boyutpedia Chapter 162 Afternoon Tea at Gu Weijun's House
Chapter 162 Afternoon Tea at Gu Weijun's House
Chapter 165: Afternoon Tea at Gu Weijun's House
When Lin Yan returned home, Xiao Qi was sprawled out on the expensive Persian rug in the living room, her little paws tightly clutching a bottle of Coca-Cola, drinking heartily until her tummy was round and bulging. Upon seeing him, the little one immediately tried to toss the bottle aside, pretending nothing had happened, and then rushed into Lin Yan's arms to cuddle. However, her haste caused the remaining half-bottle of Coke to spill onto the light-colored rug with a "splash," leaving a large, dark stain.
Lin Yan caught the "small cannonball" with lightning speed, deliberately putting on a stern face and speaking in a serious tone: "Xiao Qi! Look at the mess you've made! How many times have I told you, you can't be so clumsy!"
Xiao Qi immediately drooped her ears and made a "woof woof" sound of admitting her mistake, rubbing her wet nose against Lin Yan's palm in an ingratiating manner.
Lin Yan called Charles over and pointed to the stain on the carpet, instructing, "Charles, please clean this up. But—" He glanced down at the pitiful little guy in his arms, "Xiao Qi needs to be there and involved the whole time. It can't let others clean up its own mistakes without feeling guilty."
So, throughout Charles's entire carpet-cleaning process, Xiao Qi was kept aside and "supervised" by Lin Yan. The little guy's eyes were full of regret, as if he had known he shouldn't have drunk so quickly.
The next afternoon, before leaving, Lin Yan packed the gifts for his elders while solemnly instructing Xiao Qi, who was excitedly circling around him, "Today I'm taking you to visit Grandma Yan's house. You must be well-behaved and not be as clumsy as you were yesterday, okay? You must be polite."
The gifts he prepared were quite thoughtful: a pound of top-grade Da Hong Pao tea and a small jar of century-old mulberry wine brewed in his space. This wine has the effects of nourishing yin and blood, and moisturizing the intestines to relieve constipation, making it especially suitable for the elderly to regulate dry intestines and constipation, as well as premature graying of hair. It was just right for Mr. Gu and Aunt Yan.
After greeting Charles, Li Wenbin, and Zheng Jiaming, Lin Yan carried the gifts and led Xiao Qi out the door. The little one even walked with a more "dignified" gait today. They walked to the nearby Park Avenue.
Following the address given by Aunt Yan, Lin Yan stopped in front of a stately and imposing high-end apartment building. The building had a distinct pre-war style, constructed entirely of light-colored limestone or Indiana limestone, its texture warm and substantial after years of wear. The facade was neat and symmetrical, with simple reliefs or arched lintels above the windows, exuding the elegant lingerings of neoclassicism. Unlike later glass-walled skyscrapers, this old-fashioned mansion possessed a low-key and understated exterior, unassuming yet exuding an undeniable air of nobility and solemnity. A smartly dressed security guard stood at the entrance, his eyes sharp and his manners impeccable.
Lin Yan stepped forward and said to the gatekeeper, "Please inform Mr. Gu and Ms. Yan that Lin Yan has brought Xiao Qi to pay a visit."
The doorman had clearly given prior instructions, and upon hearing the name, his face immediately broke into a warm and respectful smile: "Is this Young Master Lin Yan and Xiao Qi? The master and madam have already instructed that you can go directly to seat 301 on the third floor." Another waiter stepped forward to guide Lin Yan to the elevator.
After thanking them, Lin Yan led Xiao Qi into the elevator lobby, decorated with brass ornaments and exuding the luxurious style of old New York. He felt a sense of solemn anticipation for this visit. When the elevator reached the third floor, Aunt Yan, dressed in a lotus-colored cheongsam, was already waiting at the door. As soon as she saw Lin Yan bring Xiao Qi out, she quickly stepped forward, bent down, picked up Xiao Qi, gently stroked its head, and said softly, "Xiao Qi, Grandma has been looking forward to your visit."
The interior was elegantly decorated, exuding a blend of Chinese and Western styles. Mr. Gu was already waiting in the living room, with a young couple sitting beside him. The girl's features bore a striking resemblance to Aunt Yan.
Lin Yan presented the tea with both hands, his tone respectful and sincere: "Mr. Gu, Aunt Yan, I apologize for disturbing you. This is some Da Hong Pao tea that we have at home, as well as some aged mulberry wine that we have prepared for you two. It will be of some benefit to your health. It is just a small token of our appreciation."
Aunt Yan smiled and had the maid accept the gift. She then invited Lin Yan to sit down and said reproachfully, "Little Yan, I invited you to come and have fun, but I didn't ask you to bring a gift!" Mr. Gu then kindly introduced Lin Yan, "Lin Yan, you've come at the perfect time. This is my daughter, Yang Xi'en, and her future son-in-law, Tang Liuqian."
Lin Yan's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately recognized the identities of the family before him: Gu Weijun, China's first generation of career diplomats, who played a key role in major historical events such as the Paris Peace Conference, the League of Nations, and the founding of the United Nations, and in his later years served as a judge and vice president of the International Court of Justice in The Hague; Yan Youyun, from the illustrious family of Yan Xiaofang, one of the founders of Fudan University, was a famous "Fudan Campus Belle" during the Republic of China era, both of her husbands were renowned diplomats, and she herself served as a protocol officer at the United Nations; Tang Liuqian, born in Shanghai into a family of textile industry workers in Wuxi, was a successful Chinese-American financier, and along with his wife Yang Xi'en, was an important philanthropist in the American arts and sciences. Mr. Tang Liuqian's life trajectory can be considered a model of the global development of Chinese families in the 20th century.
