Chapter 13 Chapter Thirteen Cherish the People Around You

Lengyue, located beside Piazza del Popolo, is a very popular Japanese-style high-end club in Rome.Here not only has super-class Japanese cuisine, but also provides high-quality leisure and entertainment for guests.People who come here to kill time, in addition to some high-level Japanese companies stationed in Rome, there are also many local celebrities who want to experience Asian culture. As soon as Parker stepped into the club, a short middle-aged man immediately took him outside a remote box. "Miss, Mr. Parker has arrived." The middle-aged man said respectfully at the door, and then gently moved the paper door open.

What appeared in front of Parker was an elegant and picturesque scene.A girl in a lotus-colored kimono is kneeling on a tatami mat, carefully fiddling with flower branches in front of her.The girl has gentle eyebrows, a smile on her pink face, and a kind of elegant and reserved beauty in her gestures.Although it can't be said that it is a country and a city, it is like a spring breeze, and you can't help but be attracted to her. While being amazed, a trace of inexplicable melancholy surged up in Parker's heart. Her world is completely different from his world. Growing up in a slum, he has been living in bloody killings since he was seven years old, and he was most exposed to drugs and violence.And growing up in an aristocratic family, she has been a pampered daughter since she was a child, receiving the most perfect education, and is exposed to almost all the beautiful things in the world.

"Mr. Parker, you're here." Shizuka gently put the things in her hand aside, and smiled gracefully at him, "I'm so sorry that I made you come here to meet me." "It doesn't matter, it's the same for me wherever we meet." Parker also sat down on the tatami mat, and it was obvious that he was not very used to this sitting posture. "Then please tell me if you have anything to do." Her voice was as warm as freshly made wagashi. "Then I won't beat around the bush. I hope you stay away from that woman. She's not worth helping." Parker's unsmiling appearance looked quite serious, making people afraid to approach him at all.

Shizuka didn't seem to be surprised, but still maintained an elegant smile, "So it's about this. Mr. Parker, no matter what, she is your mother and your only relative. Are you planning to hate her for the rest of your life?" "Did she tell you everything?" After seeing Shizuka nodding, Parker's face became more gloomy as if he could squeeze out water, "Okay, in this case, this woman killed my father, then It's only natural that I hate her." Even he himself didn't know why, but the pain hidden in his heart was so easily vented in front of her, "My father was originally a high-level member of the American gangster. After he met my mother, he wanted to leave He lived a simple life in a gang, so he secretly took the woman to Argentina and lived in a small town under his name. His father was a very thoughtful person. In order to escape the gang, he not only had plastic surgery , He also used an accident to destroy all his fingerprints, and became a completely different person. In addition, he also hid a USB flash drive that involved some secrets of the gang, which can be regarded as a step back."

Shizuka looked at him silently, quietly waiting for his next words.She knows that at this moment, she just needs to be a listener, and it is superfluous to say any word. "But the gang never gave up looking for him. Later, their people also found Argentina, and even became suspicious of my father, but because there was no evidence, they never acted rashly. So they sent a handsome man from the gang to approach me. Mother... that woman, but that woman couldn't resist the temptation, betrayed my father and slept with someone else, and accidentally revealed the secret of my father's plastic surgery..." He paused, as if he wanted to calm down his confusion "After being found out, my father exchanged his life and the USB drive for my safety and hers. That woman brought me back to Italy. Since I was seven years old, I have been growing up in a poor area. , until I met..." He seemed to realize something, and changed the topic again, "And that woman started a life of self-defeating, drinking and gambling all day long, and sleeping with different men... Besides not starving me to death, she also Didn't do my mother's duty a little more... Such a woman, can I forgive her? Can I?"

