Chapter 95 (1/2)
The suns.h.i.+ne streamed through the sweetgum tree's dense layer of leaves, lighting up the ground. The south wind brought the clean smell of mango-pine, mixed with the aroma of fresh-cut gra.s.s brought a sense of familiarity.
The house was located at the southernmost end of the boulevard. Gentle cool air was trying to disperse the heat of early summer, and although it was repeatedly defeated, it never gave up.
The sky was blue and clear, a rare day of good weather. The rare few clouds were moving slowly, was then blown into a bar shape by the wind, beaten a bit more and then thrown to a distance farther away. Rustling sound were made by the sweet-scented ash tree in the garden, its rhythmic motions rubbing against its siblings.
Stepping on the familiar earth, leaning against the aspidistra he had planted himself, the melancholy of time travel being washed away by the feelings of home, with a pleasant mood, Huang Xuan looked at each tree's green leaves, thumped the Loquat tree, then faced the backyard and shouted: ”I'm back!”
Butler Zhou ran out quickly. Seeing Huang Xuan wearing an unders.h.i.+rt, he couldn't help but say: ”My young master, what happened to you these last two days?”
”It's too hot outside.” Huang Xuan smirked and said, ”Where are my parents?”
”They went to work already, it seems like they've been very busy these last few days.”
Huang Xuan had been gone from P112 for nearly 4 days. Good thing he was able to call his family everyday. Zhang Xinyi thought he had gone to Shanghai to deal with some business at the port. She had given him some encouragement, and of course, his father had no objections.
Huang Xuan drank two mouthfuls of water, wiped his mouth and asked, ”How about Li Qing?”
”Still resting at the hotel. I heard some news, the experts that the Madam hired have been exhausted. Li Qing has been working through the night as well, he won't go to sleep until everybody had gone to sleep. He's been working hard as well.” It sounded like Butler Zhou was complaining. Huang Xuan smiled, it's not like he was relaxing in P101. The rumbling of the printers could explode you brains. In the day, he was busy trying to spend the money, and he didn't even sleep during the last few days. When he was about to leave, a bomb blew up half the factory. Only this could let him release his anger, who told it to constantly disturb his dreams?
”How is grandpa doing?” Huang Xuan asked softly while taking the t-s.h.i.+rt the butler pa.s.sed to him
”How is my grandpa?” Huang Xuan asked, taking over the short-sleeved s.h.i.+rt the butler had handed him.
”Same as before.”
”Same old, same old.” Zhou Lian didn't elaborate.
Huang Xuan nodded, he had been keeping up to date on his grandpa's condition over the phone. He was old though, so recovery will be slow.
Huang Xuan took a shower in the small bathroom in the yard and walked out while drying his hair. The bathroom was initially built together with the pool, but because of the base, Huang Xuan had the pool filled in. Since the base had moved, all that was left underground was earth and stone.
”Call Li Qing and tell him that I've completed my business. Also, what did my mom say about how we should thank the experts?” Huang Xuan asked uncertainty.
Zhou Lian helped Huang Xuan put on a robe and answered, ”Madam helped the experts set up some projects for their areas of research. She'll also help sponsor the research. I'm not too clear on the details though.”
Huang Xuan nodded and said, ”I'm going to America tomorrow, so I won't have time to see them. You decide on a proper way to show our appreciation, but don't mention to them that I came back. That should be good enough.”
The butler was naturally more familiar with this sort of tasks, so Zhou Lian immediately agreed. ”Originally, everyone said that the Huang Family Scion didn't like to study, but unexpectedly, you have a knack for business.”
Huang Xuan chuckled. ”I am my mother's son after all.”
”Madam did well in her studies though. ” As Zhou Lian spoke, the two reached Huang Xuan's bedroom, so he stopped and said: ”You just got off the plane so you must be tired. Get some sleep, i'll get someone to make some congee for you. Does Madam know that you've returned?”
”You help me tell her. I came back by car, so I'm really quite tired.” Huang Xuan yawned and started to go upstairs. Halfway up, he turned around and said, ”Uncle Zhou, one more thing, please tell Aubrey, the manager of Citibank, to come find me before dinner. If you don't know his number, just ask Li Qing for it.”
”OK.”
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Without any noise, without any bad smells, Huang Xuan slept very well. When he woke up, it was already 5 or 6 o'clock in the afternoon.
Huang Xuan yawned and lazily put on a t-s.h.i.+rt. Zhou Lian heard the noise and came in. Seeing Huang Xuan's state, he smiled and said: ”Mr. Aubrey has been waiting for you for almost two hours. Do you want to shower first or meet him now?”
”Now is good.” Huang Xuan was awake now. He grabbed a small box and put in some of the diamonds he got from P101. Only then, did he slowly go downstairs. Due to the fact that metals cost too much energy to transport, except for small amount in valuable artworks such as the Faberge Easter Eggs, most of the metals had been striped off and sent to China (in P101).
To Aubrey, it's only been four days since he last saw Huang Xuan, but for Huang Xuan, it's been almost two weeks.
From the looks of it, Aubrey's lifestyle has been getting better. Not only does his skin shows signs of being treated, his suit had been upgraded to a Dunhill suit as well. It made him look younger than before.