CIATB Chapter 94 Versailles
Chapter 94 Versailles
Chapter 94 Versailles
Yu Huan's voice, filled with doubt, fell.
Lin Yourong's fingertips inadvertently brushed against her woolen trousers.
Especially the spot where his head had just rested, where his body heat still lingered...
She took a deep breath, using a smile to mask the turmoil in her heart, then gently turned her head to look at Yu Huan, who had already sat up straight.
“We’ve arrived at Willow Leaf Lake,” she said softly, her tone carrying a hint of gentleness. “We’ll be at Uncle’s house soon.”
"Oh."
Yu Huan raised her hand and rubbed her eyes.
After a short rest, the feeling of being dizzy and lightheaded, and having my head spinning, had greatly lessened.
My heartbeat stopped pounding like a drum, the burning sensation from the alcohol subsided, my eyelids felt lighter, and everything in front of me seemed to regain its vibrant colors.
Sitting in the front passenger seat, my mother-in-law turned her head and smiled, saying, "Xiao Yu, you've been dozing off for a while, are you feeling better now?"
"Hmm, I feel a little better, but I'm still a bit dizzy." Taking a deep breath, I felt my lungs fill with fresh air.
After a period of discomfort, I recovered a little, and this feeling was incredibly comforting.
Lin Yourong said with a hint of reproach, "Don't try to be brave next time."
Yu Huan held her hand: "It's just a little bit, it's not a big problem."
"It's good that you didn't throw up in the car." Ah Yan smiled in the rearview mirror: "When we get home, I'll have the housekeeper make some juice for you guys who have been drinking."
Amidst the soft murmurs of the three women chatting, Yu Huan's gaze drifted absently to the window.
The world outside the car window was shrouded in a thin, gauze-like rain curtain.
The light was dim.
Through the misty rain, he saw a magnificent view behind the sparse roadside trees—
A vast and boundless lake.
Raindrops fell gently onto the lake, creating ripples that spread out in layers across the surface.
This lake is named for its resemblance to a willow leaf, and its total area is three times larger than that of West Lake.
Surrounded by mountains on two sides, a river on one side, and Dongting Lake on the other, it is the largest urban lake in my country.
The car drove slowly along the lakeside.
In a flash.
Ah Yan slowly turned the steering wheel to the right, turning onto a small road, and soon passed a wide-open wrought iron gate.
First the front of the car, then the rear, and as the entire car entered, the heavy wrought iron gate closed slowly and automatically.
A light drizzle gently fell on the car window, forming a thin layer of mist. Yu Huan could only see lush evergreen plants in front of her, the raindrops on the branches and leaves shimmering under the lamplight.
Yu Huan realized that they had driven into a manor.
As the vehicle drove deeper into the area, Yu Huan could only see a magnificent three-story French-style villa through the windshield.
Yes.
At first glance, it appears to have only three floors, yet it gives the impression of standing tall and imposing.
The exterior is predominantly light-colored, with the white, dry-hung stone facade standing out prominently at night, creating a striking contrast with the surrounding evergreen shrubs and withered lawns.
The windows are arched, and each window is like a picture frame.
Exquisite carvings adorn every corner of this building, making it impossible to equate it with a self-built rural house.
It can be said that this is a proper lakeside manor villa.
Yu Huan glanced around through the car window and couldn't help but think to herself:
Gold tycoon!
No wonder Wei Feiyu said he wanted to invite his uncle's whole family to stay. Yu Huan thought his house was big, like a five-bedroom, two-living-room house, or a small villa in the suburbs. She never expected it to be so luxurious.
He dared not think about it anymore.
"We're here." Ah Yan stepped on the brakes.
Three cars were already parked in the front yard.
After getting out of the car, Yu Huan glanced around and realized that, thanks to the female driver, they were the last to arrive.
A light drizzle fell gently, adding a touch of hazy romance to the manor.
My uncle stood with his hands on his hips under the eaves of the house: "Why are you taking so long? I've been standing here waiting for you for more than ten minutes."
“It’s raining, and it’s late at night, so it’s definitely better to be on the safe side!” The mother-in-law raised her hand to shield her head and hurriedly took a step, her heels clicking on the granite steps.
My uncle chuckled and teased, "That's true, female drivers really should drive slower."
"Old Wei, that's just a stereotype." His mother-in-law stood under the eaves, giving him a glare. "When you came back, wasn't it Sister Yu driving? Be careful she doesn't hit you on the head!"
"That depends on whether you talk badly about me to your sister," Uncle said with a chuckle.
Yu Huan turned around and waited for Lin Yourong to get out of the car. After she turned around and closed the car door, the two of them walked up the steps side by side.
The group waited under the eaves of the house for Ah Yan to park her car and come up the steps before filing inside together.
As Yu Huan stepped onto the smooth marble floor, the first thing that caught her eye was the large living room where she could ride a bicycle. Looking up at the brightly lit crystal chandeliers, she was surprised to find that the ceiling was covered with exquisite reliefs and carvings.
I couldn't help but wonder if it was possible to play badminton with this high ceiling.
Uncle winked at Yu Huan and said, "Little Yu, what do you think of this house?"
Without hesitation, Yu Huan blurted out, "I don't understand it, but I'm deeply shocked."
