"Good, very good," Huo Zhongcheng said after giving her a glance, nodding with a smile before his gaze shifted away.
Xia Chuyi had no idea what about her had caught Huo Zhongcheng’s eye, warranting his praise with two "goods."
Especially since he didn’t seem to have looked at her closely at all?
After her gaze flickered subtly, Xia Chuyi decided to respond to any changes with constancy.
She smiled faintly at Huo Zhongcheng, gestured for him to enter, and said, "Uncle Huo, please come in."
Huo Zhongcheng nodded, not replying, and stepped directly into the courtyard.
Once inside the courtyard, after walking a few steps, Huo Zhongcheng’s gaze fell upon the vigorous vines in the yard.
"I never expected Qian’er to have restored the place to its former state," Huo Zhongcheng exclaimed suddenly.
Hearing Huo Zhongcheng’s words, Xia Chuyi didn’t comment too much.
She had later learned that the Bao Mansion had been renovated.
In past years, some departments had taken it over as office space.
When it was returned, although the structure of the house hadn’t been an issue, the layout had changed quite a bit.
Once the mansion was back in their possession, Huo Shiqian had restored it according to his memory.
For instance, the old banyan tree that had impressed her was something Huo Shiqian had transplanted back from another place.
Huo Zhongcheng, looking at the flowers and trees in the courtyard, sighed deeply, and said to her, "Comrade Chuyi, let’s go inside to talk."
"Mm," Xia Chuyi nodded.
After they entered the house and she led him into the living room, Xia Chuyi handed over the space-grown tea leaves she had prepared to Huo Zhongcheng, saying, "Uncle Huo, here are some homemade tea leaves I prepared for you. It’s a modest gift, not much, but I hope Uncle Huo won’t mind."
Seeing this, Huo Zhongcheng immediately laughed and said to Xia Chuyi, "Look at that, I haven’t given you a gift yet, and you’re the one giving me one?"
Xia Chuyi replied with a smile, "It is only right to show respect to one’s elders."
Seeing Huo Zhongcheng gesture for his men to accept the gift, he began to inspect the house once more.
"There are still some differences. There should be an armchair made of yellow rosewood here... And this, a Chinese style carved wall lamp..."
Huo Zhongcheng criticized some corners and details of the room bit by bit.
Xia Chuyi followed along with merely a smile, not saying a word.
She realized what Professor Bao meant; from Huo Zhongcheng’s behavior, it was impossible to discern any emotion.
Ever since they had entered the house, his demeanor had been utterly serene and casual, as if he was just seriously observing the house and reflecting on the past.
However, in reality, his communication with Xia Chuyi was minimal.
To the unknowing observer, they might even think he had come to see the house, not her.
She decided to watch quietly and react calmly.
For over half an hour, Xia Chuyi managed to guide Huo Zhongcheng meticulously around the Bao Mansion.
Finally, having toured the entire Bao Mansion,
Huo Zhongcheng truly faced her and said, "You did well."
This time, she was even more clueless about where this praise came from.
But apparently, Huo Zhongcheng didn’t intend to explain; instead, he simply waved, signaling his guard to present a small wooden box.
Huo Zhongcheng picked up the small wooden box and handed it to her.
"This?" Xia Chuyi was somewhat surprised.
Huo Zhongcheng said very calmly, "This is a meeting gift for you. Accept it."
Why hadn’t he given it when they first met?
Of course, she only pondered this in her mind and didn’t actually speak the words.
"Thank you, Uncle Huo," Xia Chuyi said calmly as she accepted the gift.