Beat Generation

It was just a small meeting of ten people. The people sitting around the table were all well-known government advisers from the Finance Departments of the five northern provinces. Six or seven of them were old faces. The four were new faces, and before Zhan Banbi had time to meet them one by one, the meeting had already begun.

Except for his usual short speech at the beginning, today Zhan Banbi is almost the same as in the past, sitting in the middle of the round table with gloomy eyes, listening to the financial crisis in the north that these consultants said with a blank expression.

I'm afraid no one except her secretary Guan Yongquan could have noticed that Zhan Banbi was distracted again and again during the meeting.

When the frequency of this distraction exceeded Guan Yongquan's expectations, he put down the pen he was scribbling at, and asked softly in her ear, "Director, are you feeling unwell?"

"No."

Zhan Banbi blinked her eyes slowly, her eyes moved away from the clever mouths of the eloquent consultants, her eyes were absorbed in staring at the furnishings in this quaint room, waiting for her to tell whether the furnishings were authentic or not. After making many assessments in my mind, the meeting broke down in the middle, and the two parties were at a stalemate, inevitably falling into the most common deadlock in talks.

"Everyone, let's take a break at halftime."

Zhan Banbi turned around, Guan Yongquan quickly closed the dark blue meeting book and followed steadily.They entered the small lounge, and the guard at the door watched intently.

"Director, do you want to drink tea or the Peony Alpine Spring?"

"Peony Spring, it's been a long time since I drank it."

Peony Spring, a total of twelve large and small springs, all in a place called Peony Town five hundred miles away from the meeting place, this is the "longevity water" that people in the north often drink, and it is transported to the south, a bottle of 250ml The price of the water can be doubled, and then sold in various ports in the south to the north country. The price of a bottle of Peony Spring is about five times that of the most expensive mineral water in the market in the north country. The tax revenue from this bottle of water is not even a quarter of that of the old-school business families who control the southern ports.

After careful calculation, it is no wonder that those government advisers just now talked in critical terms that "the chaos in the south is the biggest cancer in the development of the southern country."

The clear and sweet Peony Spring is contained in a finely polished rough stone cup. The reason why this spring is called Peony Spring is not because it originates from Peony Town, but because the water is permeated with a rare flower fragrance all the year round. It is said that Chai Fu, who was the first to taste this spring water, had a very fragrant water. At first taste, he thought it was the fragrance of peony flowers. The imitated special aroma has become a longevity-prolonging natural brew that only the Northland has.

Zhan Banbi picked up the stone cup and took a sip lightly.

When she saw this pure spring water, she could think of Bomei's smile when she brought this water to her for the first time. She said, Sister Banbi, try it. This is the spring my father gave me. The first dog coming out of Peony Spring.

Yes, when the Bo family was in its prime, the spring with the best location and the best appearance was given to Bo Mei, who was only eight years old, by Bo Zhengtao as a birthday present. Since then, Bo Mei has not been a peony spring. I don't drink it, I use this water to clean my hands and face, and I also use this spring water to take a cold shower in midsummer... For others, the Peony Spring, which needs to be bought at a high price, is just a gadget given to her by her father for Bo Mei.

In order to prevent people from being poisoned, except for those who are very close, no one knows that Bo Mei has a spring that is later invaluable.

Every year after drinking this peony spring and smelling the natural fragrance, Zhan Banbi would think of Bo Mei.

The smell of peony spring is the lingering smell of the young Bo Mei...

...Looking at Zhan Banbi who was getting deep in thought, Guan Yongquan had no choice but to say: "Director, you don't have to worry too much. Now that the southern forces are entrenched, once the funds of several scientific research institutions are in place in the first half of next year, the six southern provinces will probably be in trouble." The arrogance will only become more arrogant than it is now. It is the most normal thing for the northern provinces to look red-eyed. Before the founding of the People's Republic, the south still had red-eyes for the north."

At this time, Zhan Banbi withdrew her thoughts. She put down and took a sip of Peony Spring, moved her mind away from the scent on her nose, and turned back to the central content of this meeting. She said: "I can't rely on the north Out of anger from the five provinces, they made rash proposals to change tax items and rates, which can only be accomplished after discussions and votes between the North and the South, and when all parties have expressed their opinions."

Guan Yongquan nodded. In fact, what was said in this meeting is already a cliché. Zhan Banbi travels all over the country these days. At present, his superiors still need to absorb more mature and practical opinions.

After chatting with Guan Yongquan for a while, the second half of the meeting kicked off. It started at 3 o'clock in the morning, and after dinner with relevant people, it was already bright. Zhan Banbi looked surprised.

"Director, it's time to go to the airport."

"...I think of one thing, bring some Peony Springs to...Ershan and her mysterious girlfriend."

"it is good."

When we got to the airport, the announcer played back and forth the flight information to Huanjing. Zhan Banbi turned his head and said to Guan Yongquan: "Maybe I should have a few more meetings. I don't want to go back to Beijing right now."

"Director, what do you mean..."

Zhan Banbi pressed the brim of her black hat, she shrugged slightly and said, "Sorry, we'll go back to Beijing according to the original schedule."

