bookbashuk Chapter 164 The Promise in the Night
Chapter 164 The Promise in the Night
Chapter 167: The Promise in the Night
Lin Yan had only planned a short visit, but the Gu Weijun family really liked this insightful and articulate young man. With the clever and adorable Xiao Qi acting cute and charming, Ms. Yan Youyun was even more enamored with him. After a deep conversation with Lin Yan, Tang Liuqian considered him a close friend and chatted with him about everything from the international economic situation to interesting stories on the Yale campus, enjoying a very pleasant conversation.
Unable to refuse the warm hospitality, Lin Yan stayed at the Gu family's house for dinner before taking his leave. Yan Youyun even had the maid pack up several exquisite pastries she had made herself, instructing Lin Yan to take them back for his family to try.
"Xiao Yan, from now on, treat this place as your own home and come visit often." Mr. Gu Weijun personally saw Lin Yan to the door, patted him on the shoulder, and spoke with the care and appreciation of an elder.
"Of course, Uncle Gu, Aunt Yan, please wait a moment." Lin Yan, holding Xiao Qi's hand, who was also full and satisfied, respectfully said goodbye.
Tang Liuqian offered, "Dad, Mom, I'll take Xiaoyan downstairs."
He accompanied Lin Yan and Xiao Qi all the way to the apartment building. The cool autumn breeze of New York City brushed their faces, but it couldn't dispel the lively atmosphere between the two.
"Brother Liuqian, that's enough for today." Lin Yan stopped under the streetlight, took out a pen and a notepad from the inside pocket of his coat, wrote down the address of his villa in the Upper East Side in a smooth manner, and handed it to Tang Liuqian.
"This is my current address. I also have two friends from Hong Kong living here, Li Wenbin and Zheng Jiaming, both very nice people my age," Lin Yan said with a smile. "If you and Sister Xi'en are free these days, you're welcome to come over and visit, so they can make a new friend too."
Tang Liuqian took the note, and after reading the address, a knowing glint flashed in his eyes. It was also a prominent location in the heart of the Upper East Side. Without any hesitation, he readily agreed, "That's great! I think tomorrow morning will do. Xi'en and I are free, so we'll definitely pay a visit and see your 'home' in New York."
"Okay, then Wenbin, Jiaming, and I will be waiting for you at home." Lin Yan nodded with a smile.
The two shook hands again in the night to say goodbye, each considering the other a friend worth making closer.
Lin Yan, carrying Xiao Qi, gradually blended into the lights of New York. Tang Liuqian paused for a moment before turning and going upstairs, his heart filled with anticipation for tomorrow and a desire to befriend this mysterious and extraordinary young man.
Tang Liuqian returned to his apartment on the third floor, his face still flushed with the excitement of his conversation with Lin Yan. Yang Xi'en, seeing him return, chuckled and teased, "Liuqian, I've never seen you so enthusiastic with a new friend before. It's like you've met a long-lost friend."
Tang Liuqian sat down next to his fiancée, still unable to hide his excitement. He turned to Gu Weijun and Yan Youyun, asking curiously, "Dad, Mom, how did you two meet Xiaoyan? This kid... he's amazing. Some of his ideas about the future that he shared with me this afternoon were absolutely groundbreaking, yet his logic was impeccable. Are there really such geniuses in this world? How old is he?"
Gu Weijun and his wife Yan Youyun exchanged a smile, their eyes filled with understanding and affection.
"It's fate," Gu Weijun said slowly, holding his teacup. "We met by chance while taking a walk in the park by the East River. Little Qi came over first, craving popcorn, but he was also very well-behaved. Then Xiao Yan came over, speaking excellent Mandarin."
Yan Youyun picked up the conversation, her tone full of affection: "Yes, the first time I saw Xiaoyan, I felt that this child was different from others. He looks like a celestial being from a painting, clean and beautiful. What's rare is that he also has a good temperament, humble and polite, not at all ostentatious. When you chat with him, he can talk about astronomy, geography, ancient and modern times, Chinese and foreign, and he can speak fluently. His talent cannot be hidden. What's even more rare is that he is worldly-wise, insightful, and knows the ways of the world without being cynical. This kind of character is really rare among young people."
"Moreover," Yan Youyun lowered her voice, a hint of感慨 (gan3kai3, a complex emotion encompassing both admiration and reflection), "this family background must be extraordinary. How could an ordinary family cultivate such poise and insight?"
Just then, Tang Liuqian remembered something and took out the note with the address Lin Yan had left him from his pocket. "Oh right, this is the address he left for me, saying that Xi'en and I are welcome to come over tomorrow."
Yan Youyun took the note and looked at it, a hint of surprise on her face: "This location... I know this place. It's all detached mansions. You can't just buy them with money. You also need some connections and influence."
She put down the note and pointed to the can of tea and the jar of wine beside her, her expression becoming even more serious: "You might not notice these things, but the box of tea Xiaoyan gave me today, I could tell at a glance it was the finest of the finest. This quality of Da Hong Pao is practically impossible to find on the market; even if you have money, you might not be able to buy it. Yet he gave away a whole pound..."
Her gaze then turned to the small wine jar, her tone even carrying a hint of reluctance: "And this jar of wine is even more extraordinary. I can smell the rich aroma of wine that has been sealed for a hundred years. This is a true century-old wine, priceless, and a rare token of affection. I'm almost reluctant to open it, afraid that once it's opened, the aroma that has accumulated for a hundred years will disappear."
Tang Liuqian and Yang Xi'en were astonished by Yan Youyun's words. They knew Yan Youyun came from a distinguished family and was well-informed; for her to give such a high evaluation showed the significance of the gift Lin Yan had casually given. Combined with that extraordinary address, Lin Yan's image became even more mysterious and unfathomable in their minds.
"It seems we've really met someone extraordinary," Tang Liuqian murmured, looking forward to tomorrow's visit even more.