Ning Yanfan’s studio was always crowded with people.
Although the old gentleman’s eyes were still sharp and his hands steady, he had aged, so he delegated some work to students or assistants.
This was a large studio.
Except for Ning Xue, Ning Yanfan didn’t live with his family. The great architect’s house was quite modest, focusing more on practical functionality.
After spending half his life in architecture and retiring from his work unit, Ning Yanfan still served as an honorary professor at universities before establishing his studio. In his words, he had devoted his youth to public service, and in his remaining years – though he didn’t know how many he had left – he wanted to design what he liked. The old gentleman hadn’t imagined he would live so long into the new era, even becoming an architectural internet celebrity.
What Xia Xiaolan was touring was Ning Yanfan’s studio.
The entire residence was a renovated courtyard house. The traditional elements were subtle, with all rooms featuring bright windows – achieving good natural lighting meant abandoning the old-style windows. While courtyard houses were prestigious, single-story buildings wasted space, so Ning Yanfan converted the residence into a multi-story building.
It was simple yet elegant. While seemingly not focused on design aesthetics, the details revealed otherwise.
“When Grandfather renovated this place, he hoped it would nurture more young architects.”
Graduating with an architecture degree didn’t make one an architect. Becoming an architect required more than just qualifications – one needed to apply academic knowledge flexibly in practice… Designing buildings right after graduation? Dream on! Most started with designing toilets!
Not designing toilets, but doing the most basic work. From bidding to construction, joining whatever project team needed people. The bidding phase alone could take one or two years, especially for large international projects with endless “competitions” – first round, second round, third round. After finally standing out, thinking you’ve won, the project might inexplicably stall – and there were those maddening fifth and sixth rounds of competition!
An architect would draw countless designs in their lifetime, with very few being built.
Xia Xiaolan only partially understood these things. As they walked, Ning Xue explained not just the studio but also the current state of the architecture industry.
“If possible, studying abroad is best. Not because domestic architecture programs are inadequate, but because foreign architectural firms only recognize foreign degrees. Having experience in foreign architectural firms makes everything easier when returning home.”
Ning Xue was clearly describing her own intended path.
Xia Xiaolan nodded, “So you’ll go abroad?”
The question needed no answer.
After thoroughly showing Xia Xiaolan around, Ning Xue, assuming the elderly pair had finished talking, led her to the study – but Ning Xue’s assumption was wrong. The study door was half-open, and Ning Yanfan and Grandmother Yu’s conversation continued, with Ning Yanfan’s voice audible:
“Junior Sister Yu, Comrade Huai Xin has passed away. None of the Ji family amounts to much – don’t bother with them.”
“Hmph! If Ji Huai Xin’s descendants weren’t bullying people, why would I scold them? Ji Huai Xin was always narrow-minded, and his children are indeed unremarkable!”
“Junior Sister Yu, your temper is really… Never mind, forget about the Ji family. Deal with them as you see fit – someone should teach them a lesson. But I didn’t expect anyone could meet your standards. That student Xia Xiaolan must be quite exceptional.”
Despite her tough exterior, Grandmother Yu had to acknowledge Xia Xiaolan’s excellence.
Unlike Ning Xue’s inherited talent, Xia Xiaolan’s excellence emerged from the grassroots, making it particularly remarkable. When comparing Ning Xue and Xia Xiaolan, Grandmother Yu naturally favored Xia Xiaolan.
“…She’s alright, just good at studying.”
Ning Yanfan sighed, “I see more than just academic ability.”
While Ning Xue was like one floating in the air, Xia Xiaolan was one running on the ground. Ning Yanfan thought if these two could balance each other out, it would be perfect.
“Xiaolan and her mother want me to move to Beijing, saying I have no one to care for me in Shangdu. Old Ning, should I come?”
Grandmother Yu’s question made Ning Yanfan want to laugh.
Wasn’t this just wanting to come but waiting for someone’s encouragement?
Though Xia Xiaolan knew eavesdropping wasn’t proper, she wanted to hear Grandmother Yu’s thoughts about moving to Beijing.
Rooted to the spot at the doorway with Ning Xue beside her, they heard Ning Yanfan continue:
“You should come. I know you’re waiting for Xiao Yi and the others to return. If they come back, won’t they be able to find you in Beijing? Sister, I’ve been helping search for Xiao Yi and the others all these years. Previously, contact with foreign countries was cut off, but now with Reform and Opening Up, our international connections will increase. You must have faith.”
Ning Yanfan didn’t know if they were still alive.
But he had to give Grandmother Yu hope.
How many years could the old lady live? Living with hope was better than having none.
Were Grandmother Yu’s family members in America?
Xia Xiaolan’s mind stirred, and she pushed the door open:
“You should move to Beijing. Given the chance, I’ll help find them for you.”
Wasn’t the half-open study door an invitation to eavesdrop? With Ning Yanfan having spoken openly, Xia Xiaolan felt it was time to state her position. Grandmother Yu’s only obsession seemed to be her family members lost overseas.
While other things might be difficult, finding people was possible.
Searching within China would be like finding a needle in a haystack. Ning Yanfan was right – in previous years, China had been largely isolated from the world. Finding relatives should be left to professionals, and in capitalist countries, money is talked about. With dollars, they could hire private investigators, and run TV advertisements – the chances of finding people would be greater.
Grandmother Yu suddenly stood up:
“If you can find them for me, I’ll give you that building at Erqi Square!”
Grandmother Yu had keen eyes – when Xia Xiaolan signed the ten-year lease, she knew Xia Xiaolan wanted that building. Xia Xiaolan hadn’t planned to save this money; she had intended to buy the building.
But since Grandmother Yu didn’t want to take advantage of anyone, Xia Xiaolan simply agreed, reassuring her.
“Then it’s a deal.”