There are no tigers and monsters in Beijing, but an unpredictable wedding, Zhan Banbi thought to himself as he waited for the plane to take off.

When I got off the plane, the interview footage of Wu Ershan admitting to being married for the first time in front of the media was played on the big screens on all sides at the same time. She is wearing a simple and neat red coat, with a stiff black bow tie, and newly cut short hair. The stylist thinned out her perennially drooping formal bangs without hesitation, exposing her forehead, making her look more mature. She is very serious and uses Ci also answered every question very sincerely, which even made people sound like jumping feet. From the beginning to the end, he did not give a bad face to a reporter.

Such an unusual Wu, even if she didn't open her mouth to tell the details of her love and marriage, from her words and deeds, she could still feel that... this King Wu Xiaoxiang, who has been in the world for several years, is really going to get married.

Guan Yongquan said with a smile: "I never expected that one day, I would see Miss Ershan looking so serious. She must be serious for the bride to see."

"No, she is serious for all of us to see." Zhan halfway dragged the suitcase, and before leaving the plane hall, a reporter recognized her, and asked her before the microphone was extended: "Director Zhan, Zhan Director, have you met Mrs. Wu Xiao? Does she look like a fairy?"

Guan Yongquan hurriedly stopped him, and he looked at the reporter warningly, "Friends from the press, please step aside."

Soon, the airport guards came to maintain order. Zhan Banbi's hat brim repeatedly lowered showed that she had nothing to say, but the whole capital knew that she and Wu were best friends. Such a surprising flash marriage, regardless of the authorities, You can only ask the closest friends of the authorities.

Zhan Banbi was surrounded by crowds and got into the car. After closing the car door, she didn't know if she was hearing hallucinations. She seemed to hear a reporter blatantly asking: "Some people say that Mrs. Wu looks very much like the deceased Miss Bo Mei, Is this rumor true?!"

Zhan Banbi's face changed slightly when he asked the question in a hurry, and Guan Yongquan immediately got out of the car to deal with the reporters who asked questions that shouldn't be asked.

Only the driver and Zhan Banbi were left in the car, and she couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. The driver asked her where she was going, and she answered without thinking about going to the seaside villa. When the driver drove into that road, she regretted it a little, but Don't let the driver turn around.

Just when she was hesitating, there was a long queue on the way to the villa, and it was blocked just like that.

After waiting for about 10 minutes, Zhan Banbi got out of the car, and it was only 10 minutes' walk from the villa.

The bodyguards followed her, and she walked in front alone. After passing a few cars, she looked up!

Where is the traffic jam here? It is clearly a sea of ​​flowers flowing slowly like a colorful ribbon. It is so beautiful that it is dazzling. Like her, many people who stopped to watch the flower array were stuck in the middle of the road and could not go home. people.

"I heard that this is already the third wave of convoys today. That prodigal girl Wu Ershan seems to have robbed all the flower houses in the capital. All the flower suppliers have been robbed. She wants to provide flowers for her wedding!"

"It's too prodigal, but it's also too beautiful, look at it like this!"

"I want to marry her too! What a romantic battle, who else can show it apart from her? I heard that several foreign jewelry brands have also forced their heads to customize wedding rings for them. Alas, that's not the point of a flash wedding." Well, there is no time to make the wedding ring slowly, it needs to be rushed, and it is very expensive."

The leisurely morning breeze blew over, and it also blew the mixed fragrance of flowers. Zhan Banbi just walked forward with difficulty. She got into the traffic full of fresh flowers, and was soon submerged in the colorful.

——————————————————————————————

She walked quickly, and arrived at the villa in less than a quarter of an hour. Mo Shi, who was waiting for her at the door, rushed up to meet her.

"You came back so early."

"I came back late, so I couldn't see this scene."

Zhan Banbi stretched and went back to his bedroom.

She slept until the afternoon before getting up and having afternoon tea. After rushing through three official documents, Guan Yongquan, who was "stranded" at the airport, finally came back. It’s like a rain of flowers has just fallen.”

"You came late, you did."

"Ah?"

Zhan Banbi rubbed the bridge of his nose, Guan Yongquan said: "The Peony Spring is outside, should I send it to Master now?"

"Master? How much did you bring for them?"

Zhan Banbi stood up, went out to have a look, and was immediately happy, with a fleeting look of joy on her face. She patted Guan Yongquan on the shoulder, and pointed to the peony spring that was transported by a special pump truck, "I think this truck can be used as a congratulatory gift." For Ershan, you go and find me a ribbon and tie a bow, and we will send it over. Others are icing on the cake, and I will add water to the icing on the cake. Thank you, Secretary Guan, it can be regarded as saving me money in red envelopes .”

"Ah?"

When Guan Yongquan didn't know why, the car had already started, Zhan Banbi was walking quickly along the edge of the cliff, and the car of Peony Spring was also slowly swaying in the slow-moving car.

After a while, the car arrived at the door of Wu Ershan's house.

