After Old Madam Bai left, the elders in the hall couldn’t help laughing. Elder Bai chuckled, “Today’s family dinner turned out livelier than expected. But it’s getting late; let’s disperse. Tomorrow’s matters can wait; there’s no rush.”
Everyone gradually left, with Lord Bai Jiu and Xie Jing walking at the back.
Bai Mingyu remained kneeling, looking pitifully at them. “Master, what should I do?”
Lord Bai Jiu said calmly, “Think for yourself.”
Then he walked out.
Xie Jing paused slightly, standing next to Bai Mingyu and whispered softly, “Write a letter back to Qinghe. Marriage isn’t a trivial matter. Three rounds of matchmaking and six formal proposals… nothing can be skipped.”
Bai Mingyu’s eyes brightened as he understood, immediately getting up to make preparations.
