The Complete Collection of Qiongyao 10--A Red Bean

Author: Qiong Yao
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-07-01
Features: Excerpt from the book: At midnight. The sky was only dimly lit. But Xia Chu Lei had already woken up. Resting her head on her hands, she slightly raised her eyelashes, half-closing her eyes, watching the deep red curtains gradually bright crimson under the morning light. Her mind was filled with many vague thoughts, like sparkling points of light shining before her. They were also like the sky at dawn, colorful and dazzlingly beautiful. These thoughts filled her young heart to the brim, making her unable to sleep or calm down. Even lying still, she could feel the joyful stirring in her blood, like waves rising and falling. Today was a date. Today she would go out with the Liang siblings, and even that foolish boy, Zhao Zhenya! Thinking of Zhao Zhenya made her laugh. Big head, broad shoulders, he looked like a sturdy dog. Yet Liang Zhi Zhong liked him, saying he was handsome and had a masculine charm, "intelligent but not showing it." Of course, he didn't show it—she couldn't see the slightest trace of intelligence in him. Liang Zhi Zhong, Liang Zhi Zhong, Liang Zhi Zhong. Liang Zhi Zhong was a carefree troublemaker, and Zhao Zhenya was a foolish one! Then what about Liang Zhi Wen? No, Liang Zhi Wen couldn't be called a "lad." Liang Zhi Wen was a true gentleman, and he and Liang Zhi Zhong were nothing alike. Zhi Zhong was rough and bold, while Zhi Wen was refined and gentle. The two brothers truly had their own strengths! If you "mixed the two and them with water," they would become a "standard type." Thinking of this, she couldn't help but laugh. Her own laughter startled her, and only then did she realize her arm was numb from pressing her head against it. Pulling her arm free, she glanced at the clock—how? It was still before six! Time was passing so slowly. She turned over, pulled up the quilt, and wrapped herself in it. She couldn't get up yet; it was still too early. If she did, her father would tease her, calling her a "night owl reborn" and a "mad girl." Closing her eyes, she wanted to fall back asleep when suddenly, the phone in the living room downstairs began to ring. Its clear ring shattered the stillness of dawn. She shot straight up from the bed, instinctively feeling it must be the Liang brothers calling her! Turning off the bed, she didn't even have time to put on her slippers as she rushed to the door, opened it, and ran downstairs barefoot, muttering to herself, "It's all Mom's fault. No extensions allowed in any bedroom. What strange rule is that? It's so troublesome to answer the phone!" Rushing into the living room, the phone had already rung more than ten times. Grabbing the receiver, she gasped and exclaimed, "Hello! Who is it?" "Hello!" the voice on the other end was soft, and to her surprise, it was a woman! "May I help you?" Her timid tone, however, was mixed with a sense of urgency and anxiety. "Is this the Xia Mansion?" "Yes!" Xia Chu Lei frowned, a little suspicious. She checked the clock—it was only 5:50! Who would be calling so early? "Sorry," the other said apologetically, her voice gentle, soft, deep, and magnetic, utterly pleasant and charming. "I'm asking for Dr. Xia, Xia Xia Han Shan, the doctor." "Oh!" Xia Chu Lei glanced at the stairs. Waking her father so early to answer the phone would be cruel. The hospital had another emergency last night, and she hadn't come home until the dead of night. "He's still sleeping. Can you call back in a couple of hours?" she said bluntly, immediately wanting to hang up. "Hey, hey," the other person panicked, her voice even trembling slightly, "Sorry, so sorry, but I need to reach him urgently. My name is Du." "Are you his patient?" "No, not me. It's my daughter. Please, please let Dr. Xia talk to him?" The other person's voice was already filled with anxiety.