Niu Junjie’s father’s name was Niu Xiong, who was, just as Niu Junjie said, of an imposing build and sturdy frame. From the appearance, Niu Junjie was more resemble the graceful and delicate mother Cao Yu, but from the character, Niu Junjie and his father were one hundred percent alike.
He Bai and Niu Junjie had been good buddies for over dozen years in his last life, and of course he was familiar with Niu’s father and mother, but because he was fond of taking scenery photos outside, he had no business contact with Niu’s family actually.
Things had changed now. For him, the experience was a bit novel.
With the experience of his last life, He Bai won the favor of Niu’s father and mother after only a meal, and it dumbfounded Niu Junjie, who doubted if He Bai had employed any bewitching method.
“Auntie is nice to me because I helped you to adapt to the dormitory life when you entered school.” He Bai replied, rubbing his stomach and being led by Niu Junjie for a walk to digestion. “As for uncle, it’s because you endorsed me and treat me as a friend. So, after all, it’s all because of you. What bewitching method did I use?”
“You’re such a smooth talker.” Niu Junjie derided, then he glanced around and leaned over lowering his voice and said, “My mother will definitely talk to you later. If she asks you about XiaoYa, you, you just trim the sails.”
He Bai raised his eyebrows, “How? Do auntie know about you and Zheng Ya?”
“That day XiaoYa said that she’d like to see my sincerity. I, I called my mother to introduce her then.” Niu Junjie scratched his hair embarrassingly and said with red ears, “Anyway, if my mother asks, you can talk XiaoYa up. She’s good girl, totally different from Liu Huanhuan!”
Seeing that he was so embarrassed, He Bai stopped making fun of him and replied, “Well, if aunt asks, I will do as you say. However, I don’t think aunt will ask, because your two families are in the same circle and have had business deals before. Aunt will know after inquiry about Zheng Ya, she hasn’t said anything to you now, which shows that she’s happy with her.”
Niu Junjie beamed and said happily, “It’s reasonable! My mother and XiaoYa are both people with good temper. They could certainly get along well. After I married XiaoYa, I will … ”
“Who are you going to marry?” Cao Yu appeared at the back of the side door and glared at him with a smile and said, “All day long your mouth is running, what kind of good girl would marry a childish man like you.”
Niu Junjie almost sprang up, he took refuge behind He Bai, flushing crimson and staring at his mother, giggling stupidly.
“So manly.” Cao Yu laughed and scolded him, then waved to He Bai and suggested, “It’s hot outside, come in after you finished walking, XiaoBai, uncle and I want to talk to you.”
With a lovable reply, He Bai squinted at Niu Junjie, shaking his head in disapproval ostensibly after the mother left.
Niu Junjie glared and kicked him into the room.
Niu Xiong and Cao Yu held the conversation in a small, semi-open living room instead of a closed and serious study for what they was about to talk was business, Niu Xiong casually found an excuse to dismiss Niu Junjie and didn’t let him attend.
“I love the photos very much.” Cao Yu took out her laptop, browsing the photos on it, and her eyes were filled with appreciation. “I’ve seen countless of advertisement films of watches over the years, and all the pictures were just hackneyed and stereotyped, with a solid-colored background and a close-up of the watch. It was cold, stiff and boring. But this one is wholly different, and it’s … well, it’s romantic. Some of them don’t chose solid-colored backgrounds, but they aren’t messy at all. On the contrary, there’s some warmth like time has settled in them.”
She said, touching the enlarged dial plate in the photo, smiling and sighing, “Especially this one, the old photo and the dial plate of the watch are fixed together, it’s fancy, and very eye-catching. It gives me the feeling that these photos go back to the nature of the watch, that is, recording the time, recording what had happened in those times, and recording the memories. Ten photos, the first five show the watch from an objective angle, and the last five the story behind the watch from a tender angle and enlarge the feelings carried by the watch. He Bai, I love your photography style very much, thank you.”
He Bai was somewhat ill at ease by the elders’ praise and answered, “Auntie you are so kind, it’s me that should thank Junjie for giving me this opportunity. This watch is beautiful and it’s my honor to photograph it.”
“No matter how beautiful it is, it’s just a watch. Besides, you’re so outstanding that there’s no shortage of opportunity. Junjie always comes up with ideas. Thanks to the care of yours in dormitory that nothing bad happened in the past two years.” Cao Yu put down the computer, affectionately patted him on the hand and said gently, “Come here more often if you are free together with the other two in the dormitory. Last time you came, we were on vacation and didn’t treat you well. I’m sorry for that.”
He Bai shook his head and expressed no worries at all, and was somewhat envious of Niu Junjie’s happy family.
“Okay, okay, Junjie is waiting to take Xiaobai out. If we keep on hogging him, Junjie would come and make a scene.” Niu Xiong suggested at the right time and joked with a smile. Then he took out a document and presented it to He Bai, and he came straight to the point, “This is the contract I asked the lawyer to draw up last night. XiaoBai, check it. If there’s anything you find inappropriate, let’s revise it.”
He Bai smiled, did away with formalities, took the document and went through it carefully. After confirming that the basic terms were rightfully settled, he drew a pen from the camera bag, signed his name directly, and filled in all the necessary places.
Seeing he was so straightforward, Niu Xiong was delighted. He clapped his belly and asked smilingly, “That’s it? Aren’t you afraid of uncle Niu deceiving you?”
“If uncle Niu deceived me, then I’ll get it back from Junjie. Anyway, I have nothing to lose.” He Bai closed the paper, put away the pen and replied with a smile.