There is no room for people here, the doorway has long been filled with smoke-like flowers, flooding the doorway, making it impossible for people to find a place to knock on the door.

"Hey! Banbi, wait for me, I'll open the door for you right now!" Standing on the second floor, Wu Er smiled and waved to Zhan Banbi. About 5 minutes later, Wu got out from the layers of flowers, covered in The top and bottom were covered with petals of various colors, and those petals rolled down her white shirt one after another. An inexplicable feeling was aroused from Zhan Banbi's heart. She raised her eyes and stared at Wu's raised eyes, "I'll bring you some water." Here we come. The first wave of Peony Springs this year has not been released yet. I just happened to go there for a meeting, so I brought some back for you and your... bride."

"What?!!! The weather just got warmer, and this Peony Spring is going to be on the market?" Wu Ershan was overjoyed, she looked at the Peony Spring logo printed on the water pump truck, and hugged Zhan Banbi, "Banbi, it's better for you Yes! Do you know that guy Wen Xi is too much, he actually said that he is too busy and may not be able to come to my wedding!!!!"

"Is it……"

When they were talking, Mo Li was instructing people to move the messy model flowers aside, hoping to make a small path for easy access. Some people moved flowers and trees, and some people hung strips of colorful flowers from high bamboo poles. Various giant draperies.

"Have you chosen your flowers yet?"

Wu took half a cup of Peony Spring, sipped a few sips, and said with a smile: "How can it be so easy to choose? Whichever supplier I choose, I am afraid that I will be left out in the cold. Once married, no one will be offended, right?"

"Then these..." Zhan Banbi pointed to the curtain that was swaying with the wind. The curtain gradually became overwhelming, making it impossible to see any window in the villa, and naturally the unknown Lushan Mountain's true face. It's... Mrs. Wu.

"This is also for weddings. There are too many patterns and colors, and I can't choose. The sun has not yet set. Taking advantage of this daylight, I asked the supplier to hang them for me one by one, and let my little lady hang them in the room. She chooses whichever one she likes, so she can use it for the wedding. My mother said that there is no extravagance in the palace these days. You have to bring your own curtains, not to mention the tablecloths on the tables. People who have to hold banquets Prepare it yourself. If only I had gotten married a few years earlier, the imperial palace would have taken care of these things back then."

There was a faint wave of heat coming from the other side of the road. Wu Er, who had been busy all day, was so hot that he unbuttoned his white shirt, Zhan Banbi paced and walked past the curtains.

"Banbi, you can also help me choose one."

Wu Ershan wiped the sweat from her head with a handkerchief, she stood on tiptoe, and shouted inside: "It's all hung up, look at this batch of curtains, do you like it?"

Zhan Banbi's heart skipped a beat. She looked in the direction where Wu shouted, and saw a thin white figure passing by. She only saw a shadow.

The wind wrapped in a heat wave gushed, and a thought flashed through Wu Ershan's mind. She said to Mo Li: "You let my shy little lady come out to choose, she has been tired all day, and the house is so stuffy." .”

While talking like this, she looked for water pipes and nozzles, assembled them in twos and twos, and connected them to the first-class Peony Spring.

Just waiting for the little white figure to enter the curtain-like curtain, Wu Ershan picked up the temporary "water gun" and sprayed it at the sound!

"It's raining, it's raining!"

Wherever Peony Spring went, there was an irresistible charming fragrance, but Zhuang Mei, who was attacked by surprise, shrank into a ball in fright, and she shouted: "You are dead, Wu Ershan!"

Hearing this all-too-familiar voice, Zhan Banbi no longer hesitated to push aside the curtains covering his eyes. Unexpectedly, he opened up one piece of curtain, and another piece of curtain. And clearly, when the surrounding area was filled with the unique fragrance of Peony Spring, and she did not pour the Peony Spring all over herself, for a moment, Zhan Banbi felt that she was lost in the curtain, she stood there, motionless, Like a hunter waiting for a rabbit, quietly waiting——

The figure swaying in the curtain finally fled towards her bit by bit... The rain from the Peony Spring dripped unscrupulously in the curtain, and they dripped on Zhan Banbi's face, making her eyes blurred.

The figure that had been wet for a long time was just stuck to the curtain. She could clearly see the figure of the man and the tattoos covering the entire back... At this time, Wu Ershan, the mischievous ghost, had already chased him in. , the two fought into a ball, and many curtains were pulled down, and fell to the ground with a "slap" and "slap".

Zhan Banbi just stared at the two figures who were suddenly near and far away, until the whole car of Peony Spring was sprayed out, and then she suddenly turned her head away, as if something was chasing her, she walked further and further away. Quickly, he walked faster and faster, almost escaping back to his villa.

"Why are you soaked?" Mo Shi was taken aback, and when she was about to come over to wipe Zhan Banbi with a towel, she found that she was tightly holding a thorny red rose in her hand. "Let go, this rose has thorns, prick your hand, you are bleeding, you are bleeding."

It was only then that Zhan Banbi realized that she had grasped a red rose that was about to drip. At this moment, the blood soaked in the fragrance of peony spring water was quietly oozing out from her palm...