sbdcsierra Chapter 375 The Signboard of Heaven and Earth: Misty Rain Pavilion!
Chapter 375 The Signboard of Heaven and Earth: Misty Rain Pavilion!
The corridor is covered with thick carpets, making no sound when you step on it, and the walls are adorned with landscape paintings that evoke profound artistic conception.
At the end, there was only a heavy wooden door carved with cloud patterns.
Above the doorway hangs an ebony plaque with three elegant characters in running script: Misty Rain Pavilion!
At the entrance, a middle-aged man in a well-tailored, exquisitely made black suit stood upright like a javelin.
His face was calm, his eyes sharp yet respectful.
Seeing Fang Yu and his group approach, he immediately stepped forward, bowed deeply with perfect form, and said in a low, clear voice, "Young Master Fang, good evening!"
He then turned to Ye Fan, Qin Kun, and the others, maintaining his bow, and greeted them with the same meticulous manner: "Welcome, gentlemen!"
Fang Yu nodded slightly in response.
Ye Fan and the others nodded in agreement.
The man straightened up, stepped aside, and silently placed one hand on the heavy door knocker of "Yanyu Pavilion," preparing to open the door to the real "inner area" for his distinguished guest.
A silent sense of oppression and anticipation permeated the corridor.
The heavy, rustic wooden door was pushed open silently, and a unique aroma, a blend of crisp water vapor, the cool fragrance of orchids, and a faint scent of sandalwood smoke, wafted out, instantly shutting out the dim light and sounds of the corridor outside.
The scene inside the private room was like a living, breathing traditional Chinese painting of Jiangnan.
The space is open and the artistic conception is profound.
Beneath your feet lies a black stone path polished to a mirror-like finish, winding its way to an exquisite white jade arch bridge.
A clear stream murmurs beneath the bridge, and several colorful koi fish sway their tails leisurely under the water lily leaves.
The bridge is adorned with rugged Taihu stones, covered with lush green moss and carefully nurtured ferns, creating a vibrant scene.
In the middle of the bridge, a woman dressed in a gossamer-thin, almost transparent moon-white gauze dress, her figure graceful as a willow swaying in the breeze, lowered her head and casually plucked the sandalwood pipa in her arms.
The clear and ethereal sound of the zither and the babbling of the water blended seamlessly, creating a tranquil and elegant atmosphere in this small space, which contrasted sharply with the cold and ostentatious atmosphere of the huge "exhibition stand" downstairs.
Fang Yu skillfully led everyone to a set of large sandalwood daybeds next to the waterside pavilion. The daybeds were covered with soft, warm-to-the-touch brocade cushions, and each one was spacious enough to comfortably accommodate six or seven people.
The group settled comfortably into their seats, their bodies sinking into just the right amount of softness and support.
"How about it, Lao Ye?" Fang Yu looked around at the meticulously constructed scenery, his tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible pride. "'Yanyu Pavilion' is now the signature feature of 'Heaven on Earth'."
He deliberately lowered his voice, his fingertips lightly tapping the thick walls of the private room and the pervasive sense of shielding: "The essence lies here, an absolute impenetrable fortress, impenetrable to any force. Not to mention Nanjing, even the prominent young masters and big bosses in Shanghai and Hangzhou, and even many... celebrities who need to keep a low profile, all choose this place. What they value is this foolproof privacy and prestige."
He looked at Ye Fan with a sincere smile: "Tonight it's my treat, so just enjoy yourself. If you like this kind of thing, I'll get you a membership card later, so it'll be convenient for you to bring your friends over."
This is both a demonstration of strength and an acceptance and recognition of Fang Yu's circle.
Ye Fan nodded slightly, his mind clear as a mirror.
No matter how elegant and detached they may appear on the surface, the core of such places is ultimately inseparable from the nature of humanity.
Power, wealth, and desire are cloaked in a more expensive and exquisite guise here.
For him, this place was far less appealing than a shooting range or swimming pool where he could stretch his muscles.
He quietly absorbed the deliberately created "atmosphere," his gaze sweeping over the woman playing the zither on the bridge with a hint of understanding.
Fang Yu raised his hand, about to signal the middle-aged man standing to the side like a shadow to arrange the "main event," when his cell phone in his pocket suddenly vibrated, the faint light from the screen slightly dazzling in the dim environment.
He picked it up and glanced at it, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly. Then he gave Ye Fan an apologetic smile: "Sorry, Lao Ye, a very important friend of mine just flew from Beijing to Shanghai and came straight to Nanjing before he even had a chance to settle down. He heard we were here and really wanted to come and visit."
He paused, his gaze falling on Ye Fan, asking in a questioning tone: "I mainly wanted to see you. Is this convenient for you? If not, I'll decline immediately and won't let him spoil my fun."
Ye Fan picked up the warm white porcelain cup in front of him, took a sip of tea, and said in a calm tone, "It's alright. Since you're my friend, come on over. The more people, the more lively it will be."
He gave Fang Yu plenty of face.
The "friend" that Fang Yu takes so seriously and even explains personally must be someone of extraordinary importance, either someone with an extremely close relationship or someone of very high status.
Ye Fan was well-versed in the most basic etiquette of hospitality and social etiquette.
Fang Yu visibly relaxed, a look of approval flashing in his eyes. He quickly lowered his head to edit and send the message, then looked up and said, "He said he's nearby, knows the way, and should be there within half an hour."
The middle-aged man, who had been standing like a statue, took a half-step forward at just the right moment during the conversation, bowed slightly, and said in a deep and clear voice: "Young Master Fang, the 'Pure Sounds and Exquisite Melodies' you requested are ready. Shall we...?"
Just as Fang Yu was about to nod, Ye Fan gently raised his hand, turned his gaze to Fang Yu, and asked in a questioning tone: "Since our distinguished guest is about to arrive, why don't we wait and go together? This will avoid duplicate arrangements and make things seem rushed."
This was a thoughtful consideration for Fang Yu's friend, and also a way of subtly giving Fang Yu face.
Fang Yu laughed heartily and patted Ye Fan on the shoulder: "Old Ye, you're so thoughtful! Okay, I'll listen to you then. Let's chat for a bit, enjoy this tea, and listen to this music."
He turned to the middle-aged man and instructed, "First, serve some refreshing tea and snacks, seasonal fruits, and then warm a pot of good wine. We'll move on from the previous arrangements once everyone is here."
"Understood, Young Master Fang." The middle-aged man bowed and accepted the order, then silently withdrew as if he had never been there.
In a short while, several women dressed in elegant blue and white cheongsams, moving as lightly as cats, filed in.
They silently placed chilled fresh fruit slices (crystal-clear lychees, bright red cherries, and emerald-green melons), several plates of exquisite Jiangnan pastries (lotus flower pastries and Dingsheng cakes), a bottle of aged Shaoxing wine warmed in a jade case, and a set of crystal-clear glassware on the low table.
The lights were dimmed to a softer ambiance, leaving only the sounds of flowing water, piano music, and the refreshing aroma of wine in the quiet room.
Fang Yu personally picked up the warm wine pot and filled the glass in front of Ye Fan with amber-colored aged wine, the liquid shimmering with an alluring luster under the soft light.
He raised his glass, a genuine smile on his face: "Old Ye, that's a real friend! My friend would be overwhelmed if he knew you were waiting for him. When he arrives, whoever he is, make him drink three glasses as punishment for being 'late,' what do you think?"
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