dognovel Chapter 1125 Lilac's Advice
Chapter 1125 Lilac's Advice
Dingxiang hesitated for a moment, then pursed her lips and said, "Miss, there's something I'm not sure if I should say."
Gui'er put down her book: "Is there anything we can't talk about? Just say what you're thinking."
Ding Xiang breathed a sigh of relief, pulled up a stool next to her and sat down at the desk. After considering her words for a moment, she said, "In principle, a servant like me shouldn't interfere in my master's affairs. However, I think your current relationship with Brother Qiang isn't a long-term solution, so I'll just say a few words."
“Miss, I know you can’t let go of the Second Young Master. He’s an exceptional man, and any woman who has met him would never be able to accept anyone else.” Dingxiang sighed as she said this.
Dingxiang glanced out the window to make sure no one was there before lowering her voice: "Miss, the second young master... it's been so long? There's been no news at all. I'm not trying to be unlucky, but in these chaotic times, no news is often more heartbreaking than bad news. You can't keep yourself hanging on like this forever."
She picked up a pastry from the table and handed one to Gui'er: "Think about it, when we first arrived in Hong Kong, we were unfamiliar with the place and the people. I knew that the Second Young Master must have left you some assets, but if it weren't for Brother Qiang, you would have met Ouyang Bao and all sorts of other people... Think about it, how frightening it is. If it weren't for Brother Qiang running around, taking over the pawnshop, and building connections, we wouldn't have the family business we have now. Anyone can see how much he cares for you—last time you were hospitalized after coughing up blood, he didn't actually leave; he stayed outside all night without closing his eyes. When Fourth Madam came to make trouble, he was willing to make up lies to protect you. Of course, he was definitely doing it for himself, which is why he said those things, but he does like you after all."
Gui'er's fingers, which were gripping the teacup, turned white, but she remained silent.
“I know you’re sentimental, but life has to go on.” Dingxiang’s voice softened a bit. “Qiang Ge may seem like a brute at first glance, but he’s actually not bad. Look at his appearance, he’s even more handsome than the top actor in the opera troupe, but he’s not effeminate at all. He’s so tall and upright. I heard from Acheng that many of our pawnshop’s female customers come for him, but apart from Miss Liu, he can easily handle them all.”
"Moreover, he is very meticulous. Look at your favorite food, clothes, and daily necessities, there is nothing he doesn't take care of in a meticulous manner. If we women can marry a man like him, our lives will be secure. His status is a bit lower, but fortunately he has made it big now. To put it bluntly, our family actually relies on him, not on the reputation of our Marshal's Mansion. Our mansion is no longer the Marshal's Mansion it used to be."
She paused, looking into Gui'er's eyes: "Miss, the Second Young Master is like the moon in the sky, bright, but far away. Brother Qiang is like a lamp beside you, not as bright and dazzling, but it can truly guide you forward. In this world, stability is more precious than anything else. You can't live your whole life clinging to memories, can you?"
Gui'er looked at the wilting orchid on the windowsill—it was when she first arrived in Hong Kong that Wu Mingqiang said it was specially transplanted from the Marshal's Mansion. It used to be planted in the courtyard of the Marshal's Mansion where they lived, in the courtyard of Sha Yanxiao. He was afraid that the young lady would miss her hometown, so he transplanted it into a flowerpot and placed it on the windowsill so that the young lady could see it every day. Gui'er was very touched at the time and took good care of it, but in the end, it could not withstand the change of environment and the leaves turned yellow.
“I…” she opened her mouth, her throat tightening, “Let me think about it some more.”
Dingxiang didn't press her any further, but just sighed: "Take your time to think it over, there's no rush. But you should also consider this: if you refuse Brother Qiang, with his abilities, he can definitely go out and make a living on his own. I believe that with his feelings for Miss, he won't do anything to harm Miss's interests. But if he stops helping our family, then our pawnshop and income will be in jeopardy."
After saying that, she got up and walked out, but stopped at the door: "Oh right, Brother Qiang asked the kitchen to stew some bird's nest for you tonight, saying it's to nourish your body. I'll bring it up for you to eat in a bit."
The door closed softly, leaving Gui'er alone in the study once again. She looked at the potted orchid and suddenly remembered how Wu Mingqiang had picked her up from school earlier—wearing a suit and a top hat, standing by the car, his gaze on her seemed to hold back a flame, as if afraid of burning her.
That night, Gui'er couldn't fall asleep for a long time. Lying in her tent, just as her consciousness began to drift off, she heard a familiar laugh. Opening her eyes, she saw Sha Yanxiao, dressed in his usual military uniform, bending down to pick the most beautifully blooming lotus flower for her by the lotus pond in the back garden of the Marshal's Mansion. "Slow down, don't fall into the water," she said with a smile, her voice as crisp as a wind chime under the eaves.
Sha Yanxiao turned to look at her, his smile warmer than the sunshine: "It's alright, step a little further in, don't fall into the water." He handed her the lotus flower, his fingertips brushing against her palm, carrying the coolness of the lotus leaves. The two sat under the willow tree, he told her about the interesting things that happened in the military camp, and she peeled freshly picked lotus seeds for him. The wind was filled with the fragrance of lotus leaves, and even time seemed to move slowly.
Suddenly, a cold wind blew by, accompanied by a piercing whistle. The sky darkened, the water in the lotus pond churned and turned black, and Sha Yanxiao's figure gradually blurred. She reached out to grab him, but only grasped a handful of icy wind.
Gui'er suddenly found herself in another place. She stood at the entrance of Juzhen Pawnshop, the street filled with cries and screams. Several Japanese soldiers in yellow uniforms rushed over, rifle butts slamming against the pawnshop door with a loud clang. A-Guang tried to stop them with his carrying pole, but was knocked to the ground by a rifle butt, blood trickling from his mouth. Wu Mingqiang rushed out from inside, trying to pull the shop assistants back, but a Japanese soldier grabbed him by the collar, a bayonet pressed against his chest.
"No!" Gui'er screamed, trying to rush forward, but her legs felt like lead. She saw Japanese soldiers grinning maliciously as they kicked open the counter, reaching for the gold and silver jewelry. Jade bracelets fell to the ground and shattered, and silver locks were trampled underfoot. A young shop assistant tried to protect the account books but was kicked hard, his head hitting the corner of the table, and blood flowed everywhere.
"Brother Wu!" she cried out, watching helplessly as Wu Mingqiang struggled to help the man, only to be slammed hard on the back by the Japanese soldier with the butt of his rifle. He groaned and knelt down, but still looked back at her with eyes full of anxiety and pain.
Flames shot into the sky, and the pawnshop's signboard fell down with a "thud," sending sparks flying. She saw Liu Lanfang's father standing in the distance, bowing and scraping to the Japanese soldiers, but pointing in the direction where she was hiding.
"Gui'er!"
Who is calling her?
Gui'er suddenly opened her eyes. The tassels on the top of the curtain were still swaying. Her chest heaved violently, and cold sweat soaked through her inner garment. The pale moonlight outside the window shone on the wilted orchid, making it look just like the lotus leaves stained red with blood in her dream.