After saying so much in one breath, Parker suddenly felt much more relaxed, as if a big stone stuck in his chest had finally been removed, and even his breathing seemed to become a little easier. These words, which had never been said to anyone, were actually said to her so easily. A trace of pity flashed in Shizuka's eyes. It turned out that this seemingly stern killer also had such a painful past. His mother indirectly killed his father. Such cruel memories must be tormenting him from time to time. "Parker..." She called his name directly for the first time, "Before I answer you, can you please listen to me tell a story."

"You say." His answer was simple and clear. "I have three brothers in total. The third brother is about the same age as me, and has the best relationship." Shizuka paused, and inserted the flower branch in her hand into the nutritious soil, "But no matter how good the relationship is, brothers and sisters will There were bad times. When I was sixteen, I fell in love with my driver's son and planned to elope with him." When she said this, Parker was obviously a little surprised, completely unable to see that this young lady had a youthful and frivolous time.

"At that time, I trusted my third brother so much, so I asked him for help. Unexpectedly, my third brother agreed to me on the surface, and as soon as he turned around, he sent someone to beat up my boyfriend and drove the driver away. Leaving my house. As a result, my boyfriend’s father suffered from depression and committed suicide because he lost his job, and my boyfriend and I have become strangers in the world since then.” Shizuka cut off the excess leaves on the flower branch, “After this incident, I didn't say a word to the third brother, I told myself that he ruined my happiness, he killed an innocent person, and I will never forgive him."

Parker looked at her intently without expressing any opinions. He was also a qualified listener. "In the past three years, the third brother has tried his best to show his kindness to me, hoping to reconcile with me, but I have never given him any chance and hurt him time and time again. But he doesn't mind at all, even when I On the eve of my 19th birthday, he even flew to England to buy me a birthday present." Her expression was still calm, but her trembling fingers revealed the fluctuations in her heart, "But on my birthday, I didn't get his present. But we waited for the bad news that he died in a car accident."

"At that time, I knew that I had already forgiven him in my heart, but I kept refusing to bow my head because of my face. But it was too late. Even if I wanted to say forgiveness a thousand times or ten thousand times, he couldn't hear him. " She lowered her eyes, "We are used to the existence of relatives who are always by our side. The more we care about people, the harder it is for us to forgive when they make mistakes. It is precisely because they are our most People who are close to us, so we have never cherished the days with them, and always feel that there is still a lot of time. But we don’t know, when one day we really want to forgive them and want to cherish them , you will find that the person around you has disappeared.”