Lin Yan straightened his posture and asked solemnly, "May I ask if you are Mr. Gu Weijun, the foremost diplomat of the Republic of China?"
"Oh? Xiao Yan knows me?"
Lin Yan replied with a humble expression and sincere tone: "Back then, at the Paris Peace Conference, Mr. Gu refused to sign the Treaty of Versailles in order to fight for Shandong's rights, and even stated bluntly, 'China cannot give up Shandong, just as Christians cannot give up Jerusalem.' Such integrity and character are etched in history, and I, a junior, admire them greatly. How could I not know them?"
These words clearly touched upon the deepest memories in Gu Weijun's heart. He gazed at Lin Yan for a moment, a complex emotion flashing across his eyes, which finally turned into a soft sigh: "All that is past... I never thought that I would hear a young man mentioning the past in a foreign land."
Lin Yan felt a deep sense of respect. The old man before him had, with fervent patriotism, fought for the rights of his weak motherland amidst the encirclement of powerful nations, and painstakingly reclaimed Shandong. Unfortunately, he lacked a truly resolute nation to support him at that time… Thinking of this, he couldn't help but sigh softly.
Yan Youyun aptly smoothed things over, personally pouring Lin Yan a cup of coffee: "That's all in the past. Here, try this coffee; Liu Qian brought it back from Brazil."
Once the atmosphere relaxed, the conversation naturally turned to the international situation. Gu Weijun asked with great interest, "Xiao Yan, what are your thoughts on the current world situation?"
Lin Yan thought for a moment, then said in a normal tone, "The United States is currently at its zenith, with a complete industrial system and strong capital. The status of the dollar seems to be becoming increasingly stable. Coupled with its global military presence and technological leadership, its hegemonic position is unlikely to be shaken in the next two or three decades. However," he changed his tone, "it is not monolithic internally. Racial issues are like embers buried in the sand, which will inevitably erupt sooner or later. Moreover, in the long run, a country that relies too much on finance and the military, if its real economy becomes hollowed out, will be a hidden danger."
Gu Weijun nodded slightly, signaling him to continue.
"The Soviet Union was very powerful, especially in aerospace and military. It was bold and decisive, enough to rival the United States. Its planned economy system could concentrate resources to accomplish major tasks in certain periods with astonishing efficiency. But that's also where the problem lies," Lin Yan shook his head slightly, "its economic structure was too unbalanced. Light industry and agriculture lagged behind, and the lack of daily necessities for ordinary people was its Achilles' heel. Over time, the internal pressure would be immense, and its alliance system was not indestructible."
Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in Gu Weijun's eyes. He hadn't expected a young man to have such a clear understanding of the drawbacks of the Soviet system.
"As for Europe," Lin Yan turned his gaze to the West, "France and Germany, these old rivals, have learned painful lessons from two world wars, and now seem to be showing signs of reconciliation and leading the way in promoting European economic integration. If they can truly put aside their historical animosity, integrate into a common market, and even move towards a deeper alliance in the future, then a revitalized Europe definitely has the potential to become an independent pole in the world order, no longer completely dependent on the United States. However, this path is destined to be long, full of disputes and compromises."
Yan Youyun was also listening intently and couldn't help but interject, "Xiao Yan, your perspective on this issue is indeed quite unique. What about Asia? Our homeland..."
Lin Yan understood Aunt Yan's deep attachment to her homeland. He cautiously replied, "Asia... the situation is the most complex. Taking advantage of the Korean War, coupled with the United States' deliberate support and its own industrial transformation, Japan's economy is likely to enter a 'golden age' of rapid development. As for China..." He paused, "If it can seize the opportunity, it might be able to rise again by the end of the century. In short, the relationship between China and the United States will definitely be one of both cooperation and competition." And in the broader Asia, Africa, and Latin America regions, the wave of national independence and awakening is unstoppable. This is an irreversible historical tide that will fundamentally change the world political map in the coming decades.
He did not directly comment on the current state of his homeland, but his words hinted at a tremendous transformation. His macro-analysis, which highly condensed and refined the development trends for the next few decades, was based on realistic observations and contained insights that transcended his time. This surprised Gu Weijun and his wife, but they were more impressed by it.
Gu Weijun gazed at Lin Yan, as if trying to discern more from his youthful face. Finally, he exclaimed, "The younger generation is truly formidable! Xiao Yan, your insights are more profound and clear than those of many so-called experts who have been immersed in international affairs for years. It is very gratifying to see such an outstanding young man as you."
These insights surprised everyone present. Gu Weijun thoughtfully stroked his teacup, Tang Liuqian cast an admiring glance at him, and even Yang Xi'en, who had been sitting quietly, began to re-examine the young man.
Yan Youyun smiled as she poured more tea, saying gently, "Xiao Yan's insights are indeed unique."
Tang Liuqian, standing to the side, was secretly astonished: Where did his father-in-law and mother-in-law get to know such people? They were much younger than him, yet their conversation had revealed such a thorough and clear understanding of the world situation.