As soon as he entered the gate, he saw a lawn the size of three football fields on the left. The lawn was decorated with colorful flowers, which was very pleasant. On the other side of the lawn, there were also open-air tennis courts, badminton courts, basketball courts, and gate courts. At the moment, some people in white sportswear were exercising there, looking rather carefree. Along the side of the lawn, there was a meandering river that led directly to the big square in the center of the community.
In the center of the square was a fountain. Along the steps of the fountain, a man-made water belt descended from the sky and extended directly to the back of the mountain. It could be seen that the back of the mountain had also been developed. There were winding paths, pavilions, and a beautiful and pleasant environment. It was a natural "oxygen bar".
The first few buildings in the community were all high-rise buildings, but the further they walked, the more scenery unfolded in front of them. There was a group of villas with different styles hidden in the green hills and clear waters. Lu Yiwei was dazzled by the sight of them. "Although it was made by man, it is like heaven."
This place was like an independent kingdom, worthy of being the most luxurious community in Jiangdong.
When they arrived at the entrance of Cai Runnian's villa, Lu Yiwei was filled with endless emotions. Back then, Cai Runnian was slovenly and devoted to his studies. He was full of knowledge and had the demeanor of a master. Unexpectedly, after a few years, he was living in such a high-end community. It was really embarrassing.
Lu Yiwei knocked on the door with various bags. After a while, a middle-aged woman came to open the door and welcomed Lu Yiwei in.
The outside was like heaven on earth, but Cai Runnian's home was even more unique. Lu Yiwei's eyes were not enough to take in everything, so he kept scanning back and forth. The decoration style was completely Chinese. The whole place was decorated with red sandalwood, and the spacious corridor was full of poetic and picturesque beauty. On one side of the wall, there was a diamond-shaped marble tile, which was a perfect imitation of the wall in China's courtyards. In the middle was a giant peony painting. The bright red color made the whole corridor look lively. Further up, there was a plaque with the words "Merciful Cloud Pavilion" written on it. The roof of the corridor was an imitation of traditional wood craftsmanship. The rafters were intersected, and red lanterns hung in the intervals, creating the style of a courtyard in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Just the hallway alone was so luxuriously decorated. One could imagine the living room and bedroom inside.
After entering the living room, Lu Yiwei was not disappointed. There was nothing but luxury. The ceiling of the house was outlined with solid wood, simple yet generous. The marble floor tiles were so natural that people were reluctant to step on them. The vestibule was carved with flowers, and the content of the carving was also a peony flower that showed wealth. Mao Zedong's poem "Spring Snow in the Qin Garden" was hung behind the yellow pear wood sofa. The whole room was filled with the rich colors of China, which was reflected in every detail. Lu Yiwei was completely subdued by everything in front of him. He was sure that this was the most luxurious house he had ever seen.
"Wait here, I'll inform Professor Cai," the middle-aged woman said.
Lu Yiwei nodded gracefully. No matter how much he pretended to be a gentleman, he was still a country bumpkin. She really didn't expect Cai Runnian to move from the tube-shaped apartment to the villa in just a few years. It should be inseparable from his identity as a "military counselor". Lu Yiwei weighed the things in his hand. He wanted to throw them away immediately. They were too shabby. But now, he could only bite the bullet and meet Professor Cai. He hoped that the professor still remembered him as his "favorite student".
"Yiwei, you're here." Cai Runnian slowly walked down from downstairs in his pajamas.
Lu Yiwei quickly stepped forward and said, "Professor Cai, Yiwei is here to see you."
"Mhm." Cai Runnian's gestures revealed his official aura. He elegantly took off his glasses, pointed to the sofa and said, "Have a seat."
Lu Yiwei trembled as he sat down, appearing to be very restrained.
"Madam Zhao, brew a pot of tea," Cai Runnian said slowly, then turned around and asked, "Are you still planting orchards?"
"No." Lu Yiwei tightened his legs, leaned forward, and said nervously, "I've been transferred back to the government office."
"Oh." Cai Runnian's words were concise, appearing very distant. Just as he was about to speak, the phone in his hand rang. He put on his glasses and looked at the screen, then stood up and said, "Take a seat first." He then went into the room to answer the call. It was obvious that it was an important call.
In that short minute, Lu Yiwei carefully observed Cai Runnian. His hair used to be slanted to one side, but now it was combed back. It was no longer white, but black and shiny, looking very spirited. His body was obviously fat, his belly was bigger, and even the flesh on his face was hanging down. He was white and chubby. Compared to before, he was like a completely different person. What caught Lu Yiwei's attention the most was the pair of glasses in his hand. It was a gold-rimmed, stone mirror. It was obviously expensive.
At this time, Cai Runnian's wife also came down from downstairs. Lu Yiwei quickly stood up and stood in the middle of the living room. He bowed respectfully and said, "Madam, hello!"
"You are?" Cai's wife looked at Lu Yiwei in a daze, but she could not remember who he was.
Lu Yiwei was quite disappointed. He could only introduce himself, "Madam, I am Lu Yiwei."
