Chapter 383
Her mother had told her a year ago that Wu Liang was now very strong and much stronger than the average boy.
His years of fighting experience have greatly improved his physical fitness.
The crybaby of yesteryear is gone; with her slender arms, she probably couldn't keep that guy in check anymore.
"Miss, what are you thinking about?"
A steaming cup of coffee was placed in front of Qiao Xinying.
Luo Lan smiled faintly at the young lady who was lost in thought. The young lady had been often lost in thought ever since she returned to Yanghai City.
Was it because he remembered Madam and Young Master Wu, or was it for something else?
"It's nothing, I just suddenly remembered things from my childhood."
Qiao Xinying leaned back in her chair, trying to relax her stiff body from sitting on the plane for so long.
Wu Liang, I wonder what kind of expression you'll have when you see me again.
"Um?"
Thinking of this, Qiao Xinying suddenly froze. What was wrong with her?
She actually started to feel a desire to meet Wu Liang as soon as possible...
Chapter 18: The Park of My Childhood
"Miss, the matter you asked me to investigate has been clarified."
"Your childhood playmate, the young master of the Wu family, is now studying at the Huihuangxing Academy."
Luo Lan smiled slightly as she looked at Qiao Xinying, who was sitting in a chair lost in thought.
Although the young lady kept saying that she didn't want to come back and that she hated the young master of the Wu family.
But no matter what, there is no doubt that the young master of the Wu family was the young lady's only playmate when she was young.
Because the young lady was precocious from a young age, almost no one her age was willing to play with her.
However, the young master of the Wu family was different. It was as if he didn't believe in evil spirits and kept testing the young lady's bottom line.
When the young lady had no playmates, only the young master of the Wu family was willing to quarrel and make trouble with her.
Although he was only unilaterally beaten by the young lady, her childhood did become much more interesting and fulfilling because of his presence.
In the young lady's own words, the young master of the Wu family was like a noisy fly that couldn't be driven away.
The young lady indeed disliked the young master of the Wu family and regarded him as a scumbag.
But the young lady had to admit that she spent a large part of her childhood with the young master of the Wu family.
"He really went to the school where Mom went. Have you found out what he's become now?"
After regaining her senses, Qiao Xinying leaned on the table, stirring the coffee in her cup with a spoon.
Five years is enough time for a villain to turn into a good person. I wonder what that guy looks like now.
However, given Wu Liang's wicked nature to the core, even if he were given another fifty years, he would still remain the same.
That guy is unlikely to change, much less become a great philanthropist; he'll only become more and more despicable and repulsive.
"We haven't looked into it further yet, since you've only just returned to Yanghai City, Miss."
"It's not too late to conduct a detailed investigation later, so in the meantime, Miss, please relax and get some rest."
"By the way, Miss, if you're bored, would you like to go for a walk? The weather is very comfortable today, not hot at all."
Luo Lan pushed up her glasses and spoke gently. In fact, Miss rarely showed such a troubled expression.
But after returning to Yanghai City, Miss kept thinking about the Wu family, so it's normal that she felt depressed.
After all, the relationship between Miss and the eldest son of the Wu family is very complicated and cannot be explained in a few words.
Moreover, the young lady's return this time is not just to visit the Yanghai City, but to erase her marriage with Young Master Wu Liang.
Judging from the current situation, to sum it up in the young lady's words, everything is ready except for the final push...
"Okay, I'll go for a walk. Staying here all the time will only make my body sluggish."
Qiao Xinying glanced at the clear sky outside the window and nodded in agreement.
She got up and walked towards the bedroom, but halfway there she suddenly stopped and turned to look at Luo Lan.
"Let me be alone for a while today. You don't need to come with me. I'm fine on my own."
"Yes, Miss."
Luo Lan bowed slightly. Since Miss had said so, he naturally wouldn't follow her around all the time.
If Miss wants to relax by herself, then let her enjoy this brief moment of peace.
"Although I want to go out for a walk, I don't know where I can go."
"Five years is enough time for a city to undergo significant changes, let alone Yanghai City."
Qiao Xinying walked into the bedroom, leaned against the door, and spoke softly.
Perhaps influenced by Qiao Ranxin, Qiao Xinying is also a homebody.
Even when she was still living here, she only spent her days at home and at school.
She rarely goes out shopping or travels, and her understanding of Yanghai City is extremely limited.
If we had to name a place she'd been to, it would probably be that little park she frequented as a child.
"Looks like that's the only place I can go to clear my head."
Qiao Xinying closed her eyes and pondered for a moment. The only place she could probably go now was that area.
I wonder if that little park has been demolished, since so much time has passed.
That small park was already quite old at the time, and almost no one went there except for her and Wu Liang.
According to the city's zoning and reconstruction plan, that park will likely be demolished.
If it has to be demolished, there's nothing that can be done; it's only natural that old and worn-out things will be phased out by the times.
