"You didn't say anything useful," Zhang Haifeng glared at Zhu Yanyi.
Xie Xinlian, watching Zhu Yanyi bully Zhang Haifeng, felt a bit embarrassed. "Ani, you can't bully Haifeng like that. She is older than you. You must respect elders and love the young." She had recently learned this idiom, but her usage made everyone in the car struggle to keep from laughing.
"Pfft." Everyone in the car, even the driver, burst into laughter. Zhang Haifeng felt Xie Xinlian wasn't helping him at all, but bullying him instead. Amidst the noisy chatter and laughter, they entered a new area.
Zhu Yanyi looked out at the passing scenery. Old walls seemed to tell stories of history. She looked at the ancient-style gates. "Are we in a courtyard house area?"
"Yes," Zhang Haifeng nodded. "This whole area is old courtyard houses. Many people bought them but don't live here. Most of these courtyards belong to the Boss. The one you are staying in is also here. It’s not very big, with only three hundred square meters of flat roof space and six rooms. But the view is nice. When the Boss bought it years ago, he specially found the original architectural drawings and restored it according to them. So, it is very comfortable to live in."
Soon, the car stopped. Zhu Yanyi and the others got out. They faced a narrow alley paved with bluestone slabs, only two people wide. The car could not enter. Zhang Haifeng helped take down the luggage, and everyone carried their bags. Zhang Haifeng pointed to the alley. "The third house in is ours. It’s not far."
As Zhang Haifeng said, it wasn’t far. They walked for only two or three minutes and arrived.
The courtyard wall was different from others. It was nearly two meters high, so people outside could not see inside. They could only see the large vermilion wooden gate, flanked by two stone lions as tall as a person.
Zhang Haifeng adjusted the luggage on his shoulder and pushed the door open. "The Boss had these walls built specially. He doesn’t like people watching his houses. So, whether it’s a courtyard or a villa, any house he buys has a wall at least two meters high."
It was a good habit. At least no one could discover the privacy inside. Zhu Yanyi praised this in her heart.
Inside, there was a small courtyard. To the left, in the east, was a well. The stone platform around the well had a faint layer of moss, showing it was very old. A grape trellis was built around the well.
Zhu Yanyi could imagine people washing things by the well. With the grape trellis, it wouldn’t feel hot even in the peak of summer.
To the right was a small stone table, surrounded by stone stools for seating. Orchids were planted around the ground, adding a unique charm.
Facing them were classical lattice wooden doors and windows. The ancient paper had been replaced with glass. The entrance screen was made of bamboo frames with breathable liang silk inside, imitating ancient styles. If Zhu Yanyi hadn’t known most things here were restored, she might have thought she entered a wealthy family’s home in ancient times.
The screen was lifted, and a person came out. She was beautiful and elegant, with a face carved like a god, still noble and refined. She wore a light green shirt, but instead of the popular army-green pants, she wore loose black riding breeches.