"I heard Master Gu has received a batch of new curiosities, so I dropped by since I had some free time," Xiao Yi said, then gestured to the person beside him. "Xia Weiliang."
From the moment she stepped inside, Xia Weiliang was captivated by the garden's scenery. Bamboo groves, rockeries, wooden bridges, and pavilions – every element was exquisite, and undeniably the finest.
"This place is simply too beautiful!" she exclaimed, then shyly added, "I'm so sorry, my knowledge is limited, I can really only describe it as 'good-looking'."
Xiao Yi smiled indulgently. "Master Gu's possessions are always top-notch. This garden, every flower and blade of grass here, saying it's priceless would be an understatement."
Hearing this, Xia Weiliang looked at Master Gu, whose eyes were gleaming with money… no, with light! This was the legendary r-
"Ah!" Master Gu finally reacted. He looked down; the orchids he had just planted were already wilting from being watered. "Ah, my Ghost Orchid!" he cried, heartbroken. "I worked so hard to get it!"
Xia Weiliang whispered, "Master Gu really likes flowers!"
Xiao Yi said softly, "He doesn't love flowers, he loves money. This Ghost Orchid is quite rare, growing in swamps, always accompanied by crocodiles. Its flowers resemble frogs, and when the wind blows, it looks like a ghost dancing, hence the name 'Ghost Orchid'. I'm not sure about the value of Master Gu's specimen, but I heard that a Ghost Orchid was discovered in the Himalayas a few years ago, valued at fifteen million, and picking or selling was prohibited. It's incredibly precious."
Hiss! Xia Weiliang gasped, inhaling sharply. Was that a flower lying there? It was gold! It was diamonds! It was something that turned decay into wonder! "You mean… if I go and give it CPR or mouth-to-mouth resuscitation now, is there still a chance?"
Xiao Yi chuckled and reached out to pat her head. "Master Gu will handle it."
As they spoke, Master Gu, after a moment of silent mourning, walked out from the garden. He took off his gloves and handed them to a uniformed maid, his gaze falling on Xia Weiliang. "This young lady is…"
"Hello, Master Gu. My name is Xia Weiliang."
Master Gu scrutinized her, his eyes full of amazement. "Xia Weiliang…"
The maid behind him couldn't help but whisper, "Master Gu, Miss Xia is very popular right now!"
"Oh?" Master Gu asked. "Are you a celebrity?"
Xia Weiliang quickly waved her hands, saying modestly, "Just one step away from being a superstar."
The young maid clasped her hands together, excited. "My lady, I'm a Liang fan!"
"Ah! Seeing one in person again!" Xia Weiliang seemed more thrilled to see a fan than the fan was to see an idol.
Master Gu stared at her intently, sometimes surprised, sometimes confused. Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow and suddenly asked, "Master Gu, I forgot, how old are you this year?"
Xia Weiliang: "..." Do film emperors always greet people like this? The kind that gets them into trouble?
Master Gu paused, then shook his head and chuckled. "This young lady is your girlfriend, isn't she."
Xia Weiliang instinctively went through her usual three-step denial: avoid suspicion, deny it, play dumb. Xiao Yi slung an arm around her shoulder and answered readily, "Yes."
Master Gu couldn't help but laugh softly. "I thought so. You cherish her like a treasure." He then looked back at Xia Weiliang and said slowly, "This young lady, you look remarkably like someone I know."
Xia Weiliang curiously asked, "Is she also a great beauty?"
Xiao Yi's lips, which had been pursed, curved slightly. Master Gu laughed heartily. "Indeed, she's also a great beauty."
"Doesn't she… " Xia Weiliang's eyes, eager to gossip, were met with Master Gu's amused denial. "I don't have that kind of fortune." He didn't continue the topic and asked Xiao Yi, "Alright, what brings you here today?"
"I want to pick out some decent gifts." Master Gu's eyes immediately lit up. He whispered, "Going to meet the parents?"
"Not exactly." In Xiao Yi's view, those people couldn't be considered Xia Weiliang's parents, not true family. But Master Gu clearly didn't see it that way.
"You're not good enough, kid! There are still things you can't handle!" He nudged Xiao Yi's arm and whispered, "But if I had a daughter, I wouldn't agree either!"
Xiao Yi, who hadn't cared initially, looked at him curiously upon hearing this. "Why wouldn't you agree?"
"Because you're too handsome! And you have so many fans chasing you. Who could feel secure with you?"
Xiao Yi paused, then thoughtfully looked at the person beside him. Xia Weiliang hadn't heard their conversation at all, her heart still focused on giving CPR to the orchid.
"What do you want to choose? Let's go take a look," Master Gu said, leading the way. He kept glancing back at Xia Weiliang. She really was so similar… Even though Xiao Yi knew Master Gu's attention wasn't driven by romantic interest, he still felt uncomfortable, displeased.
He beckoned Xia Weiliang over. "You wander around the garden. I'll be out shortly."
"Okay!" Xia Weiliang readily agreed, not even asking where he was going. She loved this garden so much. During historical dramas, the sets were so fake! This, built with real money, she had to appreciate it properly.
Crossing the small bridge, she entered a bamboo grove. The grove wasn't large, but the bamboo grew strong. Perhaps it was the filter of money, but she felt that Master Gu's bamboo was all glittering. She decided she needed to learn how to secure her own luxurious old age!
As she strolled leisurely, she didn't notice a faint blue light from above… Footsteps approached from a distance. Xiao Yi asked a maid about Xia Weiliang, and upon hearing she had gone towards the bamboo grove, Master Gu suddenly remembered something. His face changed drastically, and he cried out, "No!" before rushing over.
"What's wrong?" Seeing Master Gu's panicked state, Xiao Yi didn't dare to delay and hurried to follow. "Is there danger over there?"
"It's my fault! I didn't warn her!" Master Gu blamed himself as he used his walkie-talkie to order bodyguards to rush over. "Once you find her, tell her to stay put and absolutely do not move!" Turning back, Xiao Yi had already reached the bridge and stopped abruptly at the entrance to the bamboo grove.
"W-what's wrong?" Master Gu ran over, breathless, and also startled by the scene on the other side.