"Oh, I remember now. Look at my memory. Quick, sit down!" Cai's wife suddenly became enthusiastic. Just as he was about to sit on the sofa and chat, he saw the big and small bags on the coffee table. There were nutritional supplements and some fruits. His expression changed, and he stood up again before his butt touched the sofa. His tone also became cold, and he said, "Sit down first. I'll go in and change."
If a woman was unhappy, it would be written on her face. Lu Yiwei saw Cai's wife's sudden change and guessed that it was because of the things on the coffee table. He was very regretful, but there was nothing he could do.
Cai's wife used to be sloppy, unkempt, gentle, and had a good temper. Every time Lu Yiwei came to their house for a meal, he would be very enthusiastic. At that time, Lu Yiwei would bring some local delicacies every time school started. Cai's wife was as excited as a child, praising Lu Yiwei for being sensible. Times had changed. Cai's wife had permed her hair into the fashionable wavy style, and her skin was much smoother than before. If one did not look closely, she looked like she was in her forties, and not in her sixties at all. Lu Yiwei observed that Cai's wife's pajamas had a silky texture and were embroidered with peonies. If he guessed correctly, it should be Su embroidery. The price was astoundingly expensive.
Just as Liu Wenchuan said, Cai Runnian was no longer the Cai Runnian of the past. Lu Yiwei did not believe it at first, but after seeing everything in front of him, he believed it.
"Yiwei, why are you looking for me?" Cai Runnian asked after finishing his call.
Just as Lu Yiwei was about to speak, Cai Runnian's phone rang again. Cai Runnian apologized and went back to make another call. This time, the call lasted for more than ten minutes. Lu Yiwei sat there waiting. He felt like he was sitting on pins and needles.
"There are too many things, please don't mind. If there's anything, hurry up and say it. I have a meeting later. "Cai Runnian came out again.
Lu Yiwei no longer had the excitement he had when he first entered the door. But for Zhang Zhiyuan's sake, he braced himself and told him the general situation.
"Oh, it's about this." Cai Runnian looked at the things on the coffee table and said, "This is a bit difficult to handle. You also know the importance of the 'Internal Reference'. Secretary Huang of the Provincial Party Committee reads every single one of them. If the quality of the manuscript is not high, I will definitely not accept it. "
Lu Yiwei took out Liu Wenchuan's manuscript from his pocket and gave it to Cai Runnian. "Professor Cai, this is written by Senior Brother Liu Wenchuan. Please take a look."
Cai Runnian looked at Lu Yiwei in surprise. He took the manuscript and scanned it for less than three seconds. He placed it on the coffee table and said, "I won't look at the content. Just looking at the title, it's not suitable to be published in the Internal Reference. Go back and change it. As for the publication, we will talk about it next time. "
Lu Yiwei did not want to give up such a good opportunity. "Professor Cai, forgive me for my stupidity. I hope you can give me some pointers."
"About this …" Cai Runnian knocked on the coffee table. "Go back and change it."
Lu Yiwei still wanted to say something, but he was ruthlessly interrupted by Cai Runnian, "Yiwei, I really can't talk to you anymore. Secretary Huang asked me to go to a meeting now, and it's already too late. If I get stuck in traffic, I'll be late. Come back and see me after you change it, alright? "
Lu Yiwei stood up helplessly, bid farewell, and prepared to leave. Cai Runnian pointed at the things on the coffee table. "Yiwei, what are you doing? Take it back. Don't do this." Cai Runnian said and stuffed it into Lu Yiwei's hand.
Lu Yiwei quickly said. "Professor Cai, I haven't seen you for a long time. This is a token of my appreciation. I hope you can accept it." He ran out of the door.
Lu Yiwei sat in the car. His mind was in a mess. He leaned back in his seat in relief and stared at Cai Runnian's villa. Cai Runnian had changed, and he could not recognize him anymore. But then again, Cai Runnian was serving the Provincial Party Committee's Secretary, and his treatment should be higher. But Lu Yiwei had forgotten about their teacher-student relationship.
When Lu Yiwei was about to leave, he saw a middle-aged woman walking out with the bags Lu Yiwei had given him. She threw the bags into the trash can and walked in gracefully.
Lu Yiwei was dumbfounded. He drove to the door dispiritedly. The seemingly luxurious neighborhood, the seemingly cozy environment, the seemingly pleasant style, was filled with the stench of money. Other than the secular world, there was only the secular world. It was a magnificent and beautiful shell, but inside it was a pair of snobbish eyes.
Lu Yiwei regretted not listening to Liu Wenchuan's words. Now he had verified it. He drove aimlessly on Century Avenue, but he did not know where he belonged.
"Forget it. I'll give up on this idea." Lu Yiwei thought. But when he reached Qiyang District, he thought of Zhang Zhiyuan and Zhang Zhiyuan's family. Lu Yiwei hesitated. He could not leave him in the lurch. He must not give up any opportunity.
He suddenly remembered what Liu Wenchuan had said to him. "That depends on whether you're willing to pay the price or not." "Pay the price?" What would be considered as paying the price? In desperation, Lu Yiwei called Liu Wenchuan again.
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