The four headed to one of the minor courtyards after Yang Jiahui finally cald down. Long Tengfei awkwardly comforted her. He wasn’t an affectionate person to begin with, so his movents looked stiff and unnatural as he patted his wife’s back.
They followed the old chamberlain who led the way. A servant took Iris’ presents from Long Tengfei and Yang Jiahui to be placed in their bedchamber.
Yang i walked beside Iris and started chattering. She asked Iris various questions but also talked about herself in an endless stream of words. Her energy reminded Iris a little of Dom. Perhaps that was why she imdiately felt at ease with the young woman.
"Do I call you Xiulan or Iris?"
"Either is fine, Yang i."
"I told you to call ii."
"Alright, ii."
"I’ll call you Xiulan then! The public knows you as Iris, so it kinda feels exciting to be one of the few people who knows your real na." ii giggled. "By the way, I love your album! My favourite song is ’Phantom of Your Love’. So tragically romantic! Ah, my heart! I cry whenever I listen to it! Did you really compose all the songs in your album by yourself?"
"Yes, I did."
"You’re so amazing! Can you sign my copy of your album?"
"Of course."
"Yay! To tell you the truth, I didn’t buy it myself. Uncle Tengfei bought a lot of copies of your album. So I just stole―I an, I took a copy for myself. He has so many so I don’t think he’ll mind if I take one. Don’t forget to write my na when you sign it, okay? Write ’ii’."
"Sure."
ii continued to blabber on as they neared the small courtyard. Iris learned that ii was a few months older than her. Iris was 20, while ii was 21. ii was currently attending university studying Digital dia Arts and Design. Iris’ interest was piqued so she asked questions about the digital arts program.
"Uncle Tengfei told that if I want I can work at Long Industries after I graduate but the truth is that I really want to beco a digital manhuajia [1]," Yang i whispered to her, dramatically glancing at Long Tengfei and Yang Jiahui who were walking ahead of them, making sure that they wouldn’t hear her.
Iris couldn’t help but smile at her antics. Indeed, ii reminded her of Dom. "ii, if you want to beco a digital manhuajia, then beco one."
ii pouted. "I really want to but becoming one is basically gambling, you know. Success is not guaranteed and I might beco one of those stereotypical starving artists who can’t even make ends et. At least, if I work at Uncle Tengfei’s company, I know I’ll have regular salary and great benefits. Besides, Uncle and Auntie have already been so kind to , inviting to live with them when I beca alone and even paying for my education. I feel like I’ll be returning their generosity with unkindness if I throw away my education to beco a manhuajia instead."
"Hmm...Then I’m also basically gambling. As a musician, a celebrity, I have no insurance whether my music or work will sell or not. I observed that fa is a fickle thing. Hard work doesn’t always equals success, especially in the world of us artists. But you can’t be successful without hard work. One day, you’re the object of everyone’s adoration but the next day, you might be the object of everyone’s scorn until you’re forgotten and your career is over. Knowing this, I still pursue this career because I love it. Success is nice and what we all aim for, but what drives is the freedom to pursue my passion. I know that there are many people who disapprove of my career, but this is my life, not theirs. I don’t want to live a life of regrets."
’Not again’, Iris thought to herself. In this life, she would do her best to live without regrets.
"Wow, Xiulan. That’s deep." ii pondered over Iris’ words. "Don’t want to live a life of regrets, huh?"
"But of course, the final decision will be yours to make. It’s your life after all."
ii nodded. "Right."
They finally arrived at the small courtyard. ii revealed that the garden was personally cultivated by her aunt. Compared to the sophisticated gardens comprising the main inner courtyard, this garden indeed looked more like a normal, personal garden. There were more colourful flowers than trees and shrubs. There were even so vegetables being grown. Everything looked a little disorganized, yet there was an unmistakable holy feeling here which the other areas in the compound lacked.
The old chamberlain led them to a traditional pavilion within the courtyard. There was a table and chairs big enough to accommodate them. A servant was already waiting to serve them hot tea and pastries.
The four sat down and chatted as they ate. Long Tengfei was very pleased that his daughter didn’t make any trouble with his wife. In fact, the interaction between the four of them was light and friendly. Although he and his wife still felt a little awkward when speaking to his daughter, they were becoming more comfortable as ti passed by.
Long Tengfei and Yang Jiahui watched the two young won chatting like close friends. Yang Jiahui was delighted that Xiulan and her niece were getting along very well. She wished that they could treat each other like sisters. Then perhaps Xiulan would be more willing to visit the compound more often.
When the sun started setting, they stood up and headed inside for dinner. They continued chatting with each other as they seated themselves.
Monts later, a man in his late twenties arrived and joined them. He was Long Hui, Iris’ eldest half-brother. He was Long Tengfei’s heir and eldest son born with his first wife.
Long Hui’s cold and indifferent expression reminded Iris so much of Jin Liwei. They had the sa innate arrogant aura found in most firstborn sons and heirs of prestigious families.
Iris and ii stood up from their seats to greet him.
ii: "Hello, Big Brother Hui."
Long Hui nodded at her. "Hello." Then he turned to look at Iris. He looked a lot like Long Tengfei, but his features were a little more delicate compared to his father’s chiselled appearance.
"It’s good to see you, Elder Brother," Iris greeted.
"So you finally return here, Little Sister. Didn’t you say before that you’re never ever setting foot here again?"
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Footnotes:
[1] Person who draws/creates manhua (Chinese comics)
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