"Never mind, let's go take a look first."
Qiao Xinying opened the wardrobe and casually took out a light-colored dress.
After glancing at the socks in the storage box and hesitating for a moment, she chose a pair of light white stockings that she had recently bought.
Since staying in this hotel is just going to be pointless anyway, it's always good to go out for a walk.
It doesn't matter if the old park is demolished; she just wanted to go out for a walk to clear her head...
.
Just as Luo Lan had said, the weather outside was very comfortable, neither hot nor dry, the perfect temperature for going out for a stroll or walk.
Having been out of the hotel for some time, Qiao Xinying looked around at the various passersby.
She reached up to press down the sun hat on her head, her beautiful, jewel-like eyes constantly scanning the bustling street.
Beneath her slender, jade-like neck lay a bosom as smooth and white as jade, adorned with a Western-style light blue chiffon dress featuring intricate floral patterns.
A matching belt cinched her waist, making it appear incredibly slender and accentuating her full breasts. Her milky-white over-the-knee stockings further showcased her perfect leg shape.
In fact, Qiao Xinying didn't put much effort into dressing up. Her face was fair with a touch of red lipstick, and her natural beauty was understated. She had simply applied some powder makeup.
Even so, Qiao Xinying still attracted astonished looks from passersby.
"That park should be just ahead."
Qiao Xinying looked down at the map navigation and finally found it.
In the five years since she left Yanghai City, this area has changed quite a bit.
If nothing unexpected happens, her old park should be demolished... except...
"No way..."
Just as Qiao Xinying raised her head and took two steps forward.
A huge circular fountain came into view.
This is a street park, a newly built street park standing in this busy intersection.
"That dilapidated little park has been renovated??"
Qiao Xinying stared blankly at the brand-new and beautiful stone gate not far away.
It's not demolition, but reconstruction? Logically, such a dilapidated little park shouldn't need major renovations at all... but why...?
Chapter Nineteen: Past and Present
Stroll along the wooden walkway that encircles the deep water, and listen to the gentle sound of the flowing water in the pool.
Standing on the wooden bridge and looking into the pond, some small and beautiful fish fry are clearly visible.
Some scattered red flower petals floated in the clear flowing water, which was quite beautiful, and the pebble-paved drainage channel reflected the light.
The lake surface shimmered, and the summer breeze rippled across it, creating dazzling spots of light that were almost blinding.
This scene is not unique to Yangzhou; the wooden buildings and small bay in this park also have a unique charm.
Qiao Xinying walked across the wooden bridge, her high heels making a crisp sound on the jade steps.
Her pink eyes held an unprecedented sense of comfort and relaxation; she had never imagined she would see such a sight in the heart of the city.
And it was in the dilapidated park from her childhood memories, which surprised and delighted her at the same time.
"This is truly an unexpected gift."
Holding onto the bluestone railing beside her, Qiao Xinying looked up at the two rows of tall trees in the distance.
The trees are perfect for viewing; their lush leaves rustle in the breeze, and the fragrance of their flowers is delicate and subtle, not particularly strong.
The broad leaves blocked the sunlight streaming down from above, creating a continuous expanse of green shade.
The lush, short-path lawns, nestled under the shade of the trees on both sides, create a natural, cool rest area.
"I thought this place had been demolished long ago, but I never expected it to be transformed into such a large-scale green forest park."
Qiao Xinying pulled her hoodie down low, and her rosy lips curved into a beautiful smile.
The parks I remember from my childhood were very dilapidated, with few people, and they didn't serve to beautify the city.
And that dilapidated park is located right in the heart of the street, where pedestrian and vehicular traffic is at its highest.
For the bustling Yanghai City, that dilapidated park was as conspicuous as a withered, yellowed dead tree in the middle of a green forest.
In Qiao Xinying's memory, that park had long been excluded from the municipal management list.
If a large shopping mall could be opened in such a prime location with high foot traffic, its effect would be many times greater than that of a park.
Therefore, Qiao Xinying never had any expectations from the beginning, believing that the park had long been replaced by high-rise buildings.
But everything that happened was far beyond her expectations. The little park from her childhood was not only not replaced by the commercial city, but was also renovated and rebuilt.
The development area of the site has been expanded several times over. The park now features not only green pavilions and waterside gardens, but also a flower garden in the distance for people to enjoy and relax.
Nowadays, many young children like to come here to play, and compared to the sparse crowds in the past, it is now bustling with activity.
"I really don't know who renovated this place, but I'm sure it wasn't those people from the municipality."
"If it were the people in the city government, they would be eager to turn this place into a shopping mall to boost the economy and attract customers."
Qiao Xinying skipped happily along the jade path with light, quick steps.
She spread her arms and twirled in place, her light blue embroidered skirt swaying like a blooming bellflower.
A strange sense of comfort arose in my brain, triggering the release of an emotion called happiness.