Parker was deeply touched. He stared at her quietly with those amber eyes, like a calm lake in winter. move. "I... never wanted to forgive her..." His voice was obviously not as strong as before. "Really?" Jingxiang inserted the flower branch in her hand into the nutritious soil, "If you hate her so much, then you don't have to help her pay off her gambling debt at all. If she calls for help, you can just change the phone number .” Parker's face changed slightly, and he stood up abruptly, "It's getting late, and it's time for me to leave." Shizuka seemed to have expected his reaction, and stood up with a smile, "Then I won't keep you, Mr. Parker. However, I have one thing I want to give you." As she spoke, she put the A branch of flowers was handed to him, "This is for you." Parker was slightly taken aback, "Give it to me?" She smiled without saying a word, just beckoning him to accept it. Although he felt a little puzzled in his heart, out of politeness, Parker reached out and took the flower.I didn't notice it before, but this flower has a fiery color, an exaggerated flower shape, and an unrestrained publicity, which doesn't seem to be suitable for the gentle and elegant Shizuka. "this is……" "This is the kapok that was airlifted from the Philippines." She added, "It's a flower I like very much." "Then...thank you." After saying goodbye, he turned and walked out the door. "Also, Mr. Parker, the flower language of kapok is--" Her voice was soft and powerful, as if there was a kind of temptation that seemed to be there, "--cherish the people around you." Parker suddenly clenched the flower branch in his hand, and an indescribable warmth surged in his heart, filling his empty chest to the brim, almost overflowing... Cherish the people around you. Don't wait until you lose it to regret it. Don't wait until you lose it to learn to cherish it. These days, the temperature in Rome has suddenly become a little abnormal, as if it has directly transitioned from early summer to midsummer.The young Italian girls couldn't wait to put on sexy and charming short skirts and hot pants, and they walked in the bright sunshine, swaying and full of charms, becoming the most beautiful scenery in the city of Rome. That is the beauty that no master can describe, and only life can possess. Since breaking up with Toto, Liu Xia has devoted almost all her energy and time to that entry.Genius plus hard work, the effect is naturally obvious.As soon as the first draft of this work came out, Camilla and Shizuka were full of praise.But Liu Xia herself was not very satisfied, and always felt that there was something missing in this painting.But she couldn't say what it was exactly. What is missing?No matter what, she must find out. Having lost her loved ones, she can no longer lose her dreams. Soon it was time to teach Marguerite again.In order to spare time to read those old editions of Alfonso's books and learn more about painting, Liu Xia would pass two hours earlier recently.But I don't know if it's a coincidence, but almost every time she happens to meet Alfonso there. After the gossip news was published in the newspaper, Liu Xia thought that Margaret would misunderstand her as before, and was worried for several days.But to her surprise, Margaret's attitude towards her remained unchanged. It seems that the friendship formed during the period of difficult sisters and difficult sisters was really strong, and even such things did not make Margaret lose his temper. Today was the same as before, when she walked into the study, she saw Alfonso looking for something on the bookshelf.Even at home, the young Earl was meticulous in his attire.The seemingly ordinary Armani basic white shirt is matched with dark silver antique cufflinks, which reveals an inherent nobility when worn on his body.The setting sun at dusk lazily poured in from the window, passed through the exquisite transparent screen, and cast a faint light and shadow on his perfect profile. "Liu Xia, come and read this book." Alfonso motioned for her to come over as soon as he saw her.This study room is almost as big as Liu Xia's ten bedrooms, and the books on the bookshelves are so densely packed that it is dazzling.And this is not where the earl specially collects books. The large library in the castle is the official book collection. When Liu Xia took the book, she noticed the scar left on his lip.Although the scar has faded a lot, it can still be seen vaguely. "Mr. Alfonso," she showed a slightly apologetic expression, "Did Marguerite find out about your injury?" Alfonso nodded, "But she didn't ask anything. The kid must think it's useless to ask me, so she simply ignored it." "Margaret is indeed a very smart child." To be honest, Liu Xia still can't believe that this girl is really only eight years old. "It's a miracle that Margaret likes you more and more." He smiled slightly. "You know, none of the tutors I hired before could persist for more than a month." "Maybe we are in trouble together." After she finished speaking, she mechanically pulled the corners of her mouth and forced a smile.Although the trauma in her heart is not so easy to heal, she still prefers to put on that nonchalant mask to other people. "I seem to have heard someone praise me for being smart." Margaret appeared at the door at some point, poking her head out with a smile, "If it's Teacher Liu Xia, don't say it's a month, or a long time It will be all right." Liu Xia pursed her lips and was about to say something, when she continued, "Father, it was fortunate that Teacher Liu Xia was there at that time, we should really thank her." Alfonso also laughed, "Marguerite