Everyone couldn't help but laugh.
Lin Yourong took Yu Huan's hand and gently pinched his arm. "Why are you acting like you've never seen anything like this before!"
Having read the official documents and mastered the strategies for the next ten years, Yu Huan was full of confidence and naturally wouldn't be intimidated by a French-style manor in this third-tier city. After having a few drinks, he wasn't afraid to speak his mind.
Because it really is quite extravagant.
From tonight's dinner to this house, I've caught a glimpse of the tip of the iceberg of the lives of the wealthy.
He took a step forward while looking around.
The decorations on the off-white walls are particularly captivating, with plaster lines outlining intricate patterns, some complex and some simple, all exuding a rich texture.
At the same time, the wall lamps cast beams of soft white light, illuminating the wall surface with an exceptionally bright glow.
The group strolled slowly.
My aunt explained, "Your uncle studied architecture in Versailles when he was studying in France. He designed this house himself. I've calculated that it was completed in 1999, so it's been almost fourteen years now."
"Versailles?"
Yu Huan was completely bewildered.
Isn't Versailles a term used to describe pretentious people?
He understood that he was studying in France, and he also understood that the house was designed by his uncle.
scare!
However, this uncle-in-law is truly someone whose appearance doesn't tell you anything.
"The Versailles National Higher School of Architecture is just so-so," Uncle said, grinning with his two big gold teeth. "This house is generally French in style, but it also incorporates some of my own preferences. For example, it doesn't use classical columns, there are no dormer windows, the interior decoration doesn't have any metallic colors, and it uses a full set of mahogany furniture."
My uncle led the way, walking ahead with his hands behind his back.
Yu Huan initially thought he was going to lead everyone up the spiral staircase, but unexpectedly, there was a home elevator around the corner...
The elevator was quite large, more than enough to carry their group of five.
Ayan didn't come in. She stopped and said to her uncle, "Dad, I'll go ask Auntie to make some juice to help you sober up."
"Okay, go ahead then." Uncle waved his hand, then suddenly added to Ah Yan's retreating figure, "Don't do anything sour!"
"I know."
Uncle turned around with a smile and said, "In my opinion, only Xiao Yu needs to sober up."
"Indeed." Lin Yourong nodded.
"Uh."
Yu Huan touched the tip of her nose.
The elevator door closes.
The mother-in-law suddenly said to the uncle, "Xiao Yu and You Rong's wedding room isn't decorated yet. Do you know anyone in Xingcheng who could introduce you to someone?"
Yu Huan and Lin Yourong stood behind, exchanging silent glances upon hearing this.
The uncle turned around and asked the young couple, "What kind of house?"
Lin Yourong raised her hand, adjusted the brim of her hat, and looked at her uncle: "It's a 260-square-meter riverside apartment, fully furnished. You only need to add some soft furnishings before you can move in."
"Fully furnished?" My uncle shook his head repeatedly, then said with considerable expertise, "If it's for investment purposes, it can save you trouble, but if it's for your own residence, forget it. The developer prioritizes cost when doing fully furnished properties, so I suggest you renovate again."
"Isn't that even more difficult than decorating a bare-bones apartment?" Yu Huan asked.
"It's certain that we'll have to tear down the walls and floors and rewire."
The elevator stopped working.
With a "ding," the door opened.
My uncle stepped forward first, saying, "I'll have someone go over and take a look when the time comes."
"Okay." Lin Yourong nodded.
Listening to this conversation, Yu Huan glanced at the exquisite murals hanging on the wall and thought about how Old Yu was planning to scrape together 500,000 yuan from his two wallets to give him for decorating their wedding room...
In the 1980s, there was a surge in overseas study. Given the circumstances at the time, most people were relatively poor, and more than 70% of those who were able to go abroad were government-sponsored.
Given his uncle's extravagance and vision, the fact that he built this manor back in 1999 clearly indicates that he was a well-off student studying abroad.
He pondered to himself.
Is 500,000 enough in your uncle's eyes?
And it's a spacious 200+ square meter river-view apartment.
I'm afraid it's far from enough!
Yu Huan thought that with a little manipulation, 500,000 yuan could easily become several small goals...
To cover the costs of decorating the wedding room, are we going to add more and more extra charges?
Yu Huan forced herself to swallow the thought, "I think a fully furnished apartment is pretty good too," and followed Lin Yourong's pace.
The four of them walked through the corridor, and the uncle opened the door in front, leading them into a chess and card room.
It truly is a card and chess room in the literal sense.
Yu Huan shook his head and looked around, only to see two mahjong tables inside.
The air conditioning was on full blast, filling the air with a pleasant warmth. The temperature difference felt like leaping from the frigid Arctic into the warm tropics.
The automatic mahjong machine is shuffling the tiles, which collide with each other, making a crisp and pleasant "clattering" sound.
One table has already started playing:
Old Lin and his uncle faced off against his aunt and Wei Feiyu.
The brother-in-law and his mother fought.
Upon seeing this, Lin Yourong immediately let go of Yu Huan's hand, and with a look of great interest, she leaned over and glanced at the mahjong table, saying, "Want to play some mahjong?"
"Yes." Old Lin's cards weren't going well, and he frowned slightly.
(End of this chapter)