257 Staying Over at the Old House

"Eh? I clearly remember it being around here!" Xia Fang said as she looked at the surrounding houses.

Qiao Mei shook her head helplessly. Before she came, Xia Zhe had told her about the personalities and shortcomings of everyone in the Xia family, and he specifically mentioned that she must not let Aunt take her out for a long walk.

"Aunt, do you remember if there's any special signs or characteristics?" Qiao Mei asked.

"I remember there is a big cherry tree in the yard, right at the door," Xia Fang said.

Cherry tree?

Qiao Mei looked around and saw a big tree in a courtyard in front. Based on Aunt's description and the age of the tree, it looked to be that one.

"Aunt, do you think the courtyard in front looks like it?" Qiao Mei pointed at the courtyard in the distance.

Xia Fang took a look and confirmed that it was the correct courtyard. She slapped her thigh and said, "Oh my, look at my memory."

"Let's go, Aunt. Let's go over," Qiao Mei said as she held Aunt's hand.

The two of them came to a pitch-black wooden door. The door was not big and could not be compared to those belonging to the ancient royal residences, but it was still imposing enough.

It looked like the doorway had been modified in recent years. It was probably because it had been in disrepair for a long time and given that the city no longer allowed such a large doorway, it was rebuilt to make it smaller.

It was a standard siheyuan courtyard house, with side houses in the east and west sides and an opposite house facing the north.

The courtyard was very big. The moment they entered the courtyard, they saw a huge cherry tree. Immediately next to it was a grape rack made of vines.

There was also a stone table and stone chairs in the middle of the courtyard. It would be perfect for drinking tea and enjoying the scenery in autumn.

Before Qiao Mei could appreciate the place, the sky quickly darkened and it looked like it was going to rain. Qiao Mei and Xia Fang hurriedly ran into the house.

"It looks like it's going to rain," Qiao Mei said.

"Yes, looks like we have to stay here tonight," Xia Fang said.

Qiao Mei looked around at the furniture and fittings and did not see any dust at all. She immediately knew that someone must have come here often to clean up.

"I have an arrangement for cleaners to come in twice a week. Otherwise, we wouldn't be able to stay here today," Xia Fang said proudly.

It was a good thing that the house was clean and tidy. Otherwise, they would not be able to live in it.

As they spoke, the rain began to fall. Qiao Mei stood at the door and stared blankly into the distance.

Xia Fang went into the rooms to tidy up the beds. When she came out and saw Qiao Mei staring into space, she said, "My mother loved to eat grapes and cherries when she was younger. My father planted that cherry tree back then."

Given that, this tree should be almost 100 years old.

"After my mother passed away, this cherry tree never bore cherries again. Don't cut down this tree when you move in in the future. It would be good to keep it if only for the shade," Xia Fang said sadly.

"No, no, of course not. I think this tree is not old, but it lacks nutrition. When the time comes, I'll change the soil to a special type that's suitable for it. I'm sure it can still bear fruits," Qiao Mei said as she patted her chest.

Xia Fang shook her head. It was not as if they had not tried to think of ways to save the tree. The eldest son of the Xia family, her eldest nephew Xia Wen, was a university professor.

He knew many geologists and plant experts who came over to help think of ways to save this tree, but in the end, nothing came out of it. She knew that Qiao Mei could do a lot of things, but could Qiao Mei save the tree that all the experts said could not be saved?

Xia Fang looked doubtful.

"Aunt, do you doubt me, but I'm one of the best farmers in our village. I can't say for sure about anything else, but I can definitely save this tree. Just wait to eat cherries!" Qiao Mei clapped her hands and said confidently.

This action made Xia Fang laugh out loud. She smiled and said, "Then I'll wait for you to save it. When that happens, I'll find someone to set up a swing for you so that your child can play under the tree."

As Xia Fang spoke of her child, Qiao Mei also smiled gently. She was already thinking about how the two children would look playing under the tree after they were born.