is right. If it wasn't for you last time, Romeo wouldn't be able to rescue her so easily. Liuxia, what do you want? As long as I can do it, I can ask it .Even if you want a salary increase, it’s totally fine.” When he said the last sentence, a teasing smile floated in his eyes. "It... really doesn't need it." Liu Xia hurriedly shook his head, "Isn't it you, Mr. Alfonso, who saved me? If you count it like this, I owe more favors." Alfonso raised his eyebrows noncommittally, when the phone in the study rang suddenly, he motioned for a short pause, and continued to discuss this topic after he finished answering the phone. "Teacher, since Dad has already spoken, you don't have to be polite." Margaret blinked at her. "Miss, are you sure you don't want to punish me?" Liu Xia asked in a low voice that only the other party could hear while Alfonso was still answering the phone.It's no wonder why she wondered why Margaret brought up this topic for no reason? Margaret first showed a very innocent smile, then lowered her eyelids, her long eyelashes flickering like a butterfly flapping its beautiful wings. "Teacher, do you remember that morning when you hugged me and told me not to be afraid. At that moment, I..." Her voice seemed to be a little different from usual, with vaguely unpredictable emotions, "I still I thought no one would ever do the same thing or say the same thing to me except my dad." "The same thing? The same words? Did similar things happen before?" Liu Xia was a little puzzled. Margaret's eyelashes trembled a few times, and when she raised her eyelashes again, there was an emerald-like light in her eyes, "The Margherita Competition is sponsored by our Lorenzo family, if you can ask Dad to write a letter of recommendation If you believe it, it will definitely increase your chances of winning. Teacher, you should take advantage of this opportunity yourself." Liu Xia raised her head in disbelief, and stared at those emerald eyes with a complicated gaze. In addition to a faint warmth surging in her heart, there was also a trace of guilt that she almost blamed the other party --- it turned out that Marguerite broached the subject out of the blue just to give her work an opportunity.If he asked Alfonso to write a letter of recommendation for her work now, then he probably would not refuse. Although the girl's precociousness often surprised her, those words just now exceeded her imagination again.How can an eight-year-old girl think of these things that belong only to the adult world?Was it born like this, or did something happen to make this girl lose the innocence that an eight-year-old child should have? At this moment, a sentence that this girl once said to her a long time ago suddenly appeared in her mind.Although it was only a flash in her mind, it made her decide to accept Alfonso's kindness. Alfonso also finished the phone call at this time, and joined the discussion on this topic again.He seemed to be very interested in what request Liu Xia would make, and he also specifically hinted that she could make any request. Liu Xia looked at Margaret, who gave her a quick wink.Quite a bit beyond the village, there is no sign of this shop. "Then, my request is -----" She paused, "I would like to invite you to accompany me to the zoo in Rome." Alfonso was slightly taken aback, apparently thinking he had heard it wrong, and immediately asked again, "Liu Xia, what did you say?" "I said, I want you to accompany me to the Roman Zoo," she repeated clearly. Now he finally understood that his hearing was not the problem, but this request was so unexpected that he didn't know how to respond for a while. "Teacher..." Margaret sensitively sensed that this might be related to her, and when she saw the other party blinking at her, she became more certain of her thoughts. "I know Mr. Alfonso, you are very busy, but you also said just now that as long as you can do it, you can meet it. Then this request is not difficult for you, you will definitely not refuse it?" Liu Xia The reason for this is obviously very good, and it is also considered that this request cannot be refused by the other party. Alfonso had already returned to normal after a moment of astonishment. He first glanced at Liuxia with unclear eyes, and then pointed to the weather forecast column in the newspaper, "The weather this week is good, then this Saturday." Margaret couldn't believe her ears, and asked again tentatively, "Dad, you mean you agreed to go to the zoo together?" Seeing that Alfonso nodded, she almost jumped up in surprise and shouted, "Great! Great! Dad! I'm going to choose the most beautiful clothes to see those little animals." !” Before she finished speaking, she slipped out of the room like a puff of smoke. Alfonso watched Margaret's back, and said in a low voice, "This request...is for her sake, right?" Liu Xia was slightly taken aback, but did not deny it, "Although Margarita is the daughter of the earl of the Lorenzo family, she is just an ordinary eight-year-old child aside from this identity." She knew that Alfonso would always The daughter is under strict supervision, and she is not even allowed to leave the castle.But if this is a form of protection, will it also kill the child's innocence? There seemed to be a touch of touch on his face, and he turned and looked out the window without saying anything.The sunset glow at dusk has covered the entire sky at some point, and the rose red color spreads enchantingly and presumptuously in the air, exuding an incomparably strange beauty. The sun was about to sink, and darkness soon fell. But after darkness, there will be a new dawn.